Celebrate Thanksgiving in Catalina

CATALINA ISLAND — Planning to spend the long Thanksgiving weekend in Catalina — but not sure where to dine on turkey, mashed potatoes and yams?

Fortunately for visiting boaters, Catalina offers many traditional Thanksgiving feast options, with no onboard cooking required.

For those heading to Catalina’s West End, the Harbor Reef Restaurant at Two Harbors put on a traditional family style Thanksgiving dinner that has become an island tradition for many boaters.

Every year, guests get the option to have a plated turkey dinner and traditional side dishes, or to purchase a whole turkey carved tableside by one of the restaurant’s chefs and served with traditional sides. Both options come with pumpkin pie for dessert.

The Harbor Reef Restaurant typically serves about 300 guests every year for the holiday. Thanksgiving dinner is scheduled for Nov. 27, and reservations are required.

For reservations or more information, call (310) 510-4215.

In Avalon, boaters have a variety of menu options to choose from — including traditional Thanksgiving dinners and menus with a Catalina-style twist.

At Bluewater Avalon, dinner options include red curry pumpkin with crème fraiche or chopped apple salad with toasted almonds, blue cheese, pomegranate vinaigrette, spinach and Belgium Endive. The second course includes herb roasted breast of turkey, sweet potato puree with cinnamon honey butter, potato bread with kale stuffing and andouille sausage, haricot vert, crimini mushroom , caramelized cipollini onion and orange cranberry sauce. The third course is chef’s choice and hot apple cider.

The dinner is $31.95 for adults and $12.95 for children. To reserve your spot, call (310) 510-1520.

At El Galleon restaurant, dinner options include an old fashioned Thanksgiving dinner with a choice of fresh-cooked whole tom turkey or pit ham with all the traditional fixings. Each dinner is served with sourdough bread and butter, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes and giblet gravy, candied yams, fresh vegetables and cranberries. Dinners also include a complimentary pumpkin pie dessert. Cost of the Old fashioned Thanksgiving Dinner: Adults $27.95, Children (under 12) $14.95.

Diners can also enjoy a Catalina Thanksgiving Dinner completer with fresh local half lobster, cornbread shrimp stuffing and all the turkey dinner fixings. Cost is $46.95.

Dinner reservations at El Galleon Restaurant are available for Thanksgiving from noon to 9 p.m.. El Galleon’s regular lunch and dinner menu is also available. For dinner reservations, call (310) 510-1188.