Our first American Thanksgiving in China was international, to say the least. Including our family of four, we had invited 12 others — from New Zealand, Holland, China, and Canada – to our house for dinner. Not trusting my own culinary skills with the limited familiar ingredients here, I ordered an entire dinner complete with all the trimmings. It was easy, and it was heaven.
For Americans, Thanksgiving is it. Not only is the holiday rich in history and tradition, it’s a time when families and friends really do try to gather together. The common denominator for the dinner’s main entrée is turkey. Variations abound, but to enjoy a grand turkey dinner is something that, no matter how far away you may be, immediately brings you back home.
If you are like me and choose to let someone else do the honors, there are several restaurants in the Shunyi neighborhood happy to try giving you a taste of home, be it dine-in or take-out. While some popular hot spots are already fully booked (The Orchard, Za’atar), here are a few tasty options from favorites in the Shunyi area:
Smallville: Roast turkey dinner (8-9 kg serves up to 10 people for 1,088 RMB) includes turkey with stuffing, mixed vegetables, baked potato and cranberry sauce. A half turkey set meal is also available, including seafood, turkey and dessert, for 748 RMB. Other offerings include a seafood platter, honey roasted ham, Christmas fruit pudding, rolls and desserts. All proceeds will be channeled to support Agape Home for Handicapped Orphans. Two day advanced order required; dine-in available. Call 8046 5448.
Hungry Horse: Roast turkey dinner (8 kg for 880 RMB) with BBQ sauce or gravy, vegetable platter with hummus and ranch dressing, turkey salad, candied sweet potato, bacon rolled green bean, grilled vegetables with herbs, buttered mashed potatoes, fruit plate, pumpkin pie. Two day advanced order required; dine-in available. Call 8046 5519.
Piazza Café: Family set includes USA turkey (6 kg serves 6-8 people for 750 RMB), gravy, stuffing, roasted potatoes, vegetables, and cranberry sauce. Frozen turkeys are also available for 49 RMB per kg. Two day advanced order required; dine-in available. Call 8046 7788/2020.
Michael’s Place: Family set (5-6 kg for 666 RMB) or Jumbo set (8-10 kg for 888 RMB) includes roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, bacon rolled sausage, mashed potatoes, onion gravy, vegetables and homemade bread. Advanced order for delivery required; dine-in not available. Call 8042 4457 or 13911795795, or e-mail michliu1979@sina.com.
Pinotage: Ready-to-eat turkeys (6 kg serves 8-10 people for 650 RMB; 8 kg serves 14-16 people for 700 RMB; 10 kg serves 20 people for 770 kg; 12 kg serves 20+ people for 880 RMB) with bread/apple/sausage/herb stuffing. Uncooked turkeys in the same sizes are also available for 370 – 650 RMB. Advanced order for delivery required; dine-in not available. Call 6430 7010.
Café Lakeside: Family set (5-6 kg for 666 RMB) or Jumbo set (8-10 kg for 888 RMB) includes roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, bacon rolled sausage, mashed potatoes, onion gravy, vegetables and homemade bread. Advanced order for delivery required; dine-in not available. Call 8048 3466.
Blue Frog: Roasted turkey dinner (serves up to 8 for 200 RMB per person; 90 RMB for children under 12), sausage cornbread stuffing, roasted squash and apple soup, cranberry sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, creamy green beans, bourbon pumpkin pie with a choice of soft drink, tea, coffee, house red wine or house white wine. For parties of more than 8 people, cost is 190 RMB per person and 90 RMB for children under 12. Advanced order required; dine-in available. Call 8046 6337.
