Is eating in out? Treat yourself to restaurant dining or takeout this Thanksgiving

Pre-prepped food is a popular choice for the busy holiday season. (Photo by flickr/niallkennedy)

Thanksgiving isn’t just an eat-in holiday anymore.

According to the National Restaurant Association, one in 10 Americans celebrated Thanksgiving Day by dining in one of the nation’s 945,000 restaurants in 2008. The research also showed that more than half of consumers used restaurant-prepared takeout items for all or part of the big meal.

If you don’t feel like cooking, don’t feel like cleaning up after cooking or just want to try something different this Thanksgiving, you’ll find plenty of options in San Diego.

Here are some SDNN picks.

Arterra. Thanksgiving isn’t just for turkey lovers at Arterra. From 3 to 7 p.m. on November 26, guests at can enjoy a three-course plated Thanksgiving dinner of their choice. In addition to traditional turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, Executive Chef Jason Maitland will also offer a choice of salmon, braised prime beef short ribs or aged prime New York strip steak. The pre-fixe meal is $39.95 for adults and $19.95 for children under 10. Visit Arterra’s Web site or call (858) 369-6032 for more details.

The Grand Del Mar. Talk about getting full-The Grand Del Mar is offering three different events this Thanksgiving.

If you’re looking to eat well in the morning, Capela is offering Thanksgiving brunch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The buffet will offer everything from breakfast pastries, made-to-order waffles and omelettes to house-smoked salmon, snow crab claws, and yes, roasted turkey. Brunch is $85 per adult and $25 per child. For reservations, call (858) 314-2000.

From 2 to 8 p.m., Chef William Bradley of Addison will feature an elegant twist on a four-course meal, offering turkey rôti with caramelized cornbread and a pumpkin tart with praline crème glacée for dessert. The meal is $98 per person and excludes beverages, tax and gratuity. For reservations, call (858) 314-1900.

Finally, from noon to 9 p.m. at Amaya, the restaurant will show off a three-course fall tasting menu. Guests will get to dine on choice appetizers and entrées as well as get a taste of seasonal vegetable dishes and dessert like sweet potato pie, pumpkin tiramisu or cranberry panna cotta. The event is $65 per adult ($90 with wine pairings) and $25 per child. For reservations, call (858) 314-2727.

Café Sevilla. If you’re looking for something a little more exotic-and cheap-try Café Sevilla. The downtown tapas restaurant can provide an escape from holiday stress while still offering a great spin on the traditional meal. The preset menu includes selections like pumpkin cream soup, ham, turkey and lamb plates and pumpkin and white chocolate Bavarian cream cake for dessert for $27.95 per person. A modified menu is also available for children under 12 for $12.95. As always, the restaurant will feature salsa music and flamenco dancing at the tapas bar from 4 to 9 p.m.

Tapenade. Guests can enjoy the La Jolla ocean view with their meal at Tapenade. A special Thanksgiving Day menu at the restaurant includes your choice of two styles of turkey: slowly roasted breast or a braised, stuffed leg. If turkey is not your thing, Tapenade will also offer Alaskan salmon with baby organic spinach, squash, pearl onion and fresh ginger sauce. All entrées include orange cranberry compote, fall vegetable medley and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. The meal is $38 for adults and $24 for children under 12 (before 6:30 p.m., children eat for just $12).

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Marie Callender’s. If you are looking for something even more laid-back, Marie Callendar’s will be offering full meals in-store beginning at 11 a.m. November 26. The restaurant also prepares holiday meals with all the trimmings for takeout. Their Turkey Feast, which includes oven-roasted turkey breast with cranberry sauce, apple-sage stuffing, turkey gravy, mashed potatoes vegetables, sweet yam casserole, cornbread, whole pumpkin or apple pie and coffee will feed six to eight people for $99.99. Visit Marie Callender’s Web site for more details.

WorldBeat Center. Give thanks to your community this holiday season at the WorldBeat Center in Balboa Park. From 2 to 7 p.m. November 26, the center will feature a potluck vegan Thanksgiving dinner. The meal is free; just bring a dish to join.

According to the WorldBeat Web site, the event is run by volunteers and the meals served are offered to guests as a gift.

“To complete the full circle of giving and sustain this experiment, guests make contributions in the spirit of pay-it-forward to those who will come after them,” the site said.

Whole Foods. You can still eat in without killing yourself in the kitchen. Order a turkey or an entire Thanksgiving meal at Whole Foods and make Thanksgiving simple. Whether you want an uncooked, partially cooked or completely prepared turkey, you can order it online or in store. Whole Foods also offers all the trimmings-stuffing, gravy, potatoes and cranberry sauce-with the meal or a la carte.  Check out their Web site to find a store near you or order online.  Whole Foods is open limited hours on Thanksgiving Day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

PrepKitchen. If you’ve got a handle on the turkey, but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen, check out PrepKitchen in La Jolla. Their pre-made side dishes-from house-cured meats to antipasti salads-will make a great (and easy) addition to your holiday table.  PrepKitchen is not open on Thanksgiving Day, however, so get there early!

Trader Joe’s. According to SDNN’s Caron Golden, Trader Joe’s is a great place to pick out almost-takeout, like frozen desserts and appetizers. Focus on the turkey and these items can be whipped together in no time. Visit Trader Joe’s Web site for a location near you.  Trader Joes locations are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Jennifer Reed is SDNN’s health and wellness editor.  She can be reached at jennifer.reed(at)sdnn.com.

SDNN’s Caron Golden contributed to this story.

Tags: addison, Arterra, Cafe Sevilla, cooking, Marie Callender's, National Restaurant Association, PrepKitchen, restaurant, SDNN, takeout, Tapenade, thanksgiving, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, WorldBeat Center

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