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
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.
