“Baseball for Babbo” fundraiser honors restaurant’s founder

Locally owned Babbo Italian Eatery lost its founder Ken Pollack to pancreatic cancer in late 2022 and will honor him with a fundraiser on Thursday, June 15th. 100% of the “Baseball for Babbo” sales at the 8 locations will be donated to the Seena Magowitz Foundation and donations will be matched by Ken’s family and Roger Magowitz. Babbo means “daddy” in Italian and Ken was a leading figure to his staff and family along with being an avid baseball fan.

If you give you will get, and if you get you should give,’ was my Dad’s quote. This event is the perfect way for us to honor his legacy and live by his motto,” said Marketing Director of Babbo Italian Eatery Taylor Schultz. Guests can honor Ken and help raise money whether they dine-in or take-out on the 15th.

The Seena Magowitz Foundation was founded by Roger Magowitz named after his mother who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in 2001. Pancreatic cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths with a five year survival rate. The foundation is the voice of the disease and helps bring awareness and how to reduce the risk of getting it.

“The foundation accepts the challenge in pursuit of an eventual cure,” said Magowitz. “We thank Babbo Italian Eatery for their desire and commitment to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research, done by the brightest, most innovative minds in medical science.” Donations can be made directly to the foundation or through Babbo’s donation page.

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.

May the Fourth be with you

Star Wars fan get it and you can too with local food and drink specials next Wednesday May 4th in downtown Mesa. Myke’s Pizza will have a several Star Wars pizza & dessert specials including Dago- Bahn Mi Pizza. Pair Cupworks will offer Chewbaccaccino ($4.25) with chocolate syrup, espresso and milk and other coffee & tea specials. Cider Corps will be pouring their Mango-lorian Cider Slushie in the cantina.

Local restaurants say thanks to teachers and nurses

Teacher and Nurse Appreciation Week starts Monday, May 2nd and they can save money at these local restaurants until May 6th.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria get 15% off when they dine-in or take-out at all Phoenix area locations.

Koibito Poke is offering 25% all orders.

Eat Up Drive In in Arcadia gives 15% off for the week.

Derby Day at Match Market & Bar

Every first Saturday in May is the Kentucky Derby and the downtown Phoenix restaurant in the Found:RE Hotel is offering signature cocktails and themed brunch buffet starting at 11 a.m. Oversized hats and Derby Day fashions are encouraged. Tickets are $65++ per person and can be bought on Eventbrite.

Weekly burger specials for National Burger Month at Miracle Mile Deli

All month of May get a 1/3 lb fresh beef burger, fries and pickle for only $11 at the midtown Phoenix deli.

2-7 Try the Uptown Burger with pepper jack cheese, avocado, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato and chipotle.

9-14 Taste the Ellis Island Burger is served with your choice of aged cheddar, imported Swiss, classic American, provolone or pepper jack cheese along with green leaf lettuce, tomato and red onion.

16-21 Enjoy the Jack & Patty Melt gets grilled onions, pepper jack cheese and Miracle Mile dressing served on grilled rye bread.

23-28 Its time for the Broadway Burger. This incredible cheeseburger is topped with aged cheddar, crispy bacon, green leaf lettuce, tomato, red onion and Miracle Mile dressing.

Babbo Italian Eatery raised a lot of money for the Seena Magowitz Foundation.

A follow -up to a post from earlier this month as the restaurant raised over $105,000 on April 7th that will be donated to pancreatic cancer awareness and research.

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.

Goodyear welcomes newest Babbo Italian Eatery this week

Local restaurant Babbo Italian Eatery is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the grand opening of its eighth location on Thursday, April 7th. With the opening of the Goodyear location all eight restaurants will donate 100% all the day’s proceeds to the Seena Magowitz Foundation.

“The Seena Magowitz Foundation is an incredible organization that seeks to spread awareness about pancreatic cancer and helps extend the quality of life for those inflicted with this disease by investing in research and amplifying its message,” said owner of Babbo Italian Eatery, Ken Pollack. “Their mission is important to our entire family and we are very proud to partner with them on April 7—and beyond.”

For the Day of Giving, Foundation Founder and CEO Roger Magowitz will personally match all donations received dollar for dollar. “The foundation accepts the challenge in pursuit of an eventual cure and we are excited to partner with Babbo Italian Eatery to help spread that awareness,” said Magowitz. “Our vision is inspiring vigilance and keen awareness on how people can minimize the risk of getting the most brutal of cancers which has the lowest average five-year survival rate of any other cancer. If not us, then who?”

The Goodyear restaurant will accommodate up to 236 guests looking to dine on house-made Italian food. Classic dishes include Spaghetti & Meatballs and house-made Focaccia bread along with new, modern Italian dishes Chicken Chipolte Pasta and Wild Mushroom Spaghettni. The 6,000 square foot restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and a private dining room for up to 74 people.

The Goodyear location is at 15705 W. McDowell Rd. 85395 on the southwest corner of Pebble Creek Pkwy. For more information or to view their modern Italian menu visit their website.

 

Scottsdale restaurants gear up for Russo & Steele auto auction

2019 starts relatively quick here in Scottsdale with many of our valley’s activities kicking off. Before the PGA and MLB take the stage car enthusiasts flock to Scottsdale for 2 weeks in January. Russo & Steele start the auction season off on January 12th at Salt River Fields then Barrett- Jackson returns to north Scottsdale.

Whether you’re on your way to the auction or just bid on your dream car you need to eat and there are plenty of local restaurants on the way.

All photos courtesy of Kassidy McDonald & Evolve Public Relations

Local eateries near Russo & Steele

Within a few miles there are plenty of Scottsdale restaurants to feed all appetites.

Babbo Italian Eatery– 8840 E. Talking Stick Way. Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Fired Pie at Mountain View 9619 N. Hayden Rd. #101
Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Ph. 480.948.0808

Pomo Pizzeria Scottsdale8977 N. Scottsdale Rd.

Fired Pie at Fashion Square Mall. 7014 E. Camelback Rd,
Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Ph 480.874.4203

Hash Kitchen– 8777 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85253.

U.S. Egg- North Scottsdale- 7119 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale 85253

Headed to Barrett-Jackson

Some of the same restaurants have location further north and can accommodate those heading to Barrett-Jackson at Westworld.

Grimaldi’s at The Scottsdale Quarter.- 15147 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale. 85254

Twin Peaks– 8787 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. Scottsdale 85260

BLK Live– 7301 E. Butherus Dr. Scottsdale 85260

Fired Pie at Raintree- 14740 N. Northsight Blvd. Scottsdale 85260.

Fired Pie at Zocollo Plaza– 15425 N. Scottsdale Rd. 85254.

 

 

 

 

Local restaurants raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and three local Phoenix restaurants are raising money all month-long. By purchasing a featured menu item you will be helping to fight a disease that affects us all. Both non-profits are also local to the Phoenix area.

Don’t be a chump, check for a lump!……

……is the name a of a local non-profit that helps fight breast cancer through education, prevention and direct assistance. They provide free wigs, mammograms and treatment and is benefiting from Babbo Italian Eatery. When you order the Pasta Valducci part of the proceeds will be donated for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Enjoy a bowl of penne pasta tossed with Kalamata olives, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic in a pink sauce. Babbo has a goal of raising $10,000.00 during the month-long fundraiser with the dish available at all 8 locations. For more information visit Babbo’s website and http://www.checkforalump.org/

Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Farm & Craft

Save Your Melons is the month-long fundraiser at Farm & Craft in Scottsdale and Phoenix. Both locations are donating a portion of proceeds from their Forbidden Fruits(watermelon) drinks to I’mpact One for the month of October. Scottsdale’s location is at 4302 N. Scottsdale Rd 85251 and Phoenix is at The Colony 5538 N. 7th St. Phoenix 85014. http://impactone.pink/

Drink Pink at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row

The Gilbert location will also donate to I’mpact One a portion of the proceeds from Dierks Pink Lemonade. Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row is at 323 N. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert 85234.

Scottsdale’s Babbo Italian Eatery home to 50 pound cheese wheel

If you’re a fan of savory cheeses like me then the new 50 lb. cheese wheel at the Scottsdale location of Babbo Italian Eatery should be of interest. The bowled out Parmesan wheel is 9 in. tall and 17 in. wide and will be used to prepare a weekly special created for the occasion.

Babbo Italian
Photos courtesy of Babbo Italian Eatery

Those guests that want to taste the cheesy creation will be able to Wed.- Sun. To find out what each week’s new dish will be the restaurant will be releasing it on their Instagram page @BabboItalianEatery

There are 8 family owned Babbo Italian Eatery’s around the Phoenix area with Scottsdale location at 8840 E. Indian Bend Rd. 85258. To find a location near you visit their website.