Month: August 2018

Wrigley Mansion fire’s up Sunday BBQ Brunch in September

People are closing down their smokers as summer comes to an end but Wrigley Mansion executive chef Christopher Gross is firing his up. Beginning September 9th chef Gross will be pit master as he offers a weekly Sunday BBQ Brunch through mid-October.

Smoked pulled pork and Sorghum glazed beef brisket will be served from chef manned stations along with cole slaw, fresh baked rolls and tortillas. Guests will invited to build their own salads from a variety of fresh vegetables, greens, grains, fruits and cheeses.

Wrigley Mansion
View of downtown Phoenix

Made to order omelettes, eggs and waffles will be available with sides of bacon, sausage and fresh fruit.

Enjoy beautiful views of downtown Phoenix and Camelback Mountain from the hilltop mansion as you sip Mimosas and sparkling wine included in the $45 price.

The limited time Sunday BBQ Brunch replaces their Signature Brunch for the next month.

Reservations can be made by calling 602-955-4079 or by visiting http://www.wrigleymansion.com/

The famed Wrigley Mansion is at 2501 E. Telewa Trail Phoenix 85016.

Giordano’s gets ready to open new Phoenix location with a pizza party

The next wave of Chicago deep dish pizza restaurants is starting as Giordano’s opens their new Phoenix location on Wednesday September 5th. Celebrate the popular Chicago based restaurants new location as it’s also celebrates National Cheese Pizza Day .

The party starts at 4 p.m. in northeast Phoenix where this will be Giordano’s 2nd Arizona location since the 2016 opening in Peoria. Guests will be to taste delicious samples of Giordano’s pizza and other dishes and family friendly activities. Experience the “cheese pull”  and tag your picture #Giordanos for a chance to win a $25 gift card as part of their weekly #PhotoFriday contest.

Giordano's

“Phoenix is full of Chicago transplants, and they know their deep-dish pizza,” said Christine Friszell, general manager of the new Giordano’s in Paradise Valley. “We love watching them rediscover Giordano’s in Arizona, and introduce our Chicago-style, stuffed deep-dish pizza to their friends and families. It’s an experience we look forward to sharing with the northeast Valley.”

The 6,400 square foot dining room and covered patio will be open 7 days  for lunch and dinner opening daily at 11 a.m. Delivery, take out and catering are also available.

The new location is at 12811 N. Tatum Blvd. Phoenix 85032. For more information check out https://giordanos.com/

Enjoy Arizona only beers, wines and spirits at 1st annual AZ Barrels, Bottles & Brews festival

Arizona is on the worldwide map with its craft beers, wines and spirits with the trophies and awards given over the last few years. To showcase all things Arizona there will be the first ever AZ Barrels, Bottles & Brews festival at Salt River Fields on November 3rd.

Arizona
Photo courtesy of Salt River Fields

The beers, wines and spirits will be made exclusively for the festival and use Arizona yeast, hops, grapes and water.

With a great view of the McDowell Mountains from the concourse of Salt River Fields festival goers will be able to sample from 2-5 p.m.

Over 30 brewers, wineries and distillers are scheduled to participate and the list keeps growing. SanTan Brewing Co., Helton Brewing, Elgin Distillery, Cellar 433 and McFate Brewing are a few of those announced.

Tickets are limited and are $50 for 12 drink samples and access to food trucks to purchase food. V.I.P tickets are available at $65 and allow entry an hour early at 1 p.m. Designated drivers pay only $19 and get a free swag bag. For more information and to purchase tickets visit the festival website.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is at 7555 N. Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ

 

The Gladly celebrates its 5th anniversary with $1 chopped salad

Phoenix restaurant The Gladly celebrates its 5th anniversary and will offer fans 5 days of food and drink specials to celebrate. Kicking off Monday September 10th guests will be able to enjoy the popular Chopped Salad for $1 followed by these special below.

chopped salad
The Chopped Salad. Photo courtesy of The Gladly.

Monday, Sept. 10 – Enjoy $1 Original Chopped Salads (dine-in only; dinner service only; limit one per table).

Tuesday, Sept. 11 – Enjoy 50-percent off all draft cocktails including The Gladly Manhattan, Moscow Mule, Spiced Daiquiri, Penicillin, Thai Margarita and Aperol Spritz.

Wednesday, Sept. 12 – Enjoy $1 oysters during happy hour and dinner service.

Thursday, Sept. 13 – Enjoy $10 bottles of rosé.

Friday, Sept. 14 – Enjoy a special, signature dish from The Gladly’s Scottsdale sister restaurant, Citizen Public House, for one night only.

If you can’t make in during the week, stop in anytime during the month for a celebratory cocktail for only $5 created just for the anniversary.

“This is our way of saying thanks to the community, and to those who came through our doors over the last five years,” said co-owner Andrew Fritz. “We can’t wait for you to see what’s in store for the future.”

The Gladly is at The Anchor Centre at 2201 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix 85016. https://www.thegladly.com/

RnR re-opens today after 7 week rejuvenation with Grand Opening Party

Old town Scottsdale’s RnR restaurant is back starting today at 5p.m. after 7 weeks of refreshing and renovating. A Grand Opening party is tonight with a 1 cent hosted bar from 5-7 p.m., extended Happy Hour from 7-11 p.m. and 20% all food from 5-11 p.m.

Grand opening

New food menus of scratch made comfort classics will make their debut with new salads, sandwiches and old favorites. The popular weekend brunch returns Saturday’s & Sunday’s from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

A new Happy Hour menu with 10 items at $6 will is available Monday- Friday from 3 – 6 p.m. along with new weekly specials.

Exciting new cocktails were created including the Absolut Mega Mule that is 128 oz. and needs a minimum of 4 people to order. For weekend brunch guests can enjoy a new Mimosa Tower and Mimosa flights of guava, cranberry, orange and pineapple.

rnr

As part of the renovation new giant LED TVs were installed and are visible from any seat in the restaurant. A new 36 seat island bar is situated from the inside to the patio with new roll-up glass garage doors. New booths were added to the upstairs balcony for a view of Scottsdale Rd. great for people watching.

RnR is at 3737 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85251. 480-945-3353 https://www.rnrscottsdale.com/

Downtown Chandler to host Rockin’ Taco Street Fest

Food festival season is starting to get ramped up as the summer slowly comes to an end. On of the first festivals is the 7th annual Rockin’ Taco Street Fest on Saturday September 15th in downtown Chandler.

This years festival hosts 20 restaurants and food vendors making more tacos than one can eat. Restaurants such as Las Palmas, Taco Guild and Nando’s Mexican Cafe are just a few restaurants breaking out the recipe book to create unique tacos. Specialty Poke tacos, cactus and Korean chicken tacos are a few of the non-traditional tacos being served up at the family friendly event.

Downtown Chandler
Evil Waze. All photos ciourtesy of Jen Pruett of HDE Agency

More than just tacos

You can’t eat tacos for all 9 hours of the festival so entertainment from Santana cover band Evil Waze will take the stage. Metalachi, the world’s first and only mariachi heavy metal band will headline the festival.

A custom low-rider car show with In the Streets magazine will show off over 60 cars, bikes and trucks. Lucha libre wrestling and food eating contest will be going on throughout the day.

Get your tickets here

General admission tickets on-line are $10, $15 at the door with kids 12 and under free. The 21 years old + VIP tickets are $100 and available on-line only. VIP ticket holders get a private area, 6 alcoholic beverage tickets, catered food and shaded area. 

The Tequila Tavern tickets are $30 on-line get you 10 tequila samples and unlimited chips and salsa.

A portion of the proceeds from the festival will be donated to the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership. The non-profit DCCP mission is to use leadership and resources to promote the downtown Chandler area.

Tickets are available at http://www.rockintacoaz.com/ 

The festival is from 12-9 p.m. and is at Dr. AJ Chandler Park in downtown Chandler.

2018 Slider Throwdown returns to Kierland Commons

The 2018 Slider Throwdown returns for another year of tasty slider goodness on Sunday Nov. 18th. at north Scottsdale’s Kierland Commons. The Throwdown will benefit Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation.

Guests who throw down the $35 admission will enjoy sliders from local food truck companies Buzz N Bee, Aioli Burgers, Food Diva and more. Local “Slider Experts” will decide who will be awarded the Best Slider with guests voting for the People’s Choice award.

The price of admission includes samples of all sliders and 3 non-alcoholic drink tickets. A Kierland Commons restaurant will partner with the Throwdown promoters to create an exclusive cocktail to purchase in the restaurant.

Petite cheeseburger

Proceeds will be donated to AFFCF which is dedicated to giving foster children a normal childhood. Most importantly they prepare the children for adulthood with scholarships and programs.

“Through our organization, we are able to help foster children navigate the difficult and often unchartered waters of foster care by providing them with valuable resources as well as opportunities to participate in childhood activities that promote confidence and independence so they can grow into responsible, happy adults,” says Kris Jacober, Director of the AFFCF.

AFFCF has awarded more than $5.7 million to 26,000 children in foster care.

The event will be from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. with tickets available for purchase at http://affcf.org/sliderthrowdown

Luci’s to raise money on National Lemonade Juice Day

Lemonade, that cool refreshing drink and one of my favorite beverages celebrates it’s own day on Wednesday August 29th. On National Lemonade Juice Day Luci’s Healthy Market Place & Luci’s at the Orchard will donate all proceeds from sales to local school New Way Academy.

The lemonade will be donated by Tempe’s Sun Orchard Juicery and be sold for $5 for an 8 oz. glass. Guests who purchase a glass will be entered to win a Luci’s gift card, hat and shirt.

New Way Academy is an K-12 independent day school that caters to children with learning differences including dyslexia,  ADHD and executive functioning difficulties. For those that can’t make it by Luci’s on the 29th donations can be made at https://newwayacademy.org/support-new-way/abc-form/

Luci’s Healthy Market Place is at 1590 Bethany Home Rd. Phoenix 85014.

Luci’s at the Orchard is at 7100 N. 12th St Phoenix 85020. https://lucisurbanconcepts.com/

Parma Italian Roots to debut in north Scottsdale this fall.

Our love affair with Italian food will never end and it’s a good thing that the valley is getting another Italian restaurant when it opens September 21st. Parma Italian Roots will open this fall in north Scottsdale under the direction of executive chef Chris Gentile.

Parma Italian Roots
Blueberry Bruschetta. All photos courtesy of Awe Collective.

Gentile from southern California has created a menu of West Coast influenced Italian cuisine which uses high-quality seafood, flavorful herbs and fresh vegetables. He then adds his coastal California influences to each dish.

“I can’t wait to call Scottsdale home,” Gentile says. “The city has already been amazingly welcoming, and I’ve loved getting to know the local food and beverage scene and everyone who makes it so special.”

Pappardelle Bolognaese

Want to work at Parma Italian Roots?

Those looking to work at Parma Italian Roots can attend a job fair to apply and interview for one of 40 positions available. Front of the house and back of the house positions are available. Potential employees can attend a job fair Tues. 8/21-Fri. 8/25 from 10.am. – 2p.m. at the restaurant at 20831 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite 117 Scottsdale. For more information check out http://www.parmaitalianaz.com/

If you can’t make the job fair you can send a resume & cover letter to chris@parmaitalian.com

Subscribe to get the latest restaurant news, info on food, wine & beer festivals and other culinary and hospitality current events. Follow me on Instagram @SandyWass Twitter @SandyWasserman

 

Tomaso’s to host 4-course Italian wine pairing dinner

Long time Phoenix restaurateur Tomaso Maggiore of Tomaso’s knows his way around the kitchen and dining room after serving guests since 1977. He also knows what wine goes well with his authentic Italian specialties coming from his kitchen. On Saturday August 25th he will share his culinary knowledge as he prepares a 4-course dinner that pairs his food with wine inspired by his Sicilian upbringing.

Tomaso’s wine pairing menu

The dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. with a reception as guests arrive with dinner starting at 7. Guests will dine on…..

Swordfish Braciola with seafood and zucchini blossom couscous paired with Monte Olimpo- Chardonnay Insolia blend.

Veal with wild mushrooms & truffle ravioli paired with Monte Olimpo – Cabernet Sauvignon Nero d’ Avola blend.

Grilled Prime Bistecca a la Siciliana with Sicilian croquettes and grilled asparagus paired with a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mixed Berry cake with Peachello.

The dinner costs $80 ++ per person with reservations being made by calling 602-956-0836. For more information visit http://tomasos.com

Tomaso’s is at 32235 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix 85018