The Global Ambassador
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The pre-holiday festivities have ended, the living room is the site of empty gift bags and ripped pieces of wrapping paper and chances are good that decorated sugar cookies and leftovers from the previous day’s cheese plate are the only food in the house.
At this point, who wants to think about cooking?
But you don’t have to be stuck with ordering a warm-ish, soggy bagged meal via a third-party delivery service as your only option.
Several restaurants are ready to serve, either with dine-in feasts or complete to-go packages. Whether you yearn for elegant prix-fixe menus, a lavish buffet or prefer to indulge at your leisure at home, find your Christmas Day feast at one of these establishments.
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All menus are available on Dec. 25 only, and reservations are highly recommended for dine-in meals.
Palo Verde Restaurant
Boulders Resort & Spa
34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Scottsdale
Make your way to the Palo Verde Restaurant at the Boulders Resort & Spa for a four-course dinner ($115, $57.50 for ages 6 to 12) served from 3 to 8 p.m. that is fully loaded with all the favorites. Next, choose between a mixed baby green salad or a fall harvest chopped salad. A cup of spiced pumpkin bisque will be followed by a delectable entree. Pick between a bourbon-brined pork chop with mashed maple and toasted chile yams, roasted broccolini, tart cherry compote and guajillo Woodford pork jus; butter-basted beef tenderloin with garlic puree, mesquite spiced baby potato, roasted root vegetables, red crab fritter, and chimichurri and béarnaise sauces; and seared king salmon joined by butter toasted fregola, roasted heirloom beets, caramelized pistachio and chipotle red beet beurre. Buche de Noel embellished with hazelnut praline ganache and mocha whipped cremeux, and chestnut mascarpone panna cotta with plum compote and maple anglaise vie for dessert status.
If hosting at home is the plan, a to-go dinner option that feeds four to six features main course dishes of pepper crusted prime rib ($295), spiral ham ($265), or roasted turkey ($255) – all of which include rolls and the usual accompaniments. The mains come with your choice of three sides from caramelized Brussels sprouts, barbecue spiced heirloom baby carrots, roasted organic broccolini, roasted yams and roasted wild mushroom stuffing. Choose between a praline bundt cake or gingerbread cake for dessert. Orders must be placed at least 48 hours in advance of Christmas Day and will be available for pickup between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Dec. 25, at Bogey’s, the resort’s golf course restaurant.
Toro at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
7575 E Princess Drive, Scottsdale
At Toro, a three-course menu ($85) kicks off with a seafood stew featuring lobster, red snapper, shrimp and clams. A hefty Iberico pork chop dressed up in a tangy, savory anticuchera marinade with burnt apple chicha morada jus, Peruvian beer reduction and aji amarillo celery root is the main attraction. End with horchata tres leches cake adorned with vanilla cookie crumble, cinnamon chantilly and raspberry.
If you wish to savor an elegant feast in comfy clothes at home, the take-and-heat dinner that serves four ($310) is the answer. The meal includes a spinach and chicory salad, glazed ham, short rib, whipped potatoes, a variety of seasonal vegetables, rolls and a deep-dish apple pie. There’s also the option to include the handcrafted cocktail Christmas Coquito ($60 for four) that’s made with Puerto Rican rum, coconut, vanilla, evaporated milk, cinnamon and baking spices. Orders must be placed by Dec. 20. Pick-up window is from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 24.
Hotel Valley Ho
6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale
Take your pick from Hotel Valley Ho’s two feasting options. Start your day with a brunch buffet and chef omelet station in the SoHo Ballroom from 6 to 11 a.m. ($35, $14 for ages 12 and younger).
If you’re sleeping in, head to ZuZu from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for a lunch or dinner that includes a starter buffet followed by your choice of entree ($92-$109 depending on the entree selection, $25 for ages 12 and younger). Blackened shrimp cocktail, charcuterie, cheeses and salads grace the starter buffet. For your entree, choose between charbroiled pepper-crusted ribeye with short rib potato pave and grilled asparagus; pork osso bucco with artichoke and white bean cassoulet and braised swiss chard; blackened Scottish salmon with forbidden fried rice; roasted duck breast with brandy citrus leg confit, miso rutabagas and Brussels sprouts; or mushroom bolognese served over Sonoran Pasta Co. pasta with Japanese eggplant and local goat cheese. Finish with apple pie with caramel sauce, chocolate mousse with flourless chocolate cake and peppermint whipped cream, or eggnog bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce.
Chompie’s
Chompie’s
Multiple locations
Prefer to lounge in your PJs with unwrapped gifts at home? Chompie’s has got you covered with two huge take-and-reheat packages ready to feed 12 to 15 guests each. The basic dinner ($249.99) includes an extra-large whole oven-roasted turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry relish and one each pumpkin and apple pie. The traditional meal ($299.99) includes the basic dinner offerings plus savory mashed sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, homestyle green beans and fresh baked dinner rolls ($299.99). A variety of desserts, including cupcakes, yule logs and decorated sugar cookies are also available. Orders must be confirmed 72 hours in advance of the arranged pick-up time.
The Italiano
The Italiano
9301 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale
A festive buffet ($99, $39 for ages 5-12) at The Italiano will welcome you with an array of hearty dishes, chilled seafood towers and an elaborate dessert spread available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find New York strip steak, turkey and brown sugar ham at the carving station, and entrees like raised short ribs with polenta, chicken and sausage cacciatore and eggplant rollatini at the buffet table.
Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows
6114 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Unwind over Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen’s three-course dinner ($98) that will be served from 4 to 8 p.m. Highlights include Sicilian tuna tartare with blood orange and za’atar-dusted pita; fettuccine with forest mushrooms and shaved truffle; seafood “paella” risotto with shrimp, scallop, mussels, saffron and chorizo; red wine braised short rib with gratin potato; grilled salmon with butternut squash couscous, toasted almonds and apricots; and Buche de Noel for dessert. For diners 12 and younger, a three-course lineup ($45) will be available.
Le Âme
The Global Ambassador
4360 E. Camelback Road
Feel festive amid Parisian charm with brunch or dinner at Le Âme. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a three-course brunch ($75) will start with a pull-apart cinnamon roll, deviled eggs with caviar, shrimp cocktail and kale and quinoa salad, all for the table. For the main course, choose from Oscar benedict with lump crab meat, asparagus and hollandaise; quiche florentine; ricotta toast on caramelized ciabatta; Ora king salmon with a potato crust, glazed candy striped beets and bok choy; shrimp bucatini; or truffle roasted chicken with butter whipped potato. The meal culminates with raspberry tiramisu and warm date cake with butter pecan gelato and salted toffee sauce for the table.
Prefer to eat a little later? End the day with a prix-fixe dinner menu ($165) served from 4 to 9 p.m. Truffled brie baguette, cacio e pepe Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, oysters and duck spring rolls are starters for the table. Shared roasted sweet potato and grilled asparagus for the table arrive with the main course. Entree options include steak frites; short rib bourguignon with pomme puree; butternut squash ravioli; Ora king salmon with a potato crust, glazed candy striped beets and bok choy; prime rib with butter whipped potato; a classic sole meuniere; truffle roasted chicken with butter whipped potato; and lobster bucatini. For dessert, decide among profiteroles with French vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate ganache, buche de noel or warm date cake with butter pecan gelato and salted toffee sauce.
Match Market & Bar
FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel
1100 N. Central Ave.
For a hearty, straightforward dinner, the three-course menu ($59) at Match Market & Bar hits the spot. Begin with warm Camembert with fig jam and a baguette. Prime rib with roasted garlic and rosemary marble potatoes, beef jus and sherry-glazed parsnips is the main course. Eggnog cheesecake is the dessert that brings together two of the season’s favorites. The dinner is available starting at 3 p.m.
The Phoenician Tavern
The Phoenician Tavern
6000 E. Camelback Road
Take in sweeping views of the lush greens at The Phoenician Tavern while savoring eats on a special holiday buffet ($90, $45 for ages 3 through 12) served from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Begin with starters like chestnut soup, citrus-poached shrimp and a variety of salads. Move on to the chef’s carving station for freshly sliced honey-glazed ham and garlic-roasted prime rib, or go with other entrees such as pan-seared salmon and truffled chicken breast. Confit garlic whipped potatoes, green chile mac and cheese and maple-glazed Brussels sprouts are among the sides. Spiced apple cheesecake and strawberry meringue tart vie for sweet ending honors.
George & Gather
336 S. Washington St., Chandler
Relax after a day of cheer at George & Gather over a four-course prix fixe menu ($70, $40 additional for wine pairing). Start things off with a board featuring toasted Barrio sourdough bread, roasted garlic and hot honey butter; bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with ricotta and spiced walnuts; Chef Fiona’s whipped goat cheese with local raw honey, pecans and toasted sourdough bread; or Wagyu meatballs with local focaccia. After your choice of salad for the second course, choose from five entree selections. Opt for pan seared salmon with horseradish cream, fingerling potato, roasted beets and arugula; organic roasted chicken with romesco sauce, fingerling potato and charred broccolini; braised short rib with cabernet jus, cauliflower puree, roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots; pasta pomodoro made with Sonoran Pasta Co. bucatini, marinara, calabrian chile, lemon ricotta and granapadano; or your choice of an artisanal sourdough pizza. For the finale, there’s a flourless chocolate cake dressed up with peppermint cream cheese buttercream and chocolate ganache; honey apricot whipped cheesecake on a honey graham cracker crust with apricot preserve and salted honey whipped cream; or a simple yet classic affogato featuring sweet cream and honey gelato. Seatings are available from 4 to 9 p.m.
