Category: speakeasy

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.

The Ostrich brings in new talent for new craft cocktails

The downtown Chandler speakeasy starts a new era in announcing 5 new hires. They welcomed Craft Operations Manager Tyler Zhorne, Craft Bar Manager Jared Ammon, lead bartender Samantha Dengler, bartender Adam Slaton and server Tyler Yenkala to the team. With the new hires comes a new reverse happy hour to accommodate hospitality employees and collaborations with other local bars and restaurants for events & specials.

Society by EVO opens for dinner tonight in Tempe

Announced in January, Society by EVO opens tonight night at 4p.m. according to co-founder Nick Neuman’s Facebook page. The hip & high energy restaurant in Tempe will serve top notch cocktails and food until 1:30 a.m. every night. The menu will feature popular dishes from Neuman’s Scottsdale restaurant EVO along with new Mediterranean influenced dishes. A grand opening is scheduled for next Friday, March 25th.

Mother Road Brewing & Rombauer Vineyards battle it out at Zuzu

It’s beer vs. wine at the Hotel Valley Ho’s Versus Series Dinner next Thursday, March 24th. Seats are still available for when the Flagstaff brewer meets the popular Napa Valley winery paired with Chef Russell LaCasce’s has special four course menu. Seats are $159 ++ per person and you can make a reservation by calling 480-421-7997

Mesquite Fresh Street Mex opens new location in Gilbert

The newest location opens Saturday March 19th is the first that is walk-up and drive-thru only for the locally owned fast casual concept. During the grand opening a “Golden Ticket” promotion will give free burritos for a year to several winners. The new location is at 4875 S. Val Vista Dr.

The James Beard Foundation narrows down list of Award finalist.

The list of 15 Arizona nominees was whittled down to 4 finalists for the June 13th awards ceremony.

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

Best New Restaurant- Bacanora, Phoenix

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

Best Chef: Southwest- Giovanni Scorzo, Andreoli Italian Grocer, Scottsdale, AZ

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.

Myke’s Pizza now open for lunch

Good news coming from downtown Mesa, the popular pizza joint inside Cider Corps is now open for lunch. Tuesday-Sunday you can get gourmet pizza starting at 11 a.m. Follow them on Instagram for dessert and pizza specials. Throwback a cold cider from Cider Corps or a hot coffee or tea from Pair Cupworks while you’re there.

Daily Dose rolls out new Fall inspired seasonal menu

5 new menu items are now available at their Phoenix (Mid Town), Scottsdale (Old Town) and Tempe (Rio Salado) locations until Thanksgiving. Enjoy Pumpkin Crunch Pancakes, Cinnamon Churro Waffles, a Cranberry Club Sandwich, Pumpkin Latte and Apple Cider Mimosa.

The Parlour Room opens this weekend in Gilbert

As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, the new basement cocktail bar opens tomorrow, Saturday October 30th at 7 p.m.

Fresh Taste Meal Prep to discontinue weekly meals

Weekly family meals are being discontinued at the end of October but corporate meals, holiday meals and large meals of 35 or more are still being offered. If you’re still looking for a meal prep and delivery service Fresh Taste recommends Scottsdale’s Complete Cuisines and The Simple Chefs.

Chompie’s is opening its new location next week

Big sandwich lovers in northeast Phoenix have been waiting for the new Chompie’s to open since it closed its location at Paradise Valley Mall. Wait no more as the restaurant will be opening on Wednesday November 3rd. Expect much of the same and more, read about the new location here at my post from April.

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.

The Parlour Room to give cocktail enthusiasts a nightly experience

Those looking to get more of an experience for a night on the town will have “The Parlour Room” to visit when it opens on Devil’s Night, Saturday October 30th. The underground cocktail bar joins its sister bar The White Rabbit in downtown Gilbert in the basement courtyard of The Heritage Building at 207 N. Gilbert Rd.

“Our aim is to make an experience of the night out — one that intrigues the seasoned imbiber and is also inviting for social interactions,” explains founder Nick Medina of Medina Hospitality, the brainchild behind both concepts. “At The Parlour Room, as with The Rabbit, achieving that sense of wonderstruck is as important to us as offering the most enticing menu of mixed drinks.”

The new concept will continue the theme of Dr. O’Hare who used his apothecary & medical practice as a decoy for his prohibition speakeasy The White Rabbit. Dylan Matador, head bartender at The White Rabbit curated the cocktail menu which includes a book of specialty martinis and more. The dark & moody red lighting will give it jazzed up atmosphere and encourages guests to dress for a special night out.

For more information and to see hours of operation visit their website.

Cocktail Crawl your way through downtown Chandler

Spirit House, SanTan Brewing Company’s cocktail lounge in downtown Chandler is the starting point for a Cocktail Crawl visiting other local cocktail bars nearby. Saturday November 16th guests will then visit The Local, Puro Cigar Bar and The Ostrich to sip on cocktails and taste small bites from each.

With the growth of downtown Chandler it’s hard to visit all the new bars and restaurants so this is a novel idea. Crawlers will have the option to choose from 3 cocktails at each location that will be made with SanTan Spirits. Cocktails to choose from are……

French 75- featuring Saint Anne’s Citrus Rose Gin

Highball – featuring Saint Anne’s Limeleaf Botanical Vodka

Old Fashioned – featuring the award winning Sacred Stave American Single Malt Whiskey

Crawlers can start at 4, 5 or 6 p.m. at Spirit House. The Cocktail Crawl is a 21 and over event is $55 per person. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.santanbrewing.com/crawl

Spirit House is at 8 S. San Marcos Pl. Chandler.

 

Rick Bronson to open coffee bar & speakeasy on High Street.

Things are perking up on High Street with the announcement of The Stir and Gin and Reel opening later this year. Comedian and entrepreneur Rick Bronson is behind the “old school” coffee shop and speakeasy concept. If all goes as planned with construction coffee, cocktails and conversation will begin in September.

“The Stir and Gin and Reel is unlike anything in the North Phoenix/North Scottsdale area,” says owner and proprietor Rick Bronson, who also owns Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy on High Street. “I take great pride in creating concepts with environments that encourage the spirit of human connection as it once existed and that people long for today.”

Coffee, cocktails and food.

The Stir will be serving coffee beverages, coffee cocktails, food and ice cream daily at 6 a.m. Enjoy a “Kick in the Pants” made with cold brew, rum, cold brew liqueur, Mexican Coke & cream or a Coffee Old Fashioned.

For breakfast or lunch diners can enjoy pastries, sandwiches and salads including the BBLT(bacon, lettuce, tomato and turkey). Small plates at the bar will include Deviled Eggs, Lobster Canapes and a Caprese Salad. Boozy milkshakes and alcohol-less ice cream treats will also be available.

At 3 p.m. Gin and Reel opens if you can find the hidden entrance at the back of The Stir. The intimate speakeasy will have the atmosphere of Old Hollywood with vintage photos, directors chairs at the bar and black & white films playing. Prohibition era cocktails like the Manhattan or Sazerac will be served until 10 p.m. weeknights and 2 a.m. on weekends.

The Stir and Gin and Reel will be at 5415 E. High Street, Suite 103. Phoenix 85054.