If all classes were like the six offered at Summer Cocktail Camp I would’ve been an “A” student. For six weeks campers will learn the art of cocktail mixing from local mixologists while making cocktails from new recipes. For one Saturday in June and 5 Sunday’s in July and August from 1 – 3 p.m. classes will be held at restaurants around Phoenix.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://summercocktailcamp.com/ and are sold on first come, first serve basis. Last years camp sold out in only a few days. Phoenix Magazine editor Craig Outhier will be camp counselor for each weeks class along with a revolving list of mixologists. Each class is $38 and 2019’s Summer Cocktail Camp will be at…
I reported in May the owners of Clever Koi we’re opening Fellow Osteria and Pizzeria in Scottsdale. Today is opening day and the foodies in south Scottsdale couldn’t be happier. Fellow Osteria joins New York Bagels & Bialys and Bitters Bar and Food at Skysong at Scottsdale and McDowell Rd.
Born & Raised Hospitality partners Joshua James and Nicholas Campisano realized the potential the south Scottsdale neighborhood has with the new development going on. Townhouses along McDowell Rd. and a revitalized Papago Plaza coming soon this popular neighborhood needed good dining options.
The menu was designed by chef Claudio Urciuloli of Pa’la and offers a taste of the Italian countryside. Sourcing rustic pasta grains to a garden out front the partners have gone to great lengths with this ambitious project.
The all day eatery will offer food, wine, beer and craft cocktails with coffee and ice cream from Sweet Republic.
I will be visiting Fellow Osteria next week and you can follow me on Instagram @SandyWass to see what’s up.
Fellow Osteria is open Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
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.
It’s good to see when successful restaurateurs plant their flag in re-vitalized neighborhoods, especially if you live in one of those neighborhoods. That’s been the case in my backyard the last year in south Scottsdale, specifically on the Skysong campus.
Born & Raised partners Joshua James & Nicholas Campisano
The public private partnership at McDowell & Scottsdale roads has seen the opening of Bitters Bar & Food, an original concept and the third location of New York Bagels & Bialys. Come September they will be joined by Fellow, an osteria & cocktail bar from the team that’s brought us Clever Koi.
Fellow at Skysong
The all day hang out spot will cater to guests that will want to dine-in on pizza, pasta, salads and cocktails along with those on the run that want to grab n go breakfast and premium coffee drinks. The custom designed 5,000 square feet restaurant is expected to be enjoyed by office workers at Skysong along with residents from surrounding neighborhoods.
This is the third restaurant for the newly founded Born & Raised Hospitality and its partners Joshua James and Nicholas Campisano after their two Clever Koi’s in Phoenix and Gilbert. James known for his mixology skills behind the bar will craft the cocktail menu and build craft beer and around the world wine list.
With high ceilings and communal space Fellow is being designed by architects Local Studio who designed the first Clever Koi in central Phoenix. The design highlight will be a big wooden cube over the bar where 3-D Arizona landscapes of iconic Arizona locations.
With a few months before opening there are always unknowns about certain details at Fellow but on thing is for sure they will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.
One of Phoenix’s favorite Asian style restaurants is bringing it’s classic Asian dishes with modern twists and craft cocktails to downtown Gilbert as Clever Koi announced it will open in September. Clever Koi’s new location will be housed in the bricked Heritage Marketplace building where Gilbert Rd. meets Vaughn Ave.
photo courtesy of Clever Koi
Modern decor
The new restaurant will have a modern Asian decor with large glass windows, an open floor plan for the dining room and bar and a sliding glass door leading to the outdoor patio along Gilbert Ave. The exposition kitchen will allow customer to see and smell the aromas of executive chef Jared Porter’s Asian creations. The decor will have Asian style accents along with modern colors showing off Gilbert’s rustic roots. Custom tile art installations will be made by Matt Noakes of Rain Made Design in Phoenix.
Cuisine and Cocktails
Chef Porter’s menu will include the bold flavors of Asian style rice bowls, house made dumplings, steamed buns, noodles and more. The seasonal menu incorporates flavors, styles and cooking techniques found in countries such as Thailand, China, Korea, Vietnam and beyond. To compliment the flavorful food Clever Koi’s Beverage Director/Partner Joshua James will duplicate his award-winning cocktails including classic Tiki drinks and cocktails such as Paloma and Pimm’s Cup.
Happy Hour
Happy Hour will be available daily from 3-6pm and will offer specially priced food & drinks including The Koi Burger and Pork ramen among other dishes. To cool you palate at Happy Hour cold draft beers will be $4, $7 wines by the glass and your choice of 15 cocktails at $7.
Stay tuned for details about the opening and check www.thecleverkoi.com for up to the minute information.
Clever Koi in Gilbert will be at 384 N. Gilbert Rd. #101 480-284-7529 and will be opened Sun – Thurs 11am- 9pm, Fri and Sat 11am -12 midnight with Brunch on Sat & Sun 11am – 3pm.
This Tuesday June 14th is when central Phoenix’s Clever Koi will host the “Dine Out for C-CAP” fundraiser from 5pm- close. 10% of proceeds from Tuesday evenings sales will be donated to C-CAP www.ccapinc.org a national organization that assists at risk youths with preparation & scholarships for college when they study culinary arts and prepares them for careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
The hip modern Clever Koi’s executive chef Jared Porter is an alumni of C_CAP and looks forward to giving back to the program. Information will be available for diners about C-CAP and why it’s so important to the culinary industry.
Clever Koi 4236 N Central Ave #100 Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602)-222-3474 thecleverkoi.com
