Start cooking days in advance and cook, cook, cook until it’s time to sit down and consume a week’s worth of kitchen time in half an hour. Then clean, clean, clean, making sure to wash and dry each piece of Grandma’s china by hand. Now collapse from exhaustion.
Rewind: Pick up the phone. Call your favorite Southwest Florida restaurant and reserve a table or order a complete meal to go. Eat. Now collapse into a food coma.
If plan B sounds like the better option this year for Thanksgiving Day, November 28, here’s a quick rundown on what got my mouth watering reading emails these past couple of weeks. There’s a lot more than turkey and mashed potatoes going on here.
The French Brasserie Rustique, Naples: Three courses, $65++. Samples: Butternut Squash Soup with lobster claw (+$5), Duck Leg Confit with black truffle duck jus, Pumpkin Crème Brulée
Paper Fig Kitchen, Sanibel: Turkey dinner catered to-go for 8-10 guests, $399. Samples: Merlot Poached Pear Salad with pomegranate poppy seed dressing, Herb Sourdough Stuffing, Baked Sweet Corn Pudding
Coast at Edgewater Beach Hotel, Naples. Three courses. $68++ for adults. Samples: Baked Brie and Raspberry Puff Pastry, New York Strip, Bourbon Apple Dumplings
Ocean Prime, Naples: Three courses, $39++. Samples: Brussels Sprouts with hot bacon vinaigrette, Roasted Beets, Pumpkin Cheesecake with caramel
Baleen, Naples. Chef-attended breakfast stations and all-day buffet. $115++ for adults. Samples: Blueberry Stuffed French Toast, Roast Sirloin, Evening Pasta Station
Sundial Beach Resort, Sanibel. Buffet. $58++ for adults. Samples: Sushi and Seafood Bar, Lemon & Pepper Rubbed Salmon, Taste of Italy Station
The Local, Naples. Traditional turkey spread on-site or to-go November 18 through Thanksgiving Day. $28++ each
Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Naples. Buffet, $75++ for adults. Samples: Prince Edward Island Mussels, Sun-dried Tomato Florida Grouper, Braised Pork Shoulder with Andouille Sausage
Campiello, Naples. Celebration of truffles. A la carte prices for dishes and black and white truffle supplements. Samples: Mushroom Stuffed Turkey Breast with truffle gravy, Truffle Ravioli, Spiced Ricotta Mousse with candied pumpkin seeds.
Naples Grande Beach Resort, Naples. Turkey feast to-go $199 for 6-8 servings. Buffet $95++ per adult. Samples: Sushi Bar, Molasses Black Pepper Roasted Pork Belly, Apricot and Chicken Apple Sausage Stuffing.
