Ah yes, it’s that time of year again. That wonderful holiday where everything smells like pumpkin spice and Aunt Sharon still calls you by your sister’s name, and you have to pretend like Turkey is not the least impressive out of all meats (but really, how does one keep the breast moist?). Regardless, we’ll take mom’s overcooked turkey roasted with love over kao ya any day. And luckily you won’t have to resort to such extreme measures on Thanksgiving. Here’s a fully comprehensive guide on where to get your gobble on in Shanghai.
Thanksgiving Dinners
Boxing Cat
Get your eating pants ready. All three Boxing Cat locations – Fuxing Lu, Sinan Mansions and Hongqiao – host a killer buffet of holiday classics: butter roasted turkey, mom’s cranberry sauce, sausage-apple chestnut stuffing, green bean casserole with smoked mushrooms, and, of course, pumpkin pie. Free flow includes their microbrews, wine and soft drinks. Make reservations for one of two time slots at 5-8pm or 8.30-11.30pm, or order to take away.
> Thu Nov 26, 5-8pm & 8.30-11pm, RMB350 (RMB100/child). See event listing.
Morton's Steakhouse
Did someone say free turkey sandwiches? Yep, Morton’s legendary weeknight happy hour is swapping filet mignon for festive birds at both the Pudong and iapm locations, and running for an extra hour, so you have plenty of time to get your Mortini on.
> Thu Nov 26, 5-8pm. See event listing.
POP Brasserie
The Bund-side American brasserie is offering a classic Thanksgiving menu featuring a smoked salmon and grilled pear salad for starters, creamy chowder, roasted veggies, herbed potatoes and, of course, a stuffed, slow-roasted turkey. Come for the view, stay for the pumpkin pie.
> Thu Nov 26, lunch and dinner, RMB248 (10% service charge). See event listing.
Mercato
Don’t expect Jean George to be using any cool whip or stuffing out of a box. This top eatery is offering a refined take on Thanksgiving classics. Expect some juicy roast with a chestnut shitake stuffing, kale salad with chili and mint, and a spiced pumpkin cheesecake. We highly suggest early booking.
> Thu Nov 26, dinner, RMB 60-448.
Maya
The Mexican favorite is spicing up your favorite Thanksgiving dishes with pairings such as mole gravy and spiced cranberry sauce. Oh, and they will also be serving homemade eggnog! Spots always fill up fast so make sure to book early.
> Thu Nov 26, 6pm-close, RMB350.
Maya will also be hosting a second dinner partnered with XinXing Aid for Street Kids. In addition to a full fledged turkey dinner and free flow drinks, there will also be a silent auction and Christmas cards for sale to benefit XinXing. Maya is donating the proceeds to XinXing, which works to provide relief for impoverished children in Shanxi province.
> Tue Nov 24, 7-11pm, RMB 450.
Grand Brasserie
Let the Waldorf Astoria prepare the opulent Thanksgiving feast of your dreams. You know, the ones you always see in magazines with an unrealistically golden turkey. Their resident bistro, Grand Brasserie, will offer a delectable holiday buffet that is perfect for large groups and families. A live jazz band will set the tone for a warm, ritzy Thursday. Limited seats, reservations required.
> Thu Nov 26, 5:30-11pm, RMB698 + 15% (RMB348 ages 6-12). See event listing.
Cachet
Ultra luxe hotel, the Langham, located in Xintiandi, is offering a lavish Thanksgiving dinner at Cachet Restaurant.
> Thu Nov 26, dinner, RMB358 ( plus 15% service charge).
Liquid Laundry
Liquid Laundry’s 4-course tasting dinner menu features a charcuterie plate, choice of traditional turkey, prime rib or blackened salmon for mains, along with substantial veggie sides, and pumpkin pie or pecan butter tart for dessert.
> Thu Nov 26, dinner, RMB400. See event listing.
Wishbone
It’s 2015 folks, which means it’s time to get progressive and untraditional. So ditch the turkey and spend Thanksgiving feasting on Wishbone’s famous, mouthwatering roasted chicken. Additions include but are not limited to deep fried pulled pork mac n’ cheese, roasted pumpkin and tahini, bacon gravy and a sweet potato banoffee pie.
> Thu-Sun Nov 26-29, 6pm-late, RMB880 (feeds about four people).
Shanghai Slim’s
This year, Slim’s is pimping out your Thanksgiving with a USA Butterball turkey, BBQ pork ribs and roast beef, as well as free flow of California wines and x-rated eggnog. Throw in a drunk uncle and some marshmallows and you’ve got yourself an All-American feast. Reservations are essential.
> Thu Nov 26, lunch and dinner, RMB428. See event listing.
Mr. Willis, Henkes, Bang
The restaurateur extraordinaire is pulling out all the stops this Thanksgiving with a special menu offered at all of his restaurants. The decadent platter includes a slow roasted turkey with lemon and pine nut stuffing with all the fixings plus sweet potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. Save room for pumpkin bacon soup and brownie fudge ice cream. Depending on the size of your party, platters are priced at RMB380 for a quarter, RMB680 for a half, and RMB1,280 for a whole.
> Thu-Fri Nov 26-27, dinner, RMB380-1280.
elEfante
If your mom was a retired Spanish model and your dad an Italian boss chef, then your idea of Thanksgiving spread probably looks a lot like elEfante’s. For starters, enjoy some Italian cold cuts, crusty breads, and one (or a few) glasses of wine. Then, partake in some juicy roasted turkey of course, with a free flow (you read that right) of orange and cumin glazed carrots, giblet gravy, stuffing and much more.
> Thu Nov 26, dinner, RMB328. See event listing.
el Willy
The celebrated Spanish restaurant’s holiday menu is surprisingly an ode to American classics. A juicy roasted turkey will be accompanied by a free flow of green beans, mashed taters, spinach dip, and the bane of American gastronomy, the infamous deviled egg. Plus, you can soak up all those leftover juices with their homemade cornbread.
> Thu Nov 26, dinner, RMB398. See event listing.
Marriott Café
Celebrate a festive night of appreciation in style with sumptuous delicacies including traditional turkey, Australian beef and classic homemade pumpkin pie. All tables over eight guests will get a full turkey with condiments served at the table.
> Thu Nov 26, 6-9pm, RMB488+15%. See more here.
Kafer
Chef Andreas is helping us beat the winter chill with special seasonal dishes like turkey surf & turf and Austrian-style turkey ragout with bread dumplings. If you want to celebrate the holidays at home, however, Kafer sells whole turkeys that come with sugar peas, mashed potatoes, cornbread, cranberries and gravy.
> Available Nov 23-Dec 23, RMB88-348, whole turkey RMB888. See event listing.
Turkey Take-Outs
Gourmet 360
With juicy birds available from 6am-9pm for a whole month, JW Marriott has your festive cravings covered for the entire holiday season. Best of all, their 6-7kg turkeys can be delivered for free within a 5 km radius of the hotel’s People’s Square location. Book 48 hours in advance by calling 5359 4969 ext. 6360.
> Available Nov 26–Dec 25, RMB 1,388. See more here.
Fields
The trusty online grocery providers promise to make the holiday a cinch with five choices of Thanksgiving meals catered to a variety of party sizes and budgets. Making your own sides? Get a whole chicken for RMB199 or a 5.8 kg deep-fried (yep, deep-fried) turkey for RMB999. Don’t want to lift a finger except to put fork in mouth? Stuffing, sauces, veggies and pie are all part of the package for a chicken dinner feeding 4-5 (RMB549) or a turkey dinner for 12 (RMB2,099), while their big turkey and ham dinner (RMB3,149) delivers a veritable feast for 20 hungry pilgrims.
> Available Nov 20-29, RMB199-3,149. Order by 3pm at least 3 days in advance.
Mr. Willis
Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in the comfort of your own home and sweatpants with Mr. Willis’ take out platter. This no-fuss alternative includes a whole slow-roasted turkey with lemon and pine nut stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce and gravy. This will feed eight to 10 people and must be ordered three days in advance. Unfortunately, no delivery is offered, only pick-up.
> Thu Nov 26, RMB1,280.
Cachet
Let the talented chefs at the luxe Cahet Restaurant do all the work while you reap the tasty benefits. Enjoy a traditional roast turkey complete with all the trimmings and roasted vegetables, including mashed pumpkin, honey glazed carrots and roasted Brussels sprouts. To order, call Cachet at 2330 2420 or email tlxtd.f&binfo@langhamhotels.com. 48 hours notice is required.
> RMB1,188 (plus 15% service charge).
Shanghai Slim’s
The steakhouse and seafood specialists offer take-home turkeys to make your holiday season a little less stressful. Bring home a beautiful 8kg turkey plus gravy, cranberry sauce and chestnut mushroom stuffing for RMB1,088. But wait, there’s more! Add sides such as whipped potatoes, lobster mac n’ cheese, candied yams and veggies for an extra RMB300. Pumpkin pie is an additional RMB300.
> Available Nov 26-29, RMB1,088-1,388. Order at least two days in advance.
Kakadu
Just because they’re Aussies, doesn’t mean they don’t know how to roast a turkey, and at a damn near unbeatable price, too. Take home a 6kg bird with stuffing, mashed potato, mashed pumpkin, honeyed baby carrots, peas, cranberry sauce, gravy and pumpkin pie for RMB988 or gorge at Kakadu’s Thanksgiving buffet for RMB188.
> Available Nov 26-29; Takeaway turkey + trimmings: RMB988, order by 3pm Nov 25; Restaurant buffet: RMB188 (adults), RMB94 (kids).
Seasonal Treats
Dutch Pies
Not having pie on Thanksgiving is like not opening your presents on Christmas. Our pick for some crusty, creamy deliciousness is Dutch Pies. They have made-to-order pies all year round, but offer holiday classics such as Grandma’s apple pie and pumpkin pie. And if you’re entertaining high-brow guests with more “sophisticated” palettes, we recommend the pear and fig or decadent chocolate bourbon varietals. Pies are made to order at least one day in advance and delivered at your convenience.
> www.dutchpies.com
Strictly Cookies
Satiating practically all of Shanghai’s cookie cravings, Lexie Comstock & co’s chewy and crispy goods are perfect for any time of the year; breakfast, lunch or dinner. Even better, they’re unveiling a Thanksgiving special: a sweet potato marshmallow cookie. Judging by Strictly Cookies’ records, we have no reason to believe that these will be anything but delicious. Available for the week of Thanksgiving in boxes of 12.
> www.strictlycookies.com
Babycakes Cupcakes
If you’re one of those rare specimens of human who doesn’t fancy pie, cupcakes are a great alternative. Babycakes founder Jodi Peterson uses family recipes that make for decadently frosted, moist cakes. The red velvet ones are especially tasty, and she’s rolling out a special pumpkin cupcake for the holidays. RMB25 each, available from the beginning of November.
> www.babycakeschina.com
Jelly & Chutney
The Thanksgiving trifecta is not to be messed with: turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy. These three components dance in harmony, and God forbid this harmony is ruined with canned cranberry sauce ridden with preservatives. We recommend Amelia’s cranberry sauce, which is the perfect accompaniment to any roasted poultry. Though it’s slightly pricier than your standard supermarket variety, one must keep sacred the aforementioned trifecta. Plus, this sweet and tart spread is glorious on a piece of toast and cheese or swirled into thick yogurt.
> www.kateandkimi.com
> Check the listings for more Thanksgiving events in Shanghai.
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