Thanksgiving Dinner in Monterey area

[melly]

We'll be there for Thanksgiving...I know, it's early but I like to plan ahead. Any spots we should hit for sure? It will be for six of us...and my in-laws are 80! We like all kinds of food....and we are also looking for a bar/pub for pool playing, good eats and drinks.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

I did search the boards but the posts about Thanksgiving were fairly old.

[frenchfoodie]

I am a local Monterey Peninsula resident and most of my life I had celebrated Thanksgiving dinners at my grandmas or aunt's homes, however, one year we all ventured out to The Asilomar Conference Center (in Pacific Grove) and boy, what a delightful surprise.

While our group of 18 waited to be seated, some of us played ping pong and the grandkids entertained themselves with free arts and crafts and there was a feeling you were in a resort lodge. The dining hall is adjacent to the ocean and the food was absolutely wonderful. They offered a "traditional Thanksgiving" buffet style dinner with every imaginable trimming and sinful deserts. You are free to bring your own bottles of wine. I remember the salmon, the roast beef, the turkey, several styles of potatos, gravies, salad bar and cooked vegetables as well as fresh fruit. They offered water, tea, sodas, coffee. I hope to return this year and I will bring my appetite. I was apprehensive at first, but I was very happily surprised and satisfied with their Thanksgiving buffet. The last three years, the price has been at around $22 per person. There is also lodging available on the conference grounds as well. The waitstaff is effecient and attentive. Bon Appetit and Happy Thanksgiving!