Los Angeles Thanksgiving Restaurant Guide

Want to leave the Thanksgiving cooking and preparation for the culinary professionals this year? We don’t blame you. We’ve rounded up six delicious Thanksgiving dinners served by Los Angeles’ finest restaurants where you can enjoy a world-class meal and glass of wine. After all, on a holiday whose traditions center around food, you deserve to treat yourself and your family to the very best.

Whether you love the classic turkey dinner or you prefer more adventurous Thanksgiving cuisine (or perhaps you’re looking for a meat-free option), keep reading to find your Thanksgiving-meal-out destination.

Best Girl at the Ace Hotel

Just as stylish as its Ace Hotel location, Best Girl is named after the first film to be shown at The Theatre back in 1927—“The Best Girl,” starring Mary Pickford. James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Cimarusti designed a gourmet American style menu that lends it itself well to an upscale Thanksgiving evening.

The Best Girl Thanksgiving meal includes a choice of special Thanksgiving appetizers, entrees, and desserts, including vegetarian-friendly options. Try the Roasted Heritage Turkey or the Winter Squash Lasagna, and end with a slice of Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie for dessert. The menu costs $65 per person.

Photo Credit: Nils Stahl

The Ivy in Beverly Hills

The Ivy is a Beverly Hills fine dining staple, serving high-end Californian cuisine in a cozy, cottage-like setting. There’s even a charming, white-fence-lined patio for al fresco dining.

The Ivy Thanksgiving meal is a special menu with a choice of a starter, main course, and dessert. Highlights include the Fresh Burrata and the Homemade Wild Maine Lobster Ravioli, and you can also find classics like Roasted Turkey. The menu costs $110 per person.

1 Pico in Santa Monica

Celebrate Thanksgiving while gazing out at California’s stunning coastline at 1 Pico in Santa Monica. The ocean-front restaurant has an elegant, airy feel and serves coastal-Californian cuisine, featuring fresh seasonal ingredients.

The 1 Pico Thanksgiving menu includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Alongside the expected Organic Heritage Turkey, you can order delicious seafood options like the Grilled Striped Bass or Chili Marinated Grilled Prawn Cocktail. The menu costs $110 per person.

Photo Credit: Quentin Dr

Taste on Melrose in West Hollywood

Taste on Melrose is the place to go for comfort food in a fresh, contemporary, and sophisticated setting—perfect for the ultimate comfort food feast.

The Taste on Melrose Thanksgiving menu includes a “For the Table” option to share among your group, plus an entrée, dessert, and plenty of great wines. Choose from traditional Oven Roasted Turkey or opt for the Tofurky meal. And don’t forget to pair it with an indulgent White Truffle Oil & Mushroom Mac & Cheese. The menu costs $59 per person.

Tam O’Shanter in Los Feliz

Tam O’Shanter is one of Los Angeles’ oldest restaurants, founded by the Lawry and Van de Kamp families with roots dating back to the 19th century. It’s a themed Scottish restaurant, with wood-lined walls and cozy, old-world seating that creates an upscale pub feel.

The Tam O’Shanter Thanksgiving meal is to-go, so you can order ahead and pick it up on Thanksgiving day to enjoy with your family at home. Choose from a Prime Rib Feast ($525) or a Whole Turkey Feast ($295), both of which serve 12-14 people. For smaller groups, you can order individual versions of each.

Bourbon Steak in Glendale

Bourbon Steak is part of the Mina Group, a collection of restaurants by chef Michael Mina. Though the restaurant is located in the Americana, it feels like a fine-dining retreat away from the hustle of holiday shoppers. And it might just be the perfect location for those who want to participate in Black Friday.

The Bourbon Steak Thanksgiving menu is a two-course meal plus a dessert. Steak lovers can choose from classic steak dishes, but you can also find more interesting autumn choices like Michael Mina’s Lobster Pot Pie or a traditional turkey dinner. The menu costs $89 per person.

Thanksgiving, of course, is about more than the meal. It’s about reflecting on everything in your life you can give thanks for. But this year, we’re certainly thankful to live in a city like Los Angeles where we have access to some of the country’s best restaurants. (And for not having to cook!)

The post Ernie Carswell’s Los Angeles Thanksgiving Restaurant Guide appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Each Thanksgiving holiday seems to anticipate the utilizing of rustic-styled trends from prior years. However, if you can't stand the thought of another year of plastic cornucopias; Thanksgiving-related color palettes (orange and gold); rustic table settings; seasonal gourds, vegetables and fruits; there's good news: Thanksgiving decorations can actually be chic and stylish.

This year, take your Thanksgiving celebration to the next level with these home décor tips that will enhance the festivities in your home while maximizing your home's elegance.

Warm Lighting and Fresh Flowers

Photo Credit: Sotheby's International Real Estate

A combination of fresh flowers and warm lighting is the key for a perfect Thanksgiving celebration. Such details always say so much - about you, your home and your desire to welcome your family and friends.

Make sure to use natural elements at your Thanksgiving table: wood accents, sleek white ceramics, add to the beauty of your holiday table and home décor.

A Chic, Minimalistic Holiday Table

Photo Credit: Sotheby's International Real Estate

Table décor that's bare and minimalistic creates a chic and classy look in any home. In most households, Thanksgiving is basically about maximizing — the bigger and crispier the turkey, the better; the more seasoning in the stuffing, the better; the larger the pecan pie, the better; the stretchier our pants, the better. It’s go big and stay home time.

So, why not change things up this year? Minimalist decor is just what this year's holiday table needs to balance out the grandiosity of everything else. This Thanksgiving, let the tasty food be the centerpiece by setting a chic, modern table.

 A Pop of Color

Photo Credit: Sotheby's International Real Estate

Opt for a glam Thanksgiving this year by invoking a refined elegance and a sleek calm, burnt-orange color. Shades of tangerine, marigold and lime green refresh the time-honored Thanksgiving color palette of orange, yellow and burgundy. Tangerine combos definitely set the perfect scene for an indulgent, glamorous holiday.

Out-of-the-Box Centerpieces

Photo Credit: Sotheby's International Real Estate

Short on time? An array of pumpkin spice candles on your Thanksgiving table can transform the table in seconds.

Replace those large floral centerpieces and cornucopias with some modern options: potted succulents and fresh herbs. Plants add a vibrant green color, various textures and pleasant odors to a room; fresh herb plants combine the senses of sight, smell and taste into one brilliant sensory experience.

 Warmth With Wood Accents

Photo Credit: Sotheby's International Real Estate

Wood accents effortlessly create a lush setting. The most elegant juxtaposition is created amongst wood, vintage china and crystal glassware.

How about using some personalized place cards or miniature flower arrangements on each of your guest's plates to celebrate this season of giving and thanks before anyone even lifts a utensil?

 Copper Instead of Gold

Photo Credit: Sotheby's International Real Estate

Copper also offers a new spin on the traditional Thanksgiving color scheme, offering a sleek sophistication. Use copper vases to house vibrant flowers or fresh herbs. Perhaps, spray paint some mini-ceramic pumpkins copper instead of gold?

The post Thanksgiving Luxury Home Décor     appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Maybe it’s because 14 years ago to this turkey day, I came across on the slow boat and landed on our little island. These fall weekends are so special, they are the time when the local community has begun to regroup and get into the 9-month routine of school, sports and weekend celebrations. It’s when you walk down the street and know nine out of 10 people.  The weekends are filled with great autumnal excitement of football games, weddings and those friends that we haven’t seen since summer because they too have returned to their off-season routine.  We can connect as a larger community in a less frenetic pace, built around why we love Nantucket and what’s happened since the warm beach days of summer.

My perfect Nantucket Thanksgiving Day is like a program, just follow along and you too will be guaranteed to create new, everlasting memories:

• Wake up! Get going, brew that Nantucket Coffee Roasters java, drink that incredibly pure Nantucket water (dare I say straight from the tap) and enjoy 15 minutes of peace and quiet. Be sure to check the weather, or just poke your head outside and layer accordingly.
• Time to get the rest of the house up, be it family, friends or strangers that wandered in from the Box last night. (oh wait, those tales only happen during summer)

• Grab your running gear or whatever makes you look like a runner and go support those that are running, or in my case shuffling, in the triathlon! The Nantucket Triathlon Club and the Nantucket Hotel host an awesome energizing 5k around Brant Point and up to the Cliff. Get inspired to keep that summer habit going or jumpstart this winter habit to get your 2018 beach body going!
• Now, it’s time to reward yourself with a nice cool, heart pounding, refreshing plunge where you are also doing good! Walk over from the Nantucket Hotel to Children’s Beach and before you go get your wristband for the Annual Turkey Plunge, sneak a cup of that post-plunge hot chocolate. I know it’s not leading by example, but your body will thank you. Then, get in line, receive your band from the awesome volunteers who think you are crazy, get your t-shirt to prove you’re insane and will keep you warm once your body is frozen solid.

• Listen to the famous TommyB drop the mic, as my kids would say, and remind us all why we are there or really just distract us from thinking what is about to happen as we plunge into 20, 30, and sometimes 40 degree ocean water sans wetsuits. Actually, this is an incredibly important fundraiser to support the Athenaeum and all of the amazing programming that they enrich the community with 365 days of the year.
• Now you have options….it’s either breakfast at the Flake, Fog or Island Kitchen. You can skip this step and go straight to a warm shower, steam room, sauna or tub! Then figure out breakfast.
• Depending on your duties in the family, check the turkey and make sure your family, friends or guests are on the task of pies and sides (in order of importance, of course) or at least picking up the orders. There are so many great possibilities to help you with this. Bartlett’s, Annye’s, and the Nantucket Fish & Meat Market to name a few, that will provide the meal or portions of the meal to ease the work of your kitchen brigade. While the culinary piece is occurring, it might be time for you to help whomever is leading the house that day and offer to take all the stragglers out for a bit.
• If you haven’t tried your hand, or rake as they say, at scalloping tonight is the perfect meal to indulge your guests in a memory that will be engrained in their taste buds as they revel in a small appetizer of sautéed Nantucket scallops that you fetched only hours earlier. Or, for the less adventurous, pick some up at Sayles; those suckers are just as good.
• More options….
  • A ride out to Cisco to see if the @neoprenebanker, @sunnywooddesigns or @surfingtherock are crushing the waves. Did you know, on your way back you may also pass this incredibly hidden gem called Cisco Brewery!?!?  I have heard the warm spiked cider is as delicious as those downy flake donuts you enjoyed in the morning.  That’s always a crowd favorite and you can be helpful by bringing home some beverages for post-turkey libations, nothing says you care like a bottle of their award-winning Notch Whiskey. For those over achievers, you can also offer to do the Bartlett’s Farm pick-ups since you’ll be close by!
  • If ‘Sconset is more your speed and you need to stretch the legs after the run and plunge, the ‘Sconset Cliff walk is always a delight, easy for the little ones to do and allows everyone to blow off some steam.
  • However, for true Thanksgiving Day fanatics, nothing is more in honor of this day like a little family football game and it doesn’t even need to be your own family. You will find people throwing the pigskin at a field near you from the Boys and Girls club and High School fields to the opens space at Children’s Beach.

But don’t be late! Get home and enjoy what this day is really about, friends, family, food and more football.  However, you spend the day, and we all spend it a little differently, open your doors to others, do something nice for strangers and show gratitude and appreciation for all those who grace your table.  For more travel, lifestyle turkey day and real estate insights, please reach out.  On Thanksgiving Day, you know my schedule and where to find me as I enjoy my 4, 745^th  day on this sandbar.

Brent Tartamella is the exclusive agent representing the Nantucket, Massachusetts real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listing here.

Images courtesy of Brent Tartamella

The post Explore Nantucket This Thanksgiving Day With Brent Tartamella appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Corkboard Leaf Trivets: Rather than relying upon overly commercial table top designs that every one of your  neighborhoods will also have, make your own designs out of corkboard. Customize your table by incorporating seasonal motifs like leaves by using one of Martha Stewart's online templates), or get creative and make your own design.

Doily Runner: While store-bought table runners can be overly intricate or border on gaudy, Martha's runner of doilies looks both timeless and chic. Using doilies of varying sizes and patterns stiffened with spray starch and the simple press of an iron, you can make a truly gorgeous table.

Turnip Votive Holder: Although we love nothing more than a set of dramatic candle holders, having flames flickering between yourself and your guests can seriously impede conversation. Incorporate a rustic feel into your Thanksgiving meal by turning a beautifully bright turnip into a tealight holder. We can't imagine a more beautiful counterpart to the bright orange leaves falling outside. 

For more information, and to see the whole list of simple Thanksgiving table tips, check out the full post on Martha Stewart's website.

Source and photos courtesy Martha Stewart. 

The post Simple Tips for a Beautifully Designed Thanksgiving Table appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.