Four Feasts for Those Who Don't Want to Cook on Thanksgiving
This year, mix up your Thanksgiving holiday by letting someone else do the cooking while you sit back and enjoy the Champagne and turkey.
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Not everyone likes to spend Thanksgiving Day in the kitchen basting a turkey, baking pies and spilling gravy. Whether you’re a visitor without a kitchen in your hotel room, a local who doesn't want to cook, or if you’re just ready to try something a bit different (buffalo ravioli, anyone?), we combed the valley and found four great restaurants that have you and your family covered on November 24.
The Blue Plate's three-course Thanksgiving dinner is an affordable option for down-valley visitors and residents who'd rather leave the cooking to someone else this holiday.
Image: Courtesy The Blue Plate
The Blue Plate, Avon
Avon standard The Blue Plate hosts a three-course dinner that starts with butternut squash soup with pumpkin seeds then transitions to oven-roasted turkey breast and crispy leg meat accompanied with foie gras gravy, sage sausage, apple stuffing, green bean casserole, and ginger citrus cranberry sauce,. Wrap it all up with a fat slice of fresh pumpkin pie. Seatings from 4 to 10 p.m. $25/adults, $15/children.
The all-you-can eat Thanksgiving dinner buffet at Ludwigs won't disappoint families, or diners with big appetites.
Image: Courtesy Sonnenalp Hotel
Ludwig’s, Vail Village
For those who prefer choices in their feasting--or have an extra notch or two in their belts--the Turkey Day buffet at Ludwigs (with two carving stations, a seafood station and classic sides like mashed potatoes) won't disappoint. Noon-8:45 p.m. $45/adults, $18/children (ages six to 12); kids under 5 eat for free.
The Park Hyatt's 8100 Mountainside Grill is a cozy option for Thanksgiving dinner if you're visiting Beaver Creek over the holidays.
Image: Courtesy Park Hyatt
8100 Mountainside Grill, Beaver Creek
The non-traditional among us will love 8100’s Thanksgiving buffet, which departs from the conventional with dishes like savory roasted carrot and coconut bisque, Tuscan kale and sorrel soup, house made elk meatballs, and made-to-order risotto with pancetta, lobster, crab, Hazel Dell mushrooms, butternut squash, and the main event: a bird, albeit hard-cider brined version, with horseradish-orange marmalade and jalapeño cranberry sauce. 3:30-9 p.m. $90/adults, $35 children.
Vail favorite Flame features mouthwatering options for Thanksgiving dinner including a carving station and a to-die-for dessert selection.
Flame, Vail Village
Flame’s Thanksgiving buffet diverges from the ordinary with options like a raw bar and buffalo ravioli, and casserole station with duck noodles, baked oysters, and good old green beans. In addition to those beans, there’s also a full selection of traditional sides, along with a carving station, soups, and a spectacular charcuterie. And a to-die-for desert selection, including turtle cheesecake, pumpkin cake pops, and a cream puff cornucopia. 2-9 p.m. $110/adults, $35/children.
