You know that Christmas is almost here when you are already celebrating Thanksgiving Day.

Celebrated every fourth Thursday of November in the United States (it takes place on the second Monday of October in Canada), this national holiday sets aside a special day on the calendar to give thanks to the Lord for all the blessings that have come during the year. An American tradition that began with the 1621 harvest feast shared by the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people, Thanksgiving initially celebrated a good harvest. US President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the first National Thanksgiving in 1863, and then, in 1941, Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday in November as a national holiday.

Today, it continues to be celebrated on this date, highlight of which is a Thanksgiving Dinner or feast featuring a roast turkey complete with stuffing, a pumpkin pie, and other celebration dishes that the host wants to share with family and friends. It is observed not only in the US and Canada, which have, as previously mentioned, different dates for it, but also in a few other countries, such as Brazil, Germany, Liberia, Kazakhstan, Austria, Switzerland, Norfolk Island in Australia, Saint Lucia, as well as other territories of the United States. The Philippines is catching on with more and more Thanksgiving Dinners taking place every year, particularly in urban centers such as Metro Manila.

Because of its “proximity” to the holiday season, the celebratory mood that it captures, and the general merry-making that comes with it, Thanksgiving Day is oftentimes seen as a prelude to Christmas. This year, it falls on 27 November, and special dinners are now being arranged in different hotels and restaurants, especially ones that specialize in Western celebration food.

Over at Vikings The Alley, the team of talented chefs and cooks led by executive chef Michael Santos have come up with a full line of Thanksgiving dishes, which will be included in the Dinner buffet setup on 27 and 28 November. Highlight, of course, is a Traditional Roast Turkey, which will be carved and served with gravy, steamed vegetables, and homemade biscuits for everyone to enjoy.

Not stopping with the Roast Turkey, the buffet restaurant will also offer Roast US Angus Beef Chuck Roll that pairs well with Yorkshire Pudding, as well as Roast Stuffed Porkloin. On the side, there will also be Potato Gratin, Black Olive Tapenade on Melba Toast, Cornbread, Apple Waldorf Salad, Orange and Olive Salad and Pumpkin Pie.

For dessert, the buffet will also carry Apple and Pear Pie, Pumpkin Cinnamon Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, Churros Cheesecake and Strawberry Fudge Cake to go with the usual selection of sweet treats.

These Thanksgiving treats shall be available at Vikings The Alley branches located at Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Cloverleaf and UP Town Center.