The Farmer Diaries

Texas farmer offers list of essential seeds to buy for 2015 garden

In December, the idea of next year's garden seems so far away. But that's misleading. Working backward: By early March we should be setting out starter plants, and those need eight weeks or more to grow. That means that, by mid-January, we should start propagating seedlings indoors, in a greenhouse or under a grow light in a windowsill. And we should be ordering our seeds by the end of December.

Alternatively, we could just buy transplants already grown from a garden center in the spring. But then we'd miss out on the huge selection of heirloom varieties that are specifically adpated to our region, producing more flavorful, unique fruits and vegetables than store-bought transplants and seed offerings.

As to ornamentals, nothing to me smells as fragrant or looks as colorful as a standard, open-pollinated flower.

With the urban farming trend growing each year, it seems there are more alternative seed companies than ever, with a growing catalog of open-pollinated and heirloom varieties for sale. These purveyors of non-GMO seed are like guardians of the genetic code that lies at the root of the crops that fed past generations, before industrial agriculture's demand for mechanization led to the demise of crops that wouldn't play along.

Receiving donated strains of cultivars, dredging up forgotten varieties of garden plants and scouring the earth for crops that are next to oblivion, these seed companies keep plant diversity alive and available for purchase, offering what we may call re-releases each year — varieties that may have skipped a whole generation of gardeners until they were propagated and given their due attention.

Others use traditional breeding, not genetic engineering, to develop hardier cultivars that promise better nutrition, flavor and resistance to disease.

These are the seeds I look for, from seed companies that align with my drive to grow sustainably. Their catalogs will be heading out to mailboxes in the next few weeks.

Here are some of my picks for seeds to buy for the 2015 growing season.

Baker Creek Heilroom Seeds

Oaxacan green dent corn. Beautiful ears in a range of greens, from yellow-green to emerald, with every shade in between; purported to make good cornbread.

Scarlet kale. A pretty red kale that produces lots of delicious, frilly leaves that look like they're dusted with blush.

Lilac bell pepper. I've seen yellow, orange, red and green bell peppers, even chocolate brown. This purple pepper is a crisp, juicy, sweet new one to me.

Queen Lime zinnia. Apple-green dahlia-like blooms and a must-try for anyone who grows Envy zinnias.

Twinkles dwarf mix phlox. Shows a diversity of streaks and stripes with the widest possible range of phlox colors.

Victory Seeds

Zolotoe Serdtse tomato. An old Russian commercial variety that promises three- to eight-ounce golden orange, sweet fruits.

Bronze-orange corn. Growing on short, 4-foot-tall cornstalks, this corn produces up to five golden orange ears per stalk. This variety has fallen out of circulation for almost 20 years.

Grandma Rose's Italian pole bean. Pole beans produce a remarkable amount of food per vining plant, and this new release can be picked for green beans or allowed to mature into dry beans.

Native Seed/SEARCH

Benne sesame. The light tan-white seed of this heirloom is far more flavorful than modern sesame. Sesame is not a native plant to the U.S., but its African origins make it well-suited to hot, dry climates.

Yellow tepary beans. These arid-adapted beans are typically white or brown. This yellow variety is very productive in hot, dry locations — in other words: Texas. Tepary beans are high in protein and contain soluble fiber, which is helpful in controlling cholesterol and diabetes.

Reventador popcorn. An old-fashioned pinole corn with translucent white kernels that makes a very flavorful, crunchy popcorn when popped and needs almost no seasoning.

Rio Grande blue flour corn. An all-purpose blue flour corn that has high nutrition. and long slender ears on plants that grow five to seven feet tall.

Golden purslane. An exceptionally nutritious salad ingredient that is high in Vitamin E, beta carotene and omega 3 ALA. Purslanes are also fairly drought-tolerant, and this one should be no exception.

Conservation Farm sunflower mix. An open-pollinated mix of sunflower varieties. The heads reach up to 12 inches in diameter, and the plants grow to 8 feet tall. These attract pollinators and can be used to shade tender plants.

Heirloom pole bean seeds.

Photo by Marshall Hinsley

Heirloom pole bean seeds.

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Gobble gobble

Where to feast on Thanksgiving Day 2026 at Dallas restaurants

Photo courtesy of III Forks

Thanksgiving spread at III Forks.

The 2026 holiday season is upon us, and Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays because it revolves around food, and are thankful for that.

The big day of feasting falls on Thursday, November 26, and Dallas-area restaurants are already getting in gear. From fine-dining dinners and traditional turkey plates to glorious brunch buffets and menus with a global twist, there are plenty of ways to let someone else do the cooking.

The list below focuses on dine-in options, from family-friendly feasts to lavish spreads. All meals take place Thanksgiving Day only, unless noted. Reservation information and more details can be found on restaurant websites.

Here’s where to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at Dallas-area restaurants in 2026. And check back often. This list will grow as more restaurants unveil plans and menus.

Alára: The modern Mediterranean restaurant in Oak Lawn will offer a five-course Thanksgiving-inspired prix fixe meal November 25 and 27 (but will not be open Thanksgiving Day). Menu features caramelized butternut squash ravioli, turkey roulade, and Turkish coffee-crusted hanger steak. Desserts include chocolate lava cake and wine-poached apple. Vegan and gluten-free options available; the regular à la carte menu will also be served. $125 per person.

Asador: Renaissance Dallas Hotel restaurant will serve a Thanksgiving brunch buffet with an antipasto display, made-to-order omelets, New York strip carving station, herb-roasted turkey with giblet gravy, cranberry marmalade, brioche-apple stuffing, green bean and carrot casserole, and mac & cheese made with Vermont cheddar and smoked Gouda, plus assorted desserts. 10 am-3 pm, last seating at 2:30 pm. $90 per adult, $30 for children ages 6-12.

ASTRA Kitchen + Lounge: The restaurant inside HALL Arts Hotel in the Dallas Arts District will serve a Thanksgiving prix fixe dinner featuring roasted pumpkin bisque, Southwest turkey roulade with cornbread stuffing and jalapeño cranberry sauce, and grilled filet mignon. Desserts include sweet potato crème brûlée and pecan pie with vanilla gelato. A Thanksgiving brunch will also be served from 6:30 am-3 pm. $85.

Blue Mesa Grill: The Southwestern restaurant will serve a Thanksgiving buffet with roast turkey, smoked brisket, red chile-glazed ham, grilled salmon, cranberry-jalapeño relish, stuffing, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, green beans, and holiday pies. Additional stations offer made-to-order omelets, tacos, and Belgian waffles. 9 am-4 pm. $50 per adult, including mimosas and other beverages; $20 for children ages 6-11; free for children 5 and under. A Thanksgiving Family Pack to-go, featuring turkey and many trimmings, is also available for pre-order and pickup November 24-25; $175, details here.

Centrale Italia: Preston Hollow Italian restaurant will serve a three-course Thanksgiving lunch with starters including butternut squash bisque with crab, pumpkin ricotta tortelloni, rock shrimp risotto, and roasted sweet potato with goat cheese and cranberry. Entrées include roasted turkey with Italian sausage-focaccia stuffing, grilled salmon, Barolo-glazed short rib, and Parmesan-crusted halibut. Desserts include pumpkin cheesecake, apple-blueberry crostata, tiramisu, and molten chocolate cake. 11 am-3 pm with a la carte specials repeated 4-9:30 pm. Lunch: $60 per person.

Crown Block: The restaurant atop Reunion Tower will serve an all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving buffet with carving stations featuring prime rib, Cajun-fried and roasted turkey, and bone-in ham. Other offerings include green bean casserole, cornbread dressing, truffled deviled eggs, mac & cheese, sushi, fresh oysters, shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, and gourmet cheeses. Desserts include bourbon pecan pie, caramel apple pie, pumpkin cheesecake, and dark chocolate silk pie. 11 am-6 pm. $165 per person. An early Thanksgiving brunch buffet will feature holiday favorites and à la carte options on November 22, 10:30 am-2:30 pm. $80.

Docent Steak: The new Harwood steakhouse will offer an à la carte Thanksgiving menu with bacon-wrapped quail legs, a seafood tower, baby spinach salad, cuts of meat, and sides including a colossal baked potato, mac & cheese, and asparagus. 5-8:30 pm.

HALL Park Hotel: The Frisco hotel will serve a Thanksgiving buffet with chef-attended carving stations featuring black truffle-rubbed prime rib, slow-roasted turkey with brown butter sage gravy, and apple cider pork belly. Other dishes include broiled salmon with blood orange cranberry gastrique, wild mushroom brioche dressing, and maple-glazed carrots with pecans. Desserts include pumpkin caramel cake, salted caramel apple pie cheesecake, pecan pie cookies, and gingerbread cupcakes. 11 am-4 pm. $95 per adult, $35 for children.

The Henry Plano: The Legacy West restaurant will be open on Thanksgiving, serving its year-round dishes including cheesy truffle popovers, sprouts and squash salad, braised short rib, harvest bowl, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, molten butter cake, and banana sticky toffee pudding. Prices vary.

Jashan: The Michelin Guide-recommended Indian restaurant in Plano will offer a Thanksgiving prix fixe meal for families, alongside its regular menu. Available November 25-27. Prix fixe: $250 for a family of four.

Kona Grill: The NorthPark Center restaurant will offer a Thanksgiving menu with traditional roasted turkey breast, whipped potatoes, green beans, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce ($36), or macadamia nut-crusted turkey with shoyu cream and cranberry sauce ($39). A kids' turkey plate is $17, and pumpkin pie is $16. Available for dine-in and takeout Nov. 12-29; Thanksgiving takeout pickup 11 am-4 pm.

Luna Roja: The Mexican restaurant inside Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Dallas will serve a three-course Thanksgiving dinner featuring Tijuana Caesar salad, ancho-orange roasted turkey with charred poblano mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, chile-mole turkey jus, and cinnamon tres leches. $45 per person.

McRae’s American Bistro & Cocktails: The East Dallas restaurant will serve a two-course Thanksgiving dinner with a choice of tomato soup or Granny Smith salad, followed by roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans amandine, and cranberry sauce. À la carte options include filet mignon, salmon meunière, and lemon caper chicken. Bourbon pecan pie and vanilla crème brûlée are among the desserts. 11 am-6 pm. Prix fixe: $39 per adult, $15 for children under 12.

Mercat Bistro: The French bistro will serve a three-course Thanksgiving brunch with smoked salmon, Quiche Lorraine, croissant eggs Benedict, turkey, steak frites, and desserts including pain perdu, chocolate tart, and beignets. Dinner options include escargot, roasted cauliflower soup, roasted turkey, petite filet, Parisian gnocchi, and pumpkin cheesecake. Brunch 10 am-3 pm, $75 per adult and $30 for children 12 and under; dinner 5-10 pm, $85 per adult and $35 for children 12 and under.

Nobu Dallas: The Japanese restaurant will serve a Thanksgiving brunch buffet featuring sushi, pastries, desserts, chef-attended stations, and a turkey carving station. 11 am-2 pm. $95.

The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas: The resort’s expansive Thanksgiving Mercato buffet will feature seafood, smoked salmon, artisan cheeses and charcuterie, herb-roasted turkey, hand-carved prime rib, cider-glazed ham, sweet potato casserole, and Cacio e Pepe prepared in a cheese wheel. Desserts include pumpkin profiteroles, spiced pumpkin crème brûlée, apple pie cheesecake, and maple pecan mille-feuille. 12-9 pm. $155 per adult, $55 for children ages 5-10.

Saint Ann: The Harwood Street restaurant will serve a three-course Thanksgiving brunch with butternut squash soup, seared salmon, roasted turkey breast, and smoked brisket hash. Desserts include pumpkin pie, chocolate meringue pie, and apple pear crumble. 11 am-4 pm. $60 per person, $25 for children 12 and under.

Silver Fox: The Richardson steakhouse will serve slow-roasted turkey with Grandma’s gravy, cornbread dressing, whipped potatoes, candied yams, sugar snap peas, and spiced cranberry sauce. Kentucky bourbon pecan pie and pumpkin pie are among the desserts. 12-6 pm. $45 per adult, $20 for children 12 and under. A family meal pack with the same menu is also available for takeout, with prices varying by group size. Preorders begin November 17.

Stillwell’s Steakhouse: The Hotel Swexan steakhouse will offer its regular à la carte menu alongside a Thanksgiving turkey roulade with stuffing, butterscotch heirloom carrots, spiced Texas pecans, gravy, and cranberry mostarda. Bookings begin at 5 pm.

III Forks: Both Addison and Frisco locations of the steakhouse will serve a three-course Thanksgiving dinner with spice-rubbed turkey, Grandma’s gravy, cranberry-orange relish, sausage-sage cornbread dressing, creamed potatoes, maple-glazed yams, and roasted autumn vegetables. Desserts include Kentucky bourbon chocolate pecan pie and pumpkin pie cake. 11 am-8 pm. $45 per adult, $20 for children 12 and under. A turkey family meal pack is also available for takeout, with prices varying by group size. Preorders begin November 17.

Winsome Prime: Dallas restaurant will serve its full brunch menu along with a Thanksgiving dinner option of smoked turkey or Hawaiian-glazed ham with two sides, including cornbread dressing, garlic truffle mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, or greens, and cranberry sauce. Desserts include Mama’s carrot cake and sweet potato pie. 10 am-4 pm. $35 per person.

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