Revised for 2007, but with that same ’06 flavor you’ve come to love…
You could wake up at 4am and stick your hand into the backside of a frozen turkey. You could slave away in the kitchen all day just to have your mother tell you the potatoes are lumpy and the gravy lacks her special touch. And, you mostly likely will find yourself beneath a pile of dishes reaching to the ceiling as the last guest bids a fond farewell.
Or, you could make Thanksgiving reservations. And remain sane.
Now, I’m not knocking aprons and pumpkin pie and spending all day obsessing about whether the turkey is the exact right shade of brown. (Okay, I am.) But like most of you, I’ve been there, done that and got the dressing-stained t-shirt to prove it. This year, let someone else to the cooking.
Here are some of the North Bay’s best bets for Turkey Day, from restaurants to complete meals ready for pickup. Get ready to be thankful.
PICK IT UP
Order now. As in right now. Because most of these require advance notice.
Top pick: Pacific Market
Complete turkey dinner for 10-12, $129. Includes roasted turkey gravy, garlic taters, stuffing, sides, veggies and a pie. 1465 Town and Country Dr, Santa Rosa, 707.546.3663; 550 Gravenstein Hwy, Sebastopol, 823.4916 or 901 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park, 585.9643.
Top Pick: Della Fattoria
Breads and desserts so good, you’ll skip the turkey. Pumpkin tart, large Fatt Ho ($32), butterhorns, pumpkin seed bread and baguettes. Order in andvance 763.0161. The bakery is closed Thursday and Friday.
Top pick: Meats from the Fatted Calf
Deadline is Friday, Nov. 16 for Thanksgiving orders with a pick-up for pre-order in Napa on Wednesday. If you can’t commit to that, drop by the Berkeley Farmer’s Market on Tuesday the 22nd from 2 to 7pm. Come on, you know you want out of the house anyway.
Martindale’s Quality Meats & Deli
Haven’t tried a Turducken? Martindales does a solid job of this Southern favorite “a turkey stuffed with a duck, stuffed with a chicken. Guaranteed to make an impression. Order in advance. 5280 Aero Dr, Santa Rosa, 707.545.0531
JUST GET AWAY
Thanksgiving dinner and a goat butter massage? Sounds like a little bit of heaven. The Carneros Inn offers a traditional Thanksgiving feast, along with a two night cottage stay, a bottle of bubbly, the aforementioned goat butter rubdown, and two tasting passes at The Vintner’s Collective. Check out the menu.
EAT IT OUT
El Dorado Kitchen
High-end dining on the Sonoma square, serving an a la carte menu from 3 to 8pm. Chef Ryan Fancher is a French Laundry alum, and his meticulous dishes show it. Finish off dinner with pumpkin pie or Guittard chocolate s’mores. 405 First St. West, Sonoma, 707.996.3030. Check out the menu
The Lodge at Sonoma
Three-course prix fixe dinner from 2 to pm featuring roast Sonoma Willie Bird turkey, sugar pumpkin and Gruyere soup. Reservations required, $55 per person See the menu 1325 Broadway, Sonoma, 707.931.2042
Hurley’s Restaurant and Bar
Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings, plus regular menu items. A favorite with locals, Hurley’s has a Mediterranean flair and is one of the few spots in town open past nine (they have a 9pm to midnight menu). 6518 Washington St, Yountville, 707.944.2345
John Ash
4350 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707.575.7350
Luxurious setting at a restaurant that has become a SoCo institution.
Siena at the Meritage Hotel
Dungeness crab cakes, lamb osso-buco and of course, turkey. 75 Bordeaux Way, Napa, California, 94558 Phone: (707) 251-1900
Napa Valley Grille
Heritage turkey, wild boar prosciutto and pheasant? Count me in. This upscale chain restaurant feels right at home in Yountville. 6795 Washington St., Washington Square, Yountville, 707.944.8686 See the menu
Willie Bird’s Restaurant
Family-favorite serving up delightful Willie Birds. Full holiday turkey dinner along with other menu items. Reservations required.
1150 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707.542.0861
Popeye’s Ragin’ Cajun Turkey
Forgot about this one! Thanks for reminding me. Yep, Popeye’s is doin’ it again this year. $37 for the ragin’ turkey. Read more about it here.
Closed on Thanksgiving: Syrah Bistro, Flavor Bistro, Cyrus, Zazu.