A traditional Thanksgiving dinner in Los Angeles
/Let’s face it, as much as we all love Thanksgiving and all that this special all-American holiday stands for, planning for a traditional turkey dinner can be laborious work. Besides, with shrinking families, and stressful travel during the holidays, some people prefer to stay closer to home and instead opt for a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner out. We sampled best Thanksgiving dinners around town and here’s where you can find a near-homemade turkey dinner in a dining establishment near you (in alphabetic order):
At this Culver City restaurant, Thanksgiving goes modern with a prix-fixe California-inspired menu full of persimmon-and-pomegranate salad; gluten-free cornbread; herb-roasted turkey with chestnut-and-sage stuffing; a vegetarian option of herb-roasted mushrooms with squash and a wild-mushroom gravy; broccoli-and-cauliflower gratin; mac and cheese; and an entire pie buffet. You had us at “pie buffet.”
Also in Culver City, and down the street from Akasha, settle in at chef Akasha Richmond’s Italian concept for an untraditional three-course prix-fixe feast with tons of options. There’s an antipasti selection for the table; squash-filled pasta; porchetta-style turkey with sage-and-chestnut stuffing; grilled branzino with braised kale; wild-mushroom ragu; an array of sides; and pumpkin-ricotta cheesecake, among other high notes to end on.
If you are in West Hollywood, make your way to the famed eatery Barton G., where this year’s three-course menu includes roasted pumpkin soup with maple crème fraiche; herb-roasted turkey breast with confit leg served with apricot-and-sage stuffing, as well as parsnip-and-potato mash, roasted Brussels sprouts with a pistachio crumble, candied yams and other side dishes; and pumpkin doughnuts with a side of cranberry compote, pumpkin butter, spiced warm chocolate and cinnamon anglaise.
The Bazaar and Tres by José Andrés
If you find yourself in Beverley Hills, do Turkey Day the José Andrés way with not one, not two but three options for Thanksgiving feasting. Located in SLS Beverley Hills, Tres by José Andrés will offer a brunch with roast organic turkey; a chilled seafood and caviar display; pastries; cheese; and Spanish-style takes on Thanksgiving classics. Then at dinner, enjoy a prix-fixe meal involving seared lamb chops, organic turkey, gooey pecan bars, butternut squash soup and more.
At The Bazaar by José Andrés, executive chef Holly Jivin’s prix-fixe holiday meal offers family-style turkey and sides such as giblet stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, pecan ice cream and other treats.
Still in Beverley Hills and hopping to the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel you’ll find one of the eateries, mostly because it includes live music and bottomless bubbly. Starters including butternut squash risotto and chicken liver mousse, while entrées involve all the holiday staples such as free-range turkey with sage stuffing, pomegranate-roasted Brussels sprouts and buttermilk mashed potatoes, as well as roasted filet of beef with celery root, cipollini onions, and truffle.
Head east to this Glendale steakhouse for an elegant three-course dinner featuring the traditional—roasted heritage turkey with stuffing and cranberry mostarda—and the more exotic, like Mediterranean branzino with madras curry or some smoked trout with baby beets, with a bevy of sides for the table.
For downtown dwellers, this California-French restaurant with a gorgeous, tree-dotted patio will be serving your choice of a three- or four-course prix-fixe dinner with both traditional fare and a few brow-raising dishes, to boot. Find sliced turkey breast with heirloom cauliflower and mole; sunchoke soup with a red wine and shallot jam; and filet mignon au poivre. Finish with pumpkin mousse or an apple crumble to really get into the fall spirit.
Fancy spending your Thanksgiving by the ocean, enjoy your Turkey Day at Catch in the Hotel del Mar, because chef Gemma Grayis whipping up all the classics and even a few contemporary plates right at the beach. Look for a prix-fixe involving slow-roasted organic turkey with apple and chestnut stuffing, as well as roasted cauliflower pie with wild mushrooms, and Japanese snapper crudo with pumpkin vinaigrette.
Back in Culver City, the annual feast at Tom Colicchio’s CRAFT begins with for-the-table starters such as pork belly with celery root, then proceeds to your choice of roasted, organic free-range turkey; angus beef short ribs; seafood; and pasta. Pass around the family-style sides such as sausage-and-raisin stuffing and Brussels sprouts, and, as it’s the highlight of just about every visit to CRAFT, don’t forget the selection of desserts artfully whipped up by pastry chef Shannon Swindle.
Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant
In Hollywood, chef Curtis Stone’s four-course, prix-fixe meal skews classic and fine-dining with dishes such as chestnut velouté with pear and brown butter; roast turkey with gravy and braised-and-pulled dark meat in cocotte; mac and cheese agnolotti with smoked pork emulsion; and a range of sides, including duck fat potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing and Brussels sprouts with bacon jam. Finish with Stone’s take on apple pie and a selection of petit fours. If you’re one of those domesticated types hellbent on making your own meal, the butcher shop is selling turkeys to aid you in your delicious endeavor.
Seaside again, Josiah Citrin’s fine-dining institution, Mélisse, is offering a four-course prix-fixe meal that feels anything but limited: Each course includes four or five choices, and you even get your pick of three of Citrin’s mom’s traditional sides. Just a few dishes from the lengthy and mouth-watering menu: Maine diver scallops with foie gras, young turnips, porcini and a truffle consommé; whole-roasted dry-aged prime rib with horseradish jus; herb-roasted free-range turkey served with chanterelle mushrooms, apple-and-brioche stuffing and pomegranate gravy; and pecan pie with Dulcey and bourbon sauce and whipped crème fraiche.
This swanky Beverly Hills resort is offering not one but threeThanksgiving Day options, including dishes such as herb-roasted turkey, spiced prime rib and sweet potato gnocchi. At the Restaurant, stop by for brunch from 11am to 3:30pm, where you’ll find a sprawling buffet—complete with carving station. Looking for a more formal dinner? Between 5 and 9:30 pm, the Restaurant hosts a four-course family-style feast. If you’re hoping for a more casual affair, head to the Rooftop Grill for a three-course prix-fixe menu with holiday-inspired specials from 11am to 5 pm.
Take Turkey to the beach at Playa Provisions to feast on roast turkey or honey mustard ham, plus a variety of sides, including chicory salad, roasted acorn squash and cranberry sauce. Finish with a selection of seasonal desserts including but not limited to pumpkin pie and cran-apple pie.
Head to this rustic Santa Monica mountain lodge for a four-course meal that lets you choose from hearty dishes like buffalo tartare, seared elk tenderloin with a foie gras and mushroom sauce, roast turkey with sausage-and-apple stuffing, and grilled quail with spiced cherries. Pro tip: Don’t leave before the pumpkin pie or banana-huckleberry bread pudding.
Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne and chef de cuisine Joel Walsh are bringing a little something for everyone to their Thanksgiving table at this Brentwood restaurant, with options for omnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike. Settle in for a three-course meal that offers herb-roasted organic turkey breast and stuffed leg with mashed potatoes, gravy, Brussels sprouts with pancetta and thyme, cranberry sauce with mint and orange, sweet potatoes with sherry, and sourdough stuffing with turkey sausage. There’s even the “vegan Thanksgiving extravaganza” option, which offers sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, fingerling potatoes, Italian broccoli and Suzanne’s stuffing and wild-mushroom persillade.
If after all these fabulous options you still feel like eating at home without having to turn the oven on, there is a long list of restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinners to go. Knock yourself out.
Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Destination Los Angeles.