Category: marketplace

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

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

Memorial Day deals around Phoenix

Kona Grill- All weekend veterans, active-duty military, reserves, and Gold Star Families get 20% off their order. On Monday, All-Day Happy Hour for Industry Workers in the hospitality, retail & medical industries. Enjoy a $12 red, blue, and white margarita flight during the weekend.

STK Steakhouse- 20% Off for all Veterans, active-duty military, reserves, and Gold Star Families – available all weekend long. All-Day Happy Hour for Industry Workers – Hospitality, Retail & Medical – available Memorial Day only. Enjoy a $19.95 red, white, and blue steak topping – lobster tail, blue corn tortilla & garlic cream sauce.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria- All veterans and active military with i.d. will get 15% off their order on Monday, May 29th. All 7 Arizona locations are participating, not to be combined with other offers.

Lobster Fest returns to Pedal Haus Brewery June 1st

Lobstah or lobster regardless how you say it most love a good roll during the summer. Due to popular demand all 3 locations will be serving a Maine lobster roll, fries and mug of Day Drinker Light Lager for $25 during June and July.

Found: RE Phoenix has a Sip & Shop pop up June 3rd

The downtown Phoenix hotel invites guests and locals to enjoy the leisurely pop-up from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. next Saturday . The free event offers food & drink specials and brunch in Match Market & Bar, live music and stylish lifestyle brands from local vendors. RSVP at their Eventbrite page.

Coffee 101 is back at Press Coffee

The locally owned coffee roaster brings back their one hour interactive class at their Roastery and in Sprouts Farmers Market every Saturday at 9 a.m. Once completed you can impress your friends about how to smell, slurp and taste four delicious and distinctly different coffees from around the world and learn the nuances of farming, processing and roasting to determine flavors like the pros.

Bourbon & Bones now open in Peoria

The newest chophouse & bar is open 24985 N. 83rd Ave. Peoria 85383. It’s the Scottsdale based Square One Concepts third location in the Phoenix area.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Tropical cocktails & island life coming up at 2023 Arizona Tiki Oasis

The trade winds of the south Pacific breeze into Scottsdale for 4 days at the laid back Arizona Tiki Festival April 27th – 30th. The annual event return’s to the Hotel Valley Ho where attendees can chill out with tropical cocktails poolside, wander from suite to suite checking out the tiki marketplace and learn about Polynesian culture with a schedule of seminars. The weekend is free and open to the public with purchased tickets needed for specific events and seminars.

The weekend starts Thursday evening with a traditional luau and pig roast by Executive Chef Russell LaCasce and his culinary team. Three guest bartenders will join the fun and setting the mood creating tropical cocktails just for the evening. Seats are limited and are $139 per person. A opening night Mix n Mingle and pop up art show also help get things going.

Throughout the weekend enjoy live music of bands flown in from across the country including Lushy, Project: Pimento, Aloha 86 and Phoenix’s Moonlight Magic. Over 10 DJs will set the beat at the mid-century modern hotel in downtown Scottsdale. Tiki and mid-century seminars include topics such as architecture, fashion, Walt Disney, tropical cocktails and more. Seminars cost from Free – $50.

Tickets include the Evening Resort Pass for $139 in advance and $149 at the door. Include are Thursday’s Mix n Mingle, Suite Soirees, tasting of spirits and more. The Deluxe Evening Resort Pass is $299 in advance only and for those 21 and over. All the perks of above and a limited edition mug and exclusive entry to cocktail parties are included. More information and tickets can be purchased at the Tiki Oasis website.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Dolce Vita dishes up weekly Italian region specials

Fabrizio Cali the owner of Mesa’s Dolce Vita never thought he’d own the restaurant he’d been hired by the owners to help find a buyer for. What started as a gelato shop in an unassuming strip mall at Brown & Higley Rds. has become an Italian market and “trattoria” selling imported Italian meats, chesses and serving authentic dishes. Don’t worry the award-winning gelato is shop is still there.  He considers Dolce Vita a “trattoria” as in Italy their not as fancy as a full service restaurant with servers doing more than serve including building sandwiches and slicing meats behind the refrigerates cases filled with Italian delicacies. Service is laid back not hovering and checking on guests every few minutes as there is no rush for guests to leave just linger and enjoy as quickly or slowly as you like. Prepping ingredients and hot meals are prepared in the kitchen with his chefs who have worked for him for several years.

Born in Palermo, Cali grew up mostly Milan and became an online video game producer before becoming a consultant and restaurant owner. He has roots all over Italy with his maternal grandmother from Modena in Italy’s Emilia Romagna region of northeast Italy and his father from the southern region of Calabria. It is for this reason that he’s showcasing all 20 regions of Italy with a weekly special. “I am happy to show the Valley a sliver of my Italian culture,” said Cali. “There is so much more to Italian cuisine than what we typically see, and I want everyone to be able to try something they haven’t had before.”

Also on the menu is pizza and dishes from his native Sicily including Aracine & Caponata, the cooked eggplant salad. By authentic Cali means no chicken parmigiana, no Alfredo or carbonara Americans have come to love. Why? Those dishes aren’t authentic Italian dishes he says in the way we expect them here.

Weekly specials at Dolce Vita

March 14-19: Valdostana- Thin, pan-seared veal cutlets, prosciutto, and fontina cheese fried in a butter sauce

21-26: Bagna Cauda- A warm garlic anchovy dip served in a fondue-style warming bowl with bread and mixed vegetables   

28-April 2: Trofie al Pesto- Trofie pasta (an elongated curly pasta shape) with Genovese pesto            

April 4-9: Pizzoccheri- Buckwheat flour pasta, butter, potatoes, cubes of Fontina cheese and savoy cabbage

 11-16: Risi e Bisi- Venetian rice and peas with prosciutto  

18-23: Canederli- Bread dumplings with speck (cured, lightly smoked ham)

25-30: Frico- A thin layer of baked, grated cheese with potato served as a snack, garnish or appetizer

May 2-7: Tagliatelle Ragu Bolognese- A beef and sofrito tomato sauce tossed with Tagliatelle pasta, a traditional long and flat pasta shape made with eggs   

9-14: Pici all’Aglione- A pasta dish tossed with chili peppers and tomato-garlic sauce

16-21: Arrosticini- Grilled lamb skewers                                      

May 30-June 4: Saltimbocca-Thin veal cutlets topped with prosciutto and sage

June 6-11: Vincisgrassi- Similar to lasagna, it is hand-rolled pasta with ragu meat sauce

13-18: Cavatelli con Broccoli- Small pasta shells tossed with garlic and broccoli

20-25: Pasta alla Norcina- Creamy pasta with sausage, cream and white wine       

June 27-July 2: Frittata di Spaghetti- Spaghetti baked into an egg frittata

July 4-9: Cutturiddi- A light lamb stew           

11-16: Orecchiette Cime di Rapa- Orecchiette pasta with olive oil, garlic, chiles, anchovies and turnip greens

18-23: Pipi Chini- Peppers stuffed with breadcrumbs, anchovies, garlic and capers

25-30: Pasta alla Norma- Pasta with sauteed eggplant tossed with tomato sauce and ricotta salata     

August 1-6: Fregola con Gamberi- A creamy pearl pasta cooked with shellfish stock and topped with prawns

Dolce Vita is at 5251 East Brown Rd. #104. The shop is open from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. The restaurant hours are noon to 2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. For more information see their website.

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

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.

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.

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.

Arizona Tiki Oasis 2022 returning to Scottsdale

The Hotel Valley Ho is set to host the return of the Arizona Tiki Oasis 2022 Thursday, April 28th thru Sunday, May 1st. The four day event will be free to the public and some tickets will need to purchased to attend certain events and seminars. The mid-century modern hotel is perfect for those to gather in festive aloha attire while sipping on tropical cocktails and immersing themselves in the Polynesian culture.

Events and Seminars at Arizona Tiki Oasis

The Arizona Tiki Oasis Marketlace will be Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Over 60 artists, crafters and traders will show off their works in the unique shopping environment. Over 25 international Tiki artists will display works of art at the Arizona Tiki Oasis Pop-Up Art Exhibit on Friday, Saturday and Sunday also from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Both events are free to attend.

Seminars range in price from $0-$50 per seminar. Seminars topics include mid-century modern and Polynesian pop culture that will feature art, mixology, architecture, music and design. All are meant to be fun and educational.

A few of the planned seminars include Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Tiki, Creating a Tiki Garden, Agave Spirits in Tropical Cocktails, Arizona Tiki Oasis 2022 Bartender Battle, Conscious Tropical, Mocktails 101, Raffia Flowers and Pom Poms, Tiki in Pop Surrealist Art.

Evening Resort Pass tickets are $99 each and include Thursday’s Meet & Mingle, access to evening events and poolside tastings all weekend.

Deluxe Evening Resort Pass tickets are $200 and include all of the above and a shopping bag with goodies from sponsors and an invite VIP Kick-Off Cocktail Party.

Both events are for guests 21 and over.

The hotel will host a traditional luau with a pig roast on Friday night serving poke bowls along with Crispy Cold Braised Short Ribs and more. Hawaiian desserts and cocktails will keep you in the aloha spirit.

More information and to purchased tickets can be found at the Arizona Tiki Oasis 2022 website. The Hotel Valley Ho is at 6850 E. Main St. Scottsdale 85251.

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.

 

 

 

 

Humble Bistro opening second location in Gilbert

East Valley residents will soon have a new restaurant to visit as Humble Bistro will be opening at Val Vista and Williams Field Rds. This will be the neighborhood eateries and marketplace’s first East Valley locations with the first at North Phoenix’s High Street and a Humble Pie in the Happy Valley neighborhood. Guests can expect house-made pastas, artisanal pizzas, wines from around the world and more from Chef and Partner Jorge Gomez.

“We’re beyond thrilled to open our new concept in one of the hottest communities in the East Valley,” says Gomez. “The freshly renovated space will feature the signature Humble Bistro charm with the inclusion of the marketplace and coffee bar. A visit to Humble Bistro is not just a meal, it’s an experience. We think these additions will add to that.”

Guests can dine for lunch, brunch, happy hour and dinner while enjoying the atmosphere of a European bistro. Classic Italian and American dishes will give guest a diversity of menu options. The marketplace will offer Humble made pastas, pizza dough and breads along with wine and other food products from artisan producers. There will be an ice cream bar and top quality meats and cheeses will be imported from Spain and Italy.

The restaurant will cover 5,000 square feet with a 1,500 square foot patio and the decor will be similar to the other location. An early Spring opening is planned. Humble Bistro will be at 1524 E. Williams Field Rd. Gilbert 85295. For more information and to stay updated on the opening visit their website.