A different take on Thanksgiving

Roots: Dinner begins at 4 p.m. The cost is $21.50 per person for turkey dinner, and it does not include salad, dessert or beverages. Reservations are recommended by calling 260-3001. Roots is located at 19215 S.E. 34th St., Vancouver.

Oliver’s at the Camas Hotel: Dinner will be served at 12:30 and 4 p.m. The cost is $35 per person, which includes appetizers, a full dinner, dessert and tea or coffee. Reservations are recommended by calling 210-4037. It is located at 401 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas.

Some people look forward to making Thanksgiving dinner like others enjoy watching the Superbowl. For days they plan menus and spend hours in the kitchen, preparing the big meal.

But for the more kitchen phobic or time strapped, sometimes having dinner out can be a huge burden taken off their shoulders.

That’s why two local, fine-dining restaurants are preparing turkey dinner with all the trimmings, plus more, to be served on Thanksgiving.

“It’s a pretty popular event here,” said Brad Root, chef and owner of Roots Restaurant. “I just flat out enjoy cooking so it’s a fun day for me as well. I wouldn’t be in this business if I didn’t love it.”

Morris Fenton, co-chef at Oliver’s at the Camas Hotel, served Thanksgiving dinner at the restaurant for the first time last year. It proved to be a success, so he is offering it again.

“I’ve seen people drive more than an hour, looking for somewhere to go,” he said. “We already have a lot of reservations for this year. The best part is, we cook dinner and do the washing up.”

Root agrees.

“You don’t have to deal with doing the dishes or the shopping stress or all the preparation,” he said.

Both Roots and Oliver’s are serving organic turkeys as part of the meal.

“We are getting the best birds we possibly can,” Root said.

He said his favorite part about Thanksgiving is the smells and memories of his grandmother cooking.

“But I also love working that day because of the folks here,” he said. “It’s nice to share a holiday with them. I really enjoy the camaraderie.”

Fenton said he also enjoys the atmosphere on Thanksgiving day.

“It’s like having people at my house,” he said. “I get a lot of pleasure out of seeing people together, a lot who come are repeat customers, and people usually leave with enough for leftovers. It’s just a nice, pleasant day.”