Eight no-fuss options for a Thanksgiving meal

While the moms (and dads) of Toronto can cook a fine turkey, plenty of chefs have also plumbed the bird’s mysterious cavities. For revelers with a discerning palate (or those too lazy busy to cook their own), we’ve assembled eight great ways to have someone do the Thanksgiving work for you.

• The Globe Bistro is offering a $35 three-course meal featuring a choice of curried celery and apple soup or autumn veggie salad to start, roast turkey or vegetable orecchiette for the main and apple/peach crumble or pumpkin tarts to finish. Globe Bistro. Oct. 9. $35. 124 Danforth Ave., 416-466-2000, globebistro.com

• Toronto’s only castle is serving a generous brunch buffet in the conservatory and library. Highlights include pumpkin bread pudding, scrambled eggs with caramelized pear and brie, Pacific salmon with kale from the castle garden and for the masochistic adventurous, a complimentary shot of “pumpkin pie”: cinnamon schnapps with Irish cream coffee liqueur. Casa Loma. Oct. 9. Start times between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. $51.45. 1 Austin Terrace, 416-923-1171 ext. 202, casaloma.org/seasonal

• The Miller Tavern is open all weekend, serving a three-course harvest dinner that comes with choice of appetizer, roast turkey or rib of beef and pumpkin cheesecake. Miller Tavern. Oct. 8-10. $35. 3885 Yonge St., 416-322-5544, themiller.ca

• Chef Timothy Palmer of the Royal York’s Epic restaurant has put together a complete take-home feast for those who prefer to stay in (or masquerade as classically trained chefs). Busy hosts can buy the full meal, which includes the turkey, butternut squash, sweet potato bisque, pumpkin pie, potatoes, veggies, gravy and cranberry sauce, or just the bird. We suggest interested parties act fast—pre-orders close today. Epic at the Fairmont Royal York. Pickup Oct. 9 to 10. Turkey $129, full meal $185. 100 Front St. W., 416-860-5050, epicrestaurant.ca

• We don’t have all the details yet, but we do know that Amaya has turkey korma on their prix fixe menu this weekend. And really, that’s all we need. Amaya. $29 prix fixe. 1701 Bayview Ave., 416-322-3270, amayarestaurant.com

• For a real harvest experience, Langdon Hall is hosting a Sunday buffet brunch using ingredients grown right on the property. Special holiday à la carte menus are available both Sunday and Monday, and for those with other plans this weekend, the Hall is also offering a six-course Late Harvest Dinner on Oct. 21. Reservations required. Langdon Hall. Oct. 9. Noon to 3 p.m. $55. 1 Langdon Dr., 1-800 268-1898, langdonhall.ca

• In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, the Big Chill is sharing its ice cream, free of charge. Sadly they’re just “mini-cones,” but the holiday requires you to thank them nonetheless. The Big Chill. Oct. 10., noon to 4 p.m. Free. 566 College St., 416-960-2455, thebigchill.ca

• If you find traditional Thanksgiving customs insufficiently nautical, both Mariposa and Jubilee Queen cruises are happy to serve turkey while surfing over the lake. We can’t vouch for the food, but we bet the view is pretty great. Mariposa Cruises. Oct. 8 to 10. 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. $72.95. 207 Queens Quay W., 416-203-0178, mariposacruises.com; Jubilee Queen Cruise Lines. Oct. 9 to 10. Various times. $54.95–$59.95. 539 Queens Quay W., 416-203-7245, jubileequeencruises.ca/toronto-thanksgiving-cruise.htm