New: Old Peking
Old Peking, at 2522 E. Speedway Blvd., reopened two weeks ago with new owners. The menu features Cantonese-style fare with specialties like tea-flavored shrimp, roast duck and roast pork. There is no liquor license yet, but you can hear a live pianist on weekends. Old Peking is open daily from 11 a.m.; 795-9811.
Volunteer on Christmas Day
Volunteers are needed to set up, prepare and serve food, and to clean up at Primavera's shelters. Volunteers must provide a food item to serve. Interested parties should call Jenny at 623-5111, ext. 102, to sign up for a shift and receive directions.
Open Christmas Day: Business as Usual
A number of independent restaurants will be open and serving normal fare. If Chinese food is your fancy, check out Old Peking (see above); China Phoenix has its regular menu from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 7090 N. Oracle Road, 531-0658; Great Wall of China at 2445 S. Craycroft Road, 514-8888, will be open from 4 to 9 p.m.; and Café Pacific, 3607 N. Campbell Ave., 326-5174, serves from 4 to 9 p.m.If cumin and curries stir your passions, consider Indian cuisine at Sher-e-Punjab, 853 E. Grant Road, 624-9393, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.; the comfortable Gandhi Cuisine of India, 150 W. Fort Lowell Road, 292-1738, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.; or the sparkling pop-arty Saffron Indian Bistro, at 7607 N. Oracle Road, open all day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 742-9100.
Lovers of pizza and tapas can opt for Angelina's Ristorante in Oro Valley, located at 12152 N. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Suite 170, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., 742-9595; or can visit Sabra Bistro and Pizzeria for kosher pizza from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 4210 E. Speedway Blvd.; 795-6060.
Cooking Shortcuts
Save time, grocery shopping and prep work. Simply Dinners does it all; you just pick it up at one of two locations (Swan and Fort Lowell roads, or Pantano Road and Broadway Boulevard). Visit simplydinners.com for specifics.