A Thanksgiving feast in Lake Tahoe

It’s that time of year again – Thanksgiving! A time for gathering with your loved ones and giving thanks for what you have.

To me, Thanksgiving evokes football, a cozy fireplace, endless amounts of turkey with cranberry stuffing, yummy (no calorie) desserts and the sounds of laughter and cheer.

We prefer a more intimate gathering so we usually spend the day with our closest friends and family. My husband usually smokes the turkey while my mom bakes enough pumpkin pie to feed the neighborhood. Every couple of years, however, we like to avoid time in the kitchen and dirty dishes and dine out. And believe me, there are plenty of delicious Thanksgiving menus to discover in Lake Tahoe.

• The Hungry Bear Restaurant at The Ridge Tahoe (400 Ridge Club Drive, Lake Tahoe, CA 89449) offers an elegant dining experience in a casual atmosphere – just the way I like it. This year the chef has prepared a menu of gourmet delights including roasted butternut squash soup, honey maple glazed roast turkey, brown sugar glazed Virginia ham, crab-encrusted salmon, slow roasted prime rib, vegetable side dishes and homemade pumpkin pie. Adults are $38 and children 11 & under are $17.95.
• Thankful for spectacular views of Lake Tahoe? The Riva Grill (900 Ski Run Blvd Suite #3 South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150), which is right on the water, offers a traditional turkey or ham dinner along with its regular menu. Adults are $25.95. Children under 10 are $15.95. The bar opens at 1 pm and the restaurant will be open from 2-9 pm.
• The Forest Buffet inside Harrah’s (15 Hwy 50 Stateline, NV) takes casual dining to a higher level – literally. Located on the 18th floor, you and your family will enjoy amazing lake views and a traditional Thanksgiving buffet. The food is excellent, but the line can get long. I suggest arriving early. Adults are $26 and children ages 4-11 are $16. The buffet opens at 10:30 am with the last seating at 9 pm.
• Game on! The Beacon Bar & Grill at Camp Richardson (1900 Jameson Beach Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158) has the NFL Ticket so you know what that means – football will be on and you won’t worry about the score. The Beacon will serve a pre-fixe menu from 1-6 pm, along with its regular menu. The pre-fixe menu will include truffle butternut squash soup, fresh cranberry and pumpkin seed salad, roasted turkey with herbed pan gravy, sausage stuffing, sweet potato soufflé, broccoli-cheese gratin, cranberry sauce and pumpkin vanilla crème brûlèe. Adults are $23 and children are $13.Oh, The Beacon will also offer a 5-course beer pairing dinner on November 26 at 6:30 pm. Reservations are limited. I recommend calling 800.544.1801 for a special $49 room rate on November 26.

Nom nom nom! I don’t know about you but I’m hungry already. If you decide to go out to eat this Thanksgiving, the list above will get you started but there are several other options in Lake Tahoe to choose from. Whether you decide to dine in or out, I wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving.