Nothing shows off culinary chops like hosting Thanksgiving. If you’ve been slated as this year’s host, here are some resources for the big day. Sharpen those knives, get out that apron, and get cookin’!
First things first, brush up on your cooking skills with a demonstration by chef, restaurateur, and The Next Iron Chef season 3 winner Marc Forgione at MACY’S UNION SQUARE on Wednesday November 14th at 6pm. While you’re there, you can pick up last-minute housewares too. Be sure to RSVP to save a spot. 170 O’Farrell St. at Powell, 415-397-3333.
Of course, you need a turkey. Head to OLIVIER’S BUTCHERY for free-range turkeys from Branigan’s Turkey Farm. They’ve also got you covered if your gathering is a smaller one: just order the ready-to-cook turkey roti (or another type of roti if you wanna go that route). They’ll be open 10am-7pm Mon-Wed before Thanksgiving, so place your order now. 1074 Illinois St. at 22nd St., 415-558-9887.
For something really special, check out the turduckens and smoked heritage turkeys at 4505 MEATS. You can order them online, and most of the options will be available for pickup starting Saturday November 17th. There are some exceptions, though, so check their website for details. Act quickly! 415-255-3094.
You can also order your turkey online through DELICIOUS KARMA. They’ve got BN Ranch turkeys this year, and are giving a special 10 percent discount. Just enter promo code 10%OFF-TURKEY at checkout. Orders must be placed by 11:59pm on Thursday November 15th for Thanksgiving delivery.
If you don’t want to cook your own bird, buy one already roasted at WHOLE FOODS—you just have to warm it up (it’s pretty foolproof, and tasty too). Petite Diestel turkeys start at $54.99, but there are more options as well. Check you nearest location for details (bonus: you can order online and pick up at the store). Find your nearest location here. (Be sure to pick up some Artisan Bakery rosemary pull-apart rolls too—they’re delish, and perfect for sandwiches with leftover turkey.)
If you’ve got the turkey handled but have no energy (or oven space) for side dishes, order your favorites from SQUARE MEALS. You can check out the menu options here. Orders placed by Friday November 16th will be ready for pick up on Thanksgiving morning or delivery on Wednesday November 21st. 2127 Polk St. at Vallejo, 415-674-1069.
Look to the FERRY PLAZA FARMERS MARKET for a bounty of gorgeous produce for Turkey Day. They’re holding the usual Tuesday market, plus a special Wednesday market on November 21st, 10am-2pm. If you don’t have time to shop, order a special “Everything but the Turkey” basket through Good Eggs for all your produce needs. Order by Sunday November 18th for pickup or delivery November 20th or 21st.
BI-RITE MARKET stocks everything you need for the big day, too, including lots of premade sides. All are available for preorder—just check their website for available choices and give them a call. 3639 18th St. at Dolores, 415-241-9760 ext. 3.
This next tip can be our little secret. You can order a complete Thanksgiving meal from A.G. FERRARI FOODS. $109.99 nets you an Italian-themed feast featuring three pounds of local turkey breast, butternut squash soup, A.G. Ferrari cranberry sauce with zinfandel, roasted autumn root vegetables, Brussels sprouts with pancetta in a sherry-shallot vinaigrette, stuffing, turkey gravy, chestnut and squash risotto with Parmigiano-Reggiano, focaccia dinner rolls, and a sweet almond cake with pears and amaretti. Or get all nine sides (no turkey) for $79.99. Both packages serve eight; with more desserts on the à la carte menu. Check out the full list of options here, and order by calling 877-878-2783 or visiting their nearest location.
~BOXING ROOM~ is also offering whole Thanksgiving dinners to go. Theirs has a Southern bent—think collard greens and cornbread stuffing—and you get to choose a roasted or deep-fried bird. The whole shebang costs $325 and serves eight to ten people; half orders are available for $162.50. Order by Wednesday November 21st for pickup on Thanksgiving morning between 9am-12pm. To order, call 415-430-6590.
For a full-service catering experience or custom-tailored delivery of your feast, check out KITCHIT. Just fill out the inquiry portion on the website outlining what you need, and they’ll get in touch with you about your options.
Joanna Karlinsky of SWEET JO’S CHILI & BISCUITS is offering her famous biscuits two ways: you can have them delivered on Thanksgiving morning, fully baked, or you can get them frozen and bake them yourself. (it’s easier to take full credit yourself that way, trust me.) She’s also got a full lineup of Thanksgiving dishes, from the turkey itself to a couple different stuffings. Everything you order from her is counted as a Kickstarter contribution too. Just make sure you order by Monday November 19th. Check out her website or give her a call for the details. 415-336-9472.
The fabulous ladies at THREE BABES BAKESHOP have a variety of ways to get one of their delicious pies into your welcoming arms. First, preorder online, with choices like apple, pumpkin, brown butter pecan, and salty honey walnut. Then you can pick up your pie from a variety of locations on Wednesday November 21st: they’ll be at ~WISE SONS DELI~ from 10am-7pm, at the ~FERRY BUILDING~ for the special farmers’ market from 10am-2pm, and out of a truck in Pacific Heights from 3:30pm-7pm. If that doesn’t work for you, they’ll also be at ~18 REASONS~ on Thanksgiving Day from 9am-1pm. And, as a final option, they can also deliver to local addresses. Place your order by Friday November 16th.
If you need baked goods in addition to pie, ARIZMENDI is the place. They’ve got pies, cheesecake, rolls, and bread to keep you rolling in the carbs. They are super-busy the week of Thanksgiving, so save yourself some time and preorder by calling 415-566-3117. They’ve got multiple locations for pickup; check the website for the one nearest you.
Looking for something unusual? ~NOMBE~ is offering Thanksgiving-themed bento boxes this year, with goodies like satsuma imo with marshmallow, chestnuts and manju (sweet bun), and fried Brussels sprouts, with caramelized bacon and apple gastrique. Each bento box comes in four layers, to serve four people, plus a basket of roasted chicken. You can also order a half box if you’re having an intimate Thanksgiving for two. The boxes are $35 per person, and must be ordered by Thursday November 15th to pick up on either Monday November 20th or Tuesday November 21st. Call 415-681-7150 or email to order.
If you’re in the East Bay, there are lots of options for you too. PIETISSERIE is taking orders for pies. Order your pie now, and pick up on Wednesday November 21st or even Thursday morning.
MILKGLASS BAKING has pecan, apple, and pumpkin pies. You can order on the website, or email your order in. Pickup is at their Gilman St. kitchen in Berkeley. 1287 Gilman St. at Curtis.
If you need a good spot to pick up side dishes, head to THE PASTA SHOP. They’ve got prepared sides for pick up, plus a full assortment of appetizer platters for welcoming your guests. They have locations in Berkeley on 4th Street and in the Rockridge Market Hall.
You gotta have wine, of course. Even if you’re attending someone else’s Thanksgiving, showing up with a fab bottle or two is always a classy move. Check out how wines will pair with turkey at WILLIAM CROSS WINE MERCHANTS. They’ll be throwing a tasting on Wednesday November 14th from 6pm-9pm, featuring the “guest of honor” (that would be a turkey). You can sample the bird and taste wines along with it, then make your purchases right there. Bonus: they can ship to other parts of the country if you’re traveling, as long as you order on Wednesday November 14th. 2253 Polk St. at Green, 415-346-1314.
So are you ready? Good, now get to the kitchen, you!
Turducken by 4505 Meats; photo from 4505 Meats.
Event Info
Thursday Nov 22, 2012
