NOVEMBER 13, 2009 -- Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. The holiday can conjure up a Norman Rockwell picture of families surrounding a dining room table piled high with turkey and fixings (not to mention decades of angst). But a healthy percentage of San Diegans choose to eat out on T-day.
If that’s how you roll, time’s a ticking. Reserve early. A majority of restaurants close down for the holiday, to give staff time to be with their families. But there are options, and here are some of downtown’s eateries open for business on November 26:
The U.S. Grant. The historic hotel will host a gourmet buffet in its Palm Court. Live entertainment provided by the Kevin Cooper Jazz Trio. Tickets are $62/person; $22 for kids. Special for Thanksgiving: A drink called The Smashing Pumpkin. It’s got star-anise-and-pumpkin-infused vodka, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, saffron-infused simple syrup, pumpkin seeds and nutmeg.
Manchester Grand Hyatt. Complementary champagne comes with a large buffet offering—just the seafood selection includes king crab legs, shrimp, oysters, ceviche shooters and sushi hand rolls prepared-to-order. Tickets are $49/person; just $9.99 for kids 12-and-under.
Indigo Grill. Chef Deborah Scott’s Little Italy eatery is offering to-go items. Call (619-234-6802) to pick up a feast that can be accompanied by butternut squash soup and corn pudding.
Vela. This is the first Thanksgiving for this restaurant inside the new Hilton San Diego Bayfront. They’ll offer a three-course meal for $45/person; $60 with wine pairings by a sommelier.
Suite & Tender. From November 20-29, the restaurant inside the Se Hotel will have a $35 three-course meal, featuring items like herb-marinated turkey breast-and-leg confit.
The House of Blues. Their “Thanks for Giving” event, with nonprofit partner Feeding America, will welcome needy families. There will be musical entertainment from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed.
Little Italy Mercato. This farmer’s market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. If you really want to cook at home, on November 21 local chefs will demonstrate side dishes that use Mercato pumpkins, heirloom squash and other produce.
(To read about restaurants in the rest of the county open for Thanksgiving, go to: SanDiego.com.)