Dinner with the Parents

If any restaurant could survive on atmosphere alone, it would be this one. But the food is pretty great too.

For a meal that’s high in quality, but low in decibels.

At this summery seafood restaurant in the West Village, the chicken frites stands out.

Gage & Tollner is a storied Downtown Brooklyn steakhouse—sort of.

The revival of a West Village institution, Cafe Commerce serves elegant comfort food.

You can get F&F Pizzeria’s legendary clam pie at their sit-down restaurant. But don’t miss the scampi.

From the folks behind a local favorite coffee and donut shop, Super Nice Pizza does pies and more.

This Midtown steakhouse is an NYC institution, rich in history as it is in red meat.

Hoexter's is a throwback to the 1970s, complete with gorgonzola bread and flannel wallpaper.

This Alsatian restaurant is good for beery brunch, or a nice meal with your extended family.

If you aren't doing the cooking thing this year, here's where you can grab some food on Thanksgiving.

Come to this spot for fancy versions of spam noodle soup, cheesy pork chops, and other Hong Kong-cafe style food, served on bright pink tablecloths.

Blue Willow is a dark and fun Chinese restaurant in Midtown that specializes in Sichuan and Hunan food.

Eat some grilled fish on the spacious back patio at Elias Corner.

Sala is a Thai restaurant on the UWS from the same people behind Up Thai, and if you live nearby, this should be one of your go-to spots.

Don’t overlook the meat and pasta dishes at this produce-obsessed Sicilian restaurant.

Eat a carrot crepe in an idyllic backyard at this farm-to-table restaurant.

This old-school Italian restaurant has long been a Columbia student standby.

Thai Market on the Upper West Side specializes in Bangkok street food, so make sure to order a couple of snacks to start.

This roomy restaurant serves comforting Italian food and sweet-but-strong cocktails.

Explore lamb, eggplant, and the art of yogurt-making at this Persian restaurant.

At this quiet Persian restaurant, the only sounds you’ll hear are people sharing big platters of fish and kebabs.

Fausto is a Park Slope Italian restaurant that’s great for a celebratory dinner or a date you really don’t want to mess up.

This sumptuous Midtown institution is like an art museum that also happens to serve around 50 different vodkas.

This Japanese restaurant specializes in shabu shabu and sukiyaki using high-quality beef.