November 18, 2015

4 ways to avoid cooking this Thanksgiving

Top picks for ordering in and dining out this holiday

By Sinead Cummings
PhillyVoice Staff

The Little Bird Bakery and Cafe/for PhillyVoice

Maple custard pie from The Little Bird Bakery and Cafe is one option available for pick-up.

Not everyone can be a master chef. In fact, sometimes remembering to pre-heat the oven is difficult enough. For those who struggle with the pièce de résistance of holiday meals, Thanksgiving dinner, make this year different by leaving all the work to the professionals.

Philadelphia offers a wide range of options for those looking to pick up holiday fare or dine out for the occasion.

Here is your go-to guide on avoiding cooking this Thanksgiving.

If you want a twist on turkey: Brauhaus Schmitz

Chef Jeremy Nolen does not want turkeys, eagles, owls or hawks at the center of Thanksgiving this year. Instead, his holiday menu consists of roast goose.

Diners can enjoy mulled wine, a choice of potato-chestnut soup with pumpkin seed pesto or roasted beet salad with toasted hazelnuts, blue cheese, and orange-tarragon vinaigrette, roast goose with stuffing, family-style sides, and a range of handpicked pastries.

Available through December 20th
Reservations required | $60 per person
Brauhaus Schmitz
718 South St.
(267) 909-8814

If you want to pretend you actually baked: The Little Bird Bakery and Cafe

Pre-order cakes, pies, cookie trays or cheesecakes. Options include caramel bread pudding with malted whipping cream and chocolate streusel, priced at $45, and pecan pie with bourbon custard and candied orange whipped cream, priced at $35. Many of the options serve between six to 16.

7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily (closed Sundays)
48 hours notice for large orders
The Little Bird Bakery and Cafe
517 S. 5th Street
(267) 519-2312

If you want options: Spirit of Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Cruise

Family can be hard to please, especially if everyone has different tastes. A buffet-style feast this year could remedy any holiday dinner disagreements. The picturesque views of Philadelphia from the Delaware river are just a bonus.

Thursday, November 26
Board 2:30 p.m. for cruise 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. | $49.90 per adult | $29.95 per child age 3-12
The Spirit of Philadelphia
401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
(866) 455-3866

If you only have time to cook the turkey: Grateful Plate Philly

Choose from various, healthy, side dishes like butternut squash apple soup or miso glazed roasted cauliflower. Most the items are also vegan and made gluten free. The best part is that being too busy to whip up side dishes actually helps end hunger in Philadelphia. For each side ordered a can of vegetables will be donated to Philabundance through Preston and Steve's Campout for Hunger. Orders will be delivered on Tuesday, November 24 or Wednesday, November 25.

Order by Thursday, November 19
Grateful Plate Philly
info@gratefulplatephilly.com
(215) 983-4257