Category: award-winning

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Only Michelin one star taco stand coming to Dbacks game tonight

Tonight’s baseball game will have a pop-up taco stand from Mario Hernandez Alonso, son of the founder of Taquería El Califa de León. The Dbacks are kicking off Mexican Heritage Weekend with tacos on Chase Field’s Plaza with the famous Gaonera tacos which debuted back in 1968.

Craft 64 celebrates Cinco de Mayo all month long

Both the Scottsdale and Chandler pizza & beer restaurants is exploring Arizona’s Mexican heritage and how its ingredients work with traditional pizza. All month long get the house-made 64 Al Pastor, Tha’ Taco and 64 Fajita pizzas along with a Jicama Fresca salad and a Cinco De Pollo sope special. 3 Mexican style beers were made by co-owner James Swann are on tap and 4 seasonal cocktails including the Watermelon Margarita were created for the month-long event.

Chula Seafood Uptown offers new Tuna Tataki Salad

For a limited time, guests visiting the Central Phoenix location can enjoy a new salad. The seared tuna tataki comes served alongside a crispy medley of Napa and red cabbage, fresh cucumber, cherry tomatoes, snap peas and julienned carrots all tossed in a vibrant soy-ginger dressing and paired with chilled Udon noodles and enoki mushrooms.

Famous 48 closes its doors

The Scottsdale restaurant served its last meal on Sunday, May 4th and wanted to thank their customers that supported them over the years.

 

 

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Get the Golden Pancake, win pancakes for life at Eggstasy new Queen Creek location

Pancake lovers need to head to the new Queen Creek location tomorrow Saturday, April 5th as 3 guests will find a Golden Ticket with their order. Order any specialty pancakes or pancakes as your side dish for a chance to win. Its owner Peter Yarros way of saying “thank you” to the QC community who’s embraced the new location since opening in January.

Boo-Rrito raffle at Burrito Express in April

As ASU running back Cam Skattebo has announced he’s entering the upcoming NFL Draft guests ordering the signature Boo-Rrito any of the 7 restaurants around the valley will have the chance to enter the month-long raffle. Prizes include cleats, gloves and a signed football from the NFL hopeful. BE hopes to sell 3,000 Boo-Rrito’s (a hearty combination of chicken, beans, cheese, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, guacamole and rice) in April.

Papago Orange Blossom is Beer of the Month at Famous 48

As spring begins to bloom so is the Mandarin Wheat beer from the locally owned brewer at the Scottsdale restaurant. A 16 oz. pint is $5 and a 22 oz. is $7 for the light fruity and smooth draft beer.

Greek wine tasting at GenuWine Arizona next Thursday

Have you ever had a Greek wine? Did you even know they made wine in Greece? Whether you did or didn’t know, the Roosevelt Row wine bar is pouring 3 Greek wines next Thursday, April 10th from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $10 unless you’re a Wine Club member then it’s free. Member or not you’ll get 20% off any bottles you purchase from the tasting.

Two from Arizona nominated for James Beard Award

The were over a dozen potential James Beard Award winners from Arizona when the semifinalists were announced earlier this year. The Foundation announced this week the nominees that will have the chance to win the prestigious restaurant industry award at the June 16th ceremony. Crystal Kass from Phoenix’s Valentine has the chance to win Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker and Lom Wong’s Yotaka Martin is up for Best Chef: Southwest.

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Fish Fry Fridays at Chompie’s

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’m hooked on fish n chips, now we all can get a platter at all Chompie‘s Phoenix area locations every Friday. Hand-dipper beer battered cod with crispy fries, cole slaw and homemade tartar sauce for only $17.99 starting at 11:00 a.m.

Chef Joey raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

The local celebrity chef is raising money for the next 10 weeks in honor of his daughter Giuliana who has stage 1 Lymphoma. A portion of sales from wines by the glass sales at The Italiano and margarita sales at The Mexicano will be donated to LLS.

Terra Tempe gets Wicked through the end of March

The signature restaurant in the Westin Tempe turns into the Emerald City while the award-winning play has its run at nearby Gammage Auditorium. Signature cocktails like the gin based “Green for Good” and Instagram worthy enchanted bites are available.

Get free bagels at Barrio Bread

While bagel & pizza lovers wait for the opening of, Don Guerra’s Bagel & Slice he’s offering up 2 free bagels with the purchase of a loaf of bread from his Barrio Bread. Until the opening guests can order then pick-up bread and complimentary bagels on Tuesday’s & Friday’s from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at their Hayden Flour Mill commissary in Gilbert.

Ling & Louie’s Buy 1 Get 1 at 1/2 price on weekends

Every Saturday & Sunday get a 1/2 priced brunch entree with the purchase of one at full price at their Scottsdale location. A portion of proceeds from their Big-Hearted Brunch will be donated to local charities. It can’t be combined with other offers, and you should mention this offer when ordering.

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse to host Whitehall Lane wine dinner

The Carefree restaurant is hosting a 5-course pairing dinner next Wednesday, February 26th starting at 6 p.m. Each course will be paired with a red or white wine from the Napa Valley winery with a Stuffed Pork Tenderloin and Prime Baseball Cut Sirloin paired with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as the main courses. Seats are $110++ and can be reserved by calling 602-374-4784.

Spanish wine tasting at GenuWine Arizona

The downtown Phoenix wine bar & retail shop will be pouring 3 Spanish wines next Thursday, February 27th between 6-8 p.m. The tasting is free for Wine Club members and $10 for non-members with all 3 wines will be 20% off bottles for everyone.

Queen Creek Olive Mill celebrates its 20th anniversary with limited edition olive oil

The locally owned olive mill is offering a special limited edition extra virgin olive oil. Made with 100% Arizona grown olives, the mid-harvest ripe olives offer a balance of fruitiness and pungency. The anniversary olive oil is available at the mill or online.

M Culinary Concepts donates of 30,000 lbs of food to Waste Not

The event & catering company donated unused food from the WM Phoenix Open to the local non-profit that collects unused food from restaurants, etc and donates it to other non-profits to help feed the hungry before it winds up in a landfill. YMCA Centers, Josie’s Closet, New Horizons Community Care and Native Health were a few of the over 30 non-profits that the food was redistributed too.

Pillsbury Wine Co. brings home medals

The Willcox winery with a tasting room in Cottonwood won 7 medals from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. They received Double Gold Medals for their Inappropriate 23 and Malvasia ‘Bonnie Lee’ 23 and five Silvers for our Chardonnay 23, Grenache 22, Mourvedre 22, Petite Sirah 22 and Symphony 23.

Don Guerra opening Barrio Bagel & Slice in March

James Beard award-winning baker Don Guerra broke ground recently at a former Sonic Drive-In in Gilbert where he plans to open his Barrio Bagel & Slice drive-thru next month. The “drive-thru worth driving through” will bake his popular artisan Barrio bagels, Barrio breads and slices of pizza on site using Arizona grown and milled Heritage grains. Guerra is committed to supporting the “grain chain” throughout Arizona and is partnering with restaurateur, farmer, developer and contractor Oren Molonvinsky.

“We want our wholesome high-quality, healthy foods to be accessible to our entire community,” said Guerra. “Barrio Bagel & Slice is the next step in the evolution of our mission to be community supported and customer centered while redefining the concept of fast casual dining”.

Scratch made ingredients will top pizzas and bagels which will be available in a variety of flavors for breakfast bagel sandwiches and Sicilian style focaccia dough pizzas will be available during lunch and dinner hours. Signature sandwiches will be made with a choice of a Sonora bagel, torta roll or sourdough focaccia panini. Loafs of bread will be available all day daily at 9 a.m. until they’re sold out. Salads, sweets, coffee, tea and cold brews will also be available.

The fast casual drive-thru will keep the covered parking and will be designed with nostalgia and murals. Take-out, drive-thru and third-party delivery will be available. A second location in Tucson is already in the planning stages.

Don Guerra is looking to mentor and hire new bakers

With his Barrio Bread expanding and the opening of Barrio Bagel & Slice, Guerra is looking to hire enthusiastic new bread bakers who are looking to be ambassadors to his mission. Those food service professionals with prior baking experience and those looking to learn to make artisan breads using quality ingredients and Arizona Heritage grains from centuries old recipes should apply. Bakers will be involved in all aspects of the baking business from production to logistics & operations to customer service. For complete job descriptions and to apply, visit http://indeed.com/job/lead-baker (lead baker) and http://indeed.com/job/baker (baker).

Barrio Bagel & Slice will be at 689 N. Arizona Ave. and will be open 7 days a week at 7 a.m. and stay open until 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and until 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about the new drive-thru visit their website.

 

 

Cove Mesa Vineyard wins medals at prestigious wine competition

Arizona wineries came home with a bunch of medals from the Annual San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, 106 medals to be exact. Cove Mesa Vineyard brought home 31 of those medals including 6 gold and 19 silver, an impressive feat for a winery that produced its first wines in 2020.

The Verde Valley winery is owned by Emil and Cindy Molin where Emil is executive winemaker, and Cindy handles the business side of the business. The Molin’s aren’t new to the wine business as they were investors at Oregon’s Rex Hill Winery when they lived up that way before moving to the Verde Valley in 2015. The reason for the move was so Emil could attend Yavapai College earning an Associate Degree in Viticulture & Enology with Honors in 2016.

Today Cove Mesa Vineyards has 12,000 vines in two vineyards, Cove Mesa and Solair where they make European style red, white and rose wines. There are 8 planted varietals including Assyrtiko, Aglianico, Mourvèdre, Barbera, Teroldego, Graciano, Petit Manseng and Greco di Tufo. The Molin’s also source grapes from Southern Arizona’s Willcox region including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Sangiovese, Petit Sirah, Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Picpoul Blanc, Malvasia Bianca, Vermentino, and several Rose’ including a Double Gold Award Winner.

During a recent trip to Italy to meet with European winemakers, sommeliers and restaurateurs their wines were tasted blind and positive comments about their old world style wines were shared and many thought the wines were from France. In 2022 they opened a tasting room in Cornville to share their wines and it’s been voted Best Tasting Room in Verde Valley in the two years it’s been open.

To see the list of Cove Mesa Vineyard wines that brought home medals visit their website and to see the full list of winners from Arizona visit WillcoxWineCountry.org

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Tickets available for this weekend’s Arizona Wine Festival in downtown Phoenix

Heritage Square will host the two-day festival this Saturday & Sunday. Admission is free with Early Bird tickets available for those looking to taste wine from over 20 Arizona wineries. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door and an official announcement for a $6 million donation to Cochise Community College for its new Ann Marie Stephens Viticulture program and wine making scholarships will be made at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The generous donation was made by Ann Marie Stephens.

Sunday Supper at Hush Public House with Sonoran Pasta

The two local owned businesses pair up this Sunday, January 26th for a four-course family style supper that includes…

  • Barrio Bread Focaccia with whipped ricotta and honey
  • “The Best Damn Ceasar”—enough said!
  • Sonoran Pasta Rigatoni with Sunday sauce, meatballs, sausage and braciole
  • Cannoli with sweetened ricotta and chocolate chips

This experience goes off between 5 – 9 p.m. at the North Scottsdale restaurant for only $60++ per person and reservations can be made here.

Rombauer wine dinner at Tommy V’s

Owner Zoran Klisara welcomes guests to his Downtown Scottsdale restaurant on Thursday, January 30th pairing dishes from his kitchen with wines from Napa Valley and other northern California wine regions. The five-course dinner starts at 6 p.m. and features Seafood Cannelloni, Wild Mushroom Risotto and Filet Mignon. Seats are limited at $135++ and can be made at the restaurant’s website.

LDV Winery wins awards for 3 wines from San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

The prestigious competition awarded the wineries 2017 Petite Sirah- Bronze, 2023 Rose-Silver and 2022 Viognier- Bronze at the 25th anniversary event. Over 50 judges tasted more than 5,500 wines from over 950 North American wineries.

“It is an honor to be judged by the industry’s most notable wine connoisseurs and to be ranked among the continent’s best wines,” says Peggy Fiandaca, co-owner of LDV Winery. “We will continue to put all our efforts and passions into producing the best wines we can and putting Arizona on the map as a true wine destination.”

Eggstasy now open in Queen Creek

The 8th location of the Arizona-based company opened in the East Valley this week at 20735 E. Maya Rd. Favorites such as The Angus Skirt Steak & Eggs, Caprese Benedict, Cookie Butter Crepes, coffee drinks and more are available everyday start at 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. during the week and 3 p.m. on weekends.

M Culinary Concepts introduces ” A Taste of Two Seasons” menu

Those looking for innovative private dining experiences can consider the new seasonal menu, “A Taste of Two Seasons” from M Culinary Concepts. The new menu from the valley’s premier event catering and hospitality company has a strict emphasis using exclusively in-season winter and spring ingredients for the menus intriguing entrees & hors d’oeuvres, satisfying small plates and delicious desserts.

The exciting new menu comes from M Culinary Concepts Director of Culinary Operations Cody Abrams and Pastry Chef Kurt Karaffa. “Everything we do at M Culinary is exemplified by the A Taste of Two Seasons menu,” Abrams said. “Seasonal ingredients translate to the freshest ideas and finest quality, and we are eager to debut this new menu at your next event.” 

M Culinary Concepts new seasonal menu

Dishes can be paired together or with signature dishes to create a custom menu for any dietary needs and restrictions. The new menu features…..

Hors D’oeuvres 

  • Artisan Crostini – Herbed goat cheese, toasted pistachio, cranberry. Vegetarian contains nuts. 
  • Poutine – potato pancake, cheese curds, brown gravy, chives.
  • Lingonberry Brie Cone – Brie mousse, lingonberry jam, granny smith apple. Vegetarian. 
  • Strawberry Feta Spoon – Whipped feta, macerated strawberries, black pepper, micro basil. Vegetarian, gluten-free. 

Entrées

  • Coq au Vin Chicken Thigh – Roasted fingerling potatoes, leek and carrot sauce, red wine reduction, herb oil. Gluten-free, dairy-free. 
  • Cider Mustard Glazed Pork Chop – parsnip purée, roasted brussels sprouts & pearl onions, pickled carrot ribbons. 
  • Honey Glazed Duck Breast – Fava beans, spring peas, wild rice and beet pilaf, toasted almonds. Gluten-free, dairy-free, contains nuts. 
  • Crispy Skin Arctic Char – Truffled asparagus purée, smashed confit potatoes, lemon spring herb gremolata. Gluten-free, dairy-free. 

Small Plates

  • Seasonal Tortellini – Peas, stracciatella, brown butter, crispy prosciutto. 
  • Chimichurri Cauliflower Taco – Mango salsa, pomegranate seed, cotija. Vegetarian, gluten-free. 
  • Winter Squash & Shallot Tarte – Arugula, manchego. Vegetarian. 
  • Dill and Feta Crusted Salmon – spring radish and haricot vert salad, lemon dressing.

Desserts 

  • Fire & Ice – Banana pineapple sorbet, fruit consommé, jalapeño syrup, roasted pineapple. Vegan, gluten-free. 
  • Blueberry Financier – Strawberry ice cream, seasonal fruit, raspberry meringue. Vegetarian.

For more information or to book an event please visit their website.

Desert Botanical Garden to host Devour Culinary Classic

There’s no better way to spend a February weekend in Phoenix than noshing and sipping on locally made foods and beverages while meandering through the beautiful desert fauna. It’s for this reason that the 17th annual Devour Culinary Classic returns to Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden on Saturday and Sunday February 22nd – 23rd with tickets going on sale to the public on Saturday, November 2nd. Tickets went on sale this week for members of Local First Arizona, Desert Botanical Garden and Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance.

The three organizations have again partnered with more than 70 of Arizona’s top food and beverage purveyors in the outdoor setting that will include live music and art. Chefs, sommeliers and other purveyors will serve up creative dishes paired with wines and beers from Arizona and beyond.

The annual event has been recognized by the New York Times as the “Best Southwestern Culinary Festival” and has also garnered both local and national accolades. The goal of Devour Culinary Classic is to bring local and national awareness of Arizona’s diverse and delicious culinary scene.

Early Entry tickets are $225 per day and allow for 10:00 a.m. entry, priority parking and two tickets to a future visit to the Desert Botanical Garden. General Admission tickets are $150 per day with entry to start at 11:30 a.m. The event goes on until 3 p.m. on both days. All ticket holders will receive a reusable commemorative glass & yoke and access to the Maverick Wine Sales area to purchase discounted wines. Previous year’s tickets have sold out in only a few weeks. For more information and to purchase tickets visit Devour’s website.

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Weekend brunch now available at Catalyst Crafted Ales

The Tempe brewery continues its collaboration with S.A.L.T (Sea and Land Tacos) for brunch on Saturday’s and Sunday’s from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. During brunch Catalayst’s Mimosa seltzers for only $7 and red sangria is $5. Brunch specials by S.A.L.T include…

Green or Red Chilaquiles with cheese and refried pinto beans, $13

Additions include egg for .99 cents; shrimp for $4; or chicken, asada, discada or pork for $3 each

Pozole with diced pork and hominy, topped with cabbage and radish, $11

Birria served with three corn tortillas, $13

Quesabirria — three corn quesabirria served with four ounces of birria broth, $13

Bk Burritos, $11 each- Egg and chorizo, Egg, potato and bacon, Egg, potato and chorizo OR Egg and bacon.

Drinks specials all day Sunday and after 5 p.m. for Monday Night Football include.

$5 32 oz. Beer, including A13, Festbier, Positive Visualization and Ultimo Hombre, $5 12 oz. Seltzers, all flavors and$1 Seltzer Jello Shots.

New coffee menu at The Montauk

Need you daily cup of go-go juice well the downtown Scottsdale bar and restaurant has 7 new coffee drinks available until 3 p.m. daily. The beans are roasted locally from Passport Coffee and from Thursday – Sunday a rotating selection of seasonal pastries are available.

Coffee Menu includes:

Latte – Hot or Iced $6, Americano $5, Drip Coffee $3.50, Cold Brew $4.00

Specialty Lattes (hot or iced): $7

Maple Rose Latte, Lavender Vanilla Latte, Coconut Brown Sugar Latte

Extras:

Milk Substitutions ($1) – Oat, Almond, Soy, Half & Half, Syrup Add-Ons (.75) – Dark Chocolate Sauce (Sugar-free available), Lavender, Rose, Coconut, Vanilla (Sugar-free available), Caramel

**Each beverage comes with a double shot, for an additional double shot – $2.50

New seasonal menu at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria

Four new dishes have debuted on the “Fall Flavors” menu at all 6 Phoenix area locations in Scottsdale, Peoria, Chandler and Gilbert locations until December 2nd. The dishes offer seasonal ingredients including apples, pumpkin, cinnamon and more. All four dishes are available for dine-in or take-out.

Italian Blu Salad: Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and red onions tossed with blue cheese dressing and topped with sliced cherry tomatoes, crispy pepperoni and Gorgonzola.

 Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Fire-braised chicken breast, Sweet Baby Ray’s Hot Sauce, mozzarella, Gorgonzola crumbles and celery.

Pumpkin Cheesecake: Pumpkin cheesecake with a cinnamon sugar cookie crust. Topped with whipped cream and garnished with caramel sauce.

 Caramel Apple Cheesecake: Caramel and diced green apple cheesecake with a cinnamon sugar cookie crust, garnished with caramel and whipped cream.

Aioli Gourmet Burgers owner wins Golden Ticket

Last weekend Chef/Owner Tommy D’Ambrosio competed at the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction and won a Golden Ticket to November’s World Food Championship’s Southwest Chef Showdown for his Lobster Quadratini. The pyramid-stuffed pasta is made with Pernod Beurre Blanc, Fennel Fronds, Roasted Chantarelle Mushrooms, Blistered Cherry Tomatoes, and Chili Oil. “I’m excited to have this opportunity to return to the World Food Championships in November, I can’t wait to win it all,” said Chef Tommy.

Los Sombreros to celebrate its 30th anniversary

The Scottsdale location will host a 3-day celebration starting next Friday, October 25th. Guests can expect discounts, entertainment, food specials, giveaways and more.