Tag: Cave Creek

Harold’s Corral introduces new owners and new dishes

Cave Creek’s original “Wild West Saloon and Restaurant”, Harold’s Cave Creek Corral is in the news as they introduce new owners and several new dishes to their menu. Co-owners Danny and Meri Piacquaido welcome new co-owners Mike “Z” and Kris Ziebart of Carefree as long-time co-owners Bill and Marie Vale have turned over the reins to the saloon that’s been around for over 90 years.

“After more than 21 incredible years, our dear friends and longtime partners, Bill and Marie Vale, have decided to pass the torch,” said Danny Piacquadio, Harold’s longtime co-owner and general manager. “Their leadership, dedication, and passion have helped shape Harold’s into the iconic gathering place it is today, fostering a strong community spirit, supporting local charities and schools, and making Harold’s a true Cave Creek institution.”

New co-owners Jim “Z” and Kris Ziebart with longtime co-owners Danny and Meri Piacquadio. Photo courtesy of Harold’s Cave Creek Corral.

Bill is known around town as “Harold’s Mayor” and says there is something that brings people together at Harold’s for fun times and networking. The new co-owners are Wisconsin natives where they spend the summer and have no problem with their new restaurant being “Heinz Field West”, a gathering spot for Pittsburgh Steelers fans during the football season. “I may have my own bar stool with a Packers sticker hidden underneath it,” Ziebart joked. “And Kris says she looks better in black and gold, so we have acquired some Steelers swag.”

New on the menu at Harold’s Corral

The popular Cave Creek saloon and restaurant welcomes locals and tourists who will see new dishes to the menu next time they visit.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and also has a reputation for attracting local and national musicians and bands who perform year-round. The owners are committed to growing the line-up of musicians and bands, including national acts, to perform at their outdoor venue behind the restaurant.

New dishes to the menu include….

Fried Pickles: Crispy battered dill pickle chips served with ranch dressing for $11.

JJ’s Loaded Totchos: Crispy tater tots with bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onions served with a side of sour cream and chipotle ranch for $12.

Italian Stallion: A hearty sandwich featuring salami, Coppa, pepperoni and provolone cheese baked on an Italian roll and topped with jalapenos, onion, lettuce, tomatoes, and Italian dressing for $15.

Italian Calzone: A scrumptious calzone made with salami, Coppa, pepperoni, jalapeños, onions, and provolone cheese for $16.

Thunderbird Chicken: Delicious sauteed chicken with mushrooms in a wine cream sauce served over pasta for $19.

Grandma P’s Pizza. A Piacquadio family favorite featuring a 6 square pan focaccia style pizza with red sauce for $16.50 (toppings are extra).

For more information and to see the full menu visit their website.

 

 

Wine festival coming to Cave Creek this weekend

The Stagecoach Village Fine Art & Wine Festival pulls into Cave Creek for 3 days this weekend starting tomorrow Friday, March 7th thru Sunday. More than 85 food trucks, artists and live entertainment start at 10 a.m. each day. For those looking to sample some of Arizona best wines you’ll have to wait until 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Stagecoach Fine Art & Wine Festival is hosted by Arizona Wine Events and Willcox Wine Country. Both are leading promoters of Arizona wines and showcasing them at local events.

“Cave Creek’s rugged terrain and beautiful scenery, along with its small-town feel, make it an ideal location for the Stagecoach Village Fine Art & Wine Festival,” said Mike Pigford, Event Organizer and Owner of Arizona Wine Events. “Attendees can stroll around and relax in the tranquil environment while enjoying the artwork, entertainment, food and an incredible selection of wines.”

Early bird tickets are available for wine & beer tastings from between $15-$35 and are available at the door for between 420-$45. 10 tastings tickets are included and for wine tastings guests get a commemorative glass. Information and tickets are available online. Stagecoach Village is at 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek 85331.

“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 from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

The TLC eXperience returns with Friendsgiving at Agritopia

The monthly supper club is back after taking the summer off with its first dinner of the season Friday, November 18th at Agritopia in Gilbert. Seating is limited for the 4-course dinner created by Chef Tom Baumbach and his team. Cocktail hour starts at 5:30 with dinner at 6:30. Tickets are $150 per person and can only be purchased here.  Tables of 8 or 10 are also available for purchase.

Michael Waltrip Brewing Co. Craft Beer & Music Festival happens Saturday

Tomorrow November 5th welcomes NASCAR fans, country music lovers and beer drinkers to Bell Bank Park starting 6 p.m. The popular Hillbilly Deluxe is the headliner with DJ Jeffro and the Get Lit Dancers opens the show. VIP Happy Hour hosted by Michael starts with early entry at 5 p.m. Tickets for the 21+ older festival are available at BellBankPark.com or at Tixr.

Press Coffee opens today inside Sprouts

The first in-store location of the locally owned coffee roster is now open inside the Sprouts at 3320 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix. All weekend long small drip coffees are $1 and all of the proceeds will be donated to Phoenix Children’s Foundation. Give away will be happening on Saturday and Sunday with more details here.

Loco J’s Tacos & Tequila now open in Cave Creek

Navy veteran Jason Clouse opened his new taco joint in this week making it the first Mexican restaurant to open in town in a long time. He was the former owner of nearby Rosati’s Pizza and sold it to focus on Loco J’s. The restaurant is at 28260 N. Tatum Blvd. and opens daily at 3 p.m.

LDV Winery hiring for their Scottsdale tasting room

Looking to make some extra money for the holidays or keep up with inflation, put your wine knowledge and customer service skills to work in the fun and friendly atmosphere.  Submit your resume to info@ldvwinery.com and learn more about the winery at their website.

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.

Over Easy and Hickman Family Farms raising money for United Food bank in April

Starting today and all month long, the 11 locations are matching customer donations dollar for dollar and the farm will donate a dozen eggs for each donation. The two local businesses have a goal of donating $20,000 and 10,000 dozen eggs. Customers will see a prompt when paying their bill asking if they want to make a donation to United Food Bank.

March Madness at Koibito Poke this weekend

College basketball fan or not score $4 off your order when ordering online or on their app. Use promo code FINAL4 this Saturday and Sunday for this Final Four deal.

Rusty’s Beer Fest is this Sunday

Enjoy cold beers on the patio overlooking The Short Course and Camelback Mountain at Mountain Shadows Resort’s bar & grill. All the details and how to get tickets are here.

Raise a glass of rosé at Match Market & Bar

The downtown Phoenix restaurant in the Found:RE Hotel hosts its Monthly Guide to Wine featuring the perfect wine for Spring and Summer. Join the fun tasting and discussion about rosé Wednesday, April 6th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Admission is $25 and includes light fare with tickets available here.

Leila’s Empanadas celebrates National Empanada day with 2 events

Next Friday, April 8th the locally owned artisan maker of the Latin American hand held food celebrates from 4-6 p.m. at Sam’s Frozen Yogurt located at 3434 W Anthem Way, Suite 140, Anthem, AZ 85086. On Saturday Leila will be serving them up from 10 AM – Noon at Lil Miss Butcher 4705 E Carefree Hwy. Cave Creek, AZ 85331.

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.

Ofrenda brings Latin influenced cuisine and art to Cave Creek

Two creative minds in the Valley’s food scene have partnered to bring Cave Creek a restaurant like no other. Michael Stone and Carlos Marquez opened Ofrenda last week in the Stagecoach Village’s spot that was Marquez’s former Indigo Crow restaurant. In Spanish “ofrenda” means “offering” and that restaurant is inspired by the Aztec tradition where families build altars to loved ones and their eternal souls.

Stone owner of central Phoenix’s Taco Guild has wanted to partner with Marquez for some time. “After several conversations we came to a decision,” Stone said. “Both Carlos and I experienced some recent tragic losses in our lives, and then the pandemic. We decided to change the concept to something more meaningful; something that reflects our intent and feeling for the brands we create.

Throughout the two-story restaurant guests will experience not only Latin cuisine but also art in various forms around the restaurant. A focal point is metal marigold at the entrance and the “Dia des Muertos”, Day of the Dead caricatures donning windows and statues inside and out.

The foods and tequilas of Ofrenda

Marquez not only created the menu but also did much of the work around the restaurant transforming from one to another. In the kitchen he’s created a menu of salads, appetizers, tacos and entrees. Pork Empanadas and a Carbon Board of pepita hummus, carbon grilled vegetables, fried hominy, guacamole and fresh tortillas. He prepares carne asada, duck, lobster and shell on crab for taco offerings.

Entrees include a Tomahawk steak and Huarache Nopales (grilled nopales, fried blue corn masa, black beans, vegan cheese, pea tendrils, and huitlacoche); Carne (house-marinated sirloin steak, black bean puree, ash-roasted papas, and rojo).

The pair will have the largest selection of Agave liquors and are well on their way with several hundred under lock and key in the Agave Library upstairs. The gate securing the agave was built by Marquez. Signature cocktails, Mexican wines and draft beers were created and selected by beverage director Luke Detraz.

“Michael and I wanted to create this as a way to honor loved ones and those we still hold dear, whether they are close to us or far away,” Marquez said.” Ofrenda celebrates life and all those who have touched us profoundly. It’s a place to make new memories while cherishing loved ones far and near.”

Ofrenda is at 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek 85331. (480)488-2187. For more information visit their website. Open daily at 3 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. at 11 a.m. for brunch.

Cave Creek Craft Beer Festival leaps on to the festival scene.

Saturday February 29th 2020 a.k.a. Leap Day brings us the first annual Cave Creek Craft Beer Festival at the town’s Stagecoach Village. After years in the making over 30 local brewers make their way to the western town to pour beer and speak with town folk and craft beer lovers. The festival starts at 1 p.m. and goes until 5 p.m. Not a beer fan, kombucha and mead will also be poured.

Lindsey Vogt will entertain with live music and food will be available for purchase. General admission tickets are $45 and get you a sampling mug and 20 drink tickets. VIP tickets are $60 and get you early entry at 12, mug, 25 drink tickets and $7.00 food voucher. Tickets for the Cave Creek Craft Beer Festival can only be purchased online at Eventbrite.

Stagecoach Village is at 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd. with parking and shuttles from Outlaws at 6705 E. Cave Creek Rd. from 12-5:30. For more information and list of participating brewers visit their website.

 

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.

Roastery of Cave Creek celebrates 20 years with expansion plans.

The Roastery of Cave Creek (ROC2) has roasted a lot of coffee for Arizona restaurants, resorts and their customers in there 20 years of business. Celebrating their 20th anniversary in late 2017 owners David & Alison Anderson entered 2018 expanding the roastery by 40% of their estate grown and organic coffee.

As Arizona’s premier coffee roaster that supplies local restaurants Rancho Pinot Grill, Tarbell’s,  Richardson’s and Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn with their one of their 20 proprietary blends David reflects on the last 20 years.

Coffee Whisperer David Anderson of Roastery of Cave Creek

“It’s a milestone to be at 20 years and among the leading Arizona coffee producers,” said Anderson. “We’re honored to be working with some of the best chefs and establishments in the ever-expanding Arizona culinary scene, and we have some exciting plans ahead as we continue to grow.”  

Expansion plans

The Anderson’s are all in with their well-rounded business that also consults with cafes & restaurants to help with their coffee programs, menu design and more.

In November Roastery of Cave Creek acquired one of only 5 Kirsch & Mauser 25-kilo UG Retro coffer roaster in the country. The German-made roaster will allow them to roast up to 40% more coffee as they expand their footprint around Arizona.

When David and his staff aren’t in Cave Creek roasting there coffee or getting it to their customers their traveling to countries around the world to source their beans with direct relationships with plantation owners.

“I take great pride in the product we’re putting out there,” said Anderson. “My trips to origin over the last 10+ years inspired me to send my entire staff to see first-hand the people, processes and procedures to take coffee from seed to cup. It gives our team a greater level of appreciation for coffee and a real passion for their work.” 

“The Box” at the Roastery of Cave Creek

With only Whole Foods selling their beans to the public, ROC2 keeps a steel cabinet outside the roastery stocked with bags of coffee beans where people can stop by “The Box”, pick up a bag and leave money in the slot on the honor system. Staring at you from above the “The Box” is a “Karma” sign if you’re thinking of pulling a fast one.

Locals love it and people travel from all over the valley up to Cave Creek to get their beans and bring out of towners by.

ROC2 is at 7003 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek 85331. Visit https://roc2.coffee/

 

 

 

 

Binkley’s in Cave Creek to host Dukes Family wine dinner on Wed. Oct 30th

Binkley’s Restaurant in Cave Creek will be hosting a 6 course dinner paired with the wines of Dukes Family Vineyards, a Pinot Noir producer in Oregon on Wednesday, October 30th. The seasonally planned menu and wine pairing cost is $116 plus tax and gratuity per person and will include meat and seafood representative of the Fall season prepared by James Beard nominee Kevin Binkley including Elk, Sturgeon and duck breast. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and reservations are needed and can be made at binkleysrestaurant.com or 602-437-1072. Binkley’s Restaurant is at 6290 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek. Below is the menu and wine pairing.

House Cured Ham

Arugula, butternut squash jam, quince, confit cippolini onion, sumac lavosh

2011 Blushing Kate Rose

Smoked Sturgeon

Sunchoke salad, bacon, frisee, horseradish crème fraiche

2007 Nipple Hill Pinot Noir

Seared Duck Breast

Cottage cheese pancake, spiced pecans, pomegranate, red sorrel, foie gras coulis

2008 Alyssa Pinot Noir

Truffle & Porcini Pierogi

Shaved truffles, charred baby leeks, parmesan

2006 Thomas Pinot Noir

Braised Elk Shank

Blackberries, sweet potato, rapini

2005 Alyssa Pinot Noir

Epoisses Pot au Crème

Black pepper bread stick, apple, watercress

2009 Nipple Hill Pinot Noir