Tag: central Phoenix restaurants

Sierra Bonita Grill goes back to its roots with new menus

Change is inevitable in restaurants, some changes follow food trends, decor, some are changes in a brand and customer service. Some changes come often with seasonal availability of ingredients. Some changes are years in the making  and that’s the case at Sierra Bonita Grill.

This is the restaurants first major menu change since 2011 and is about getting back to its roots and paying tribute to Sierra Bonita Ranch. The ranch down in Wilcox is Arizona’s oldest continuous family run ranch and where the restaurant got its name.

The popular central Phoenix restaurants menu is influenced by Southwestern and Mexican cuisine but owner Nate Hopper wanted more of a western influence.

Vegetable Noodles and Shrimp. All photos by Debbie Wolvos

“When I first learned about Sierra Bonita Ranch, I knew that I wanted Sierra Bonita Grill to honor our state’s ranching heritage. The updated menu now puts more emphasize on ‘out on the range’ cowboy-style cooking, while still integrating ingredients prominent in Mexican and Native American cuisine. We’re representing the old west, with a modern approach,” said Hopper.

“From the Ranch” at Sierra Bonita Grill

Longtime favorites Buttermilk Chicken, Grilled Fish & Carne Asada Tacos, Smoked Red or Green Chile Pork Roast and the SBG Signature Burger are staying along with others.

Guests will notice separate lunch and dinner menus with lighter options at lunch and heartier dishes at dinner. Included are more salads like the Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with grilled shrimp ($16) and The Bacon Wedge Salad ($16).

Other lighter menu additions include Vegetable and Noodle Shrimp ($28) and Avocado Toast ($10).

Sierra Bonita
Bacon Wedge salad.

The biggest change on the dinner menu is the “From The Ranch” section featuring steaks, chops and chicken. A few include a 14 oz. NY Strip ($38), an 18 oz. split bone-in Ribeye ($42), a 10 oz. bone-in Pork Chop (24) and half roasted chicken ($27). Entrees come served with a choice of side dish and homemade sauce.

Side dishes include a baked potato, seasonal vegetables, green chile mac ‘n’ cheese or green chile scalloped potatoes. Choose a sauce from a selection of horseradish cream, roasted tomatillo, roasted guajillo chile au jus, and chimichurri.

Sierra Bonita Grill is at 6933 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Ariz., 85014. 602-264-0700 To see their new menus check out their website.

 

Luci’s to raise money on National Lemonade Juice Day

Lemonade, that cool refreshing drink and one of my favorite beverages celebrates it’s own day on Wednesday August 29th. On National Lemonade Juice Day Luci’s Healthy Market Place & Luci’s at the Orchard will donate all proceeds from sales to local school New Way Academy.

The lemonade will be donated by Tempe’s Sun Orchard Juicery and be sold for $5 for an 8 oz. glass. Guests who purchase a glass will be entered to win a Luci’s gift card, hat and shirt.

New Way Academy is an K-12 independent day school that caters to children with learning differences including dyslexia,  ADHD and executive functioning difficulties. For those that can’t make it by Luci’s on the 29th donations can be made at https://newwayacademy.org/support-new-way/abc-form/

Luci’s Healthy Market Place is at 1590 Bethany Home Rd. Phoenix 85014.

Luci’s at the Orchard is at 7100 N. 12th St Phoenix 85020. https://lucisurbanconcepts.com/

Across the Pond to take over space vacated by Central Wine

The owners of Clever Koi and soon to open Fellow Osteria wasted no time when neighbor Central Wine closed to start working on cocktail bar Across the Pond. Slated to open in the fall Across the Pond will be an intimate cocktail bar that features 10 unique custom cocktails, Japanese whiskey, craft beers and wine.

Partners Nicholas Campisano and Joshua James have the designed space to give the bar a  “tropical mid-century modern” look.

“We’ve been looking to add a cocktail bar to the B&R portfolio for a while now, and had been looking all over the Melrose district,” James says, “But we always kept an eye on the Central Wine space. So when the previous tenant’s lease came up, it worked out great for both parties.”

Across the Pond bites and drinks menu

Traditional Japanese sushi (no rolls), bar bites and omakase a.k.a. “chef’s choice” dishes will be served from Clever Koi. The three types of fish used for sushi and omakase  will be sourced from local fish monger Chula Seafood.

James will create a cocktail menu with handcrafted selections that will emphasis Japanese whiskey and served in traditional highball style.

The name, James emphasizes Across The Pond is not a British-style pub, but a casual cocktail bar with Asian accents. “‘The Pond’ was always our nickname for Clever Koi on Central, so it was obvious to name it, Across The Pond.”

The 35 seat bar will be open Wednesday – Saturday from 4:00 p.m. til midnight. Across the Pond is at 4236 N. Central Ave. Phoenix 85012.

Farm & Craft to open along 7th Street restaurant row in Phoenix

Scottsdale’s Farm & Craft is set to open its 2nd location in the spot recently vacated by The Herb Box at The Colony along the popular 7th St. corridor in north central Phoenix. Riot Hospitality Group, owner of Farm & Craft and other local restaurants and bars plans to open the new location in early 2018 after the renovations are complete.

Photos Captured by Peter Speyer | Speyer Photography

Farm & Craft offers guests a healthy and sustainable food and drink menu all in a fast casual atmosphere during breakfast and lunch and a full service restaurant experience during dinner.  The menu will be similar to that of  the Scottsdale location and guests will notice a different design to the Phoenix location as the neighborhood it serves is different and the owners like to adapt to those differences.

“We are very excited to open another Farm & Craft in the Valley,” says Ryan Hibbert, CEO of Riot Hospitality Group. “We saw an opportunity to bring this unique concept to The Colony and we plan to continue to grow the brand.”

Farm & Craft
Photos Captured by Peter Speyer | Speyer Photography

The Wellness Menu offered at Farm & Craft focuses on optimal health through four specific philosophies, “anti-inflammatory diet”, “increasing pro-biotic levels”, “maintaining a high level of anti-oxidants” and “reducing overall stress”. This is done by working with local suppliers to create a menu that uses ingredients that are local, gluten-free, hormone free, organic and sustainable.

Photos Captured by Peter Speyer | Speyer Photography

Farm & Craft offers a juice program that features cold pressed juices and “Kombucha Cocktails”. Signature “Cold Pressed Cocktails” use organic spirits are available at the indoor/outdoor bar as are local beers and unique wines poured from the tap.

With the 2016 opening of the Scottsdale location and the anticipated success of the Phoenix location, Riot Hospitality plans to continue to expand the Farm & Craft brand locally and nationally.

Farm & Craft will be at 5538 N. 7th St. Phoenix 85014.

A relaxing all day Cinco de Mayo at Sierra Bonita Grill

Cinco de Mayo celebrations come in all shapes and sizes on Friday May 5th and not everybody wants shots of tequila, loud music or parties in to early Saturday morning. Some prefer to celebrate with a relaxing lunch, a refreshing margarita or an after work Happy Hour with friends or co-workers. If that’s your plan continue reading about what central Phoenix’s Sierra Bonita Grill is serving up.

A Cinco de Mayo margarita

Cinco de Mayo Margaritas

Starting at 11 a.m. SBG will be offering their popular Fresh Squeezed Margarita and Pomegranate Margarita for only $5 until they close. These thirst quenching margaritas are made with tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice, a splash orange juice, orange liqueur, house made sweet and sour mix, agave nectar and PAMA liquor.

Lunch and extended Happy Hour

Lunch goes well with margaritas and SBG is serving up 5 tempting lunch specials for $12 until 3 p.m. Guests can choose from Jalapeño Chicken Pasta, Green Onion, Spinach and Cheese Enchiladas served with rice and beans, Chicharron and Potato Taquitos, Red Chile Pork Tostadas, and a Green Chile-Chicken Quesadilla.

If you can’t get in early for lunch SBG is extending their Happy Hour from 3 p.m. until closing. in the bar with cocktails, appetizers and entree items available for $7. Signature cocktails such as Miguel’s Mule, Sangria or the Daiquiri Anos will be available along with dishes that include Carne Asada Street Tacos, a Sonoran Hot Dog and Borracho Nachos.

Sierra Bonita Grill is at 6933 N. 7th St., Phoenix, Ariz., 85014. 602-264-0700 http://www.sierrabonitagrill.com/

 

 

MATCH Cuisine & Cocktails now serving brunch on weekends

If you’re like me, an early riser who eats breakfast well before the sun rises during the winter months, it means you probably want lunch when some still have not had breakfast. This common occurrence is best served on weekends when many restaurants serve brunch to appease both the early & late risers. Now you can enjoy brunch at MATCH Cuisine & Cocktails on Sat. & Sun. from 10:20 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.

MATCH Cuisine photos courtesy of Je-Hyen Valdez

Inside the FOUND:RE Hotel in Phoenix MATCH Cuisine started 2017 by serving brunch that will evolve over time to include Executive Chef Akos Szabo’s take on Dim-Sum but currently includes a menu that is inspired by food from around the world with ingredients that come from closer to home. A few of the delicious brunch menus dishes include……

Filipino Chile Relleno with longanisa sausage, mozzarella, charred tomato, cojita cheese and Mexican oregano, $14
Adela’s Enchiladas with top knot farm chicken, salsa verde, avocado crema and crisp lettuce
Braised Korean Rib Lettuce Wraps with pickled carrots, coriander, Thai basil, gochujang aioli, lime and salted cashews, $15
Not Your Basic Chick with a sweet potato waffle, crispy fried chicken and Caribbean hot sauce, $13
Additional menu items include organic yogurt & granola parfait with seasonal berries at $9 and the Plato Paisa with wood grilled steak, plantains, crispy chicharrones, longanisa sausage, avocado, black beans, crema and fried eggs ($21).
MATCH Cuisine & Cocktails and FOUND:RE Hotel is at 1100 N. Central Ave. Phoenix 85003. http://www.MatchPHX.com