In case anyone else is looking I just got an email from Seasons52 (Rockville Pike & Tysons) and they are doing thanksgiving (traditional turkey dinner & normal menu)

Anonymous wrote:I'm in the exact same boat OP. I want to do Blue duck Tavern, kids eat free. But DH is balking b/c it's not a buffet or traditional Thanksgiving offerings. And that it's probably too fancy for a 4 and 1 yr old.

But they are open and having specials.

Blue Duck Tavern is understanding adn welcoming to kids- it is a hotel, they have to be- we've had great meals there with our kids.

We had Thanksgiving the year our last child was born at
L'Auberge Chez Francois and it was lovely, relaxing and perfect (but admittedly, 15 years ago).

http://www.laubergechezfrancois.com/

I've done McCormick and Schmick's in Reston, and they had several options other than the classic turkey dinner. I suspect the DC branch would have a similar menu.

We are going to Dino I Cleveland park. Problem solved.

It sure why it seems fussy. I was going to Rasika before we saw dino was open....seems untraditional to me! And not sure who wants to eat anything home cooked standing up or in shifts after someone spends hours cooking. Doesn't make sense to me.

So problem solved! Awesome restaurant, convenient parking, and very vegetarian friendly (or has been every time we've been, which is often).

Ps: vegan and vegetarian aren't the same. Thank god.

Everything just seems really fussy and difficult so I think your husband should just man up and deal.

1) you will have a newborn so you will not be cooking. Husband doesn't cook.

2) Mom will be in town and COULD cook, but even so you have a small apartment and it is important to you that Thanksgiving be a sit down meal.

3) It seems a traditional Thanksgiving formal meal with turkey and traditional sides, is something you are looking for.... trying to replicate somewhat the feel of a home cooked Turkey dinner.

4) BUT, you need many of the sides to be meat free, including no chicken broth in the stuffing, so husband can eat.

Non of the options people have suggested will really satisfy all your conditions. A vegetarian Thanksgiving will be good for your husband but not for your desire for a traditional meal, right? An indian restaurant will be suitable for all, but won't have Traditional dishes. A traditional buffet at a restaurant will leave your husband picking from the buffet -- unless you know they have many vegan friendly options.

So you have to pick best 2 out of 3:

1) formal dining
2) traditional foods
3) many vegetarian options

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, who cares that your husband doesn't eat meat on Thanksgiving?? What would he eat if your mom was cooking? She makes turkey right??

I wouldn't want to take a 6 week old out to a restaurant on Thanksgiving, personally. Will this be your first child? Some babies are very transportable that young but others have colic and/or are super fussy.

My mom makes him a bunch of vegetarian sides - most people add chicken broth to stuffing, she makes him veggie, for example. And I care that he can eat something. What is the point of having a nice meal out if he can't eat? Seems a bit selfish. And I plan on trying to take the baby out. If it doesn't work, I'll leave. Not going to assume one way or the other so id rather plan on trying to enjoy the holiday vs being stuck inside. Sorry if that and wanting my spouse to eat are bothersome to you.

Here's a nice vegetarian T-day feast in Bethesda:

http://www.vsdc.org/Thanksgiving_Event.html