North Fork Restaurants, Churches Offer Alternatives for Thanksgiving

Feeling like doing something different this year for Thanksgiving? Or maybe you're just feeling too lazy to cook and entertain after weeks of stress dealing with Hurricane Sandy and its continuing after effects.

If so, sit back, relax and let others take care of you next week — you've got choices for that alternative turkey day on the North Fork.

Patch asked over Facebook and Twitter if anyone was offering services on Thanksgiving, and we got the following responses.

If you are a restaurant, business, church or other community group offering services on Thanksgiving, please let us know in the comment boxes below.

• Peggy Richards said on Facebook: There will be a dinner at 1 p.m. at the First Universalist Church of Southold on Thanksgiving Day - open to all. Call 631-765-3494 so we have a head count. Income has nothing to do with it - if you want to be with us - come.

• As part of John's Place homeless shelter program, Mattituck Presbyterian Church will offer a Thanksgiving dinner for those in need this Thursday. Guests are welcome at 5 p.m. and dinner is served at 6 p.m. Click here for more information.

• aMano restaurant in Mattituck notified Patch via email: We will be open Thanksgiving Day at 5 p.m. Enjoy the flavors of the Tuscan countryside for your Thanksgiving celebration...and leave the clean-up to us! $34.95 per person (chidlren half price). Make your reservations at (631) 298-4800 
Menu items include: Starters: A selection of Salumi and Cheese for each table; First Course:Meatballs/Ricotta/Tomato/Pecorino
Or
Cavatelli/Three Meat Bolognese/Ricotta
Or
House Made Ravioli/Braised Short Ribs/Ricotta/Pecorino
Or
Baby Spinach/Toasted Almonds/Feta Cheese/Local Apples/Red Onions/Raisins/Raspberry Vinaigrette
Second Course:
Roasted Free Range Turkey
Mashed Potatoes/Sausage and Chestnut Stuffing/Roasted Brussels Sprouts/Garlic Creamed Spinach/Fresh Cranberry Sauce/Baby Carrots/Roasted Shallots/Pan Gravy
Dessert:
Apple Crisp/Local Mixed Apples/Granola Crumb/Vanilla Gelato/Caramel Sauce
Or
Pumpkin Cheesecake/Autumn Spiced Cream/Cherry Pine Nut Compote
Or
Flourless Chocolate Cake/Coffee Gelato/Chocolate Sauce

• Soundview Restaurant in Greenport also holds its annual Thanksgiving dinner next Thursday. Don't forget to call 631-477-0666 and make your reservations - window seats are going fast. Menu items include: Cream of turkey soup, stuffed mozzarella, fish cakes, shrimp cocktail, baked stuffed clams; house recipe chicken liver pate, field greens, traditional turkey dinner, prime rib, semi-boned roast duck, gourmet ravioli, stuffed flounder with lobster sauce, fried shrimp and scallops, chicken francaise, family style side-dish platter - a combination of mashedpotatoes, stuffing, candied sweetpotatoes, cauliflower, broccoli and braised cabbage served with side-dish of gravy

• Scrimshaw in Greenport is reopening after Sandy. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is bar-fare only then it's open on Thanksgiving for a traditional dinner from 1 to 7 p.m., then is back to business as usual, says owner Rosa Ross. Winter hours:  dinner, Thursday through Sunday at 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday for lunch from 1 to 4 p.m. and dinner at 5:30 p.m.

• Bonnie Jean’s in Southold is catering family style, with full meals ready to go — all you have to do is pick them up from the restaurant, re-heat and serve. Call 631-765-6766 for more information. Read Patch's recent profile of Bonnie Jean's here.