Happy New Year

Relax, Recover

Recover from Christmas and prep for the New Year at The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North (fourseasons.com/scottsdale). The 80-minute Apricot Ginger Rejuvenation begins with an exfoliating sugar scrub devised to revive and brighten. After ridding the body of dull skin, relax with a massage using apricot ginger oil to hydrate and improve circulation. The Rejuvenation costs $155 and is available thru December.

spa

Indulge in a guilt-free wintertime treat at The Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician (thephoenician.com). The Centre’s trio of seasonal spa offerings includes all of the essentials for head-to-toe pampering and will last thru December. Options include the customizable On the Go Facial Glow, the Pep in Your Step Massage, which includes a foot, back, neck and shoulder rub, and the Luscious Lemon Lavender Hands & Feet experience ideal for rough and dry skin. Pricing for these offerings starts at $69.

flower

The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch’s (scottsdale.hyatt.com) Three for Free offer includes a third night free with two paid nights and a 25 percent discount at Spa Avania. And every Wednesday, Hotel Valley Ho’s (hotelvalleyho.com) VH Spa offers 60- and 90-minute spa services for $60 and $90 respectively.

Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms Resort is ringing in the season with two value-packed Holiday Fun and Holiday Cheer Pamper Passes. Through December 31, choose three 30-minute or 60-minute seasonal treatments and save up to $150 off the regular price. On the list are festive, limited-time facials, massages, body treatments and nail services spiked with seasonal aromas. Call 602.977.6400 or visit the website.

Feel Right At Home

On New Years Eve, pay a visit to Eddie’s House in Old Town Scottsdale. Celebrate the coming year with Chef Eddie’s $60 Stimulus Package Dinner.

shrimp cocktail

First Course
Mediterranean Shrimp Cocktail, Olive-Eggplant Horseradish Capanata

Second Course 
Sedona Apple Stuffed w/ Field Greens, Cranberry Black Walnut Vinaigrette, Warm Goat Cheese
Or
Lebanese/French Onion Soup, Garlic Pita Crouton, Gruyere Cheese

Third Course
Seafood Cioppino Couscous Risotto, Tomato Fennel Broth, Arugula Salad
Or
Veal Osso Bucco, Roasted Shallot Mushroom Ragout, Creamy Asiago Polenta

Fourth Course
Whoopie Pies
Chocolate Peanut Butter, Raspberry White Chocolate, Vanilla Crème Brule

Eddie’s House is located at 7042 East Indian School Road. For reservations, call 480.946.1622.

champagne

Mark Petite Maison’s First New Year

To ring in 2010, Chef James Porter has created an elegant, classic French menu to be served in a magical setting filled with lush flowers, glittering chandeliers and a coziness that justifies its “petite” name. From 5-11pm, transport your taste buds to the hills of the French countryside with a pre-fix menu. Dinner is $85 a person (plus tax and gratuity), and with paired wines it’s $25 more. At midnight, enjoy complementary bubbly and noise makers to ring in 2010 with a bang.        

Cheers!

Dinner Menu

Amuse Bouche
First Course
Roasted Chestnut and Butternut Squash Bisque
with French Perigord Black Truffles
Roussanne – ‘05 Grande Cassagne – Rhone

Second Course
Seared Scallop Lyonnaise with Parsnip and Cauliflower Rosti, Lardons and Quail Egg
Pinot Noir – ‘08 Latour Domaine de Valmoisinne – Burgundy

Third Course
Seared Filet Mignon and Lobster Thermidor
with Pomme Dauphinoise, Asparagus and Sauce Bearnaise
Meritage – ‘05 HdV “Belle Cousin” – Napa Valley

poached pear

Fourth Course
Winter Spiced Poached Pear with Chocolate Mousse and Almond Macaroons
Ice Wine – ‘06 King Estates Signature – Vin de Glace – Oregon

Petite Maison is located at 7216 East Shoeman Lane in Scottsdale. Reservations are required. Call 480.991.6887.

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DESTINATIONS

Celebrate 2010

Ring In The New Year In Style
The InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa’s Prado restaurant presents a five-course meal prepared by Chef Claudio Urciuoli. For extra indulgence, sip on an endless Champagne flute of Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label. The five-course dinner is $95 per person; five-course dinner plus all-you-can-drink Veuve Cliquot, is $250 per person. Festivities begin at 5pm and continue with live entertainment and dancing at Mbar until 2am. For details, call 480.627.3004 or visit the website.

Lon's at the HermosaEnjoy A Romantic Feast
Ring in the New Year in the romantic ambiance of Lon’s at The Hermosa with a special menu, delectable desserts and an extensive award-winning wine selection.
Lon’s New Year’s Eve dinner is $85 for the first seating starting at 5:30pm and $125 for second seating, beginning at 8pm, and includes entertainment with the sounds of Motown, reggae, rock and jazz by the Chris Putrino Band, party favors and a champagne toast. Stay overnight with special package offers. For reservations, call 602.955.7878. Lon’s at The Hermosa is located at 5532 North Palo Cristi Road in Paradise Valley. For more information, visit lons.com.

A Musical Celebration
Enjoy a favorite Phoenix tradition by celebrating New Year’s Eve with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. Lawrence Golan will conduct the special event concert and ring in the New Year with musical good cheer, dancing melodies and, of course, Auld Lang Syne. Tickets range from $26-$76 and include a complimentary glass of champagne. For more information, call 602.495.1999 or visit phoenixsymphony.org.

Roger Clyne & The PeacemakersRock Out With Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers
Join the Valley’s own Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers for a rockin’ New Year’s Eve party at the intimate Celebrity Theatre. The Sanderson Music series presentation starts at 9pm, theatre doors open at 8pm; club doors open at 7pm. General admission seats are $40; $50 for reserved. Tickets are on sale at celebritytheatre.com. To charge by phone, call 602.267.1600, Extension1. Celebrity Theatre is located on 32nd Street, just four blocks south of the Loop 202 Freeway, in Phoenix.

Holiday Shopping Package from $195
Christmas may be over, but the deals are not. Enjoy the Holiday Shopping Package at Mondrian Scottsdale (mondrianscottsdale.com), which includes $30 in hotel credit per stay, complimentary valet parking daily and select discounts at local boutiques. Valid through January 31, 2010.

Aztec Dancer Juan SalinasGet Your Pow Wow On
Experience the thrill of the Indian America New Year’s Competition Pow Wow & Indian Craft Market held at the Rillito Raceway Park in Tucson. Bring in the New Year with dancers from more than 50 tribes, authentic handmade craft market, traditional food, drum contest, children’s activity area. The cost is $12; public is welcome. The event runs from December 31-January 3 with a special Midnight Friendship Round Dance on December 31 to dance in the Year. For more information, call 520.622.4900 or visit usaindianinfo.org.

Aztec Dancer Juan Salinas; Photo by Nancy Smith-Jones

New Year’s Eve Pinecone Drop
Downtown Flagstaff celebrates its anual tradition with the big countdown at 10pm and midnight. Enjoy live entertainment on Heritage Square, fireworks, coffee, hot chocolate, vendors and more. The event is free. For more information, call 928.607.2347 or visit flagdba.com or flagstaffarizona.org.

Midnight Madness Run & Walk
Join the 20th Annual Fiesta of Light Midnight Madness 3-mile Run & Walk on December 31 at 9pm at Rose Mofford Sports Complex. A great alternative to crowded parties, participation includes T-shirt, chili and prizes, Kid’s dash,  $25 day of race. Call 602.345.5752 or visit runningmasters.net for more.

Ain't Misbehavin'Swing In The New Year
Arizona Theatre Company presents Ain’t Misbehavin’ December 30-January 17 at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix, with a special New Year’s Eve performance on December 31 at 8pm.
Enjoy a champagne toast at intermission and a foot-stompin’ chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” with the cast at the end of the show. Or celebrate in style with a Dinner and Theatre package. Dine at either Sam’s Café or 1120 The Restaurant before the show and then head on over to the Herberger.
To purchase tickets call the ATC Box Office at 602.256.6995. For additional information, visit aztheatreco.org. Photo by Tim Fuller

Party For A Cause
For Those Without a Voice hosts its fourth annual New Year’s Eve celebration and fundraiser at the Arizona Biltmore. Limited to 300 guests, this exclusive party includes dinner, a live show, fun silent and live auctions, raffles and all-night dancing with the Chris Parker Project band. Ticket price also includes a room at the Biltmore to ensure a festive and safe evening.
For more information and to make a reservation, visit ftwav.org or contact Shari Miller at 602.725.5033.

The Drunk Drivers

Celebrate Safely
Do you know when to say when? If you plan to toast the holiday season with a cocktail, the question you must ask yourself before you hoist that first glass might not be when to stop drinking, but when to hand over the keys. The Valley’s newest transportation company The Drunk Drivers will have its entire fleet of vehicles on-call so that club goers who find they might be over the legal limit to drive can summons a vehicle to meet them at their own car and drive their car home safely for them.
To find out more information or schedule a pickup, call 480.266.2020 or visit thedrunkdrivers.com.

21st Annual Insight Bowl
Minnesota and Iowa State will face-off with hard-hitting on-field action and rambunctious fans in attendance to support their teams.  The 21st Annual Insight Bowl will be played on December 31 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe and telecast on the NFL Network. Festivities begin at 3:30pm; game begins at 6pm. Call 480.350.0911 or visit insightbowl.com.

Block PartyFiesta Bowl Block Party
After the Insight Bowl, head out to Arizona’s biggest New Year’s Eve bash, the Fiesta Bowl Block Party. The jam-packed evening of fun and entertainment for the entire family hosts more than 100,000 party-goers annually celebrate in Tempe’s Mill Avenue District amidst three spectacular fireworks displays. With rockin’ bands, beer gardens and a host of entertainers, the fun begins at 5pm. For details, visit fiestabowl.org.

Ultimate Block Party
Downtown Scottsdale will once again play host to the New Year’s Eve event in Craftsman Court. Enjoy top musical acts, food and entertainment. For more information, visit scottsdalesultimateblockparty.com.

Masquerade BallNew Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball
Cream Stereo Lounge presents an evening of fun and frolic; beginning at 8pm the evening features two stages of entertainment with Turner & Heit, live circus acts and more. Cream Stereo Lounge is located at 4252 North Drinkwater Boulevard in Scottsdale. Ages 21 up. Call 602.222.9922 or visit creamstereolounge.com.

DESTINATIONS Web Exclusive| CITYSunTimes December 2009

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