SANTA BARBARA, California – We’re only a week away from Thanksgiving.
This year it will look very different for hotels and restaurants in Santa Barbara.
At The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, its 358 rooms are already fully booked for the coming holiday weekend.
“We are very excited to be fully open this year, unlike last year,” said Derek Kokinda, Senior Marketing Manager at Ritz-Carlton Bacara. “In terms of occupancy, we’re completely sold out for the weekend.”
The luxury resort’s Thanksgiving brunch is also already fully booked.
So much so that The Ritz-Carlton Bacara added extra festivities from Friday November 26th through Sunday November 2nd.
“Thanksgiving Day brunches are actually full, so we’ve added extra brunches in all of our stores to meet demand,” Kokinda said.
The winter holiday season starts next week, so The Ritz-Carlton Bacara has added additional staff.
“We want to make sure our guests are looked after,” said Kokinda. “That’s why we’ve worked all year round to fill staff and hire hundreds of new employees.”
Across town at Harry’s Plaza Cafe, the staff is preparing for the crowd to flock in for Thanksgiving.
According to General Manager Kevin Hebert, the restaurant has already secured over 700 reservations.
“Last year there was only outdoor and take-away seating,” he said. “This year we expect a big year for us with full capacity plus outdoor seating plus to-go options.”
Despite the nationwide turkey shortage, Harry planned ahead and ordered a total of nearly 90 turkeys in advance.
“We traditionally make the turkey with the homemade filling, mashed potatoes, sauce and homemade cranberry sauce,” said Hebert.
This week was difficult for Harry regular Bob Nelson as his wife Joanne passed away.
That won’t stop the 87-year-old from stopping by his favorite spot on Thanksgiving.
“Even though she is no longer here, everyone else I have as friends is here,” said Nelson. “Harry’s is so unique and so special, I love it.”
Nelson won’t be eating alone on Thanksgiving as some of his family members plan to drive down from Orange County to sit with him in Harry’s iconic red leather booth.
Harry’s Plaza Cafe stays open 11am to 9pm on Thanksgiving. To make a reservation, you can Click here.
Thanksgiving brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, will be served on Thursday, November 25th, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM, and 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM also from Friday, November 26th to Sunday, November 28th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
To reserve this dining experience, you can visit their website.
