Favorite Thanksgiving Traditions from Newport Beach Restauranteurs

We spoke with three Newport Beach restauranteurs to share their favorite Thanksgiving traditions and the inside scoop to achieving the perfect feast!

Chef Amy Lebrun, Lido Bottle Works

What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
Usually I have to work on Thanksgiving so my tradition is watching a movie. I love watching John Hughes’ “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”. It’s a movie everyone can relate to on some level…the travel, the awkwardness, the happiness, the loneliness. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving film.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
Pecan pie and spiked apple cider – I eat a whole one all to myself every year! It’s all I eat. If I’m working, I’ll grab a pie and just eat it all day. And, if I’m not working…I’ll grab a pie and eat it all day. Stuffing is a close second. I like mine with sausage, apples, bourbon, brie and lots of butter. Between the brie and the butter, the fat ratio’s like 50% to the bread. It’s so good.

Any tips on how to create the perfect Thanksgiving spread?
I have a bunch of vintage platters, so I like to mix them up. Then I add a lot of flowers, gourds, and other fall items to the table. I also always garnish with lemon leaves, pomegranates and crab apples. Super seasonal stuff.

What special Thanksgiving dish or seasonal menu item should we try at your restaurant this month?
It has to be the Dry-Aged Pork Chop. It’s brined, seared and roasted, and then garnished with pickled pears and pomegranate. Served with bourbon-smoked squash puree. It’s my favorite fall entree. I would follow that up with our Winter Squash S’more for dessert. I’m all about textures and layers, and this one has chocolate ganache, house made graham cracker, toasted fresh marshmallow and pumpkin seed brittle.

Order Thanksgiving dinner from Lido Bottle Works here: https://lidobottleworks.com/product-category/thanksgiving-dinner/

Laurent Vrignaud, Owner of MOULIN

What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is seeing families gathering around the table, something my own family does every day.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
My favorite Thanksgiving dish is dessert especially Paris-brest with its delicate praline flavor! 

Any tips on how to create the perfect Thanksgiving spread?
My top Thanksgiving tip is to stick to the traditional turkey, stuffing and sides, but compliment it with an appetizer of charcuterie with the best cold meats imported from France. If you’re not too full from the turkey then you should finish the meal with a piece of fromage and always leave room for dessert.

What special Thanksgiving dish or seasonal menu item should we try at your restaurant this month?
This month, you should try any of our seasonal tartes including our pecan tarte and our beautiful pumpkin chocolate tarte with a chocolate base. We also sell a ton of our pumpkin pie. Besides dessert, we see a lot of customers buy one of our three quiches – Quiche Lorraine, Salmon & Spinach, Vegetarian) to enjoy the day after Thanksgiving.

Call the store ahead to place your Thanksgiving order: (949) 474-0920

Noah Blom, ARC Butcher & Baker

What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
My family goes around the table and everyone gets the opportunity to say what they are thankful for. It is a great way to end such an abundant meal and remind everyone how lucky we are!

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
Stuffing! Stuffing is simple, classic, rustic and so delicious when done right. I bake the stuffing separately so it crisps up and deglaze with fine wine.

Any tips on how to create the perfect Thanksgiving spread?
A little bit of everything! We always do the traditional mains: turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, creamed corn, and, of course, stuffing! We have changed things up with veggie sides and have thrown in a salad or two, but our guests always prefer the traditional Thanksgiving feast the most! This year, I am off the hook for the turkey, but I am still bringing my famous stuffing.

What special Thanksgiving dish or seasonal menu item should we try at your restaurant this month?
Butternut squash soup. It is best this time of year as the squash are in season and have their own natural sweetness. The soup is so creamy & smooth and we finish it with toasted pepitas, goat cheese and brown butter sage.

Order online from ARC Butcher & Baker here: https://www.arcbutcherbaker.com/order-online-1