FOOD NOTES/Paying Homage to Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving by Norman Rockwell. "I love Thanksgiving turkey," Arnold Schwarznegger once famously said. "It's the only time in Los Angeles that you see natural breasts."

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - Old Town's restaurants are slicing up the turkeys and ladling out the gravy this Thanksgiving season, for a truly Norman Rockwell holiday. Here are a few of our picks:

At The Majestic, Chef Shannon Overmiller pays homage to Thanksgiving with November’s Nana’s Sunday Dinner.  Offered the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the “First Feast” features a roulade of Turkey Breast, Cranberry Sauce with orange zest and vanilla, Whipped Potatoes with Gravy, Creamy Bean Casserole and Pumpkin Pie ($22 per person, served family style). A la carte inspired lunch specials include Roast Stuffed Turkey, an open faced roasted turkey club sandwich with cider gravy and Spiced Pumpkin Cake.

Courtesy of the National Archives President Truman receiving a Thanksgiving turkey from members of the Poultry and Egg National Board and other representatives of the turkey industry, outside the White House, Nov. 16. 1949.

The Majestic is located at 911 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 703.837.9117, www.majesticcafe.com

At The PX, the Jolly Roger won’t be flying on Thanksgiving Day, but on the night before you’ll find spirit raisers snuggling up with their ‘birds’ as they sip on Todd Thrasher’s unique take on an autumn classic: Cold Buttered Rum.
 
The spice mixture of cinnamon sticks, allspice, cardamom and nutmeg mixed with the buttery rum induces dreams about the perfect Thanksgiving dinner – theirs just happens to begin in a glass.
 
Other seasonal cocktails include I Don’t Know with Brown Turkey Figs, Cruzan Black Strap Rum and Lustau Amontillado and I Bet You Won’t Order This Cocktail with Yuzu, Soy Sauce, Citrus Vinegar, Honey, Smoked Black Strap Rum and Ron Zacapa.
 
The PX is located at 728 King Street, Alexandria, VA, (www.restauranteve.com/eamonns/PX/px_glimmer.html)

At Restaurant Eve, With "Lickety Split," pick any two items on the bar menu for $14.98.  Bar goers be prepared for even longer lines as Chef Cathal Armstrong’s signature makes its appearance on the menu with his Amish Heritage Bred Roast Turkey Sandwich on a House-made potato roll with cranberry relish.  
 
Other special menu items in honor of Thanksgiving include Terrine of La Belle Farm's Foie Gras with Butternut Squash Panna Cotta, Pink Lady Apple Marmalade and Apple Chips, Chestnut Agnolotti with Sweet Potato Butter, Crisp Parmesan and Brown Sugar Gastrique, Bacon Fat Poached Maine Lobster with Confit of Potatoes, Braised Romaine and Warm Bacon Dressing and Roasted Pheasant with Fall Spiced Pan Perdu, Cranberry Purée and Celeriac Mousse.
 

Who killed the yard bird?

Squash for dessert?  Squash surfaces on Eve’s dessert menu with the Butternut Squash Pie with Whipped Vanilla Marshmallows and Bourbon Brown Sugar.
 
Restaurant Eve is located at 110 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA, 703.706.0450, www.restauranteve.com

At Virtue Feed & Grain, Eat Good Food's newly opened Modern American tavern, Chef Ryan Wheeler will serve "Thanksgiving Dinner" on a sandwich:  House roasted turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberry marmalade, served with sweet potato fries.
 
This season’s hoptail is the Pumpkin Draft, available through Fall.

Virtue Feed & Grain is located at 106 South Union Street, Alexandria, VA, 703.706.0450, www.virtuefeedandgrain.com
 
*All of these restaurant properties will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.  All Items are subject to change due to seasonal availability.