Thanksgiving: a day of gratitude, and yet so often freighted with expectations. So many ways for a meal to end badly. If you’re just not up for the craziness or you’d rather not be kitchen-bound, leave the food to the experts and make a reservation at one of these local restaurants. As for family drama? You’ll have to deal with that part on your own.
Founding Farmers, Tysons
Entrees here include turkey, ham, rock-salt crusted prime rib, stuffed pork tenderloin and – for those who don’t eat meat – a many-vegetable mushroom loaf. But it’s the side dishes that really elevate this restaurant’s Thanksgiving meal: sweet potatoes with sticky-pecan-and-dried-fig streusel, brioche rolls, skillet cornbread with cranberry jam and green beans with herb butter. Oh my. Dessert includes five kinds of pies. The prix-fixe menu is $39 for adults; $20 for children 12 and under.