Brigitte Kalai, Casey Curry, Susan Boggio
Featuring and multi-faith invocation, including uplifting words from leaders in the city’s Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities and others, the annual event raised nearly $750,000 to support the organization’s various services. These include Meals on Wheels and an “Animeals” program that feeds pets for in-need shut-ins.
The event began with jazz band “Brass Animals” making a lively second line through the “mocktail” hour at the Hilton Americas in Downtown. “During the reception, guests were treated to live art demonstrations including Sana Mirza creating Thuluth style calligraphy, illuminating the arabesque in gold,” added a rep for the event’s organizers. “Nazli Cizmeci presented the art of Ebru, the Turkish practice of paper marbling.” A dinner of chicken marsala and seared seabass followed, with a vegetarian option of portobello mushroom with saag paneer.
Honorees for the evening — Pastors Juanita and Rudy Rasmus of St. John’s United Methodist Church, and dedicated philanthropists and volunteers Susan and Dan Boggio — were lavished with well-deserved praise.
Co-chairs for the evening included Karen and Jay Harberg, and Tehmina and Faisal Masud; Brigitte and Bashar Kalai served as honorary chairs. VIP guests included Kathy Flanagan, David Leebron, Y. Ping Sun, Beth Wolff, Casey Curry, Paul-David Van Atta, Gregg Harrison, Tama Lundquist, Tena Lundquist Faust, Amy Pierce, Robert Sakowitz, Philamena and Arthur Baird, and Karen Labat of Shell USA.
Christina Jones and Dr Kathy Flanagan
Dr. Faisal and Tehmina Masud with Karen and Jay Harberg
Jill and Mark Eddings
Rudy and Juanita Rasmus with Christina and Stacy Jones
Vican and Stephanie Sun
Nihala Zakaria and Mandy Kao
Susanne and Randall Evans
Turner's
Brennan's
For its annual Thanksgiving shindig, Brennan’s will offer a three-course, prix-fixe, all-day menu with Cajun and holiday classics to enjoy with family in a festive atmosphere. Seatings from 11am to 7pm. Reservations required; consider evening hours for a more relaxed setting ($85 per person). For reservations, call 713-522-9711.
CRÚ
Guests are invited to a three-course multi-choice Thanksgiving dinner with wine pairings from noon to 9pm ($55 per adult, $28 per child). Options include lobster and saffron risotto, roasted turkey with the fixings, and pumpkin cheesecake.
Le Jardinier
The French fine dining institution at the MFA from The Bastion Collection elevates the food-centric holiday with a luxurious multi-course experience. A Celebration of Thanksgiving ($165) features an upscale twist on holiday classics in addition to innovative seasonal offerings. The four courses include fall salads and appetizers, mains of turducken with gravy and cranberry, scallops, or braised short ribs, along with classic sides and mushroom stuffing. Desserts are a treat!
In celebration of the holiday, the Downtown hotel hosts a Thanksgiving brunch buffet in its stunning Luna Ballroom. From 10am-4pm, guests can enjoy a variety of delicious traditional Thanksgiving and brunch items including a turkey carving station and salad bar, omelets, pastries, sliced fruits, fresh seafood, hearty entrees, desserts and more. Brunch is $80 per adult, $30 per child. Reservations: 713-902-6968.
Bludorn
Known for French-inspired, New American fare, chef Aaron Bludorn has designed a three-course Thanksgiving spread ($105 per adult). Expect an array of starters including smoked maitake mushrooms, and an iconic turkey dinner with traditional holiday sides, and desserts. Kids get a two-course menu ($55). The Thanksgiving menu is offered from 11:30am-7pm on Nov. 23. Prefer to take it home? Order ahead for Bludorn’s to-go feast!
The Creole-Cajun restaurant will be open from 11am to 4pm with the full menu in addition to some holiday specials like pumpkin bisque ($16), Cajun stuffed turkey and fixins ($44) and urban harvest vegetable ragout ($34). Choose from the regular dessert offerings, or opt for featured dishes like Pumpkin Pie Tart and Bourbon Pecan Pie. Eunice will also be taking orders for family-style Thanksgiving meals to go.
The Four Seasons
Hit Thanksgiving brunch at Toro Toro to get an early start on a long day of feasting and socializing. Brunch runs from 10am-3pm with traditional holiday dishes and interactive stations. Brunch is priced at $145 per adult and $65 per child. Optionally, an a la carte dinner menu will be served in Toro Toro from 5:30-10:30pm.
Thanksgiving lunch and dinner will be served from 11am-8pm. Expect a la carte options from roasted butternut squash bisque and herb-roasted turkey breast to beef tenderloin and candied yams.
This contemporary Italian kitchen nestled in the Woodlands is set to delight diners with a chef-curated turkey feast available from 5-9pm. The centerpiece is a succulent roast turkey complemented by cranberry mostarda, focaccia panzanella, olive oil mashed potatoes, and a side of guanciale-braised collard greens and marsala gravy.
Steak 48
Houston’s premier steakhouse by the Mastro brothers in the River Oaks District, will be serving their full menu in addition to some traditional specials this Thanksgiving. Chef’s Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner ($74 per person) will feature all the iconic dishes that fans of this holiday dream of, including a turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce. End the meal with pumpkin pie. Hours are 12-9pm on Thanksgiving Day.
The Annie
The Annie will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11am-9pm offering three-course prix-fixe meal ($90 per adult, $35 per child) along with the regular dinner menu. Plus, they are offering a traditional prix-fixe plated dinner to-go with all the trimmings (min. two per order) for $75 per person, available for pickup on Nov. 23 from 11am-2pm. Learn more, view the menus, and place your order here.
With two seatings at 1pm and 5pm, guests will be transported to a bygone era with white-glove service, a festive menu and a live pianist. You’ll be greeted with complimentary glass of Champagne or a Kir Royale. The extensive three-course menu is paired with a selection of six traditional side dishes, all served tableside. Save room for the artisan cheese service, followed by desserts ($250 per person). Learn more, view the menu and book your table here.
Trattoria Sofia
Italian-inspired Trattoria Sofia is hosting Thanksgiving Day with a four course prix-fixe meal ($68 per adult, $25 per child) along with the regular dinner menu. The prix-fixe menu includes an appetizer, pasta course, entrée with family style side dishes, and dessert. On the way in or out, guests can grab complimentary hot apple cider and pumpkin cookies. Reservations are required. Learn more, view the menus, and book your table here.