Takeout Thanksgiving in Ridgewood, NJ
A friend of mine who works as a freelance writer asked if I knew of any good Ridgewood spots to order Thanksgiving. She wants to do a segment. This was my off the top of my head response!
Sugar & Spice for non-traditional dessert that incorporates all the delicious ingredients that we know and love from Thanksgiving spices—mace, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, clove.
The Best of Everything is very underrated in my opinion.
If you don't see it on the menu you can ask the chefs who are also the owners to make something to your specification.
They do a very good job and they use very good ingredients that make their dishes taste homemade.
I would go with them for some good side dishes like;
green bean casseroles,
Mac and cheese,
or even whipped potatoes and sweet potatoes.
I would not hesitate to ask the chef over at Park West Tavern to make a great big batch of his garlic spinach which is as good as it gets.
I think people are willing to come away from some more traditional appetizers and so I will be ordering from Tumeric in town. They're going to make two special different types of naan bread—one regular and one with spice and garlic. I'm going to serve it with their coriander-mint yogurt. It's light and it's filling and all the flavors roll right into anyone's traditional Thanksgiving dinner. It’s just a nice little twist on the day. If the yogurt is not completely devoured then I'm going to take some of the white meat from the turkey the next day and toss it in the yogurt for a really delicious turkey salad and put it on the naan bread—it will be a total mouth party!
Pumpkin and sweet potato desserts
Mac n Cheese
Whipped Potatoes
Green bean casserole
Mashed candied sweet potatoes
Tray of garlic spinach
Kale and quinoa salad
Naan bread coriander w/yogurt dip
Spiced collard greens
Greenway Markets for a GREAT selection of Stonewall Jellies. You can't get enough specialty jellies I say! Crackers are inexpensive and so is a lovely loaf of French bread from their bakery department. Grab some of their organic honey, olive medley and one soft, medium and aged cheese from their gourmet to go selection. I’d recommend Brie or Crambret, Manchego or Goulda, and Parmesan or Asiago Paired with all the delicious jellies—you've got yourself a beautiful board!
Just Lovely
Don't Skip the Coffee!!! (Or tea)
Hit up Ridgewood Coffee Company for a box of medium roast coffee and one of their special teas, like a nice mix of chamomile and ginger- great for digestion.
Super Big Tip…
Super Cellars Liquors will pair for FREE your entire menu based on:
Menu
Flavor palate
Amount of guests
Budget
FREE!!!!
Don't be afraid to tell them what you like in a wine.
Don't be intimidated or shy. This is what they do all day everyday and they're great at it.
DO take advantage of their expertise.
BIG sidebar:
They have a beautiful cheese and prepared food section.
Fresh, Jarred, canned; and refrigerated so if you forget anything it makes for a great last minute grab!!!
Also, guess freaking what they have almost all the time?
Baklava!!!
I know, crazy right?
It's actually very good.
Drizzle some extra honey and maybe some pistachios or rose petals on top. It looks like you made it yourself and your guests will go crazy.
It’s great as an alternative excellent light Thanksgiving dessert that pairs perfectly with all the traditional meals.
For you Italian readers...Go big or go Pearl for a tray of either Gnocchi or Cavatelli as a first course.
The pasta is housemade. No slaving or boiling water and steaming up the kitchen or your eyelashes!
Pierre and Michel make pretty things... nice eye and mouth candy.
Macaroons
Croissants
Danish
Don't sleep on the custards... very creamy, decadent, and delicious.
Need Cornbread?...best place for that and especially gluten free is Whole Foods.
Whatever, they don't bake, they bring in with great integrity.
They have pumpkin bread and zucchini bread that I will be getting for my dinner. It's in "the cut" on a shelf on the right hand side, on the way into the refrigerated section—I'm glad it's still kind of a secret thing because it's soooo moist and satisfying.
In conclusion, there are lots and lots of traditions and obligations to this holiday so take a moment to evaluate what you are willing to forgo the time and aggravation for. This way you can enjoy your day with your loved ones and feel great about supporting local business here in the Wood!
— Damo