Month: December 2019

The Americano, an Italian steakhouse coming to Scottsdale in early 2020

The owners of Pomo Pizzeria, Mora Italian and Meat the Ball have announced their newest restaurant that’s expected to open in early 2020. The Americano will be a contemporary Italian steakhouse offering European style personalized service and the finest meats, seafood and more.

The restaurant will feature an open kitchen concept with a wood fired grill for preparing steaks and seafood. Testani Design Group and LGE Design Build collaborated on the interior design of The Americano. Dark gray and light green colors will set the tone for the large dining room. Modern art, crescent shaped booths and butcher block tables will be eye catching and functional. Seating will also be available at the island bar, in the lounge and on the patio.

A world class team at The Americano

Pomo Restaurant Group has brought together an impressive team to run The Americano. Canadian born Executive Chef Matthew Taylor comes from Mora Italian and with his team will serve steaks from purebred Piedmontese cattle & American Wagyu beef, pasta & antipasti and Mediterranean seafood. The restaurant will also have a raw bar and caviar service.

“We are thrilled to introduce our carefully curated menu to guests,” says Executive Chef Matthew Taylor. “The Americano will bring the best of both worlds from Italy and America to provide some of the finest steaks, seafood and pasta that Arizona has to offer.”

Swiss born Paride Guerra will serve as General Manager and comes from the Hays-Adams Hotel In Washington D.C. Guerra has worked in restaurants and hotels around the world including South Beach, Beverly Hills, Switzerland and Australia.

Elya Coffman will be re-locating from south Florida to serve as Director of Service & Beverage. Coffman has previously worked with Philadelphia’s Starr Group & the Michael Mina Group.

An Italian and American wine list will be curated by Head Sommelier Nicholas Padua. The wine list will feature vintage bottles along with wines from boutique and iconic producers. Padua has worked as a lead sommelier here in Scottsdale for the Michael Mina Group and Four Seasons Resort.

The Americano will be at 17797 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85255. For information about the restaurant and hiring visit their website.

The Angry Crab Shack Southwest Cajun Fest returns for its 6th year

Downtown Chandler will feel a bit like New Orleans’s French Quarter for a few hours on Saturday, February 15th 2020. This is when fans of Cajun food and culture can expect to party into the night at the 6th Annual Angry Crab Shack Southwest Cajun Fest.

AJ Chandler Park will again host over a dozen restaurants including Angry Crab Shack, Bayou Bistro and Honey Bears Cajun BBQ Cuisine serving up gumbo, crawfish, Po’boys and more. Abita beers such as Purple Haze, Hop On and more will be on draft.

“Angry Crab Shack is excited to team up with HDE Agency and bring a Mardi Gras party to the East Valley while benefiting one of our partners in Phoenix Children’s Hospital,” said Andrew Diamond, president of Angry Crab Franchise. “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”

HooDoo Coasters, Bluesman Mike, NolAz Band and Souled Out Jazz Band will perform live throughout the 9 hour festival. Food eating contest, lawn games, flame throwers and a Kid’s Zone will entertain festival goers.

A portion of the proceeds will go to Phoenix Children’s Hospital as they plan to expand into the east valley. The festivities start at noon and ticket options including veteran’s discounts, general admission and the Big Easy Lounge are available. To purchase tickets for the Angry Crab Shack Southwest Cajun Fest and get more information head to their website.

AJ Chandler Park is at 178 E. Commonwealth Ave. Chandler

Cock N’ Tails to rock the Uptown Phoenix restaurant scene

The popular 7th Street strip is packed with restaurants, some have survived the ups & downs and some replaced now shuttered eateries. Come mid-January, Cock N’ Tails will be the newest restaurant in the Uptown neighborhood. Taking over what was once Joe’s Midnight Run then another forgotten restaurant Cock N’ Tails brings a chef driven modern brasserie with its rock music theme.

Ahwatukee native and owner Kurt Johnson didn’t just come up with theme but lived it as a musician in L.A. “I spent seven years in the music scene in LA working the Sunset Strip bar scene and recording music at my own studio in North Hollywood. Those years were some of the most amazing times in my life, I grew so much and really honed my craft,” says Johnson.

Executive Chef and friend Donna Sites is creating a chef driven menu of classic American fare and late night bites. Sites comes from Phoenix’s Kuber Hotels where she opened and operated several outlets for over a decade. Her menu will feature steaks, seafood, chicken pot pie, burgers and her version of pate and bone marrow.

“While I was in the studio recording I started thinking about the idea of opening a bar and how cool it would be to model that bar after what I was seeing and experiencing in the music scene. I wanted it to look and feel like being in the studio. That’s what I’m hoping people will take away from their experience at Cock N’ Tails”.

Cock N’ Tails is at Seventh Street and Bethany Home Road, 6101 N Seventh Street. For hours and more information check the website.

Cheez-It Bowl offers fans a Cheez- It twist to stadium foods

Fans headed to the Cheez-It Bowl on Friday, December 27th will have more to cheer about when Air Force plays Washington State. The cheesiest bowl game of the year will offer two fan favorite foods with a Cheez-It twist.

Chase Field Executive Chef Stephen Tilder has created The Cheez-It Walking Tacos and The Coney Island Cheez-It Dog. “It wouldn’t be the Cheez-It Bowl without some fun, delicious, Cheez-It inspired food available to fans,” said Jeff Delonis, Senior Director of Marketing for Cheez-It. “Chef Tilder has really delivered some fantastic recipes that really highlight the cheesy, crunchy satisfaction that only Cheez-It can deliver.”

The Cheez-It Walking Tacos combines Arizona’s southwest flare with college football’s official snack. Enjoy a bag of Cheddar Jack Cheez-It crackers topped with pork carnitas, Cheddar cheese, pico de gallo and sour cream. It will be available for $11 at Taste of Chase.

The Coney Island Cheez-It Dog is topped with chili, Monterey Jack cheese sauce, onions and original Cheez-It crackers. It will be available for $10 at Taste of Chase.

“A college football game isn’t complete without some delicious snacking. When you work with a fun and creative brand like Cheez-It, and Chef Tilder at Chase Field, our fans are the ultimate winners,” said Cheez-It Bowl Executive Director Mike Nealy. “I can’t wait to try these on December 27 while watching some exciting offensive football.”

The Cheez-It Bowl kicks off at 8:15 p.m. at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. For more information check out their website.

Food festival favorite Hot Bamboo to open a restaurant in Chandler

If you frequent farmer’s markets and food festivals around Phoenix you’ve probably seen the Hot Bamboo booth.  Owner Anna Heibach has been serving bao, dumplings and rice bowls for 10 years to those willing to wait up to 30-45 minutes in line. She’s decided to open a store front selling her popular dishes in Chandler come early January 2020.

Dumplings

The Indonesian born and raised Heibach started selling Asian street food in 2008 when her career as an artist slowed down. Before coming to Arizona to teach art she was in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany after she graduated Kent State University with a degree in Art & Architecture. She started making pastries for farmer’s markets, as her popularity grew she remembered her childhood favorites of bao, dumplings and more. Hot Bamboo was born during this time.

Heibach and son Preston won’t stop the festivals but felt the need to provide customers with a full time opportunity to enjoy her food.

Hot Bamboo will highlight character bao at the new store front. Customers can have them filled with pork, teriyaki, chorizo or vegan style. Rice bowls will include pineapple teriyaki pork, coconut curry and more. Her popular dumplings will be served at the restaurant filled with chicken, pork and shrimp. Other specialty snacks will be served along with Thai iced tea, smoothies and more.

Hot Bamboo will be at 980 E Pecos Rd. Chandler, AZ 85226 and open Tuesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. For more info and to see about a opening date check out their website.

Duck Donuts opening 1st Arizona location in Chandler

Donut fans back east and in southern California know about the popularity of Duck Donuts. Arizona will have “Warm, Delicious Made-to-Order” donuts starting Saturday December 21st when the first Arizona franchise opens in Chandler.

The 1,053 square foot store will welcome their first customers at 8 a.m. at Fulton Ranch Towne Center at Arizona & Ocotillo. Customers will watch as their donuts go from dough to warm, delicious donuts then topped however you like. The vanilla cake donuts can be turned into donut sandwiches and donut sundaes to go with their signature coffees.

Franchisee Daniel Bruno says “While living in Charlotte, North Carolina, we vacationed to the Outer Banks while my wife was pregnant with our first child. She was craving sweets and I suggested Duck Donuts. While waiting in line you could smell the aroma of warm donuts and from that moment I was hooked. Once we moved back to Arizona, my wife was pregnant with our second child and craved Duck Donuts again! Once I realized we did not have a nearby location, I quickly started my inquiry into bringing the Duck Donuts brand to Arizona, and now we are officially ready to provide the Chandler community, friends and family our warm, delicious and made-to-order donuts.”

Chandler franchisee Daniel Bruno

Russ DiGilio founded Duck Donuts in 2006 in Duck, North Carolina. He decided to open the first shop when he couldn’t find warm, delicious donuts on the Outer Banks while on a family vacation. There are now 87 locations in 26 states and 3 countries with more on the way. Duck Donuts Chandler will be open 7 days a week at 4040 S. Arizona Ave. Suite 8. Find more about them at their Facebook page or the company website.

Bevan Cellars winemaker to host dinner at Keeler’s Steakhouse

Things tend to slow down a bit in California wine country during the winter. The “down time” gives winemakers the opportunity to leave the vineyard and visit customers throughout the country. Bevan Cellars winemaker and co-founder Russell Bevan will be leaving St. Helena as he heads to Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse for a January 9th dinner.

The 5- course dinner will have Chef Anthony Apolinar’s creative menu complimented by the wines of Bevan Cellars. During dinner Russell will share his story about how the winery got started, growing up in wine country and the wines themselves.

The pairing is as follows.

1st Course: Steelhead Crudo with arugula salad, cucumber and Meyer lemon oil paired with Dry Stack Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County

2nd Course: Pan-Seared Monkfish with sautéed spinach, blistered tomatoes and balsamic reduction served with Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

3rd Course: Grilled Duroc Pork Chop with sweet potato puree and pinot noir reduction complemented by Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

4th Course: Prime Petit Filet with adobo marinade, garlic mashed potatoes, Brussel chips and demi-glace paired with Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville

5th Course: “Berries and Cream” served with Ontogeny Red Wine, Napa Valley

The dinner starts at 6:30 and is $125 per person plus tax & gratuity. Seats are limited, to reserve your seat call 602-374-4784 or visit http://keelerssteakhouse.com/

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse is at 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. Carefree AZ.

 

12 West Brewing to open taproom in downtown Mesa

Gilbert’s 12 West Brewing will ring in 2020 in style when it opens its new taproom on New Year’s Eve. Finding 12 West Main Street should be easy as it’s the name and address of the taproom in downtown Mesa. The former event venue is owned by 12 West founder and Mesa native Bryan McCormick.

“12 West Brewing Company is crafted for the community. We know the bond formed when sharing a pint or sipping a cocktail at the bar–people meet, converse and make memories surrounded by good friends, tasty food, and great beer. We want to be a community space, where our guests are on their own time,” says owner Bryan McCormick, who also owns 12 West Brewing at Barnone in Gilbert. “I always wanted to put a brewery in here,” he said. “I waited for the light rail to get built and for Mesa’s time to come.” That time is now, he said, with downtown Mesa ready for growth. The 19,000 sq ft building has undergone extensive renovations recently, and there are plans to develop the basement into a music venue in the near future.

Beer, cocktails & food at 12 West

12 West Brewing beers will be poured along with beers it collaborates on with other brewers. Classic cocktails will use spirits of local distillers Arizona Distilling Company and Grand Canyon Brewing & Distilling. Chef David Linville has created a menu with small plates, flatbreads and salads. Signature dishes include the Bretzel, a Bavarian pretzel made with beer cheese with 12 West’s Wheat Beer. The Katsu Chicken sandwich is a Japanese style of fried chicken topped with Asian slaw. Linville sources ingredients locally and every aspect of the menu is made in house from fresh, whole foods.

12 West Main Street will be open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun- Thurs. and 11 a.m. – midnight on Fri. and Sat.

Pop Up Dinner as James Beard Foundation returns to Phoenix

A few months after The James Beard Foundation’s “Taste America” tour made a stop in Phoenix, they’re returning in 2020. Wednesday, February 26th a Phoenix Pop Up Dinner at the Wrigley Mansion will be hosted by Chef Christopher Gross as he welcomes Taste America Visiting All- Star Chef Kristen Kish. The two chefs will create a menu full of diverse flavors and cuisines that are found in American cooking. This is the tours seventh visit to Phoenix over the years showing their commitment to our food and restaurant community.

The “Taste America” tour is how the foundation helps to bring better food for all through fundraising and discussion of food related issues. The non-profits “Good Food for Good” platform focuses on food waste reduction, sustainability, inclusivity and chef advocacy. 20 cities are on the 2019/20 tour that lasts almost a year with Capital One partnering with the foundation.

Tickets for the Pop Up dinner start at $225. Want a more exclusive experience, a private dining room is available for $500 and an “in kitchen” dinner is $1,000. I’ve seen the new kitchen and it’s very impressive. For more information about the evening and to purchase tickets head to the foundations website.

 

Local chefs on board for RS Gala for Phoenix Children’s Hospital

When Russo & Steele Collector Automobile Auctions rolls in to town in January they’ll be celebrating their 20th anniversary in Scottsdale. One of the highlights of the annual week long auction at Scottsdale Rd. north of Loop 101 is the RS Gala. Local chefs from Phoenix and northern Arizona will prepare hors d’ ouvres for attendees while sipping on festive cocktails. Russo & Steele has partnered with Phoenix’ Children’s Hospital as benefactors of the gala.

“Phoenix Children’s is an incredible organization and we believe in their mission,” said co-owner of Russo and Steele, Josephine Alcazar. “Giving back to our community is what we are all about here at Russo and Steele and we couldn’t be more excited to host this event.”

The evening will also include dancing, live music, a silent & live auction on Wednesday, January 15th.

Local chefs in attendance are…..

Eddie Matney of Forest Highlands

Beau MacMillan of Elements at Sanctuary

Justin Beckett of Beckett’s Table and Southern Rail

James Porter of Terra Farm & Manor

Marcellino Verizino of Marcellino Ristorante

Dee Dee Maza of Volanti

Ryan McBride of Dorian

Lisa Dahl of Cucina Rustica, Dahl & Di Ristorante

Mediterra Bakery

“Arizona becomes the center of the car world during this one week and Russo and Steele is hands down the most exciting auction,” said Steve Schnall, senior vice president and chief development officer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We are grateful to Drew and Josephine for helping raise funds for Phoenix Children’s and couldn’t be more excited to partner once again for this gala.”

Tickets for individuals and tables are available at https://russoandsteele.regfox.com/russo-and-steele-20th-anniversary-celebration