For some, making Thanksgiving dinner is something they look forward to all year. But for others, sometimes a night out serves up just the right dose of holiday spirit. For those who don't want to cook, are far away from family, wish they were far away from family, or just want a delicious hassle-free holiday meal, we've found some delicious restaurants that will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner this year.
Mille Fleurs - Rancho Santa Fe
At Mille Fleurs, diners can choose elegant or casual dining - however, their main dining room, courtyard patio, or the casual fountain room are all lovely choices. Their menu is a mixture of French and California cuisine, and they will be serving from a holiday a la carte menu in addition to a prix fixe option. From the a la carte menu, guests can chose from items such as soup of Musque de Provence pumpkin, lobster bisque with cognac, arugula salad with Rogue Creamery blue cheese, foie gras, medallions of veal, roasted turkey, or homemade pumpkin ravioli. The prix fixe menu includes the pumpkin soup, smoked Scottish salmon, roasted turkey and poached pear with caramel sauce.
A la carte menu main courses $21-$38, Turkey $32, Prix fixe $56.
The Marine Room - La Jolla
If turkeys could swim, they would do so at La Jolla Shores. At The Marine Room, you can look out at the Pacific and eat some tupelo cider glazed free-range turkey breast. The menu will be a la carte and specific for the holiday but will still reflect their global cuisine. Chef Ron Oliver will be cooking additional entrees as well, including lobster tail basted with homemade fennel pollen butter, filet mignon, macademia pesto crusted salmon, and petit syrah braised lamb. For vegetarians, their homemade tofu with vegetables and quinoa will be available on request. So, if you can't enjoy pumpkin pie without a sunset, the Marine Room makes a great dining choice.
Main courses range between $31 and $46.
Hotel Del Coronado – Coronado
The Hotel Del is a holiday powerhouse during the fall and winter months. They have been celebrating the holidays since 1888, and this year's theme is "The Sweetest Season." So, for a festive meal, come enjoy their holiday buffet with all the trimmings. Dinner will be served in either the Ballroom or Crown Room. Guests can also enjoy live musical entertainment, seaside ice-skating, and the illumination of the 100,000 white holiday lights around the hotel.
$87 Adults, $37.50 kids 6-10; Free for children under 5.
Balboa Park provides the perfect backdrop for a truly San Diego Thanksgiving dinner, and their famed restaurant, The Prado, is serving a special holiday three-course meal. This will be Chef Jonathan Hale's first year cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the Prado; he originally cooked for Blue Point, another Cohn family restaurant. Entrees include turkey, pork, prime rib and butternut squash ravioli for a veg-friendly option. For dessert, fall fruit debuts in the form of cobbler, caramel and pumpkin come together for flan, and chocolate pot de crème will also be on the menu.
$49.95 Adults, $12.95 kids under 12.
Nine-Ten - La Jolla
Thanksgiving dinner can get a little dull eating the same thing every year. Nine-Ten's chef Jason Knibb says his approach to the meal is to keep the menu items simple and fresh while still being innovative and elegant. Knibb is committed to being creative with his cuisine while using the freshest local ingredients – his turkey dinner will be served with turkey leg roulade, chestnut-sage stuffing, braised greens, potato puree, garam masala, orange-cranberry relish and herb gravy. Another option is whole branzino, for pescatarian guests or those who don't care for turkey. And for everyone's favorite part of the meal, there will be three dessert options, the star being their half-baked chocolate cake spiced with pumpkin flavors.
$55 adults $70 dinner with wine pairings, $18 kids under 12.
Bice Ristorante – Gaslamp
Italians know how to eat dinner family style – naturally, Bice Ristorante fits right in with the holiday. Their four-course menu offers both Italian and traditional American items, with appetizer choices of cold cuts with burrata cheese, chopped salad or potato and leek soup. Following will be a serving of family style pasta. And if the buttons on your pants haven't popped off yet, enjoy one of their four the main courses: grilled chicken with cacciatore sauce, homemade lasagna, turkey stuffed with pancetta chestnuts and berries, or mixed seafood cioppino. Those still hungry can choose from one of their homemade desserts as their last course.
$49.99 for Adults.
Does Thanksgiving dinner in your grandma's formal dining room sound too stuffy? If so, then come to Bleu Boheme and dine amidst their rustic French décor. Their three-course prix fixe menu includes turkey prepared two different ways: breast roasted with fresh herbs and legs and thighs confit-style (how else?). On the side: root vegetables, pommes puree, and wild mushroom bread pudding finished with white wine gravy. Alternative choices include king salmon and filet Roquefort. "Holidays give us a great excuse to try new ingredients, new techniques and wine pairings,” says Assistant General Manager Matt Cope.
$48 Adults, $24 kids under 12.
Culture Lusters, do you prefer to eat at home or go out? Please comment and tell us about your Thanksgiving plans or about any other restaurants you plan to eat at for Thanksgiving dinner.
