Novikov Friendsgiving Dinner Downtown: $125 Peking Duck

Novikov, at 300 South Biscayne Boulevard in Downtown Miami, has already put its Thanksgiving on the calendar: the restaurant's events page lists a celebratory feast on Thursday, November 26, from 6 pm to 10 pm, and invites guests to bring friends and family. For a Friendsgiving dinner on another night, the menu itself is built for sharing, and the centerpiece is obvious: a whole Peking duck for $125, a showpiece for the table instead of a turkey.

Novikov calls its Miami restaurant the first and finest United States outpost of the Chinese-Japanese culinary sensation that began in London. The kitchen runs a robata grill, woks, a dim sum station and a sushi counter under one roof, and the dining room opens to what the restaurant calls an elegant waterfront terrace. That mix of cuisines is the strongest argument for a group dinner here, since a table of eight can try a little of everything.

The room is dramatic and dark, with low lighting and a nightlife edge that suits a celebration more than a quiet dinner. Expect a crowd dressed for a night out, groups marking birthdays and business dinners spilling over from the towers on Biscayne Boulevard. For a Friendsgiving, that energy works best for friends who want an occasion rather than a cozy home-style meal.

The Peking Duck comes as a half for $85 or whole for $125, with optional foie gras for $30 more or caviar for $95 more. Snapper Two Ways, a 2.5-pound fish, is $95 and is the second showpiece for a big table. Dim Sum Selections are $34, a good opener while the duck is prepared, and Singapore Noodles at $27 make an easy shared side.

The Yuzu Miso Wild Black Cod is $45, the dish for the friend who wants something delicate, and the Wagyu Tacos are $28. Peking Duck Fried Rice is $21 and turns the duck theme into a side dish that stretches the meal. An honest call: skip the caviar add-on unless the occasion calls for it, since at $95 it nearly doubles the price of the duck without making it a better shared dish.

Seating is the other decision. The restaurant describes its terrace as waterfront, and it is the more relaxed choice on a mild November night, when Miami evenings finally cool off. The main dining room is louder and more theatrical, built for a crowd that stays late and orders another round. For a Friendsgiving where the group wants to talk, request the terrace when booking. For a group that wants the full show and a soundtrack, ask for a table inside, closer to the bar and the busiest part of the room.

For a group of eight, a workable order is a whole duck, the snapper, two dim sum selections, the Singapore noodles and the duck fried rice, with the black cod for anyone who wants a lighter plate. That spread feels like a feast and gives everyone a taste of each part of the kitchen. Remember that a service charge of 20% is added to every check, so factor it in when splitting the bill.

Novikov's private parties page says the restaurant can accommodate up to 120 guests at 300 South Biscayne Boulevard and lists family-style dining among its options, with a private dining room described as a luxurious sanctuary. For a Friendsgiving of 15 or more, that private room is the better choice than a long table in the main dining room, where the music and the crowd make conversation harder.

Regular reservations are made through SevenRooms. For the Thanksgiving Day feast, book early, since the event runs only four hours. Plan B: if the holiday evening is full, a lunch Friendsgiving works well here, since Novikov serves lunch from 12 pm to 3 pm on weekdays and Sunday, and a daytime meal is calmer and easier to book for a large group.

Novikov is open Sunday to Thursday 12 pm to 3 pm and 6 pm to 10 pm, Friday 12 pm to 3 pm and 6 pm to 11 pm, and Saturday 6 pm to 11 pm. The Bayfront Park Metromover station is a short walk away, which makes the free Metromover the easiest way to arrive from Brickell or the Omni area without dealing with Downtown parking.

Driving is possible, but traffic on Biscayne Boulevard is heavy on weekend evenings and during events at the nearby arena. A group coming from Miami Beach should allow extra time on the MacArthur Causeway and plan to share rides.

Before dinner, cross Biscayne Boulevard to Bayfront Park, where paths run along the bay and the views of the water make a good group photo at dusk. In late November, the sun sets before 5:45 pm, so a 5 pm meetup in the park gives the group time to walk before a 6 pm dinner. Pick a meeting spot near the water on the bay side, which is easy to find even when the park is busy with an evening event.

After dinner, walk south to the Miami Riverwalk along the Miami River near Southeast 4th Street, where the path follows the water past docked boats and the lights of Brickell across the river. It is a short, easy loop and a good way to end a big shared meal before the ride home.

Novikov Miami, 300 South Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33131, in Downtown Miami. Sunday to Thursday 12 pm to 3 pm and 6 pm to 10 pm, Friday 12 pm to 3 pm and 6 pm to 11 pm, Saturday 6 pm to 11 pm. Thanksgiving feast on November 26 from 6 pm to 10 pm. Whole Peking Duck $125, Snapper Two Ways $95. A 20% service charge is added to every check.