Donuts and pizza are in good supply this weekend in downtown Phoenix

It’s going to be a busy weekend in downtown Phoenix for fans of pizza and donuts. Tickets are still available on-line for both festivals at Margaret T. Hance Park. Click on the link for information about Saturday’s Phoenix Pizza Festival and below is what I know about this Sunday’s Downtown Donut Festival.

About 4,000 festival goers are expected on each day and Sunday’s donut festival will have 20 donut vendors give or take. Hurt’s Donuts, Alien Donut’s, The Beignet Babe and The Local Donut are a few of the local donut shops showing off their sweetened fried dough. Arizona Wilderness Brewing will be pouring their beers all weekend along with wines from Acrobat. Donut festival goers can sip on specialty coffee drinks and Mimosas. Lawn games, live music, a kid’s zone and a marketplace with local vendors will be part of the festivals.

Donut samples will be a $1 each and the festival will benefit the Downtown Phoenix Inc. DPI promotes the re-development of downtown Phoenix by supporting events and local businesses.

The donut festival starts 10 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $8 for entry after 12 noon. Tickets can be purchased only on-line at http://www.downtowndonutfest.com/

Maragret T. Hance Park is at 1202 N. 3rd St. Phoenix 85004.

PHX Beer Co. to open Brewery & Tap Room this week

Friday November 15th is when PHX Beer Co. will pour the first beer at their new brewery and tap room. Throughout the day there will be tours of the 15,000 square foot facility and first pour will be at 4 p.m. “We’re thrilled to be the newest addition to the great local craft beer industry,” said PHX Beer Co. Brewery Director, Adam Wojcik. “Our team has done a great job building a new and unique portfolio of beers we are incredibly proud of. We’re excited to share them with the community.”

The 20 barrel system will allow PHX Beer Co. to increase production its 12 beers it beers. The re-modeled tap room offers high and low tables, full bar and sliding barn doors will allow for private events. A garage door has been installed and when lifted it will give customers a behind the scenes look at the brewing process. Darts, shuffle board, Foosball and other games are available for guests to play.

The menu at Phx Beer Co. will include paninis, flatbreads and shareable plates including a meat & cheese plate and Morenci Ale Pretzel Bites. All 12 beers will be poured including Arizona Gold, Orange Grove IPA and the new seasonal Cranberry Oatmeal Stout. The brewer recently opened a Scottsdale restaurant that pours all 12 beers.

“We are incredibly proud of what we are creating here,” said Wojcik. “The last few months we have improved the space, added some delicious menu items and we are ready to share it with everyone.”

The Brewery & Tap Room will be open daily at 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Mon – Fri and 6 p.m. Sat. & Sun. Phx Beer Co. Brewery & Tap Room is at 3002 E. Washington Phoenix 85034. For more information visit their website.

 

 

 

Veteran’s Day meal deals at Phoenix area restaurants

As we get ready to salute veterans on Monday November 11th a handful Phoenix restaurants are offering these Veteran’s Day deals.

Arcadia Tavern is offering 25% off all day Monday. Stop in for lunch or come by to watch Monday Night Football. 4801 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix 85018.

Angry Crab Shack gives 10% off to all military with ID. All locations are participating.

Original Breakfast House is offering a FREE meal along with live entertainment from 6 a.m.- 2 p.m. 13623 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, 85032

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria offers 15% off to all active, retired and veterans all year round. On Veteran’s Day they offer 25% off at all restaurants.

Twin Peaks is offering a FREE entree from a special menu to all members of the military. There are three Valley locations located at 2135 E Camelback Rd. in Phoenix, 8787 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. in Scottsdale, and 6922 N. 95th Ave. in Glendale.

Fired Pie offers those military personnel in uniform or with military ID a FREE entree to show their thanks. They offer 10% off all year to military personnel. To find a location near you head to their website.

Upscale Mexican restaurant Toca Madera has opened.

A year and a half after I posted about it, the upscale Mexican restaurant Toca Madera has opened at Scottsdale Fashion Square. The Madera Group from West Hollywood is behind Toca Madera and its sister restaurants, the quick casual Tocaya Organica. Tocaya has two locations in the Phoenix area at Kierland Commons and next door to Toca.

Sashimi Mexicano

Co-founders Tosh Berman and Amrou Manaseer spared no expense at the 8,000 square foot Toca Madera. A lush courtyard with a retractable roof for patio dining leads to the dining room with the exhibition kitchen. Natural light from skylight breathes life onto the Ficus trees in the restaurants. A lounge with full bar is located off the courtyard serving signature margaritas and cocktails.

“At our Scottsdale location, we want guests to feel as though they’re stepping into another reality,” CEO Berman said. “From the sophisticated design to the theatrical spirit through which we serve food and beverage, every element has been precisely chosen to provide an unparalleled dining experience. The community has been incredibly supportive since opening Tocaya next door so we’re excited to introduce another one of our concepts to the area.”

Baja Rosa

Executive Chef Joseph Castillo comes to Toca Madera from the nearby Sushi Roku at the W Hotel. Castillo, a native of southern California goes from upscale sushi and Japanese food to an upscale Mexican cuisine. His culinary team creates signature dishes such as Enchiladas de Mole, Tiger Shrimp Tacos and Pescado de Dia (seafood of the day).

Dinner starts at 5 p.m., the lounge opens at 4 for happy hour and weekend brunch begins on November 9th. To view the menu and for more information check out https://www.tocamadera.com/

 

The Camelback Market at Vincent’s has returned for another season

The Camelback Market
The beet goes on.

Those farmer’s markets that took the summer off have re-opened for our cooler months. One of the more popular markets that is back is The Camelback Market at Vincent’s on Camelback. The opened air market with European flare runs through early May from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. every Saturday.

Customers can wander by local produce vendors along with imported exotic fruits and vegetables, warm & crusty breads, buttery croissants, fresh pasta, homemade jams, imported cheeses and more.

Enjoy made to order omelets, crepes, wood fired pizzas, meat & seafood paella and other delicacies from Vincent. Relax with a glass of wine and watch the crowds go by. It’s also a great opportunity to pick up gifts for the holidays imported from the south of France.

The Camelback Market is held in the parking lot of Vincent’s at 3030 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix 85018. For more information visit their website.

Cocktail Crawl your way through downtown Chandler

Spirit House, SanTan Brewing Company’s cocktail lounge in downtown Chandler is the starting point for a Cocktail Crawl visiting other local cocktail bars nearby. Saturday November 16th guests will then visit The Local, Puro Cigar Bar and The Ostrich to sip on cocktails and taste small bites from each.

With the growth of downtown Chandler it’s hard to visit all the new bars and restaurants so this is a novel idea. Crawlers will have the option to choose from 3 cocktails at each location that will be made with SanTan Spirits. Cocktails to choose from are……

French 75- featuring Saint Anne’s Citrus Rose Gin

Highball – featuring Saint Anne’s Limeleaf Botanical Vodka

Old Fashioned – featuring the award winning Sacred Stave American Single Malt Whiskey

Crawlers can start at 4, 5 or 6 p.m. at Spirit House. The Cocktail Crawl is a 21 and over event is $55 per person. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.santanbrewing.com/crawl

Spirit House is at 8 S. San Marcos Pl. Chandler.

 

Chef Samantha Sanz joins Ghost Ranch for Guest Chef Series dinner

Tempe’s Ghost Ranch restaurant is launching a monthly Guest Chef Series starting Wednesday November 13th. Each month a local chef will join chefs Rene Andrade and Roberto Centeno for a specially created menu. Launching the dinner series will be Chef Samantha Sanz of Talavera Restaurant at The Four Seasons Scottsdale.

The five-course dinner will be inspired by where the three chefs hail from…..Nogales. Flavors of their hometown will be on display for this special dinner. Each course is paired with a beverage.

First Course – Cured Salmon, Green chiltepin aguachile tostada, radish salad and pickled avocado mousse. Paired with: Mohua Sauvignon Blanc

Second Course – Mesquite charred local squash and sweet potato, grapes, mint, crow’s dairy feta, peanut mole, tamarind and chiltepin candy crunch. Paired with: Tamarind piloncillo old fashioned

Third Course – Steamed red chile taquitos, duck confit potatoes, pickled farmer’s market veggies and burnt salsa. Paired with: Pacifico Michelada

Fourth Course – Grilled nopal, adobo flank steak, fresh ranchero cheese, charred pineapple pico de gallo, crispy beans, fried scallions, tomatillo and avocado salsa. Paired With: Nogales Sangria

Fifth Course – Dulce de leche coyota. Paired with: Spiced Horchata

Space is limited and tickets are $75 per person. Tickets to join Chef Samantha Sanz can be purchased here.

Ghost Ranch is at 1006 E. Warner Rd. in Tempe.

 

Mediterranean diet favorite dishes return to Pita Jungle

For the last 25 years Pita Jungle has been serving up healthy Mediterranean diet inspired dishes. Many customers have their favorite’s over the years but they tend to come and go with seasons. As part of their Seasonal Kitchen Crafts Menu they’ve brought back many fan favorites from the past.

All 23 locations throughout Arizona are serving dishes with a balance of Mediterranean diet and global cuisine. The menu is popular with all dietary needs including keto, paleo, vegan and gluten-free. The seasonal menu will be available thru the rest of the year. Dishes include……

  • Cauliflower Hummus (V) – cauliflower, tahini, garlic, evoo, lemon juice, cucumbers, pita (gluten free with blue corn chips).
  • All Veggie Pita Pocket – avocado, baby greens, seasonal mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, sprouts, tabbouleh, lemon vinaigrette, in a pita pocket, severed with tahini (vegan with no tabbouleh, gluten-free with gluten-free pita upcharge).
  • Bone Broth Ramen with Shirataki Noodles (GF) – beef bone broth, with miso, kimchi, red onion, gluten-free soy sauce, garlic and ginger, shirataki noodles, spinach, green onions.
  • Ginger Stir Fry with Shirataki Noodles (GF) – stir-fried fresh vegetables and kimchi, shirataki noodles, spicy ginger sauce, beef bone broth, fresh cilantro, fresh mint, pea sprouts (vegan with no kimchi and no beef broth).

    Mediterranean
    Ginger Stir Fry with Shirataki Noodles
  • Wood-Fired Medchilada (GF) – savory garlic-cilantro chicken in a beef bone broth enchilada sauce, cheddar and feta, turmeric cauliflower rice, cabbage-kale super greens, fresh jalapenos, radish, pico de gallo, pine nuts, gluten-free pita.
  • Chicken Avocado Pita Tostada with Cauliflower Hummus – grilled and chopped marinated all-natural chicken breast, avocado, cilantro-avocado crema, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled red onions, bell peppers, cauliflower hummus, feta, pine nuts, baby arugula, pea sprouts, chipotle vinaigrette, pita tostada or low-carb pita or gluten-free pita (vegetarian option without chicken.
  • Mediterranean Tuna Pita Pocket – albacore tuna, avocado, seasonal mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, red onion, tabbouleh, lemon vinaigrette, pea sprouts, in a pita pocket.
  • Baklawa Bread Pudding sweetened with stevia and agave syrup.

To find a Pita Jungle near you head to their website.

Fried Chicken & Beer at the 1st annual Chimac Festival

Food and drink pairings work the best when you can wash down your food a beverage to compliment your food. A favorite pairing is fried chicken and beer and the first annual Chimac festival is serving up both. Chimac is Korean for the pairing and the festival will be Sunday December 15th. Downtown Phoenix’s The Pressroom will host 12 local fried chicken businesses from 12 – 4 p.m.

The Asian inspired festival will offer several styles of fried chicken including Korean and Nashville hot chicken.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase with each vendors offering at least menu item for under $5. The outdoor event will offer a marketplace with local artists and free games to play. Desserts and Boba will be available to offer a sweet treat after the savory and spicy main dishes.

Tickets are purchased separate from food and drink. Early admission at 10:30 a.m. is $13, General Admission is $8. Children ages 7- 14 are $4 and children 6 and under are free. To purchase tickets head to Ticket Tailor and for more information check out their Facebook page. Cash and credit cards will be accepted by vendors.

The Pressroom is at 441 W. Madison. Phoenix 85003.

Dog Haus to open in Gilbert at SanTan Village in coming weeks

You’ll want to be sent to this Dog Haus but you’ll have to wait ’til it opens. The gourmet hot dog, sausage and burger concept announced it will open at SanTan Village this fall. Gilbert residents Andi and Damon Ott will be the franchisee’s bringing this Pasadena based craft casual concept to the east valley. The modern industrial designed restaurant will include a dog friendly patio, HD TVs and a beer garden. There is a Dog Haus at The Scottsdale Quarter, Yuma and a Phoenix location is in the works.

Guests can expect a full menu of hand-crafted sausages, Angus beef hamburgers, corn dogs, must have sides and shakes. The menu will also include plant-based proteins from Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat. All meats are hormone and antibiotic free and come served on King’s Hawaiian rolls. 24 craft beers will be on tap with an emphasis on locals beers and signature Haus Cocktails are created by Phil Wills seen on Bar Rescue.The restaurant is currently accepting applications for front and back of the house positions. Interested applicants can send a resume to santanvillage@doghaus.com

“We are excited to bring Dog Haus’ one-of-a-kind creations to Gilbert,” said Franchisee Andi Ott. “We have found the perfect location, so the next step is to hire an awesome team that shares our core values of serving great food, giving back and having a good time. We’re looking for people that are excited to work with the brand that’s continually raising the gold standard for hot dogs, sausages and burgers – creating ambassadors to help us introduce ‘The Absolute Würst’ to East Valley.”

Brat Haus Biergarten SantTan Village is at 2224 E. Williams Field Rd. Gilbert.