Kathleen Hill: Restaurants serving gobbly-good Thanksgiving dinners

Help! Thanksgiving is coming

We in Sonoma Valley have lots to be thankful for: We are still here. Sonoma was untouched by fire this time. Wind broke trees and PG&E shut off power. People were very cold and we were all inconvenienced. But we are still here.

Many families will cook differently this Thanksgiving, perhaps more modestly, and with consideration for those who have become vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free.

If you don't want to cook for yourself or others, we have lots of options.

If you are taking dessert to someone's Thanksgiving dinner, Sonoma bakers have lots of great pies and more in case you want to cheat or simply don't want to bake. Of course pumpkin pies are available at all supermarkets, but try some of these pies if you can:

Teen Services Sonoma

Teen Services Sonoma (TSS) teens and volunteers make 9-inch pies: pumpkin, apple crumble and old-fashioned pecan ($19.99 to $22.99) as well as frozen chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookie dough ($10 per dozen), all to benefit TSS ready to work programs. Order before Nov. 18 at teenservicessonoma.org/order-pies.html and pick up Nov. 26 or Nov. 27 between 2 to 6 p.m. 939-1452. Orders must be prepaid. 17440 Sonoma Highway, Boyes Hot Springs.

Les Pascals

In addition to Les Pascals' regular French specialties, they are baking some exceptional additions such as macaroon pumpkin, apple pie pumpkin pie, lemon loaf cake, apple cake, Tart Tatin, honey cake and fruit tarts. Les Pascals doesn't list prices on its website; customers can find pricing when they call in for orders, or visit the patisserie in person.' Thanksgiving week hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Thanksgiving Day. 13798 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen. 934-8378.

Fig Cakes & Sweets

Fig Cakes & Sweets focuses on, guess what – cakes and sweets. But they don't necessarily have figs in them. Check out the pumpkin or Sonoma heirloom apple pie, pumpkin cake, miniature pumpkin cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting, butterscotch pot de crème, sea salt chocolate chunk cookies and a Thanksgiving dessert box. (Pies and cakes $32 to $40, cookies $12 to $54, Thanksgiving box $72.) Order at 933-3000, ext. 15 or caters@thegirlandthefig.com.

Ramekins

Ramekins pie choices include spiced pumpkin mousse pie, dark chocolate pudding pie, salted caramel apple pie, and a classic pecan pie ($28 each). Order at ramekins.com and pick up Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thanksgiving dinner out

Some families have traditions to go out for holiday meals, so here is what is offered this year from those restaurants that responded to inquiries, starting in Kenwood and Glen Ellen and work our way south.

Salt & Stone

Salt & Stone offers a three-course dinner based on the entrée price. Guests might choose between French onion soup, heirloom beet and Little Gem Caesar salads. Entrées include prime rib, turkey dinner, porcini crusted pork tenderloin, seared scallops and wild mushroom risotto ($43 to $58). Dessert choices include pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate lava cake, apple galette, or sorbet or gelato with sugar cookie with other menu items available. Kids under 10 turkey dinner $20. 9900 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood. 833-6326.

Glen Ellen Inn

Glen Ellen Inn will serve a la carte starting with onion soup, Little Gem wedge salad ($12,95); baked brie, oysters on the half shell sampler, or steamed mussels($12.95 to 23.95); fire-roasted turkey breast, cioppino, petit filet of beef with prawns, white bean cassoulet, or Bodega Bay salmon $24.95 to $34.95), plus pumpkin or apple pie. Seatings 2 p.m., to 7:30 p.m. 13670 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. 996-6409.

Glen Ellen Star

Chef Ari Weisswasser offers his annual Thanksgiving takeout menu of mixed chicory salad, rolls, roasted Brussels sprouts, turkey, gravy, sourdough stuffing with mushrooms, orange-cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and vanilla maple ice cream. $55 per person, eight person minimum. Order at reservations@glenellenstar.com before Nov. 23. Pick up on Thanksgiving from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen.

Fig Café & Wine Bar

Choose from among fig and arugula salad, Brussels sprouts, or butternut squash soup for starters. Then go for roast turkey breast, sweet potato gratin, haricots verts, cranberry relish and gravy or pot roast with whipped butternut squash potatoes, and braised greens, or flounder with potato purée, or cauliflower risotto with truffle pesto. Dessert choices include pumpkin ice cream-filled cream puffs with chocolate sauce or butterscotch panna cotta with apple compote. $45, ages 10 and under $20. 1 to 8 p.m. 933-3000, ext. 13. 13690 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen.

Santé at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

Santé puts on its usual sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner, this year combining buffet of cheeses, charcuterie, soup and salad and 'family style' service at your table. Have your choice of prime rib au poivre or heritage turkey with gravy, and lots of sides served at your table, such as Kabocha squash, Brussels sprouts, broccoli rabe and cornbread stuffing. Then back to the buffet for 12 extravagant desserts. $95, $25 age 12 and under. Noon to 6 p.m. 100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma. 938-9000.

The Girl & the Fig

Choose between cauliflower bisque with apple compote, salad of roasted squash and chicories, and pear salad with arugula and blue cheese vinaigrette. Entrées include turkey breast with braised greens and bread pudding, sautéed flounder with potato purée and spinach, or short ribs with Brussels sprouts, or wild mushroom risotto. For dessert try chocolate caramel cream tart, pumpkin cake with mascarpone crema, or port-poached pears. $60, or $20 kids 10 and under. Noon to 8 p.m. 110 W. Spain St., Sonoma. 938-3634.

Depot Hotel Restaurant

Gia and son Tony Ghilarducci offer a Thanksgiving dinner starting with corn chowder with red potatoes, harvest salad of baby lettuce and apples and blue cheese. For entrées, select one from free range turkey with stuffing and mashed potatoes, green peas and gravy, or poached filet of salmon, spinach and ricotta ravioli, or boneless beef short ribs braised in Ghilarducci merlot with horseradish potato purée and root vegetables. Dessert brings Scandia cheesecake, pumpkin pie, or chocolate torte with Amarena cherries. $65, or $25 for children age 5 to 12. 241 First St. W.,, Sonoma. 938-2980.

Layla at MacArthur Place

A full Thanksgiving dinner will turn up at Layla including classics such as roasted turkey and gravy, sage and croissant stuffing, candied yams, whipped potatoes, cranberry gelée, haricots verts, honeyed ham and pumpkin pie. $95, and $35 children age 3 to 12. Noon to 8 p.m. 29 E. MacArthur, Sonoma. 938-2929.

And, of course, Palms Grill and Black Bear Diner will serve Thanksgiving specials, as well.

Reel & Brand 'greasy spoon' breakfasts

Reel & Brand managing partner Kevin Kress says he's just responding to all the requests for a 'greasy spoon' breakfast to return to Sonoma. So Kress is delivering. But with twists.

Not many greasy spoons serve salmon omelets, the top item of the R&B weekend breakfast menu. Or bagels and lox. Or veggie omelets.

But wait. Kress's version of greasy spoon: Flatiron steak and eggs or bacon or link sausages and eggs with country potatoes, buttermilk biscuits and gravy, chicken 'n' waffles, chicken fried steak with eggs and potatoes, Scotch egg – a soft-boiled egg wrapped in sausage, coated with a panko crust and fried, served with grilled asparagus on a bed of greens.

Back to the greasy spoon part: Check out the 'breakfast poutine.' In Canada, poutine is a bloppy dish with French fries on the bottom, topped with cheese curds and mystery gravy. In British Columbia it is so popular that it is sold on the BC Ferries and even in the 'café' at Costco outside Victoria. Apparently Kress adds the egg for 'breakfast.' I actually want to try this.

The Stampede Burger starts with a brisket and ground chuck patty topped with Havarti cheese, a fried egg, bacon and avocado on a brioche bun with fries. And then there's the Hangman's Feast of flapjack, with sausage or egg or chicken fried steak or biscuit and gravy.

Kids can indulge in a Mickey Mouse Pancake with bacon, sausage and egg. $8 to $22. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday 8 to 11:30 a.m. 401 Grove St., Sonoma. 938-7204.