By Rick Karlin

Contributing writer

Are you dreading another holiday spent with the family while you try to choke down both Aunt Selma’s dried turkey and the views of your ultra-right wing conservative uncle’s politics? Why not blow off the entire family and spend the time with people you actually like? If no one in your group is a cook, get together and take a cooking class and kill two birds (literally) with one stone.

If you’d like to get an early start on learning how to wow folks with your skill at holiday meals, check out the cooking class being offered by chef Paul Wildermuth at Marche, 833 W. Randolph, Nov. 3 at 11:30 a.m. The $35 per person includes the course, menu samplings and wine. Among the treats being featured are sweet potato gratin, turkey with cranberry sauce and wild rice-chorizo stuffing and pumpkin cream pie. Contact (312) 226-8399 or marche-chicago.com.

Carlucci, 1801 Butterfield Road in Downers Grove, shows you how to make a classic Thanksgiving men, reinterpreted with an Italian accent Nov. 17 at 1:00 p.m. The $45 per person meal includes a cooking class, samples of such luscious menu items as pumpkin-filled ravioli with black truffles, sweet potato puree with mascarpone and apple-hazelnut crostata. Contact the restaurant for reservations, (630) 512-0990 or at carluccirestaurant.com.

Also on Nov. 17, Zocalo Chef Dudley Nieto hosts a cooking class focusing on Mexican-American Thanksgiving favorites from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The class fee is $45 and includes a sampling of all the recipes plus warm cinnamon-infused tequila ponche. Class participants are taught how to put a Mexican spin on the traditional Thanksgiving feast with recipes such as guajillo-marinated turkey in ancho, chiles pasilla stuffed with cheese and squash blossom soup with roasted spaghetti squash and a hint of mole poblano. Zocalo is at 358 W. Ontario, call (312) 302-9977 or go to zocalochicago.com for more information.

If you want to present an eclectic Thanksgiving, check out the cooking class at Citizen, 364 W. Erie, also on Nov. 17, at 3:00 p.m. The $35 fee includes course, menu samplings, spiked cider and beer beverages. Class participants learn to make herb-roasted turkey, polenta and wild mushroom stuffing, orange-zested cranberry sauce, pecan tart and spiked apple and cherry cider with chef Eric Smith. Call (312) 640-1156 or go to citizenbar.com for more information.

If a cooking class isn’t exactly your style, you can still enjoy a great meal by hitting some of the higher end restaurants, many of which offer special holiday meals to go or prix fixe dining in specials. Lawry’s, 100 E. Ontario, offers a Thanksgiving-to-go carryout deal featuring individual and family-sized packaged dinners, or side dishes and desserts. This year, 10 percent of the proceeds from the package benefits the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Carryout menu offerings include complete family-style packages featuring whole turkey and half and whole racks of prime rib, all with traditional accompaniments. Orders must be placed by Nov. 20 and are available for pick-up either Thanksgiving Eve or Day from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. If you prefer to dine in, Lawry’s also features a traditional turkey or roast beef dinner menu with all the trimmings. Dinners range from $30-$44. To place a “Thanksgiving-To-Go” carryout order or to make a reservation for Thanksgiving Day, call Lawry’s at (312) 787-5000.

For a chance to treat yourself and get a little tipsy the night before you go to see the family, head over to Kit Kat, 3700 N. Halsted, for a pre-Thanksgiving prix fixe $35 menu Nov. 21. Kit Kat's Thanksgiving Eve three-course dinner also includes a martini chosen from more than 100 selections. Call (773) 525-1111 or check out kitkatchicago.com for more details.

What’s better with Thanksgiving dinner than a little wine? How about a lot of wine? How about a lot of good wine? If that sounds like your idea of a great holiday, check out the special menu at Bin 36, 339 N. Dearborn. With a user-friendly list of 50 wines by the glass and an all-American three-course menu served from 3-9 p.m. the feast should please all. The cost is $40 for adults and $19 for children under the age of 12 (excluding tax, wine pairings and gratuity). Reservations are highly recommended—go to Bin36chicago.com

If you’ve got family coming in for the holiday, consider putting them up at the InterContinental, 505 N. Michigan Ave. instead of letting them camp out on your futon in the living room. The hotel’s offering a special holiday package which includes a room, breakfast for two, free valet parking and use of newly renovated fitness center and indoor pool for $201.00 per night. You can even keep them at the hotel the entire time by opting to have your holiday meal at Zest, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant. Thanksgiving dinner and brunch buffets are served, with each priced at $49.50 for adults, $20.00 for children (exclusive of tax, beverage and gratuity).

Pops For Champagne, 601 N. State, may be known as a landmark nightclub, but it’s featuring several Thanksgiving specials on its menu from 3-11 p.m. Among the special menu items are; pumpkin risotto with mascarpone, pumpkin ravioli with cranberries and cinnamon buerre blanc and pumpkin bread pudding with caramel crème anglaise and vanilla gelato.  For reservations and information, (312) 266-7677 or go to popsforchampagne.com.

You don’t have to stay in the city to sample upscale restaurant fare on Thanksgiving. Zed 451, at 801 E. Algonquin Rd in Schaumburg and 3008 Finley Rd. in Downers Grove, features an “Interactive Harvest Table” (I think that’s a fancy way to say buffet) for $42.50 for adults and $12.50 for children ages 7-10. Call (847) 925-0061 for Schaumburg or Downers Grove at (630) 512-0900 for more information.

However you deal with the holiday and family, let’s all be thankful that the bars in Boystown and Andersonville are open later that night.