Actually, we'll be all traveling to Montana from various parts of the US to meet up for our annual Thanksgiving. No connections to Montana except it seemed to be a good place to have a Wild Game Thanksgiving. :)

(personally, I tried to sell Sonoma as the spot given the weather - but I couldn't convince them of a connection to wild game)

Morrells...yummm....

We will be! :)

Thanks for the ideas! Sounds like rich and include the grill. We will see how this year's menu stacks up to prior years - Mexican, Fried Everything, Indian, Traditional, and Chinese.

We have a new theme each year and we just nailed down Montana as the location, wild game as the theme!

What would you put on the menu? Not just the meat dishes, but the sides and dessert?

Rule is to use traditional Thanksgiving ingredients but in a way that reflects the annual theme.

Agree Batali is generally overrated - particularly Babbo and Esca. Overpriced, nothing special about the food. And hate the "Mario's ipod" music selections.

Gramercy Tavern - exceptionally poor service given the hype, reputation and cost.

Second Raoul's - it's a much more laid-back alternative to Balthazar. Friendly service, delicious food. But I do love Balthazar, if you can get a reservation and want to deal with the crowd. Whatever you do, do not go to Pastis - unsatisfying food, hosts with meatpacking attitudes, and a total scene.

Supper is much better than Frank...imo

I've had brunch at HK (39th and 9th) - don't be scared off by the club-like appearance. Not expensive or overly done.

Union Sq - I would go to Le Pain de Quotidien (but it is more European style, so not your traditional American choices, small portions, and pricey...but great coffee) or Petite Abeille.

My fave brunch spots (that unfortunately don't meet your criteria) - Prune, Balthazar, Norma's, August, and EJ's.

NORMA's!!! At Le Meridien hotel. Not low key though...but so delicious.

Casa Mono is my favorite. Great wine list and the flavors of the tapas are as close to Spain as I've found (more Barcelona than Sevilla - so a bit more high end). There's also a more casual, sister tapas bar next door called Bar Jamon that does feel a bit more like Spain.

Boqueria has a fun, lively atmosphere (Union Sq and new one in Soho). Food is good - but I go mainly for the lively ambiance.

Mercat in NOHO has a nice ambiance and interesting theme (Catalan tapas). I'd say food is slightly better than Boqueria.

Skip Flor de Sol in Tribeca - overpriced and underwhelming.

Tia Pol is very popular, extremely small...unless you go at an odd hour, you'll be waiting. Food is about the same quality as Boqueria but cheaper, so from a value point, I'd say slightly higher value as long as you're not waiting (then I don't think it's worth it).

Sala in East Village - don't care for ambiance and food is mediocre.

If you can get into Casa Mono and don't mind spending a bit more, hands down that's the place to go.

Enjoy!

Couldn't agree with you more...the most overrated restaurant in the city. Not only did none of the concepts make sense, the food itself tasted terrible.

I second the Foie Gras Ganache at Aquavit! Delicious!

My good ol' standby's in EV are Supper (Italian) on 2nd St b/t A and B, Cafe Mogador (Moroccan/Mediterranean) on St Marks Place b/t 1st and A, and the two Momofuku restaurants but they may be too small/casual?