Tag: celebration

Chase’s Diner celebrates 20 years in business with 3 days of fun

The Phoenix metro area doesn’t lack much in the culinary world nowadays but one thing I hear is it could use a good east coast styled diner. When I hear that I correct them and say we need “more” diners and remind them that down in Chandler there is Chase’s Diner.

Owners Skip and Nancy Chase are celebrating their success of 20 years with 3 days of fun and food for the whole family October 20th-22nd.

Chase’s Diner 3 days of events

Like all diners, Chase’s serves all 3 meals and will start the celebration during breakfast at 9 a.m. on Friday the 20th with a 3 hour-long “Friend or Fair” in which Chase’s vendors will be celebrating with customers and having fun with the kids. Hickman’s Family Farms, a local supplier of eggs, will be sending the Funky Chicken and friends from the City of Chandler, Arizona Restaurant Association and Dr. Pepper will be joining the anniversary celebration.

On Saturday the 21st it’s “Giveaway Day” with the first 50 guests receiving a card getting them a free short stack of Chase’s delicious buttermilk pancakes. Those same 50 guests will also eligible to win other great prizes including  a flat screen TV, gift cards and the grand prize …. a years worth of pancakes.

Sunday will be Chase’s “Give Back Day” and will be raising money for Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. Kittens and puppies will be brought over from the shelter from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. to share their cuteness. Chase’s Diner will be matching dollar for dollar all money donated on the 22nd and will be collecting donations including collars, leashes, toys and bones throughout the month of October.

The 50s style Chase’s  Diner is at 2040 N. Alma School Rd. Chandler and is open Sun. – Thurs. from 6 a.m. – 9p.m. and Fri. & Sat. 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Sonoita Vineyards celebrates the harvest with Harvestfest

Right around the end of July is when wineries in the northern hemisphere roll up their sleeves, wake up before the sun rises and work til the sunsets. It’s harvest time when the 2-3 month process of picking the grapes when they are just right so they can be turned into wine. Some celebrate the harvest at the end  in October or November with a festival for employees and friends but Elgin’s Sonoita Vineyards starts the harvest with their annual Harvestfest.

Harvestfest events

This years Harvestfest will take place on Saturday July 29th at 10 a.m. Throughout the day their will be winery tours given by the winemaker, food and wine pairings, vineyard tours in a  wagon and a good ol grape stomp at 1;00 p.m. which you must sign up for when you arrive.

Sonoita Vineyards
Photos courtesy of Sonoita Vineyards

Purchase tickets

No reservations are required but tickets do need to be purchased. 250 General Admission tickets are available on-line for $25 and $30 at the door. GA ticket holders get to enjoy the above events and get a souvenir glass and for the first 100 people a souvenir giveaway.

Lunch can be purchased on-site from local restaurants The Steak Out and The Daily Bread Bistro along with wines by the glass.

50 VIP tickets are available for $85 per person and in addition to all of the above will enjoy a climate controlled room with a balcony, private bar, after hours party from 4-6 p.m., a lunch voucher and more.

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.sonoitavineyards.com/

What else is going on at Sonoita Vineyards

Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual St. Martin’s Sonoita AVA New Release Festival with other Sonoita wineries on Nov. 11th  Tentatively scheduled for April 7th , 2018 is the 40th Annual Blessing of Sonoita Vineyards.

Take Hwy 83 south from I-10.  Sonoita Vineyards is located 3 miles south of Elgin at 290 Elgin-Canelo Road, Elgin, AZ 85611 520-455-5893

 

 

 

Twin Peaks celebrates International Whiskey Day with their Kentucky Mule on March 27th

Another day another day celebrating a food or drink and on March 27th whiskies from around the world get their own day to shine as somebody has anointed the last Monday of March International Whiskey Day.  To celebrate the two Phoenix area Twin Peaks (Phoenix & Scottsdale) are putting a unique twist on the classic cocktail Moscow Mule with their Kentucky Mule on this festive day.

Twin Peaks will be 86’ing the vodka on this day and using Maker’s Mark Bourbon whiskey in its place for their Kentucky Mule. If you can’t make it out to Twin Peaks to toast International Whiskey Day with the brown spirit you can make your own Mule with Twin Peaks recipe below. Cheers!

Ingredients below yield 1 cocktail

1.5 oz. Maker’s Mark

.5 oz. lemon juice

.5 oz. simple syrup

2 oz. ginger beer

1 lemon wheel

1 mint spring

Directions:

Add Maker’s Mark to a copper mule mug. Add lemon juice and simple syrup and stir with a bar spoon. Top with ice and ginger beer. Garnish with a mint spring and lemon wedge.

Twin Peaks two Valley locations – Camelback (2135 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix) and Scottsdale (8787 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale). http://www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com/

 

 

5th and Wine celebrates Scottsdazzle 2016 with Sugar Plum Fairy Tea

Now that the 2016 holiday season is in full swing you’ll have plenty of opportunities to celebrate all month-long around town. One of those opportunities will be on Sunday Dec. 11th at 5th and Wine in downtown Scottsdale as they host a “Sugar Plum Fairy Tea”. The tea is part of the month-long celebration “Scottsdazzle” which kicked off last Friday with a tree lighting ceremony.

Finger sandwich photo courtesy of The Media Push
Finger sandwich photo courtesy of The Media Push

Celebrate the festive atmosphere by dressing as a princess or fairy (not required), guests will enjoy tea sandwiches, bruschetta, Caesar salad and truffles and cookies for dessert. Tea and hot chocolate will be served and for those 21+ Mimosas will be available.

The tea will take place from 2pm-4pm and cost is $40 ++ for an adult & child. Seating is limited and reservations can be made by calling 480-699-8001.

5th and Wine is at 7501 E. 5th Ave. Scottsdale 85251. http://www.5thandwine.com/

 

Vintage 95 Wine Lounge celebrates 5 years with Master Sommelier Michael Jordan and more

5 years in operation might as well be 50 years in restaurant years and in reaching its 5th anniversary downtown Chandler’s Vintage 95 Wine Lounge is celebrating all week-long from November 14th – 20th. As part of the celebration there will be Pre Fixe dinner menus, lunch, brunch & happy hour specials and “Taste Like a Master” wine tasting with Master Sommelier Michael Jordan.

Photo courtesy of Vintge 95 Wine Lounge
Photo courtesy of Vntage 95 Wine Lounge

taste like a master tasting

To start the celebration Vintage 95 welcomes Master Sommelier Michael Jordan as he is hosting a unique hands on tasting teaching wine drinkers how to taste wine, the different flavors of wine and how to recognize them. This limited seating event will consist of 5 wines paired with small bites.

Pre Fixe menus

During dinner hours diners will be able to choose from 3 Pre Fixe menus consisting of 4 courses paired with wine for $50 per person. The 3 menus to choose from are as follows….

First Menu

Grain Salad, Hayden Mills local white Sonoran berries, red quinoa, bronze barley, chickpeas, hearts of palm, orange, chopped fig, cranberry and Feta cheese with orange vinaigrette

Bowl of Smoked Tomato Bisque with grilled cheese croutons

Duck Egg, Poached duck egg, caviar, buttered leeks and crème fraiche

NY Strip,  10 oz grilled NY strip steak with bone marrow mashed potato, Brussels sprouts and a tart cherry sauce

Second Menu

Cauliflower Salad, Roasted cauliflower, blanched almonds, black currant, watercress and goat cheese with curried yogurt dressing

Creamy Celery Root Soup with celery sprout and crostini

Scallops, Three scallops with cauliflower puree, fried capers and watercress

Portobello Pasta, Sautéed Portobello mushroom, zucchini, spinach, goat cheese cream and Hayden Hills shells with a pistachio gremolata

Third Menu (Gluten Free and Vegetarian)

Beet Salad, Roasted beets, Brussels sprouts, blue cheese and an apple cider vinaigrette

Dumpling and Dashi, potato and asparagus stuffed in rice paper dumplings and vegetarian dashi

Cherries and Brie, Brie and tarragon mousse with brandied cherries and walnuts

Vegetarian Cassoulet, Carrots, mushrooms, potatoes and white beans stewed in a vegetable gravy

vintage-95-cid_image003_jpg01d23385
Photo courtesy of Vintage 95 Wine Lounge

lunch, brunch and happy hour

If you want to celebrate with Vintage 95 during the day lunch guests can enjoy a 1/2 sandwich and 1/2 salad or cup of soup for $8. Guest who stop by for brunch will enjoy appetizers, Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s and Screwdrivers for $5. Happy Hour specials include house cocktails and wine for $5.

To make reservations for dinner or “The Taste Like a Master” tasting or for more information visit http://www.vintage95.com/

 

 

 

Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen celebrates Cinco de Mayo all week with 70 years of tradition

Enchilads Bandito
Enchilads Bandito
70 years is a long time and that’s how long ago it was when Woody and Victoria Johnson opened their 1st Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen in Phoenix. In conjunction with Cinco de Mayo(May 5th) Macayo’s is celebrating for 5 days starting Sunday May 1st- Thursday May 5th at all 12 of their Phoenix area locations.

Whether you prefer Margarita de Macayo ($5), a Patron Margarita ($8), a cold Dos XX Amber or Lager ($4) or a shot of Patron tequila ($4) you can enjoy them along with a plate Enchiladas Bandito, a 3 Enchilada sampler representing the colors of the Mexican flag with a red chile enchilada, a green chile pork stew enchilada and fresh spinach enchilada all for $9.99.

Each location with be celebrating with entertainment that includes live music, pinatas, face painters and more for this special occasion.

To find a Macayo’s near you visit www.macayo.com or visit their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/macayosrestaurants

Lawrence Dunham Vineyards’ is celebrating 5 years since planting with a party.

Grapes in the Lawrence Dunham vineyards
Grapes in the Lawrence Dunham vineyards

As the grapes in Arizona’s wine county begin to awaken from their winter slumber, Lawrence Dunham Vineyards is throwing a party. It has been 5 years since the vineyard planted its first wine grapes in the Chiricahua Mountain foothills in Cochise County.

“What a journey it has been from thinking about the next phase in our lives to ending up buying 40-acres to plant wine grapes and producing wines,” said Curt Dunham owner/winemaker at Lawrence Dunham Vineyards. The winery is getting ready for the annual planting season, with fingers crossed that the cold weather is done for another year.

Owner & winemaker Curt Dunham & owner Peggy Fiandaca
Owner & winemaker Curt Dunham & owner Peggy Fiandaca

The winery has become known for full-bodied Rhone varietal wines, particularly Petite Sirah. The vineyards’ 2009 Petite Sirah was awarded 88 points from Wine Spectator Magazine. “Plush, velvety,” and “solid range and character” were all descriptors used by James Molesworth to describe Lawrence Dunham Vineyards’ first vintage 2009 Petite Sirah made from 100% Arizona estate grown grapes. Mr. Molesworth evaluates wines from the Rhone Valley, Bordeaux, Loire Valley, and South Africa for the internationally-respected publication. Our winemaking process includes processing small batches of grapes, handled very gently, which we believe creates an extraordinary mouth-feel and well-balanced flavors,” said Dunham. “This was our first vintage and I was thrilled that my vision for this wine was interpreted and recognized by such a prestigious publication.” Help Lawrence Dunham Vineyards celebrate its first five years of the grape to glass journey.

Date: Saturday, April 13, 2013; 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
$8.00 (includes wine flights, birthday cake, discounts, & other celebratory activities)
Winery Location: Lawrence Dunham Vineyards
13922 S. Kuykendall Cutoff Rd.; Pearce, AZ
More Information: 602-999-5626; http://www.lawrencedunhamvineyards.com/