Resort to Reservations: Holiday Dining in Phoenix

It’s that time of year again; when friends, family and loved ones travel from near and far to enjoy our company as well as our picture perfect winter weather. If you’re looking to get out of the kitchen and truly enjoy your guests while showing them the best our Valley has to offer there are a host of resorts to take your visitors for epic holiday dining. Hurry and make your reservations and leave the cleanup to someone else.

Arizona Biltmore
2400 E. Missouri Ave.| Phoenix| 602.955.6600
Known as being Arizona’s jewel in the desert, the Arizona Biltmore is a local treasure. Built in 1929 by Albert, Charles and Warren McArthur with Frank Lloyd Wright as the consulting architect, the resort exists as a monument of great architecture and old world class.

Share this piece of history with your guests and enjoy a three course prix fixe Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner at Frank & Albert’s from 5-10pm for only $48. If you’re looking for a more elaborate meal, Wrights will be hosting a four course prix fixe menu from 5-10pm on Christmas Eve and Christmas day for only $89 per person.

Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
11111 N. 7th St.| Phoenix| 602.866.7500
With close to 600 romantic suites and a number of luxurious amenities, the Pointe is a great place to have a staycation as well as to meet up with family members in town for a visit. The Pointe is also home to a myriad of holiday events.

By far, one of the most delightful holiday dining experiences to share with children is Rico’s American Grill’s Breakfast with Santa. Guests enjoy a delightful breakfast buffet crafted by Chef Ken Arneson. The children will be enchanted by the table side visit from Santa, activity packets and pictures with the big guy. Mrs. Claus hosts a cookie decorating activity as well as a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.  This captivating and charming event takes place December 21st through the 24th with seatings at 8am, 10am and noon and costs $29.95 for adults and $18 for children aged 10 and under.

Pointe In Tyme will host a Christmas dinner buffet from noon to 6pm on December 25th. The traditional buffet will feature carved-to-order herb crusted prime rib, maple glazed ham and brined and roasted turkey. Pointe In Tyme will also serve grilled New Zealand lamb chops, cornbread stuffing, roasted butternut soup, kale tabouli, a seafood display and tempting holiday desserts, such as assorted cakes, pies, mousses, crème brulee, tarts and miniature desserts. The buffet will be available for $47.95 for adults, $38.95 for seniors and $19.95 for children aged 10 and under.

Different Pointe of View will be hosting their own Christmas dinner from noon to 7pm as well. You can expect carving and grill stations with slow-roasted prime rib, roasted breast of Young Tom turkey, chicken herb sausage, Achiote marinated pork loin and grilled oysters on the half shell. The elegant Christmas feast will also feature roasted yams with cinnamon, maple and clove glace, garlic whipped mascarpone potatoes, sausage and sage brioche stuffing and the restaurant’s signature lobster bisque. This dinner will be available for adults at a cost of $59.95 and $29.95 for children.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed affair, opt for Rico’s American Grill or Hole-in-the-Wall as they will be featuring their own Christmas Day dinners. Hole-in-the-Wall is featuring a family feast with bottomless garden greens; a platter of rib-eye, whole-roasted chicken and baby back ribs; and the choice of three sides, all served family-style. The feast finishes with each guest getting an individually plated seasonal dessert. Served from noon to 10 p.m., Hole-in-the-Wall Christmas dinner is available for $39 per adult, $35 for seniors and $19 for children ages 10 and under. Rico’s will be serving a dinner buffet from 5pm to 10pm featuring a family feast with bottomless garden greens; a platter of rib-eye, whole-roasted chicken and baby back ribs; and the choice of three sides, all served family-style. The dinner will also include beer-brined chicken, Dr. Pepper-basted pork shoulder, cranberry sausage stuffing, a pasta station and kids station, as well as a plethora of desserts. The buffet is available for $45 for adults and $13 for children ages 10 and under.

Ritz-Carlton Phoenix
2401 East Camelback Road | Phoenix| 602.468.0700
The Ritz-Carlton, while being one of the poshest resorts in the Uptown area, has become synonymous with holiday teas. The resort’s Teddy Bear teas are a very special treat for the young and young-at-heart. Attendees enjoy holiday pastries and treats, a visit from Ted E. Bear for a special story as well as being able to choose a teddy bear of their own to take home. The Teddy Bear tea takes place Friday through Sundays from December 1st through the 15th with seatings at noon and 3pm and is $38 per person, with an additional cost of $18 for Royal Tea.

Looking for more extensive experience? Head over to the Ritz for their Christmas Eve dinner presented by Executive Chef Garry O’Connor in bistro 24. This feast will be available from 5 to 9pm and includes special menu pricing.

Sleep in on Christmas day, or as late as the kids will let you, and once all the wrapping paper has been cleared head over to the Ritz for a scrumptious holiday brunch buffet at bistro 24. Choose from multiple stations including seafood, carving, holiday treats and much more. The brunch will be offered from 10am to 4pm and is $85 per adult and $45 for children aged 3 to 12.

Ring in 2014 with a four-course dinner at bistro 24, complete with party favors, live entertainment and access to the New Year’s Eve party being held in the Lobby Lounge. There will be two seatings, one at 6:30 and the other at 10pm and will cost $100 per person and an additional $40 for wine pairings.

Royal Palms Resort & Spa
5200 East Camelback Road | Phoenix | 602.840.3610
It’s easy to tell that the Royal Palms Resort was created as a personal estate by well-traveled art collectors. You can still find some of Delos and Florence Cooke’s treasured art pieces throughout the 119 guest rooms. The newly revamped T. Cook’s menu and the creation of the Mix Up Bar are sure to impress friends from all over the world. You’re invited to enjoy a decadent three course holiday prix-fixe dinner at T. Cook’s for $85 per person. If you are more interested in a buffet setting, the Palmera Ballroom will be hosting an extravagant buffet for $65 per person.

*This article, written by Taryn Jeffries, was originally featured in the December 2013 issue of Uptown Magazine.*