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.

Where to watch the World Cup

The 2022 World Cup kicks off Sunday and with the 10 hour time difference it may be hard to watch. Looking to watch it with other fans, Pedal Haus Brewery in Tempe will be showing all 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 12 noon games. Breakfast and drink specials will be offered on game days. All 4 Twin Peaks locations will be opening at 9 a.m. to show the games on almost 100 flat screen TVs. Scratch made breakfasts and beer specials will be served.

Dad’s Modern Cocktails & Eatery gears up for Thanksgiving week

You’ll have to do the cooking next Thursday but starting Sunday you can enjoy the restaurant’s popular Peach Sangria for only $5 until next Saturday. Tuesday and Wednesday next week it’s Happy Hour all day then a Family Feast when they re-open on Friday. The Family Feast includes 8 wings, a Caesar salad and a 20 inch 1 topping pizza all for $45.

Holiday tamales available at Diego Pops

Whether you dine-in or take a dozen to-go the downtown Scottsdale restaurant has the traditional holiday food for you.  The Tamale Plate includes two tamales topped with black beans, corn queso, pickled onion, Fresno pepper and cabbage. It comes served a side of rice and beans of your choice. Choose a dozen red or green chile chicken Tamales Togo with a side of rice and beans. Tamales are available until the end of December and have limited availability.

Sportsman’s Park Market debuts tomorrow

The Great Lawn at State Farm Stadium is the home of the new farmers market from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. tomorrow. Over 100 fresh food vendors, local products and a Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar will be available along with live music and activities for kids. December’s market will be Saturday the 17th.

Chompie’s closes Tempe restaurant after 25 years

The popular restaurant for hungry students and others craving Jewish deli fare will have to find somewhere else to eat. It was a difficult decision to close the restaurant but necessary to help fuel the company’s growth. Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale and Chandler locations are still open.

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

Anoche Cantina coming to Mill Ave. in August

Bellevue, Washington based Ascend Hospitality Group is planing to open its first Arizona location in downtown Tempe later this month. Anoche Cantina will be the first of a new restaurant and nightlife concept from AHG’s Director of Marketing and Brand Design Shelby Elmore and will be the first concept she’s co-created. Located in the former El Hefe space Anoche will serve innovative Latin inspired food and cocktails including a build-your-own-margarita bar.

“We’ve had our eye on Tempe for a while and when the opportunity arose for us to take prime real estate on Mill Ave., we jumped at the chance,” said Elaina M. Morris, AHG CEO and president. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring, what we call, the ‘AHG Difference’ to the Valley and join such a thriving community.” 

Thomas Lawson, formerly of Riot Hospitality Group was brought on as AHG had wanted to partner with a local expert operator to help execute its vision.  “It’s nice to be a part of Mill Ave.’s resurgence, this is a great area with rich history,” Lawson said. “Anoche will provide a unique experience to help elevate the ever-expanding community. Through carefully crafted eats and one-of-a-kind nightlife, we look to not just breathe new life into the area but give the area what it’s been craving.”

The scene at Anoche Cantina

Anoche Cantina will have 5,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space including a shaded patio to enjoy our nice weather. Those there for the nightlife will experience a high quality sound and lighting system that will make Anoche the best party on Mill Ave. Just in time for football season, a sports bar concept from AHG, six40rty is planned for a September opening next door. Large screen TVs, lawn games, upscale bar snacks and witty cocktails will be available indoors and outdoors at the 8,000 square foot sports bar. Both concepts are looking to hire front and back of the house team members and those interested can apply in person or email Lawson at thomas@ascendhg.com.

Anoche Cantina is at 640 S. Mill Ave Tempe 85281.

Restaurant concept from Guy Fieri to open at Chase Field

There may or may not be baseball this Spring at Chase Field but things will still be happening when Food Network star Guy Fieri opens a new restaurant at the ballpark. The restaurant concept has yet to be made public to be located in the new state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook on the plaza outside the stadium in the former Game 7 Grill.

“We believe this is a rare and exciting opportunity for individuals who are driven to deliver a high-quality, high-service dining experience for guests and sports fans,” said D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall. “This is a chance to get in on the ground level of a unique, fresh and fun concept in food, gaming and baseball at Chase Field.”

Fieri is popular in the Phoenix area making frequent stops in town for his show “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” that has featured over 30 Arizona restaurants. Last year his delivery only restaurant concept Flavortown Kitchen opened in the valley. This dine-in restaurant will be open year round and anchor the new 20,000 square foot two story venue. A a full bar and extensive menu, a VIP lounge, sports betting space, indoor & outdoor seating and big screen TVs are all features at the sportsbook.

Restaurant partners Caesars and the Diamondbacks are looking to hire management and service team members for the new restaurant. Candidates can click this link to apply.

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux coming to Gilbert in January

Sports fans and Louisiana style cuisine enthusiasts will be able to enjoy both come January when Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux opens in Gilbert. The Baton Rouge based restaurant was founded in 2003 by Brandon Landry, a former walk-on to the LSU basketball team.

“We are so excited to be able to bring Walk-On’s to the City of Gilbert and the state of Arizona,” said Franchisee Ken Weaver. “We are honored to be a part of this great community and to introduce the Taste of Louisiana with a game day atmosphere to this fast-growing city! We look forward to meeting everyone at the ceremony, as well as building our roster of all-star team members.”

In addition to Louisiana food staples including Crawfish Etouffe and Duck & Andouille Gumbo the restaurant will serve 48 beers on tap. Sports fans will be able to see every play from all Phoenix sports teams on 75 TVs. In the coming months the restaurant will be hiring over 200 people to join Walk-On’s team. A ground-breaking ceremony takes place this Thursday October 7th at 11 a.m. with local dignitaries and executives from the restaurant.

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux will be at 4828 S. Power Rd. Gilbert and a complete menu and more information can be found on their website.

“Arizona Pizza” added to new Fall menu at Famous 48 Local Kitchen & Bar

The Shops at Gainey Ranch’s Famous 48 Local Kitchen & Bar has announced several changes to its operation including adding Arizona Pizza to the menu. One of the new changes is that the restaurant will open at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sunday’s so football fans can catch all the action.

The 4 new Arizona Pizzas are 12 inch thin and crispy crusts and use a mozzarella and provolone cheese blend. A cauliflower crust is also available with the 4 pizzas being…..

·         Margherita. Grilled tomato, basil, extra virgin olive oil

·         The Famous 48. Pepperoni, sausage, onion

·         Nacho Mama. Ground beef, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, taco sauce, blend of cheddar-jack cheese, crumbled Nacho Cheese Doritos®

·         BBQ Chicken Pizza. BBQ Sauce, provolone, chicken, red onion, cilantro

“We like to keep our menus fresh and we’ll always offer Arizona favorites.  That’s the inspiration for the four pizzas on this new menu at Famous 48,” said Robert Wagner, executive chef, of Famous 48 and sister restaurant, Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers. “We aim to please and we’re happy the neighborhood enjoys our great food.”

With the new pizza’s come a special happy hour deal every Monday -Friday from 3 – 6 p.m. Guests can enjoy a Arizona Pizza and bottle of red or white house wine for only $25. To end your meal, they’ve also added a new option to a favorite dessert. The skillet cookie option of white chocolate macadamia, caramel sauce with vanilla bean ice cream joins a classic chocolate chip cookie skillet with vanilla ice cream.

Famous 48 is at 8989 N Scottsdale Rd #608, Scottsdale, AZ 85253. 480-941-0101. Check out their website for the full menu and more.

Hiring happening at new Twin Peaks Restaurant in Tempe

Twin Peaks Restaurant is opening new location at Tempe Marketplace in February and is hiring over 100 people for jobs throughout the restaurant. The new restaurant is a build-up of over 7,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor dining spaces and a large kitchen.

“We are very excited to introduce Twin Peaks’ delicious scratch-made food and ice-cold beer to everyone in Tempe,” said Franchise Owner Carolyn Vangelos. “With 102 TVs located throughout the sports lodge, Twin Peaks will definitely be the best spot for locals to cheer on their favorite teams. We’ve secured a great location on the south side of Tempe Marketplace, easily accessible from Rio Salado Parkway, so our next step is to hire a talented group of outgoing people to join us in preparation for our grand opening.”

hiring
Lumber Jills

Flexible work hours and a fun work environment is just a couple of reasons to find work at Twin Peaks. They’re hiring 65 Twin Peaks Girls and 35 Heart of the House members including cooks, hostess, bartenders and others. Interested candidates can drop by the restaurant any day of the week from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. to apply for a job or can apply online.

Once opened the sports bar will serve comfort food, 32 beers on tap including local craft beers and a full bar.

This will be the 4th Phoenix area location and will be at 2050 E Rio Salado Parkway Tempe, AZ 85281. For more information visit their website.