It's the start of one of the most hectic times of the year. Presents to buy, travel reservations to be made, turkeys to be cooked. One way to alleviate the stress is to make reservations instead.
Many South Bay restaurants were open for Thanksgiving and will also be open for Christmas. One of them in particular is .
Baleen is located in the , right on the harbor. The beautiful seaside views are just the beginning.
The Thanksgiving buffet has something for everyone. I enjoyed the sage walnut stuffing. The flavors truly reminded me of fall. For someone used to cornbread stuffing, this was a nice change.
I also liked the sweet potatoes, soft with just the right amount of sugar, and crunchy pecans. The roasted mushroom and spinach gratin had a very rustic flavor to them.
Of course, I had some turkey, as well as prime rib. The turkey was very moist and went well with the tart, fresh cranberry sauce. The prime rib cut like butter and was a good alternative for those that may have gotten sick of turkey.
I had the artichoke, shrimp, and white bean salad which was served with a lemon basil vinaigrette. It was very refreshing and just what I needed after a heavy course.
There were so many desserts to choose from, but I settled on good ol' pumpkin pie and a chocolate chip cookie. The pumpkin pie was right on the money with its mild spices and moist texture. I couldn't say enough about the fresh baked cookie. It was crunchy with more than enough chocolate chips and tasted like a cookie that your grandma would probably make for you.
I finished up my Thanksgiving meal with hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks. Soothing, and a wonderful way to wrap things up.
I had a great time at Baleen. The atmosphere was laid back, and the service was great.
If you want to try something different for Thanksgiving next year, consider dining at Baleen. They will also be serving Christmas brunch and dinner this year.
