The Thanksgiving Column: Let's Eat
There's no shortage of restaurants serving this season's bird and more. Consider hotel dining rooms for bodacious buffets or prix fixe meals at the Hilton El Conquistador, Hotel Congress (which has a vegetarian entrée too) and Westward Look Resort.
Takeout
It's a holiday, after all, so think about supplementing some or all of the responsibility with professional help. (Pretend that you did the cooking. Don't worry; we won't tell.) At Fry's or Albertsons, pre-order entire ham or turkey dinners with all the fixings. Or splurge at Feast Tasteful Takeout for a turkey breast or leg with gravy, five-spice cranberries, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, a roll and pumpkin pie for $19.95 per person.
Giving Back
Primavera Foundation needs 15 roasted 20-pound turkeys delivered hot on Thanksgiving Day for 110 homeless men in the emergency shelter and 28 residents at the Five Points transitional housing venue. Call Jenny at 623-5111, ext. 102, for details. Community Food Bank is accepting fresh or frozen turkeys and chickens that are distributed to families in Tucson as well as Marana, Ajo and Amado. Canned yams, cranberry sauce and pie fillings are also needed for the holiday food boxes. Call 622-0525 for info. The Salvation Army needs 500 turkeys and numerous pies to feed 3,500 people in need; call 795-9671.
Beaujolais Nouveau
Every year on the third Thursday of November, the French release a young, fruity red wine perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. This 70-year tradition is a global marketing phenomenon. Read about it at www.winewithoutrules.com. Find Beaujolais Nouveau at RumRunner Wine and Cheese Co. for $9.99.
In Absentia
If you can't be with family this year, do the next best thing and send flowers. Use the link at flowers.azgreyhoundrescue.org/default.asp to order flowers while benefiting retired racing greyhounds.
