Where to Raise a Glass to Friends and Family on Thanksgiving in Baltimore
Well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right? No. If you can’t beat ‘em, have a few drinks and forget the holiday insanity.
Back in the day (like, only a decade or so ago), Thanksgiving was the kick-off to the holiday season. In the spirit of the holiday, we are holding strongly to that tradition with a list of the top ten places to hunker down, drink up, and avoid Aunt Martha while still celebrating the nation’s first chance to indulge in the fruits of its new citizens’ hard labor in 1621. Indulge away, readers.
Alizee
If you’re feeling like you want your Thanksgiving to be as removed from family as what Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn initially envisioned for their December holiday in Four Christmases, Alizee is a perfect hideaway on Thanksgiving. Tell the in-laws that you’re stuck on some sort of really important can’t-get-out-of-it thing and then hunker down at this cozy out-of-the-way spot, set back away in the hotel and away from windows making it highly unlikely you’ll be spotted swilling suds. Breathe a sigh of Thanksgiving gratitude (or relief), and let the wine flow from their extensive list. Seatings for a Thanksgiving meal start at 11:30 AM, but it should be easy enough to just sidle up to the bar and be thankful for their stellar wine list and a few televisions to watch the games. (4 W University Pkwy.; 443-449-6200)
Blue Hill Tavern
Is there a more appropriate place than Baltimore’s Brewer’s Hill to drink away the day, Thanksgiving or otherwise? We think not. Settle in at Blue Hill’s expansive bar and forgo pumpkin pie in favor of their decadent Peanut Butter Candy Bar (peanut butter shortbread, caramel, pretzel, and marshmallow fluff) paired with any number of high quality wines and creative cocktails. There’s also a three-course prix-fixe meal available featuring some of their most popular dishes as well as a Thanksgiving plate, for $39.99. (938 S Conkling St.; 443-388-9363)
The Capital Grille
If your year has been going well enough that you are ready to throw down cash at the reputable CG on Thanksgiving, then you have plenty to be thankful for, indeed. Raise your glass of high-end wine, or your fashionable cocktail, as a salute to all you’re grateful for while noshing on the $36 turkey entree… or slicing into some well-deserved steak. (500 E Pratt St.; 443-703-4064)
Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
Historical accounts suggest that the Pilgrims and Native Americans dined on a fair amount of seafood on the first Thanksgiving. Who are you to argue with tradition? Stop by Jimmy’s for the holiday and dine on their Thanksgiving menu or dig into any of their top-notch seafood selections while sipping from their impressive wine, beer, and cocktail selection at the enormous bar bedecked with plenty of huge televisions to take in the football action. Heck, do Thanksgiving Baltimore-style - crack a dozen steamed crabs and wash them down with a few Natty Bohs while you’re at it. (6526 Holabird Ave.; 410-633-4040)
Opening at 1 PM, the Southern-styled Langermann’s is serving up Southern fried turkey, cornbread stuffing, and pineapple-glazed ham, all of which sound like ideal belly-liners in preparation for indulgence in their classy martinis and wine. (2400 Boston St.; 410-534-3287)
We’re not mathematicians here, but we do know this: oyster shooters > oyster stuffing. Sidle up to the bar for shooters, brews, and game-watching, or grab a table to enjoy Mama’s regular, seafood-heavy menu. (2901 O’Donnell St.; 410-276-3160)
Opening at noon, Mt. Washington Tavern is serving an a la carte Thanksgiving dinner. However, what we are thankful for is the Thanksgiving buffet, the perfect set-up for drinking our way through their long list of brews with ample food supplies to keep the gratitude (or drinking… whatever you want to call it) going. (5700 Newbury St.; 410-367-6903)
Regi’s is known for being Federal Hill’s go-to Thanksgiving spot with tons of fresh meats and seasonal sides featured for the holiday. However, we fell in love with them last year when they featured cocktails inspired by the nation’s autumnal holiday like the “Fig-ehht-about It” and the “Cranberry Bog”. We’re confident that this year will be no different, with the same creativity at work behind the bar and in the kitchen. (1002 Light St.; 410-539-7344)
River Watch Restaurant and Marina
Just a short drive outside of city limits, this waterfront restaurant and bar is featuring a Thanksgiving dinner, but we’re far more grateful for the option to throw back a few while watching the games with a water view. Also? If the Pilgrims had access to crabs and cheese, we bet they would have served up this spot’s incredible crab dip that we’re always thankful for any day of the year. (207 Nanticoke Rd., Essex; 410-687-1422)
Wit & Wisdom
We put our fat-pants on one leg at time, like everyone else, on Thanksgiving. However, why not don your fancy-pants and pop into Wit and Wisdom at the Four Seasons to treat yourself to their three-course dinner at $85 ($40 for additional wine pairings)? Alternatively, grab a seat at the bar (or in the comfy lounge seats) from which you can take in some creative cocktails from one of the best vantage points of any waterfront bar in Baltimore. (200 International Dr.; 410-576-5800)
Photo via Flickr user timsackton
Tags: Beer, Cocktails, Dinner, Food, Holiday, Parties, Spirits, Wine
