Bacon-wrapped sturgeon at Restaurant 1833, a variation of which the restaurant will serve at Thanksgiving
Here are a few Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Jose restaurants open on Thanksgiving, so you can make reservations for Thursday, Nov. 28 if you’re planning to dine out. A few restaurants, including Booka in Aptos, will be closed.
For more choices, see:
Santa Cruz and San Jose restaurant highlights, Part 1
Walnut pie and other Thanksgiving food from Whole Foods Market in Santa Cruz and Capitola
Thanksgiving food from Lifestyle Culinary Arts in Santa Cruz (it’s too late to order, but you can plan ahead for next year and article includes link to cranberry chutney)
Santa Cruz & Aptos
Aquarius is offering a $48 prix fixe three-course menu from 1-8:30 p.m. (a kids’ menu will also be available), and complimentary valet parking. The Minor Third Jazz Trio will perform from 4 – 8 p.m. For family-style whole turkey dinners to go, contact Gus Siggins at gsiggins@jdvhotels.com.
175 West Cliff (at the Santa Cruz Dream Inn), Santa Cruz, (831) 460-5012
Ideal Bar & Grill has a few highlights beginning at 11 a.m. including:
• Traditional Turkey Dinner $15.95 for 12oz, $19.95 for 16oz
• Slow roasted Prime Rib $24.95 12oz, $27.95 16oz
• Homemade desserts including Pumpkin Pie
106 Beach Street (at the Santa Cruz Wharf), (831) 423-5271
Café Gratitude is serving a free organic, vegan feast as its “Second Annual Community Appreciation Meal.” The lunch will be served from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
103 Lincoln Street, Santa Cruz, (831) 427-9583
Sanderlings has a three-course prix fixe menu; the price is $34.95 for adults. There is also a $17.95 meal (one course) for kids. Soup/salad choices include Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Four entrée choices include Sage Butter Roasted Turkey Breast or Grilled Salmon with Polenta Cake, Roasted Red Peppers, Baby Artichoke, Spinach, and Nage.
One Seascape Resort Drive (at Seascape Beach Resort), Aptos, (831) 662-7120
Severino’s Bar & Grill is offering a buffet; the price is $32 for adults, $16 for kids 5-10, and free for kids 4 and under. The buffet is open from 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Selections include fresh salads, butternut squash soup, vegetarian ravioli, salmon Dijon, honey glazed ham, leg of lamb, roasted turkey with all the traditional sides, and homemade desserts.
7500 Old Dominion Court (at Seacliff Inn Beach Resort), Aptos, (831) 688-7300
Monterey
Restaurant 1833 is serving a special $55 three-course prix fixe menu that begins with an amuse bouche. Reservations are highly recommended. Menu items include:
- Mushroom Soup with truffle butter, brioche, chives
- Root Vegetable Salad with pomegranates, winter greens and espelette
- Bacon Wrapped Sturgeon with herb puree, roasted carrots, maple sherry sauce
- Chestnut Ravioli with apple, sage, cashew and apple cider
- “The Turkey” with a choice of white or dark meat and served with cranberry sauce, green beans with almonds, potato puree, sweet potato marshmallows, stuffing and gravy
- Choice of Pumpkin Cream Cheese Roll with buttered pecan ice cream and maple syrup or Chocolate Financier with hazelnut cream and cranberry coulis
Also, Chef Levi Mezick’s famous Bacon Cheddar Biscuits will be available a la carte.
500 Hartnell St., Monterey, (831) 643-1833
Cannery Row Brewing Company’s Chef Daniel Furey will offer a traditional Thanksgiving meal including:
- Artisanal Greens with spiced and candied pecans and cranberry vinaigrette
- Smoked Turkey with giblet gravy, mashed potatoes, served with Green Bean Casserole, Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing
- Pumpkin Cheesecake with pumpkin seed brittle and spiced Chantilly cream
The three-course menu is available for $32 per person as well as a la carte for $18.95 for the Smoked Turkey dish. The regular menu will be available and the restaurant will be open for regular hours, 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; bar is open until 12:00 a.m. Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are welcome.
95 Prescott Ave, Monterey, (831) 643-2722
San Jose
The Fairmont San Jose is serving a special Harvest Buffet from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The cost is $67 per adult and $33 per child 5-12. Kids under 5 are free. Buffet highlights include Alaskan King crab legs, sage basted roast turkey, honey baked ham with port wine sauce, and a lavish pastry display. There will also be gourmet salads and an omelet and pancake station. For full menu, click here.
170 South Market St, San Jose, (408) 998-3960
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