Your friends are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, and they want you to do your part. But you barely know how to turn on the oven. Instead of cooking, grab some goodies at these upscale groceries and wine shops.
1. Easy cheesy
Cheese is great party food, but for the love of God, don’t go to Jewel and buy that Cracker Barrel crap if you want to make a good impression. Instead, pick up a block of fine fromage at The Cheese Stands Alone, just off the Western stop on the Brown Line in Lincoln Square. Owner Matt Parker recommends a crowd-pleasing goat cheese called Banon from Indiana’s Capriole Farms ($10.50). Wrapped in bourbon-soaked chestnut leaves and tied in a neat little bow, this 6-ounce round is almost too pretty to eat. Almost. Need an accompaniment? Parker suggests forgoing crackers in favor of one of his crusty baguettes ($2.50). 4547 N. Western Ave. 773-293-3870.
2. Gourmet goodies
Forget about bringing the usual fried onion-topped green bean casserole (gag). New carryout specialist Urban Epicure in Andersonville sells ready-made sides such as orzo with winter pesto, topped with crumbled feta and roasted tomatoes ($7.99 per pound); and truffled mushroom risotto cakes with sauteed wild mushrooms and white truffle oil ($4.99 each). Can’t find the perfect dish? Assemble a basket of posh foodstuffs from the store’s shelves. 1512 W. Berwyn Ave. 773-293-3663.
3. Beer in bulk
Any schlep can show up with a six-pack of Bud. Why not show some class and arrive with a growler (a half-gallon jug) of freshly brewed beer? A growler of the Brown Ale, a medium-bodied beer with hints of toffee and chocolate, costs $6.95 ($5.95 for a refill) at Rock Bottom Brewery (1 W. Grand Ave. 312-755-9339). At Goose Island Brewpub (1800 N. Clybourn Ave. 312-915-0071), growlers go for $10 ($7.50 refills). We recommend the Pilgrim Pale Ale, a crisp, hoppy American-style red ale. And Jonathan Cutler, brewer at Wicker Park’s Piece, recommends his Worrying Ale, a medium-bodied English-style pale ale. Growlers at the Wicker Park pizzeria and brewpub (1927 W. North Ave. 773-772-4422) are $12 ($10 refills).
4. Hit the bottle
Instead of subjecting friends to a bottle of Three Buck Chuck, stop by tiny Valhalla Wineshop in Boystown. With its stark-white interior, an ornate chandelier and single antique table displaying the small but carefully selected inventory, the new spot is aiming for a dramatic presentation. In front of each bottle is a wine glass filled with cards describing the wine. If “robust with a smoky flavor and hints of nutmeg” doesn’t mean a damn thing to you, each wine is compared to a celebrity to give a feel for its character. One spicy white is described as “Anna Nicole Smith eating Thai food.” For your Turkey Day feast, manager Goff Sajja recommends a 1997 Buckley’s merlot, a “velvety, well-rounded” Australian red that’s like “Catherine Zeta-Jones in purple.” Most bottles cost $11-$15. 3317 N. Broadway, 773-296-6800.
5. Isn’t that sweet!
In charge of dessert? Buy a pie through the Piece of the Pie event, and your money goes to fund the Starlight Children’s Foundation’s efforts to brighten the lives of seriously ill kids. Chefs from top restaurants, including Seasons, Zealous and Spiaggia, are baking and donating pies in three varieties–pumpkin, apple and fudge brownie–using their own recipes. Order by 5 p.m. Friday, and you can pick yours up Wednesday at any of 32 locations in the city and suburbs. Where your pie comes from comes down to luck of the draw (a note inside each box bears the name of the baker). Cost is $20 ($15 for two or more). To order, call 312-251-7827, ext. 35.
