Thanksgiving Restaurant Guide: Dining Out for Turkey Day 2012
Author:Lindsey ShookNot everyone is equipped to haul a twenty-five pound turkey home and spend twelve hours making it Martha Stewart-presentable. This year, instead of sweating gravy bullets, dust off your fanciest kicks and treat the whole family to Thanksgiving dinner out on the town at one of these gorgeous California eateries.
Wine Country
With a delicious seasonal menu, a bright, open interior and artful “farm-to-bar” cocktails, Spoonbar brings a chic yet down-home touch to charming Sonoma. Custom dishware by Jered Nelsen provides a unique canvas for this year’s Thanksgiving feast. At $55 per person ($15 for children), the prix-fixe menu takes turkey day from standard to stunning with savory winter squash soup, braised clams, buttermilk-poached turkey breast, leg confit and brioche stuffing. The feast will be served from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; book via Open Table or by calling 707.433.7222.
Whiskey may not be a traditional Thanksgiving treat, but who needs tradition when you’re facing a drink menu that features nearly 200 different types of bourbons, whiskeys, scotch blends and malt liquors? Pick from this staggering selection while getting cozy in the restaurant’s warm brick-and-wood dining room. From 2:00 p.m. to 8 p.m., gobble up a turkey dinner with all the fixin’s. Book online or via phone at 727.526.4347.
San Francisco
Nestled among the incongruent streets of San Francisco’s North Beach district, The Stinking Rose’s cuisine centers almost exclusively around the almighty garlic bulb. The quirky interior mixes rich colors with striking patterns, offset by the glow of clouded glass lamps. Thanksgiving dinner gets a garlicky twist with roasted turkey breast made with 400 cloves of garlic, mashed yams, cranberries, stuffing, a simple house salad, and pumpkin pie a la mode. The restaurant will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Reserve a table online or by calling 415.781.7673.
This cozy San Francisco spot will be dishing up a three-course Thanksgiving meal for $59 per guest, featuring pumpkin mussel soup, roasted turkey stuffing, green beans, sweet potato mash and pecan pie, plus a refreshing glass of sangria. Deep red door and window frames accent rustic wooden furniture; above, a geometric white ceiling hangs like origami, emphasizing Bask’s contemporary, Spanish-meets-French inspired ambiance. Dinner will be served from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; book a table online or by phone at 415.392.2275.
The geometric ceiling at Bask SF lends a contemporary air to the dining room. Photo: Sabrina Thrilled.
Los Angeles
This classic American steakhouse embodies timeless luxury with supple leather furniture set in the intimately arranged, dimly-lit lounge and dining room. Add a touch of romantic mystery to your Thanksgiving by treating yourself to 555 East’s special Thanksgiving menu, with tempting offerings like crab bisque, roasted turkey, spiral cut ham, and creamy pumpkin pie. Book online or by calling 562.437.0626.
Located in Los Angeles’ extravagant Sofitel hotel, Simon LA is offering an elegant Thanksgiving feast this year that includes pumpkin bisque, roasted turkey, cornbread stuffing, grain mustard salmon and anise-glazed sweet potato. Luxuriate in your meal while feasting your eyes on the restaurant’s swanky nightclub decor. Reserve a table online or by phone at 310.358.3979.
The red room at Simon LA is reminiscent of a sexy Las Vegas nightclub. Photo via the Simon LA gallery.
