Nov. 23, 2005

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Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most of the following events. Prices exclusive of tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.

EATING OUT ON TURKEY DAY

Thursday, Nov. 24

Ray’s Boathouse celebrates with a Thanksgiving buffet and feast featuring a seafood bar and shucking station along with oven-roasted turkey, prime rib, halibut, salads and other holiday trimmings. $32.95/person ($16/kids 5–11). 11:30 a.m.–7 p.m. 6049 Seaview Ave. N.W., 206-782-0094, www.rays.com. BALLARD

You’ll also find holiday feasting at Earth & Ocean as chefs prepare a three-course Thanksgiving menu of both traditional and inventive dishes. Select a main course ranging from pan-fried trout ($58) to American bronze turkey ($62) to braised rabbit casserole ($55) to grass-fed venison chops ($66), then add from a selection of starters and desserts. Price depends on chosen entrée. 3–8 p.m. 1112 Fourth Ave., 206-264-6060, www.earthocean.net. DOWNTOWN

The Thanksgiving Day buffet at Masala of India serves turkey with a twist: tandoori turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy. The turkeys are slow cooked by owner/chef Sahjay Sharma in a tandoor oven and loaded with onion, garlic, and Indian spices. $14.95/person ($7.95/kids 2–7). 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m. 539 N.E. Northgate Way, 206-417-1118, www.masalaofindia.com. NORTHGATE

Have Thanksgiving dinner at Sorrento Hotel and enjoy a prix-fixe menu that includes truffled clam chowder, roasted rack of Niman Ranch pork, rosemary-roasted free-range turkey with pear stuffing, and desserts ranging from glazed and spiced apple tart to a pumpkin treat. $75/person. Noon–8 p.m. 900 Madison St., 206-622-6400. DOWNTOWN

For traditional holiday favorites visit Waters, a lakeside bistro at Woodmark Hotel and Spa for Thanksgiving dinner. Green bean casserole, artisan bread stuffing, honey glazed root vegetable, mashed potatoes, and herb-roasted turkey or cedar plank smoke salmon are available. $35/person (kids 12 and under pay their age). 11 a.m.–6 p.m. 1200 Carillon Pt., 425-822-3700. KIRKLAND

Bombay Grill offers homesick UW students a free Thanksgiving buffet. Show a current UW student ID card, and as long as you’re one of the first 200 students to arrive, enjoy turkey masala, tandoori chicken, vegetarian curry, and other Indian dishes on the house. $8.95 for those without IDs. Noon–2 p.m. 4737 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-548-9999. UNIVERSITY DISTRICT

Celebrate the first Thanksgiving feast at Mulleady’s Irish Pub & Restaurant‘s new location with classic Irish pub fare by chef David Saunders: old-fashioned hand-carved turkey sandwiches, pumpkin pie cheesecake, and, of course, fine Irish whiskey. 5 p.m. 3055 21st Ave. W., 206-283-8843 or www.mulleadyspub.com. MAGNOLIA

Kaspar’s hosts an eclectic Thanksgiving buffet with traditional Thanksgiving dishes—carved rosemary rubbed turkey, honey glazed baked ham, and country-style garlic mashed potatoes—or more imaginative concoctions like deviled eggs with Dungeness crab meat or Indian-style honey-rum smoke salmon. $40/adults ($15/kids 7–15). Noon–7 p.m. 19 W. Harrison St., 206-298-0123. LOWER QUEEN ANNE

Celebrate your spotless kitchen with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the Waterfront Seafood Grill where the chef whips up the favorites—oven-roasted turkey, cornmeal herbed stuffing, Yukon Gold roasted garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with pecan maple butter, and caramel walnut tarts. $22.95/person (takeout is available). 2–8 p.m. 2801 Alaskan Way, Pier 70, 206-956-9171, www.waterfrontpier70.com. DOWNTOWN

Spice things up with a four-course Italian-inspired Thanksgiving dinner at the new Bellevue location of Maggiano’s Little Italy. With homemade lasagna (ricotta cheese, crumbled meatballs, Italian sausage and marinara sauce), green bean casserole, four-cheese ravioli, mashed potatoes, and more on the menu, it’s the best of both worlds—especially with pumpkin praline cheesecake, tiramisu, or zuccotto chocolate cake for dessert. $34.95/person ($16.95/kids 5–12). Noon–7 p.m. 10455 N.E. 8th St., 425-519-6476, www.maggianos.com. BELLEVUE

The Golf Club at Newcastle will offer two options for Thanksgiving diners, a classic Thanksgiving dinner buffet at The Calcutta Grill ($39/adult, $19/kids 4–10. Noon–7 p.m.) or a Family-Style Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Andrews Ballroom ($59/adult, $24/kids 4–10. Noon–7 p.m.). Calcutta Grill offers roasted turkey and prime rib (carved to order), barbecued salmon and smoked seafood, spiral ham, mashed potatoes, and various pies. St. Andrews, on the other hand, caters to groups of eight or more with a whole turkey per table, plus preordered salads, potatoes, desserts, and more (you can even take home turkey for post-Thanksgiving sandwiches). The Golf Club at Newcastle, 15500 Six Penny Lane, 425-793-4646. NEWCASTLE

Any of the Great Harvest Bread Co. locations can help lower your stress level by providing specialty holiday breads that will impress your relatives (no matter how strange they are). Pick up everything from old-fashioned white dinner rolls to pumpkin swirl bread with pumpkin dough, honey whole wheat bread, and cranberry bread. With prices ranging from $4 to $7, there’s no need to worry about throwing down too much money. Locations in Bellevue, Redmond, Lake Forest Park, Seattle, Tacoma, Federal Way, Everett and West Seattle.

ON THE PLATE

Friday, Nov. 25–Christmas

Pagliacci Pizza brings back the Pear Primo this season, with each slice boasting the juicy fruit along with Gorgonzola, mozzarella, and fontina cheeses, mushrooms, red onions, and walnuts. Available at all Pagliacci locations. Visit www.pagliacci.com for more information.

Wednesday, Nov. 30

The Dahlia Lounge hosts an informal tasting, featuring various slow-roasted meats prepared by chef Mark Fuller served along with some good ole Kentucky whiskey. Guests can swing by the private dining area at any time during the designated hours to chat with the experts about the ingredients while sampling various treats. $25–$30. 5:30–7 p.m. 2001 Fourth Ave., 206-682-4142. DOWNTOWN

Saturday, Dec. 3

Celebrate the holidays with a foamy glass of brew at the Winter Beer Festival at Pyramid Alehouse, with over 30 breweries pouring their microbrews (mostly seasonal releases). Enjoy the decorations and snatch up some Christmas presents at the gift shop, boasting brewery T-shirts and other beer-related items. $30 advance/$35 at door includes commemorative tasting cup and all beer tastes. Designated driver admission is $8. Session 1: Noon–4 p.m. Session 2: 6–10 p.m. 1201 First Ave. S., www.washingtonbeer.com. SODO

THE GRAPEVINE

Monday, Nov. 28

For a special treat this holiday season, join Fran Bigelow (of Fran’s Chocolates) as she hosts wine hour at Hotel Vintage Park, offering pairings of chocolates and ports. You can also pick up a copy of her book Pure Chocolate, which she’ll be happy to sign. Free for hotel guests, $20/person for the public. 5–6 p.m. 1100 Fifth Ave., 206-624-8000. DOWNTOWN

Tuesday, Dec. 6

Learn all the essentials about bubbly champagne with this class at Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar. Sample everything from Tet de Cuvee to multivintage gems while learning about methods of production, the various styles and colors, and what foods they all go best with. $60/person. 6:30–8:30 p.m. 205 108th Ave. N.E., 425-456-0010. BELLEVUE

BACK TO SCHOOL

Wednesday, Nov. 30

Learn how to throw a tapas party for the holidays as chef Ernesto Pino teaches everything you need to know about these “little bites” from Spain. Not only will you stuff yourselves with tapas, you’ll learn how to make two new cocktails created by Kathy Casey. On the menu are scallops in cava and saffron sauce, Basque mushroom toasts, shrimp in sherry sauce, and fragrant toasted herbed almonds. $70/person, including recipes, tapas, and cocktails. 6:30–8 p.m. Kathy Casey Food Studios, 5130 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-784-7840. BALLARD

Sunday, Dec. 4

Living Light executive chef Alicia Ojeda teaches this class at Bastyr University about the fundamentals of raw living foods. Learn how to make healthy meals with organic, fresh, ripe, raw, living foods. Sample nut milks and creams, various appetizers and patés, smoothies, soups, and salads, and receive a recipe binder and a buffet lunch. $299/person. 8:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. 14500 Juanita Drive N.E., 707-964-2420. KENMORE