Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.
Afternoon Tea for Mother’s Day at STK Steakhouse
Still looking for a restaurant to take mom on Sunday? The cool Scottsdale restaurant hosts a traditional tea starting with a glass of champagne ($89 & $99) or prosecco ($69) followed by a selection of hot tea and tower of petite sandwiches, scones and desserts. Tea infused cocktails are offered for $21 each.
Over Easy celebrates National Mimosa Day
The breakfast cocktails are $2 off flights next Tuesday, May 16th at all 11 Arizona locations. Guests can choose 4 flavors including orange, peach, guava, mango, strawberry or raspberry during breakfast or lunch.
National Burger Month features at Kona Grill
The month of May and “America’s Favorite Grill” celebrates one of our favorite comfort foods with 3 burger features. A $7.99 lunch and take-out burger, Kona Sliders for $6 at happy hour and a Chophouse Burger are available throughout the month.
The much anticipated Course Restaurant is now open
Personal chef Cory Oppold’s new restaurant is open and taking reservations near Scottsdale Rd. & Shea Blvd. The highly acclaimed chef and Food Network’s “Chopped” winner serves a 5 course tasting menu Tuesday and Wednesday’s for $135 and 10-course menu Thursday-Saturday for $190. Wines paired by sommelier Nick Padua are additional an additional charge. May 28th Oppold will debut his Sunday brunch, Morning Would. His take on brunch favorites will be served in 6-courses from 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. for $75.
Spitz Mediterranean opens its first location Arizona
Desert Ridge Marketplace is where you can find healthy and modern Mediterranean street food found around Europe. Wraps, gyros, rice salads & bowls, falafel, hummus and more from this California based concept. Started almost 15 years ago when a couple of college friends who studied and traveled in Europe wanted to bring this type of food home to the U.S. Serving sangria, beer & wine Spitz is participating in DRM’s Sips & Stroll program allowing guests to take their drinks outside the restaurant. The fast casual restaurant is located on the east end near the AMC Theaters.
Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.
The Zuzu Burger Battle kicks off this week
The signature restaurant at Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho started the 8 week competition where members of the restaurant’s culinary team will create a unique burger. Each week’s burger will be featured on the brunch menu daily from 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and each burger is $19 and comes with fries or fruit. The winning burger will be selected on National Hamburger Day, May 28th with the winning team member winning $500 and the burger will be featured on the menu all summer long.
“Dollars for a Dozen” fundraiser returns to Over Easy
For the month of April the breakfast & lunch restaurant will match every dollar donated by guests to the United Food Bank. In addition every dollar raised will help a dozen eggs be delivered to the food bank by Shamrock Farms. Last year over $18,000 was raised and over 9,000 eggs were delivered. Guests can donate at any of 11 locations in Arizona.
Phoenix City Grille to host 5 course whiskey pairing dinner
The uptown Phoenix restaurant welcomes host Lewis Clyde (L.C.) May II of Clyde May Whiskey’s on Wednesday April 12th for the dinner with specially prepared menu. L.C. is Clyde May’s grandson and brand ambassador will be signing exclusive PCG single barrel bottles available for purchase at the event. The menu will feature cured pork belly, pork cheeks and more paired with the distilleries whiskey and rye. The evening begins at 6 p.m. and seats are limited and can be reserved for $150++ per person by calling 602-510-7174 or emailing brittnee.reed@outlook.com
Portillo’s announces 7th Arizona location
The Chicago- styled restaurant will open its next location in Queen Creek by the end of 2023. The location at Ellsworth and Elm will have indoor and outdoor seating for over 200 people and will feature their signature 2 lane drive thru for those on the go. When opened customer favorites like the Chicago style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches will be available. Managers and shift leaders will be hired in the near future and applicants can apply online.
Arizona restaurants left off list of finalists for James Beard Awards
Despite over 10 semifinalists earlier this year no Arizona restaurants or chefs made the cut of final nominees. The list was announced by the James Beard Foundation on Wednesday will the winners selected on Monday, June 7th. To see the full list of finalist head to their website.
Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.
Bounty of the Sea menu now at STK Steakhouse
The new seafood menu is available until April 6th with 8 new dishes for dinner. Start with a Seafood Tower, Tuna Tartar or Jalapeno Pickled Shrimp Cocktail before moving on to Fish & Chips, Maine Lobster Linguine and more.
Send some Noodz for National Noodle Month from Ling’s Wok Shop
Throughout the month of March the north Scottsdale Asian fusion restaurant is having some fun with Noodz. Not in the naughty way, customers can send Noodz to friends & family and save some money for themselves. Just submit their email address and they will get an email for BOGO noodle dish. For sending them some Noodz you’ll get a certificate for $5 off your next visit.
Save your Spring Training game tickets for food & drink deals.
Local restaurants are playing ball to save you a few bucks when you visit Phoenix area restaurants before or after the game on the same day of the game. Visit Myke’s Pizza, Streets of New York, Koibito Poke, OverEasy, Joque Concepts (Diego Pops, The Montauk, The Hot Chick) and Salt & Lime Mexican Grill. Visit each restaurants website to see each deal, promotion ending dates and any restrictions that do apply.
Desert Ridge Marketplace adds restaurants to Sip & Stroll list
Arizona law now allows you to sip on your favorite adult beverage as you stroll the north Phoenix retail center. Shoppers 21 and over can purchase to-go drinks from Islands, Yard House, Artichoke Bassile’s Pizza, Copper Blues Live, Dave & Buster’s, Sid’s Garage and Whining Pig Beer and Wine Bar.
OpenTable names Phoenix area restaurants as Most Romantic
Steak 44 in Phoenix and Scottsdale’s Ocean 44 and Dominick’s Steakhouse made the annual Top 100 list for 2022. More than 12 million reviews submitted by diners nationwide included a total of 9 restaurants in Arizona. Up to five stars can be given in categories including food, service, ambiance and value.
Two years in the restaurant business might as well be a lifetime therefore it worth celebrating. That’s what’s been going on lately at north Scottsdale’s popular brunch spot SugarJam The Southern Kitchen. Owner Dana Dumas started baking her SugarJam cookies over 20 years ago for friends and family and business has grown by leaps and bounds in the last 2 years.
With no formal training cooking herself she learned from her Le Cordon Bleu trained great aunt Mable and her grandmother Thelma how to make baked goods and the family’s southern food recipes. Dana herself grew up in New York City and the suburbs of New Jersey (like yours truly) before moving to Scottsdale after the events of September 11th 2001. A career in business for Macy’s and Toy’s R Us taught her how businesses were run and how to use marketing to her advantage.
“It is an honor to bring authentic southern cuisine to the Valley and to be able to create a unique brunch experience that brings everyone together,” said Dumas. “I am truly grateful for the outpour of love and support from my customers over the past two years, and since the beginning of SugarJam. We are excited for another year at SugarJam The Southern Kitchen and all that’s in store.”
The early years at SugarJam
Dana started SugarJam Cookies in 2011 baking her signature jam filled sugar cookies at home and selling them at farmer’s markets and street fairs. With demand growing she needed more kitchen space for baking and the catering requests she was getting. She found a spot down the road from the current location in the Scottsdale Airpark. The bakery and small cafe featured a small breakfast & lunch menu and her baked goods. Things we going well until March of 2020 when the Covid pandemic brought dining out to a halt. The business started doing family meals and before she knew there were cars lined up for a few hours on Friday nights and Saturday mornings for people to pick up their meals.
As restaurants began to open up in the Spring, Dana knew once again she would need more room to accommodate the growing popularity of her cooking and baking. It turns out as she and her husband started looking at other locations nearby, one of her regular customers was a property manager of a strip mall a mile up the road with a vacancy. After the owners would fly in to meet with her and taste her Southern cooking, a deal was struck and SugarJam The Southern Kitchen opened on January 29th 2021.
SugarJam cookies
She hasn’t gone without some struggles like that of the rest of the restaurant industry. Staffing and supply chain issues had Dana treading cautiously but now has a staff of 32 “family” members serving breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Sunday. Several have been with her the last two years. She tried dinner service, although successful it wasn’t successful when it came to a work life balance as a wife and mother of 2 teenage boys and dinner was short lived. When not in school or driving them to high school sports her sons and husband may be found lending mom a helping hand at the restaurant. Her dad played a role in helping design the restaurant and is her “Mr. Fix It” when needed.
In the summer of 2022 she opened The Market at SugarJam, a gift shop featuring finds from local and national businesses.
I know you’re asking what’s on the menu? How about scratch made Creole Shrimp N’ Grits, French Toast & Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders with a delicious house made rum maple syrup, Salmon Croquettes, Catfish and Southern style grits along with pies, beignets and lots more. With a full bar guests can enjoy craft cocktails and flights of Mimosas.
What’s next?
In the coming weeks Dana will do some re-arranging moving The Market and cases filled with baked goods to an adjoining space she’s used for extra seating capacity. The freed up space will have more seating and a better flow enhancing the guest experience.
Having picked up several corporate and private catering opportunities she’s staffing up and training the kitchen staff in order to bring back catering in the coming weeks to grow the business. Don’t expect to see other locations of SugarJam as it’s not in the cards for her. The time away from the Airpark location would have her spending less time in the kitchen and with her customers. She also feels that it’s a destination restaurant with many guests flying in to Scottsdale Airport and making the restaurant their first stop.
SugarJam The Southern Kitchen is at 15111 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale 85260. Hours are Wednesday – Sunday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. with the kitchen closing at 2:30. To view the menu and for more information visit their website.
A taste of New York has popped up serving deli sandwiches, pastries, lox and more for breakfast and lunch for a limited time. The Little Pickle is from Merc Bar owner Rick Phillips and friend celebrity chef Aaron May. Phillips missed Jewish deli food found in such New York delis Katz’s and Zabar’s so he and May got to work to open one on a small scale and for a limited time.
Phillip’s taught himself to how to make smoked salmon and would serve flown in bagels with his homemade lox to friends and family and the Little Pickle was born. Named for what Phillip’s mother would call him growing up he thought it would be great name for a deli and has since passed on the nickname to his daughter.
On the menu at the Little Pickle
“Perfecting our recipes and opening Little Pickle has helped bring tastes of NYC to the Valley.” says May who joined his fellow east coaster in making a pastrami palace. During breakfast guests can expect perfectly prepared smoked salmon and a bagel, Challah French Toast, blintzes, overnight oatmeal and chia seed pudding. For lunch the mouth-watering Pastrami Reuben is the go to sandwich along with over 10 other sandwiches and fixins’. Scratch made Matzoh ball soup will be served during the winter and pan fried latkes are also a hit with customers.
“We are thrilled to have the Little Pickle pop-up open at the Esplanade expanding our options for breakfast and lunch for tenants and visitors,” said Robert Marino, Vice President of Asset Management for Tourmaline Capital Partners. “Passionate operators with chef driven concepts translates to great food and the partners we want to work with to continue to build an amenity rich environment here at the Esplanade.”
The Little Pickle is open through Passover (September) Monday- Friday from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. with coffee and pastries available after 2 p.m. Catering is also available for meetings, family gathering or any group function. For more information and to view the menu visit their website.
Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.
Get a Lox Box for National Bagel & Lox Day at Chompie’s
Thursday, February 9th all 4 locations of the Jewish deli will be offering the favorite breakfast to-go for $24.99. The Lox Box includes 6 bagels (2 plain, 2 sesame & 2 everything) 8oz. of cream cheese and 8oz. of smoked salmon. The special is available all day.
Source Restaurant grand opening in Gilbert
Tomorrow Saturday, February 24th the new fast fine dining concept celebrates it grand opening from open to close. The new Mediterranean inspired restaurant, bakery and market at Gilbert’s new Epicenter mix used development will welcome guests with 20% off everything and a DJ. The best part is you can enter to win a year’s worth of artisan bread.
The new Papago Brewing Company opens today
Friday February 3rd marks the re-incarnation of the popular taproom and restaurant at its new location at Mesa Riverview. Leah and Jeff Huss of Huss Brewing Co. brought the popular Scottsdale taproom back to life after the original location closed for re-development. Read the full story at my feature post from November.
Valentine’s Day inspired drinks at Stemistry in February
The Gen Z version of a flower & coffee shop from 16 year old Dylan Capshaw opened last year combining his two passions, flowers and coffee. The Scottsdale location is at 90th St. & Via Linda with a new downtown Phoenix location opening soon. Three lovely coffee drink specials are available all month long.
Red Velvet Mocha- Rose and dark chocolate latte
Love Bug Latte- Fresh rose petals, rose cold foam
Cupid’s Cappuccino- Dark chocolate coconut cappuccino
Ask Dylan about his Valentine’s Day flower specials.
Morning Squeeze opens The Catering Kitchen
To meet the demand of office and group catering functions the breakfast and lunch spot has opened a separate kitchen. The Catering Kitchen offers a similar menu at the 3 locations and caters to groups of 10 or more. Breakfast items include breakfast burritos, bagel & lox, sandwiches and lots of coffee. They serve over 100 gallons of coffee per month through their catering operation. More information and to order from The Catering Kitchen visit https://morningsqueeze.com/
Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.
“Med Meets Mexico” seasonal menu now at Pita Jungle
All 23 locations in Arizona now offer new 10 dishes on their Seasonal Crafts Kitchen Menu. Dishes using the flavors of the Southwest and their Mediterranean inspired menu will be available through April. Highlights of the new menu include Lemon Chicken Rice Soup, Mediterranean Ceviche, Labdeh Dip Mezze Veggies & Dip and a Wood Fired Gluten Free Enchilada.
Orin Swift Wine Dinner at Palo Verde Restaurant
The signature restaurant at The Boulders Resort & Spa hosts a gourmet four-course dinner paired with wines on Friday, February 3rd with the reception starting at 6:00 p.m. Enhancing the experience will be the scenic views of the golf course’s 6th hole and duck pond. Seats are $175 per person and reservations can be made by calling 480-595-4621.
Cider Corps hosts dinner to raise money for traumatic brain injuries
The downtown Mesa cidery will pair its award-winning ciders with dishes from valley chefs Friday, February 3rd. Guests attending the Speakers Dinner for Traumatic Brain Injury Solutions will hear updates from researchers at Cohen Veterans Bioscience. The 21 and over dinner starts at 6 P.m. and is %200 per person. Two other fundraising events are scheduled for the 22 Jumps event with more information and to RSVP click here.
New seasonal dishes at Over Easy launch January 30th
The locally owned and nationally recognized breakfast spot adds two new dishes to its menu on Monday. The scratch made Cinnamon Apple Corncakes ($14) and JohnJay Burrito Bowl ($17) are available for dine-in, take-out or delivery. $1 of every Burrito Bowl will be donated #LOVEPUP Foundation. Also new will be the Spicy Mango Margarita ($8) but only available for dine-in. The new dishes and drink are available at all 11 Phoenix area locations.
Nominations are open for Foodist Awards until February 5th
Its award season and time to nominate your favorite Food & Beverage, Experience, Restaurant and People in the Arizona Restaurant Association’s annual recognition of those in the food and beverage community. The online nominations include 20 categories and 8 new categories for the 2023 awards. Winner will be announced in alive ceremony on Monday April 24th at 5:30 p.m. at The Van Buren in Phoenix.
Gayot says “During my soirée at the 32-seat restaurant, my head spun at each of the modern French cuisine dishes presented to the table. There is no show, no eccentricity, just perfectly calibrated and balanced execution.”
Bubbles wine tasting at GenuWine Arizona
Just in time to toast the New Year the downtown Phoenix wine bar hosts a tasting on Thursday, December 29th from 6- 8 p.m. 4 sparkling wines will be tasted for $10 with 20% off any bottles purchased that evening. Tickets are available here.
New Year’s Eve and Day at Ghost Ranch
The Tempe restaurant is offering its NYE Chef Series Menu on a first come, first serve basis until it sells out. The four course dinner offers chicken, seafood & Wagyu NY Strip before dessert. New Year’s Day enjoy specials on Bloody Maria’s, Birria Tacos & Burritos.
B & B Cocktail Lounge now serving weekend brunch
You can now check out weekend brunch from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the new lounge that opened earlier this year in Old Town Scottsdale. Bacon Steak & Eggs, B & B Breakfast Fries are included on the gourmet menu. You can even “Build Your Own” Avocado Toast with 25 toppings to choose from. For the sweet side there is Bourbon Coffee Cake, Sweets Board with fruit, bacon and sweet garnish.
Of course brunchy cocktails are served including Breakfast Bee, a bourbon-infused milky play on Honey Nut Cheerios, a Mimosa Flight with 9 juice options and Lemon Basil Squeeze with Haku Vodka, Chandon Rosé, lemon juice and more.
Hundred Mile Brewing releasing its first beers
The newly opened Tempe brewery started releasing its own beers the past couple of weeks. New beers include Natural Blonde Ale, Pinetop Pilsner, Infinite Coyote a West Coast IPA, Crowd Surfer a Mexican style lager and Desert Neon hazy IPA.
Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.
Holiday Breakfast Box available from Morning Squeeze
Looking to feed friends and family breakfast Christmas morning? If so, each Breakfast Box serves up to 10 people and pre-orders are being taken from December 1st until the 20th. Each box includes 1 meat quiche, 1 vegetable quiche, potatoes, fruit, French toast casserole and orange juice. Orders can be picked up on December 23rd & 24th at their new catering kitchen at 1725 W. University Dr. Tempe and each box is $140. To order call 480-967-6610 or email TakeHome@morningsqueeze.com
Tracey Dempsey Originals to host Holiday Market
Now that we’re in the gift giving season make plans to attend the Local Love: Holiday Market next Saturday December 3rd. Baked goods and wines from Tracey Dempsey Originals/ ODV Wines along with other local partners including Ernest +Humble Coffee, The Sober Somm with alcohol free libation options, Broom Brush Tea, candle maker Cactus + Vine and 8 other local vendors. Non-profit partners The Joy Bus, Blue watermelon Project & Sun produce Co-Op will be selling gift cards, tickets to future fundraiser and food delivery subscriptions.
The market will be from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Tracey Dempsey Originals 1325 W. University Dr. Tempe.
Pork on a Fork Friday specials available for pre-order
Not wanting to cook dinner at the end of a long week then pre-order a smoked meat dinner from their North Phoenix or Chandler restaurants. Starting on Monday you can place your order for Tri-Tip for December 2nd pick-up and order Beef Ribs on Monday the 5th for pick-up on the 9th. Quantities are limited and pre-orders are necessary.
New Happy Hour menu at Sfizio in North Phoenix
The Italian restaurant in Desert Ridge just released a new menu available daily in the bar from opening til 6 p.m. Enjoy Shrimp Risotto, Mussel Marinara, Meatballs and Truffle Garlic Bread in house or consider them inspiration for your holiday cooking.
Oro Brewery Company brings home the gold from GABF
The Mesa craft brewer won was awarded a gold medal by the Brewers Asoociation at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival in October. The gold medal beer was the Café Oro, a Blonde Ale infused with cold-press coffee in the “Coffee Beer style” category. The cold press coffee used is from local Village Coffee Roastery.
Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.
Park West’s “Follow the Fork” event is tomorrow
West valley foodies can join Jalapeño Inferno and over a dozen more restaurants for a progressive dining experience from 6 – 9 p.m. Live music from Rock Lobster, interactive art and more will help to raise money for the Peoria Education Foundation.
National Taco Day is Tuesday October 4th
Next week’s Taco Tuesday has more tacos than most days as its National Taco Day and there are some deals to be had. Agave del Scottsdale has Happy Hour tacos all day. Z’Tejas offers 1/2 off Gringo Tacos all day with 3 beef tacos & toppings only $7.
Farmer’s Markets return this weekend
October bring the return of the popular community gathering spots that feature local produce and more. The High Street market returns to North Phoenix on Sunday’s from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Park West is at the Loop 101 & Northern on Saturday’s starting at 9 a.m. Also on Saturday morning’s is the Old Town Scottsdale farmer’s market returns tomorrow at 8 a.m.
October is National Pizza Month
The Streets of New York is celebrating all month long at their 16 locations with a 16″ one topping pizza for $20. You can save almost $4 when dining in, taking-out or for delivery, make sure you mention when ordering in use promo code $20PIZZA when ordering online. The restaurant is also launching its new seasonal menu from October 10th – December 31st. Enjoy Beer Cheese w/ Passion bread for $9, Baked Mac & Cheese for $12 and Pumpkin Cannoli for $4.
Halloween specials at Morning Squeeze
All 3 locations in Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale start October with a couple of new specials all month long. Pumpkin Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast ($14) is a twist on the restaurant’s annual pumpkin themed dish. The pumpkin sauce is made in house and comes topped with pumpkin granola. The Spooky Brunch Punch ($10) combines tequila, amaretto, lime and orange juice then tops it with an eyeball garnish. A syringe of raspberry puree comes on the side to drizzle into the drink or add appropriate bloodshot effects to the ghoulish eye.
