I know about opentable.com, and I've read other threads about where to eat Thanksgiving lunch/dinner. I have seen a few places on opentable that were in this $25-ish pp price range, but I have no idea if they're good or not. Right now, I'm keeping a place called Kitchenette on my radar (suggested by another poster), but it is $40 pp, which is more than I want to pay. Can anyone recommend a place closer to my price range for a traditional Tgiv meal? Also, we are staying on the UWS, so the closer to us, the better. If reservations weren't required, that would also be nice, to give us flexibility; we are willing to eat earlier in the day, when it may not be as busy.
Some of the places I have seen close to our price and on the UWS on opentable are: Amsterdam Restaurant & Tapas Lounge, Henry's, Kefi, and Sambuca. Any comments on any of those places?
I know eating ethnic is the cheapest option, but I want to be able to eat traditional if I feel like it.

Is there a reason this is tagged Arkansas?

This is in your price range and you can call to see if they are open on Thanksgiving.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/viand-coffee-shop-new-york

I think you will need a reservation almost anyplace on Thanksgiving, since so many restaurants are closed. I know Kefi has great greek food - but don;t know if they do a traditional Thanksgiving. And in any case you're not going to get a complete dinner at Kefi for $25 per person. Just based on their regular menu (and Thanksgiving is usually more expensive) a complete will be a minimum of $45 - including tax tip and a glass of wine.

There is also a Viand on the Upper West Side.

Actually a lot of restaurants are open for Thanksgiving, including virtually all of the so-called Greek diners in NYC, which almost universally serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Now, it won't be the best meal you've ever had, but it will meet your budget.

I wish you weren't on the UWS because I don't know any of the neighborhood restaurants there (and you SHOULD make reservations up there ... in other parts of the city---except for the immediate Times Square area---you can probably get away with a walk-in if you go to a casual neighborhood restaurant.

If all else fails, I really like Benjamin on the corner of 33rd/2nd Ave, but it's way too far for you to travel there. But they will have a Thanksgiving dinner for about $30. If anyone is on the east side, this is a good place to go and will take reservations.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have no idea how I ended up tagging this as AR. I thought I put NY. I saw that Kefi was recommended in my guide book, for general eating, so I'm thinking about it. The Tgiv meal is $26 pp. I still don't really want to reserve, but may end up doing so. Good suggestions!

I just fixed the tag--hope you get more great tips.

In that price range and in that neighborhood, the best suggestion I can think of for a sort of traditional Thanksgiving dinner is Artie's Deli. They actually have turkey/sides everyday on the regular menu as "Turkey Thanksgiving dinner" .
Menu and details here http://arties.com (the Thanksgiving menu on their website is mostly for catering/takeout, but it says they will have the plate for 15.95 and a more complete dinner (soup? dessert?) for $24.95 per person

Kefi will be mobbed as it is everyday. Reservations are a must! Artie's is a deli but it is good. I don't think they take reservations but the tables turnover fast. Having eaten in both many times, I would recommend Artie' but keep in mind it is a deli. But it is a step up from a diner.

Elainee, surprisingly Artie's says it is taking reservations for Thanksgiving.

saraallison11 , are you sure Kefi has a Thanksgiving dinner for $26? I don't see it on their website, and the price seems low for them

Yes, they are. . .

'Kefi — Offering a three-course prix fixe (served alongside the à la carte menu) that includes turkey avgolemono soup, chestnut manti with brown butter, sage and root vegetables, Greek walnut cake and, of course, turkey with mashed potatoes, mixed veggies and gravy (noon–8 PM; $25.95 per adult, $10.95 for a two-course kids’ menu). 505 Columbus Ave.; 212-873-0200'

I think this is what we're leaning towards. The kids are the real bargain--of which we have 4.

I will check out Artie's, though, thanks!

Well, that's some deal at Kefi--makes me want to cut out of my family dinner and go there instead

There's no contest, in my book, between Kefi and Artie's for that kind of meal. Just remember that you should reserve ASAP.

Will they take a reservation? Nice Matin is $36 with a la carte options. http://www.nicematinnyc.com/menu/T-Day%20Website.pdf

Reserve Kefi immediately. Some deal!

Anyone have an opinion on this. . . I just booked Murals on 54 for their buffet. Adults are $37, kids are $15, 5 & under are free (which is great for us as we will have 2 in this category with us). I've got a Kefi reservation also, but really can't decide which route to go. The Murals is pretty close to our hotel, but I wonder if Kefi would be better?? Anyone been to both of these places??

Thanks much!

Thanks for all the good ideas. I will look into Artie's, just to see what I think. I did make the reservation at Kefi's last week, so you guys' recommendations make me feel good about it. We spent one Thanksgiving in Athens (Greece), and had "Thanksgiving dinner" at a Greek "American" restaurant, if that makes any sense. It was a good meal, fun experience, so I thought, maybe Kefi will be reminiscent of that.

PS, Thanks to Katie H for changing my tag from AR to NY. How is that done?

Katie is one of the Fodor's editors.

Kefi was recently mentioned in article on Thanksgiving on a budget:

http://nymag.com/guides/holidays/thanksgiving/61820/