Giving Thanks for Bethesda's Restaurants

Don't feel like cooking Thanksgiving dinner? Maybe you can't travel home to your family's annual gathering. Well, you're in luck, because many Bethesda restaurants are offering multi-course Thanksgiving feasts. After reading their menus, I don't think you'll be disappointed if you choose to dine out this year.

I've hosted Thanksgiving at home for the last ten years; it's always a ton of work. One year, I "went on strike" as my kids say, and decided we should dine out on Thanksgiving. Talk about easy! I know it's hard to give up leftovers, but this list of restaurants, and their delicious-sounding menus, may help convince you.

A few of these restaurants are taking a fresh approach to the traditional meal. Bored with turkey and stuffing? At Legal Seafood, they're bringing back the Pilgrim tradition of serving fish and shellfish for Thanksgiving. At Ruth's Chris Steak House they're serving up sizzling steaks as an option. will even fry your turkey for you at no charge.

I talked with Positano Ristorante Italiano's owner Jimmy Traettino, chef and owner for 33 years, about their annual Thanksgiving menu. A graduate of , Traettino's says Positano's Thanksgiving feast is made entirely from scratch: "It's home cooking. We serve the best turkey I've ever eaten, along with stuffing, cranberry, mashed potatoes, gravy and freshly made pies. We're open all day, walking distance from the Metro and the hotels. We have an affordable wine list."

Anything else, I asked? "I hope they'll come," Traettino laughs. If you don't go this Thanksgiving, try Positano's another time for their outstanding eggplant parmesan.

Perhaps eating out or using one of these helpful services will make this Nov. 25 an experience for which you'll be thankful. If I've left any restaurants off the list, please let us know in the comments section. And I hope this holiday is a day of food you'll relish.

Serving traditional turkey dinner from 1 – 9 pm. Fixed-price menu is $25 per person.

Thanksgiving dinner turkey breast and sides is $30 per person.

A fixed price  three course Thanksgiving meal will be served 11:30 am-9 pm. The price is $39 for adults and $15 for children under 12. A la carte menu available as well.

Opening at 11 am, Thaksgiving menu items include  sweet butter roasted turkey served with stuffing, red mashed potatoes, glazed carrots and cranberry sauce for $19.95. $8 more gets you either butternut squash soup or mixed green salad and spiced bread pudding for dessert.

The Irish Inn at Glen Echo
Open from noon-6 pm. Three course fixed price menu for $35 for adults and $20 kids.

Legal's will ofer a "traditional" Thanksgiving meal featuring fish and shellfish, or diners can opt for a turkey dinner.

A traditional three course Thanksgiving dinner is being offered for $22.95 from 11a.m. to 9p.m.

A four course fixed price  menu is available. Not serving the regular lunch or dinner menus.

A three course turkey dinner is $34.95 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. Opt for a traditional meal or check out their signature steaks. 

 A three course Thanksgiving meal will draw on naturally-raised and local ingredients.

Offerings include butternut squash soup, roasted turkey, baked ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potato gratin, leek and brioche stuffing and roasted fall vegetables. The "American Harvest" meny is available from noon to 6p.m. and costs $59 for and $29 for kids 12 and under.

will deep-fry your turkey for you for free. Bring your fully thawed turkey to the Bethesda location from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

La Madeleine
The French bakery and café offers a turkey holiday feast for four to six people ($64.99), eight to ten people ($94.99), and 12-14 people ($149.99). Thanksgiving orders must be made by Sunday, Nov. 21.