Thanksgiving is a time of tradition. In our house, tradition changes yearly. Sometimes we opt for the beauty of autumn in the Sierras, where late fall colors can combine with early winter weather.
One Thanksgiving, while hiking with a friend on the outskirts of Sequoia Park, we stood on the deck of a forest service cabin, transfixed, as golden leaves and fat snowflakes swirled together in a mesmerizing dance. We were in a snowliage globe. Thinking of it brings back happy memories and the aromas of roasting game hens, sweet potatoes and cornbread stuffing in a tiny oven at a cabin in Lake Elowin.
However you choose to celebrate, may new memories be made and old traditions honored.
While many non-chain restaurants tend to be closed to give their employees the day off, places like Il Fornaio (Santa Clara), The Plumed Horse (Saratoga), La Mere Michelle (Saratoga) and Lexington House (Los Gatos) will be open with special menus. There are also brunches and buffets to drool over, near and far.
For your dining at home pleasure, we’ve also included places that offer meal kits or dinners to go, a couple of Thanksgiving buffets, as well as trendy spots with alternative menus.
Birks Restaurant in Santa Clara has a special three-course prix fixe for Thanksgiving day only, 11am–6pm, with a turkey dinner for $55 and a wood-smoked prime rib feast for $80. Special holiday menu also available. Call 408.980.6400 to reserve. Closed Friday, Nov. 28.
Dry Creek Kitchen has a special menu 1–7:30pm with shareables like deviled eggs, short rib empanadas, Brussels sprouts and crab cakes, along with soups and salads. Choose from a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, lamb chops, short ribs, grilled swordfish and winter squash and kale ravioli with Gorgonzola cream.
Il Fornaio offers a four-course traditional menu, with butternut squash soup and endive salad, followed by traditional turkey and accompaniments, and dessert, $59 for adults, $25 for children 12 & under. A la carte menu also. Reserve: ilfornaio.com.
Executive Chef Ryan Mendoza offers three special dishes at Nobu in Palo Alto: Seared Salmon Nashi Salsa ($40), seared salmon topped with nashi (Japanese pear) salsa and a bright yuzu vinaigrette; Porterhouse Steak (32oz, $285), grilled and finished with allium citrus beef fat and charred pepper chimichurri, paired with sweet yuzu-pickled Romanesco cauliflower and white alyssum flowers; and Persimmon Bread Pudding ($17), made with fresh and pureed persimmons and served with chestnut gelato.
Valley Goat on Mathilda in Sunnyvale beckons with a festive prix-fixe, Nov. 27, 3–7pm. $95 for adults; $40 for children 12 & under, both inclusive of tax & gratuity. Sample dishes include brown butter kabocha squash soup; roasted turkey with gravy and all the fixings, including the Valley Goat’s green beans with cashews. Or enjoy a bone-in prime rib with caramelized onion jus and potato smash. Finish with a selection of mini pies and tarts. Reservations: ValleyGoat; 408.900.9470
The Lexington House in Los Gatos will offer a four-course dinner on Thanksgiving, 6–8:30pm. Start with crostini or cornbread, followed by gnocchi and wild mushrooms or a fall salad. Choose roasted half duck accompanied by traditional Thanksgiving sides, or New York steak. For dessert, pumpkin pie or Basque cheesecake. $119/pp+. Reserve 5–8:30pm on Open Table.
At Santana Row, LB Steak, Left Bank, Meso Mediterranean, Oveja Negra, Suspiro and Yard House are all open on Thanksgiving day with special menus.
Valley Fair beckons with Thanksgiving fare at Eataly and Mastro’s Steakhouse, where they offer an unforgettable dining experience featuring prime steaks, fresh seafood, decadent desserts and fine wines.
Adrestia at the TETRA Hotel Sunnyvale will offer a $75 pre-fixe menu or à la carte experience, 5–9pm. Menu features corn bisque with lobster and black truffle, turkey with all the traditional sides, and pumpkin cheesecake topped with candied pecans and bourbon caramel. À la carte additions like Parker rolls with Yuzu butter and mac & cheese round out the feast. Open Table reservations required.
Wild Onion Bistro & Bar at the Hotel Citrine in Palo Alto offers a three-course dinner for $75 per person, noon–5pm. Featured items are acorn squash bisque, roasted turkey with all the traditional sides, seafood paella, and a decadent pumpkin tart. 750 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto. Open Table reservations.
In Seaside, The Lantern Room at the Monterey Beach Hotel will present a four-course meal with roasted tomato and fennel, seared sea scallops with artichoke purée, roasted turkey with chestnut stuffing, butternut squash truffle risotto, grilled flank steak, and Ora King salmon. Pumpkin cheesecake with cinnamon and crème anglaise, or ginger-scented warm bread pudding topped with rich caramel sauce, caramel ice cream, and glazed pear round out a perfect seaside meal. Dinner is $90 per adult and $35 for children 12 and under. Reservations are required and can be made on Open Table. Seatings 4:30–10pm.
Buffets and Brunches
Signia By Hilton’s Fountain Restaurant in San Jose offers Thanksgiving Day brunch from 11am until 1:30pm, featuring citrus-brined turkey with chorizo cornbread stuffing, slow-cooked prime rib with Yorkshire pudding, maple-glazed pork loin with roasted kabocha pumpkin, and honey-orange glazed salmon. Breakfast items, salads, a kid’s corner and a decadent dessert spread make this a family friendly destination. Adults, $110/pp; children ages 5–12, $55; children 4 and under dine free. Prices exclusive of tax, gratuity, and alcoholic beverages.
The Cats Los Gatos will roll out a rockin’ buffet of smoked turkey, maple-bourbon glazed ham, and southern-style sides like sage and sausage stuffing, sweet potato mash and mac ‘n cheese for a Thanksgiving buffet. Seating times from 11:00– 1:00pm; 1:30–3:30pm and 4:00 – 6:30pm. Adults, $68++, and kids 6-12, $30. Senior discount, $10.
Meal Kits
Acopio offers a feast for 4–6 guests, filled with Alta Cocina Mexicana flavor. Pre-order by Nov. 17. Quantities limited. Acopio, 399 S. 24th St., San Jose; acopiosj.com/s/order or call 408.293.5241.
Alexander’s Steakhouse in Cupertino offers a chef-curated gourmet feast to go for 6–8, available to pick up on Nov. 26. The Take and Bake 7lb Prime Rib package starts at $495 and is pre-seasoned and ready to finish in your oven, with instructions. Also included are a quart of au jus, cup creamed horseradish, large Caesar salad, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese and creamed spinach. Order by 5pm Nov. 21. AlexandersToGo
The Bywater Los Gatos offers Thanksgiving to go for four with a smoked 1/2 turkey, andouille and oyster stuffing, honey pecan yams, braised greens, shells and cheese, mixed green salad, jellied cranberry and turkey gravy. Sides may be ordered a-la-carte. Add ons, for upcharge: Hot Buttered Rum Kit for six and Manresa Bread pecan pie. Preorder for pickup Nov. 26, noon–3pm. BywaterThanks
Bubbelah and Che Fico Parco Menlo offer meal kits for ominivores ($350, serves four) and vegetarians ($325, serves four) with optional wine pairings. Items may also be ordered à la carte. Pre-order by Nov. 19 for delivery or pick-up on Nov. 26 (Menlo Park)
Il Fornaio will package up their four-course dinner to go, by pre-order. Feasts can be picked up on either Nov. 26, noon–9pm or Nov. 27, noon–3pm. Serves four; $59 per person. Extra side dishes and wines available. Preorder: ilfornaio.com/order-online.
Jackie’s Place in San Jose offers Thanksgiving to go by pre-order, with fried turkeys, oven roasted birds, brisket, honey-baked ham, and sides like pan stuffing, collard greens with smoked turkey, mac ’n’ cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, candied yams, honey butter cornbread, BBQ sauce and desserts like peach cobbler, sweet potato pie, butter pound cake and banana pudding. Sorry, smoked whole turkey is sold out. Pickup on Nov. 26, 1–5pm. Preorder: JackiesPlace.
Wild Onion Bistro & Bar offers Thanksgiving to go: $145, serves five, includes a complete, chef-prepared holiday meal. Call 650.999.7096 to pre-order.
