Tag: AJ’s Fine Foods

Firecreek Coffee Company opens first Phoenix location

Flagstaff’s Firecreek Coffee Company has opened its first Phoenix area location and fourth in the state, this week on Thomas Rd. and 46th St. It’s Founder’s Mike Funk’s second go round in the Phoenix coffee community after he opened Cafe Tech in downtown Phoenix in the early 1990s. He gained his coffee “know how” in the 1980s when he was in the coffee industry where else, in Seattle. He moved to Flagstaff to open his first location in 2008 with locations in Sedona and Cottonwood soon following.

“It’s extremely rewarding to be back in the Phoenix area and to be continuing the Firecreek Coffee legacy here in the Valley,” says Mike Funk, founder of Firecreek Coffee Company. “We can’t wait to introduce our unique culture to the Arcadia neighborhood and look forward to becoming a part of the community for years to come.”

Funk has been in every aspect of the coffee industry including building espresso carts, importing coffee machines, opening coffee bars and supplying hotels & restaurants with premium coffee. He plans to open other Phoenix area locations and a roasting facility at 16th St. & McDowell Rd. which will also double as event and concert venue. Firecreek Coffee Company

Firecreek offers small batch coffee, small bites and sweet treats made by pastry chefs in the morning and afternoon. Guests can enjoy quiche, toast options, salads, Paninis and pastries with their coffee drinks. Consumers have been buying whole beans at AJ’s Fine Foods and Whole Foods throughout Arizona and Firecreek supplies other coffee shops with their beans.

The Phoenix location is opened from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. with plans for longer hours in the future to offer craft cocktails and more. For more information visit their website.

 

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.

3rd Tuesday wine dinner at Romeo’s Euro Cafe

Every 3rd Tuesday the downtown Gilbert restaurant hosts its monthly wine pairing dinner and March’s dinner is Tuesday the 16th pairing wines from Washington and California with owner Romeo Taus’s specially created 3-course pairing menu. Dinner is $39 per person and starts at 6:30 if you’re dining in, if taking out pick-up is between 6 -7. Call 480-962-4224 to reserve your seat or place your order.

Irish Soda Bread from Mediterra Bakehouse now available

From Saturday March 13th – 20th the local bakehouse has its famous bread available. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day the bread is made with whole wheat flour, buttermilk, sea salt, golden raisins & caraway seeds. The loaf sells for $5.99 and can be found at all AJ’s Fine Foods locations, Whole Foods, Uptown Farmer’s Market, Old Town Scottsdale Farmer’s Market and other retailers.

It’s National Pi Day at Fired Pie

On Sunday 3.14 all 20 locations will be selling any 1 topping pizza for $3.14 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m with the purchase of a beverage. The deal is available in store or if ordering online use promo code PIDAY. 1 per person and no 3rd party deliveries available.

New seasonal menu at Z’ Tejas launches Monday

There’s more than a change in the weather in the near future as restaurants change menus to use seasonal ingredients. The Southwestern cuisine restaurant’s locations in Chandler and Phoenix introduce theirs on Monday March 15th. Diablo Eggs, Stuffed Artichoke Chicken, Goat Cheese Fritters and Lemon Bar Cheesecake are just a few of the highlights that can be had until May 24th.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day around Phoenix

If you’re feeling a little bit Irish next Wednesday the 17th, you’re not alone. Celebrate with Irish beer, corned beef & cabbage or a dram of whiskey and more at SanTan Brewing Co., Match Market & Bar, Phoenix City Grille, Chompie’s, Pedal House Brewery, Thirsty Lion Gastropub, Trapp Haus BBQ STK Steakhouse, and Kona Grill. Slainte!!

Joe’s Midnight Run starts “It’s Midnight Somewhere” weekend brunch menu.

Along the busy restaurant corridor of 7th St. in central Phoenix, Joe’s Midnight Run kicks off its “It’s Midnight Somewhere” weekend brunch menu with drink and food specials every Saturday & Sunday from 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Joe's Midnight Run
Photo courtesy of Joe’s Midnight Run

its midnight somewhere’ brunch menu

Start off the morning with $3 Bellinis or Mimosas, $8 Bloody Mary’s, signature cocktails and more while you decide to soak it up with Chef Michael Smith’s Banana French Toast, Biscuits & Gravy or Shrimp & Grits just a few of the new brunch menu items.

For those that prefer the lunch side to the brunch menu they can order Notorious BIG Burger( made with braised pork, beef and chicharones), Milanesa Sandwich, salads, flatbreads and more.

photo courtesy of Joe's Midnight Run
photo courtesy of Joe’s Midnight Run

Joe’s Midnight Run is at 6101 N. 7th St. Phoenix, 85014 (480)459-4467 http://www.joesmidnightrun.com

 

 

Chandler AZ based Nuthwhats expands product line & retail availability.

nutwhats
Started back in 1999 by Lisa and Jim Rast, Nutwhats produces a line of sweet snacks that includes brittle called Britty & Scribble and the recently launched line of chocolates called “Bean to Bar” sourced from all over the world and are made from at least 75% Cacao. The beans are imported and the bars are made by hand in their commercial kitchen. “The Bean to Bar Chocolates are great for baking brownies, cookies or muffins and make incredibly decadent s’mores,” said Lisa Rast.

2 new brittle combinations are available too, Salted Almond Scribble and Green Chili Beer Britty if you need some spice in your life. In addition to being available online at www.nutwhats.com the sweets can now be found in AJ’s Fine Foods around the valley. The gourmet grocer will be selling 8 Nutwhats flavors including the 2 new flavors at $10.99 for the Salted Almond Scribble and $8.99 for Green Chili Beer Britty. “Our fans have asked us for years to expand our distribution and this partnership with AJ’s allows us to offer our hand-crafted products to more hungry Arizonans who are seeking an uncommon yet very satisfying treat,” said Rast.

In addidition to AJ’s, Nutwhats can be found at Bodega in Scottsdale, Phoenix Public Market and Smeeks in Phoenix and Doz Cabezas Wineworks in the southern Arizona wine country. The new Bean to Bar chocolates can be found at the Nutwhats booth at the Gilbert Farmers Market and Old Town Farmers Market in Scottsdale along with their other sweets.