Thanksgiving Dining Guide for Los Angeles 2008

Most people have Thanksgiving dinner with family in a home setting, but 10% of Americans will dine at a restaurant for the holiday. If you're on vacation in LA over the holiday, you may have no other choice. Here are some great places for a memorable Thanksgiving dinner in and around LA for every budget, whether you're with your family, or on your own. These restaurants all have traditional turkey dinner on the menu for Thanksgiving. Many have other choices as well. They are listed from the highest to lowest price.

For more cuisine selections, OpenTable.com has a listing of other LA area restaurants taking reservations for Thanksgiving, from sushi to Italian.

The Langham, Pasadena
1401 S Oak Knoll Ave
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 577-2867
http://pasadena.langhamhotels.com
This classic hotel is offering a Thanksgiving champagne brunch buffet accompanied by classic jazz in The Ballroom. Reservations 11:30 am to 5 p.m., $85 per adult, $35 children 4-12. Additional Thanksgiving dining options are available in the award-winning Dining Room and The Terrace from $75 to $160.

Oceanfront - Hotel Casa Del Mar
1910 Ocean Way
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 581-7714
www.hotelcasadelmar.com
The three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean offers Filet Mignon, salmon or halibut fettucini as well as traditional turkey, pumpkin soup and crab fondue. $78 per person; 11 am - 9 pm.

blue on blue at Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills
9400 West Olympic Boulevard
Beverly Hills, California 90212
(310) 277-5221
(800) 670-6183 Toll Free
www.avalonbeverlyhills.com
Prix-fixe 4-course menu options include Butternut Squash Bisque with Sage Oil & Baked Ricotta; Crispy Roasted Turkey with Mushroom-Brioche Stuffing & Cranberry Reduction; and Prime Rib with Truffle Fingerlings, Green Beans & Turnips., $75 per person or a la carte, in the candle-lit dining room or patio cabanas. Reservations are available from 11 am to 7 pm.

Pavilion - The Island Hotel
690 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 760-4920
www.theislandhotel.com
Thanksgiving table-less brunch buffet features turkey and all the trimmings along with other options. 12 pm - 7 pm, $75 per person, $38 for children 12 and under, complimentary for children 3 and under.

Campanile
624 S La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 938-1447
www.campanilerestaurant.com
Thanksgiving dinner is a bargain at $65 ($30 for kids) for 5 courses at award-winning Campanile on La Brea. The Traditional fare includes such offerings as butternut squash soup, polenta with wild mushrooms, rosemary-charred turkey breast, savory bread pudding and mashed potatoes, among others. Reservations from 3-8:30 pm.

Patina
141 South Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-3331
www.patinagroup.com
This 4-course Thanksgiving feast features a traditional American Heritage bronze turkey with all the trimmings, or half a dozen other entrees including Pacific opaka filet, prime beef tenderloin, short ribs, country ham or pot roast. $55 adults, $30 children 12 and under.

Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch on the Queen Mary
1126 Queens Highway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 435-3511
www.queenmary.com
Traditional holiday fare is added to the Grand Salon buffet's usual international selections, plus a special children's buffet. 9 am - 4 pm, $49 for adults, $12 for children 5-11, under 5 Free. Sir Winston's, The Chelsea and The Promenade Cafe on the Queen Mary will also offer Thanksgiving Day menus from 11 am to 11 pm.

The Reef
880 Harbor Scenic Drive
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 435-8013
Traditional holiday turkey and the trimmings will be the centerpiece of a buffet of over 100 entrees and side dishes at this waterfront restaurant next to the Queen Mary with a great view of the Long Beach skyline. 9 am to 7 pm, $34.95 adults, $14.95 for children. The restaurant is a little tricky to reach. Call for directions. Plenty of free parking.

Paradise Cove Beach Cafe
28128 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-2503
www.paradisecovemalibu.com
Traditional Thanksgiving dinner at this restaurant on the sand in Malibu will include clam chowder, salad bar, turkey with macadamia nut dressing and all the fixings, pumpkin pie and free seconds. $29.95 for adults, half price for kids; reservations 11 am to 9:45 pm.

McCormick & Schmick's - Pasadena
111 North Los Robles
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 405-0064
www.mccormickandschmicks.com
The Thanksgiving menu will feature a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings for $19.95 or prime rib dinner for $29.95. The regular seafood menu will also be available.

Smooth's Thanksgiving Dinner and Football
144 Pine Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 437-7700
www.smoothssportsgrille.com
Traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings and football on six big screens. $15.95 from 11:30 am..

The Original Pantry Cafe
877 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 972-9279
www.pantrycafe.com
Sit down to an old-fashioned turkey dinner with all the trimmings in one of the city's original all-night diners. $13.95/plate (2007 price), 11 am until 10 or 11 pm or whenever the turkey runs out.

The Laugh Factory
8001 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 656-1336 x1
www.laughfactory.com
The Laugh Factory provides a free Thanksgiving dinner and live comedy show every year to comedians, actors, writers and anyone else who is alone for the holidays. Seatings are at 1, 3, 5 and 7 pm. Call 323-656-1336 x1 for reservations.