While many people may be depressed by national election results, and others are jumping for joy, either way, we can always find something to be thankful for. Living in Sonoma Valley comes first to my mind.
Eating Thanksgiving – Out, In or Free
Don’t forget that our Sonoma Community Center, Vintage House, and Rotary clubs host a free dinner starting at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the Veterans Building. Gary Edwards organizes and pulls this together for the 23rd year with the help of Rob Larman of Il Fuoco and Chef Daniel Quijada. Lots of turkey and all of the sides you ever wanted or imagined. All are welcome, including people who are alone, or a family who just like to share giving thanks with our community.
If you eat meat and will be at home, you can buy locally grown turkey parts at Sonoma Market. Most grocery stores, including Sonoma Market, Lucky, Safeway, and Whole Foods offer complete Thanksgiving meals and sides, as does Black Bear Diner for dining in or to go. Or you can pass on the whole Thanksgiving.
Here are examples of what’s going on, either for dining in restaurants or to take home for Thanksgiving, listed alphabetically. You might even get vicarious pleasure or cooking ideas from some of the menus.
Baker & Cook
Jen (Baker) and Nick (Cook) Demarest (former owners of Harvest Moon Café) offer sides and desserts, but no entrée meats. Sides range from crème fraiche mashed potatoes, mushroom bread pudding, sausage and sage bread pudding, to Blue Lake green bean casserole and orange cranberry sauce. $18 serves two or other package deals for two ($56). Jen’s famous desserts include brown butter pumpkin pie, maple buttermilk custard pie, apple caramel streusel, chocolate pecan pie, pumpkin cheesecake, gluten-free vegan apple pie and dinner rolls. ($24 to $56.) Order by Nov. 25, pick up Nov. 27 or Nov. 28.
El Dorado Kitchen (EDK)
EDK’s Thanksgiving dinner menu is all a la carte with added entrées of turkey with potato purée, brioche stuffing and Brussels sprouts, black cod, salmon, pumpkin ravioli, and a short rib and pappardelle Bolognese. Open for breakfast, lunch, with dinner from noon to 5:30 p.m. 406 First St. West, Sonoma. (707) 996-3030.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
As usual, FSMI puts out its elegant buffet of almost everything you have ever had or maybe ever wanted for both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. A fabulous experience of abundance. Try the caviar blinis or Marin Myagi oysters, roasted chestnut soup, smoked ham, lamb loin chops, halibut, or mushroom ravioli. All tables get garlic mashed potatoes, root vegetables, Brussels sprouts, bean and wild mushroom ragout, or roasted beets with Macadamia tofu. $149 adults, $39 kids. Reserve at https://www.fairmont-sonoma.com/events/sante-thanksgiving/
The girl & the fig
Acme bread for the table, pumpkin soup, chicory or poached pear salads followed by a choice of turkey breast with baby carrots, and roasted garlic pudding au pain; red wine-braised brisket with haricots vert and potatoes dauphinoise; wild flounder meunière with potato purée and spinach (my favorite), or maple-glazed cauliflower with whipped yams and roasted mushrooms. Desserts include profiteroles with pumpkin ice cream, apple pie bar with vanilla ice cream, or a chocolate pecan tart with bourbon chocolate sauce and candied pecan nuts. $72 per person. Noon to 8 p.m. 10 W. Spain St., Sonoma (707) 938-3634 or thegirlandthefig.com
The fig Cafe & Winebar
The three-course menu includes starter choices of cauliflower soup with capers, the fig’s classic fig and arugula salad, or shaved apple salad with Bibb lettuce, radicchio, dried cranberries and candied walnuts with blue cheese dressing. Main courses offer turkey breast with haricots vert, sourdough stuffing and cranberry relish; brisket au poivre with butter whipped potatoes, Brussels sprouts and green peppercorn cream sauce; wild flounder meunière with potato purée with spinach; or roasted mushroom ragout with tomatoes, polenta, and onions. Desserts offer a cranberry crisp with almonds, apple butter, and Chantilly, or pumpkin cheesecake bar. $60. 1 to 6 p.m. 1360 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen. (707) 938-2130.
Glen Ellen Star
Ari Weiswasser offers several packages including dinner for four or eight people consisting of a whole spatchcocked roasted Diestel turkey, gravy, chicory salad, sourdough mushroom stuffing, buttermilk mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, maple cranberry and citrus sauce, Parker House rolls, and pumpkin pie. ($65 per person for four or eight people). You can also get a “just the sides package” ($35 per person), a roasted turkey and gravy package ($40 per person) and additional sides of green bean and mushroom casserole and buttered wild rice pilaf with pecans, cranberries, and butternut squash. ($48 per pan). 13648 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen. Order at https://glenellenstar.com/thanksgiving/
Layla\
With a new owner and new chef at MacArthur Place, Layla’s dinner will include a choice of parsnip soup, two salads, steak tartare, or Dungeness crab cake, followed by more choices of turkey with mashed potatoes, green beans, and stuffing; halibut and sweet potato hash, braised beef cheek with celery root purée; or honey nut squash with vegetables. Desserts might be pumpkin pie, a frangipan torta or chocolate fudge cake. $110 adults, $35 children. 1 to 8 p.m. 29 East MacArthur, Sonoma. (707) 938-2929.
The Mill at Glen Ellen
Executive Chef Dana Jaffe presents a five-course prix fixe menu priced by entrée choice, both for dining in and to-go.
The menu includes warm Della Fattoria bread with Parmesan and butter, sweet corn and shrimp bisque, and endive salad with blue cheese and pomegranate pear vinaigrette. Entrées range from Willy Bird turkey breast and dark meat with stuffing, sweet potato purée; filet of beef with prawns; sautéed Day Boat scallops; or miso eggplant with wilted greens and lentil pilaf. All entrées come with Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips and creamy mashed potatoes. Additional sides are available. Dessert choices include pumpkin tarts with pistachio and white chocolate persimmon mousseline or toffee pudding with caramel, praline and toasted pecans. $80 to $95. 14301 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen. (707) 721-1818.
Sonoma Grille & Bar
Nima Sherpa and Executive Chef Saul Razo offer a three-courses starting with pumpkin and ginger soup, Belgian endive and baby arugula with raspberries and feta salad, or creamy polenta with rock shrimp. Entrée choices include turkey breast, stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob; a pork chop with butternut squash, yams, and sweet potatoes; Mahi Mahi served over corn, sun dried tomatoes, pearl onions and shaved asparagus; or saffron Cremini mushroom risotto with butternut squash and mascarpone. Dessert choices include chocolate torte with vanilla gelato, cheesecake with strawberry sauce, or pumpkin panna cotta. $70. 165 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Reserve at (707) 938-7542.
Wit & Wisdom
The three-course prix-fixe menu includes butternut squash soup, ricotta gnudi, oyster towers, halibut, roasted cauliflower, lobster pot pie, New York strip beef, or heritage turkey breast with all the fixings. Choose pumpkin pie, milk chocolate budino, or spiced apple mousse cake. $104. 1 to 7 p.m. The Lodge at Sonoma, 1325 Broadway, Sonoma. (707) 931-3405.
Hot news: the fig cafe & winebar” in Glen Ellen will close January 31 for a revamp and exciting new concept, of course created by founder and proprietor Sondra Bernstein, with managing partner John Toulze and the girl & the fig‘s talented team. Bound to be fun and delish. More hot news: Joel Hoachuck, formerly of El Dorado Kitchen, has joined “the fig” as Director of Hospitality.
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