Thankfully, you won't have to cook
THANKSGIVING tradition calls for lazing the day away savoring the essence of a turkey roasting - hopefully, under someone else's watchful eyes. The aromas wafting through the house hold enough promise to keep the kids home when you just know they'd rather be somewhere else.
The daylong anticipation bit doesn't work as well in today's "I-want-it, give-it-to-me-now" society, such that the concept of "turkey to go" has been a big hit the past couple of years.
The newest tradition is to head on out to your favorite restaurant. There's no need to feel guilty. We understand - empty- nest syndrome, the rest of the family and your friends moved to Las Vegas or Seattle - there's no one left to cook for anymore!
Here are a few restaurants that will be open Turkey Day:
A Pacific Cafe: Order off the regular menu or choose a $27.50 three-course special of Imu-Roasted Turkey with Macadamia-Sage Stuffing, plus Pumpkin Soup and dessert. The turkey as entree is $17.50. At Ward Centre; reserve at 593-0035.
Cascada: A $17 turkey dinner is complete with Holiday Sausage Stuffing, Sweet Potato Puree and Cranberry-Pear Relish. Or select other entree specials such as Guava-Glazed Ham with Whole Grain Mustard-Tarragon Sauce, priced from $14 to $22 a la carte. In the Royal Garden at Waikiki, 440 Olohana St. Reserve at 945-0270.
Duc's Bistro: Choose from specials of Roast Turkey with Sausage Stuffing or Roast Turkey with Apricot-Kiwi Stuffing and Orange Glaze. Entrees come with all the trimmings plus a choice of soup, salad and desserts of Pumpkin Marble Cheesecake or Pumpkin Tiramisu, at $24.95. From 5 to 10 p.m. At 1188 Maunakea St. Reserve at 531-6325.
Eastern Garden: Roast turkey buffet available from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Westridge location only, 98-150 Kaonohi St. Call 486-8882. The cost is $22.95 for adults; $11.50 for children 12 and under; under 2 eat free. Regular dim sum menu, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Westridge, Waialae (737-2828) and Aston Waikiki Terrace (951-8886).
Gauranga's: Vegetarian all-you-can-eat buffet runs noon to 8 p.m. at the Krishna Temple, 51 Coelho Way. Costs $12.50 adult; $10.50 senior citizen and $6.50 for children. Call Shama at 595-3947.
Hee Hing: Turkey/Dim Sum Lunch Buffet runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a selection that includes Roast Turkey with Lup Cheong-Chestnut Stuffing and dessert of pumpkin pie. Costs $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for seniors 65 and older; and $7.95 for children under 12. Dinner buffet runs 4 to 9 p.m. with turkey plus baked ham, roast beef, Chinese specialties and an appetizer bar with different kinds of poke, lomilomi salmon, manapua and more. The cost is $19.95 for adults; $15.95 for senior citizens; $11.95 for kids under 12. At 449 Kapahulu Ave. Reserve at 735-5544.
Koolau Ranch House: Salad bar and buffet dinner highlighted with roast beef and roast turkey with all the trimmings, from 3 to 9 p.m. Costs $15.95 adult; $7.95 for children 5 to 10; free for under 5. Regular brunch buffet offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at $9.95 for adults; $6.95 children. At 46-077 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe. Call 247-3900.
Nicholas Nickolas: Regular menu offered 4 to 10 p.m. in addition to a four-course Thanksgiving menu with a Bisque of Sweet Island Corn; Waimanalo Mixed Green Salad with vine-ripened Yellow Tomatoes and Pumpkin Seed Dressing; turkey with all the trimmings; and Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan Crust and Pralines. Thanksgiving special runs $24.95 for adults; $12.95 for keiki. At 410 Atkinson Drive. Reserve at 955-4466.
Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch & Crab: Dine "Family Style" on Turkey Laulau with Choy's BLC Stuffing; Cream Luau and Kapakahi Mashed Potatoes. Still hungry? Help yourself to "Da Buffet" with Fried Poke, Baby Back Ribs, Prime Rib, Roast Turkey, Baked Ham, Snow Crab Legs and more, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Costs $34.95 per adult; $18.95 for 12 and under. Reserve at 545-7979.
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