Thanksgiving: A Last Minute Survival Guide

Ah Thanksgiving. A time for gratitude, familial bonding, and for making sure your Drunk Uncle doesn't try to hit on your sister's best friend from college. Let's be realistic, Thanksgiving can be stressful. Executing a 12 person meal, keeping Aunt Betty away from the schnapps, avoiding burns, cuts and scrapes (and we aren't just talking about the dangers of cooking, your cousin has some sharp fingernails and is quick with a lighter). Let us help. We've compiled a last minute survival guide that will hopefully help alleviate some of the hardships that turn what should be a day of love, laughter and light into a stormy, stabby stress cloud.

8 RESTAURANTS THAT ARE OPEN THANKSGIVING DAY
*Sponsored by Rhody Bites

1. If you’re looking for a meal that’s anything but turkey, Zooma Trattoria—located in Providence’s “Little Italy” and famous for their unforgettable Italian cuisine—will be open from 11am-6pm, with a final seating at 5pm. More info...

2. Still have Mediterranean cuisine on your mind? Kartabar in Providence will also be open this Thanksgiving from 6pm-1am. More info...

3. Another option for those avoiding turkey this year can stop by Rasa, a great place for Indian Cuisine, and located in East Greenwich, RI. Their Thanksgiving hours will be the same as any other Thursday. More info...

4. If you don't want to whip up a Thanksgiving meal of your own, then head to DeWolf Tavern in Bristol for a full meal prepared by—who better—an actual chef. Guests can enjoy classic roasted turkey, or even roasted salmon filet. More info...

5. Aspire, another Providence hot spot, will be open for early buffet-style meals; available seating will be at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Guests will have their choice of whole roasted turkey, herb roasted chicken breast, roasted sirloin, New England codfish, or chicken fingers (for this kiddos). More info...

6. Imagine enjoying Thanksgiving dinner by the water—what a view! The Coast Guard House Restaurant in Narragansett will be open, and is offering a full Thanksgiving menu. More info...

7. Open from 12pm-9pm this year, Public Kitchen and Bar will be have a special dinner menu, as well as a light lunch menu. Adults will be $34.95, and children under 10 will be $12.95. More info...

8. Last but not least, if you’re simply in need of a good drink to blow off some steam this Thanksgiving, stop by Mew’s Tavern in Wakefield. The kitchen may not be serving turkey, but at least the bar will be open. More info...

FARMS & FRESH GROWN PRODUCTS FOR A DELICIOUS, LOCALLY SOURCED MEAL

1. Wintertime Farmers Market: Get there this Saturday! A great place to find different vegetables for the holiday and products coming from different farms in RI and MA. “Lettuces, arugula, bok choi, kale, collards, cabbage, chard, apples, cider, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, leeks, garlic, radishes, fresh herbs, beets, carrots, parsnips, turnips, winter squash, oysters, beef, pork, lamb, Narragansett Creamery cheese, eggs, honey, maple syrup” Saturdays 9am-1pm, Nov 1-May 9. More info...

2. Humble Pie Company: They make their own pies and flavors specific to the holiday for desert. “Autumn: Roasted Pumpkin, Maple Pecan, Dutch Apple, Old Fashioned Apple, Parsnip Custard” Ingredients come from farms in RI. More info...

3. Baffoni’s Poultry Farm: They raise their own chicken and turkey on the farm. The animals are fed “a wholesome diet that is regimented, consistent, and absolutely free of any antibiotics, hormones, or meat by-products of any kind”. More info...

4. Pat’s Pastured: They have turkeys, chicken, lamb, beef, and pork, where the animals are able to roam the pastures and eat grass. A 100 acre farm run by Patrick McNiff. More info...

5. Veggie Box: This is a program is run by Farm Fresh Rhode Island. It’s a subscription that provides customers fresh produce from local farms in RI and MA all year round. The boxes run weekly July through December and also run biweekly January through June. There are various locations to pick up the boxes throughout the state. More info...