Duck jus ragù with gnocchi and gremolata sits on a Thanksgiving menu right next to roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, and giblet gravy. I really like that kind of holiday plot twist, and it gets better.
The same menu offers boudin boulettes, chicken sausage gumbo, and crab corn curry bisque for good measure. Dessert brings pumpkin cheesecake with pumpkin seed brittle or pecan pie with caramel sauce and whipped cream.
This Louisiana Thanksgiving dinner mixes classic holiday comfort food with Cajun and Creole dishes that make the whole meal feel a little less predictable. All of it happens inside a raised cottage built in 1884, with a heated saltwater pool and lush garden out back.
Gumbo before turkey already feels like a strong argument for breaking tradition. The only real decision left is whether you stay loyal to the classic bird or let the duck steal the whole show this year.
A Duck Ragù Shows Up Ready To Challenge The Turkey
Duck Jus Ragù with gnocchi and gremolata is the Thanksgiving entrée that makes people rethink their whole plan. It sits right on the holiday menu, ready to start a friendly family debate.
Gnocchi are small Italian dumplings, usually made with potato. Gremolata is a bright Italian topping often built from herbs, lemon zest, and garlic.
Put those together with a duck ragù, and you get a clear nod to the kitchen’s Italian-French side. It’s a dish that traveled a long way, at least in spirit, to reach a Louisiana holiday table.
Duck ragù with house-made gnocchi also appears on the regular menu at The Country Club. So this holiday version comes from a dish the kitchen already knows well.
Not a duck person? The lineup also includes Filet Mignon, Grilled Salmon, and a Pork Chop.
That range makes a big group much easier to please. The steak fan, the seafood fan, and the adventurous eater can all order happily at one table.
My advice is simple. Let one person order the duck, and then insist on sharing bites like it’s an official family rule.
Royal And Louisa Point To The Door
The Country Club hosts Thanksgiving dining at 634 Louisa Street in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. Head into Bywater toward Royal Street, then find Louisa Street near its intersection with Royal.
The restaurant sits just off the Royal and Louisa intersection, a useful clue in a neighborhood of low-rise streets and homes. Look for the Country Club property on Louisa rather than searching for a club entrance on Royal itself.
For Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026, approach the restaurant entrance at 634 Louisa Street and check in for dining. The venue admits guests aged 21 and older only, so plan the party accordingly.
Gumbo, Boudin, And Bisque Make The First Course Pure Louisiana
Before any turkey arrives, the starters already sound like a tour of Louisiana. The Thanksgiving menu may include Harvest Salad, Boudin Boulettes, Chicken Sausage Gumbo, Crab Corn Curry Bisque, Fried Oysters, or Smoked Shrimp Gratin.
Boudin is a Cajun sausage made with rice and pork. Boulettes are little balls, so these are bite-size rounds of boudin that are easy to pass around.
Gumbo needs no introduction in this state. Chicken and sausage is one of the most familiar versions, and it suits a cool November day nicely.
The Crab Corn Curry Bisque is the wild card. Mixing crab, corn, and curry in one bowl is a bold move for a holiday menu.
Fried oysters bring a Gulf Coast touch, while the smoked shrimp gratin sounds like a cozy treat. The Harvest Salad gives lighter eaters a fresh way to begin.
Here’s a smart plan for a group. Order a few starters for the middle of the table and share.
That way, Aunt Linda gets her gumbo, and you still get a boudin boulette. Everybody wins before the main course even shows up.
The Side Dishes Stick To The Classics, And That’s A Good Thing
Some traditions should never be messed with, and side dishes top that list. The Country Club keeps its Thanksgiving sides refreshingly classic.
Country dressing, sweet potato purée, Brussels sprouts, and green beans all appear on the holiday menu. That’s a lineup built for people who judge a feast by its sides.
Brussels sprouts have had quite a glow-up over the years. Once the vegetable kids pushed around their plates, they now show up on plenty of restaurant menus.
Green beans are the quiet hero of most holiday tables. They add a pop of green to a plate that’s otherwise heavy on brown and orange.
Sweet potatoes deserve a special shout-out in Louisiana. The state is well known for growing them, so seeing them on a holiday plate feels just right.
Country dressing is the side many families fight over at home. Here, the only fight should be about whether to order extra.
A quick tip for picky eaters: sides can turn a meal into a custom plate. Mix and match until your fork is happy.
Treat the sides as the supporting cast. A great cast makes the star look even better.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Or Pecan Pie Makes Dessert A Tough Call
Dessert at The Country Club on Thanksgiving comes with a real dilemma. There are three choices, and each one makes a strong case.
Pumpkin Cheesecake arrives with cranberry coulis and pumpkin seed brittle. A coulis is a smooth fruit sauce, and brittle is a crunchy candy.
That means the classic pumpkin flavor gets a tangy cranberry partner and a little crunch on top. Using pumpkin seeds is a clever way to make the pumpkin show up twice.
Then there’s Pecan Pie with caramel sauce and whipped cream. Pecan pie is a Southern legend, and adding caramel feels like giving a legend a crown.
The third option is an Affogato. This Italian treat is usually gelato or ice cream with a shot of hot espresso poured over the top.
It’s a nice pick for anyone who wants something lighter after a big plate. It also gives coffee lovers a reason to cheer.
Can’t decide? Order different desserts for the table and trade spoons like a pro.
Nobody has to know who took the biggest bite. That secret can stay between you and the pecan pie.
Rather Host At Home? The Kitchen Can Do The Heavy Lifting
Hosting Thanksgiving at home doesn’t have to mean a week of grocery runs and oven juggling. The Country Club offers complete, chef-prepared Thanksgiving meals for pre-order.
Pickup happens on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, the day before the holiday. Meals come in sizes for 4, 8, or 12 guests.
Each meal includes sliced turkey, country gravy, traditional cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pumpkin cheesecake. You also choose two sides from mashed potatoes, Louisiana sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, or green beans.
Want a few extras? À la carte add-ons include country dressing with tasso and andouille, plus extra roasted turkey and rich country gravy.
The vegetable add-ons sound especially tempting. Roasted Brussels sprouts come with caramelized onions and sage, and green beans come with brown butter and bacon.
Louisiana sweet potatoes with brown sugar are on the list, along with a sweet corn bisque with ginger, curry, and coconut milk. Pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake can be ordered on their own, too.
Here’s the sneaky win. Your guests get a holiday spread, and you get to keep the kitchen calm.
Order early, since these meals are pre-order only. Then you can spend Thursday on the couch instead of basting a bird.
Your Holiday Dinner Comes With A Side Of 1884 Architecture
Built in 1884, the building is an Italianate Raised Center Hall Cottage. That makes your Thanksgiving plate a guest in a home that’s well over a century old.
The building became The Country Club in 1977. Founders Douglas Williams, Daniel Wilson, and Gary Clay installed the backyard pool that summer.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the property went through major restorations. The goal was to bring back its original 1884 grandeur.
Another big refresh came in 2017, marking 40 years under The Country Club name. That year-long renovation updated the food program under Chef Chris Barbato and the interior design by Ferrand Design.
Inside, the details are a feast of their own. Custom crown molding, plaster ceiling medallions, wainscoting, and millwork give the rooms serious old-house charm.
Hand-painted murals by local artist Cindy Mathis and artwork by Louis St. Lewis add plenty of color. There’s even a spot called the butterfly lounge.
The club now marks nearly 50 years of bringing people together. Thanksgiving fits that mission perfectly.
So go ahead and look up between bites. Those ceilings hold more than 140 years of stories.
The Backyard Might Lure You Away Before Pie Is Served
Behind the cottage sits a lush backyard with a heated and chilled saltwater pool. A hot tub, a sauna house, and a cabana lounge round out the scene.
Diners can also eat in an outdoor space the club calls its secret garden. It’s a charming name, and it suits a holiday meal surrounded by greenery.
November evenings in the city can turn cool. Luckily, winter firepits and outdoor heaters help keep the backyard comfortable.
The pool area is for guests 21 and older, and access is walk-in only. Day passes are available for anyone who wants to stretch the visit into a full afternoon.
A poolside menu from the cabana grill offers light snacks, sandwiches, and desserts. That’s handy if a lazy afternoon turns into a longer stay.
The club describes itself as a bohemian retreat with a little finery, a little funk, and a lot of love. Honestly, that sounds like the ideal guest list for any holiday table.
One tip before you go: check holiday pool hours ahead of time. Special days can change the usual plans.
Packing a swimsuit for Thanksgiving sounds silly at first. In this backyard, it might be the smartest move you make.
Getting There Is Easy, And The Neighborhood Is Half The Fun
You’ll find The Country Club at 634 Louisa Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70117. It sits in the Bywater neighborhood, right next to the historic French Quarter.
Bywater has a laid-back, artsy reputation, and the club fits right in. Its mix of old architecture and bold art matches that creative spirit.
Regular hours run 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays. On Saturday and Sunday, doors open a little earlier at 9:30 a.m.
Holiday schedules can differ, so confirm Thanksgiving Day timing before you go. A reservation is a smart idea for any holiday meal.
The club also serves brunch, lunch, dinner, and small plates throughout the year. Its Drag Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays is a big part of its playful personality.
Need a spot for a bigger crowd? Flexible private event spaces are available for all kinds of gatherings.
That makes it worth remembering long after the leftovers are gone. Friendsgiving, a birthday, or a random Tuesday lunch all count as good excuses.
Just don’t be surprised if the turkey becomes a yearly habit. Some traditions start with one very good Thursday.