Restaurants and Takeout for Thanksgiving in Atlanta

We like most anything that comes out of the Buckhead Life Group, and 103 West, which is typically reserved for special events, gives us a reason to get pumped. A whole roasted turkey served family style, Granny Smith apple dressing and sweet potato souffle get accented by Pano's private reserve coffee and butternut squash soup with white truffle oil. It's attention to detail, and we like it. It costs $69 a person, $35 for kids 12 and under.

There are few more quintessential Atlantan (or Southern, for that matter) restaurants than the Colonnade, and again the long-standing staple is open for Thanksgiving. The restaurant does do a complete four-course traditional Thanksgiving meal for $22, but it also offers regular menu staples such as fried chicken and black and blue rib-eye for those who want to change it up.

The uber-elegant and Esquire Mag recognized Paces 88 pulls double-duty on the day-o-turkey. Breakfast gets upgraded with Thanksgiving favorites during brunch (11am to 3pm), while dinner goes the traditional way with roasted turkey served with gravy and chestnut stuffing.

You know one of the country's premiere steakhouses will do Thanksgiving properly, and thankfully for Atlantans, there are a handful of Ruth's Chris steakhouses in town. The three-course turkey dinner (with choices of appetizers, sides and desserts) runs $35 for adults and $12 for kids. And, yes, you steak-lovers can still order off the regular menu.

If you're going to turn to one chef this Thanksgiving, Ron Eyester (aka the Angry Chef) is an ideal choice. His signature restaurant, Rosebud, specializes in local, Southern food and he is known for taking Thanksgiving to a new level with items such as Mexican Coke braised ham and duck fat and thyme roasted fingerling potatoes. Get reservations early and thank us later.

M&T's is not only doing a big order of free-range turkeys, its gourmet shop also has sides, wines and zip-sealed meals to-go that should have no problem fitting a wide array of Thanksgiving agendas.

Just in case you haven't noticed, any culinary spot that has Anne Quatrano involved is damn good. And getting takeout from Star Provisions is one step away from having Bacchanalia make your Thanksgiving dinner. (Let that sink in.) Whole roasted organic turkeys, vegetable casseroles, home-style sides, fresh baked breads: It's traditional Thanksgiving eats, except better, and you don't have to do anything.

Sure Alon's does turkey and sides and such for autumn's excuse to eat too much and sleep in the afternoon, but if you want to look like a total holiday badass, we like the idea of picking up bread from Alon's. A thoughtful accent such as fresh baked bread will have you looking like a Thanksgiving champion.

For the ?I?m-not-sure-what-to-bring-to-my-new-girlfriend/boyfriend's-family-dinner? situation, we give you Breadwinner. (Everyone will love you, trust us.) The bakery featured on Food Network does loaves that are sweet enough to serve as dessert, but can also work for breakfast. Pumpkin, peach and cranberry orange are three loaves that make Thanksgiving sense, but the mocha chocolate chip pulls on our heartstrings.

Continuing its tradition of selling out its Thanksgiving to-go feast, Murphy's does a meal for four people for $125, or a meal for eight folks for $225. And, seriously, Murphy's sells out early every year. Items such as roasted butternut squash soup, greens with pears and molasses mashed sweet potatoes give you reason to call ahead.