Thanksgiving is about sitting down with your loved ones around a hand-crafted meal, but no one ever said it had to take place around your dining room table. Busy schedules should not get in the way of family gatherings, so this year spend more time with your family and friends and leave the cooking and cleaning to local chefs. The days are getting shorter and colder. Before you know it Thanksgiving will be upon us–so make your reservations now!

Main Line 

Alfredo Italian BYO

688 Lancaster Ave, Berwyn

3–8 pmSit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings for $27.95 for adults and $14.95 for children under 10. Skip the craziness of malls and over sized stores this Black Friday and head straight to Alfredo’s for all your holiday shopping needs. For one delicious day only,  you will receive a $50 bonus gift card when you buy a $100 gift card. Call610-640-2962 to make reservations.

The Desmond

One Liberty Blvd, Malvern

Noon to 6 pm

Diners will be thankful for the Desmond’s cornucopia of buffet items like complimentary shrimp shooters, smoked ham with pineapple raisin sauce, lobster cavatelli with cheese, a boatload of desserts and the usual holiday trimmings. Tickets are $39 for adults, $17 for children between 6 and 12 and free under 5 and under. Reservations are required, please call 610-249-2180.

The Farmhouse Bistro at People’s Light

39 Conestoga Road, Malvern

Noon to 5 pmFarmhouse Bistro’s Thanksgiving buffet will steal the show this holiday season. Their slow-roasted prime rib of beef, wild mushroom and tofu penne, pan-seared salmon with Lemon Beurre Blanc variety of veggies, desserts and bounty of buffet delights will have you wishing it was Thanksgiving every day. Pricing is $29.95 for adults and $15.95 for children ages 4-12. Call 610-647-8060 for reservations or sign up online.

The General Warren Inne

9 Old Lancaster Road, Malvern
Noon to 8 pmThe Inn will be serving a three course prix fix dinner with plenty of delicious choices and tough decisions. Traditional turkey dinners are $35 per person, the grilled Filet Mignon in a Dijon Sage Demi Glace is $48 dollars and the house made fettuccine shrimp and sea scallops is $37 dollars. Reservations are required and can be made through OpenTable or by calling 610-296-3637. The Inne even has eight elegant guest suites, dressed in 18th century charm, to house your out-of-town visitors.

The Radnor Hotel

591 East Lancaster Avenue, St. Davids
Noon to 6 pm

Their 25-item buffet comes with a medley of breads, croissants, desserts and a chocolate fountain. As diners peruse their abundant buffet, the sounds of a classical pianist will float throughout their grand dining room. Cost is $35.95 per adult and $17.50 per child between the ages of 5-12. Reservations are required, please call 610-341-3188 and call 610-341-3145 for parties over 11. Round out your food-infused weekend by taking the family to their Champagne Sunday Brunch, which was voted “Best of the Main Line.”

Zachary’s BBQ

1709 Markley St., Norristown 

Zachary’s offers plenty of Thanksgiving options for any families of all sizes for pickup or delivery. The “Petite Holiday” serves four people and includes a wood roasted turkey breast with a pan of gravy, cranberry orange sauce, buttermilk mashed potatoes, green beans and toasted almonds and traditional stuffing for $59.95. The “Prime Rib Dinner” serves eight and begins with an antipasti display, a whole prime rib slow roasted with hickory, buttermilk mashed potatoes, lemon garlic steamed broccoli and a dozen buttermilk biscuits for $195.95.

The “Traditional Turkey Dinner” serves 8-10 people for $149.99 and comes with whole cooked turkey, potatoes, green beans, honey glazed carrots, stuffing, gravy, cranberry orange sauce, a dozen biscuits and pumpkin pie. For hosts who want to pick and choose, Zachary’s offers a variety of soup, entrees, sides, accompaniments and irresistible desserts. The full menu can be found at ZacharysBBQ.com and orders can be placed by calling 610-272-1800.

Downingtown

Firecreek Restaurant

20 East Lancaster Avenue
2 to 7 pm

Firecreek’s incredible ambiance in their historic Paper Mill structure, incredible food, out of this world staff and bountiful bar list will have your guests chatting about Firecreek for years to come. For $35, guests can indulge in their beautiful buffet of mixed baby greens sald, artisanal cheese tray, fruit salad, duck pate and smoked salmon crostinis, roasted turkey breast, honey glazed ham, salmon en crute, slow roasted prime rib, a plethora of sides and dessert assortment. Guests can give thanks while savoring on Firecreek’s signature cocktails or a bottle of wine from their alluring and beautiful wine room. Call 610-269-6000 for directions.

Kennett Square

Chaddsford Winery’s Turkey Tastings

632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford

November 12,19, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Here’s something we can all be thankful for–wine! Chaddsford Winery invites locals to their charming Vintner’s House to learn about the best wines to serve with Thanksgiving dinner from Chaddsford’s wine educators. Chaddsford will be doing more than just talking turkey, they will be serving a family-style sit-down with wine and food pairings. Diners will sample turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie prepared by Brandywine Catering. Oenophiles will sip on six Chaddsford’s wines; light and full-bodied dry white and red wines with a Spiced Apple Wine for dessert. Tastings are $25 per person and required reservations can be made through Rachel Hopson at 610-388-6221, ext. 203.

Stone Barn

550 Upland Road
Noon from 6 pm
Spend your holiday at this charming farm-to-table BYOB. Stone Barn’s feast starts with a bounty of cheeses, seasonal fruits, warm popovers with raspberry butter, artisan dinner rolls and customers choose their own soup, salad, carved entree, entree, sides and a dessert from their sweet collection (although picking one item is easier said than done). Cost for this seasonal-infused 6-course meal is $32 per person and $12.95 per child three to nine years. Call 610-347-2414 for reservations.

The Terrace Restaurant at Longwood Gardens

1001 Longwood Road
11:30 am to 7:30 pm
What’s the best way to walk off a decadent Thanksgiving feast of a variety of meats, vegetables, soup, rolls, desserts and beverages in Longwood’s elegant Ballroom? With a stroll through Longwood’s 1,077 acres of 20 indoor and 20 outdoor gardens, of course! Tickets are $59 for guests 12 and over ($47 members), $33 for children between the ages of 5-11 ($27 for members) and $5 for kids ages 1-4. Tickets can be purchased through the Longwood Visitor’s Center, online or by calling 610-388-1000 (additional fee for phone orders).

Phoenixville

Columbia Bar and Grille

148 Bridge Street
The Columbia Bar has served as a gathering place for locals since 1893 and has a full day of eating planned for Thanksgiving. Their traditional Thanksgiving Day brunch buffet will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $26.95 for adults and $12.95 for children between the ages of 5 and12. Their Ala Carte dinner doesn’t start until 5 p.m. (which allows just enough time for a post turkey/trytophan nap) and will go until 9 p.m. Call 610-983-0300 for reservations.

Iron Hill Phoenixville’s Pizza Pies and Pints

130 E. Bridge Street

November 27, 3 to 8 pm

Once you have finished with the main bird, head to Iron Hill to watch the birds take on the Patriots at 4:15 p.m. Brewer Tim and Chef Jeremy have paired fresh brews with Iron Hill’s artisan pizzas for just $15. The speciality pies include Tuscan Style, Big Easy, Union Jack, Chicken Enchilada, Cuban Medianoche and Arugula, Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella. Looking for another rewarding reason to come out? Mug club members earn double points from 3 to 8 p.m.

West Chester 

Carlino’s Specialty Foods and Catering

128 W. Market Street, West Chester 610-696-3788

2612-16 E. County Line Road, Ardmore, 610-649-4046
When it comes to your take-home Thanksgiving options, make a voyage to Carlino’s Gourmet Market in West Chester and Ardmore. Start off your feast with a quart of roasted Butternut Squash Soup, a Cheese Cornucopia Tray or Cranberry Gorgonzola Tartlet. After you’ve indulge in their all natural soups and appetizers, dig into one of their main courses, whole herb roasted turkey, boneless stuffed turkey, turducken and stuffed chicken breast. Their extensive ala carte menu also includes homemade ravioli, gnocchi, risotto, traditional sides and an array of desserts. Their butcher is taking orders for hand-trimmed fresh turkeys and turduckens.  For this Thanksgiving, let the Carlinos family take care of your family.

Carriage House Restaurant

943 South High Street
Noon, 1:30 and 3:00 pmGet carried away with their irresistible traditional Thanksgiving buffet and bloody mary and mimosa specials. Tickets are $23.95 for adults (10% for seniors), $15.95 for children 4-10 and children under 4 are free (two children per adult, $12.95 per additional child). Reservations can be made by calling 610-692-1900.

Dilworthtown Inn

1390 Old Wilmington Pike
Seatings from 12:30 to 7:00 pmSince 1780, The Dilworthtown Inn has served as a charming dining destination. This beautiful tavern has 15 private dining rooms with colonial flair, roaring fireplaces and a comfortable candlelight atmosphere. On Thanksgiving, the Inn will serve Thanksgiving additions as well as their regular menu, which changes weekly based on the freshest foods available. The wine cellar contains over 800 bottles and is one of PA’s top largest cellars. Reservations can be made by calling 610-399-1390 or made through OpenTable.

J Marie’s Speakeasy and Supper Club

1411 Wilmington Pike

2–8 pm
JMarie’s SpeakEasy and SupperClub is offering a traditional thanksgiving meal in two ways–in their roaring 20s themed speakeasy or in your own home. At J Marie’s, everyone is treated like family, so treat your family to a traditional Thanksgiving meal at J Marie’s family-owned restaurant. Prices are $22 per adult, and $12 for children under eight. Limited regular menu will  be available. Pick up or get a Thanksgiving feast delivered to your door for $15 per person. Marie’s tantalizing homemade pies and cheesecakes are available for take home as well. Call 610-455-0115 for reservations or to place a to-go order.

Northbrook Marketplace

1805 Unionville-Wawaset Road 

Noon to 5 pm
Slow our Thanksgiving down by sharing your meal in Northbrook Marketplaces’ restored 1850s barnstone nestled in the rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley. Their locally-sourced buffet will be filled with the traditional fare-turkey, spiral cut ham with pineapple, dinner rolls with sweet cream butter, stuffing, caramelized brussel sprouts, baked mac and cheese gratin, many more bountiful sides and an assorted dessert display. Costs are $24.95 per adult and $10.95 for children between the ages of 3- 9. Reservations are recommended and can by made by calling 610-793-1210.

Pietro’s Prime

125 W. Market St.

3 – 9 pm

On Thanksgiving, relax and enjoy a traditional Turkey Dinner at Pietro’s Prime Restaurant in downtown West Chester. The upscale eatery will be offering all of your favorites, including homemade pumpkin pie from 3 – 9 pm. Cost is $29 per person. The regular menu is also available, plus their notorious prime rib. And, all you have to do make is a reservation by calling 484-760-6100.