Over the river and through the woods, to Grandma’s house we go. In the kitchen, slave away, a Thanksgiving feast today. Roast the turkey, mash the potatoes, and bake the pumpkin pie.
Sounds exhausting. Why not ditch the homemade traditions and go out for your feast this year?
Luckily for us, plenty of Tahoe/Truckee restaurants will be serving up plump turkeys with all the fixings. Carve into a turkey dish with high country views out your window at Squaw Valley’s High Camp, or choose from an apple pear crisp served a la mode or a pumpkin pie with spiced whip cream at River Ranch Lodge. The Lone Eagle Grille, Gar Woods, and Sunnyside are all offering fine-dining feasts.
Folks looking for something more casual can grab a beer and eat a home-cooked meal in front of the TV at the Grid Bar & Grill in Kings Beach. Can’t part with the extended family? Go out to Jake’s in Tahoe City for a Thanksgiving Buffet on Tuesday, Nov. 23. Bring a can of food when you go to Jake’s community buffet dinner, as this event is also a fundraiser for Project MANA.
Other restaurants may be closed for Thanksgiving, but they’ll be celebrating the rest of the weekend. There’s the Holiday Jazz Fest at the Hyatt Regency in Incline Village and Cottonwood in Truckee is hosting live music at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday in their fireplace room.
~Julie Brown
Thanksgiving Dinners:
Gar Woods Grill & Pier: Three course meal featuring choice of soup or salad, entrée and dessert; regular dinner menu also available; 5:30 to 10 p.m.; $24.95/adults, $15.95/kids; reservations recommended. Info: 5000 North Lake Boulevard, Carnelian Bay, (530) 546-3366, garwoods.com
The Grid Bar & Grill: Buffet-style Thanksgiving dinner featuring a home-cooked meal, football and beer; open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday; 8545 North Lake Boulevard, Kings Beach, (530) 546-0300, thegridbarandgrill.com
Jake’s on the Lake: Buffet-style community Thanksgiving dinner and canned-food drive; Tuesday, Nov. 23; open daily at 5:30 p.m.; $15, proceeds benefit Project MANA; reservations required. Info: 780 North Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City, (530) 583-0188, jakestahoe.com
Lone Eagle Grille: Four-course lunch menu and six-course dinner menu; lunch is from noon to 3:30 p.m. and dinner is from 4 to 9 p.m.; $55/lunch, $70/dinner; reservations recommended. Info: 111 Country Club Dr, Incline Village, (775) 886-6899, loneeaglegrille.com
River Ranch Lodge: Traditional three-course Thanksgiving dinner created by Chef Julia Walter; open 2 p.m. through the evening; $24.95/adults, $12.95/kids under 12; reservations recommended. Info: 2285 River Road, Tahoe City, (530) 583-4264, riverranchlodge.com
Sunnyside Steakhouse & Lodge: Special Thanksgiving menu featuring a traditional turkey dinner among other selections; 3 to 8 p.m.; varied prices; reservations recommended. Info: 1850 West Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City, (530) 583-7200, sunnysidetahoe.com
The Terrace Room at Alexander’s: Buffet style feast with carved turkey, prime rib, all the fixings, and a full dessert bar; 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; $27/adults, $17/kids, price does not include Cable Car ride; reservations recommended. Info: High Camp at Squaw Valley, (530) 452-7278, squaw.com
