Thanksgiving Feasts Begin in Shadelands
Believe it or not, it’s time to start planning the Thanksgiving feast. Halloween scares are behind us, and winter holidays are on the horizon, beckoning. What’s right in front of us now is America’s favorite meal of the year, the Thanksgiving feast. To make this year’s gathering of family and friends — and the meals we share with them — extra special, we suggest shopping locally, right here in Shadelands. Discover the bounties of our Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market, Safeway grocery store, and restaurants and food shops that offer everything you could want, from complete Thanksgiving dinners, to tasty side dishes and desserts, beverages for sipping and toasting, table decorations, and gifts to exchange with the special people in your life. And recipes — don’t forget the recipes.
Voted California’s #1 Favorite Farmers’ Market, Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market is held Saturdays, 9am-1pm, Wiget Lane & Mitchell Drive.
Diablo Valley Farmer’s Market, held Saturdays, 9am–1pm, year round (rain or shine) in the tree-lined parking lot at Wiget Lane and Mitchell Drive, is the place to find high quality, seasonal produce, locally grown and brought to market fresh and unprocessed by certified farmers. The fall harvest is upon us, and just in time for Thanksgiving and the feast that awaits. Think fresh-picked and ready to eat apples, pears, pumpkins, cranberries, persimmons, figs, grapes, pomegranates, rhubarb, shallots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, kale, Swiss and rainbow chard, and green beans. Check out Thanksgiving recipes from California Farmers’ Market Association, including Apple Crisp, Homemade Apple Cider, and Fall Fruit Salad that will have your guests asking for more.
The Orchards at Walnut Creek is a 25-acre shopping and lifestyle center, inviting locals and visitors to gather, shop, and dine — to pamper themselves and get healthy.
The Orchards at Walnut Creek is our own town square at the corner of Ygnacio Valley and Oak Grove roads — a place where locals and visitors can buy groceries, run errands, have a casual meal, meet up with family and friends, and take the kids out to play. And The Orchards is a great place to start for Thanksgiving menus.
Thanksgiving holiday ideas, recipes, and ingredients abound at Safeway, The Orchards’ 55,000-SF anchor mega-store.
Safeway at The Orchards is a large lifestyle grocery store with a wide assortment of Thanksgiving fixings for making your own Thanksgiving meal including fresh produce, meat, seafood, wine and beverages, fruit and veggie trays, pies and desserts, gourmet items, flowers and arrangements, everyday staples, and so much more. Did you know that Safeway is also a great source for online holiday recipes? Check out the Caramelized Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash & Sage Crumb for something different. And, for a more hassle-free meal, Safeway also offers a complete, pre-made traditional Thanksgiving dinner that includes a fully cooked turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pumpkin pie. Visit Thanksgiving Inspired meals for main course options and ordering.
You know Jack’s Urban Eats in The Orchards for its innovative, mouth-watering salads, sandwiches, and hot plates. But did you know that Jack’s also offers a full hot Thanksgiving meal, complete with a whole roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberries? Order ahead to set a Jack’s Thanksgiving table, then sit back and enjoy the compliments.
Surprise your guests with an after dinner plate of fresh, warm Chip Cookies (pick-up or home delivery) and Devil & Angel croffles (a croissant and waffle hybrid).
Looking for after dinner delights? Visit Chip Cookies and Devil & Angel Desserts, in The Orchards, each specializing in distinctive sweet treats — to accompany your traditional holiday pies, of course.
Mike Hess Brewing and Calicraft Brewing Co., premier California craft breweries — both located in Shadelands — offer distinctive brews and beverages for purchase and pick-up in their bustling taprooms.
And to keep your guests quenched and happy, visit Mike Hess Brewing and, outside The Orchards but in Shadelands just up the street, Calicraft Brewing Co. Look for seasonal craft beers and spritzers, as well as branded taproom favorites — for Thanksgiving feasts, football, family, and friends.
