No need to stress over preparing a holiday meal if cooking isn’t your thing. Plenty of restaurants in Arlington, Falls Church and McLean have special Thanksgiving menus that invite you to simply show up at your reserved time.
2941 Restaurant
Treat yourself to three-course prix fixe menu ($120 per person) at this fine dining destination in Falls Church. Appetizers on the decadent holiday menu include butternut squash velouté, yellowfin tuna tartare and shrimp tempura. Of course, there’s turkey (in the form of a breast with mushroom stuffing and sweet potato puree, plus vegetable fricassee, cranberry marmalade and gravy), but for those who don’t want poultry, there are alternatives such as grilled ribeye, Chilean sea bass or king oyster mushroom Wellington. Top it all off with a pumpkin profiterole or Granny Smith apple tart with apple pie gelato. 2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church
The Falls
Celebrating Thanksgiving with kids? This Little City restaurant has pint-size plates of turkey breast with sides such as mac and cheese or apple slices for $10. For adults, the a la carte menu promises seasonal delights such as autumn pear salad and roasted squash. The list of mains has the requisite turkey platter with cranberries and stuffing, as well as options such as smoked ham or grilled branzino. For a sweet finish, tuck into a slice of maple pumpkin, apple cinnamon or bourbon sugar pecan pie, and make it a la mode. The same menu options are available as a prix fixe dinner for $65. (Sister restaurants, including Liberty Tavern, are also serving Turkey Day dinner.) 370 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Founding Farmers
Make a reservation at this farmer-owned, all-American restaurant and enjoy a three-course menu laden with options, including butternut squash soup, roast turkey, prime rib, fish and six kinds of pie. Served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the feast ($48.50 per person, $23.50 for children 12 and younger) also comes with fresh-baked breads and sweet potato butter. 1800 Tysons Blvd., Tysons
J. Gilbert’s
This steak and seafood restaurant will be all about the turkey on Nov. 27, offering a plated, three-course meal for $46 per adult ($22 for kids 12 and younger). The first course is a choice of salad or soup, such as seasonal butternut squash. The second course brings turkey, cornbread and sausage stuffing, whipped potatoes, green beans, cranberry orange relish, and candied sweet potatoes. If you still have room for it, choose from a list of desserts such as pumpkin pie and crème brûlée. 6930 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Lyon Hall
Like its sister restaurant The Falls, Lyon Hall will offer a three-course prix-fixe Thanksgiving menu ($75). Highlights include oysters on the half shell and charcuterie as starters, followed by turkey, duck and a pork chop as entrees. Get some extras for the table, such as truffle mashed potatoes ($10) and cranberry sauce ($9). Pies in flavors such as maple pumpkin, apple cinnamon and bourbon sugar pecan provide a sweet finish. (Other sister restaurants, including Liberty Tavern, are also serving Turkey Day dinner.) 3100 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Maison Cheryl
Clarendon’s French New American bistro has a “Frenchgiving” special, available through Nov. 27. The three-course menu ($65) features a crab cake or French onion soup app, crispy roast duck and sides such as sweet potato casserole with pecan caramel and campfire marshmallow, and a dessert (key lime tart, pecan pie or Basque caramelized cheesecake). Available for dine-in or takeout, reservations require three days’ notice. 2900 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Palette 22
Who says your Thanksgiving Day outing must be in the evening hours? Head to this Shirlington restaurant between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a bottomless brunch featuring a carving station with roasted stuffed turkey and pork belly porchetta, plus sides such as jalapeño cornbread and stuffed mini pumpkins. The cost is $38.22 per person. 4053 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City
Brunch of dinner? Both will be available on Thanksgiving Day at this luxe hotel. Available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the brunch buffet ($130 per guest; $55 for kids 4-12; free for children 3 and younger), includes traditional holiday favorites and a glass of sparkling wine. An à la carte dinner, available 5-10 p.m., includes complimentary valet parking. 1250 S. Hayes St., Arlington (National Landing)
Sfoglina
This upscale pasta house in Rosslyn is celebrating Thanksgiving with a special menu on Nov. 27, 2-8 p.m. The three-course repast features dishes such as butternut squash tortellini ($28), or an olive oil-poached turkey breast with whipped mascarpone potatoes, sage stuffing and sauteed green beans ($38). The chef’s kiss at the end finds pumpkin pie with vanilla chantilly cream. Prefer to eat at home? A takeout box, available for pickup on Nov. 26, includes the same items, plus a warm loaf of rosemary bread and salad. 1100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
True Food Kitchen
Planning to camp out at the Mosaic District ahead of Black Friday bargains? Fill up on Thanksgiving foods while you wait for the stores to open. This health-minded restaurant, which specializes in anti-inflammatory fare and clean eating, will have a three-course menu for $49.50 that includes starters such as roasted Brussels or edamame dumplings, followed by turkey or an ancient grain bowl and sweets such as fall pies or flourless chocolate cake. 2910 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)