Month: November 2018

Varsity Tavern opens on Mill Ave. for food, fun and drinks.

Texas-based Reign Group is about to open their second concept this year along Tempe’s Mill Ave. When the Varsity Tavern opens in early December it will be located upstairs from Rodeo Ranch which opened in August.

Varsity Tavern will offer a dine, drink and play atmosphere both day and night with over 8,000 square feet of fun. A wrap around balcony will offer guests a great view of Mill Ave., Sun Devil Stadium and the sunset.

“With Varsity Tavern, we’re pushing the dining and entertainment limits on Mill. Ave.” says Josh Regan, co-owner of Reign Group. “We fully expect these concepts help Mill Ave. become an undisputed epicenter of the dine-drink-play movement in the valley” says Reagan.

Shrimp and Pasta. All photos courtesy of Duality PR & Varsity Tavern

Dine

Executive chef Albert Hernandez is no stranger to the Mill Ave. dining scene as he was the executive chef at Monti’s La Casa Vieja. The menu is inspired by James Beard award-winning chef Robert McGrath who helped Hernandez create the Texas style food with an Arizona twist.

The menu includes unique dishes such as Pot Roast sliders, Meat Toothpicks with Chimichurri & mashed potatoes and the Sloppiest Of Jospeh’s on an Onion Roll. Brunch will be served on Sundays and Mondays and offer Potted Huevos Rancheros, Big Benny and Bananas Foster french Toast.

Drink

Guests can expect a wide range of cocktails, craft beers and wine at Varsity Tavern. Whether it’s a Bloody Mary at Sunday brunch or bottle service on a Friday night all will quench people’s thirst.

A full-time craft cocktail artist is on staff and has created cocktails such as Spicy Margarita and Blueberry Mojito.

Play at Varsity Tavern

The sports bar turned nightclub atmosphere will offer DJ spinning most nights and hi-def television’s for sports fans. Nightly promotions will offer Gold Fish Races on Monday’s and Bada Bingo on Wednesday’s. A lively Happy Hour also happens on a regular basis.

Varsity Tavern is on the southeast corner of Mill Ave. & 5th St. Hours are Mon. – Wed. 11 a.m. – midnight, Thurs. & Fri 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat 10:30 a.m. – 2 a.m. and Sun. 10:30 a.m. – midnight. For more information visit their website.

The Whining Pig Beer & Wine Bar opens at Desert Ridge Marketplace

The 6th location of The Whining Pig Beer & Wine Bar has opened in north Phoenix at Desert Ridge Marketplace. Across from Dave & Buster’s The Whining Pig will be the neighborhoods go to wine and beer bar that occupies more than 4,000 square feet.

Photos courtesy of The Whining Pig Beer & Wine Bar

The friendly and knowledgeable staff pours wines from around the world and over 125 craft beers from rotating taps. A selection of grilled cheese sandwiches and meat & cheese plates are available off the limited menu.

Vintage boards games and other forms of entertainment make the place good hang out with friends and family.

The bar opens daily at 1 p.m. and stays open til the late evening and early morning hours.

Sunday Brunch now served at Parma Italian Roots

On the success of lunch and dinner Parma Italian Roots now offers Sunday Brunch. The recently opened West Coast style Italian restaurant in Scottsdale serves traditional brunch favorites with a modern Italian twist from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Chef Chris Gentile’s Italian influence and California Coastal style cooking uses sweet and savory ingredients that offer guests a unique brunch experience. Bold flavored dishes include Strawberry Marscapone Pancakes, Short Rib South of the Border Hash, Parma Benedict and Breakfast Calzone. All these delicious sounding breakfast options are $13.

Sunday Brunch
Breakfast Calzone. All photos courtesy of Awe Collective

For those that “Don’t Like Breakfast” choose the Gnocchi ($13), Pappardelle Bolognese ($15) or one of the other four lunch options.

You can’t do Sunday brunch without cocktails and Parma offers $12 bottomless Mimosa’s and more.

Parma Italian Roots is at 20831 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85255. (480)-292-9900 www.ParmaItalianAZ.com

Scottsdale’s BLK Live offers a new upscale Social Hour menu

Scottsdale’s live entertainment venue and restaurant BLK Live has introduced a new Social Hour menu in time for the holidays. Friends and co-workers looking to celebrate can enjoy upscale comfort food, cocktails, beer and wine at special pricing.

The best part is the upscale happy hour is available twice a day Thursday – Sunday from 4 – 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. – close. Guests can enjoy Kobe meatballs, bourbon-glazed seared pork belly and crunchy coconut shrimp with mango chutney. Creative signature cocktails are offered at a reduced price along with $4 domestic drafts, well drinks and house wines are poured with $5 imported and craft beers.

BLK Live is at 7301 E. Butherus Dr. Scottsdale 85260. For more information visit their website.

Coffee 101 is in session at Press Coffee’s Scottsdale Waterfront location

Ever wonder where your morning cup of coffee came from and how Press Coffee determines what coffee’s to roast then sell, those questions will be answered in Coffee 101. Classes at the Scottsdale Waterfront’s “Speakeasy” classroom start tomorrow. The Scottsdale Quarter and Ocotillo locations have taught the popular class on Saturday mornings.

I recently took the class and learned which roasts I prefer, taste profiles and more.

Coffee experts will teach the “cupping” method of tasting coffee, the roasting process and where coffee originated when you take the 1-hour class.

Coffee 101 starts at 10 a.m. on the 1st & 3rd Saturday’s(tomorrow) at the Scottsdale Waterfront and Chandler (Nov. 17, Dec. 1, Dec. 15, Jan. 6, Jan. 20) with Scottsdale Quarter classes on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays.

Classes cost $20 and you receive a $10 gift card when class lets out.

Seating is limited and you can save your seat by going to http://presscoffee.com/tastings

The Scottsdale Waterfront is at 7135 E. Camelback Rd. #145 across from Nordstrom’s.

 

 

Business as usual at TEXAZ Grill as owner decides to sell

Rather than closing restaurants as owners move on they are finding new owners to keep them up and running. Yesterday I posted about The House Brasserie getting new owners, today TEXAZ Grill has a new owner.

After 33 years owner Steve Freidkin was ready to move on but didn’t want to close his famous Phoenix restaurant. Selling almost a million Chicken Fried Steaks and Texas style food new owners, the Nguyen family don’t plan any changes.

The new owners

The Nguyen’s moved to Arizona in 2007 from Houston where they immigrated to in 1989. They have been longtime fans of the restaurant ever since and are looking forward to taking it over.

“Our entire family is excited to take the reins at TEXAZ Grill and continue the proud traditions started by Steve Freidkin and Jim Mitchell way back in 1985,” says Long Nguyen. “Most important, we want TEXAZ fans to know their restaurant is in good hands, and we look forward to serving up Phoenix’s best steaks, chicken fried steaks and more for another 33 years.”

Long time staff and management will stay in place to continue serving comfort classics like steaks, chili and BBQ.

Former owner

Friedkin will stay on board with the new owners through November and will then become a customer.

“After three plus decades as owner, chief cook and bottle washer at TEXAZ Grill, I’m ready to ride off into the sunset,” says Steve Freidkin. “But first I had to make sure that my staff and our customers, who are both like family to me, were all in great hands. It was very important to me that TEXAZ remains a family run restaurant.”

“The staff makes TEXAZ Grill great, and I know that they will have the same friendly service and use the same recipes that we’ve had for the past 33 years, including chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, TEXAZ Red Chili, pecan pie, and more.”

TEXAZ Grill is at 6003 N. 16th St. Phoenix 85016. www.TEXAZGrill.com

The popular House Brasserie is under new ownership

Scottsdale’s The House Brasserie changed ownership recently with the new owners looking to continue serving great food and service. Opened in 2012 by chef Matt Carter, Brian Raab and Terri Ellisnor it became one of old town favorite restaurants. It got its name because it’s housed in the second oldest house in Scottsdale.

New owner Joseph Ieraci, an ASU graduate, has the restaurant industry in his blood as a 2nd generation restaurateur. Ieraci returned to the valley from his native southern California in search of a restaurant but not just any restaurant. “My wife, Julie, and I absolutely fell in love with The House Brasserie because we could tell it had been hand-built and run with a lot of love.” Ieraci was attracted to the unique location of the house which is surrounded by patios, tall trees and a cozy inside dining room.

Head Chef Brandon Jedd stays with Ieraci continuing to serve global inspired dishes using gourmet ingredients and French cooking techniques. Jedd has been overseeing kitchen operations at The House for several years after starting as a line cook.

“As hard as it was for us to say goodbye to The House, we’re so excited it’s in great hands with Joseph Ieraci and chef Brandon Jedd,” says Brian Raab. “With the success of The Mission in Downtown Scottsdale as well as at Kirkland Commons, plus Fat Ox, it just made sense to have a single owner-operator who can give this amazing restaurant the attention it deserves.”

Ieraci will bring back the seasonal weekend brunch but for now is serving dinner Tuesday – Sunday from 5-10 p.m.

The House Brasserie is at 6936 E. Main St. Scottsdale 85251. For more information visit their website.

Pomo Pizzeria named in BuzzFeed’s 25 Best Pizzerias in America

Discussions about pizza and who makes “The Best” is part of the pizza culture. When a new list comes out we all scan it to see if we’ve been to any and if we agree. I know I’ve got my opinions and favorites. Phoenix does have a pretty good if not great reputation for its pizza community. Most often we think of Chris Bianco and his Pizzeria Bianco’s when we think of great pizza in Phoenix. Chris laid the foundation for pizza in Phoenix with its reputation for tacos, burritos and other Mexican dishes. It should come as no surprise that other pizzerias have opened following the Bianco brick oven model and have garnered national respect in the pizza community. Pomo Pizzeria in downtown Phoenix (a few blocks from Bianco) is the only Arizona pizzeria to make BuzzFeed’s The 25 Best Pizzerias in America.

Pomo came in at #14 on the list voted on by guests. The Principe pizza is featured on BuzzFeed list but the pizzeria considers The Diavola as their signature pizza. The Diavola has tomato sauce, spicy salame, mozzarella, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil.

Pomo uses fresh ingredients and uses traditional pizza making techniques going back hundreds of years to Naples.

I’d agree, when I’ve visited any Pomo location I’ve always enjoyed their pizzas, I just need to get there more often.

Pomo Pizzeria has locations in Scottsdale, Gilbert and Phoenix. For more information visit their website.

Fat Ox offers a truffle filled weekend in the Italian countryside, kind of.

Just back from northern Italy executive chef & co-owner Matt Carter is wasting no time showing off his bounty. It’s truffle season and Carter’s putting together an Italian inspired dinner using the white and black treasures.

The dinners will be on a special menu from Thurs. Nov. 8th – 11th. The rustic Italian dinner will take Carter back to his recent expedition in the Italian countryside.

Carbonara Tajarin with white truffle, Parmesan, pancetta

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Wild Salmon with black truffle, salsify, Meyer lemon, mushroom crumble

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Fior de Latte Gelato with fresh-shaved white truffle

Or

Add to any entrée (market price)

For more information or to make a reservation call 480-307-6900 or visit www.IloveFatOx.com

Fat Ox is at 6316 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85253.