Category: downtown Phoenix

French fries and live music return to the FRIED Festival

Hard to believe January is almost over and we’re looking to Saturday April 18th for the FRIED: A French Fry and Music Festival. We are, so circle the date on your calendar when over 20 local vendors serve up gourmet French fries and local indie bands return to Margaret T. Hance Park.

Expect to be in French fry heaven as popular Phoenix area restaurants and food trucks top our favorite fried food with everything from carne asada to lobster and kimchee. You can try the creatively topped gourmet French fries for only $2-$3 with larger sharing sizes available. Line-ups for bands and vendors are being finalized with announcements made on the festival’s social media. Lawn games, a marketplace and non- French fry foods will be available at the festival that starts at 12 noon. Gracie’s Tax Bar will be on hand serving libations.

This popular festival is from PHX Fest the same calorie loving folks who bring us the Phoenix Pizza Festival and Downtown Donut Festival. Part of the proceeds goes to Phoenix Inc., a community group promoting downtown Phoenix as a world class city.

Phoenix Spokes People will valet your bike if your ride down and Lyft discount codes will be available. Tickets are on sale and can only be purchased on-line for $10 at https://www.friedfestival.com/. Margaret T. Hance Park is at 1202 N. 3rd St. Phoenix 85004.

Barrel & Bushel to open with the Biggest Patio Party

A new downtown eatery will be celebrating its long anticipated opening January 22nd with a big party. The “Biggest Patio Party” goes from 3 – 7 p.m. when Barrel & Bushel opens at the corner of 2nd St. & Adams welcoming the neighborhood with an all-day happy hour and more.

“Barrel & Bushel welcomes locals as the newest neighborhood hangout,” said General Manager Danielle Klus. “There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a beer fan, cocktail aficionado or just looking for a great meal in a casual yet buzzy environment.”

Chef Chelsea Cummings menu offers American comfort food with her personal twist. Dishes such as 72 Hour Pork Belly, Waffles & Ribs and a Bloody Mary Burger should make this a popular eatery in downtown Phoenix. At the bar you’ll find 11 Arizona beers on tap along with creative craft cocktails including “Tell Your Friends”. The unique cocktail features basil infused gin with St. Germain and peach. Deep selections of bourbon, rye & whiskey will also be offered.

During the Biggest Patio Party guests will enjoy complimentary passed bites, happy hour pricing and more. Barrel & Bushel expects to attract not only locals but downtown visitors and convention goers with its laid back atmosphere. The restaurant will offer lunch and dinner along with late night fare.

Barrel & Bushel is at 122 N. 2nd St. Phoenix 85004 and is open daily from 11 a.m. – midnight with happy hour from 3:30- 6:30 p.m Monday – Friday. For more information check out their website.

Phoenix Convention Center to get its own brewpub

As downtown Phoenix continues to grow the city looks for more amenities for downtown residents and visitors. Dining out is popular downtown which is why Huss Brewing Co. has agreed to open brewpub at the Phoenix Convention Center. The two-story, street front brewery and restaurant will open in the fall on Monroe St. between 2nd and 3rd streets.

Huss Brewing Co. entered into a partnership with the city and convention center food & beverage provider Aventura Catering. “The Phoenix Convention Center is one of Downtown Phoenix’ most visible points of pride, and we are thrilled that they will now house a beloved local company with Huss Brewing Co.,” says Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “This new location will help further showcase the strength of our community’s craft beer industry to the millions of visitors who come to our city each year.”

Huss Brewing Co. will serve their award-winning beers along with a chef driven menu featuring locally sourced ingredients.

This has become a passion project for Huss Brewing co-owners Leah and Jeff Huss. “Jeff and I have been working on this project for more than a year and a half,” Leah says, “It has been a joy working with the Phoenix Convention Center, and Aramark (Aventura’s parent company) throughout the process of putting this dream together. Most important, we’re looking forward to being a part of the downtown Phoenix community and helping the revitalization of the area, especially bringing a vibrant nightlife back to downtown’s sports, arts and events community.”

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.

The Pressroom to host Nom Nom Noodles Festival.

Noodles come in all shapes and sizes depending on where you are in the world and ingredients used to make them. Baked, boiled then tossed in sauces and seasonings they take on different tastes and flavors. Downtown Phoenix’s The Pressroom will showcase a variety of noodles at the 1st Annual Nom Nom Noodles Festival on the evening of Saturday January 18th 2020.

The Asian inspired festival will feature 12 noodle restaurants and businesses and will offer everything from ramen to chow mein to alfredo and more. All dishes will be available for purchase with each vendor offering at least one dish for $5 or less. The Pressroom will offer beer and cocktails for purchase and there will be Boba and desserts available as well. A curated marketplace featuring local artists will be on hand and guests will be able to play games.

Tickets for the festival are $8 for General Admission and early entry at 4:30 are $13. Children ages 7-12 are $4 and children 6 and under are free. Most vendors will accept cash and credit card and the festival will be held indoors and outdoors.

The Pressroom is at 441 W. Madison St. Phoenix 85003. For more information visit the festival’s Facebook page.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” dinner at Match Restaurant & Lounge

Match Restaurant & Lounge’s Executive Chef Orlando Parker takes you on a trip to Whoville on Saturday December 7th when he and his culinary team create a five course dinner based on the Dr. Seuss classic Christmas film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. Guests will have a full stomach and a smile on their face when dinner concludes.  All courses will be paired with a specialty cocktail to complement each other.

1st Course: Whoville Treat — Cherry and Plum Bruschetta paired with The Green One cocktail

2nd Course: Grinch Greens — Creamy Spinach Soup with croutons served with The Stolen Christmas Tree cocktail

3rd Course: Cindy Lu Salad – Orange and Pomegranate Salad with buttermilk dressing complemented by Martha May’s Little Helper Cocktail

4th Course: Roast Beast – Rosemary Roast Beef and potatoes and carrots with horseradish crema served with the Lou Who Family Recipe Cocktail

5th Course:  Who-Pudding – Plum Pudding with crème anglaise topped with fresh raspberries paired with The Mean One Cocktail

The “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and is $96 plus tax per person and reservations can be made by heading to the Eventbrite page.

Match Restaurant & Lounge is in the Found:R.E. Phoenix Hotel at 1100 N. Central Ave. Phoenix 85003.

Donuts and pizza are in good supply this weekend in downtown Phoenix

It’s going to be a busy weekend in downtown Phoenix for fans of pizza and donuts. Tickets are still available on-line for both festivals at Margaret T. Hance Park. Click on the link for information about Saturday’s Phoenix Pizza Festival and below is what I know about this Sunday’s Downtown Donut Festival.

About 4,000 festival goers are expected on each day and Sunday’s donut festival will have 20 donut vendors give or take. Hurt’s Donuts, Alien Donut’s, The Beignet Babe and The Local Donut are a few of the local donut shops showing off their sweetened fried dough. Arizona Wilderness Brewing will be pouring their beers all weekend along with wines from Acrobat. Donut festival goers can sip on specialty coffee drinks and Mimosas. Lawn games, live music, a kid’s zone and a marketplace with local vendors will be part of the festivals.

Donut samples will be a $1 each and the festival will benefit the Downtown Phoenix Inc. DPI promotes the re-development of downtown Phoenix by supporting events and local businesses.

The donut festival starts 10 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $8 for entry after 12 noon. Tickets can be purchased only on-line at http://www.downtowndonutfest.com/

Maragret T. Hance Park is at 1202 N. 3rd St. Phoenix 85004.

Mediterranean diet favorite dishes return to Pita Jungle

For the last 25 years Pita Jungle has been serving up healthy Mediterranean diet inspired dishes. Many customers have their favorite’s over the years but they tend to come and go with seasons. As part of their Seasonal Kitchen Crafts Menu they’ve brought back many fan favorites from the past.

All 23 locations throughout Arizona are serving dishes with a balance of Mediterranean diet and global cuisine. The menu is popular with all dietary needs including keto, paleo, vegan and gluten-free. The seasonal menu will be available thru the rest of the year. Dishes include……

  • Cauliflower Hummus (V) – cauliflower, tahini, garlic, evoo, lemon juice, cucumbers, pita (gluten free with blue corn chips).
  • All Veggie Pita Pocket – avocado, baby greens, seasonal mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, sprouts, tabbouleh, lemon vinaigrette, in a pita pocket, severed with tahini (vegan with no tabbouleh, gluten-free with gluten-free pita upcharge).
  • Bone Broth Ramen with Shirataki Noodles (GF) – beef bone broth, with miso, kimchi, red onion, gluten-free soy sauce, garlic and ginger, shirataki noodles, spinach, green onions.
  • Ginger Stir Fry with Shirataki Noodles (GF) – stir-fried fresh vegetables and kimchi, shirataki noodles, spicy ginger sauce, beef bone broth, fresh cilantro, fresh mint, pea sprouts (vegan with no kimchi and no beef broth).

    Mediterranean
    Ginger Stir Fry with Shirataki Noodles
  • Wood-Fired Medchilada (GF) – savory garlic-cilantro chicken in a beef bone broth enchilada sauce, cheddar and feta, turmeric cauliflower rice, cabbage-kale super greens, fresh jalapenos, radish, pico de gallo, pine nuts, gluten-free pita.
  • Chicken Avocado Pita Tostada with Cauliflower Hummus – grilled and chopped marinated all-natural chicken breast, avocado, cilantro-avocado crema, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled red onions, bell peppers, cauliflower hummus, feta, pine nuts, baby arugula, pea sprouts, chipotle vinaigrette, pita tostada or low-carb pita or gluten-free pita (vegetarian option without chicken.
  • Mediterranean Tuna Pita Pocket – albacore tuna, avocado, seasonal mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, red onion, tabbouleh, lemon vinaigrette, pea sprouts, in a pita pocket.
  • Baklawa Bread Pudding sweetened with stevia and agave syrup.

To find a Pita Jungle near you head to their website.

Fried Chicken & Beer at the 1st annual Chimac Festival

Food and drink pairings work the best when you can wash down your food a beverage to compliment your food. A favorite pairing is fried chicken and beer and the first annual Chimac festival is serving up both. Chimac is Korean for the pairing and the festival will be Sunday December 15th. Downtown Phoenix’s The Pressroom will host 12 local fried chicken businesses from 12 – 4 p.m.

The Asian inspired festival will offer several styles of fried chicken including Korean and Nashville hot chicken.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase with each vendors offering at least menu item for under $5. The outdoor event will offer a marketplace with local artists and free games to play. Desserts and Boba will be available to offer a sweet treat after the savory and spicy main dishes.

Tickets are purchased separate from food and drink. Early admission at 10:30 a.m. is $13, General Admission is $8. Children ages 7- 14 are $4 and children 6 and under are free. To purchase tickets head to Ticket Tailor and for more information check out their Facebook page. Cash and credit cards will be accepted by vendors.

The Pressroom is at 441 W. Madison. Phoenix 85003.

Commander Hamburger opens inside The Churchill

Chef Bernie Kantak and partner Andrew Fritz have stepped out of their comfort zone of full service restaurants to open their first casual concept, Commander Hamburger. The two own the critically acclaimed restaurants The Gladly in Phoenix and Citizen Public House in Scottsdale. The superhero inspired burger stand opened this week in downtown Phoenix’s The Churchill, an opened air shipping container food court.

Much like the pairs other restaurants and comic books Commander Hamburger should have a cult like following. Guests can expect hamburgers and chicken sandwiches on Noble Bread buns, fries, Danzeisen soft-serve ice cream and more. Fans of Kantak know of his famous Original Chopped Salad and they shouldn’t worry as he’s saved the day as it’s on the menu too. The atmosphere will be of the vintage comic style. Commander joins 9 other small businesses at The Churchill and the only one focusing on burgers.

“Let’s bring back memories of sitting in your best friends’ basement, trading cards, flipping through comics and watching old-school cartoons,” said Kantak, of the vibe at his latest endeavor. “Throw a great hamburger in that scene and we’re set.”

Commander Hamburger and The Churchill is at 901 N. 1st St. Phoenix 85004. For more information check out their website.