Mickie's Zoo

What's your Thanksgiving plan this year? Over the river and down the freeway to Grandmother's house? Or maybe pulling kitchen duty at home?

Consider adding a stop at Descanso Gardens to your Turkey Day game plan. Walk off Auntie Stell's Sweet Potato Delite with a stroll under the oaks. Enjoy the fall color, the camellias and maybe a break from the marathon of football on TV. The Gardens will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 22. Admission is $8 adults, $6 senior/students, and $3 children 5 to 12. Children under 5 enter free.

For a fuss-free holiday, why not sit back and enjoy a Thanksgiving feast prepared by the experts of Patina Restaurant Group. Seatings are available at noon and 2 p.m., leaving plenty of time for that after-dinner walk through the Gardens. The menu includes:

• Salads & starters: Gingered butternut squash soup with wild thyme and spiced pumpkin seeds; spinach salad with bacon lardons, roasted wild mushrooms, Manchego cheese and honey mustard vinaigrette; baby fall lettuces with Meyer lemon vinaigrette; wild rice salad with crispy root vegetable ribbons, walnuts and pomegranate vinaigrette; charcuterie board of cured meats and artisan sausage, pickled vegetables and grain mustard; assorted cheeses with rustic baguette, dried fruits, toasted nuts and late harvest grapes
• Entrée: Hand-carved herb roasted turkey with roasted garlic pan gravy
• Sides: Golden Yukon mashed potatoes; chestnut-apple stuffing; fresh cranberry and orange compote; haricot vert and cippollini onion casserole with creamy thyme béchamel and crispy onions; rustic rolls and corn bread with honey butter
• Dessert selection: Chef's array of mini Thanksgiving petit fours

Dinner is $53 for the general public, $45 for Descanso members, $19 children under 12. Free for children 3 and younger. Reservations required :www.patinagroup.com/descanso. Reservation deadline: Nov. 18.

Descanso Gardens Is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge 91011. The Gardens are open daily except Christmas Day. Descanso Gardens is accredited by the American Association of Museums. Information: www.descansogardens.org or (818) 949-4200.

        

About Descanso Gardens:

Established as a public garden in 1953, Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge 91011. The Gardens are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Descanso Gardens is accredited by the American Association of Museums.