Don't Make a Turkey, Make a Reservation

The temperature where we are was as high as 81 degrees today. It might be even hotter if you're in inland or in the Valley. Five day forecast? Thank goodness it looks like it might cool off a little for Thanksgiving Day, down to the mid...70s.

With the weather as warm as June, roasting a turkey in our tiny little LA apartment at 500 degrees for three, four, maybe five hours will probably bring about more curses than words of thanks. Lucky for us, there are quite a few restaurants that will be open on Thanksgiving day, offering everything from brunch on the morning of to fancy schmancy multi-course prix fixe dinners to full Vegas-style buffets of turkey and all the traditional trimmings.

Make sure to call soon to find out exactly what's on the menu and to make a reservation, since you're not the only one who refuses to turn on the A/C in November. You can also make reservations via OpenTable at some additional restaurants.

Bistro Garden at Coldwater, 2950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 501-0202
3pm – 9 pm; $55 for 3 courses, $35 for children

Cafe del Rey, 4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, (310) 823-6395
1pm-7pm.

Campanile, 624 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 938-1447
3pm to 8pm; $65 per adult, $30 children 12 and under.

Delmonico's Seafood Grille, 320 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 550-7737
7 pm, $39.95 for 3 courses

Jar, 8255 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 655-6566 1pm-7pm; $65 per adult, $35 children under 12

Joe's, 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, (310) 399-5811

La Boheme, 8400 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 848-2360
>4pm-8pm; $38 per adult, $20 per child

La Cachette, 10506 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 470-4992
4:30pm-9pm; $58 per person, $25 for children under 12

Locanda del Lago, 231 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 451-3525
11:30 am – 10 pm; regular and Thanksgiving menus available, prices vary

Maggiano's Little Italy at The Grove, 189 The Grove Dr., Los Angeles, (323) 965-9665
12 pm – 8 pm; $32.95 per person, $15.95 for children

Maison Akira, 713 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA, (626) 796-9501
no specifics

Max, 13355 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA (818) 784-2915
no specifics

Melisse, 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 395-0881
3pm-7:30pm; $75 per person, $26 per child.

The Original Pantry, 877 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA
no specifics

Palm, 9001 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 550-8811
4pm, 6pm and 8 pm seatings; $60 per person, $30 children under 12 (regular menu also available)

Patina at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, 141 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA, (213) 972-3331
3 – 9 pm; $65 per peron for four courses, $30 for children under 10

Röckenwagner, 2435 Main St., Santa Monica, CA, (310) 399-6504
3:30 pm – 8 pm; $35 per person, half price for children under 10

Saddle Peak Lodge, 419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas, (818) 222-3888
6 – 9 pm; $68 per person

Taix French Restaurant, 1911 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 484-1265
12 pm – 8 pm; $24.95 per adult, $8.95 children

Taste, 8454 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA, (323) 852.6888
no specifics

Villa Piacere, 22160 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA, (818) 704-1185
3 pm – 8 pm; $21.95 per person, $12.95 for children