Harbor Area Offers Alternatives to Slaving Over Thanksgiving Dinner

By Gina Ruccione, Restaurant & Cuisine Writer
Not interested in cooking this year? I get it. We all have moments where we would rather decompress and just let someone else take care  of dinner. For those of you who plan on heading out for Thanksgiving Dinner, here’s what’s going on in the Harbor Area.

The Whale & Ale

One of San Pedro’s favorites, The Whale & Ale, will be open Thanksgiving Day from 1p.m. to 7p.m. and will be serving quite an extensive array of menu choices.   Of course, there will be carved fresh roast turkey with veggies, mashed potatoes, house stuffing, country gravy and cranberry sauce, but for those of you who don’t like the traditional dinner, there is plenty to choose from. Expect to see beef Wellington, The Whale & Ale’s roast prime rib au jus, an 8 oz. choice filet mignon, roast rack of New Zealand lamb, shepherd’s pie, curry, glazed twice-roast quarter duckling in Cumberland sauce, baked Scottish salmon, and Chilean sea bass. They also have vegetarian options. Also featured that evening and [as well the Thursday before] a very special wine: Beaujolais Nouveau, which is released from France once a year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  The Whale & Ale does tend to get busy, so plan on making a reservation.

Details: (310) 832-0363
Venue: 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro

Ports O’ Call Restaurant

The Thanksgiving brunch and buffet dinner at Ports O’ Call Waterfront is another viable option for those of you who would like to keep the pots cold this year. A perennial winner of “South Bay’s Best” brunch, you can rest assured that the food and service are top notch. Expect to see roasted turkey, hand-carved to your liking, and dressed with all of the homespun trimmings. Additionally, the carvery will feature certified Angus prime rib and honey-baked ham.  As always, the brunch centerpiece is the cold seafood bar. The Thanksgiving Day brunch includes free-flowing champagne as well as all of the popular breakfast items. The brunch services will begin at 11a.m., and conclude at 3p.m., at which time the breakfast items will be replaced with dinner entrees such as swordfish, chicken artichoke, beef Bourguignon and more. This holiday brunch and dinner is priced at $38 for adults. Reservations are highly recommended.

Details: (310) 833-3553
Venue: 1200 Nagoya Way, San Pedro

James Republic

For those of you non-traditionalists, consider Thanksgiving reinvented at James Republic in downtown Long Beach. James Republic assimilates flavors and techniques from traditional American cooking with well-known foreign components, giving you the best of both worlds. This past year James Republic offered a three-course menu including a spicy pumpkin soup or spinach salad, Mary’s organic stuffed turkey roulade and pumpkin pie for $45 per person. Of course, there are plenty of a la carte menu items like veal crepinette, or smaller plates like persimmon carpaccio or oxtail poutine. This year expect similar options and more. James Republic will be open from 2p.m. to 8p.m. Thanksgiving Day. For reservations see www.jamesrepublic.com.

Details: (562) 901 – 0235
Venue: 500 E. 1st St., Long Beach