November 15, 2022 – Let’s take a moment to give thanks for the wonderful local chefs and kitchen crews who will be laboring over the stoves on Thanksgiving Day, so you don’t have to cook. There are plenty of options around the Monterey Bay for a special turkey day feast out on the town, and some of them don’t even involve turkey! Here’s a rundown of some of the best options. Don’t forget to reserve in advance.
CARMEL and CARMEL VALLEY
At Bernardus Lodge, chef Christian Ojeda offers two appetizing options. The traditional Thanksgiving Buffet is available for $165 per person from 11am to 3pm and includes a grand seafood station, roast turkey, as well as prime rib, cedar plank sea bass and dozens of sides. Or a 4-couruse Thanksgiving tasting menu is available from 5-9pm for $155.
Covey Grill at Quail Lodge offers a delicious three-course meal on November 24 11am to 9pm for $70 per person. With a menu of holiday favorites like turkey, savory stuffing, braised short ribs and caramel pumpkin spiced trifle, you will be sure to leave with a full belly and in a warmhearted mood.
At Hyatt Carmel Highlands, Pacific’s Edge offers a four-course Thanksgiving brunch featuring turkey, ham or halibut, soup, salad and dessert for $75 per person from 10:30am to 2:30pm—a great time for taking in the spectacular views.
For a more casual family option, Sur Carmel is offering a three-course Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 7:30pm for $49 per person, with a choice of Sur house salad or cheese bread, roast turkey and trimmings and pumpkin pie or banana cream pie for dessert.
MONTEREY
Chef Mario Garcia is going classic at Estéban inside Casa Munras with a three-course Thanksgiving dinner for dining in from 2pm to 8pm or to go, for $68 per person. To go orders must be placed by November 21. Enjoy winter squash bisque or warm spinach salad, then dive into a Diestel organic heirloom herb-roasted turkey with cranberry relish and all the traditional sides, including pumpkin pie.
Gather with your family and friends at Jacks Monterey in the tree-lined atrium and pair your Thanksgiving meal with award-winning wines from 1pm to 9pm, while chef Carl Ashurst serves up a traditional three-course turkey dinner, topped off with a piece of pecan or pumpkin pie. Cost is $54.95 per person.
Options abound at Searoot at Hyatt Regency, where a Thanksgiving buffet will be offered from 2pm to 8pm for $72 per person. In addition to free-range roast Diestel turkey and honey-baked ham, the buffet includes cioppino, roast salmon, sweet potatoes au gratin and a kid’s corner.
If you are just looking for some help with the big meal, call Wild Plum Café, which has a huge and flexible Thanksgiving catering menu. Let them prepare the organic turkey, side dishes by the quart, pies or the whole shebang.
PACIFIC GROVE
For something different and delicious, try the local seafood Thanksgiving menu at Wild Fish. The festive five-course menu has plenty of options and is offered from 1:30pm to 8:30pm for $85 per person. Unexpected main courses include a cornucopia of seasonal vegetables, baked fish roulade and pumpkin curry with shrimp and lime leaves.
SANTA CRUZ
An over the top Thanksgiving buffet will be available at Chaminade Resort from 11am to 7pm for $85 per person. Expect a chilled seafood station, turkey with all the trimmings, prime rib, king salmon, a children’s station and a selection of holiday desserts.
About the author
Deborah Luhrman is publisher and editor of Edible Monterey Bay. A lifelong journalist, she has reported from around the globe, but now prefers covering our flourishing local food scene and growing her own vegetables in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
