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Food & Drink NOVEMBER 21, 2016

How to Win Thanksgiving

Follow these food and drink rules and you can remain in our family

How to Win Thanksgiving

1. Please refrain from making artisanal cranberry sauce. Your artisanry is not welcome in the cranberry department. Everyone except Aunt Jenny wants cranberry sauce that looks like blood JELLO in the shape of a can. And Aunt Jenny’s Pinterest addiction is well documented.

2. Pumpkin pie is perfect. Don’t mess with it. Adding smoked paprika or rosemary tells your family that your love for them is second behind your love of your own awful creativity.

3. Keep Thanksgiving conversation neutral and apolitical by starting your toast with “Thanksgiving is about family—Uncle Steve has never won a popular vote but we still feed him.”

4. Welcome to casserole day. Every other day is not casserole day. Please do not casserole on any other day.

5. At least one dish must be made using store-bought crackers as a topping. Ritz is preferred. Save your panko breadcrumbs for your Barefoot Contessa party.

6. Please include vegetarian options because your accidental child says it’s the only thing curing her from your lack of quality parenting.

7. The turkey is not dry. It’s turkey. That’s what turkey does. It dries out. No Thanksgiving turkey in the history of America has ever been juicy. Recipe sites have covered up this conspiracy for decades.

8. If you eat all the dark meat before the rest of the family gets an opportunity, you are subject to deportation to another, lesser family.

9. When making turkey, please plan to make enough for everyone at Thanksgiving. Then double that amount. Because much like Uncle Dan’s awesome third wife, leftovers often turn out to be the best.

10. If you’re thinking about putting stuffing inside the turkey, consider alternatives that are just as good. Like wet newspaper.

11. Yes, your uncle is drunk. That’s what uncles do on Thanksgiving. Do not question your drunk uncle. Asking him to sign a living will during his drunkenness is permissible if he is wealthy and it will benefit the entire family.

12. Boxed stuffing is the best stuffing. God makes it in his boxing place.

How to Win Thanksgiving

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Food & Drink NOVEMBER 13, 2013

SD Thanksgiving Guide 2013

Turkeys, buffets, catering, and more

SD Thanksgiving Guide 2013

Buffets, tasting menus, and prix fixe meals

Marina Kitchen offers a modern twist on Thanksgiving classics and American comfort food with its favorites like roasted butternut squash soup and brioche stuffing.

1:30-7 p.m. $48 for adults and $12.99 for children 12 and under. For reservations, call 619-699-8222.

Amaya La Jolla opens its doors to guests for its first winter holiday season with a choice of entrees that ranges from a traditional roasted turkey with dried cherry stuffing to Chilean sea bass. 12-8 p.m. $65 for adults and $25 for children ages 6-12. For reservations, call 858-750-3695.

The Grand Del Mar is home to two different fine dining experiences for the Thanksgiving Holidays. Amaya will feature a three-course tasting menu from 12:30-8 p.m. $78 for adults, $115 with wine pairings and $35 for children ages 6-12. Addison features a Thanksgiving-inspired seven-course menu from 3-8 p.m. $185 per person and $295 with wine pairings. For reservations to either restaurant, call 858-314-1996.

Pacifica Del Mar features eight different entrée selections for its three-course Thanksgiving meal, including grilled filet mignon and seared Atlantic sea scallops.

$39 for the traditional roasted turkey entrée, $49 for all other entrees, $16 for children 12 and under. For reservations, call 858-792-0476.

The Shores seeks to provide an alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving experience with its oceanfront dining and main courses such as toasted macadamia nut ricotta blintz and gremolata crusted butterfish.

10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. $46 for adults, $23 for children ages 6-12, $4/year for children under 5. For reservations, call 866-644-2630.

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is hosting a special Thanksgiving Day buffet, featuring a chilled seafood bar and signature house drinks in addition to their famous Mary’s Organic Turkey.

2 p.m.- 8 p.m. $60 for adults, $30 for children ages 12 and under. For reservations, call 858.964.6521.

The Hotel del Coronado will open up both its Crown Room and oceanfront Ballroom to host a luxurious Thanksgiving buffet, complete with live entertainment.

2 p.m. – 6 p.m. $98.50 for adults and $40 for children. For reservations, visit hoteldel.com.

La Costa Resort will transform its Poinsettia Ballroom into a lavish Thanksgiving dining experience, featuring a variety of smoked fish, gourmet salads, tapas, and chef specials.

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. $68 for adults,  $28 for children ages 6-16, children 5 and under free. For reservations, call 800-854-5000.

Mimi’s Cafe offers a classic Thanksgiving menu featuring roasted turkey and traditional sides. Guests can choose to dine in or take their orders to go.

8 a.m. to 8 p.m., $16.99 for adults, $8.99 for children ages 12 and under, $99.99 for a feast to-go; serves 6-8 people. To order online or find your local restaurant, visit mimiscafe.com.

Bertrand at Mr. A’s overlooks a spectacular view of the San Diego skyline from it’s outdoor, wrap around balcony. For the holiday meal they are offering a choice of five main entrees, including potato crusted sea bass, roasted dietsel turkey and oven roasted Maine lobster.

12 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. $59.50 per person. For reservations, visit bertrandatmras.com.

The Marine Room is offering five main courses for the Thanksgiving holiday, including options like braised port osso bucco, black angus filet mingon, and julian pear cider brined Sonoma turkey breast.

12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Prices vary depending on dishes, main courses $36-$44. For reservations, call 866-644-2351.

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe will be featuring a three-course tasting menu created by chef Todd Allison. The options for the main course include both Thanksgiving favorites like Diestel turkey and the Inn’s famous garden crusted tenderloin. 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. $69.50 for adults and $30 for children ages 6 to 12. For reservations, call 858-381-8289 or reserve a table online.

Mille Fleurs Chef de Cuisine Martin Woesle offers his guests a unique holiday experience with his farm-to-table Thanksgiving menu. Guests can choose between ordering items a la carte or the four-course prix fixe menu, which includes items such as Duck Pate, Roasted Fennel Soup, and Oven-Roasted Diestel Turkey. 1:30 -7 p.m. $65 per guest. Reservations can be made online at www.millefleurs.com or by calling 858-756-3085.

Bali Hai Restaurant is giving this Thanksgiving season a Polynesian twist. Featured entrée dishes include Kalua Braised Turkey Dark Meat, Salmon with a Soy Maple Glaze and Macadamia Nut stuffing with Chinese Sausage. 11:00 a.m. -7 p.m. $39 for adults and $16 for children ages 6 to12. For reservations, call 619-222-1181.

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse brings its fresh seafood to the Thanksgiving table with entrees including Maine lobster claws, Oysters on the Half Shell, and salmon covered in a herb and chipotle citrus glaze. 11:00a.m. -7 p.m. $42 for adults and $18 for children ages 6 to12. Children under 5 are free. For reservations, call 619-291-9110.

Kitchen 1540 at L’auberge Del Mar will feature its signature modern American style cooking with a three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving menu. Guests have the option to choose between four starters, which include beef tartare and squash gnocchi, as well as four entrée options, including duck breast and black cod. 12 -8 p.m. $70 for adults and $34 for children under 12. For reservations, call 858-793-6460.

Carlsbad Beach Bistro at the Hilton Garden Inn will be hosting a traditional three-course Thanksgiving menu with a starter of roasted butternut squash, entrée of roasted turkey with sourdough bread stuffing, and pumpkin pie for dessert. 12. -10 p.m. $26.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 6 to12. Children under age 5 are free. For reservations, call 760-476-0800.

Chandler’s at Hilton Carlsbad offers both a classic roasted turkey and the more non-traditional selections of blue cheese-crusted beef tenderloin or crab-crusted sea bass For those who wish to enjoy a gourmet Thanksgiving at their own dining table, Chandler’s offers a to go package priced at $250 designed to serve 16 people.11a.m. -7:30 p.m. $52/$54 based on choice of entrée and $24  for children under age 10. Turkey-To-Go orders must be placed 72 hours in advance. To make reservations for either the restaurant or Turkey-To-Go, call 760-683-5500.

Paradise Point is transforming the Baleen dining room into a Thanksgiving haven, complete with a three-course menu and a gorgeous view overlooking Mission Bay. Menu options include brown sugar-brined turkey, lobster cannelloni, and honey mustard-glazed short rib.3 -7 p.m. $49 for adults and $20 for children. For reservations, visit www.paradisepoint.com

JRDN at Tower23 Hotel will be serving a four-course Thanksgiving meal with a California twist, courtesy of Executive Chef David Warner. Entrée options include roasted Mary’s Turkey, pan seared scallops, grilled beef tenderloin, grilled tombo, and an autumn vegetable risotto. 3 -8 p.m. Prices vary per entrée. For reservations, call 858-270-5736.

Manchester Grand Hyatt is home to two different Thanksgiving feasts this holiday season. Lael’s will feature a buffet that includes seasonal options such as Jack Daniel’s pumpkin bisque, Alaskan king crabs, and cider brine roasted turkey. 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. $64.95 for adults, $45 for seniors over 62, $25 for children ages 5 to 12, and children 5 and under are free. For reservations, call 619-358-6735. Sally’s on the Water offers guests the choice between a three or four-course meal, priced at $42 per person and $20 for wine pairings. Dinner served from 5:30 – 9:30p.m. For reservations, call 619-358-6740.

Veladora at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is hosting an elaborate buffet that includes stations such as charcuterie and cheeses, carving, cold seafood, and desserts. Guests can enjoy life music as they try the truffle honey glazed Scottish trout or chorizo and herb stuffing. 1 -7 p.m. $89 for adults, $29 for children ages 11 and under, children under 3 are free. For reservations, call 858-759-6246.

THE US GRANT will be serving holiday favorites such as roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and roasted acorn squash at their Thanksgiving buffet. To ease the stress of the holidays, guests can also enjoy complimentary valet service and live entertainment. Seatings for the buffet will be offered at 12:30p.m., 2p.m., 3:30p.m., 4:15p.m. $75 for adults,$65 for seniors, $29 for children ages 12 and under. For reservations, call 619-744-2039.

BiCE Ristorante is giving Thanksgiving an Italian twist with its carefully crafted holiday menu. This three-course menu includes options such as lacinato kale and farro salad, chicken roulade, and soft polenta. 5p.m. -9:30 p.m. $42 for adults, $21 for children ages 10 and under. For reservations, call 619-239-2423.

Brockton Villa is hosting a special Thanksgiving brunch where Executive Chef Mareyja Sisbarro will be serving specials that include bourbon pumpkin pie panckaes and a Thanksgiving eggs benedict. Restaurant favorites such as healthy breakfast steamers and Coast Toast will also be available. 8a.m. -2p.m. Prices vary. For reservations, visit www.brocktonvilla.com online.

Katsuya San Diego offers a unique Thanksgiving experience for those looking to avoid a typical turkey and gravy dinner.  Featuring its full Japanese-inspired menu, guests can choose between restaurant favorites such as miso-marinated black cod, crispy rice with spicy tuna, and Wagyu Tobanyaki.  For reservations, call 619-814-2000.

KELVIN at W San Diego is transforming its signature restaurant Kelvin into an elegant Thanksgiving dinner, complete with sage honey glazed turkey, grilled country ham, and pumpkin mousse tart.  11:30a.m. – 10p.m. For reservations, call 619-398-3082.

Rancho Bernardo Inn is offering a variety of Thanksgiving Day options for where to eat this Thanksgiving holiday. Guests looking for a traditional, three-course menu of roasted turkey and mashed potatoes will find it at Verdana. 12-9p.m. $38 for adults and $15 for children ages 4-14.Those looking for one more course can head to Avant, which will feature a gourmet four-course menu complete with truffle rilletes and roasted pumkin panna cotta. 2p.m -7p.m. $70 for adults and $35 for children ages 4-14. Finally, the Aragon Ballroom will feature a five-station buffet where guests can indulge in Thanksgiving favorites. 11a.m.-3p.m. $60 for adults and $25 for children ages 4-14. For reservations at any of the restaurants, call 858.675.8550.

Catering

The French Gourmet has the perfect amount of food for families big and small. With turkeys as large as 28 lbs., even the biggest of families will finish their meals feeling as stuffed as the turkeys themselves. Customers can choose menu items at individual prices or complete turkey dinners where prices vary per number of people.

Hot food orders available for pick-up between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Order online at thefrenchgourmet.com.

Elijah’s offers four different fully prepared Thanksgiving packages: turkey, beef brisket, ham, and prime rib. Each dinner serves 10 people and includes a choice of two sides and a dessert.

To place an order, call 858-455-9529. Food available for pick up or deliver.

Marie Callender’s take-home feasts start at just $99.99 and include a choice of oven roasted turkey breast or ham as well as seven sides and a pie. With several locations throughout the greater San Diego area, you won’t have to travel far to bring home your Thanksgiving meal. Orders can be placed online and all meals require 3 hours reheating time.

Turkey with a charitable element

YouBComplete Run for the Hungry is hosting both a 10K run and 5K run/walk this Thanksgiving day downtown. The race runs through the Gaslamp District and East Village. Proceeds benefit the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and Foodmobile. 10K starts at 7:10am and 5K starts at 8:15.  Early registration is $35 for adults and $22 for youth.

Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K is a run through Balboa Park with 100% of proceeds benefitting the homeless members of the San Diego community. The race will begin in front of the San Diego Museum of Man. Race begins at 7:45am

Mama’s Kitchen Pie in the Sky Fundraiser happens every year at Thanksgiving. The pies are made by local San Diego chefs and bakers and the money goes toward providing more than 375,000 meals to people affected by HIV/AIDS and cancer. (P.S. San Diego Magazine wants to help them reach their 5,000-pie goal. Buy a pie for $20 or $25. Order online at mamaspies.org and select San Diego Magazine as the seller.)

SD Thanksgiving Guide 2013

Food & Drink NOVEMBER 1, 2013

SD Thanksgiving Guide 2012

Turkeys, buffets, catering, and more

SD Thanksgiving Guide 2012

Buffets, tasting menus, and prix fixe meals

Marina Kitchen offers a modern twist on Thanksgiving classics and American comfort food with its favorites like roasted butternut squash soup and brioche stuffing.

1:30-7 p.m. $48 for adults and $12.99 for children 12 and under. For reservations, call 619-699-8222.

Amaya La Jolla opens its doors to guests for its first winter holiday season with a choice of entrees that ranges from a traditional roasted turkey with dried cherry stuffing to Chilean sea bass. 12-8 p.m. $65 for adults and $25 for children ages 6-12. For reservations, call 858-750-3695.

The Grand Del Mar is home to two different fine dining experiences for the Thanksgiving Holidays. Amaya will feature a three-course tasting menu from 12:30-8 p.m. $78 for adults, $115 with wine pairings and $35 for children ages 6-12. Addison features a Thanksgiving-inspired seven-course menu from 3-8 p.m. $185 per person and $295 with wine pairings. For reservations to either restaurant, call 858-314-1996.

Pacifica Del Mar features eight different entrée selections for its three-course Thanksgiving meal, including grilled filet mignon and seared Atlantic sea scallops.

$39 for the traditional roasted turkey entrée, $49 for all other entrees, $16 for children 12 and under. For reservations, call 858-792-0476.

The Shores seeks to provide an alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving experience with its oceanfront dining and main courses such as toasted macadamia nut ricotta blintz and gremolata crusted butterfish.

10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. $46 for adults, $23 for children ages 6-12, $4/year for children under 5. For reservations, call 866-644-2630.

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is hosting a special Thanksgiving Day buffet, featuring a chilled seafood bar and signature house drinks in addition to their famous Mary’s Organic Turkey.

2 p.m.- 8 p.m. $60 for adults, $30 for children ages 12 and under. For reservations, call 858.964.6521.

The Hotel del Coronado will open up both its Crown Room and oceanfront Ballroom to host a luxurious Thanksgiving buffet, complete with live entertainment.

2 p.m. – 6 p.m. $98.50 for adults and $40 for children. For reservations, visit hoteldel.com.

La Costa Resort will transform its Poinsettia Ballroom into a lavish Thanksgiving dining experience, featuring a variety of smoked fish, gourmet salads, tapas, and chef specials.

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. $68 for adults,  $28 for children ages 6-16, children 5 and under free. For reservations, call 800-854-5000.

Mimi’s Cafe offers a classic Thanksgiving menu featuring roasted turkey and traditional sides. Guests can choose to dine in or take their orders to go.

8 a.m. to 8 p.m., $15.99 for adults, $7.99 for children ages 12 and under, $89.99 for a feast to-go; serves 6-8 people. To order online or find your local restaurant, visit mimiscafe.com.

Bertrand at Mr. A’s overlooks a spectacular view of the San Diego skyline from it’s outdoor, wrap around balcony. For the holiday meal they are offering a choice of five main entrees, including potato crusted sea bass, roasted dietsel turkey and oven roasted Maine lobster.

12 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. $59.50 per person. For reservations, visit bertrandatmras.com.

The Marine Room is offering five main courses for the Thanksgiving holiday, including options like braised port osso bucco, black angus filet mingon, and julian pear cider brined Sonoma turkey breast.

12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Prices vary depending on dishes, main courses $36-$44. For reservations, call 866-644-2351.

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe will be featuring a three-course tasting menu created by chef Todd Allison. The options for the main course include both Thanksgiving favorites like Diestel turkey and the Inn’s famous garden crusted tenderloin. 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. $69.50 for adults and $30 for children ages 6 to 12. For reservations, call 858-381-8289 or reserve a table online.

Mille Fleurs Chef de Cuisine Martin Woesle offers his guests a unique holiday experience with his farm-to-table Thanksgiving menu. Guests can choose between ordering items a la carte or the four-course prix fixe menu, which includes items such as Duck Pate, Roasted Fennel Soup, and Oven-Roasted Diestel Turkey. 1:30 -7 p.m. $65 per guest. Reservations can be made online at www.millefleurs.com or by calling 858-756-3085.

Bali Hai Restaurant is giving this Thanksgiving season a Polynesian twist. Featured entrée dishes include Kalua Braised Turkey Dark Meat, Salmon with a Soy Maple Glaze and Macadamia Nut stuffing with Chinese Sausage. 11:00 a.m. -7 p.m. $39 for adults and $16 for children ages 6 to12. For reservations, call 619-222-1181.

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse brings its fresh seafood to the Thanksgiving table with entrees including Maine lobster claws, Oysters on the Half Shell, and salmon covered in a herb and chipotle citrus glaze. 11:00a.m. -7 p.m. $42 for adults and $86 for children ages 6 to12. Children under 5 are free. For reservations, call 619-291-9110.

Kitchen 1540 at L’auberge Del Mar will feature its signature modern American style cooking with a three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving menu. Guests have the option to choose between four starters, which include beef tartare and squash gnocchi, as well as four entrée options, including duck breast and black cod. 12 -8 p.m. $70 for adults and $34 for children under 12. For reservations, call 858-793-6460.

Carlsbad Beach Bistro at the Hilton Garden Inn will be hosting a traditional three-course Thanksgiving menu with a starter of roasted butternut squash, entrée of roasted turkey with sourdough bread stuffing, and pumpkin pie for dessert. 12. -10 p.m. $26.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 6 to12. Children under age 5 are free. For reservations, call 760-476-0800.

Chandler’s at Hilton Carlsbad offers both a classic roasted turkey and the more non-traditional selections of blue cheese-crusted beef tenderloin or crab-crusted sea bass For those who wish to enjoy a gourmet Thanksgiving at their own dining table, Chandler’s offers a to go package priced at $250 designed to serve 16 people.11a.m. -7:30 p.m. $52/$54 based on choice of entrée and $24  for children under age 10. Turkey-To-Go orders must be placed 72 hours in advance. To make reservations for either the restaurant or Turkey-To-Go, call 760-683-5500.

Paradise Point is transforming the Baleen dining room into a Thanksgiving haven, complete with a three-course menu and a gorgeous view overlooking Mission Bay. Menu options include brown sugar-brined turkey, lobster cannelloni, and honey mustard-glazed short rib.3 -7 p.m. $49 for adults and $20 for children. For reservations, visit www.paradisepoint.com

JRDN at Tower23 Hotel will be serving a four-course Thanksgiving meal with a California twist, courtesy of Executive Chef David Warner. Entrée options include roasted Mary’s Turkey, pan seared scallops, grilled beef tenderloin, grilled tombo, and an autumn vegetable risotto. 3 -8 p.m. Prices vary per entrée. For reservations, call 858-270-5736.

Manchester Grand Hyatt is home to two different Thanksgiving feasts this holiday season. Lael’s will feature a buffet that includes seasonal options such as Jack Daniel’s pumpkin bisque, Alaskan king crabs, and cider brine roasted turkey. 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. $64.95 for adults, $45 for seniors over 62, $25 for children ages 5 to 12, and children 5 and under are free. For reservations, call 619-358-6735. Sally’s on the Water offers guests the choice between a three or four-course meal, priced at $42 per person and $20 for wine pairings. Dinner served from 5:30 – 9:30p.m. For reservations, call 619-358-6740.

Veladora at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is hosting an elaborate buffet that includes stations such as charcuterie and cheeses, carving, cold seafood, and desserts. Guests can enjoy life music as they try the truffle honey glazed Scottish trout or chorizo and herb stuffing. 1 -7 p.m. $89 for adults, $29 for children ages 11 and under, children under 3 are free. For reservations, call 858-759-6246.

Grant Grill at the US GRANT Hotel will be serving holiday favorites such as roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and roasted acorn squash at their Thanksgiving buffet. To ease the stress of the holidays, guests can also enjoy complimentary valet service and live entertainment. Seatings for the buffet will be offered at 12:30p.m., 2p.m., 3:30p.m., 4:15p.m. $75 for adults,$65 for seniors, $29 for children ages 12 and under. For reservations, call 619-744-2039.

BiCE Ristorante is giving Thanksgiving an Italian twist with its carefully crafted holiday menu. This three-course menu includes options such as lacinato kale and farro salad, chicken roulade, and soft polenta. 5p.m. -9:30 p.m. $42 for adults, $21 for children ages 10 and under. For reservations, call 619-239-2423.

Brockton Villa is hosting a special Thanksgiving brunch where Executive Chef Mareyja Sisbarro will be serving specials that include bourbon pumpkin pie panckaes and a Thanksgiving eggs benedict. Restaurant favorites such as healthy breakfast steamers and Coast Toast will also be available. 8a.m. -2p.m. Prices vary. For reservations, visit www.brocktonvilla.com online.

Katsuya San Diego offers a unique Thanksgiving experience for those looking to avoid a typical turkey and gravy dinner.  Featuring its full Japanese-inspired menu, guests can choose between restaurant favorites such as miso-marinated black cod, crispy rice with spicy tuna, and Wagyu Tobanyaki.  For reservations, call 619-814-2000.

W Hotel is transforming its signature restaurant Kelvin into an elegant Thanksgiving dinner, complete with sage honey glazed turkey, grilled country ham, and pumpkin mousse tart.  11:30a.m. – 10p.m. For reservations, call 619-814-2000.

Rancho Bernardo Inn is offering a variety of Thanksgiving Day options for where to eat this Thanksgiving holiday. Guests looking for a traditional, three-course menu of roasted turkey and mashed potatoes will find it at Verdana. 12-9p.m. $38 for adults and $15 for children ages 4-14.Those looking for one more course can head to Avant, which will feature a gourmet four-course menu complete with truffle rilletes and roasted pumkin panna cotta. 2p.m -7p.m. $70 for adults and $35 for children ages 4-14. Finally, the Aragon Ballroom will feature a five-station buffet where guests can indulge in Thanksgiving favorites. 11a.m.-3p.m. $60 for adults and $25 for children ages 4-14. For reservations at any of the restaurants, call 858.675.8550.

Catering

The French Gourmet has the perfect amount of food for families big and small. With turkeys as large as 28 lbs., even the biggest of families will finish their meals feeling as stuffed as the turkeys themselves. Customers can choose menu items at individual prices or complete turkey dinners where prices vary per number of people.

Hot food orders available for pick-up between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Order online at thefrenchgourmet.com.

Elijah’s offers four different fully prepared Thanksgiving packages: turkey, beef brisket, ham, and prime rib. Each dinner serves 10 people and includes a choice of two sides and a dessert.

To place an order, call 858-455-9529. Food available for pick up or deliver.

Marie Callender’s take-home feasts start at just $99.99 and include a choice of oven roasted turkey breast or ham as well as seven sides and a pie. With several locations throughout the greater San Diego area, you won’t have to travel far to bring home your Thanksgiving meal. Orders can be placed online and all meals require 3 hours reheating time.

Turkey with a charitable element

YouBComplete Run for the Hungry is hosting both a 10K run and 5K run/walk this Thanksgiving day downtown. The race runs through the Gaslamp District and East Village. Proceeds benefit the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and Foodmobile. 10K starts at 7:10am and 5K starts at 8:15.  Early registration is $35 for adults and $22 for youth.

Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K is a run through Balboa Park with 100% of proceeds benefitting the homeless members of the San Diego community. The race will begin in front of the San Diego Museum of Man. Race begins at 7:45am

Mama’s Kitchen Pie in the Sky Fundraiser happens every year at Thanksgiving. The pies are made by local San Diego chefs and bakers and the money goes toward providing more than 375,000 meals to people affected by HIV/AIDS and cancer. (P.S. San Diego Magazine wants to help them reach their 5,000-pie goal. Buy a pie for $20 or $25. Order online at mamaspies.org and select San Diego Magazine as the seller.)

SD Thanksgiving Guide 2012

Food & Drink SEPTEMBER 29, 2026

The Stars Align For Gemini Twins Bakery

The in-demand sourdough treats from ultra-small batch, family-run microbakery are popping up more and more across San Diego

The Stars Align For Gemini Twins Bakery
Courtesy of Megan Loney

There’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sign tacked on a utility pole on a residential street in La Mesa with one word scrawled across it: SOURDOUGH. Megan Loney has lived in the Academy Heights neighborhood all her life—in fact, her parents reside next door and she lives in the house she grew up in. Out of her kitchen, she runs Gemini Twins Bakery. But based on demand, she may need to start looking for space somewhere else.

“We already have, let’s see, one, two, three…” she counts the equipment around the room. “Six fridges in the house.” (One fridge even gets delivered in the middle of our conversation.) Of course, not all of them are for the bakery, she adds. Half are dedicated to fermentation, from pickling peppers to making kombucha. 

Scientists have long touted the benefits of yeast and bacteria converting sugars as a way to improve digestion and overall gut health (among other benefits) for many years. Handmade, housebaked sourdough bread has particularly regained popularity after a dip in production during the commercial bread heyday of the mid-20th century, driven in part by at-home attempts during the pandemic. Loney began experimenting with her sourdough starter in 2019, hoping to improve her family’s nutrition and eating habits.

It didn’t click right away. “It took me a year to keep my starter alive,” she laughs. “I didn’t bake any bread until 2020.” Once she did manage to nurture her starter to life, she taught herself how to bake better versions of store-bought items. “Look at anything on a label in a store these days, and it’s terrifying!” she says. “I was like, ‘No, no, no, we can do this fresh.’”

Loney started selling loaves and baked goods to friends and family before officially launching Gemini Twins (named after her twins, naturally) in 2024, first appearing at La Mesa Oktoberfest. Now, you can pick up her products at the Lakeside farmers market on Thursday afternoons, the Sharp Grossmont farmers market every other Friday morning, Cardiff farmers market on Saturday mornings (although not as the main bread vendor), and the first and third Saturdays of every month in her driveway—just follow the sourdough signs. 

Gemini Twins mainly sells sourdough loaves, both traditional and flavors like blueberry lemon basil (made with lemon basil, not lemon and basil) and Dilly Jack (dill, Monterey Jack cheese, and dried onion), plus cookies, cinnamon rolls, scones, and bagels. Loney makes her own in-house blend of fresh-milled whole grain wheat that she mills herself, along with Central Milling organic high-mountain bread flour, a blend of spring wheat and high protein winter wheat. Using organic is key, she says, to avoid negating the health benefits of fermentation with possible exposure to pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals. 

After leaving a steady job in construction to launch Gemini Twins, she’s determined to make it work by any means necessary—literally. When she was pregnant with her youngest child, she was baking up until and actually on the day she gave birth. “It’s a dedication for sure, but it’s one that I love,” she says. Launching a viable sourdough brand isn’t exactly the easiest business to get into—most farmers markets and small grocers already have an overabundance of products. But the chance to be her own boss, support her wife who’s currently going to school full-time (as well as their kids), work from home, and share her wares across San Diego? It’s worth it. “The most important part is that it’s family-based,” she says. “We’re just hoping to see it grow… there’s a pretty big horizon in front of us.”

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Beth’s Bites

Beth Demmon

About Beth Demmon

Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.

Studio S SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

Vi at La Jolla Village – Senior Living in the Heart of Everything

At Vi at La Jolla Village, residents don't have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.

Vi at La Jolla Village – Senior Living in the Heart of Everything
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village

Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.

All-access pass to good living.

As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.

Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.

The harmony of mind, body and community.

Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village

The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”

Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.

Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.

While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.

“Location, location, location”

Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village

One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.

“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.

With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.

The best of all worlds.

Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village

At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.

This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.

To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.

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Food & Drink SEPTEMBER 25, 2026

From Supper Clubs to Pop-Ups, Bik-Lun Is Finding Its Place in SD

Chantal Partolan’s growing food business blends her Filipino and Chinese heritage with a creative, memory-driven approach to cooking

From Supper Clubs to Pop-Ups, Bik-Lun Is Finding Its Place in SD
Photo Credit: Megan Jane Burgess

As a child, Chantal Partolan never considered cooking as a viable job route. Rather, it was a passion she could turn to as a way to flex her creative muscle, from the time she was in school all the way into adulthood working in a corporate space.

“I never felt like [cooking] was a chore, like some other people feel,” she says. To feed that passion, she started hosting supper clubs in 2022, creating menus and full tablescapes to bring together friends and family. With each successful gathering, she wondered: Could she take this further?

In 2024, she did. Officially launching as Bik-Lun, she began small, hosting baking pop-ups in Long Beach before moving back to her hometown of San Diego in 2025. Now, Partolan still mostly pops up at small local businesses like Moniker General and Joon Shoppe, but now also offers small batch catering and private chef services, all centered around her father’s Filipino and her mother’s Chinese heritages.

Photo Credit: Megan Jane Burgess

Bik-Lun (pronounced bik-LUHN, like “fun”) is named for her mother. “When she migrated to America when she was younger with all her siblings, they all got American names,” Partolan says. She doesn’t strictly adhere to rigid culinary rules—instead, she lets memories drive her creations. 

“Now that my grandparents are no longer here, trying to revisit those memories and share them with others has been a really important part of this journey for me,” she explains. Ingredients like red bean and black sesame reflect her Chinese roots, while more savory items like sinigang (a sour and savory Filipino soup) pay homage to her father’s family. 

Collaborating with other children of immigrants is another way she experiences flavors through a fresh lens. There are so many Filipino-run small businesses willing to share their own familial memories and inspiration, she says. “Hearing their experiences sometimes helps me recount my own.”

Photo Credit: Megan Jane Burgess

You can next catch Bik-Lun on September 27 at Home Ec + Best Bud with Magnaye (formerly One of One), October 3 at Patine’s new location in Bankers Hill, and October 10-11 at the Mingei Museum for Merkado Kultura, a makers market for Filipino producers. Partolan says since most customers are familiar with her sweet products, she’s planning to offer more savory items—like a breakfast sandwich—at the Home Ec event to give people a taste of her creative versatility. 

Eventually, she hopes to add some permanent residencies to Bik-Lun’s schedule—a few are already in the works, so stay tuned—while also looking for ways to combine her food and photography expertise. (A cookbook? Maybe, she says.) But in the meantime, Partolan will remain curious about where she comes from—and how it can take her to where she’s going. 

Courtesy of Izola Bakery

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Beth’s Bites

  • Izola Bakery has long discussed its expansion plans, and at long last, there’s finally some traction. The award-winning East Village bakery will officially move into its second location at the former California English space in Sorrento Valley, hopefully by the end of the year, according to owner Jeffrey Brown. In the meantime, the downtown location will continue to churn out plenty of buns, croissants, sourdough, and more to keep your carb cravings at bay. 
  • Why settle for beer at Oktoberfest when you can have cider? Bivouac Ciderworks is throwing their version of Septemberfest, on Saturday, September 26 from noon to 5 p.m. at their North Park taproom and restaurant. Entry is free, and there will be plenty of German-inspired bites and eats to enjoy. I’m particularly eyeing the apple strudel cider float and Bavarian cider-kraut, but in all likelihood will also be getting a soft pretzel or two as well. 
  • San Diego’s coffee scene is still on a roll—local roaster Talitha Coffee took home a gold medal at the 2026 Global Coffee Awards for their Sunset Serenade decaf espresso. Not too shabby for our not-so-small town!

Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

Beth Demmon

About Beth Demmon

Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.

Food & Drink SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

High-Protein Mochi Arrives in San Diego

Jacob Chen’s Made for MeiMei adds protein and fiber to flavors like ube, black sesame, and PB&J

High-Protein Mochi Arrives in San Diego

As a kid, Jacob Chen scrounged up whatever odd jobs he could—running lemonade stands, organizing garage sales, reselling appliances on Facebook Marketplace. But there was something about cooking that kept him coming back to the kitchen. “It started as a way for me to spend time with my mom,” he says. “In a way, I think it was inevitable that I would begin a food-based business.”

That business ended up being Made for MeiMei, a line of low-sugar, high protein and fiber mochi flavors like ube, matcha, red bean, black sesame, peanut butter and jelly, and chocolate hazelnut. “‘Mochi’ is derived from ‘mochigome,’ which is the special type of short grain rice that gives mochi its stretchy, chewy texture,” he explains. Traditionally served in Japan as a dessert to celebrate the new year (similar to bibingka in the Philippines and nian gao in China), American-style mochi tends to taste sweeter and often comes as mochi ice cream. However, Chen points out that wasn’t always the case.

Courtesy of Made for MeiMei

“Before mochi was synonymous with ice cream and refined sugar, it was simply a rice based snack filled with whole food ingredients,” he says. “That’s the version of mochi we’re trying to bring back.”

Made for MeiMei’s primary ingredients are rice flour and coconut milk, plus the featured ingredient for each flavor. But rather than using refined sugar, Chen sweetens his mochi with monk fruit and uses organic pumpkin seed protein and chicory root fiber to create what he calls “the first better-for-you mochi.” 

Recent collaborations include a mochi-wrapped gelato with An’s Dry Cleaning, strawberry daifuku cream puff with Mon Chourie, and a funfetti chantilly cream dip mochi with The Clovery, but Chen has his sights set on retail expansion. Currently, Made for MeiMei products are available online, locally at Easy Does It Cafe, Bodega Market, or at upcoming events like Embolden Beer Company’s Taste of Shogun on September 27 (admission is free!) and a pop-up with Organic Oren on October 5. 

Courtesy of Made for MeiMei

Besides being better for you nutritionally, Chen’s goal for the business is to also be better for the world. He’s worked in rehabilitation clinics and volunteered at San Quentin when he lived in Berkeley—experiences that transformed his worldview. “It really doesn’t take much to be on the other side of the fence,” he says. That’s why he donates portions of proceeds to organizations like Second Chance San Diego (which helps formerly incarcerated people find steady employment), Immigrant Defenders Law Center (a nonprofit deportation defense law firm), and Border Angels, an advocacy group working to reduce fatalities of people crossing the United States and Mexico border.

Chen has his sights aimed high, hoping to bring Made for MeiMei to more local grocery stores and cafes before hitting national retail shelves. Will he stop at mochi? Maybe not.

“There are so many childhood treats that could use an ingredient upgrade,” he says. “Mochi is just the beginning!”

Courtesy of Roppongi Restaurant & Lounge

San Diego Restaurant News & Events

Leave It Up To The Chefs at Roppongi 

There’s no such thing as too much omakase, and we’re leaning in. On September 24, chef Davin Waite (The Plot, Wrench & Rodent) will join chef Mark Correa at Roppongi Restaurant & Lounge for a one-night-only, eight-course omakase experience with an optional (but personally recommended) beverage pairing curated by sommelier Humberto Ramirez. You definitely need to snap up a reservation for this one before they’re gone—and with a dream team like this, they will be gone. 

Courtesy of Swells Sourdough Bakery

Beth’s Bites

  • Another weekend, another food festival—not that I’m complaining! On October 3, the 15th annual Taste of North Park hits the streets with over 50 tastings and 15 beverage stops awaiting your arrival. The event sells out every year (for real), thanks to participants like the newly opened One of Us, Falafel Heights, Finca, and many, many more. (Leave the parking stress at home—this is the ideal time to take advantage of the not-utilized-enough North Park parking garage.)
  • Swells Sourdough Bakery is movin’ on up—to Little Italy, that is. The farmers market favorite officially opens at 2254 India Street on October 1, but eager patrons can stop by during the soft opening starting September 26. Swimsuit season is over, people. It’s time to get our bagel on. 
  • Longtime Point Loma watering hole Paradise Lounge & Grill is closing its doors, but only temporarily. I’m keeping an eye out for an official opening date, but the business has posted they hope by the end of September. Hopefully, it’ll be in time for the Padres to make the playoffs—manifestation!

Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

Beth Demmon

About Beth Demmon

Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.

Partner Content SEPTEMBER 29, 2026

Leading the Charge in Cardiac Arrhythmia Care

Scripps electrophysiologists not only deliver the latest therapies, they help develop them

Leading the Charge in Cardiac Arrhythmia Care
Courtesy of Scripps Health

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common cardiac dysrhythmia, affecting more than 10 million people in the U.S. The condition, characterized by an irregular and often rapid heartbeat, raises the risk of stroke, heart failure and death. Advances in electrophysiology, a subspecialty of cardiology focused on the heart’s electrical system, are transforming how AFib and other dysrhythmias are diagnosed and treated. Scripps electrophysiologists use state-of-the-art therapies—some of which they helped develop. They were instrumental in the pre-FDA approval research for an effective new treatment, pulsed field ablation, and are on the forefront of other innovative treatments. Click here to learn more. 

For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here. 

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