Noshing Around

The Thanksgiving Column: Trading Turkey for Pizza

Bring in a frozen turkey to any of the six Magpies Gourmet Pizza locations, and you will receive a free pizza in return. Last year, Magpies donated 65 turkeys to the Community Food Bank, but this year, their goal is 100 turkeys. The offer is good until Wednesday, Nov. 22. For the location nearest you, check out magpiespizza.com.


Thanksgiving Benefit

Every Thanksgiving, Raging Sage Coffee Roasters hosts a charity benefit for worthy causes; funds collected have ranged from $2,800 to $5,000. This year, the causes are the Samaritans and Doctors Without Borders. The benefit buffet costs $20 per plate, which includes fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, fresh bagels flown in from New York, cream cheese with sliced tomato and onion, jams, baby scones, orange juice or mimosa, and unlimited coffee, plus live music, from 8 a.m. to noon; 2458 N. Campbell Ave.; 320-5203.


Vegan Thanksgiving

Govinda's offers a compassionate natural foods buffet from noon to 8:30 p.m. The menu includes organic tofu turkey with cashew gravy, mashed potatoes, acorn squash with maple syrup, walnut apple stuffing, green bean amandine, organic cranberry sauce, hearty vegetable soup and more. Two live turkeys, Curly and Goldie, will freely roam the grounds greeting guests at 711 E. Blacklidge Drive; 792-0630. The cost is $12.95 for adults; kids 7-12 will be charged $4.95; and children 4-6, $3.95.


Fine Dining

Savor an exquisite three-course dinner with many choices at Acacia at St. Philip's for $45 per person. Westward Look Resort features two dining options--either a sumptuous buffet in the Sonoran Ballroom ($45 per person) accompanied by live music, or an elegant three-course meal ($49 per person) in the Gold Room. The Hilton El Conquistador boasts several dining experiences, from two different buffet Thanksgiving brunches at the resort ($47 per person) and country club ($32) to a family-style dinner ($32.95 per person) or an intimate three-course dinner ($36 per person). Prices exclude tax and gratuity; reservations advised.


Beaujolais Nouveau

Every year on the third Thursday of November, the French release a young, fruity red wine perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. This tradition is a global marketing phenomenon. Read about it at online. Find Beaujolais Nouveau wherever fine wines are sold.