Thanksgiving is almost here, and there are many Santa Cruz County restaurants offering special menus—here are a few highlights in Santa Cruz, Capitola and Aptos.
Shadowbrook, 1750 Wharf Rd., 831-475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com, has its Rock Room Lounge & Bar open from 11 am – 9 pm and its Dining Room open from 11:30 am – 8:30 pm. A traditional dinner includes Diestel Family Turkey Ranch, oven-roasted breast and thigh, cranberry-orange relish, Bourbon-Pecan dressing, garlic-whipped potato and traditional gravy ($31.95); other selections include house specialty slow-roasted Angus prime rib. Desserts include Gizdich Ranch apple and pumpkin pie, and dark chocolate pear bread pudding. Note: even though 500 reservations were made the first day that Thanksgiving reservations were available, as of Nov. 25 there were still some tables open.
Chaminade, One Chaminade Lane, (831) 475-5600, www.chaminade.com, has a Thanksgiving buffet from noon to 6 p.m. The cost is $65 for adults, $20 for kids 6-12, $9 for kids 3-5 and free for kids 2 and under. Selections include cider-brined roast turkey with traditional gravy and cranberry orange compote, smoked rib eye with whipped Yukon gold potatoes and horseradish cream, butternut squash ravioli with porcini crème, several salads, and roast sweet potatoes with pistachio orange soup.
The Dream Inn, 175 West Cliff Drive, is offering a buffet from 1-6 p.m. in the upstairs event space. Cost is $70 for adults and $32 for kids 6-12. Selections include roast turkey and prime rib carved to order, a salad bar, local cheese and charcuterie, a shellfish bar, and a dessert display. Reservations are required at 831-460-5012 or events@dreaminnsc.com. Also, the hotel’s Jack O’Neill restaurant will be serving its regular menu plus Thanksgiving specials; you can book via OpenTable.
Severino’s Bar & Grill, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos (831) 688-8987, is offering a buffet from noon to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $47 for adults and $19 for kids 5-10; ages 4 and under are free. Selections include slow roasted turkey, Angus prime rib, honey baked ham, leg of lamb, clam chowder and vegetarian ravioli. Visit severinosbarandgrill.com
Ideal Bar & Grill, 106 Beach St., is offering specials on Thanksgiving, including a traditional turkey feast ($23.95) and slow-roasted prime rib ($24.95). Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a limited menu will also be available. Desserts include pumpkin pie and apple pie. Call 831-423-5271 or visit idealbarandgrill.com.
Solaire at Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean St., 831-600-4545, is serving a
three-course prix fixe menu. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. and cost is $49. First
course choices include spiced winter squash soup; second courses include
traditional roast turkey dinner and Brandade crusted California sea bass.
Dessert options include Watsonville berry crisp.
The Crow’s Nest, 2218 East Cliff Dr., 831-476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com, is offering brunch specials from 9-11 am, and the dinner menu from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Selections include a traditional turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, candied yams, dressing, and cranberry relish. Cost is $29.95 or $15.95 for child’s portion. Desserts include pumpkin pie with salted caramel whipped cream and hazelnut brittle. Also, the Beach Market will be selling breakfast burritos, egg sandwiches and more on Thanksgiving Day starting at 9 a.m.
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