Where to dine around Rochester on Thanksgiving

Dennis Verni will cook 34 turkeys or so on Thanksgiving.

"After that day I don't want to see turkey or eat turkey for the rest of the year," he said, laughing.

Verni is co-owner of The Northside Inn, which started serving dinner on Thanksgiving about a decade ago. The holiday has since become a busy day for the East Rochester restaurant, which has been in business since 1949.

"The restaurant business has changed," Verni said. "People don't want to cook at home."

This phenomenon also has played out at the Cracker Barrel on Hylan Drive in Henrietta.

"Last Thanksgiving was the busiest day we've ever had," said Scott Kalb, human resources manager.

Many Rochester diners who have made a tradition of going to a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner are going to have to hunt for a new venue this year, though, as two perennial favorites — Keenan's Restaurant and Golden Ponds — have closed.

Here are many of the restaurants that will be serving dinner on Thanksgiving. Because of the popularity of the day, diners are advised to make reservations well in advance.

The Aurora Inn, 391 Main St., Aurora, Cayuga County, will serve a Thanksgiving meal in its dining room from noon to 4 p.m. A three-course meal will cost $50 per adult and $25 per child under the age of 12. Each course will offer a choice of three or four items. One of the entrées is a turkey breast roulade with all of the traditional sides. Call (315) 364-8888 or visit innsofaurora.com.

Belhurst Castle, 4069 West Lake Road, Geneva, will offer two options for Thanksgiving Day dining. A Thanksgiving buffet will run from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $32.95 for adults, $14.95 for children ages 6 to 10, and free for kids under 5. Edgar’s Steakhouse will offer its full regular menu or a four-course, prix fixe menu for $36.95 per person. All guests older than 21 will receive a complimentary wine tasting in the wine and gift shop. Reservations are required; call (315) 781-0201, extension 3, or go to belhurst.com.

Char Steak & Lounge at the Strathallan, 550 East Ave., Rochester, will serve a special a la carte menu from 1 to 7 p.m. Reservations are currently full but the restaurant is taking names for a waiting list; call (585) 461-5010. For more information, go to charsteakandlounge.com.

Cracker Barrel, 2075 Hylan Drive, Henrietta, will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. A full adult turkey dinner, which includes a refillable beverage and a slice of pumpkin pie, will cost $12.99. A child version costs $7.99. For more information, call (585) 321-3230.

del Lago Resort & Casino 1133 State Route 414, Tyre, Seneca County, will offer three dining options. Portico by Fabio Viviani will be open from 1 to 8 p.m.; it will serve its regular menu, as well as a special three-course Thanksgiving menu for $40 per person. Sociale Café and Bar, in the hotel, will serve a three-course Thanksgiving menu from 1 to 10 p.m. for $35 per person; its regular menu will be served throughout the day beginning at 6 a.m. The Farmers Market Buffet, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., will add traditional Thanksgiving dishes to its selections. The cost of the buffet is $21.99 per person. Guests of all ages may dine at The Sociale Café and Bar, but diners must be 21 and older to visit the Farmers Market Buffet and Portico by Fabio Viviani. Call (315) 946-1780 for Portico reservations or (315) 946-1777 for Sociale reservations.

Erie Grill at the Del Monte Lodge, 41 N. Main St., Pittsford, will serve dinner from 1 to 7 p.m. It will offer a Thanksgiving menu in addition to its standard menu; Thanksgiving entrees will start at $26. Make reservations by calling (585) 419-3032 or online at eriegrill.com.

Farmer's Creekside Tavern and Inn, 1 Main St., Le Roy, Genesee County, will be open from 1 to 6:30 p.m. It will serve a limited a la carte menu; among the offerings will be a turkey dinner for $22. Special wine pairings will be offered. Call (585) 768-6007 for reservations or visit farmerscreekside.com.

Grappa, 30 Celebration Drive, Rochester, will serve dinner from noon to 8 p.m. It will serve its regular Italian menu as well as Thanksgiving dishes. Thanksgiving entrees will start at $22. Call (585) 445-5770 for reservations; visit grapparoc.com for more information.

More: 13 years after devastating fire, landmark Creekside Inn finally close to reopening

Holloway House, 29 State St., Bloomfield, Ontario County, will offer sit-down, full-course dinners from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Diners will order from a limited menu; among the options will be a traditional turkey dinner. Reservations are filling up quickly; call (585) 657-7120. For more information, go to thehollowayhouse.com.

The Inn on the Lake, 770 S. Main St., Canandaigua, will offer a Thanksgiving Day buffet at its restaurant, The Shore. Seating times are noon, 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. The cost is $44.95 for adults, $16.95 for children ages 6 to 12 and $4.95 for youngsters. Call (585) 394-1480 or go to theinnonthelake.com.

Monroe’s, 3001 Monroe Ave., Pittsford, will serve a Thanksgiving buffet; seating times will be 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Cost is $45 for adults, half price for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children ages 5 and under. Call (585) 348-9103 for reservations. Find a full menu at monroes3001.com.

Nick’s Seabreeze Inn, 4581 Culver Road, Irondequoit, will serve a roast turkey dinner for $18.95 for adults and $12.95 for children under 10. Its holiday menu also has 11 other items ranging from lobster ($29.95) to a one-pound Delmonico steak ($26.95). Dinner will be served from noon until 6 p.m. Call (585) 323-1950 or go to nicksseabreezeinn.com.

Northside Inn, 311 N. Washington St., East Rochester, will serve dinner from noon to 6:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving. A turkey dinner with the fixings will be served at $18.95 for adults or $11.95 for children; about a dozen other items will be offered. Call (585) 248-3470 or go to thenorthsideinn.com.

Perlo’s, 202 N. Washington St., East Rochester, will serve a Thanksgiving menu from noon to 7 p.m. Diners have a choice of four dinner entrées at $25.95 each ($12.95 for children 10 and under); among the choices is a traditional turkey dinner with trimmings. Dinners include salad, bread, pie and beverage. Reservations required at (585) 248-5060. For more information, go to perlosrestaurant.com.

Red Fedele’s Brook House, 920 Elm Ridge Center, Greece, will serve a buffet that includes carved turkey and prime rib from noon to 5 p.m. The cost is $29 for adults, $15 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children ages 5 and under. Reservations are required; call (585) 723-9988. Find a full list of buffet items at fedelesbrookhouse.com.

Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, 6492 E. Main St., Stafford, Genesee County, will serve its regular menu from noon to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Its special for the day will be a traditional turkey dinner with trimmings at $20 per person. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local charities. For reservations call (585) 343-6972 or go to redosier.com.

Richardson’s Canal House, 1474 Marsh Road, Perinton, will serve three-course dinners from 1 to 6 p.m. The cost will be $55 per person. Reservations are required; call (585) 248-5000. Its website is richardsonscanalhouse.com.

Rochester Marriott Airport, 1890 W. Ridge Road, Greece, will serve a Thanksgiving buffet from 4 to 9 p.m. in its cafe. Buffet prices are $22 for adults; $20 for seniors 65 and up; $12 for children 10 and under; and free for children under 3. Reservations are required; call 585-225-6880.

Veraisons Restaurant at Glenora Wine Cellars, 5435 State Route 14, Dundee, Yates County, will offer a buffet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; carved roast turkey and fresh ham will be among the items. The price will be $35.95 for adults or $15.95 for children ages 12 and under. Find a list of buffet items online at glenora.com. Call (800) 243-5513 for reservations; parties of six or fewer may reserve on its website.

More: Glenora's Veraisons Restaurant celebrates seasonal fare of Finger Lakes: review

Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, 199 Woodcliff Drive, Perinton, will offer two dining options. It will serve a buffet in its ballroom from noon to 4 p.m.; the cost is $46 for adults and $22 for children. A la carte four-course dinners at Horizons Restaurant will be served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Prices start at $46 for the turkey dinner; salmon, lamb, beef and lobster are the other options and have varied prices. Children ages 12 and under are half price. Reservations are required; call (585) 248-4825. For more information, go to woodcliffhotelspa.com.

TRACYS@Gannett.com

Thanksgiving to go

Want to eat at home, but skip the fuss? Watch for our article on Thanksgiving to go, which will appear in the Flavors print section on Nov. 17, and will be online at DemocratandChronicle.com a few days before then.