Where to Eat Out on Thanksgiving

If you’re anything like me and can’t cook your way out of a microwave, splurge a little extra this year and forgo the homemade stuffing and canned cranberries for some fine dining made by the greats. Since the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, there will be a little extra thanks given. Cooking is so last year.

Trotter’s Thanksgiving To Go

Menu highlights (you might even want to skip the turkey for these sides):

Brie and Caramelized Onion Brioche Tart

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Pecans

Orange Braised Carrots with Ginger and Lemongrass

Spit Roasted Turkey Breast  with Apple Cider Glaze

Nueske’s Spiral Cut Ham with Red Pepper Jelly

White Truffle Polenta with Aged Parmesan

Pumpkin-Ginger Cheesecake with Graham Cracker Crust

Charlie Trotter’s. 1337 W. Fullerton Ave. 773 868-6510. http://www.charlietrotters.com/togo/

“Feast without Fuss” at deca

Drop the kids at the certified babysitter room (they’ll be occupied by the wii) so the adults can enjoy a jazz trio and Thanksgiving Brunch featuring traditional holiday favorites such as Brined and Roasted Tom Turkey with Giblet Gravy, Pomegranate, Cranberry Chutney; Thanksgiving Stuffing; Candied Sweet Potatoes with Homemade Marshmallow Crust; as well as seasonal items with a creative twist like Roasted Root Vegetables with Dried Currants and Fried Sage; Braised Brussel Sprouts with Chestnuts; and Pumpkin Soup with Spiced Pepitas and Nutmeg Cream.

12th floor at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. 160 E. Pearson St. 312.573.5160. http://www.decarestaurant.com/

Thanksgiving Prix Fixe at Café des Architectes

Chefs Martial Noguier and Meg Galus have created a plentiful Thanksgiving menu in award-winning Café des Architectes, located at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower. The four-course prix fixe menu includes Prime Beef Short Ribs, Autumn Salad, Kauffman Farm Turkey, and Pumpkin Crémeux.

20 E. Chestnut St. 312.324.4000. http://www.cafedesarchitectes.com/