Mimi's Cafe is opening in Columbia at the new shopping center at 108 and 175. It looks pretty close to being ready from the parking lot!

I knew something closer than Sterling, Va., must have sparked that e-mail.

I'm looking forward to your upcoming comments given that last year for Thanksgiving we happily had no plans (if this opportunity arises, grab onto it and don't let it go!) and were filled with excitement over choosing where we would eat a great meal out. Unfortunately, we discovered few restaurants in the area were open and even less offered an appealing menu for the occasion. We had our hearts initially set on The Elkridge Furnace Inn - it seemed the perfect setting - but the restaurant was closed for the holiday. After many phone calls and let downs, we ended up spending the day together preparing a non-traditional meal that included Osso Buco and zucchini gratin paired with a lovely tasting of Italian and French wines. Since then, we vowed to make good on our special Thanksgiving dinner out on Black Friday and have already been discussing restaurant choices. Who knows...perhaps we can move it back to Thanksgiving Day?

In past years McCormick & Schmick's has always advertised they serve Thanksgiving dinner. I always see the ad in The Sun though we don't dine out on Thanksgiving. Keep an eye on the Live section in November as the ads start rolling in as to who's open.

Charleston restaurant does a traditional Thanksgiving dinner every year. Chef Wolf hasn’t started the menu process at this writing, but reservations are being taken now, both online at charlestonrestaurant.com, or by calling 410/332-7373. Reservations begin at 3pm.

I guess it is just me since other posters seem to be into this but Thanksgiving is all about the home cooking, warm house, family, dozing on the couch after the meal. I just can't imagine eating at a restaurant that day. I cook the meal myself for 10-12 people and it is a lot of work but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Though I agree with Selina's post about eating at home, I did have an occassion when dining out was best on Thanksgiving. Due to a death in my family, no one wanted a family thanksgiving dinner, and I booked reservations at Cindy Wolf's Charleston restaurant in Baltimore (note to Allison Parker's previous post). It was a lovely, well-done, traditional meal in a beautiful setting. A friend who knew i was feeling down sent a bottle of champagne to my table to cheer me. It was the best think i could have done that particular thanksgiving.

While I agree Thanksgiving is all about home cooking, watching the Macy's parade and napping on the sofa, my friends and I came up with an alternative several years ago which I highly recommend.

Every year we meet for lunch the day after Thanksgiving for what we call "un-Thanksgiving." You get to spend a few hours with people because you want to, not because you have to !!

We usually go to Ikaros in Greektown and stuff ourselves with too much Greek food and wine and have a blast. Some years it's 5 of us, some years we have to reserve the private room there's so many of us.

I'm all for staying home that day, family cooking it's all fun. However one year we went to the brother-in-law and the power went out. Dinner was no where near done, 6 year old dear neice couldn't understand why she wasn't getting a drumstick. What did we do--Got Chinese. No kidding, I thought it was hysterical and memoriable. So check chinese food out if you aren't into turkey

The Oregon Grille, located one mile west of I-83 on Shawan Rd, in Hunt Valley, is open on Thanksgiving with seating available from 1pm-7:30pm. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 410-771-0505. We will be serving our award winning dinner menu, as well as a traditional Thanksgiving dinner ($44 per person which includes choice of soup, entree, and choice of dessert.) We just celebrated our 10 year anniversary. ...

My entire life my family did a traditional home-cooked Thanksgiving Dinner. For the past two years we have had Thanksgiving at restaurants (once in Las Vegas, once at the Hyatt Resort in Cambridge, MD). I am ready to get back to home cooking this year! Its worth the hard work just to be able to have my Grandmother's recipe for mashed potatoes alongside the turkey!

I have a strong appreciation for the fact that Oregon Grille will be offering its dinner menu along with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. As it should be...