Sure, Thanksgiving is absolutely about friends, family and gratitude. But let’s be honest: If your pocketbook can handle it, maybe this is the year to redirect some of your graciousness (and effort!) to one of Orange County’s snazziest restaurants. Forget about debating whether canned or homemade cranberry sauce is best for the table (for the record, it’s the former). Instead, let a professional chef handle the details while you sit back in comfy environs.
Here are five eateries that are offering truly luxe, no-holds-barred feasts for the annual ode to turkey, gravy and all of those glorious carb-heavy sides. But remember to reserve your table sooner rather than later; reservations fill up fast weeks before the big Thursday.
Balboa Bay Resort (Newport Beach): This tony resort will host a Thanksgiving buffet and wine tasting. Balboa Bay Resort’s new chef, Diego Bernal, will offer a host of traditional fare, including a carving station with turkey, prime rib and salmon, a chilled seafood display and two new stations, a Butcher’s Block (with domestic and international cheeses, cured meats and grilled vegetables) and local farmer’s corner. A wine tasting station will also be available for pairings. Kids station also available for the wee ones. Guests will be seated in the property’s Lighthouse space with indoor and outdoor seating featuring views of Balboa Bay. Priced at $145 per person ($60 per child 12 and under). 1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach; 949-645-5000.
Bourbon Steakhouse (Dana Point): Recently opened to the public, the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach’s Bourbon Steakhouse is hosting a three-course prix-fixe with seating from 3 until 8:30 p.m. For the first course, guests can select Michael Mina’s tuna tartare, an orchard apple salad with radcicchio and white cheddar, wagyu beef carpaccio, kabocha curry soup, petite romaine cesar with caper dressing or caviar and toro. Entree selections include lobster pot pie, roasted turkey roulade, rib-eye, soy miso-glazed seabass, butternut squash ravioli, cauliflower steak and braised wagyu short ribs. And for desserts, you can choose spiced beignets, brûlée basque cheesecake or pumpkin pie with candied pecans. Should you want to gild the lily, oysters, caviar service, lobster and shaved truffles are available for an additional cost. Priced at $190 per person ($95 per child ages 2 to 10).1 Monarch Beach Resort N, Dana Point; 949-234-3900
Driftwood Kitchen (Laguna Beach): Tucked along Sleepy Hollow Lane overlooking the Pacific you will find a bountiful buffet at Driftwood Kitchen, replete with a carving station, a fish station and even a kids station. From 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., guests can sup on standard Thanksgiving fare, like maple-roasted turkey with apple-fennel stuffing, yukon gold mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and honey glazed carrots. Or you can mix up the holiday routine with prime rib with a port wine reduction, Ora king salmon, mini crab cakes, cured meats, and chilled seafood like shrimp, crab claws, octopus salad and tuna sashimi. Priced at $125 per person ($40 per child). 619 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach; 949-749-6367
The Mayor’s Table’s chef Riley Huddleston will prepare a multi-course menu for Thanksgiving. (Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s Table)
The Mayor’s Table (Newport Beach): The Lido House restaurant is hosting a family-style feast smack dab next to the bay waters, from 2 until 7 p.m. Chef Riley Huddleston’s multicourse menu will feature both luxe starters, like Indian fry bread with nut butters and dried fruit, and next-level mains, including Heritage Heirloom turkey prepared three ways (smoked leg, confit thigh and roasted breast) with truffle gravy and grilled Maine lobster halves. The impressive spread of sides include root vegetable wild rice, roasted sunchokes and sweet potatoes, tomato tahini and feta, and cream-less corn. And the grand finale of heirloom pumpkin pie with tableside whipped cream and toasted pecan ice cream will ensure a fully indulgent holiday experience. Priced at $95 per person ($40 per child, who can order from a dedicated kids menu). 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach; 949-524-8500.
The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar (Tustin): Not all fancy feasts need to be water-adjacent. The Winery Restaurant and Bar in Tustin is offering a three-course prix fixe for the big day. Guests can choose from fall harvest salad, roasted butternut squash with candied walnuts and blue cheese, pumpkin-ricotta ravioli with crispy pork belly and frisée or the Winery’s signature cesar salad for their first course. Main course includes a choice of maple-glazed turkey with apple-dried cherry dressing, mashed potatoes and pinot noir sage gravy; a pan-eared striped bass with butternut squash and english pea risotto; zinfandel-braised short ribs; and orange honey-glazed pork chop with sweet Potatoes and roasted vegetables. For the sweet finale, you get to select either streusel pumpkin pie or chocolate cheesecake with caramelized pecans. Priced at $85 per person. 2647 Park Ave, Tustin; 714-258-7600