Here are some great local picks for Thanksgiving in Sonoma County, should you decide to let someone else do the cooking. From restaurants to entire meals ready for pick-up, it might just be your family’s kitchen staff (usually mom) who’s doing getting some thanks (and a well-needed break) this Thanksgiving.
Keep in mind that most require reservations, so don’t delay.
Pick Up
* NEW Larder By SHED: Heritage turkey, potato gratin with Gruyere, bread pudding with mushrooms, squash pie, pecan pie along with sweet water oysters, smoked salmon terrine, house made turkey gravy. DIY items include bacon fat, poultry stock, pickled quince and mulling spices. Order by Nov. 20, healdsburgshed.com.
* NEW Spinster Sisters: You make the turkey, they make the sides. Sweet potato Parker House Rolls, winter squash and root veggie gratin, braised kale with bacon, spicy sausage stuffing, roasted carrots with Moroccan spices, cranberry ginger sauce, celery root and chestnut soup, green beans with cashews, braised sweet and sour braised red cabbage. $2.50 to $9 per portion, four portion limit. Order by Nov. 20 for Wed. pickup from 2-6p.m., 707-528-7100, spinstersisters.com.
Sauced Smoked Turkey Dinner: Here’s a terrific way to Southern-up your holiday feast: A smoked turkey Thanksgiving. Feed up to 8 with a 14-16 pound smoked turkey, cornbread, mac and cheese, squash casserole, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin banana pudding and chipotle cranberry sauce. Brilliant. Order online. Sauced Petaluma, 151 Petaluma Blvd. South, #129, Petaluma.
RESTAURANTS:
*NEW Cannetti Roadhouse: Thanksgiving Tasting Menu includes Brussels sprout flan with baby lettuce, heritage turkey and ravioli with roasted porcini mushrooms, pumpkin pie in shortbread crust, $45 per person. 6675 Front St, Forestville, 887-2232.
* NEW Franchetti’s Kitchen: Four seatings by reservation only at 3, 4:30, 6, and 7:30pm. Four courses include sage arancini, burrata and focaccia with sweet pepper, carving station with coffee crusted pork tri-tip, smoked turkey, cranberry persimmon agro dolce; potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, modern green bean casserole and more. $39 per person, 1229 North Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, 526-1229.
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.
John Ash and Co.: Three-course holiday menu includes smokey butternut soup, Salmon Creek goose terrine, penne with braised rabbit, heritage turkey, veal tenderloin medallions and pumpkin crème brulee. $68 per adult, $34 kids under 12. Call for reservations. 350 Barnes Rd., Santa Rosa, (707) 527-7687.
Dry Creek Kitchen: Three-course menu includes pheasant and prosciutto tortellini, classic BN ranch turkey with sweet potato shepherd’s pie, 48 hour shortribs, marbled pumpkin cheesecake, cranberry lemon bundt cake. $72 per person, $35 for children under 12. Served 2-7:30pm; 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, (866) 458-7224
Spoonbar: A casual four courses includes green bean casserole salad with portobello puree, roasted squash ravioli, roasted turkey with sweet potato foam, buttermilk and chive biscuits, pumpkin custard. $65 for adults and $35 for children. 2-7p.m., 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, (707) 922-5426.
Carneros Bistro and Bar at Lodge at Sonoma: Thanksgiving buffet with butternut squash soup, market salad station, chilled seafood, roasted turkey with pumpkin bread stuffing, bourbon ham, truffled quinoa, potato puree, sweet potatoes, green bean mushroom casserole, selection of mini desserts, $70 for adults, $30 for children. 1325 Broadway St., Sonoma, (707) 935-6600.
girl and the fig: Four course menu including goat cheese turnover, sausage and lentil soup, fall squash salad, turkey with brioche stuffing, grilled rib eye steak, sauteed flounder, white corn polenta, sweet potato pie. 12-8p.m., $57 per person, with wine pairing add $18. 110 West Spain St., Sonoma, (707) 938-3634.
Depot Hotel: Four courses at a favorite Sonoma bistro features corn chowder, roast turkey with sage stuffing. Other entrees: poached salmon, butternut squash gnocchi, citrus-brined pork chop, beef short ribs, pumpkin pie. $48pp, seating from noon to 7pm; 241 First St., West, Sonoma, (707) 938-2980.
La Gare: This year La Gare will be open on Thanksgiving from noon to 7p.m. Prix fixe menu includes choice of four entrees: traditional oven-roasted turkey feast, Angus Prime Rib, Wild Alaskan Salmon or pumpkin ravioli (vegetarian). $35-$40pp, includes soup, salad, dessert. Call 707-528-4355 for reservations. 208 Wilson St., Santa Rosa.
Pullman Kitchen: Menu includes: Maple Brined Turkey with all the trimmings, Sourdough Stuffing, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Fennel, & more. $30/person. Seating at 12PM, 2PM, 4PM & 6PM. 205 5th St, Santa Rosa. (707) 545-4300.
El Dorado Kitchen: Thanksgiving menu includes a starter of Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, Dungeness Crab Cake, Cream of Mushroom Soup, and others. Main dishes are the Roasted Free-Range Turkey, Lobster Risotto, King Salmon, Pumpkin Ravioli, or the Black Angus Filet Mignon. End the meal on a sweet note with the Pumpkin Cream Puffs or Sticky Persimmon Pudding. El Dorado Hotel, 405 1st St W, Sonoma. (707) 996-3030.
MARKETS:
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. Pick It Up
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.
Oliver’s: At Oliver’s market, you can order the whole Thanksgiving dinner for $129.99. It includes Medium Diestel Turkey (10-12 lbs), Traditional Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes with Chives, Vegetable Medley, Cranberry Sauce, Turkey Gravy, Pull-a-Part Rolls to feed 6-8 people. Must order ahead, call your local Oliver’s, oliversmarket.com.
G+G Market: Complete dinners will run you between $79.99 (for a 12 lb turkey) to $129.99 for a gourmet dinner that includes brandy-marinated cranberry sauce, a free range Willie Bird turkey and white truffle mashed potatoes. Santa Rosa 546-6877, Petaluma 765-1198.
Raley’s: The chain supermarket has pre-made Thanksgiving meals like the Diestel Turkey Dinner ($99.99), Bourbon Pineapple Glazed Ham Dinner ($69.99), Butterball Turkey Dinner ($69.99). Complete with a main dish and three sides with options of baby broccoli with pine nuts & herb butter, scalloped potatoes with Swiss & parmesan cheese, and more. Petaluma (707) 766-6700, Rohnert Park (707) 585-3222, Santa Rosa (707) 546-3435, Windsor (707) 838-6604.