Thanksgiving 2010

Here we go again! Here are BiteClub’s picks for EATING OUT, PICKUP, PIES AND TURKEYS for Thanksgiving 2010
RESTAURANTS
Stark’s Steakhouse: Roast Willie Bird Turkey, Chef Mark’s Andouille Sausage & Wild Mushroom Stuffing, Traditional Giblet Gravy and Pomegranate-Cranberry Relish for $22, or the usual steakhouse menu (except burgers and entree Caesar salads) from 2 to 7pm. Desserts: Pumpkin Pie and Mamma Janne’s Cream Cheese Pie. No corkage. 521 Adams St (at 7th St.), Santa Rosa, 546-5100.
Estate: Chef Sondra Bernstein’s family-style Italian restaurant in the former General’s Daughter is serving up prosciutto and pumpkin soup, Blue crab spaghetti, sugar pie pumpkin ravioli with sage butter, roasted turkey roulade, leg of lamb, pumpkin cheesecake. 400 West Spain Street
Sonoma, 933-3663.
girl and the fig: Nearby sister restaurant on the Sonoma square features a three course menu including wild mushroom and fromage blanc strudel, roasted turkey breast, prime rib, and a brow butter Bartlett pear tart for $52 per person. 110 West Spain St., Sonoma, 938-3634.
Rancho Nicasio Thanksgiving Dinner: Annual three course dinner from 12 to 7pm, reservations recommended. Menu includes homemade clam chowder, turkey, ham, salmon Wellington with champagne sauce, prime rib, pumpkin, apple or pecan pie. $34.95pp, 29.95 65+, kids under 10, $24.95. Three course vegetarian option available by reservation. On The Town Square, Nicasio, 415-662-2219.
Silverado Brewing Company: Diestel  turkey with all the trimmings, whole rock salt roasted crab, slow roasted prime rib au jus, and honey glazed baked ham. House-made desserts: baked pumpkin pie, Scharffen Bergen chocolate stout cake, and bourbon pecan pie. Reservations recommended; 3020 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, 707-967-9876.
Willie Bird’s Restaurant: Family-favorite serving up local Willie Birds. Full holiday turkey dinner along with other menu items. Reservations required and most are nailed down well in advance, but some walk-ins accepted. Open until 8pm. 1150 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707.542.0861. Can’t get in for Thanksgiving: Grab a turkey Monte Cristo on Black Friday.
Madrona Manor: Michelin-starred chef Chef Jesse Malgren does annual four-course turkey dinner for $71pp. Call ahead for seating between 1:30 and 7:30pm. 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, (707) 433-4231.
Central Market: Always a favorite in Petaluma, Chef Ton Najiola celebrates his eighth annual Thanksgiving dinner, this year highlighting New Orleans influences. $60pp, kids under 12, $20. 42 Petaluma Blvd N., Petaluma, (707) 778-9900
John Ash and Co.: Traditional turkey dinner from Chef Thomas Schmidt. Call for reservations. 350 Barnes Rd., Santa Rosa, 707.527.7687
Restaurant P/30: Traditional Family-Style Thanksgiving Dinner from 2-5pm. Menu online. Reservations Only (any size party). $40 for adults, $20 for kids 12 and under. Space is limited / Call 707-861-9030 for reservations.9890 Bodega Highway, Sebastopol (707) 861-9030.
Mosaic Restaurant & Wine Lounge: Chef Tai will prepares a gourmet 5-course meal with all the traditional trimmings. 6675 Front St., Forestville, 887-7503.
Domaine Chandon: Dine at this Michelin-starred Napa restaurant at Domaine Chandon. Chef’s Thanksgiving Tasting Menu includes roasted chestnut soup, Liberty Farms Duck Breast, roasted Diestel Farms turkey, pumpkin tart (3-course $75/person; $95 w. wine pairing, 5 course $90/person; $110 w. wine pairing). Children’s options available.  Full menu (PDF). 1 California Dr, Yountville, 944-2892.
BUYING YOUR TURKEY
Diestel Turkey: Big John’s (1345 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg), Oliver’s Market, Whole Foods, Sonoma Market (520 W. Napa St., Sonoma), Ukiah Natural Foods (721 S. State St., Ukiah), Molsberry Market (522 Larkfield Ctr, Santa Rosa).
Willie Bird Turkeys: Local free-range turkeys. 5350 Highway 12, Santa Rosa, CA 707-545-2832 Will Call Orders Only.
Heritage Turkeys: Local 4-H kids raise 190 heritage turkeys for Slow Food Russian River. The idea is to preserve historic breeds of native gobblers that aren’t just about giant breasts and plumped up drumsticks. These are the birds our grandparents and great-grandparents would recognize. Each year these birds sell out, and they can be a bit spendy, but the program helps to support young farmers and the Slow Food movement. Order at Slowfoodrr.org.
Terducken: This Southern abomination has been all the rage for several years: A turkey stuffed with a duck, stuffed with a chicken. Basically it’s a poultry roll-up with layers of stuffing in between. Martindale’s Quality Meats & Deli (5280 Aero Dr, 707-545-0531) in Santa Rosa. Order in advance ($6.99/lb)
Whole Foods: Pre-cooked meal options include a Latin Feast, Heritage Holiday dinner, traditional turkey dinner, spiral cut ham, organic and vegan options, as well as organic and heirloom turkeys. In honor of all this yummy goodness, Whole Foods Market will be hosting FREE Holiday Tasting Fairs on November 13, 14, 20 and 21 AND December 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at all stores in Northern California and Reno.
PICKUP
Zazu/Bovolo/Black Pig: You cook the turkey, Zazu does the rest. A la carte sides with flair including Black Pig Bacon (for your left over BLTurkey!); Cranberry & Quince Chutney; Riesling Gravy, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, maple and browned butter yams, cornbread stuffing, pumpkin gelato, choocolate dipped peanut butter ice cream sandwiches and Sebastopol apple crunch pie. All orders must be received by Friday, Nov. 20 for pick up on Wednesday at ZAZU restaurant + farm, 3535 guerneville road, santa rosa from 3 to 9pm or at BOVOLO, 106 matheson street, healdsburg from 12 to 6 pm. Call 707.431.2962 to place your order.
Pearson and Co: Mix and match everything from sides to stuffing. Menu includes: Butternut Squash Soup, turkey, ham, garlic mashed potatoes, root vegetables, green beans, wild rice stuffing, breads, pies and more. All orders must be placed by Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010. Call ahead orders: 541-3868, 2759 4th St., Santa Rosa.
Jimtown Store
A favorite spot for Wine Country luncheons, Alexander Valley’s Jimtown Store dishes up some of their most delicious fall eats for pick-up. Full turkey dinner with Mary’s Organic herb-roasted turkey, sausage and cornbread dressing, garlic mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, sweet potatoes and sugar pie pumpkin pie, $245. A la carte: roasted butternut squash soup, fall bitter greens with pomegranate vinaigrette, cornmeal empanadas, Brussels sprouts with smoked bacon, potato gratin, cider-whipped sweet potatoes and more. Orders must be placed by phone 433-1212 by November 19. Pick up Nov. 24 from noon to 4:30pm.
DON’T FORGET DESSERT
Mom’s Apple Pies will be open 10am to 3pm on Thanksgiving day. Expect lots of pumpkin. Order ahead if you want something different. 4550 Gravenstein Hwy. North, Sebastopol, 707-823-8330.
Humble Pie: If you’re a fan of Miriam Donaldson’s pies at the funky Humble Pie in Penngrove, you’ll have to get in line this Thanksgiving. She’s only making 30 of her precious confections for Turkey Day, and they’ll sell out fast. The flavors: Sweet potato bourbon, pumpkin spice, pear cardamon, chocolate cream dream, candied walnut, apple ginger and more. 664-8779. The good news? You can still get them the rest of the year. Early birds can get their holiday pie at humblepiepenngrove.com.
Betty’s Bakery: Betty’s Bakery (next door to Betty’s Fish and Chips) is a butter-scented slice of flaky heaven. Though best known for their fried fish and fries, co-owner Susan Corso has been making pies since she was a girl. Her lush Lemon Cloud and award-winning peach-raspberry pies are already well know, but this week she’s started baking a light and airy pumpkin will win your heart.  The bakery opens at 8am each morning and features muffins, cookies and purse-sized pies (so you don’t have to share) daily. 4046 Sonoma Hwy., Santa Rosa, (707) 539-0899
LAST MINUTE SHOPPING
* Whole Foods:  Thanksgiving hours are 8am to 2pm.
* Safeway: Most locations: 6am to 12pm
* G & G Market/Santa Rosa: Closed on Thursday
* Olivers: Montecito, Stony Point, Cotati, open from 7am to 3:30pm
* Pacific Market: Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park: 7:30am to 2pm.