The Top Five Places to eat on the day after Thanksgiving
When I was growing up, the days after the big Thanksgiving dinner were even worse than the big Thanksgiving dinner. Because I’m not a big fan of roast turkey, stuffing and all the boring traditional dishes, I could barely survive the actual holiday, let alone the meals that followed when my mother used up all the leftovers to create turkey hash, turkey croquettes, turkey shepherd’s pie and God only knows what else until the big bird was reduced to a pile of bones.
So it was pure joy — on several levels — when we had Thanksgiving dinner at my great-aunt Jeanette’s. She was a much better cook than my mother; and it also meant no leftover turkey.
Typically, after indulging in all the heavy, bland dishes dishes associated with Thanksgiving, I’m one of those who would like something much more exotic the next day. In the great melting pot tradition of the United states, the dishes you’ll find at the following restaurants are no less American — but they are a lot more interesting.
5) Tannah’s Asian Fusion. A juicy steak sounds good after all that turkey — especially something with a little unexpected oomph. Tannah’s serves sliced Kansas City Strip in a punchy Mongolian sauce.
4) Masalas Authentic Indian Diner. In homage to last night’s White House State Dinner honoring India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a post-Thanksgiving meal serving lusciously spiced Indian fare (including curried seafood, which was on the White House menu) sounds just right.
3) Hot Basil. Thai dishes hit all the right, sexy notes — with flavors that are hot, cool, bitter and sweet — after the classic all-American turkey dinner.
2) Cafe Cedar at the Skillet. No restaurant cries “melting pot” more than this Parkville dining spot. It serves Middle Eastern dishes — falafel sandwiches, lamb kabobs, stuffed Cornish game hens — and Southern fried chicken.
1) Fiesta Azteca. Sure, you can whip up turkey tacos at home with those leftovers, but doesn’t a plate of beef tips in a chipotle cream sauce sound a lot more exciting?
(Image via Flickr: ryter89)
