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  Although traditional images of Thanksgiving dinner revolve around a meal in the dining room at home, having your meal at a restaurant can decrease stress and allow your entire family to focus on one another. In the state of Connecticut, a small number of restaurants are open on Thanksgiving, offering special menus to celebrate the day. Some of these establishments are in or near large cities such as Hartford, the state capital.
  
  

Old Lyme Inn Grill

• An inn constructed in 1840 serves as the setting for the Old Lyme Inn Grill in the village of Old Lyme, approximately 15 minutes from New London. The restaurant held Zagat ratings of "very good to excellent" for its food, decor and service as of October 2010.
  
  The casual Tap Room at the Old Lyme Inn Grill serves dinner every Tuesday through Sunday, including on Thanksgiving. The restaurant features a casual menu with fare like fish and chips and a grilled steak with french fries. A seasonal menu is also available nightly with specialty entrees. The bar serves a full selection of beer, wine and spirits.
  
  Reservations are highly recommended for dining at the Old Lyme Inn Grill, particularly on Thanksgiving. Request a table near the fireplace to add a cozy, homey feel to your family's meal. Business casual attire is appropriate. Free parking is available in the inn's lot.
  
  

Hawthorne Inn

• The Hawthorne Inn is in Berlin, about 20 minutes south of the city of Hartford. The inn, on the Berlin Turnpike, opened for business in the 1930s in a building constructed during the late 19th century. As of October 2010, the restaurant held Zagat ratings of "good to very good" for its food and service and "fair to good" for its decor.
  
  On Thanksgiving the restaurant offers a special dinner menu. In addition to classic roast turkey, it typically serves its signature dish, roasted prime rib. Entrees come with a choice of potato and vegetable. A full bar is available.
  
  Reservations are required for dining at the Hawthorne Inn on Thanksgiving and are highly recommended for other nights of the year. Business casual attire is the norm. A children's menu is available for young diners, and the inn has highchairs and booster seats. On-site, free parking is available.
  
  

Mill on the River Restaurant

• A remodeled grist mill in South Windsor is the setting of the Mill on the River, which is approximately 12 minutes northeast of Hartford. The restaurant held Zagat ratings of "very good to excellent" for its food, decor and service as of October 2010.
  
  For Thanksgiving dinner, the Mill on the River features a three-course menu that comes with a choice of appetizer, entree and dessert. Roast turkey is typically featured, and other entrees have included German sauerbraten, wild Atlantic salmon, and garlic and rosemary pork loin. Featuring more than 400 selections, the wine list is a past recipient of the "Wine Spectator" magazine's Award of Excellence.
  
  Reservations are required for holiday dining at the Mill on the River. Request a table by the windows for views of the gazebo and pond on the restaurant's grounds. Casual attire is acceptable. Free parking is available on-site.