Do you have guests in town and need to entertain? Maybe you just aren’t the cooking type. Either way, you are in luck! There are a few places willing to stay open and help you out. Here is a list of a few restaurants open Christmas Eve. If you know of others feel free to share and leave it in the comments below. Come back tomorrow for Part Deux, those open Christmas day.

• RA Sushi at La Encantada (2905 E. Skyline Dr): 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Dakota Café & Catering
(6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd. #7): Lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; reservations are recommended.
• Lodge on the Desert (306 N. Alvernon Way): 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Lotus Garden (5875 E. Speedway Blvd.): 11:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
• Pastiche Modern Eatery (3025 N. Campbell Ave.): 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Rocco’s Little Chicago Pizzeria (2707 E. Broadway Blvd.): 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tavolino Ristorante Italiano (2890 E. Skyline Dr.): Serving both their normal Menu and a special Italian menu featuring “the feast of the seven fishes.” Two seatings; one at 5 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. Seating is limited, reservations highly encouraged.

Somehow culinary-punching-bag Guy Fieri managed to sneak Indoor S'Mores Pizza past the disapproving eyes of most of the internet for almost an entire year. But Eater managed to discover the item's Sam's Club page, featuring a parade of comments from disappointed purchasers of the two pack of dessert pizzas.

My favorite, by user "NoellesMommy," who also provided the above photo:

I bought two packs (4 pizzas) for a church dinner. First of all, according to the package, you are supposed to place them directly on the rack in the oven to bake. Marshmellow melted and fell down into the bottom of both ovens and smoked the entire kitchen/dining room area up (not to mention made a HUGE mess in the oven). Then I tried to slice them with a pizza cutter and most of the topping came off while slicing. Finally, the taste was HORRIBLE! I would have never expected it to be spicy. These pizza's were a total disappointment!

Cons: quality, price, taste

I feel like NoellesMommy should have at least mentioned one pro- to the item — after all, everyone prefers criticism when accompanied with a compliment. Perhaps she should have mentioned that the pizzas are refreshingly free of "donkey sauce."

There is a cryptic sign up at 210 N. 4th Ave. for a new food store. The banner on the overhang simply reads “Deli-Grocery & Homemade Dinners To Go.” It also states it’s coming in January. Looking in the window the place was still empty and January is not too far off. If anyone has further information, let me know.

So while out finalizing my Holiday shopping, I decided to warm up with a cup of coffee. I stopped into Black Crown Coffee Co. at 4024 E. Speedway, formerly The Safehouse Espresso Bar. I visited “The Safehouse” once or twice when it was under that name. Back then it was dirty, smoky, and scary! Black Crown Coffee Co. on the other hand is clean and inviting. The decorum I would describe as “urban barnyard” with chicken wire around the staircase and barn red pain on the paneling. Also knowing that this place has an almost cult like following that volunteered many hours to do the refurbishing work (as mentioned here) makes it even more welcoming. There was a noticeable influx of regulars while I sat there for sure, greeting everyone and knowing each other by name. Also local artist’s work is given wall space, which is another thing that I found endearing.

The coffee was good. I can’t say it blew me away, but in all honesty, it takes a lot to do so. My disappointment was the service. I asked the barista where his beans came from, (I like to know such things, I’m a nerd like that) and he gave me a look of apathy and pointed a thumb at the bean roasting machine over his shoulder and said, “Right there”. Uh, really? So I clarified my question and still received a very abbreviated answer. Ok not much of a talker, fine. I’m used to receiving a cappuccino is a white porcelain mug of some variety, so I was a bit taken back that it came in a tall white paper cup. In this day of eco-awareness and the proximity to the University I would think they might try to save some trees?

For a place with free Wi-Fi, the ability to get various caffeinated concoctions, and some upstairs lounging couches this place isn’t too shabby.

Make plans to go grab a bite to eat out today, get a smoking deal and support restaurants close to home. Many local places are doing some sweet $12 specials today on 12/12/12. TucsonNightOut.com has a list of the participating locally owned eateries here. Looking at the list there is something for all tastes, and locations, around town.

Walking Downtown I passed a sweet looking, artistic, metal fenced patio. This space, on the corner of Scott and Pennington, belongs to Café Poca Cosa and is shaping up nicely. I spoke with Chef Suzana Davila and she is expecting it to be finished and ready for al fresco dining shortly after the New Year. She said that it still needs some electrical work, unique light fixtures that she special ordered to still come in and her personal touches to make it perfect for her guests. I'm hoping some heaters as well for January outdoor dining.

If you haven't eaten recently, it might be worth setting aside some time to read an amazingly assembled three part series (the third part runs tomorrow on the changing of federal dietary guidelines to promote the eating of more beef) in the Kansas City Star. The stories aren't shocking on an Upton Sinclair level, but the consolidation of the beef industry does have an ugly side, apparently, including issues with the tenderizing process, what happens to the manure, and worker safety:

But these automated plants have their own hazards, according to a computer analysis of workplace injuries by The Star.

Meat plant employees have died from falling into grinders and augers; asphyxiation; electrocution; and being kicked by semiconscious cows.

At the Tyson plant, 37-year-old Rodney Bridgett, a father of four young boys, was crushed to death March 14 by an elevated work platform he was repairing.

Federal officials in August cited Tyson for two “willful” workplace safety violations, and the company is facing fines of $104,000.

“It is unthinkable that an employer would allow workers in and around dangerous operations without ensuring that sufficient safeguards are in place,” said Charles E. Adkins, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Kansas City-based regional administrator.

Tyson officials said they were “saddened by the tragic death” of Bridgett and are working with OSHA to resolve agency concerns.

Free food! OK, now that I have your attention, Native Seed/Search is teaming up with some local chefs to explore the many flavors, and uses, of beans. Free samples of bean dishes crated by great folks such as Janos Wilder of Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails, Doug Levy of Feast, Rocco’s Little Chicago Pizzeria, and The Garden Kitchen will be there. Head on down to the NS/S Retail Store at 3061 N Campbell, Saturday Dec. 15. They will begin the freebies at 11:00 a.m., 'til the beans are gone, so don’t delay! Check it out here.

Well the opening has been pushed back till Wednesday, December 12th for Wild Garlic Grill, which was talked about here. I’ve been told it is due to a delay in a delivery of some necessary kitchen equipment. I guess you need such things to run a restaurant, or so I’ve been told. Just think, it gives everyone more time to get that extra tin of mints.

A new place, with an odd name, looks to be hiring in preparation to open soon. The Lodge Sasquatch Kitchen is moving into 7265 N. La Cholla Blvd., near the Foothills Mall. The space was previously occupied by My Big Fat Greek Restaurant. No contact information is listed, but I will be following up to see what a place with such a unique name is all about.