Will be joining other out-of-towners for a family event, any place that's nice (and fairly reasonable)for a group of five? Doesn't have to be turkey!

ttt

Santa Clara where? That's a popular name.

Oh come now --- a Thanksgiving without turkey!? You can't do that!

The Fairmont San Jose is celebrating the feast. It would be a short scoot over from Santa Clara to downtown SJ.

I've never spent a holiday there but the few times I have dined there were very pleasant. Nice place.

details from their website:

http://tinyurl.com/ayn93

Thanks, Bluestar--but I'm curious, Underhill, how many U.S. Santa Claras are there?

I would second the Fairmont suggestion. I think they do the best job when it comes to hotel food. For holidays they generally have several dining options including a very nice buffet and pricey sit down multi-course options. They aren't cheap however. I have had several Mothers Day meals there and they were excellent. Otherwise, as the time gets closer, many restaurants and hotels will have adds in the San Jose Mercury advertising their Thanksgiving menus, so you may want to order a Sunday paper in the next few weeks.