HOW TO SET THE SCENE:

MK THANKSGIVING ESSENTIALS

11.27.2025

Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year. It’s one of those rare days that you can pause and soak it all in, a chance to hang with your favorite people, pour great wine, savor even better food, and let the day unfold in that special, slow, cozy kind of way. It’s a time for Dizzy and Coltrane and Miles in the background, delicious aromas from the kitchen, and a table that is as abundant as the gratitude filling the room. It’s the kind of day where everything, big and small…just feels real right.

This Thanksgiving Riff is an assemblage of the items and elements that are a part of my real (and fantasy) Thanksgiving.

I hope you enjoy.

THE SETTING

The Mid-century fireplace sets the scene. The fire crackles and an Italian marble dining table takes center stage, set with Arne Jacobsen cutlery and Hudson Wilder champagne flutes (of course). A French waiter knife awaits, ready for a lot of action during the day, while crumb catcher by Gohar World and showstopper platter by Somerset House add a refined touch. After the meal, the Adrian Pearsall lounge chair offers the perfect spot to catch a big sit and perhaps some big Zzzzs.

MORNING PREP

Top of the morning!

Let’s start the day with a glass of bubbly, get cozy and mentally right for the best day of the year.

Beverage:

Marie Courtin Resonance Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut in a Hudson Wilder flute.

Music:

Oscar Peterson and Dizzy Gillespie

Fit:

Cozy wool sweater from Stoffa designed by my client, Agyesh Madan

M.Kahler "Good Bones" socks to match.

Complete with some versatile/all-terrain/kitchen to fireside mules by Merrell

IN THE KITCHEN

The heart of every home, and the most important space of Thanksgiving...the kitchen.

Kitchen Essentials:

Shun Premiere 2 Piece Carving Set - a Turkey day necessity is a proper knife.

Williams Sonoma Heavy Cotton Apron - his and hers of course.

Zeppoli Classic Dish Towels - these do NOT go on the table but on the shoulder.

THE BIG SIT/FEAST

Zuni Cafe - Chicken Recipe

Chicken is tastier, less fussy, why not the best roasted chicken recipe on the planet. Do not overlook the bread salad…it is incredible.

Turkey

For traditionalists, the best recipe I've ever made.

Green Beans

That brown sugar...the crowd pleaser dish.

Kahler family special noodles

Our family tradition.

Texas State Fair Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie. Anything other, would be uncivilized.

M. KAHLER WINE LIST

A proper vessel for all varietals Universal Zalto Glass

To start:

Chateau Simone Rose

To cheers:

Large Format Fleurie

To wind down:

Littorai

And for the post-wine vibe, I like to make a

classic martini. Extra dry.