Treat Yourself This Turkey Day – By Laura Stoddard

Title: Treat Yourself This Turkey Day
By: Laura Stoddard

Thanksgiving can be quite a production. From spending hours preparing the meal, to languorously dining upon it, to tackling the mountain of dishes discarded willy-nilly afterward, you’ve spent almost an entire day laboring in the kitchen for one meal. Granted, it’s a special one, and many people love to go all out, but if you’d like to treat yourself this year by skipping all the prep work and clean up, and focus solely on how much you can consume before that dreaded “food coma” creeps in, consider letting one of these upscale dining establishments take care of everything while you just kick back and enjoy.

J&G STEAKHOUSE
6000 E. Camelback Rd, Scottsdale | 480-214-8000
Hours: 5-10 pm
Sitting in the higher recesses of The Phoenician Resort, this sleek and sophisticated steakhouse, known for its inventive Asian-fusion dishes, offers a special prix fixe menu on Thanksgiving Day. For the surprisingly moderate sum of $65 per person, prepare to feast on a three-course meal consisting of butternut squash soup, oyster mushrooms, roasted turkey with mushroom and chestnut stuffing, caramelized brussel sprouts and cranberry sauce. And if you’ve got any room left for dessert, delve into pumpkin cheesecake and honey ice cream with ginger sauce.

EL CHORRO
5550 E. Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley | 480-948-5170
Hours: 12-7 pm
If ambiance is high on your list of requirements for a preferred dining establishment, you must immerse yourself in the beauty that is El Chorro. Situated at the base of Camelback Mountain, enshrouded by gorgeous desert foliage, with sweeping patios and classy interior spaces, this is an excellent choice for special occasions such as, say, Thanksgiving dinner. The restaurant will be offering a special three-course menu full of seasonal favorites, and your choice of turkey, beef or fish for $68 per person.

SANCTUARY ON CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN RESORT & SPA
5700 East McDonald Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 | 480-948-2100
Hours: 12-8 pm
On Thanksgiving Day, guests can choose between a four-course, prix-fixe menu at elements, Sanctuary’s signature restaurant, or the bountiful buffet at The Views Ballroom. In addition to a Traditional Turkey Dinner with chestnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry apple relish and giblet gravy, entrée choices at elements will include Duck Confit Raviolis with braised Swiss chard, candied fennel, parmesan cream and tomato jam; Citrus Grilled Swordfish with green onion and mushroom farro, smoked eggplant, avocado, and harissa butter; and Honey Hoisin Glazed Short Ribs with Chinese broccoli, candied root vegetables, and parsnip puree. Dessert highlights include a Ginger Pumpkin Tart with maple cookie crust and toasted bourbon marshmallow, and Cinnamon Cheesecake with autumn fruit compote, warm rum toffee sauce, and almond crumble. Available from 12 noon to 8 p.m., the elements dinner is priced at $95 per person. The full menu can be viewed here. Featuring carving stations, the Thanksgiving buffet at The Views Ballroom will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is priced at $85 per person. For both meals, children ages 6-12 dine for $25, ages 5 years and under dine free. Drinks, tax and gratuity are additional. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 480-607-2300.
Holiday travelers can celebrate with family and friends in one of the luxury resort’s eight private homes, with ample room for stress-free entertaining. Guests who reserve a mountainside estate over Thanksgiving and request the Festive Thanksgiving Offer will receive a harvest welcome basket and a $500 resort credit that can be used at Sanctuary Spa or any of the resort’s dining venues. The offer is subject to availability and is based on a two-night minimum stay, Nov. 19-27, 2017. Rates start at $2,650 per night. More information is available at www.sanctuaryaz.com.

SEASONS 52
2502 E. Camelback Rd, Phoenix | 602-840-5252
Hours: 11 am-10 pm
Every year, this comfortable yet classy Biltmore restaurant unveils its delicious, traditional Thanksgiving spread. A more affordable option than resort restaurants, adults can enjoy their special menu of roasted turkey, savory pan gravy, Yukon mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, French green beans, mashed butternut squash, house-made cranberry relish, and pumpkin pie mini indulgence for only $26.90. They also offer four sommelier wine picks (two reds and two whites) and seasonal cocktails, priced per offering. Children’s portions of the turkey dinner are available for $12.90.

T. COOK’S
5200 E. Camelback Rd, Suite 100, Phoenix | 602-808-0766
Hours: 11 am-8 pm Prix-Fixe Dinner | 10 am-3 pm Buffet
Situated within the gorgeous confines of the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, T. Cook’s is a much sought-after venue for dining on classic American dishes in swanky surroundings. Following the tradition of years past, the Royal Palms has two specialty options on Thanksgiving Day. T. Cook’s offers a sumptuous, three-course prix fixe menu from 11 am-8 pm for $96 per person, or in the ballroom you can create your own custom plate by selecting cuisine from the lavish buffet offered from 10 am-3 pm at $85 a head.

WRIGHT’S AT THE BILTMORE
2400 E. Missouri Ave, Phoenix | 602-955-6600
Hours: 1-8:30 pm Four Course Meal
This stunning resort restaurant invites you to “Celebrate Thanksgiving the ‘Wright’ way!” In the unique and clean surroundings of Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture enjoy a sumptuous four course meal boasting an impressive selection of dishes. To start, choose from two soups, roasted kabocha squash or anaszai bean, followed by your choice of four different small plates, including foie torchon and pan seared scallops. For your entrée, choose between four savory dishes; sage brined turkey, roasted beef tenderloin, achiote rubbed sea bass, and pan roasted lamb loin. And if that wasn’t enough, prepare to choose from three different desserts; brandy pumpkin cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding, and chocolate flourless torte. Adults are $95, children 12 and over are $45, and children under 12 are $10.

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR, AT DC RANCH
20753 N. Pima Rd, Bldg. R, Scottsdale | 480-538-8000
Hours: 11am-8 pm
Fleming’s (found in multiple locations around the valley), is known for its steaks, but on Thanksgiving they roll out a tasty, and surprisingly inexpensive, Prix Fixe turkey dinner. The adult meal, at $40, consists of biscuits with pumpkin butter and honey, choice of Fleming’s Salad or lobster bisque, mixed herb roasted turkey breast with savory gravy, homemade sage and brioche stuffing, different variations of mashed potatoes, and either caramel-glazed pumpkin cheesecake or three-layer carrot cake drizzled with dark-rum caramel. A separate, but similar, menu is available for children for just $20. An added bonus is that Fleming’s full menu will still be available on Thanksgiving, so if turkey and stuffing aren’t your thing, just get a good old piece of steak and celebrate your own way.

*Please keep in mind that most of these locations will charge applicable tax and gratuity on top of the special meal pricing.