Where to dine out around Seattle this Thanksgiving

The irony of one of the biggest food holidays of the year is that most restaurants are closed so their employees can celebrate. But what if you just don’t want to dine in this Thursday?

Let’s Eat host and Seattle Times restaurant critic Providence Cicero looked up a few places that will still be serving.

The first place she checks for holiday service is always hotels. This time of year also being one of the busiest travel times means hotels are pretty well staffed, so many of their dining rooms remain open.

Providence says Art at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle has two dining options on Thanksgiving night.

“They’re doing a four-course Thanksgiving feast, adults $85. But they’re also doing a family Thanksgiving buffet. Families of six or more can come in the ballroom and it’s going to have all the fall fixings, and views of Elliott Bay.”

Andaluca at Seattle’s Mayflower Park Hotel is also open.

“This year, forget the muss and fuss of cooking a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Think instead of a leisurely four-course dinner at our place featuring fall favorites with a Mediterranean influence,” says their website.

If Providence had to pick her preferred Thanksgiving dining experience, she says the Copperleaf restaurant at Cedarbrook Lodge wins for setting.

They are serving a four-course tasting menu with a choice of traditional turkey, 48-hour braised Wagyu brisket, or ranch lamb.

For those in to the south, Providence recommends what she calls a “huge, huge” buffet at Salty’s Redondo.

“The turkey and the traditional sides kind of get lost in the prime rib, the seafood, a million sides and salads, and every kind of dessert you can think of,” she says.

Vegetarians celebrate Thanksgiving too, Providence reminds us, choosing to highlight a couple meat-free offerings.

Cafe Flora is maintaining their 20-year tradition of hosting a vegetarian Thanksgiving feast for those that don’t partake in the meat eating. Carmelita in Greenwood is also serving vegetarian dinner options as well as a vegan four-course Thanksgiving menu.

One place is even offering free Thanksgiving dinner to anyone. Providence says Belltown Pub is serving free turkey and fixings from 6 p.m. until all the turkey’s gone, or 2 a.m. whichever comes first. This is their third annual Gobble til ya Wobble event, and they warn turkey bowling and beer pong may also be in play.

Let’s Eat can be heard on KIRO Radio Saturdays at 2 p.m., Sundays at noon. Available anytime ON DEMAND at MyNorthwest.com.