Takeout turkey

Finding a home-cooked meal for Thanksgiving gets easier every year in Prague, as expat haunts and hotels want to get in on the holiday and provide all the tradition and trimmings that go along with the turkey-centric meal.

If you want to go it on your own, there are two ways to do it, one significantly easier than the other. Ingredients, like whole turkeys, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and even marshmallows are available - they just require a few more stops than you'd make back home.

Robertson delicatessen and fine foods stores have a handy online e-shop, and delivery in Prague is free for orders of more than 1,000 Kč. Fresh, whole turkeys range from 5 to 7 kilos and are in the 600 Kč range. For a more informal affair, you can take a shortcut and go straight for a whole turkey "crown," essentially a whole turkey with legs and wings removed, for approximately 550 Kč, depending on weight. A turkey breast off the bone is 194 Kč, and if you want to be a little fancier, Robertson offers a turkey roll (turkey meat wrapped and tied around a sausage meat stuffing) for 240 Kč. Also available are boxed stuffing sets, turkey gravy granules, Ocean Spray cranberry sauces and even pumpkin pies. For more information, visit Robertson.cz.

If you want to stay home but are unsure how to pull off a homemade feast, caterers are your best bet. From Nov. 25 to 27, you can pop into Culinaria to pick and choose between cranberry brie bites, stuffed mushrooms, pumpkin soup, maple pecan carrot salad, roast turkey with homemade gravy, stuffing, four different kinds of potato sides and a variety of traditional pies and pumpkin cheesecake. That's only a sampling of their total menu, which can be found at Culinaria.cz.

Dining out

If you're looking for less mess and better service, there are plenty of restaurant specials to choose from, with a huge range of selections and prices. Book early, as these events will fill up quickly, especially if you're looking for space for a larger party.

Since last Thanksgiving, Jáma has opened two more locations, and all offer different turkey options Thursday.

At the original Jáma in Prague 1, a set price of 420 Kč gets you baked turkey with white and dark meat, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, almond stuffing and choice of either apple or pumpkin pie. (Restaurace Jáma, V jámě 7, Prague 1-New Town. Tel. 224 222 383)

At the Jáma Steakhouse, 520 Kč gets you pumpkin soup with cinnamon cream, baked turkey with white and dark meat, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, chestnut stuffing and green beans wrapped in bacon, with a choice of apple or pumpkin pie. (Jáma Steakhouse, Ostrovní 26, Prague 1-New Town. Tel. 222 542 823)

Finally, the Jáma Bar and Grill has the least expensive option at 249 Kč, with white and dark meat turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, almond stuffing and apple or pumpkin pie. (Jáma Bar and Grill, Petrská 23, Prague 1-Old Town. Tel. 224 810 804)

Bohemia Bagel will have Thanksgiving meals at two of its three locations. At the Holešovice branch, the restaurant will have a full-service, all-you-can-eat-buffet with waiters. For 645 Kč, you get a welcome drink and can choose from a feast of Swedish Christmas ham, baked turkey, venison stew, two types of gravy, two types of stuffing (one of each is vegetarian) several vegetables sides and pumpkin cheesecake or apple pie. (Bohemia Bagel, Dukelských hrdinů 48, Prague 7-Holešovice. Tel. 220 806 590)

At the Bohemia Bagel in Old Town, 495 Kč gets you baked turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, vegetarian and meat gravies and stuffing, vegetable sides and three different desserts at an all-you-can-eat buffet. (Bohemia Bagel, Masná 2, Prague 1-Old Town. Tel. 224 812 603)

The Globe Bookstore and Café is celebrating Thanksgiving for two days, starting with a holiday brunch Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Thursday, seating is available between noon and 10 p.m. by reservation. For 525 Kč, you can enjoy pumpkin cream soup, turkey with apple sage stuffing, sautéed green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, wine or beer and a pumpkin chiffon or apple pie. Children's portions are available for 300 Kč. (The Globe, Pštrossova 6, Prague 1-New Town. Tel. 224 934 203)

The Hard Rock Café celebrates Thanksgiving with a Thanksgiving hamburger. Just kidding, but wouldn't that be nice? Service starts at noon, with a two-course meal for 525 Kč and a three-course meal for 650 Kč. (Hard Rock Café Prague, Dům U Rotta, Malé nám. 3, Prague 1-Old Town. Tel. 224 229 529)

Claire Compton can be reached at
ccompton@praguepost.com