Chow Bella's Guide to Everything Thanksgiving in Metro Phoenix

Not ready for Turkey Day? We've got everything you need to prepare the bird, pick the beer, and order the best tastes in town for your Thanksgiving table. For a relaxing kick-start to your holiday season, get pampered by booking a table at one of our top picks of places to dine out on Thanksgiving or you can also find some of our favorite recipes from years past.

Where to Dine

District American Kitchen

From 12 to 8 p.m., this contemporary restaurant will have a Thanksgiving selection including roasted turkey and giblet gravy, maple-brown sugar glazed ham, cornbread Andouille stuffing, green bean casserole, Yukon smashed potatoes, herb butter pull-apart rolls, and much more. This downtown restaurant is known for great dessert so don't miss the AZ date sticky toffee pudding and huckleberry gingerbread. The buffet-style dinner is $34 per person, $17 for children ages 4 to 12, and free for 3 and under. Three-hour parking is included. Call 602-817-5400 to book a table.

Bink's Midtown

Seconds are encouraged at this Thanksgiving feast, and slow-cooked turkey and gravy, mole braised turkey tamales, cornbread stuffing, cranberry chutney, wild rice salad, and more on the menu, guests won't have to be told twice. Dinner will also include Bink's roasted pig, which has earned quite a few fans as a Sunday special. Finish with all three desserts: pumpkin roll with cream cheese icing, chocolate pecan pie, and mini apple cobblers. This all-you-can-eat meal is $50 per person, $18 for kids 12 and under. Snap up your reservation now by calling 602-388-4874.

Scottsdale Fairmont Princess

Thanksgiving brunch at The Princess will include something from all of the resorts chefs. That's four restaurants in one: BOURBON STEAK, La Hacienda, The Grill at the TPC, and Ironwood American Kitchen. For $72++ per person, the buffet includes crab cake sliders, house-smoked salmon, devil's truffled eggs, salt-crusted herb prime rib, seared ancho lime rubbed ahi tuna, Four Peaks brined turkey breast with chorizo cornbread stuffing, a selection of soups and salads, and delectable pastries like a cinnamon honey roasted fig tart. Plus there will be a mashed potato bar with three varieties and various toppings to choose from. Children ages 6 to 12 eat for $29++, and kids 5 and under eat free. For reservations, call 480-585-2694.

Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs

Both restaurants at this resort nestled in the foothills of North Mountain will be serving Thanksgiving dinner starting at noon. Different Pointe of View's menu will feature succulent chilled Pacific Gulf snow crab claws, marinated Penn Cove little neck clams, smoked bacon and shallot salad, a carving station, smoked venison sausage, sweet potato mouse with white truffle marshmallows, and more. The turkey will be Guinness-brined and slow-roasted, and dinner is $59.95 per adult, $29.95 per child. Point in Tyme's buffet, priced at $47.95 per person with discounts for seniors and children, will offer carved-to-order turkey, roasted leg of lamb, herb-crusted prime rib, sugar-braised beef short ribs, and seared sea bass. Sides include cornbread stuffing, trio of roasted beets, and roasted pumpkin soup. A selection of desserts will be available at both restaurants. Reservations can be made by calling 602-866-6350 for Different Pointe of View, or 602-866-6348 for Point in Tyme.

Wrigley Mansion

There are two dining options at this iconic Phoenix location. The Red Zone is a family-style meal for football fans. At 2 p.m., dinner will be served in the Garden Room, where there are plenty of large flat-screen TVs so you don't have to miss the best live games. Reservation must be for 6 people or more ($50++ per person). Diners who prefer a football-free brunch will enjoy a selection of over 50 items, including roasted and grilled meats, traditional sides, desserts, and complimentary sparkling wine and mimosas with seatings at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. The buffet is $75++ per person, $37.50 for kids 6 to 12, and free for those 5 years old and under. Call 602-955-4079 to reserve your football fan-ksgiving or family brunch.

Arrowhead Grill

Enjoy the best fine dining in Glendale with a prix-fixe Thanksgiving menu, served from noon to 7 p.m. First course is a lamb chop with rosemary goat cheese fondue or pork wing with spicy Asian BBQ sauce, and entrées include turducken as well as traditional turkey with prosciutto, both served with cornbread stuffing and cranberry sauce. Those who don't like turkey can choose from steak, prime rib, salmon, or sea bass. Desserts include sweet potato pie with marshmallow topping, pumpkin cheesecake with maple whipped cream, and grilled butter cake. Dinner is $49.99 per person; call 623-566-2224 for reservations.

What to Make

Raw Persimmon-Pumpkin Cheesecake

The fall flavor in this nutrient-packed vegan dessert comes from persimmon, pumpkin, and pumpkin spice, and the rich texture is thanks to cashews, dates, and coconut oil. This no-bake "cheese"cake is still indulgent -- just with healthy fats instead of butter and cream. And if you don't want to make it yourself, call Pomegranate Café for this and a wide array of other vegan cakes and candy bars.

Hot Italian Sausage Stuffing with Thyme

This stuffing is a riff on Tyler Florence's, replacing the sage with thyme and chestnuts with extra sausage. Plus there's a lot of garlic because, well, garlic. It's no wonder this dish took home first prize in the Chow Bella Stuffing Showdown.

Carol's Mango-Pine Nut Rugelach

This year Thanksgiving also marks the first day of Hanukkah. To add some Jewish flavor to your feast, bake up these delicious cookies made from cream cheese dough and spiced fruit filling.

Robrt Pela's Thanksgiving Cranberry Cassis Conserve

Cranberry sauce is often the most boring thing on the Thanksgiving table, especially when it's still shaped like the can it came in, but it will be an unforgettable part of the meal with this made-from-scratch conserve with orange, apple, brown sugar, raspberry vinegar, warm spices, and a healthy dose of liqueur.

5 Beer/Food Pairings for Thanksgiving

Beer was likely enjoyed at the very first Thanksgiving meal so make sure it's not an afterthought on your menu. Generous hop head hosts can go all out by offering guests a beer pairing for every course.

Additional tips for you brave souls cooking at home can be found on the following page along with suggestions on where to get pre-made desserts and more.

In the Kitchen

25 Thanksgiving Dinner Tips from Valley Chefs

Turkey Tips: Brining and Roasting

5 Things You Should Never Do to a Thanksgiving Turkey

Potato Latkes Can Be Trendy ... Really

5 Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

Out of the Kitchen