Photo: Ion Sokhos
A Thanksgiving dinner where you don't have to clean up afterward is truly something to be thankful about. The following restaurants are offering meals for gobbling on November 26.
689 Mission St.; 415-284-4040
Let Hiro be your hero this Thanksgiving day, when in addition to his regular menu, chef Sone offers a special five-course tasting menu at his SoMa spot in the St. Regis. The menu is still being finalized, but options being mulled include tuna tartare, roasted squash soup, seared Hokkaido scallops and the pièce de résistance , a turkey “porchetta” (4–8 PM; $85 per person; wine pairings cost an additional $65).
8 Mission St.; 415-278-3777
Only “good, clean and fair” ingredients will go into chef Paul Arenstam’s Slow Food–inspired meal at this Downtown venue. The three-course meal includes roasted butternut squash soup with crème fraîche and Dungeness crab and a family-style Thanksgiving platter filled with all-natural heritage turkey, Brussels sprouts with lemon confit and chestnuts, Hog Island oyster and fennel sausage stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes and cranberry-orange relish. Good thing the Embarcadero is right across the street so you can walk some of it off afterward (seatings still available at 2:30 and 3 PM; $85 per adult, $35 per child under 12; additional wine pairings cost $25).
1000 Great Hwy.; 415-386-8439
Admire the crashing surf of the Pacific while downing freshly brewed suds or bubbly Cali-style at these twin restaurants situated at the western tip of San Francisco. In addition to the traditional bird, the Beach Chalet offers choices like rack of lamb, dayboat scallops and vegetarian pasta as part of its three-course prix fixe (noon–10 PM; $39 per adult, $19 per child under 12), while the Park Chalet will be offering a bottomless champagne buffet featuring traditional favorites and alternatives like peel-and-eat shrimp, Caesar salad, house-smoked salmon flatbread and chocolate-dipped strawberries (noon–10 PM; $39 per adult, $19 per child under 12).
369 The Embarcadero; 415-369-9955
This waterfront roasthouse is a strong contender for an epic Thanksgiving meal, offering a four-course dinner full of choices. If wood-oven-roasted Branigan turkey with andouille stuffing and fixings isn’t your thing, there’s also pan-roasted Maine scallops or pumpkin gnocchi, while desserts include warm apple tart with vanilla-whipped mascarpone and persimmon pudding laced with spiced pecans, bourbon ice cream and caramel sauce. Finally, a turkey sandwich "with the works" is available to-go for $20 (1:30–6:30 PM; $85 per adult; $40 per child 12 and under; supplemental wine pairings cost $35).
347 Presidio Ave.; 415-563-8841
At this Pac Heights mainstay offering a three-course prix fixe, traditionalists can enjoy roast Diestel turkey with all the trimmings, while those wanting something else can opt for grilled New York steak, gnocchi or halibut (1:30–7:30 PM; $60 per person).
335 Powell St.; 415-397-9222
The details for Mina's three-course menu haven’t been worked out yet, but don't delay if interested, as reservations will surely get booked quickly (4:30–9 PM; $125 per person).
580 Geary St.; 415-345-3900
The bird isn't the word at this Downtown vegetarian, which claims Thanksgiving is its biggest day of the year. Feast on a five-course meal featuring housemade walnut bread, roasted chestnuts, barley–wild rice risotto, truffled potato custard, gingerbread ice cream and more (2–8 PM; $60 per adult, $30 per child under 12).
1 Market St.; 415-777-5577
In addition to roasted Willie Bird turkey with cornbread stuffing, root vegetables and shallot-thyme gravy, chef Mark Dommen's three-course menu offers fare like mushroom risotto with herb salad, pumpkin soup with marshmallows and a roasted fall-squash skewer. We’re betting that with pumpkin brioche bread pudding, you’ll never miss the pie (1–8 PM; $59 per person, $29 per child 10 and under, free for children under three).
640 Sacramento St.; 415-395-9800
Guests will say grazie mille at this Downtown Italian throwing down a holiday spread with mains such as braised turkey doused with a bourbon-gin gravy, grilled wild boar chops, osso buco and pumpkin ravioli with Brussels sprouts, along with a selection of dolci for dessert (3–8 PM; $59 per adult; children 13 and younger pay their age).
657 Harrison St.; 415-348-0900
Typically, you want to climb into bed after you’ve pigged out on Thanksgiving. At this SoMa supper club, guests are encouraged to enjoy the whole darn four-course meal in the on-site beds. There will also be the usual DJs, special performances and antics (7:30 PM; $55 per person).
125 Third St., 4th fl.; 415-284-4049
In honor of the holiday, chef Romuald Feger will offer three fall-inspired specials in addition to his regular brunch menu, including roasted organic turkey breast with sweet potato and banana mousseline, cranberry sauce and cornbread; red kuri squash soup with roasted fall vegetables; and "Grandma’s" pumpkin pie (11 AM–2 PM; dishes priced à la carte).