Thanksgiving 2015 is less than two weeks away, but there’s no need to panic. There are plenty of great ways to celebrate the holiday in San Diego, from special restaurant menus to take-out turkey.
Here are Times of San Diego’s top ten picks for Thanksgiving dinner without the hassle of a major cooking and cleaning experience.
Thanksgiving in the Ranch — Mille Fleurs, one of Rancho Santa Fe’s classic restaurants, will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The traditional, four-course menu includes three-mushroom bisque, oven-roasted Diestel Farm turkey, Yukon gold potato puree, cranberries, gravy and more. The price is $75 for adults and $25 for children.
Thanksgiving Downtown — The elegant Westgate Hotel across from City Hall offers a four-course dinner or an all-day buffet. The dinner is $62 and the buffet $69, with half-price for Children 12 and under.
Thanksgiving at the Beach — The very contemporary JRDN restaurant at TOWER23 Hotel in Pacific Beach is offering a three-course meal for $45. Diners can choose from salmon, hanger steak and confit turkey legs.
Thanksgiving on the Bay — Hornblower Cruises is scheduling two Thanksgiving buffet cruises, one leaving at 2:30 p.m. and the second at 3 p.m. Each cruise lasts for two and a half hours, giving you and your party plenty of time to enjoy the meal and the nautical scenery. Tickets are $91.95 for adults and $55.17 for children aged 4 to 12. Landing fees are extra.
Thanksgiving in La Jolla — Eddie V’s on Prospect is swapping its seafood menu for a traditional turkey meal that is priced at $36 for adults and $15 for children. The meal is beings served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thanksgiving in Kensington — Bleu Bohème will celebrate Thanksgiving with what owner and executive chef Ken Irvine describes as a “decadent prix fixe dinner” from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the holiday. The three-course menu includes a choice of Diestel Family Ranch turkey or King Salmon. The price is $58.95 per person, with a children’s menu available for $16.95.
Thanksgiving in North County — Bellamy’s in Escondido will mix the flavors of modern California cuisine with French influences and local ingredients in a Thanksgiving harvest dinner. The three-course meal will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available, and the price is $60 per person.
Thanksgiving to Heat and Serve — You can pick up Thanksgiving dinner packages at Vons, Ralphs and other supermarkets. Ralphs offers a dinner for six including a 10-13 lb. oven-roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberries and rolls for $69.99. Whole Foods Market has a range of menu options from “classic” to “simple” to a “vegan thanksgiving.”
Thanksgiving for 16 to Go — Entertaining a large group? Chandler’s Restaurant & Lounge in Carlsbad is offering “Thanksgiving to Go” for 16 people at $250. Each package includes roasted pumpkin soup with chestnuts, rosemary and sage toasted turkey, Andouille sausage and artichoke stuffing, seasonal vegetables, mushroom gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.
Thanksgiving Without Guilt — Give back and get exercise by joining thousands of others at the annual Run for The Hungry downtown. Proceeds benefit Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s food assistance programs and the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. The 10K starts at 7 a.m. and the 5K at 8:15 a.m. Registration for either race is $39 for adults and $27 for youths.
