Thanksgiving 2012

Here's your turkey and punkin pie extravaganza


Sure, Thanksgiving is a time for gathering ’round the family table, but who says it has to be yours? Instead of spending hours slaving in a hot kitchen, there are plenty of eat-out, pick-up and “who has to know you didn’t make it?” options throughout Sonoma County.

This year, celebrate turkey day in a new way. Just remember to get a doggy bag for those post-Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing cravings. Here are some of our favorite spots throughout Sonoma County.

RESTAURANTS

Santa Rosa

Stark’s Steakhouse & Seafood:
Roast Willie Bird turkey, Chef Mark’s andouille sausage and wild mushroom stuffing, traditional giblet gravy and pomegranate-cranberry relish, $26. Also offering dessert specials, pumpkin pie and Mamma Janne’s cream cheese pie. Most regular items available, including raw bar and seafood dishes, but the restaurant won’t be serving burgers or entrée Caesar salads on Thanksgiving day. 2-7pm, 521 Adams St, Santa Rosa. Reservations highly suggested: 707-546-5100 or via Open Table.

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.

Cafe Europe: Four course diner, $35, from 1 to 6pm includes selection of mushroom ravioli, turkey, filet mignon, veal cordon Bleu and wild boar ragout. 104 Calistoga Road  Santa Rosa, 538-5255

John Ash and Co.: Three-course holiday menu includes butternut squash soup, lobster bisque, sea scallop ceviche, pan-seared Scottish salmon, Heritage turkey and (giblet!) gravy, pork tenderloin, maple pumpkin creme brulee, bourbon pecan tart. $62pp, $32 kids under 12. Call for reservations. 350 Barnes Rd., Santa Rosa, 707.527.7687

Brasserie: Three course meal from 1- 7pm, $42 adults, $18 12 and under. 170 Railroad Street  Santa Rosa, 636-7388.

Healdsburg

Madrona Manor: Michelin-starred chef Chef Jesse Malgren does annual four-course turkey dinner for $84pp. Call ahead for seating between 1:30 and 7:30pm. 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, (707) 433-4231.

Dry Creek Kitchen: Three course menu includes Lobster risotto, roasted sugar pie pumpkin soup, Willie Bird turkey, prime New York steak, leg of lamb, cranberries with white chocolate mousse,$65 per person. Served 2-7pm; 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 866.458.7224

Cocina Latina: Thanksgiving Yucateca-style. Mateo Granados’ new restaurant serves up Tacones, Relleno Blanco de Pavo (Diestel Family Farm turkey, hard boiled egg centered embutido, white gravy “Mayan k’ol”, Soda Rock tomate frito and sea salt hand-made tortilla), traditional Thanksgiving turkey, braised lamb and sticky bun flan.  $50 per person, serving 11:30am to 7:30pm. Reservations recommended, 433-1520 or on Opentable.

Thanksgiving by Whole Foods

Recently I saw a chef literally cringe when he heard the words .99 cents per pound and turkey. People, even though you’re only eating it once a year, have enough respect for your taste buds (if not the turkey) to commit to something that’s humanely-raised, organic (if possible) and for heaven’s sake tastes good. I’m a huge fan of Diestel turkeys, raised in Sonora. They taste delicious, especially when someone else roasts them to perfection and your only job is to reheat it on Thanksgiving morning.

Along with pre-cooked (and non-precooked) turkey, they have gravy (sans lumps), sides, pies, and other desserts in a mix-and-match combination you can order online. Details at the Whole Foods website.

Spoonbar: A casual three courses include winter squash soup, braised mussels and clams, buttermilk poached turkey breast with brioche stuffing, potato puree, roast carrots, brussels sprouts, quine an dalmond crostata. $55 for adults and $15 for children. 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 922-5426.

Sonoma
Carneros Bistro and Bar at Lodge at Sonoma: Chef Andrew Wilson prepares a three-course menu of Butternut Squash Soup, Roasted Turkey with chestnuts, “Square Pig” (pork confit with potatoes and brussels sprouts), dayboat scallops, pumpkin or pecan pie. Thanksgiving dinner will be served on Thursday, November 22 for $55 per person and $30 for children. 1325 Broadway St., Sonoma, 707-935-6600/

girl and the fig: Three course menu including wild mushroom and fromage blanc strudel, roasted turkey roulade, prime rib, and pumpkin cheesecake. $52 per person. 110 West Spain St., Sonoma, 938-3634.

Depot Hotel: Four courses at a favorite Sonoma bistro features corn chowder, vineyard salad, roast turkey with sage stuffing. Other entrees: grilled salmon, orecchiette pasta with butternut squash, veal picatta or filet of beef. Cheesecake, pumpkin pie or chocolate decadence with port wine sauce. $35 $48pp, seatings from noon to 7pm; 241 First St., West, Sonoma, 938-2980.

Sante: An epic Thanksgiving buffet that puts all other buffets to shame. The highlight reel: Butternut squash with creme fraiche, shrimp cocktail, assorted charcuteries, artisan cheeses served by the Maitre Fromager, smoked salmon and caviar, classic Caesar, ricotta tortellini salad. Carving stations of Diestel turkey with brioche and sage stuffing, filet mignon, pumpkin pie ravioli, sea bass, lamb, veal, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, artisnal breads, pumpking pie, chocolate Bourbon tart, pumpkin cheesecake, spiced pumpkin macaroons, s’mores bar, Crepes Suzette. $99pp, 939-2415.

Sebastopol

French Garden: Garden Butternut squash soup with chestunuts; turkey, Prime Rib, polenta cakes with kale, mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing, roasted chestnut gravy, yams with brown sugar, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, apple pie with ice cream and more. 8050 Bodega Avenue  Sebastopol, 824-2030. $60pp, $25 children 12 and under.

Petaluma
Central Market: Always a favorite in Petaluma, Chef Ton Najiola celebrates his annual Thanksgiving dinner with four luscious courses. $60pp, $84 with wine. Kids under 12, $20. 42 Petaluma Blvd N., Petaluma, (707) 778-9900

West County

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.

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.

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 apple Chutney; Riesling Gravy, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, maple and browned butter yams, cornbread stuffing, pumpkin ice cream pie, 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 St, Healdsburg from 12 to 6 pm. 431-2962 to place your order.

Pearson and Co: Mix and match everything from sides to stuffing. Menu includes: Butternut Squash Soup, Willie Bird turkey, spiral cut ham, garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potato gratin, green beans, stuffing, pies and breads from Village Bakery. All orders must be placed by Saturday, Nov. 17. Call ahead orders: 541-3868, 2759 4th St., Santa Rosa.

Fresh By Lisa Hemenway: Complete Thanksgiving dinner includes a roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, veggies, desserts and more. $180-$195. Packaged and ready to go, ready for pickup between 10am and 1pm. 5755 Mountain Hawk Way, Santa Rosa, 539-1049.

DON’T FORGET DESSERT

Della Fattoria: Pumpkin pie with Maple Meringue, Pumpkin Slab Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake with gingersnap crust, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, Pippin Apple Pie, dinner rolls and breads. Order by 11/18, 763-0161. 141 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma.

Mom’s Apple Pies will be open for limited hours on Thanksgiving day. Expect lots of pumpkin. Order ahead if you want something different. 4550 Gravenstein Hwy. North, Sebastopol, 707-823-8330.

LAST MINUTE SHOPPING

* Whole Foods:  Thanksgiving hours are 8am to 2pm.
* Safeway: Most locations: 6am to 12pm
* G & G Market/Santa Rosa: Open 7am to 3pm
* Olivers: Montecito, Stony Point, Cotati, open from 7am to 3:30pm

TO HELL WITH THE TURKEY!
Save a turkey and join adopt a turkey instead of eating one. To view this year’s “adoptable” turkeys, visit adoptaturkey.org or call the Turkey Adoption Hotline at 1-888-SPONSOR.

Comments