The overloaded buffet line is as American as Thanksgiving. After all, to do the holiday meal right requires helpings – or thirds. And while there are a number of restaurants serving prix fixe sitdown dinners worthy of turkey day, as well as establishments offering take-home feasts, the splendor of carving stations, steaming trays of stuffing, platters of Parker House rolls, towers of seafood and more just seems to suit the occasion.
Some restaurants close on Thanksgiving. Some add a turkey dish to their regular menu and others stay true to their regular offerings. Of course, it’s not possible in a small space to list every restaurant and every menu option. There is an extended list of restaurants serving prix fixe dinners on our website, montereycountynow.com. Below are some highlights from those establishments that share the buffet spirit on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28.
Buffets
Details subject to change
Carmel Valley
Carmel Valley Ranch
1 Old Ranch Road, Carmel Valley | 11am-2:30pm
Obligatory gourd: panzanella
Stuffing: thyme-sage
Don’t want turkey? Prime rib, ham, salmon
Why go? They grow a lot of their own stuff
Setback: $150; $55/children
Lucia Restaurant & Bar
415 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley | 11am-3pm
Obligatory gourd: butternut squash-ricotta cannelloni
Stuffing: andouille sausage
Don’t want turkey? Grilled salmon and prime rib.
Why go? It’s the Bernardus Lodge.
Setback: $165; $65/children
Marina
Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette
3295 Dunes Drive, Marina | 2-6pm
Obligatory gourd: winter squash curry bisque
Stuffing: turkey leg
Don’t want turkey? Grilled halibut, grilled ham
Why go? The raw bar
Setback: $95; $45/children
Monterey
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
400 Cannery Row, Monterey | 1-7pm
Obligatory gourd: pumpkin gnocchi (with lobster)
Stuffing: cornbread and turkey sausage
Don’t want turkey? Sushi, sea bass, prime rib
Why go? The chef, the view – take your pick
Setback: $135; $49/children
Monterey Marriott, Ferrante’s
350 Calle Principal, Monterey | 10:30am-4:30pm
Obligatory gourd: pumpkin roll
Stuffing: cornbread
Don’t want turkey? Ravioli and prime rib
Why go? The homemade crab cakes station
Setback: $89; $79/seniors; $39/children; free/4 and under
Portola Hotel
2 Portola Plaza, Monterey | 1-8pm
Obligatory gourd: roasted acorn squash
Stuffing: traditional
Don’t want turkey? Prime rib, ham or catch of the day
Why go? Ballroom dining
Setback: $89.95; $79.95/seniors; $39.95/children; free/5 and under
Sea Root
1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey | 1-7pm
Obligatory gourd: butternut squash soup
Stuffing: traditional
Don’t want turkey? Ham and pan-roasted salmon
Why go? 14 choices at the dessert station
Setback: $84; $39/children; free/5 and under
Pacific Grove
Asilomar Hotel & Conference Grounds
800 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove | 1:30-6pm
Obligatory gourd: roasted pumpkin soup
Stuffing: sourdough
Don’t want turkey? Salmon, ham, prime beef, ratatouille
Why go? Stay for the bonfire
Setback: Call
Pebble Beach
Stillwater Bar & Grill
1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach | Noon-6pm
Obligatory gourd: Roasted pumpkin and wild rice salad
Stuffing: Traditional
Don’t want turkey? Pan-roasted salmon, prime rib, roasted pork belly
Why go? Ad Astra focaccia tartine station with caviar
Setback: $155; $77/children; free/5 and under
Seaside
Bayonet & Black Horse
1 McClure Way, Seaside | 11am-1pm
Obligatory gourd: fall panzanella
Stuffing: cornbread
Don’t want turkey? Salmon, prime rib or beef braciole
Why go? Classic green bean casserole
Setback: $80; $35/children; free/4 and under
Prix Fixe Dinners
Number of courses varies; details subject to change
Carmel
Grasing’s
Mission and 6th, Carmel | 2:30-8:30pm
Obligatory gourd: butternut squash soup
Stuffing: cornbread, sausage and sage
Don’t want turkey: There are four other entree options
Why go? Grasing’s is a mainstay
Setback: $98-$117; $48/children
Il Fornaio
Ocean and Monte Verde, Carmel | Noon-8:30pm
Obligatory gourd: butternut squash and potato soup
Stuffing: traditional
Don’t want turkey? A la carte menu is available
Why go? Italian flair
Setback: $59; $25/children
Mission Ranch
26270 Dolores St., Carmel | 1-7:45pm
Obligatory gourd: butternut squash soup
Stuffing: traditional
Don’t want turkey? Pan-roasted salmon, prime rib
Why go? The setting
Setback: $75; $35/children
Shearwater Tavern
3665 Rio Road, Carmel | 4-10pm
Obligatory gourd: quinoa-stuffed acorn squash
Stuffing: cornbread
Don’t want turkey? Squash sounds good
Why go? Parking. And Parker House rolls
Setback: $75; $25/children
Woody’s at Del Mesa
500 Del Mesa, Carmel | Call for hours
Obligatory gourd: Butternut squash soup
Stuffing: brioche
Don’t want turkey? They have a regular menu
Why go? You can get a slice of both pies
Setback: $46
Carmel Valley
Covey Grill
8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel Valley | Noon-7pm
Obligatory gourd: roasted acorn squash soup
Stuffing: sourdough-bacon
Don’t want turkey? Salmon roulade, beef, pasta
Why go? Maple-bourbon pecan pie
Setback: $78; $29/children
Lucia Restaurant & Bar
415 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley | 5-8pm
Obligatory gourd: sugar pie pumpkin gnocchi
Stuffing: sausage
Don’t want turkey: steak, lamb chops or petrale sole roulade.
Why go? The chef is Christian Ojeda
Setback: $165
Valley Kitchen
1 Old Ranch Road, Carmel Valley | 5-9pm
Obligatory gourd: butternut squash bisque
Stuffing: thyme
Don’t want turkey? Ham or mushroom Wellington
Why go? They grow a lot of their own stuff
Setback: $75
Monterey
Estéban Restaurant
700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 2-8pm
Obligatory gourd: roasted winter squash
Stuffing: sourdough
Don’t want turkey? Wagyu steak or chili butter roasted halibut
Why go? Amazing patio dining
Setback: $78-$83
Fin + Field
350 Calle Principal, Monterey | 5-8pm
Obligatory gourd: pumpkin roll
Stuffing: cornbread
Don’t want turkey? Call
Why go? Two buffet courses, one plated course
Setback $59; $49/seniors; $29/children; free/4 and under
Jacks Monterey
2 Portola Plaza, Monterey | 3-9pm
Obligatory gourd: pumpkin pie
Stuffing: traditional
Don’t want turkey? Halibut
Why go? They have pecan pie
Setback: $65
Lantern Room
2600 Sand Dunes Drive, Monterey | 5-7:30pm
Obligatory gourd: butternut squash and truffle risotto
Stuffing: call
Don’t want turkey? Salmon, flank steak, risotto
Why go? It’s as if you’re on the beach
Setback: $95
Old Fisherman’s Grotto
39 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey | 11am-close
Obligatory gourd: pumpkin pecan pie
Stuffing: sourdough
Don’t want turkey? Regular menu is available
Why go? The restaurant is iconic
Setback: $45; $35/children
Peter B’s Brewpub
2 Portola Plaza, Monterey | Noon-8pm
Obligatory gourd: pumpkin pie
Stuffing: traditional
Don’t want turkey? Full dinner menu available
Why go? Football on TV
Setback: $37.95
Sardine Factory
701 Wave St., Monterey | Noon-8pm
Obligatory gourd: butternut squash bisque
Stuffing: sage
Don’t want turkey? A la carte menu available
Why go? There’s a reason the Sardine Factory has been around since the ’60s
Setback: $62.95; $59.95/seniors; $30/children; free/5 and under
Woody’s at the Airport
200 Fred Kane Drive, Monterey | Call for hours
Obligatory gourd: Butternut squash soup
Stuffing: brioche
Don’t want turkey? They have a regular menu
Why go? You can get a slice of both pies
Setback: $46
Pacific Grove
Fandango
223 17th St., Pacific Grove | 1-7:30pm
Obligatory gourd: not here
Stuffing: chestnut-sage
Don’t want turkey? Roast beef, ham, salmon, pasta
Why go? Old school charm
Setback: $95; $45/children
Julia’s Vegetarian Restaurant
1180 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove | 11am-7pm
Obligatory gourd: auburn squash pie
Stuffing: vegetarian
Don’t want turkey? This is the place
Why go? Pretty obvious
Setback: $70
Max’s Grill
209 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove | 3-7:30pm
Obligatory gourd: cream of butternut squash
Stuffing: chestnut
Don’t want turkey? Salmon Wellington, pasta, short ribs
Why go? Two courses, in and out.
Setback: $37-$49
Wild Fish Restaurant
545 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove | 1-7pm
Obligatory gourd: pumpkin cake with maple ice cream
Stuffing: none
Don’t want turkey? This is ideal: fish for dinner
Why go? Crab mac and cheese
Setback: $85
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