Thanksgiving is arguably the best holiday, isn’t it? A calming preface to the gift-giving madness that dominates December, the day of gratitude offers us a chance to slip into autumnal garb, binge on spiced treats of the pumpkin variety, catch a football game or a balloon parade on TV, and enjoy countless servings of stuffing with abandon. That being said, sometimes a no-cook/no-clean Thanksgiving is in order. Should you yearn to close your kitchen for the day, make a reservation at one of these OC spots — from white-tablecloth dinners to fast-casual affairs, there’s a dining option for almost everyone on Thursday, Nov. 23.
Please keep in mind that these are but a handful of Orange County restaurants offering dinner on Thanksgiving. Also, note that while these restaurants had tables available as of publication time, places book up right-quick before the holiday. Be sure to call for table availability sooner rather than later.
Cafe Sevilla (Costa Mesa): Spanish-Inspired Thanksgiving dinner features mushroom cream soup with brandy and topped with toasted baguette slice, beer-glazed duck with jamon serrano-wrapped asparagus and a deconstructed pumpkin empanada with pumpkin mousse and pumpkin-spice whipped cream for dessert. Don’t miss out on seasonal cocktails, including a pear and ginger old-fashioned or a pumpkin-spice espresso martini. 1870 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa
Coliseum Grill at Pelican Hill Resort (Newport Beach): Unleash your inner glutton at this pool-side buffet at the Pelican Hill Resort. The gastronomic bacchanalia includes a cheese station, a charcuterie station, a crostini bar, a pasta station (with butternut squash ravioli, rigatoni pomodoro and mushroom risotto), a poke bar (ahi tuna, shrimp, calamari salad), a carving station (turkey and tenderloin), whipped potatoes, cider-glazed carrots, stuffing and desserts galore (yes, butterscotch bread pudding and butter cake are available, in addition to Thanksgiving pies like pumpkin and apple). And if that’s not enough, you can sup on braised short ribs or Chilean sea bass from the kitchen. Phew. $145 per person, $45 for kids 12 and under. 22701 Pelican Hill Road, Newport Beach
ALSO SEE: Frumpy Mom: Are you thinking about Thanksgiving?
Citrus City Grille (Orange): Diners at this popular Orange eatery can look forward to a four-course prix-fixe meal that includes butternut squash soup or mixed greens salad, carved roasted turkey or baked ham, and pumpkin or apple pie. Reservations available from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adults $45, children $22. 22 N. Glassell St, Orange
Driftwood Kitchen (Laguna Beach): Chef Rainer Schwarz concocts a festive feast, which begin with seafood, charcuterie and cheeses, roasted autumn vegetable salad, butternut squash soup and more. Carving stations will feature whole roasted Diestel turkey with sides galore, roasted prime rib; and a seafood station with Ora King salmon and seared diver scallops. Price for adults is $125, kids 12 and under cost $25. 619 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach
Hendrix Restaurant and Bar (Laguna Niguel): Featuring a Thanksgiving buffet with carving stations offering whole roasted turkey with all the trimmings, roasted Greater Omaha prime rib and Scottish salmon filet. For the meat-free minded, enjoy mushroom risotto and farro salad. Costs $85 per adult, $29 for kids 12 and under. 32431 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel
Hof’s Hut (Seal Beach): Head to Seal Beach for a traditional (and refreshingly affordable) dinner of sliced turkey, apple-almond stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, creamed corn, candied yams with toasted marshmallows, pumpkin bread and, of course, pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream. Adults pay $29.99, children under 12 years of age cost $15.99. 12489 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach
Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern (Dana Point): While the Chart House and Wind and Sea are the obvious choices for dining out for the holiday in this coastal town, Jimmy’s Famous American tavern, located near the Dana Point Harbor, will offer a four-course feast. Diners can look forward to butternut squash soup, Wine Country salad, roast turkey with apple and chestnut stuffing or prime rib, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and more. Pumpkin pie is, of course, what you get for dessert. A la carte options are also available. 25001 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point
Katella Bakery Deli Restaurant (Los Alamitos): In addition to a bevy of pies (like pumpkin, apple, cherry, pecan, pumpkin cheesecake and more), this bakery-deli-restaurant will have offer a roasted turkey dinner, which includes said bird, housemade candied yams, sage stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, cranberry relish, and a slice of pumpkin pie for $29.99. 4470 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos
OC Mining Co. (Santa Ana): Expect a traditional Thanksgiving with all the usual suspects, including turkey, prime rib, ham and house-prepared pies and desserts. Adults $49.99, kids $19.99. 10000 S. Crawford Canyon Road, Santa Ana
Old Brea Chop House (Brea): Local favorite will offer its full menu all day with holiday specials that includes a traditional roasted turkey dinner (for one $60, for two $120) with sausage and wild mushroom stuffing, giblet gravy, roasted garnet yams and blood orange-cranberry relish or a porcini crusted chateaubriand ($160 for two). Desserts include pumpkin pie or apple-pecan bread pudding. 180 S. Brea Blvd., Brea
Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel (Dana Point): The seaside resort in South County will have two Thanksgiving meals: a brunch buffet inside a banquet room or a more formal affair at Raya. The former offers turkey breast and prime bib paired with traditional Thanksgiving sides. Other options include eggs benedict, sugar pearl waffles, a caviar bar, tandoor stations and a dim sum cart. Buffet is $225 per person, $120 per child (3-9 years old), and complimentary for children under 3 years old. Meanwhile, at the latter. Chef Richard Sandoval will prepare a three-course pre-fixe menu featuring potato and leek soup, herb-roasted turkey breast and leg confit, and pumpkin-spice cake. $135 per adult, $65 per child (3-9 years old). Reservations can be made via OpenTable. One Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point
SEE ALSO: Thanksgiving dinner costs are up even as turkey prices tumble
Selanne Steak Tavern (Laguna Beach): The acclaimed restaurant, located in a 1934 home on Pacific Coast Highway, will offer a prix-fixe feast that includes such dishes as beet ravioli filled with goat cheese, poached pear salad, leg of lamb with apple-celery root puree, prime eye rib roast, Mary’s Farm turkey and more. Other standouts will include duck fat-fried brussels sprouts with candied orange, baby carrots in lavender honey, brioche stuffing with winter fruits and candied walnuts and (rejoice, fellow pumpkin pie naysayers!) either mascarpone cheesecake or Dutch apple tart for dessert. Adults $165, kids $50.1464 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach
Seasons 52 (Costa Mesa): This South Coast Plaza restaurant keeps it classic with a traditional Thanksgiving menu featuring roasted turkey, Yukon gold potatoes, brioche sage stuffing, green beans, mashed butternut squash and mini pumpkin pie parfait treats. Adults pay $40, children cost $18. 3333 Bristol St., suite 2802, Costa Mesa
Tavern at the Mission (San Juan Capistrano): For its inaugural Thanksgiving feast, Tavern at the Mission will offer a holiday feast featuring New England clam chowder, lobster bisque, roast turkey with giblet gravy, prime rib, barbecued spiced salmon, and desserts like chocolate walnut cake, pumpkin pie and cheesecake with strawberries. Be sure to check out the newly revamped space in the old Cedar Creek Inn. Adults $65, kids’ turkey dinner $30. 26860 Old Mission Road (at El Camino Real), San Juan Capistrano
See also: Spiced Brown Sugar-Pecan Coffee Cake is a sweet indulgence for the holidays
Water Grill (Costa Mesa): This South Coast Plaza restaurant will offer an a la carte menu plus a three-course Thanksgiving prix-fixe which includes clam chowder or mixed organic greens, Diestel Farms roasted turkey, sourdough apple-celery stuffing, cranberry sauce, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and turkey gravy. For dessert you can choose caramel bread pudding or pumpkin cheesecake. $68 per person, children $24. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa
The Waterfront Beach Resort (Huntington Beach): The seaside hotel’s Coastal Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will offer a massive buffet on the property’s Vista Lawn. The varied feast will feature a breakfast station (with bacon, sausage, eggs benedict and home fries), a crepe station, seafood station (oysters, snow crab claws, smoked salmon), a “Cabo Wabo” station (seafood ceviche, tequila shrimp, tortillas, chicken fajitas), Asian fusion station (sushi, sashimi, ahi tuna, crunchy karaage chicken, dim sum) and so much more. Of course, there will be a carving station to get your traditional Thanksgiving fix care of maple-marinated turkey, as well as baby back ribs, herb-crusted prime rib and salmon Wellington. Don’t forget the hot mini donuts and nitrogen ice cream for dessert. The holiday brunch costs $135 for adults, $75 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children 3 and under. 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach
The Westin Anaheim Resort (Anaheim): Live music will accompany a Thanksgiving buffet inside the hotel’s Tangerine Room. Diners can look forward to carving, seafood, entree and dessert stations. Price is $85 per adult, with kids 12 and under $45. 1030 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim
The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar (Tustin): Offering a prix-fixe menu with Thanksgiving options, like ricotta-pumpkin ravioli, maple-glazed turkey, or stuffed roasted pork loin. Meals are priced at $85 per guest with a “little buddies” kids menu for $30. 2647 Park Ave, Tustin
