Restaurant Roundup: Dining Out on Turkey Day 

• Courtesy Photo
• Hyderabadi Biryani at Paradise Biryani Pointe

With November once more upon us, it's time to make plans for Thanksgiving—arguably the most important meal you'll have all month. If you're like me and enjoy eating food more than preparing it, might I suggest dining out this year? It's a great way to support your favorite local restaurant, you'll save yourself the stress of meal prep and, let's be honest, a meal left to the pros will probably turn out better than your spread anyway. If dining out on Thanksgiving feels like it's up your alley this year, then here are a few places who will treat you right.

Bambara (202 S. Main Street, SLC, 801-363-5454, bambara-slc.com): Chef JV Hernandez recently stepped in as executive chef of Bambara, and the restaurant's Thanksgiving buffet will be an excellent way for locals to get a sense of his handiwork. Bambara's Thanksgiving buffet will take place on Nov. 28 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and will run diners $85 per person. There will be plenty of autumnal delights on the docket here, including butternut squash soup, roasted turkey with wild mushroom stuffing, fresh salmon, a house pastrami ham, chai spiced sweet potatoes and much more. With its prime spot near Gallivan Plaza, Bambara is a great Thanksgiving destination for those who are looking for something tasty and classy in the downtown area.

Lupessa (156 S. 400 West, SLC, 385-644-6773, lupessa.com): Since it's a holiday that prides itself on sumptuous spreads, I feel like Thanksgiving and Italian food go hand in hand. Not only is Lupessa one of my favorite spots for multi-course Italian meals, but it's also open on Thanksgiving this year; it'll be perfect for those who want to eat well, but don't really care about a stuffed turkey. I feel like a bit of whipped ricotta and a beet salad would be a great way to kick off a Thanksgiving meal here. Then you could follow it up with some burrata, risotto alla Milanesa and a nice filet mignon—not a bad spread, if you ask me.

Laurel Brasserie & Bar (555 S. Main Street, SLC, 801-258-6708, laurelslc.com): Laurel Brasserie & Bar at The Grand America hosts one of the most popular downtown SLC Thanksgiving buffets, and this year looks to be no exception. The price tag on this one is $95 for adults and $47.50 for kids older than 4; kids under 4 are free. Laurel will be hosting a brunch buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will also be offering a curbside pickup option that you can order and pick up on the evening of Nov. 27 or the morning of Nov. 28. Their pickup meal includes a Waldorf salad, maple-glazed turkey breast, brown sugar ham, mashed potatoes and crispy brussels sprouts along with bread pudding and pumpkin pie for good measure.

The Salt Republic (170 S. West Temple, SLC, 801-596-1234, hyatt.com): The Salt Republic inside downtown's Hyatt Regency will be running some Thanksgiving dinner specials on Nov. 28 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Its menu includes some homemade focaccia, a silky pumpkin bisque, applewood-smoked turkey with pancetta stuffing and cheesy mashed potatoes. The meals are served family style in three-course intervals—perfect for those after a long, luxurious meal for the holiday. The price tag here will be $55 for adults and $27 for children 6-12 years old, with children under 6 dining for free. The Salt Republic will also be prepping a Thanksgiving dinner to-go, which clocks in at $45 per person, and it has all the trimmings of the dine-in menu to be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home.

Forty Three Bakery (733 Genesee Avenue, SLC, 435-962-1628, fortythreebakery.com): Those looking for something a bit more casual but no less satisfying will want to check out the Friendsgiving event at Forty Three Bakery. The event takes place before the Thanksgiving bustle—Nov. 23 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.—and will feature a menu that includes poached pear salads, croissant stuffing with wild mushrooms, butternut squash mac and cheese, mashed Yukon potatoes with caramelized onion gravy, roasted turkey and plenty of pie for dessert. Attendees are allowed to bring their own wine or beer, and all ages are welcome. The price tag here runs $65 per person.

Paradise Biryani Pointe (280 E. 12300 South, Ste. 110, Draper, 801-999-4133, paradisebiryaniutah.com): Whether you're looking for something more friendly to plant-based diets, or just something far from the turkey and stuffing that you're likely to find around town on Thanksgiving, Paradise Biryani Pointe has you covered. The menu here is focused around biryani, a savory Indian dish that features plenty of variety, much of which is on display here. Fans of traditional Indian food like tikka masala and samosas will also be satisfied with a trip here, as Biryani Pointe has plenty of curry-based food on the menu. As Paradise Bakery has folded into Biryani Pointe, diners can also satisfy their sweet tooth with a wide variety of Indian-inspired cakes and desserts as well.