Being Thankful That Someone Else Is Cooking

Once upon a time the hard - working Pilgrims were so thankful to be in their new country that they decided to celebrate by making a big dinner. They hunted, gathered and baked for days. The meal was such a success that they decided to repeat the whole thing the following year. If your last Thanksgiving dinner was a success, but you don’t quite feel like repeating it, a lot of local restaurants will be happy to do the hunting and baking for you. (Prices are per person for a complete “traditional” turkey dinner. Most restaurants also serve their regular menus. Reservations are strongly suggested.) TURKEY BY THE SEA Michael’s Waterside Inn in Santa Barbara is serving duckling as well as a traditional turkey dinner, $42 for adults and $32 for children (from 12 to 8 p.m.). Fennel in Santa Monica is serving a special French version of Thanksgiving created by Michel Rostang. The menu includes pumpkin and foie gras ravioli, lobster and wild mushroom feuillete, roast turkey stuffed with apples and chestnuts and a special chocolate dessert plate. $50 (11 a.m.-11 p.m.). Gladstones, Pacific Palisades, $14.95 for adults and half price for children and seniors (7 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Malibu Sea Lion, Malibu, buffet-style, $15.95 for adults and half price for children and seniors (11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.). THANKSGIVING, VICTORIAN STYLE Salisbury Manor, the recently restored Victorian-style house on West Adams Boulevard, in Los Angeles is offering a four-course traditional turkey dinner for $18 and $10 for children (seatings at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.). Maison Magnolia, at North University Park, Los Angeles, is making Thanksgiving a real special occasion, by serving pheasant, at $125 per person. Only one seating, at 4 p.m. (“No children under 12, please.”). A PATRIOTIC TURKEY DAY Yanks in Beverly Hills is serving the Thomas Jefferson Monticello banquet, which includes roast suckling pig, prime rib and grilled filet of salmon as well as turkey. $27.50 for adults and $14 for children (1 to 9 p.m.). SOUTHERN-STYLE TURKEY Patout’s in West Los Angeles serves a Louisiana Thanksgiving, with turkey, quail or roast pork as well as turkey, $24.95 (11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.). EAT YOUR TURKEY AND TAKE IT TOO The Cat & Fiddle Pub, Hollywood, $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for children (11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.) will bring a whole turkey to the table for you to carve yourself; when you’ve finished eating, you get to take the carcass home. TALKING TURKEY BY THE DOLLAR LESS THAN $10 Overland Stage, at Inn At the Park, Anaheim, $9.95 for adults, $6.50 for children (from 2 to 10 p.m.). FROM $10 TO $15 The Palm Court Cafe, Anaheim Plaza Resort Hotel, Anaheim, $12.95 for adults, $10.95 for seniors, and $7.95 for children (10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.). FROM $15 TO $25 Jamboree Cafe at The Newporter Resort, Newport Beach, $15.50 (from Noon to 8 p.m.). Hotel San Maarten, Laguna Beach, $19.95 for adults, $9.95 for children (from 11 a.m. to7 p.m.). 1000 Wilshire, Santa Monica, $23.50 for adults, $11.75 for children (from 2 to 8 p.m.) Nowhere Cafe, Los Angeles, $24 (from 1 p.m.), also serving vegetarian turkey loaf for health foodies. JJ’s Bistro, Dana Point, $22.95 for adults, $14.95 for children (three seatings, noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.). MORE THAN $25 Le Bel Age Hotel, West Hollywood, buffet-style, $33 for adults, $16.50 for children (from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Knoll’s Black Forest Inn, Santa Monica, $29 (seatings at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.), also offering roast goose and venison.