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):

Akasha

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.”

AR Cucina 

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.

Barton G. 

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.

The Belvedere 

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. 

Bourbon Steak 

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. 

Café Pinot 

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.

Catch

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. 

CRAFT Los Angeles 

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.

Mélisse

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.

Montage Beverly Hills 

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.

Playa Provisions 

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. 

Saddle Peak Lodge 

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.

Tavern

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.

Best travel destination in the U.S.

California’s picturesque Redwood Coast has topped Lonely Planet’s list of “…out-of-this-world spots to visit in 2018.” The list was compiled by a team of locals, editors and researchers who visited, researched and lived in the region.

Let’s take a closer look to what makes California’s Redwood Coast a must-see in 2018:

Known for its sky-scraping forests, these redwoods are 2,000 years old and are certainly some of the most fascinating trees on the planet. Filmmakers have been using the region’s awe-inspiring scenery for many years: Star Wars, E.T. and Jurassic Park all included scenes shot here.

Tall trees and so much more! Multiple parks are located along the coast of Northern California, within Del Norte and Humboldt Counties and managed by California State Parks and National Parks Service.

CITY OF EUREK

A port city in Northern California, Eureka is a gem of a city with its Old Town district, rich in history and architecture with its elaborate Victorian houses, including the Carson Mansion a short distance away.  Not to be missed is the Sequoia Park, home to massive old-growth redwood trees. Take a guided boat cruises aboard the early-1900s Madaket ferry to take in the sights, seals and birdlife of Humboldt Bay.

BEACHES

Craving some sun and sand?  Try Northern California’s beaches.  The Humboldt County coast is chock full of wild and far-flung beaches that beg for exploration. Or try Del Norte County, the northernmost county in California, with its wild remote—and at times rugged—beaches perfect for those with a keen interest in discovering romantic hideaways. 

KAYAKING

Does hiking, kayaking, picnicking, a coastal walk, visiting pristine Hidden Beach and camping with your group in a peaceful surrounding sound good to you? Let GMS plan your escape to Northern Cal. 

LA is Forever

Whatever may take you to LA (acting ambitions, surfing craze, or escaping the Chicago blizzards), there are plenty of reasons to keep you there—forever.  The city is the envy of the nation in that there is so much to do whatever your kick!

Celebs Everywhere.  If you are a celebrity worshiper, there is not place to spot one like LA.  At every turn, you are likely to bump into a face you may recognize.  You can also see a movie star perform at one of our many clubs for under $10.  You just never know who you might see performing at the Virgil or at Largo at the Caronet.

Route 66.  The legendary early motorway may start in Chicago, but it ends at the Pacific near the scenic Santa Monica Pier.  Go and take a selfie and let the folks at home know you made it all the way to the end of the Route.

Grand Central.  Not the Station in NYC!  This one is the Grand Central Market where you can find authentic LA fare.  No, that’s not oxymoron.  Opened in 1917, Grand Central Market is still a treasured dining destination in a city proud of its eateries.  If you are not Lactose intolerant, don’t forget to stop at DTLA Cheese + Kitchen for a dairy overdose.

Shopping Mecca.  You want to shop until you drop but hate malls.  Well, shopping in LA feels like a day at the resort.  Most malls are outdoors surrounded with botanic splendors.  The trip to the mall will never again feel the same. 

Cars. Cars. More Cars.  Yes.  It’s true.  "New Yorkers don't have to spend upwards of three hours a day trapped in their cars. Walking! Ever heard of it? It's nice."  You’ll discover how lovely it is walking among the blossoming jacarandas this time of year. 

Food Trucks.  New York has its pretzel street vendors, but LA has culinary taco trucks.  Taco trucks gave birth to LA’s street food fares long before grilled cheese and lobster rolls were being sold at ever corner.  Give it a try.  You will be pleasantly surprised.  Stop by Ricky's Fish Tacos: The truck serves quite possibly the most famous fish tacos in the city.

Whitewater Rafting in LA?  That creek you see winding through the city is actually Los Angeles River and upstream, you can still get your adrenaline pumping on a sizeable stretch of the River. Ready to strap on a helmet and get wet?   Well, yes. Don’t expect the Colorado River!  After all, this is LA.

City Characters Everywhere.  Especially on Hollywood Boulevard.  The Batman, Cinderella and Elvis are live and well on the famed boulevard.  As are the tributes to all the stars on the sidewalks.     

The Stars Never Die.  They just change residences to Hollywood Forever Cemetery.  Or to Forest Lawn Cemetery.     

For a memorable program in the City of Angeles, Let the professionals at Destination Los Angeles put together a program that your participants will never forget.