Thanksgiving in Prague

For the easiest bird purchasing, visit Robertson (www.robertson.cz.) The British expat fav will have turkey for 99CZK a kilo, size about seven kilos. Other related meats include bacon to cover the bird and sausage for use in the stuffing. If you´d prefer a nice ham, they´ll have that too – precooked on the bone from 155CZK/kilo at approximately eight kilos. Smaller pieces, also precooked, are 239CZK for one to four kilos. For the sides he´ll have turkey gravy granules and Ocean Spray cranberry sauce. We asked Mr. Robertson himself for some ordering suggestions and this is what he advises:

Culinaria (www.culinaria.cz) is another good bet for those in search of hard to come by “typical” Thanksgiving treats. Bonus here if you want to host, but don´t want to cook is they cater. Their Thanksgiving menu consists of roast turkey with gravy, four different kinds of potatoes, four side dishes, salads, soup and appetizers. For dessert you can serve pecan pie, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin pie or cranberry apple pie. Be sure to order at least seven days in advance. Culinaria is a chef´s dream when it comes to hard to find items so browse their shelves before despairing over some essential missing ingredient.

A newbie on the expat food market is Expatbread.com (www.expatbread.com.) Their main focus, obviously, is bread. White, wholemeal and malted are the staples of their stock. For Thanksgiving purposes they offer pork, Cumberland, and Lincolnshire sausage as well as bacon in rashers. Everything is frozen so it´s important to have the freezer space unless you plan on defrosting and using immediately. Currently, they don´t have a shop so offer free delivery with the purchase of five or more items. Please give them at least 24 hours notice; and if you do want to ensure something for Thanksgiving, put your request in early. They are expanding their stock, so keep an eye on their website for new foods coming in.

“Normal” supermarkets may also have what you need. Hypernova tends to have a more extensive stock, but don´t neglect Tesco´s international section. Unfortunately these sections vary by Tesco; the one on Národní is one of the best. Sometimes even Albert or Billa will surprise, so be sure to browse the aisles when you are thinking about your menu. Frozen turkeys can often be found; look for celý krocan or krůta. If you cruise the forums on Expats.cz, you will benefit from the advice of past Thanksgiving Day cookers who have found what they needed – sometimes in unlikely spots.

Lack the necessary cutlery to do it yourself? Lots of restaurants, especially hotel-related ones will be offering up a nice spread. Hilton´s CzechHouse (www.hiltonprague.cz) will be offering Thanksgiving dinner on November 22 for 890CZK per person for a four-course meal. The menu includes roasted turkey with all the extras; venison medallions and monkfish. There´s also an optional wine degustation for 490CZK. On November 27, Prague Marriott (www.marriotthotels.com) will be serving a medley of Thanksgiving favorites including turkey, stuffing, candied yams, sweet potatoes, pumpkin soup, glazed ham, leg of deer with cranberry sauce and desserts like pecan maple syrup pie and key lime pie. The price is 895CZK and that includes wine, beer, mulled wine and soft drinks, including hot apple cider. On November 27, InterContinental´s Zlata Praha (www.ichotelsgroup.com) will be serving roasted turkey stuffed with chestnuts; mashed potatoes; garden vegetables and cranberry relish. You´ll start with autumn mixed greens and pumpkin bisque. Round it out with either pumpkin or pecan nut pie. Cost is 2100CZK per person. Allegro (www.fourseasons.com) will have a fancy-schmancy meal of roasted turkey breast with stuffing, autumn vegetable casserole and cranberry sauce. Non-turkey eaters can choose from alternative menus that include Breton lobster, Mantova-filled tortellini or steamed John Dory.

More casual offerings can be found as well. The Bohemia Bagel (www.bohemiabagel.cz) in Prague 7 will be serving an all you can eat Thanksgiving buffet on November 27, starting at 7pm. Cost is 490CZK. On the menu is roasted turkey and gravy, two kinds of stuffing, home-made cranberry sauce, Swedish Christmas ham (I don´t know why), venison stew, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, green salad, pumpkin pie, apple pie and pumpkin cheesecake. For those who just like leftovers; both the Prague 7 and Prague 1 locations will be serving turkey sandwiches between November 25 and 30. Over at Buffalo Bill´s (www.buffalobill.cz) the normal Mexican menu will be replaced with roast turkey, sage dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry relish, vegetable crudités, peas and carrots, strawberry gelatin and pumpkin pie. Dinner is served on November 27 and cost is 389CZK. Jama will be serving a three-course dinner on November 27, watch their website for more details. You can also check the Globe (www.globebookstore.cz), Fraktal (www.fraktalbar.cz), Red Hot & Blues (www.czrb.cz), and TGI Friday´s (www.tgifridays.cz) who have all done something for turkey day in the past.