Elegance Means Not Having to Clean Up

Thanksgiving can be one of the most relaxing days of the year--unless you’re the one in the kitchen, rattling through pots and pans to get the meal finished on time.

Fortunately, Orange County offers several alternatives to trimming the turkey yourself. At the following eateries, you can enjoy an elegant, last-minute dinner without having to clean up the dishes:

The Ramos House Cafe in San Juan Capistrano offers a four-course dinner at three times: noon, 3 and 6 p.m. It all begins with an appetizer of steamed clams with smoked bacon and sweet corn pudding, followed by salad and strudel. The main course is three-bird turducken--a boned quail inside a boned duck that’s inside a boned turkey, separated by dressing--served with cider gravy. Dessert is sweet potato pie and praline ice cream. Seating is $60 per person, with an additional $20 for alcohol pairings with each course. Ramos House Cafe, 31752 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano. (949) 443-1342.

Aqua, at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa, offers a three-course meal at 4 p.m. After soups and appetizers, the offerings are a choice of surf and turf, Dover sole and roasted turkey. Adults are $85 and children $45. Aqua, St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa, 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point. (949) 234-3325.

Partners Bistro offers a wide selection: roasted turkey, baked rosemary-honey ham, roast beef, almond baked North Atlantic salmon, tri-color torn pasta with shrimp and wild mushroom bouillabaisse. The menu also features soup, salad and chocolate pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. Seating is available from noon to 8 p.m.; the cost is $32 for adults, $15 for children. Partners Bistro, 448 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. (949) 497-4441.

There’s more variety to be found at the Ritz Restaurant and Garden, where entrees include turkey with brioche-pecan dressing, poached salmon, Colorado lamb sirloin, pork chops with lingonberries and filet mignon with sauce Diane. This three-course meal is served between 11:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.; the cost is $39.50 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Ritz Restaurant and Garden, 880 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 720-1800.

If you’re looking to give your Thanksgiving a European twist, Pinot Provence offers four courses, whose choices include leek soup, pumpkin ravioli, roasted turkey and French cod. Seating is from noon to 9 p.m.; the price is $39 per person. Pinot Provence, Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. (714) 444-5900.

Compiled by Michael Miller