The Metro Phoenix Night Market to showcase over 12 Asian food vendors

As live events continue returning fans of Asian food will want to circle Saturday, January 29th on the calendar. That’s when the Metro Phoenix Night Market returns showcasing a variety of food and culture from China, Korea and other Far East and southeast Asian countries. The Press Room in Tempe will host the event that starts at 4 p.m. for early admission ticket holders.

Vendors will offer at least one menu item for $5 or less with beer and cocktails also available for purchase. A curated market with local artists will be showcasing their work at the outdoor event. All vendors will accept cash or credit but cash is suggested and parking is free.

Early admission tickets are $14.99 to get in at 4 p.m., General Admission starts at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are $10. Happy Hour starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $6.00 and children aged 7-12 are $4.00. Children under 7 are free. Tickets prices don’t include sales tax or a booking fee.  You can purchase tickets to the Metro Phoenix Night Market here and get more information and stay updated at their Facebook page. The Press Room is at 3125 S.52nd St. Tempe 85292.

Giving Tree Cafe shows sign of hope with life size sculpture

Phoenix’s Giving Tree Cafe known for serving clean eating vegan, organic & gluten free food is also known as a community spot in the neighborhood. The cafe at 7th St. near Monte Vista recently installed a life size sculpture of a iconic 1932 photograph by Charles Ebbets. Owner David Warr wanted to find a permanent home for the structure and the message it conveys.

“’Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ stands as a testament to our resourcefulness and resilience. Our community has been through a challenging couple of years. Yet, we pulled ourselves up from our bootstraps, and we’ve grown stronger,” said Warr.

Getting it to the Giving Tree Cafe

The sculpture was hidden in storage and Warr found out about it from customer David Kirschenbaum who produced the sculpture with sculptor Blake Emory. The 24 foot long and 20 foot high sculpture took 3 days to install after being delivered to the cafe. It took Emory & Kirschenbaum over 2 years to make by hand using clay, fiberglass resin, steel, PVC, wood, textiles, rubber & chrome.

“Many haven’t been able to enjoy the arts scene for quite some time. I wanted to bring this sculpture back to life as a sign of strength, hope and togetherness,” said Warr.

The photograph and sculpture show 11 steelworkers eating lunch on a girder high above the streets of NYC. The 69 story building being built is the RCA building, now part of Rockefeller Center and the erecting of the building was a sign of hope and confidence in the future during The Great Depression.  Each of the 11 replicas of the workers is life size and each weighs about 100 lbs. According to Warr,

“We’re not done yet. Watch the space over the next couple of weeks.” Artist Emory returns to make an exciting addition to the structure.

The Giving Tree Cafe is at 2024 N. 7th St. Phoenix 85004. For more information visit their website.

 

 

Aaron Chamberlain’s Taco Chelo opens March 9th along Roosevelt Row

Food is an art form in itself but many restaurants are creating space for other forms of art and downtown’s Phoenix’s new Taco Chelo combines food and art when it opens on Friday March 9th.

The team bringing Taco Chelo to life is restaurateur Aaron Chamberlain, artist Gennaro Garcia and chef Suny Santana.

“Taco Chelo celebrates great food as well as great art, creating an experience unlike anything else in the Valley,” said Chamberlin, of St. Francis and Phoenix Public Market Café fame. “In terms of culinary and artistic talent, we’ve got the real deal, and it’s showcased in our menu, on our walls and throughout the restaurant in its entirety.”

Taco Chelo art

The 1,000 square foot Taco Chelo was designed by the internationally acclaimed Garcia and the restaurant adorns his art work that includes custom-made pieces from Mexico.

“What we worked to create here is an experience that caters to all senses,” Gennaro said. “I see this restaurant project as an ongoing art installation and a collaboration of the visual and culinary arts”.

In the kitchen

Chef Suny Santana will be for sure preparing tacos, but his menu goes beyond that creating dishes he learned from his mother as child on a farm in Monterrey Mexico.

Recipes include chicharrones, chips & guacamole and pinto beans stewed with bacon and pico de gallo known as “frijoles a la charra”. Salads are also available as is beer, wine and cocktails.

Chef Santana and Taco Chelo already has a fan in Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, “Downtown is experiencing a renaissance, now home to world-class arts, culture, nightlife and great culinary concepts that showcase the flavor of Phoenix,” says Stanton. “Taco Chelo — a restaurant with an emphasis on both food and art — is a great fit for Roosevelt Row. I can’t wait to try what Chef Suny Santana is cooking up!”

Taco Chelo will be open Sun. – Thurs. from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. from 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. and is at 501 E. Roosevelt St. Phoenix 85004. 602-368-5316. For more information check out their website.

 

 

Blind Dragon Karaoke Lounge opens in Scottsdale

Start warming up your singing voice as the Blind Dragon Karaoke Lounge opened this week in Scottsdale. Asian inspired bites, cocktails and a themed private karaoke lounge is all you need to become the next American Idol.

The sleek and modern lounge has locations in West Hollywood and Dubai with owners hope to give guests the ultimate Hollywood/Las Vegas experience.

Blind Dragon Karaoke rooms

6 themed rooms come in sizes that can hold groups of 8, 14 or 20 and each have a flat screen TV and audio system.

Scottsdale’s Blind Dragon was designed by Scottsdale designer George Monzure and features artwork throughout its 8,500 square feet with a mural painted along the length of the wall by the lounge’s main bar. The design is similar to the West Hollywood location designed by John Sofio.Blind Dragon Karaoke Lounge

Reservations recommended

Blind Dragon is opened Thurs. – Sat. nights from 6p.m. – 2a.m. with reservations recommended to reserve your private karaoke room.

Guest will be able to sip on colorful cocktails and snack on Asian inspired bites, small plates and a few heartier plates when not trying to become the next Pink or Usher.

To make your reservation email info@blinddragonscottsdale.com The Blind Dragon Karaoke Lounge is at 7419 E. Indian Plaza Dr.  Suite A. Scottsdale 85251

 

 

 

El Panzon y Frida celebrates art and food at grand opening

One of the more interesting new restaurant openings of 2017  has been Scottsdale’s El Panzon y Frida. Named after Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and her “pot belly” husband Diego Rivera, the restaurant celebrates its Grand Opening on Thursday July 6th, which is also the day of Frida’s birth.

The colorful restaurant has been opened for a few months  for dinner but decided to lay low and wait until now to introduce itself to the community.  Located in Scottsdale’s Entertainment District south of Camelback Rd west of Scottsdale Rd.  El Panzon y Frida has a hand painted mural of Frida on the wall along with art from both artists.

El Panzon y Frida
El Panzon y Frida Bone Marrow

The menu at El Panzon y Frida

The menu was created by up-and-coming executive chef Paulina Martinez and inspired by Frida and Diego’s feminine and masculine art. The thoughtful and picture worthy dishes include grilled octopus, bone marrow, Bone in Ribeye. along with small plates for sharing and salads.

Signature cocktails such as Sage Margarita & Chili Cucumber Capirihna and craft beers on tap are available to quench your thirst

El panzon y frida
El Panzon y Frida Ribeye. All photos courtesy of Sharon Krieger of West 54 Media Group

The Grand Opening celebration

The celebration starts at 6 p.m. on the evening of the 6th and will include complimentary tastes, cocktails and entertainment. Guests are encouraged to wear bold and colorful clothes as part of the celebration.

El Panzon y Frida  is open at 11am – 11pm Tuesday – Thursday, 11am – 1am Friday and Saturday, 11am – 9pm Sunday. Brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 5pm with 50% bottles of wine and $15 bottomless mimosas. Throughout the summer, Social Lounging Happy Hour is extended from 3 – 8pm daily.

El Panzon y Frida is at 7323 E. Shoeman Ln.  Scottsdale, AZ  85251 https://www.elpanzonyfrida.com/

 

 

 

Scottsdale’s Artwalk has gone to the dogs Thursday nights in August.

Artwalk

Calling all dog owners, art lovers and everybody else, every Thursday night in August the Scottsdale Artwalk www.ScottsdaleGalleries.com has invited dogs and their owners to enjoy a stroll through Scottsdale’s Art district of Marshall Way and Main St. From 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. people and dogs can stroll the galleries and shops, mix & mingle with other dogs and their owners while listening to live music and taking in the atmosphere.

“Artwalk the Dog” will feature pet friendly attractions, dog treats, information about dog rescues and charities, dog art and more. The Food Truck Caravan will be on hand to tantalize your taste buds.

Trucks scheduled to be there at 6:30 include The Pho King Truck, Super Farm Super Truck, Lucha Libre, Lulu’s Italian Ices and Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire. Misters and seating will be provided to keep 2 and 4 legged friends comfortable. Dog treats and water will be provide for the dogs.

The Artwalk includes Main St. west of Scottsdale Rd., north on Marshall Way up to 5th Ave.