By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey
I know that cooking a turkey isn’t brain surgery — even though someone who will remain nameless (not me, I swear) forgot to remove the bag of giblets before cooking the bird; too bad the meal had already been served by the time she remembered. And I know that Thanksgiving is all about the generations-old traditions of gathering those near and dear for a feast of family favorite foods.
Look, I’m all for tradition. When it comes to the near and dear ones and the delectable dinner, I wouldn’t want to change a thing. But maybe, just this once, it would be nice to have somebody else do all of the cooking, serving and clean up.
Fortunately, some of the best restaurants in the
Hershey Harrisburg area take Thanksgiving tradition as seriously as we do. And they’ve created brunches and dinners -- buffet, formal sit-down, family-style and even take-out — so you can celebrate however and whatever time of day you choose. Most also offer special selections and prices for the kids. Whatever you do, be sure to make reservations as early as possible.
NOTE: I hope you’ll understand why this is such a long blog entry. With so much holiday yummy-ness available here, it’s pretty much impossible to be brief.
First, let’s talk turkey and trimmings. Whether you dine at Harrisburg’s
Felicita Resort, Raspberries at the
Hilton or one of the numerous
Hershey Resorts properties, you’ll find it all from the big bird to the pumpkin pie. Most or all of the buffets also feature prime rib and/or ham carving stations plus an extravaganza of other extra-special edibles.
If you would prefer to dine at home, Raspberries offers a “meals-to-go” option, big enough to serve a family of six ($95) or 12 ($180). Its on-site buffet spread includes a roasted fall veggie lasagna and almond-crusted tilapia ($28.95, $12 for children 6 to 12).
And if it just isn’t Thanksgiving for you without leftovers for the next day, Lebbie Lebkicher’s at the Hershey Lodge will wrap up the remnants of your family-style feast ($89.95 per family of four) them up for you to take home. A “World of Thanks Buffet Menu” at the Hershey Lodge’s Chocolate Ballroom ($39.95 for adults and $21.95 for children ages 4 to 10) totally covers the all-American aspects of the holiday meal while adding brunch-y items such as Belgian waffle, omelet and blintz stations and some intriguing international options. Think slow roasted pork shoulder and chilies and herbs and tapenade-crusted whole grouper mojó.
The buffet at the Hotel Hershey’s Garden Terrace Ballroom ($45 for adults, $28.75 for children ages 9 to 12, and $18.75 for children ages 3 to 8) also adds some extra extravagant accents, including a “seafood experience” bar with jumbo Gulf shrimp, king crab and oysters and clams on the half shell, to the merry mix. Hershey’s Forebay, Grill and Harvest restaurants will also offer Thanksgiving-oriented fixed price and/or á la carte menus.
Now I have to tell you that dessert will definitely present a dilemma. Will it be pumpkin pie, cheesecake or cannoli … chocolate cream, apple or Reese’s peanut butter pie … blood orange cake … warm fruit cobbler with brandy cream? And don’t forget the limited edition pumpkin or candy cane ice creams and cranberry sherbet made by and available at
Hall’s Ice Cream in Millerstown!
Sorry I can’t help you decide which to choose. I’m having a hard time making up my own mind.