Several times a year I’m an invited by a restaurant to dine on their dime and give my thoughts, this is one of those occasions.
Located in an unsuspecting office building just east of 44th St. on Camelback Road, The Henry is Fox Restaurant Concepts www.foxrc.com 15th concept and has a bit of something for everybody. A coffee bar that offers pastries opens everyday at 6:30 a.m., lunch Mon.- Fri. starting at 11 a.m. dinner that follows and breakfast on Sat. & Sun. starting at 8 a.m. Not to mention a full bar, lounge and soon to be opened patio with a fireplace. On my dinner visit my dinner guest and I found an attentive and well trained staff, a very open decor and floor plan and a varied menu that offers varied appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees that should suffice all appetites, big or small. As we sipped on our drinks we ordered the Prairie Breeze Cheddar Popovers served with smoked ham butter and herbed butter along Brie Toast topped with roasted pear, pomegranate seeds and hazelnut as appetizers and I would order the Brie Toast all day as I’m not a huge fan of popovers. Wild Mushroom Tortelli With 9 entrees on the menu my eyes immediately drawn to the Wild Mushroom Tortelli with brussel sprouts, butternut squash and parmesan and my guest went with the Heirloom Quinoa Tacos topped with smashed avocado, smoked corn, black beans and queso fresco. Both entrees are vegetarian options. Each entree was enjoyable, full of flavors and just enough portion size to leave room for Croissant Bread Pudding for dessert which itself could be a small meal. Croissant Bread Pudding On what they considered a slow Monday night it looks as if The Henry will be a staple in the neighborhood for years to come.
Chocolate lovers rejoice as Chocolade van Brugge www.chocoladevanbrugge.com has opened on Marshal Way in Scottsdale just in time for the holidays. Local owners Frederiek and Christine Verbeke bring their experience in the corporate world to the small business world with upwards of 60 chocolate confections that include fruit and nut filled truffles, figurines, cookies and gift boxes and baskets for all occasions.
With frequent deliveries from Frederieks hometown of Brugge, the selections are always changing making return visits are a must to see what makes Belgian chocolates so special.
assorted chocolate truffles
You can also enjoy the Belgian cafe atmosphere with coffee, fresh baked goods and build your own hot chocolate. You can enjoy the free Wi-Fi both inside and outside as you eat and drink your favorites sweet delights.
Build your own hot chocolate
Chocolade van Brugge is located at 4225 North Marshall Way, Suite 102, Scottsdale, Arizona. Phone: (480) 721-7363 and is open Tuesday – Sunday, from 8am to 9pm daily
More than 60 brewers will be at Heritage Square this Saturday, December 7, 2013 and they’re bringing over 120 different brews including rare seasonal beers, lagers, ales, porters, and stouts for the 2nd annual Phoenix Brewers Invitational – Get Crafty 2013.
The Phoenix Brewers Invitational will be held at the Phoenix Heritage & Science Park, 115 N. 6th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 from noon-6 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2013.
Thirsty craft beer enthusiasts can sip the sweet nectar of the gods from breweries including Abita, Oskar Blues, SanTan, Grand Canyon, Big Sky, Phoenix Ale, Huss, Old World, Fate, North Mountain, Lumberyard, Breckenridge, Marble, Oak Creek, Funwerks, Firestone Walker, Thunder Canyon, Left Hand, Ska, Papago, Uinta, Santa Fe, Full Sail, Left Coast, Mission, Rodeo Cold and many more. Fretzy Phoenix Brewers Invitational was the brain child of the late Greg “Fretzy” Fretz. His vision was to create a signature craft beer event in downtown Phoenix that celebrates the vast array of styles and flavors of craft beer. In May, 2013, Fretzy lost his battle with throat cancer. His passing struck the Phoenix beer community as it seemed just about everyone had shared a special fondness for his generous and outgoing personality. Paying tribute to his vision and passion, PBI will continue to celebrate the culture of craft beer in his honor. For more information, visit www.phoenixbrewfest.com.
Admission into the festival grounds is FREE, however in order to consume beer, all 21-and-over patrons must purchase the 2013 souvenir mug which comes with 12- 4oz beer samples. Purchase the mug and samples through online pre-sale to save $10 off of the day of pricing. ($25 pre-sale, $35 day of)
Want to take your crafty experience to the next level? Get in on the VIP experience and start your party early at the open house preview party hosted at Phoenix Ale Brewery on Friday, December 6, from 7-11 p.m. The preview party includes food, beer samples, live entertainment and nerdy beer camaraderie.
Then, on Saturday, December 7, VIP ticket holders will get a 2013 souvenir mug which comes with 12- 4oz beer samples, exclusive access to the VIP quarters with catered food and treats from NYPD Pizza, private bathrooms, bocce ball playground, exclusive rare beers and a meet and greet with brewers. The VIP ticket is available ONLY through presale purchase online at www.phoenixbrewfest.com, $125 per person.
Additionally, online pre-sale purchasers can elect to add a flat rate voucher good for transportation to and from the festival courtesy of Discount Cab from anywhere in the Phoenix metro area.
Event highlights include more than 120 craft beers, beer-related vendors, beer memorabilia, home brewing demonstrations and good eats from the valley’s best food trucks including Sweet Magnolia Smokehouse, and The Traveling Monk.
The Phoenix Brewers Invitational encourages people to drink responsibly and urges patrons to take advantage of Discount Cab’s pre-sale vouchers and the Valley Metro Light Rail, located just blocks away from the festival.
Special thanks to our official sponsors and supporters including Draft Magazine, Discount Cab, Crescent Crown Distribution, Alliance Beverage, Hensley Beverage Company, Phoenix Ale Brewery, World of Beer, Active 20-30 Club of Phoenix, Young’s Market, NYPD Pizza, Local First Arizona, The Brew Bros, Local Lily, Yelp, One Community, and The Full Pint.
A percentage of the proceeds from this event benefit The Children In Need Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization created and maintained by current and past members of the Active 20-30 Club of Phoenix. The Children In Need Foundation supports dozens of local groups that benefit Arizona community children including the Boys & Girls Club, American Cancer Society, Crisis Nursery Phoenix, Valley of the Sun School, Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters and much more. For more information about the Children In Need Foundation, visit www.phoenix2030.com/foundation.
One of Phoenix’s vintage dive bars, HB Hanratty’s has started featuring food trucks to go along with its “strong and cheap drinks” Located at 7th St. and Camelback, HB Hanratty’s has been featuring the food trucks on Thursday and Saturday nights since November so you can get your grub on while you watch the game, play pool or darts. You can wash your food down with cocktails from their full bar or one of 6 Arizona beers on tap plus many other beers by the bottle. There is also the weekly “Beer Bargain” for $3 and you can also take a 6 pack and some food home if you’re in a hurry.
Below is this months schedule and it’s recommended that you check Facebook and Twitter for any updates.
Thursday December 5
6-8pm
Moto Meals
Everyday military men and women along with their families make great sacrifices for our country. Chompie’s www.chompiesdeli.com recognizes that and on Veteran’s Day, November 11th all active military personnel and veterans will receive 50% off their meal when they present their military I.D. at all 4 of their Phoenix area locations.
It’s Chompie’s way of saying thank you for their dedication in making sure they help in keep the United States safe and letting freedom prevail. Year to date Chompie’s has given more than $50,000.00 in discounts to military personnel and veterans.
Chompie’s Military Discount is good for 50 percent off a single (one) dine-in entree per active duty or retired U.S. Military personnel or U.S. Military veteran with proper military identification, with a limit of one discount per check. Limited time offer. Subject to change. Not valid with promotional gift cards or any other coupons, offers or discounts. Excludes tax and gratuity.
Binkley’s Restaurant in Cave Creek will be hosting a 6 course dinner paired with the wines of Dukes Family Vineyards, a Pinot Noir producer in Oregon on Wednesday, October 30th. The seasonally planned menu and wine pairing cost is $116 plus tax and gratuity per person and will include meat and seafood representative of the Fall season prepared by James Beard nominee Kevin Binkley including Elk, Sturgeon and duck breast. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and reservations are needed and can be made at binkleysrestaurant.com or 602-437-1072. Binkley’s Restaurant is at 6290 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek. Below is the menu and wine pairing.
Time to bust out your favorite pair of lederhosen as we are smack dab in the middle of Octoberfest and there’s no better way to celebrate than with beers, Brats and beer maids. That and more are in store this Saturday, October 12th as World of Beer Tempe celebrates WOBtoberfest. Starting at 4 p.m. and going until closing at 2 a.m. Customer can enjoy 20 Oktoberfest and seasonal beers that include selections from Arizona breweries including SanTan Brewing, Four Peaks, Grand Canyon Brewing and Mudshark Brewing.
World’s Craft Beer Buyer, JP Watts said, “Our WOBtoberfest coincides with Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lakes so folks can hit us up on their way or come and chill out after their done. Either way, we’re planning a free festive event with bands, tavern fare and craft beer for all.”
Traditional Brats and Bavarian pretzels along with other tavern fare will be available to pair with your beers. Live entertainment starts at 4 p.m. with Catfish Mustache taking the stage followed by Pride Through Strife, Fred Green and DJ Hanzerelli going on every 2 hours.
This is a 21 and over event and is free. for more information check out http://www.facebook.com/WOBTempe
Phoenix area deli Chompie’s www.chompies.com has introduced a Jewish Heritage Classic menu to pay homage to founders Lou and Lovey Borenstein roots as descendants of Jewish immigrants. The new menu will give foodies the opportunity to try some of the Borensteins favorite items they had growing up in Queens, New York. Don’t worry bagels and other Jewish delicacies are always available. Chompie’s Blintzs
The Heritage Classics menu will include Kreplach(Beef dumplings), Kishka (stuffed Derma) along with stuffed cabbage and Knishes. These Schtickels “small plates” start at $3.99 and can be ordered individually or as part of a sample plate.
For those that have a hard time choosing from an already large menu, they’ve come up with “Lovey’s Difficult Decisions” combination plates starting at $8.99. With the addition of this new menu Chompie’s should be able to continue to be “Phoenix’s “Best Jewish Deli”
Liberty Market 2.0With their 5 year anniversary less than a week away, Liberty Market’s partner Joe Johnson has spent the past year getting feed back from customers and staff(known as “brigademembers”) wanting to know how to make their experience better. What he came up with was LM2.0, which started implementation on October 2nd.
Joe’s goal is to ” make a great place even better” and in order to do that you’ll see less signage, better flow through the dining room, new upholstered booths and new menus. On those new menus you’ll see more entrees, more healthy options and shareable plates. In keeping with Liberty’s local philosophy there will be even more locally sourced ingredients and the walls will include art from local artists.
On Monday October 14th Joe and brigademembers will celebrate the anniversary and showing off LM2.0 with $5 Tower burgers and $5 Liberty Ale’s from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. They will also feature special desserts along with drawing for gift cards.
Liberty Market is at 301 N. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert AZ 85234 (480)892-1900 www.libertymarket.com
The southeast valley will get a TASTE of over 24 restaurants on the evening of Saturday, October 19th as TASTE Chandler’s Culinary Festival comes to a new location in the Ocotillo part of town. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at 2855 W. Queen Creek Rd.
Attendees will have unlimited food tastings (while supplies last), 12 drink tickets for wine, craft beers and cocktails and couples who purchase their tickets before the event ($130) will receive a gift bag that includes 2 wine glasses and a bottle of wine. Pre-sale tickets are $65 and day off are $80. Patrons can also vote for their favorite participants in several categories.
This years festival will also honor Geoffrey Hancock, owner of San Tan Sun News and long time supporter of TASTE, Chandler’s Culinary Festival.
This is an 21 and over event and tickets can be purchased at www.tastechandler.com
Eat Valley restaurants participating…..
Bourbon Jacks
CHoP
Coach & Willies
D’Vine Wine Bar
El Palacio Restaurant & Cantina of Chandler
Floridino’s
Frost
Gigi Cupcakes
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
Humble Pie
Latitude Eight Thai Grill
Le Cordon Bleu
My Big Fat Greek Restaurant
Nando’s Mexican Food
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Otuku Sushi
Pearl Sushi
Pitta Souvli
Pittsburgh Willy’s
Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion
SanTan Brewing Company
Shimogamo
The Keg
The Living Room
The Sushi Room
Udder Delights
Vintage 95
Whole Foods
Yoli’s Café
On my dinner visit my dinner guest and I found an attentive and well trained staff, a very open decor and floor plan and a varied menu that offers varied appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees that should suffice all appetites, big or small.
As we sipped on our drinks we ordered the Prairie Breeze Cheddar Popovers served with smoked ham butter and herbed butter along Brie Toast topped with roasted pear, pomegranate seeds and hazelnut as appetizers and I would order the Brie Toast all day as I’m not a huge fan of popovers.
