Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and friends, enjoying football, laughter, and some great holiday food. For some, that means slaving in the kitchen for days in advance, making sure the dressing, pies, and all of the trimmings are like something out of a Martha Stewart magazine. For others, spending time with friends and family sounds great, as does the holiday meal, but preparing the meal is an entirely different story.
We suggest these Sacramento, California, restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving, ready to help you enjoy that holiday meal with your loved ones without the hassle of lifting a finger to prepare it.
The Firehouse
This restaurant is a Sacramento staple known for its fine dining and elegant celebrations. Housed in an 1853 firehouse, once home to Sacramento No. 3, this historic building is an ideal location for a Thanksgiving meal out on the town, lending its own sense of history to the history-rich Thanksgiving holiday. Nestled along the Sacramento waterfront, this was the first building to be restored in Old Sacramento and designated as a historical landmark. The Thanksgiving menu includes a four-course meal, with appetizer, salad, turkey dinner, and pumpkin pie. Reservations are a must.
Scott’s on the River
Scott’s, a locally famous seafood restaurant, has been serving diners the best in fare from the sea since 1976, with the Scott’s on the River location open since 2008. With its beautiful views of the waterfront and delicious and inventive seafood fare, it’s no wonder that this is a popular Sacramento dining destination. On Thanksgiving, Scott’s offers a special Thanksgiving meal they call the “Oven Roasted Diestel Ranch Turkey,” featuring roasted garlic mashed potatoes, pancetta-sage stuffing, sun-dried cranberry sauce, pumpkin cheesecake, and more. They also offer a kids’ turkey dinner.
Piatti
Piatti serves up Italian-inspired cuisine, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. It combines rustic, flavorful cuisine with a simple elegance that makes any meal a memorable one. With an extensive wine list along with an array of craft beers and unique cocktails, Piatti has something for every taste. For Thanksgiving, they serve a turkey dinner with the traditional trimmings as well as a full menu of pasta, steaks, salads, pork chops, and more.
Things to Do Besides Eating Turkey
If you want to enjoy Thanksgiving and make some holiday memories, but you just aren’t that into the Thanksgiving turkey dinner scene, then Sacramento still has much to offer. Old Sacramento turns on its annual holiday lights starting the night before Thanksgiving, including the large Christmas tree.
Locations abound to take in some fun at an ice skating rink, including the Downtown Sacramento Holiday Ice Rink, Folsom Historic District’s Magical Ice Rink, and the Holiday Ice Rink at Westfield Galleria in Roseville. If ice skating sounds too dangerous and more like torture to you, then there are plenty of places to catch a movie. A nice stroll along the riverfront is also a great way to spend a lazy Thanksgiving afternoon.
With plenty of options, both dining and doing, there’s no reason not to make Thanksgiving in Sacramento a memorable one this year.
Image via Flickr by wuestenigel licensed under CC BY 2.0
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