A Guide To Last Minute Thanksgiving Shopping & Dining Around Ditmas Park

Amber Ceffalio -

Did Thanksgiving sneak up on you? Did your guest list suddenly expand? Did one (or more) of your guests recently announce they don’t eat meat/wheat/milk/sugar? Do you want to bag the whole thing?

Read on. We’ve found places in and around Ditmas Park that’ll solve each of your holiday dilemmas.

Expanded Guest List

  • If you can make the short drive to Kensington, Brancaccio’s Food Shop (3011 Fort Hamilton Parkway between E 2nd and E 3rd Streets) still has plenty of sides, though full dinners are sold out. Joe will be working in the kitchen tomorrow, so you can even stop by then. Joe’s advice: come early!
  • Extra and interesting cheeses, crackers, olive oil and bread can be purchased at Mimi’s Hummus (1209 Cortelyou Road between Westminster and Argyle Roads), as well as pumpkin pie, halva babka, and hazelnut chocolate babka for pre-order. It’s also an excellent place to pick up a gift for your hostess if you’re eating at someone else’s place.
  • Down the block at TB Ackerson Wine Merchants (1205 Cortelyou Road between Westminster and Argyle Roads), ask which wine pairs best with pecan pie, or grab a bottle of Wild Turkey to go with the roasted turkey.
  • You can never have too much dessert. John’s Bakery (1322 Cortelyou Road on the corner of Rugby Road) has shelves of apple and pumpkin pies. You can also pick up extra bread and milk there.

Guests with Dietary Issues:

  • The Flatbush Food Co-op (1415 Cortelyou Road between Rugby and Marlborough Roads) is open on Thanksgiving from 6am-4pm. You can pick up last minute vegan whipped cream, Tofurky, and spelt bread. If you’re too busy to actually shop, the Co-op will deliver for free in Ditmas Park, though probably not on Thanksgiving. Simply order your beets and sweet potatoes between 12 and 6pm before the holiday.

No Time or Inclination to Cook:

  • The Dogwood (1021 Church Avenue between E 10th Street and Stratford Road) is accepting Thanksgiving orders off its Thanksgiving menu until noon on Wednesday. Alternatively, avoid cooking and cleaning altogether and make a reservation for 5pm or 8pm at The Dogwood’s Thanksgiving table.
  • Moondos Grill (424 Church Avenue between E 4th and E 5th Streets) is cooking for Thanksgiving. Stop by or call to find out more.
  • Pablo’s (43 Newkirk Plaza) will be open from 7am to about 4 or 5pm, although details are still being hammered out. What’s for sure is they’ll have a special turkey platter for Thanksgiving diners.
  • Cafe Madeline (1603 Cortelyou Road between E 16th and E 17th Streets) isn’t serving Thanksgiving dinner, but they will have brunch available from 7am-3pm. Lark (1007 Church Avenue between E 10th Street and Stratford Road) will be open from 7am-3pm, and Milk & Honey (1119 Newkirk Avenue on the corner of Westminster Road) and Qathra (1112 Cortelyou Road between Stratford and Westminster Roads) will be also be open and serving their usual fare from 7am to 5 or 6pm.

Where are your favorite places to pick up sides, pies, and wine for Thanksgiving? Or if you’re not eating at home, which local restaurant do you frequent to give your thanks?