San Diego Thanksgiving Guide 2012

Turkeys, buffets, dinner ideas, and more

by Paige Stables

Posted Monday, November 19, 2012, 11:42AM

Head to the Buffet

The Shores is serving heaps of food, beachside, for your Thanksgiving feast. On the menu: brown sugar brined North Carolina turkey, New England Style baked ham, and a bounty of savory appetizers and sides. For dessert, there's pumpkin pie, butterscotch bread pudding, New York cheesecake and more.
10:30-7 p.m. $44 for adults, $22 for children ages 6-12, $4/year for children under 5

The Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach is offering a relaxing and delicious Thanksgiving dinner with a three-course set menu highlighting its started of roasted butternut squash bisque, herb-roasted turkey with stuffing, and a holiday dessert of warm pumpkin pie.
Offered from noon to 10 p.m. $24.95 per person, $12.95 per childe 12 and under.

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is serving its famed Weekend Breakfast Buffet at Adobe El Restaurante, until 11:30 a.m. This will be followed by a traditional brunch, or for a more formal Thanksgiving dinner, make a reservation to enjoy their prix fixe menu featuring butter basted Mary’s organic turkey with haricot vert, dried fruit and chestnut stuffing, and of pumpkin chesecake. To-Go option available.
Brunch Buffet $38.95 per guest, Prix Fixe $60 perguest, reservations required for dinner, call Natalia Calderon at 858.964.6516.

The Hotel del Coronado's Crown Room and oceanfront Ballroom will host a spectacular Thanksgiving buffet with live music. After enjoying a worry-free meal in such a classy spot, it'll be tough to go back to cooking your own bird.
12 p.m. - 6 p.m. $92.50 for adults, $38.50 for children ages 6-10, and free for children 5 and under.  

Pine Hills Lodge in Julian is another excellent option for a big Thanksgiving feast. Fill your plate with brown sugar and honey-glazed ham, roast turkey, two types of dressing, and plenty more, including pumpkin pie and warm holiday cobbler.
Seatings at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. $40 per person, $24.95 for kids 10 and under.

The Prado in Balboa Park celebrates Thanksgiving on November 14^th at 12 p.m. as they hold their 15^th annual luncheon, served banquet-style by the culinary students under the instruction of Prado chefs. On this special occasion, the students are given the opportunity to work in a real banquet environment. This will be a ticketed charitable event open to the public. $40 in advance or $50 at the door.
On Thanksgiving day, a 3-course dinner will be served from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. Menus priced at $49.95 for adults and $12.95 for kids. For reservations, please call 619-557-9441.

La Costa Resort has two options for your Thanksgiving feast: roast Tom turkey with giblet gravy, pan seared salmon, and pumpkin or pecan pie for dessert at Legends Bistro ($41 per person, $20 for childen 5-12 years, kids 5 and under eat free), or a feature 3-course dinner at the Blue Fire Bar and Grill including sugar pie pumpkin soup, whole roasted diestel turkey, and spiced acron squash cheeecake mousse.
$49 per person, 424 for children 5-12, and kids 5 and under eat free

Mimi’s Café offers the traditional Thanksgiving meal for those who prefer to go out, and a holiday feast to-go for those who prefer the meal at home. Fresh roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, and pumpkin pie with real whipped cream are all included.
Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m, holiday turkey dinner starting at 10 a.m., $15.99 for adults, $8.99 for childer, or $89.99 for a feast to-go; severs 6-8 people.

Turn Turkey Day into Date Night

Vivace Celebrate Thanksgiving, Italian style, with a 4-course set menu, featuring an antipasto and pasta course, followed by turkey, and finishing with hazelnut cake.
4 p.m. - 8 p.m. $75 per person.

Pacifica Del Mar and its new chef, Stephanie O’Mary-Berwald are serving a special 3-course Thanksgiving menu, with plenty of options for appetizers, entrees, and dessert. For a small premium, step outside the norm and try something new, like Roasted Parsnip Soup or Slow Roasted Beets with Almond Brittle, entrees like Oven Roast Free Range Turkey or Slow Cooked Angus Prime Rib and sweet endings like Pacifica's decadent Burnt Cream (with a little less guilt).
12 p.m. - 9 p.m. $39 per person.

Bertrand at Mr. A's is a good bet for a gourmet Thanksgiving meal that will satisfy even the pickiest of palates. The three-course prix-fixe meal includes 4 different entree options (oven-roasted "Diestel" turkey, “Loch Duart” Salmon filet, short rib, or prime rib), plus an appetizer and dessert.
12:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. $59.50 per person.

George's California Modern has a selection of seasonal starters and entrees for carnivores and vegetarians alike, plus a robust selection of cocktails. Turkey is an option, but with braised lamb shank on the menu, it may be a good time to take a break from the bird.
Prices vary by dish, most entrees are around $30.

Terra American Bistro is offering a prix fixe dinner, starting with soup or salad, with your choice of entree (including options like rosemary and thyme roasted turkey, cumin cinnamon dusted pork chop, or hazelnut crusted local fish), ending with a dessert trio.
Seatings at noon, 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. $39 per person (children's packages and take-out also available).  

The Grand Del Mar’s award-winning Addison and Amaya offer superb meals. Addison Thanksgiving Carte Blanche Menu offers a seven-course menu, including smoked ham hock ravioli, salt-roasted turket with butternut squash, and a baked apple galette with orange-glazed dates and buttermilk gelato. 3 p.m -8 p.m., $180 per person, $290 with wine. Amaya’s Three-Course Thanksgiving Tasting Menu is offered from 11:30 a.m to 8 p.m. with choices including a roasted turket breast and crispy leg, cider-glazed loch duart salmon, seared bass, o center cut pork chop.
$75 per person, $110 paired with wine, $30 per child ages 6-12.

Cohn Restaurants including BO-Beau, 333 Pacific, Island Prime/C-Level and The Prado are all offering 3-course prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinner menus
$39.95-$49.95 per person, $12.95 for kids 12 and under.

South Coast Winery's 4-course Thanksgiving gourmet dinner menu includes hearty dishes like mushroom bisque, braised short rib, and pumpkin pie for dessert.
Price varies depending on entree choice. Kid's meals available for $17.

Cater It!

The Wild Thyme Company can set you up with everything you need for a Thanksgiving feast, including fresh cornbread stuffing, sweet potato casserole, and pumpkin chocolate cheesecake. Roasted turkey breast (with lemon and thyme) and honey-ginger glazed ham is also available.

The French Gourmet has turkeys big enough to feed 28 people (yikes, that's a lot of dishes!), plus complete turkey dinners that come with 12 oz. of white and dark turkey, bread stuffing, veggies, mashed potatoes and gravy, and even a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert. Done and done. For just over $100, you can feed a family of 4 with no fuss. While you're at it, why not order an extra pie like chocolate peanut butter and start a new tradition.

Elijah's has one of the best deals in town. For $110, you get enough food to feed 10 people. The meal includes a 14-16 pound turkey, plus gravy, cranberry sauce, 2 sides, and a pie. Beef brisket, prime rib, and vegetarian options are also available.