A cornucopia of ways to celebrate Turkey Day in the city

Students spending Thanksgiving on campus may be tempted to stay in and microwave a turkey hot dog, but even those used to the fare of the great Oscar Mayer might find it dreary to eat such cuisine on Turkey Day.

One lovely, albeit pricey, alternative to dining at home alone is Sarabeth’s West (423 Amsterdam Ave.)—the prix fixe Thanksgiving offering is $60 per person. This elegant restaurant, not far from Columbia, offers a Thanksgiving menu to rival grandma’s, with dishes such as free-range turkey, maple sweet potatoes, orange cranberry compote, sausage apple stuffing, and giblet gravy. There will also be conventional Thanksgiving desserts such as pumpkin pie, apple crumb pie, and pecan pie with vanilla ice cream.

A less-expensive option, at $32.95 per person, is Amsterdam Restaurant and Tapas Lounge (1207 Amsterdam Ave.). Less-traditional appetizers such as smoked gouda crab cakes with mango-lime chutney and duck egg rolls add zest to the traditional meal.

For students who can never get enough turkey, Pappardella (316 Columbus Ave.) might be the best choice, with a prix fixe menu at $29.95 per person. At Pappardella, a turkey dinner is served family style, allowing customers to take seconds and thirds. The meal consists of American and Italian holiday favorites, even mixing the best cuisine of both countries together in desserts such as chocolate pecan pie with vanilla gelato.

Webster Hall (125 E. 11th St.), meanwhile, caters to people who like to party before eating their turkey. The club will host a huge party on Thanksgiving Eve with ten DJs. This colossal nightclub in the East Village holds about 2,500 partygoers, and $45 tickets are available to students aged 19 and older.

Another place to party before filling up on turkey is the Thanksgiving Eve rooftop party at Hudson Terrace (621 W. 46th St.). The setting makes it easy to feel the Thanksgiving spirit—breathtaking views of the Hudson River will make attendees grateful to live in such a beautiful city. Doors open at 9 p.m., and the entry fee is $15.

Students who prefer to cook in their dorms could hold a Thanksgiving potluck and invite friends to bring dishes inspired by their own family celebrations. If students opt to cook the traditional meal on their own, there are many shortcuts they can take, such as buying pre-made pie crust for pumpkin pie or even buying pie and making homemade whipped cream. (This can be accomplished by pouring one cup of heavy whipping cream into a bowl, adding a tablespoon or two of sugar, and beating ingredients with a blender or whisk until fluffy.) Students can also buy a pre-cooked turkey breast instead of cooking an entire bird, which means more time to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV.

The conventional family dinner is not the only way to celebrate Thanksgiving—possibilities abound for spending the holiday in the city. If going home for Thanksgiving break is not an option, there’s still plenty of opportunities for Columbians to grab some friends and start a new Turkey Day tradition.