The Procrastinator’s Guide to Thanksgiving

Pecan pie at Percy Street

So there’s less than a week left until Thanksgiving … and you still aren’t ready. Maybe you have a good excuse, or maybe you’re just the type of person who always leaves your plans or your food contribution to the last moment – and even then, you just show up with booze. (Not that there’s anything wrong with showing up with booze.) Whatever the case, we’ve got some truly great ideas and last-minute lifesavers. Whether you’re still trying to find something special to bring to party, or desperately looking for a place to get a table for eight, this guide is for you.

You Need … Dessert.

The bad news: Most bakeries required ordering by yesterday. The good news: These three local spots offer last-second pies, cakes and tarts.

Kermit’s Bake Shoppe’s house-made goodies are available for order until Monday, November 23rd at 10 p.m. and can be picked up on Thanksgiving day between 8 a.m. and noon. (Note: You can also be a hero to your gluten-free family member with Kermit’s gluten-less tray of cookies and brownies.) You should also be sure to order a box of the adorable mashed potato cupcakes, which aren’t, in fact, potato, but whipped vanilla frosting with a salted caramel “gravy” that looks so much like the real thing it’ll fool ’em all.

Red Owl Taven is offering freshly baked apple and pumpkin buys from its “grab ‘n’ go” station at the front of the restaurant. Pies are $12 each or two for $20 – and for every pie sold, the Old City restaurant will donate a pie to Philabundance.

Percy Street Barbecue cut off turkey dinner orders on the 18th, but you can still order pecan and key lime pies until Monday the 21st (and maybe later, if supplies hold out). Call the restaurant to order.

You Need … Drinks.

Have you seen the lines at the Good Wine & Fine Spirits shop? Skip ’em and go the local route with spirits, beer or wine from one of these boozy go-tos.

Visit one of the Philadelphia area’s many distilleries like, for instance, Kensington’s Rowhouse Distilling, which has special Wednesday-before-Thanksgiving hours. The tasting room will be open from noon to 6 p.m., and they’ll be releasing a very limited release of aged rum right at noon. Meantime, over in Manayunk, Palmer Distilling is open noon to 7 p.m. this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thinking wine? Old City’s Pinot isn’t just about wine accessories. The shop offers wines from several Pennsylvania wineries. If you’d rather pair your bird with a brew, you should go for a big bottle, or a growler or two (or three or four) for the whole crowd. On Tuesday, November 24th, Dock Street Brewing is offering limited releases starting at 5 p.m. They’ll have a farmhouse beer, chocolate stout and Russian Imperial Stout for sale. Or you could kick off your night-before-Thanksgiving revelry with a special keg of Dock Street’s 2012 barleywine.

Speaking of barleywine, Yards Brewing Co. has just released their Olde Bartholomew English version. You can tell the family that it pairs excellently with pecan pie. (It’s up to you whether you also want to mention that the ale is 10.3 percent alcohol by volume.)

You Need … the Whole Shebang.

Here’s a tip: Hotels are almost always open on holidays, so they’re a good bet this week. Here are six hotel restaurants worth the reservation.

10 Arts Bistro – the Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz is offering a Thanksgiving buffet brunch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. From 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.,  a three-course dinner will be served.
Price: Brunch: $79; Dinner: $60 per person.

Bank and Bourbon – Loews Hotel
The Market Street Art Deco beauty is offering a three-course menu from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Price: $55 per person, $22 for children.

Chez Colette – Sofitel Hotel
The Center City hotel has a Thanksgiving buffet that includes a raw bar, appetizers, entrees, a carving station and desserts. Only a 5:30 p.m. seating is still available.
Price: $65 per person,  half-price for children under 12.

Paramour – Wayne Hotel
In Wayne, Paramour is offering its a la carte menu, as well as a special three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving menu. Wine pairings are also available.
Price: $60 per person, wine pairing is an additional $35 per person.

The Reeds at Shelter Haven
Thanksgiving in Stone Harbor? Head to the Reeds for a three-course feast. The restaurant is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Price: $42 per person, $19 for kids 12 and under and Free for kids 3 and under.

XIX Nineteen at Hyatt – The Bellevue
The three-course Thanksgiving buffet includes a carving station, salad bar, soup station, raw bar and dessert station. (Bonus: Killer views!) Reservations accepted for between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Price: $68 per person, children are half-price.

Just need a little inspiration?

Peruse our list of favorite Thanksgiving recipes from notable Philadelphians, gorgeously photographed by Jason Varney.