Staying Fit
Travel and food go together like turkey and stuffing, so this Thanksgiving weekend, why not step away from the kitchen and let someone else do all the work? Whether you’re a fan of typical turkey day fixings, or you’re keen to spice up the holiday with new traditions and flavors, these five destinations across the U.S. will satisfy all cravings. Best of all — no dishes to do at the end of your stay.
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Photos by Katilyn Turner Photography
Boise, Idaho
Few things are more contagious than the excitement of being in on a surprise, and the culinary and cultural landscape of Idaho’s fast-growing capital city delivers the feeling in delicious droves. Not only is Boise establishing itself as a craft brew and farm-to-table contender, it’s also home to one of the country’s largest Basque-American populations, which means food, culture and conviviality from this region in northern Spain and southwestern France flavor Boise’s bubbling international food scene.
For an afternoon pick-me-up, tuck into the sweets at Boise’s first Afghan bakery, Sunshine Spice Bakery & Café, recognized this year by the James Beard Foundation in the Outstanding Baker category.
The foundation also zeroed in on three other local chefs. Among them is nominee Kris Komori of the reservation-only Kin (the restaurant is closed on Thanksgiving but open for dinner that Friday and Saturday if you can snag a reservation), whose culinary-innovation-meets-Idaho-ingredients fuse in epic five-course menus that change every month. A few reservations remain for the weekend, or drop into the cocktail bar (first-come, first-served basis) and nibble on housemade potato chips and onion dip and Aunt Mabel’s Mah Fry — a chicken or maitake mushroom patty with chili crisp dip and lemon. If you prefer to stick to turkey (or trout, an Idaho specialty), try Chandlers, an upscale steakhouse serving a three-course, prix-fixe Thanksgiving menu for $65 per person.
While you’re here: Visit the Basque Market for pintxos (Basque for tapas), wine and, at noon on Wednesdays and Fridays, rain or shine, paella on the patio.
Stay: The pet-friendly Hotel 43 is connected to Chandlers and walking distance to dozens of restaurants downtown.
Isa's French Bistro, on a downtown corner, Asheville
RidingMetaphor / Alamy Stock PhotoSan Fran
Asheville, North Carolina
When a city refers to its culinary scene as “Foodtopia,” you know you’re in for something special. Asheville’s farm-fresh produce, solid craft beer scene, a drivable cheese trail and dozens of restaurants in a quaint and strollable downtown satiate food fans around the country. So much so, the online platform Yelp named Asheville the 2022 top foodie destination in America based on restaurant ratings from visitors. The James Beard Foundation took notice, too, and bestowed an Outstanding Restaurant award on Indian street-food den Chai Pani (closed on Thanksgiving but open all weekend, no reservations needed) and an Outstanding Hospitality award on Spanish tapas restaurant Cúrate (closed on Thanksgiving). If traditional fixings appeal, reserve a spot at Isa’s French Bistro, where a three-course feast will be served from 12 to 8 p.m. Or choose the Thanksgiving herb-brined turkey breast and sides at Hemingway’s Cuba.
