When President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed the fourth Thursday in November as our official Thanksgiving Day, he allegedly did it to give retail stores a longer "Christmas buying season."

Whatever our reasons for celebrating the day, it remains, after 341 years, one of our most beloved American holidays--and for good reason: heaps of hearty food, prepared in traditional ways and enjoyed with family and friends. And should we not want to cook the meal ourselves, there are a variety of accomplished local chefs who will. Consider these Los Gatos and Saratoga restaurants whose cooks are busily preparing Thanksgiving Day feasts, each in their own style.


Los Gatos

Baker's Square manager Michele Jarvis says an all-you-can-eat turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and cranberries will be served from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for $8.99. For an additional cost, a piece of one of their famous pies can top it off. 165 Los Gatos­Saratoga Road, 408.354.4733.

Besides the regular California Cafe a la carte menu of six entrees priced from $18 to $24, a Thanksgiving special of slow-roasted turkey with sweet potatoes and pinenut-sage stuffing will be served starting at 1 p.m. Banquet manager Ben Afraimi says it's $18 for adults and $10 for "little pilgrims" under 12. 50 University Ave., 408.354.8118.

At the Chart House, Rich Boot says patrons get all-you-can-eat turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet or baked potatoes, creamed spinach and pumpkin pie for $19.95. 115 N. Santa Cruz Ave., 408.354.1737.

From 3 to 10 p.m. at The Diner, Frank Tsaboukos says, they'll be serving roast turkey with trimmings as well as soup, salad, bread and dessert for $11.95. 235 Los Gatos­Saratoga Road, 408.354.4886.

Kuleto's, a new restaurant that opened a few days ago in the new Hotel Los Gatos, is offering two Thanksgiving dinners from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. One is a complete traditional meal for $16.75; the other is an Italian-style holiday meal for $14.50. Steve Smith didn't have details available at press time but says the regular a la carte menu also will be available, with entrees priced from $12 to $17.95. 210 E. Main. St., 408.354.8290.

Toni Murray of La Hacienda says the restaurant is serving Thanksgiving dinner each hour from 1 to 7 p.m. The cost is $25.95, which includes antipasti, ravioli and a turkey meal with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, and pumpkin or apple pie. Also on the menu are ham, New York steak, prime rib, pasta primavera, salmon, prawns and leg of lamb. 18840 Los Gatos­Saratoga Road, 408.354.6669.

Debbie Trompeter says the Toll House Hotel is serving a sumptuous Thanksgiving buffet from noon to 5 p.m. Adults are $25.95 and kids ages 4­12 years are $13.95. There are salads, seafood appetizers, baked goods, a carving station with roast turkey, giblet gravy, apple-almond stuffing, juniper-crusted roast leg of lamb, honey-roasted chicken with curan sauce and an array of desserts, including pumpkin and apple pies and chocolate parfait. 140 S. Santa Cruz Ave., 408.395.7070.


Saratoga

Hammerhead's Fish House is serving turkey dinner with all the trimmings for $15.95 from noon to 8 p.m. Ryan Parsons says the regular Thursday special of whole Maine lobster, also for $15.95, will be available as well. 5291 Prospect Road in San Jose, 408.861.1200.

Hometown Buffet has an all-you-can-eat buffet with multiple selections--including turkey, roast beef, ham, dressing, potatoes, yams and pumpkin pie--available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adults are $9.95, seniors $9.19 and kids ages 2­12 are 60 cents for each year of age. 4735 Hamilton Ave. in San Jose, 408.378.8886.

At La Mere Michelle, this is the special time when Michelle herself makes the dressing to go with the slow-roasted turkey, says husband and owner Joseph Masek. She's also making the cranberry sauce with fresh oranges and Gran Marnier liqueur to go with the buttered mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, corn, beans and yams. There's pumpkin pie with whipped cream, too--all for $35. Youngsters under 12 are $17. 14467 Big Basin Way, 408.867.5272.

Mimi's Cafe's Thanksgiving dinner is sold out, but please try again next year.

Co-owner and chef A.J. Szenda at Viaggio Ristorante is expecting a full house, judging from the calls he's getting. His feast will start with appetizers of Dungeness crabcakes and the Italian favorite, eggplant involontini. Next comes roast turkey and its trimmings, with butternut squash ravioli and a big portion of porcini mushroom or carrot and ginger soup. For the Italian purists, he's stewing up some cioppino. Besides pumpkin pie, there's pecan tart and vanilla bean gelato. Dinner is served from 4 to 9 p.m. 14550 Big Basin Way, 408.741.5300.

At Village Rendezvous, chef-owner Pedro Morin is serving up his annual fare of turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, vegetables and pumpkin or apple pie. No prices were available at press time. 14420 Big Basin Way, 408.867.2932.

A final note: There are many people who don't want to cook, so reservations now are a must. Happy Thanksgiving!