Christmas dining options are looking more like a cornucopia of convenience for Phoenicians who'd rather not deal with the hassle of cooking during the holidays. According to Phoenix New Times, multiple restaurants in the Phoenix area are offering festive menus and to-go packages for those looking to dine out or bring the feast home. For example, Palo Verde Restaurant at the Boulders Resort & Spa is serving a four-course dinner that comes with all the trimmings, and Toro at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is kicking off its holiday menu with seafood stew and Iberico pork chop.
It's not just Phoenix getting into the seasonal swing of things. A Cozymeal article notes that 57% of Americans dine out on Christmas Day, revealing a clear shift towards ease and enjoyment over slaving in the kitchen. This shift also reflects a generational trend, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the pack in the hunt for open restaurants. And the options are as varied as the demographics heading to them, with casual dining giants like Applebee's offering holiday drink specials and fast-food joints like Arby's providing quick and easy solutions for the holiday rush, until Christmas Eve, when they close their doors, so you'd better get that roast beef fix while you can.
All this dining out on Christmas doesn't mean traditional flavors are absent from the table. Restaurants both high-end and humble are bringing their A-game to the festive period. Those opting for a fancier affair on Christmas might consider Hotel Valley Ho where, as reported by the Phoenix New Times, a lunch or dinner at ZuZu includes a starter buffet and an array of entrées like blackened Scottish salmon and roasted duck breast. For something more interactive, Benihana continues to entertain guests with teppanyaki chefs and specialty sushi rolls, as per Cozymeal.
For those desiring the home-cooked vibe without actually cooking, Chompie's is selling enormous take-and-reheat packages. Meanwhile, Bob Evans is wooing diners with its special Farmhouse Feast to go. Bonefish Grill, highlighted in the Cozymeal article, invites guests for seafood specialties and tipples crafted for the yuletide. And though there may not be snow in Phoenix, you can still find all the jolly you can handle, whether you're up for wearing dress shoes or slippers for your holiday meal.
It seems the pressure of the perfect Christmas spread is being taken off the table and replaced with an array of menus that cater to every taste and pocketbook. With spots like George & Gather in Chandler offering a four-course prix fixe menu and The Phoenician Tavern rolling out a holiday buffet, there's a place setting for everyone this Christmas in the Valley of the Sun.
