Category: award-winning

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Day Drinker Devil Ride takes place Saturday July 30th

Bike riders and day drinkers meet up next Saturday at Pedal Haus Brewery in Tempe for a 10-mile ride starting at 8 a.m. The 2nd annual ride raises money for the non-profit Rob Dollar Foundation that helps bring awareness for bike safety. The “fun” ride goes through Papago Park and mid-way through there will be a hydration station.

Tickets are $5 with your first Day Drinker Light Lager & hydration station beverage included. $15 gets the above and a commemorative ” I Survived the Devil Ride” t-shirt. Happy Hour at Pedal Haus is from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. with a raffle at 12:30 p.m.

Dairy Queen’s “Miracle Treat Day” benefits Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Thursday July 28th over 80 Dairy Queen’s around Phoenix, central and northern Arizona donate $1 of every Blizzard sold to a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. PCH is the local hospital to benefit from the nationwide event. The 2022 goal is $90,000 for the hospital’s Hope Fund.

French wine tasting at GenuWine Arizona next Thursday

The wine bar in downtown Phoenix invites guests to join them between 6 – 8 p.m. to taste and learn about French wine. The July 28th tasting is free to wine club members and $10 to non-members. Four wines will be poured and any bottles purchased of the four will be 20% off that night. Click here to RSVP.

Savor a 5-course prix-fixe meal at Francine

The Scottsdale restaurant showcasing the cuisine of the south of France offers guests a special summer menu Sunday – Thursday’s until August 31st. The $45 per person meal will transport you to the Mediterranean that features gazpacho, grilled octopus, caccio e pepe linguini and more to choose from. To reserve your seat call 480-690-6180.

Press Coffee opens newest location in Ocotillo

To celebrate the new location today through Sunday the local roaster will donate $1 of all drip coffee’s to HopeKids. The local non-profit helps children and their families battling life threatening diseases with hope and support. The new location is located at 1085 W. Queen Creek Rd. Chandler.

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Lisa Dahl opens second location of Pisa Lisa

Sedona’s Culinary Queen, Lisa Dahl has brought her popular restaurant and pizzeria Pisa Lisa to the Village of Oak Creek. This is Dahl’s sixth restaurant in the Sedona area and the first with a second location. The first Pisa Lisa opened in west Sedona in 2013 with the new location offering an expanded menu with favorites including wood-fired thin crust pizza, organic salads, tapas and locally made gelato.

Pisa Lisa gets its name from what Dahl’s father would affectionately say to her when giving her a pinch growing up, “I wanna little piece of Lisa”. “I put my heart and soul into the first Pisa Lisa location which is a testament to my dedication to serving people special experiences that will turn into cherished memories while honoring the adoration I feel for my family members who are no longer with us,” said Dahl.

A personal touch from Lisa Dahl on the menu

Guests will find many personal touches on the menu including naming dishes after family members. Da Dororthy pizza is named after her mother and made with Mother sauce, provolone-mozzarella, fennel sausage, picante peppers, Parm-Reggiano. The Justino pizza is dedicated to her late son and made with Ricotta, provolone-mozzarella, San Danielle prosciutto gold, organic arugula, and white-truffle oil.

New are the antipasto plates including Lisa’s Plate, an antipasti sampler with fresh bocconcini mozzarella, tomatoes, finnochio slaw, magic mushrooms, caselveltrano olives and fire-roasted artichokes. New from the pastry team for dessert is the Cookie Monster, a warm and molten giant chocolate chip cookie sundae with Strawberry-stracciatella plant-based gelato (vegan and gluten free).

Beverages include natural sodas, local mead, 16 taps for craft beers, and top selling wines. A wide-range of healthy grab-n-go items including paninis, prepped pizzas, morning treats, and locally sourced roasted coffee are available.

The restaurant has an industrial and bohemian look in its 3,500 square feet. The raised bar is surrounded by Rock n Roll memorabilia from Capitol Records from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Indoor and outdoor seating is available as is communal seating at two large tables.

“This new location enables us to expand this heartfelt concept to a larger audience as it is ultimately a culmination of my work and passion for the Sedona culinary scene and my gratitude for those who dine at Pisa Lisa and stand with me in the belief that Rock ‘n’ Roll is here to stay!”

Pisa Lisa in the Village of Oak Creek is located at 6657 AZ-179 Ste D1, Sedona, AZ 86351. For more information visit their website.

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Hotel Valley Ho’s next Sip + Shop is next week

Tickets for the Olé! Latin Flavors themed marketplace is available at Eventbrite for next Saturday July 16th. Entry is FREE to taste local foods and shop for artisan goods. It happens once at month from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Next Thursday July 14th is their monthly Versus Series Dinner with a Bastille Day celebration. Executive Chef Russell LaCasce pairs each course with a beer from Greenwood Brewing and wine from Eco Terreno Wines. Founder Megan Greenwood and Winemaker Mark Lyon will be joining the French inspired dinner. Seats are $109++ and dinner starts at 6 p.m. Call 480-421-7997 to reserve your seat.

Summer beer tours at PHX Beer Co.

Beat the heat with a cold beer and 30- minute tour of the local brewery at 3002 E. Washington in Phoenix. Tours are for those 21 and over and offered on Sundays at 1:00 or 3:00 p.m. The tour is $29 per person and includes a beef flight, an order of pretzel bites with beer fondue and a t-shirt.

Margarita’s to-go from Z’ Tejas

Join the new Jug Club and take home gallons of their famous margaritas for cool summer drinking. Two memberships are available with packages starting at $500 for a monthly gallon 12 times a year. A weekly membership is $2000 for the year gets you 52 gallons (a gallon a week). Each gallon serves 10-12 people and comes with chips and salsa. If you’re not ready to join single gallons are $60 with a “Beat the Heat” deal, they’re usually $80, Skinny, organic and top shelf margaritas are available at various prices. Jugs can be picked up at their Scottsdale or Chandler locations.

Cider Corps hours at new Gilbert taproom

The new taproom serving award-winning ciders are Tuesday -Saturday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Brightside Burgers are available during those same hours. The taproom is at 685 S. Gilbert Rd.

B & B Cocktail Lounge now open in Scottsdale

The new cocktail lounge is open Wednesday-Saturday at 5 p.m. is next to their sister concept Bourbon & Bones Chophouse on Scottsdale Rd.

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Angry Crab Shack to donate to veterans in July

All 15 Arizona locations will donate $.25 from every dine-in guest to Arizona Housing Coalition’s Arizona Veterans StandDown Alliance. Their goal is to raise $75,000 during their 6th annual “You Dine, We Donate” campaign until July 31st. Guests can also purchase merchandise with a portion of the proceeds donated as well.

Throwback Tiki Tuesday party at Liberty Station Tavern

The DC Ranch restaurant is hosting the tropical party on Tuesday July 12th from 5-9 p.m. Special guest bartenders will be Garrit Guthrie and Kyla Hein will be mixing up refreshing tropical cocktails.

$1 Monsoon IPA when it rains at PHX Beer Co.

Until the end of September the Scottsdale and Phoenix locations celebrate monsoon season when a measurable amount of rain falls at Sky Harbor Airport. Your first pint of the locally brewed IPA is only a buck.

Make the drive to Queen Creek Olive Mill and save $10

The rising gas prices may be putting the brakes on driving to your favorite local retailer. Those driving out to the East Valley on Saturdays and Sundays can save $10 on purchases the Mill’s branded products of $50 or more. Extra virgin olive oils, spices, sauces and more are available for purchase.

Macayo’s opens newest restaurant in Chandler

Las Tiendas Village is where the locally owned restaurant has opened its doors for lunch, dinner and happy hour. Indoor and outdoor dining is available at the popular retail center at Alma School & Queen Creek Rds. which also welcomed Lou Malnati’s in May.

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Sips & Bites: News you can use from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Pillsbury Wine Co. & Wild AZ Cuisine pair up for 2 nights

In conjunction with the Willcox Wine Festival, the winery and Chef Brett Vibber host a four-course dinners next Friday and Saturday May 20th & 21st. The dinners will be at Pillsbury’s Willcox vineyard and wines will be available for purchase. Dinner start at 6 p.m. and seats are $65 per person and can be reserved by calling Valerie at 949-466-1054.

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers donates to Barrow Neurological

Celebrating National Burger Month all 12 locations will donate a $1 of each weekly specialty burger sold throughout the month. $1 of each Michelob Ultra 22oz. draft will also be donated to the Ivy Brain Tumor Center and Barrow Neurological Foundation. May 9 – May 15: Santa Fe Burger. Pepper Jack, Pickled Red Onion, Green Chile Relish, Chipotle Aioli. May 16 – 22: Asian Burger. Asian Slaw, Sriracha Mayo, BBQ Sauce. May 23 – 31: Mushroom Burger. Swiss, Mushrooms, Bacon, Teriyaki Sauce. Each week’s burgers are $15 and include a side of house made chips.

Barnett Vineyards wines poured at Hearth ’61 Sunday Supper Club

The May 15th dinner also welcomes Pat Duncan, an organic farming pioneer for a five course dinner from Chef Wiley including the best from Pat’s farm. Sourced from their 40 acres atop Spring Mountain the wines showcase the characteristics of grapes grown in Napa Valley’s higher elevations. Dinner is starts at 6 p.m. and seats for this special dinner are $189++ per person with reservations required.

New Summer menu now available at Z’ Tejas

Until September guests can enjoy new dishes from Executive Chef Diego Bolanos throughout the menu at the Scottsdale and Chandler restaurants. Crab Artichoke Dip, Berry Steak Salad, Caribbean Chicken & Mango Coconut Cheesecake Parfait are a few of the new offerings. New craft cocktails include a Paleta Margarita, Michelada, Mojito and a Margarita Flight.

Sid’s Garage opens Monday, May 15th in north Phoenix

The restaurant known for over the top burgers and boozy shakes opens their first Arizona location at Desert Ridge Marketplace. Check out what to expect at this post from last month.

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Camelback Inn to host a Winemaker Weekend with Paul Hobbs

The legendary JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa is welcoming winemaker & winery owner Paul Hobbs for a fun filled weekend next month. Taking place in the resort’s Lincoln Steakhouse on Friday and Saturday April 22nd & 23rd guests will have three opportunities to meet the winemaker and taste his wines. Enjoy 1, 2 or all 3 of the events at this 21 and older weekend.

-A welcome reception takes place at 5:30 p.m. Friday night with wine poured from Crossbarn, his Central Coast wines and from Hillick & Hobbs in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Hors d’ oeuvres and paired cheeses will be served for the two hour reception. Seats are $125.53 per person with a 2 person minimum can be reserved here.

-Looking to learn more about his wines, join Hobbs for a wine seminar in the Lincoln’s private dining room. The tasting and seminar will focus on his old world and new world wine along with ancient wines from Armenia. Seats are available at available at 3:45 & 4:00 p.m. for a $100. 17 per person with a 2 with a 2 person minimum and are available here.

-End the weekend with dinner on the restaurant’s patio enjoying the sunset and the best wines from his portfolio. Limited seating is available for the multi-course dinner that includes breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain. The dinner starts at 6:00 p.m. and is $188.93 all inclusive per person with a 2 person minimum and can be reserved here. The JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa is at 5402 E. Lincoln Dr. Paradise Valley 85253.

Sips & Bites: News you can use from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Rio Verde on the map for March’s TLC eXperience dinner

The sunset, desert and the stars will be the setting on Sunday, March 27th for the monthly supper club’s dinner. The Vista, a private ranch in the northeast valley will play host when Chef Tom’s mystery menu is served. Cocktail hour starts at 4:30 with dinner at 5:30. Seats are limited and are $175 per person and can be reserved here.

No spring training, no problem at Il Vinaio.

The downtown Mesa restaurant is giving locals and out of towners an exciting evening next Tuesday, March 8th with its Daylight Wines Pairing Dinner. The 4-course dinner will be paired with winemaker Doug Bezenberg in attendance. The dinner & wines are $48 per person and starts at 6:30 p.m. Il Vinaio is at 270 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201.

A few seats left for the Pillsbury Gone Wild dinner

Sam Pillsbury pairs his award-winning wines with dinner next Friday March 11th for the 6 course dinner at their Cottonwood tasting room. The dinner is $139 with wine, $98 without and you can reserve your seat(s) by calling Val at 949-466-1054.

Pedal Haus Brewery brews a special beer for International Women’s Day

The female leadership at the local brewer will be brewing Desert Classic Pale Ale to celebrate women on March 8th. The beer, part of their rotating hop series at their 3 Phoenix area locations won’t be available until April. When it is $1 of every pint will be donated to the non-profit Pink Boots Society.

Gilbert Pizza Festival postponed til 2023

Organizers had hoped to have the inaugural pizza festival in the east valley in March 2020 and you know by now what happened. Rescheduled to March 2021 and another postponement came again. All things were good for March 2022 but the venue was booked. Fast forward a year from now organizers are planning March 18th 2023 to make the festival happen. Tickets purchased will be honored in 2023 but if you want a refund email dave@phxfest.com

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Chef Angelo Sosa to open Tía Carmen at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort

Early April will see the debut of Tía Carmen, a contemporary Southwestern cuisine restaurant from Bravo’s “Top Chef” and HBO Max’s “Selena + Chef” Angelo Sosa. He and seasoned restaurateur Mark Stone’s new signature restaurant at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort is named the after Sosa’s aunt. Chef Sosa learned alongside chefs Jean-George Vongerichten, Alain Ducasse, Stephen Starr and Masaharu Morimoto before opening his Michelin recommended Añejo Restaurant, a Mexican hotspot in New York City.

“Throughout my life, my Tía Carmen instilled in me a passion and love for cooking, teaching me the impact and the power that food can have when made from a place of pure love,” said Chef Sosa. “The discovery of traveling through the Southwest gave me the opportunity to explore the region through the lens of ranchers, potters, farmers, and artisans. I have always had a deep fascination and appreciation for Southwestern food traditions. It has been an honor and privilege to be able to contribute to this beautiful and rich culinary narrative.”

The menu from Chef Angelo Sosa

Serving dinner, Tía Carmen’s dishes will be made with regional ingredients from local purveyors prepared in a wood-fired grill. The menu will be written in three sections, light + fresh, maize + harina, and charcoal + wood + fire. Chef Angelo Rosa’s signature dishes will include Tuna Crudo with chilled corn coconut broth accented with jicama and garnished with dill; Southwestern style tri-tip kebabs garnished with Thai Basil, cilantro, pickles, and serrano chilis; Lamb Ragu with mesquite noodles; and Tía Carmen’s Chicken Guisado, a stew made with succulent pieces of thigh meat and seasoned with a mélange of cumin, annatto, arbol, and oregano.

Mitchel O. Bushell is creating a cocktail program emphasizing local herbs & spices, distilleries and ingredients for house made syrups and juices. Many of the cocktails will be prepared with artisanal agave spirits. The wine program is being curated by former Morimoto Restaurant Group’s Eduardo Dingler. Emphasis will be on wines from Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe and other west coast wineries and emerging wineries in Europe.

The 130 seat restaurant is designed by Thomas Schoos and his L.A. based hospitality design firm Schoos Design. The “Earth meets Art” theme offers a clean and warm ambiance with natural forms from the local landscape. Plateware and the Southwestern tablescape from Phoenix’s Blue Door Ceramics was made exclusively for Tía Carmen. For more information and to stay up to date about the opening follow @TiaCarmen.Phx on Instagram.

James Beard Foundation nominees named & Arizona is well represented

The Arizona restaurant scene is a buzz with pride as 15 chefs and restaurants from Flagstaff to Tucson have been nominated for a prestigious James Beard award. The James Beard Foundation announced the nominees last week in several categories in recognition of exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industry. Winners will be announced at the annual James Beard Foundation awards ceremony on Monday June 13th 2022 in Chicago.

Several Arizona nominees have been nominated in previous years and/or have won the coveted award. Those representing Arizona in 2022 are…….

Outstanding Restaurateur- Chris Bianco, Tratto, Pane Bianco, and Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix

Outstanding Chef- Christopher Gross, Christopher’s, Phoenix & Stephen Jones, The Larder + The Delta, Phoenix

Outstanding Restaurant- ShinBay, Scottsdale, AZ

Emerging Chef- Rochelle Daniel, Atria, Flagstaff, AZ & Donald Hawk, Valentine, Phoenix

Best New Restaurant- Bacanora, Phoenix

Outstanding Pastry Chef- Mark Chacón, Chacónne Patisserie, Phoenix

Outstanding Baker- Don Guerra, Barrio Bread, Tucson, AZ

Outstanding Hospitality- Binkley’s, Phoenix

Outstanding Wine Program- Kai, Phoenix

Best Chef: Southwest- Lori Hashimoto, Hana Japanese Eatery; Phoenix, John Martinez, Tito & Pep, Tucson; Maria Mazon, BOCA Tacos y Tequila, Tuscon; Giovanni Scorzo, Andreoli Italian Grocer, Scottsdale

 

KNIX BBQ & Beer Festival expands to Tumbleweed Park in March

The popular KNIX BBQ & Beer Festival returns to Chandler with more than 20 BBQ pit masters showing off their smoked meats and more on Saturday, March 26th. The festival has outgrown previous years festivals and the 2022 festival is being held at Tumbleweed Park. The park will accommodate more people, vendors and country music superstars Lee Brice, Parker McCollum, Kameron Marlowe and Jacob Morris.

“We’ve worked so closely with everyone from KNIX to the City of Chandler and we couldn’t be more excited to drive the tens of thousands of family-based country music and BBQ fanatics to this beautiful and centralized location, delivering a true festival experience for all,” said Mike O’Donnell Director of Partnerships at Forty8 Live!.

The family friendly festival will also include a VIP lounge, X-Game skateboarding, BMX bike stunts, a kid’s zone and a March Madness lounge. “We have an incredible line-up of some of the hottest names in country music as well as legendary Barbecue Pit Masters for this annual signature event in Chandler, Arizona,” said David Horen Director of Events at Forty8 Live!.

The festival starts at 12 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m. with tickets available online with General Admission $20 and $35 at the door. First responders and military personnel get $15 off at the door with i.d. Kid’s under 12 are free. VIP tickets are $225 and include catered BBQ, private restrooms, shaded seating, access to the front of the stage and more. Kid’s VIP access is $100 and tickets do not include food & drinks.

The KNIX BBQ & Beer Festival is produced by event producers Forty8 Live! in partnership with KNIX Country 102.5 and part of the days proceeds will be donated to Greater Cause Foundation which helps with critical funding for numerous non-profits around Arizona.

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

 

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