It’s time to celebrate thanks and express gratitude with family, friends and loved ones, spoil yourself. This year, forgo the menu planning this year and make reservations. That’s right, there are quite a few top chefs in Orange County who have created one-of-a-kind culinary masterpieces for you and your party to enjoy. Pulling out all the stops, restaurants are preparing tantalizing traditional Thanksgiving dinners complete with all of the fixings and mouthwatering sweet treats for you to enjoy.
(credit: Eats Kitchen and bar)
EATS Kitchen & Bar
17900 Jamboree Rd.
Irvine, CA 92614
949-225-6780
www.eatskitchen.com
Friends and family are invited to gather around the Thanksgiving table as EATS Kitchen treats guests to the ultimate Thanksgiving potluck. Chef Jason and his culinary team are bringing a melting pot of their favorite traditional dishes to the table, like pork tamales, cannelloni, lumpia (Filipino fried spring rolls), mashed potatoes and a Chef’s spin on a “turducken.”
And for those whose can’t eat it all up in one sitting, EATS will be glad to pack up the leftovers. $45 per person. Pricing excludes tax and gratuities.
(credit: K’ya Bistro)
K’ya Bistro
1287 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(855) 990-0281
http://www.kyabistro.comLocated inside the historic La Casa del Camino hotel in the heart of Laguna Beach, K’ya Bistro offers a diverse menu with flavors from the Mediterranean.
This Thanksgiving, guests will enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal featuring roasted turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry stuffing with sausage and pecans, sweet potatoes with maple butter and their signature pumpkin pie with a 5 spice whipped cream.
This Laguna Beach restaurant is located within earshot of the crashing waves and reflects a lively San Francisco atmosphere.
Guests can enjoy a private table, or enjoy a glass of wine by the fireplace before or after dinner in the comfortable lounge.
(credit: Mastro’s Ocean Club)
Mastro’s Ocean Club
8112 E Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92657
(949) 376-6990
www.mastrorestaurants.com
With picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, for the first time, Mastro’s Ocean Club will be open for Thanksgiving Day dinner. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy Mastro’s signature dishes – a seafood tower, a petite filet, their lobster mashed potatoes and the warm butter cake, along with an extensive wine and cocktail list.
The intimate Crystal Cove spot in Newport Coast embraces the waterfront location through its menu, which features a wider selection of fresh seafood and sushi, in addition to its celebrated cuts of steaks.
(credit: Oak Grill)
Oak Grill
Island Hotel
690 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 760-4920
www.IslandHotel.com
Executive Chef Marc Johnson and his team have created a delectable four-course holiday menu that allows guests to choose courses from items such as a spiced pumpkin soup with curry crème fraiche, a beet and roasted pear salad with pepitas, chevre and roasted chestnut butter, a tasty seared John Dory with baby fennel, cipollini onions and peewee potatoes, as well as their traditional turkey with corn bread dressing, green beans almondine, whipped potatoes and gravy.
For dessert, try the pumpkin coffee cake with citrus anglaise and butter pecan ice cream. $90 for adults; $25 for children ages five to 12. There will be an optional wine pairing for $25.
(credit: Prego)
Prego Ristorante
18420 Von Karman Ave
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 553-1333
www.pregoristoranti.com
Held in a beautiful setting, diners at Prego Ristorante will be treated to a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal with all of the trimmings. Prego will feature a special menu (its regular menu will not be available that day), priced at $36 for adults and $15.50 for children 10 and younger.
An a la carte menu is available on Thanksgiving from noon to 7pm with selections like a pumpkin ravioli, a fresh grilled salmon with seasonal vegetables or a juicy marinated flank steak. Or, chooose their Thanksgiving menu, which includes items like a cup of pumpkin soup, a small caesar salad, mashed potatoes with gravy, a turkey breast with all white meat, homemade cranberry sauce and stuffing, seasonal vegetables, and a homemade pumpkin cheesecake.
Intent on creating that perfect holiday experience, Prego owners Tony & Ruth Bedi are offering guests the option to add a glass of wine to their meals for only $4.50 a glass (options include House Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and White Zinfandel). Reservations are strongly recommended.
(credit: Provenance)
Provenance
2531 Eastbluff Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 718-0477
http://www.provenanceoc.com
Chef Cathy Pavlos wants you to get out of the kitchen and get to Newport Beach’s Provenance for a garden-to-table Thanksgiving Dinner that is sure to delight.
Pavlos has created a special holiday menu featuring entree selections for the three-course feast including a traditional free-range turkey breast, an all natural boneless beef short ribs dish with horseradish cream and port wine reduction and a Loch Duart Scottish salmon with pomegranate glaze.
The prix-fixe dinner is priced at $45.50 and $19.95 for guests under 12. Due to limited seating, reservations are required.
(credit: Sapphire Laguna)
Sapphire Laguna
1200 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 715-9888
www.sapphirellc.com
Guests who opt to celebrate Thanksgiving in-house at Sapphire Laguna will have the pleasure of experiencing a three-course dinner prepared by the one and only Chef Azmin Ghahreman in the most authentic way possible.
First Course selections include their Country Duck Terrine, Shaved Heirloom Carrot Salad, Beet Cured Hamachi, Roast Shrimp & White Corn Gritz and a Butternut Squash Bisque while the Main Course options include a Traditional Herb Roasted Diestel Hen Turkey, Baked Kurobuta Pork Shank, Crab Crusted Beef Tenderloin, Braised Beef Cheeks Bourguignon, Pan Seared Scottish Salmon and Steamed Barramundi.
(credit: SOCIAL Costa Mesa)
SOCIAL Costa Mesa
512 W 19th St
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 642-2425
www.socialcostamesa.com
SOCIAL Costa Mesa is giving thanks beginning Wednesday, November 25th, with a very special Thanksgiving Day menu for guests.
Promising an elevated dining experience, the selections include standout dishes such as: Kentucky Hot Brown with smoked turkey, pork belly, creole mustard mornay and tomato jam; Seafood Stuffing made with crab, shrimp, brioche and sauce creole; Roasted Beet Salad; Brussels Sprouts; Sweet Potato Dumplings; Wood Fired Oysters prepared with smoked tomato, bone marrow butter and house giancale; and Thanksgiving Toast with turkey giblets; cranberry, pickled squash, pepitas and frisee.
Related: 4 Healthy Twists On Your Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes
(Credit: Bowers Museum)
Tangata
Bowers Museum
2002 N Main St
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 567-3600
www.bowers.org
Celebrate the ‘holiday of giving thanks’ with friends and family inside the Bowers Museum for buffet style service. Tangata, which means “mankind” in the tribal Maori language of New Zealand, is highlighting a bountiful spread in the 160-seat restaurant located in the mission-style courtyard.
Guests can expect to dine on a roasted free range turkey that will be slow roasted, along with a Kabocha squash soup with toasted and spiced pépitas, and a red wine braised short ribs dish with braised Swiss chard.
For dessert, an apple pie with spiced golden apples, and brown butter crust will be offered as well. $46 for buffet; $19 for children 10 and under.
(credit: Three-Seventy Common Kitchen+Drink)
Three-Seventy Common Kitchen+Drink
370 Glenneyre St
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-8686
www.370common.com
Get ready for an exceptional three-course prix-fixe menu featuring both traditional and modern takes on your favorite holiday cuisine.
Three-Seventy Common Kitchen+Drink is serving up a warmed winter greens salad, as well as a tasty butternut squash soup to start.
For the main course, go for the roasted free range turkey with all the trimmings, or a wild mushroom stuffed pork loin. Garlic mashed potatoes, bacon roasted Brussels sprouts, candied yams and cranberry sauce will also be offered to pair with the items.
But, be sure to save some room, because Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without rounding off dinner with some pumpkin pie and apple pie.
(credit: The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar)
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
3131 W Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 999-6622
www.thewineryrestaurant.net
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar in Newport Beach is hosting a three-course Thanksgiving dinner featuring all-American classics as well as Chef Yvon Goetz’s modern take on the traditional holiday fare.
Guests will have their pick of incredible appetizers like a pumpkin & ricotta ravioli, and an organic tomatoes & fresh burrata dish.
Entrees include their traditional maple glazed free range turkey, a king salmon “a la Plancha”, wild white shrimp and Maine scallops, a Brandt beef flatiron steak and a grilled Kurobuta pork chop.
Related: The 3 Best Thanksgiving Day Pie Recipes
(Credit: Balboa Bay Resort)
Waterline Newport Beach
Balboa Bay Club
1221 West Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 645-5000
www.balboabayclub.com
Perched just above the Newport Harbor, families will embark on a culinary adventure this Thanksgiving as they experience this time honored tradition along the waterfront.
To celebrate, Waterline Newport Beach is offering a special four-course menu which includes: house corn bread with honey cajun butter, chestnut soup with pomegranate ginger condiments, and a yuzu koshu creme crudo.
For your main course, choose between a citrus marinated turkey breast with oyster stuffing, mushrooms, turkey jus, and cranberry chutney, a filet mignon, or a seared arctic char with roasted baby beets, goat cheese and blood orange sauce.
And last, but not least, for dessert, you have your choice between a piece of delicious pumpkin pie or a roasted pear cranberry entremet with caramel and chantilly.
Related: 6 Thanksgiving Songs You Didn’t Know About
(Credit: Oak Grill and Aqua Lounge)
Oak Grill
690 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 760-4920
www.oakgrillnb.com
Chef Marc Johnson has prepared an elevated dining experience this Thanksgiving with a creative four course dinner at Oak Grill inspired by the holiday season. The four-course meal includes selections like a spiced butternut squash soup or a beet and roasted pear salad with spiced pumpkin seeds.
Main course selections include items like a traditional turkey plate with cornbread dressing, green beans amandine, and whipped potatoes with gravy, as well as a grilled beef filet, or a roasted halibut with butternut squash puree, brussels sprouts and lemon butter.
Those with a sweet tooth with be overwhelmed with the dessert choices of a pumpkin coffee cake, a lichhu chocolate cremeux with espresso fudge sauce, praline powder, or their banana cream pie. $90 per adult, with an option of wine pairings for an additional $25. A separate children’s menu is also available.
(Credit: Clay Oven)
The Clay Oven
15435 Jeffrey Road
Irvine CA 92618
(949) 552-2851
www.clayovenirvine.com
Looking to stay in, but serve something a different and exciting this year? Consider Tandoori Turkeys with all the fixings from Chef Geeta Bansal. Skinless turkeys marinated in a special spice mix and prepared in a mesquite-fired clay oven at high heat guaranteeing to keep the meat moist, flavorful and juicy — the only way it should be served.
Sides include: Spice Infused Basmati Rice, vegetables and cranberry chutney. But don’t stop there, seasonal a la carte sides are available as well.
The spinach and Paneer, cumin sweet potato, pumpkin achari, smoked eggplant bhartha, and okra are sure to make your guests very happy. To round everything up, make sure to include an array of naans and the kheer (rice pudding.)
Orders must be placed before noon on Sunday, November 23. $74.95 Serves 6.
(credit: shutterstock)
The Summit House
2000 E. Bastanchury Road
Fullerton, CA 92835
(714) 671-4111
www.summithouse.com
When you arrive at this restaurant, you’ll see why it is called The Summit House, as it looks like you’ve just arrived at someone’s house for dinner.
A charming restaurant to have your Thanksgiving dinner, The Summit House will offer a limited menu for the occasion. Start with one of three salads or a butternut-squash soup.
Available entrees include a roasted prime rib, their traditional roast turkey with fresh butterball turkey served with home style mashed potatoes, autumn vegetables and cranberry relish, their double rib pork chops and an Alaskan halibut.
Four desserts are also available, including a pumpkin cheesecake and a three-chocolate torte.
(credit: The Ritz Prime Seafood)
The Ritz Prime Seafood
2801 West Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 720-1800
www.ritzrestaurant.com
Come be a part of a very special Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving eve this year at The Ritz Prime Seafood.
Celebrate the holiday with a carefully created three-course prix fixe menu which features the restaurant’s star dishes. Guests will have a choice of starters to choose from such as the soup of the day, a crab and hamachi roll, or a chopped wedge salad. For entrees, a filet and lobster oscar, as well as a Jidori chicken will be available to guests.
Or, choose a great Chilean sea bass. But Thanksgiving is all about the trimmings, so diners can pick from sauteed kale, creamed corn, Yukon gold mashed potatoes or fall roasted vegetables.
And finally, those looking to satisfy a sweet tooth can with a delicious pumpkin cheesecake or seasonal gelato and berries.
(credit: shutterstock)
The Ranch
1025 E. Ball Road
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 817-4200
www.theranch.com
While one of the reasons to go out for Thanksgiving dinner is because you don’t want to cook, another reason to go out for Thanksgiving dinner is to eat things you wouldn’t normally prepare at home.
This year, The Ranch in Anaheim will be offering a four-course prix fixe dinner from 2-7pm. Starters include items like sea scallops, or a Cook Ranch holiday ham and leek ravioli, as well as crudo and an endive and apple salad.
For your main course, choose from Mary’s organic free range turkey with cornbread, turkey sausage stuffing, as well as a Pacific sabelfish, a pheasant pot pie or a Wyoming raised buffalo prime rib. For a sweet ending, they’ll be offering items like a harvest pumpkin cheesecake, as well as an old fashioned pecan pie with vanilla bean ice cream.
The cost is $75 per adult and $25 for children.
Nicole Standley a.k.a. JetSet Mom, is a social influencer + lifestylist covering luxury travel, fine-dining, fashion & pop culture for The JetSet Family. Follow her latest travels and escapades on Instagram, Google+ and Twitter.