T hursdays have a magical foodie tinge this year, with Nov. 27 of course being the national day of tryptophan and Thursday, Dec. 4, offering thanks of another kind: for health. Now in its seventh year, Dining Out for Life raises funds to help those afflicted by AIDS and other HIV-related illness. Celebrated in some 53 cities nationwide, Dining Out for Life in Sonoma County benefits Food for Thought, the Sonoma County AIDS Food Bank based in Forestville, last year raising almost $90,000 for the nonprofit.

The concept is so simple that it's actually delicious: Go out to breakfast, lunch or dinner on Dec. 4, and participating restaurants will donate either 25 or 50 percent of the meal's proceeds to Food for Thought. Healdsburg's Bistro Ralph and Guerneville's Russian River Resort have both pledged to donate 50 percent; among those generously donating 25 percent are all of the Stark properties: Stark's Steakhouse, Monti's Rotisserie, Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar and Willi's Wine Bar. Other favorite participating houses include Cafe Saint Rose, Cafe Gratitude, Cucina Paradiso, K&L Bistro, Mosaic, Odyssey, Restaurant Eloise, Rocker Oysterfellers, Sea Thai Bistro, Sushi Hana. And so on. Great restos, all, and for a great cause. See a complete list at www.diningoutforlife.com/sonomacounty/participating and mention Dining Out for Life when making your reservation.

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