Tag: craft beer

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Memorial Day deals around Phoenix

Kona Grill- All weekend veterans, active-duty military, reserves, and Gold Star Families get 20% off their order. On Monday, All-Day Happy Hour for Industry Workers in the hospitality, retail & medical industries. Enjoy a $12 red, blue, and white margarita flight during the weekend.

STK Steakhouse- 20% Off for all Veterans, active-duty military, reserves, and Gold Star Families – available all weekend long. All-Day Happy Hour for Industry Workers – Hospitality, Retail & Medical – available Memorial Day only. Enjoy a $19.95 red, white, and blue steak topping – lobster tail, blue corn tortilla & garlic cream sauce.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria- All veterans and active military with i.d. will get 15% off their order on Monday, May 29th. All 7 Arizona locations are participating, not to be combined with other offers.

Lobster Fest returns to Pedal Haus Brewery June 1st

Lobstah or lobster regardless how you say it most love a good roll during the summer. Due to popular demand all 3 locations will be serving a Maine lobster roll, fries and mug of Day Drinker Light Lager for $25 during June and July.

Found: RE Phoenix has a Sip & Shop pop up June 3rd

The downtown Phoenix hotel invites guests and locals to enjoy the leisurely pop-up from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. next Saturday . The free event offers food & drink specials and brunch in Match Market & Bar, live music and stylish lifestyle brands from local vendors. RSVP at their Eventbrite page.

Coffee 101 is back at Press Coffee

The locally owned coffee roaster brings back their one hour interactive class at their Roastery and in Sprouts Farmers Market every Saturday at 9 a.m. Once completed you can impress your friends about how to smell, slurp and taste four delicious and distinctly different coffees from around the world and learn the nuances of farming, processing and roasting to determine flavors like the pros.

Bourbon & Bones now open in Peoria

The newest chophouse & bar is open 24985 N. 83rd Ave. Peoria 85383. It’s the Scottsdale based Square One Concepts third location in the Phoenix area.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

JINYA Ramen Bar opens its new location in Uptown Phoenix

Bowls of hot ramen continue to see its popularity grow even during the triple digit temperatures of an Arizona summer. That’s no more obvious than the success with JINYA Ramen Bar that opened its first Arizona location in Chandler in 2021. Last week franchisees opened their second location in historical Uptown Phoenix expanding its ramen culture around the valley. The concept was started by Tomo Takahashi in 2010 and has over 50 locations with more set to open. The Japanese philosophy of “kaizen”, meaning “continuous improvement” has JINYA giving the best ramen guests to enjoy.

“Since opening our first location in Chandler, Arizona 2 years ago, we’ve felt so welcomed by the community,” says owner Daradee Olson. “We’re excited to be in such a lively part of the city with our newest location so close to all of the economic development in the Central Phoenix area. The JINYA experience is like no other, and we just can’t wait to continue sharing it with local residents and all the visitors that flock to Phoenix from all over the world.”

JINYA Ramen Bar
Spicy Tuna Tacos- All photos courtesy of JINYA Ramen Bar

At JINYA Ramen bar guests will experience a modern Japanese ambiance while enjoying their slow cooked ramen. The rich broth is simmered for 20 hours before being combined with noodles and toppings including chashu pork, a seasoned poached egg and more. The menu offers signature ramen bowls along with build your own bowls. Signature ramen bowls include Spicy Chicken, Shrimp Wonton and Spicy Umami Miso ramen. Vegetarian and gluten free bowls are also on the menu along with Small Plates and Chef Specials of Spicy Tuna Tacos, a JINYA Bun and Pork Spare Ribs. Rice and Curry Bowls are also popular dishes. A full bar is available to enhance the customer experience to pair with ramen or Japanese tapas.

The Phoenix location is at 5120 N. Central Ave. and is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. For more information and to view the menu visit 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 from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Arizona Restaurant Week is here

The popular 10 day event kicked off last night and runs through Sunday, May 28th. Over 100 Arizona restaurants are offering a special 3-course menu for $33, $44 or $55 per person. Sponsored by the Arizona Restaurant Association, representatives recommended that you make reservations so you don’t miss out. A full list of participating restaurants and their menus are at their website.

Miner Family Wine dinner at Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse

The Carefree restaurant pairs 4 courses and dessert from Chef Anthony Apolinar with wines from the Napa Valley winery on Wednesday, May 24th. Starting at 6 p.m. guests will dine on scallops, sea bass, chicken & filet at the dinner with limited seating. A representative from the winery will be on hand to speak about the winery, wine and explain the pairings. Seats are $120++and seats can be reserved by calling the restaurant at 602-374-4784.

National Wine Day at LDV Winery

The “fruit of the vine” is celebrated next Thursday, May 25th and the Scottsdale tasting room is celebrating. From 3-6 p.m. enjoy a glass of Arizona grown & made Viognier, Rosé or Grenache for only $5.

Memorial Day at Phoenix area restaurants

Monday, May 29th we celebrate the brave men & women of our armed services.

Scottsdale’s Roaring Fork again offers their “Dinner on Us” promotion. Buy one entree and get a second free starting at 4 p.m.

All 4 Chompie’s locations give active & retired members of the military 20% off their entree or retail purchases with military ID.

Pedal Haus Brewery in Tempe, Phoenix and Chandler salute active and retired members of the military with ID with 15% off food, drink & merchandise. They’re also serving up a special Brat & Tots deal. The beer soaked brat is topped with whiskey BBQ sauce, bacon, chopped onions and shredded cheddar in a sweet toll bun. A select Pedal Haus beer comes with it to wash it down all for $14.

Summer hours start at Santé

The north Scottsdale restaurant is now closed for lunch, opening at 4 p.m. Tuesday -Friday. Saturday’s they’re open from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. for brunch and 4 -10 p.m. for dinner. On Sunday’s they’re open for the same hours for brunch then closed for dinner. They are closed all day on Monday’s.

Larger catering orders and private parties for lunch will be fulfilled and you can email them at bobbym@lovesante.com for information.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Taco Fest Phx comes to downtown Phoenix this Saturday

Taco aficionado David Tyda is back in the taco festival game with this Saturday’s Taco Fest Phx. The co-founder of the Arizona Taco Festival sold his share of several years ago but that hasn’t stopped him from eating his way through as many tacos as possible and organizing other food festivals in downtown Phoenix.

Tyda and business partner Lisa Duffield block party styled festival will be held over two city blocks near 1st St. & Moreland as the sun goes down from 6 – 11 p.m. Over 10 taco makers and more than twice as many beer, agave and spirits producers will keep the people fed and happy all night.

Taco makers will be making just one kind of taco so you can taste as many tacos as possible from Random AF Taqueria, Lola’s Tacos and Sabor A Mi and more. Firme Mezcal, Codigo 1530 and Avion Tequila will be making margaritas, craft cocktails and offering samples. Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages from Topo Loco Mineral Water, Vita Coco and Alani Premium Purified Water will keep the crowd hydrated. Local DJs Spin, Lizzy, Vinyl Vagos, CRVNT3S and DJ Big Rube will energize the crowd.

A limited amount of tickets for this 21 & over event are $40 and include a wristband for 6 alcoholic beverages. Tacos are to be purchased separate from admission tickets. Discounted Designated Driver tickets for those not drinking alcohol are $15 while supplies last. Tickets for Taco Fest PHX can be purchased at their Eventbrite page. The festival is produced by Phx Fest and presented by Phoenix Magazine and benefits Downtown Phoenix Inc.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

The Shop Beer Co. hosts inaugural Good Fest on May 13th

This Saturday, May 13th local brewer The Shop Beer Co. and Pivot Cycles will host the Good Fest at the Tempe brewery benefiting the Armer Foundation for Kids. The local non-profit’s mission is to support families whose children are facing life altering diagnoses. Saturday’s Good Fest will honor the late “Armer Kid” Logan Gidley and will feature a limited edition beer, food, live music and a bike raffle. “What The Shop Beer Co. and Pivot Cycles are doing to help us raise awareness and funds to help families like Logan’s is incredible,” said Jennifer Armer, founder of The Armer Foundation for Kids.

The festival goes from 3 – 8 p.m. with attendees enjoying local fare from Bacanora, Bad Jimmy’s and Il Bosco Pizza. The “Good Good” Double Hazy IPA will be released on Saturday, is a limited edition collaboration with The Shop Beer Co. and Missouri’s Boulevard Brewing. Artist J. Pierce designed the label paying tribute to Logan’s favorite things to do, biking, music and gaming. J.Pierce also designed the brewer’s popular and Church Music IPA label and the bike being raffled off by Pivot Cylcles. The custom painted bicycle will mimic the Church Music label and is valued at $3,000.

The Shop Beer Co. and Amer Foundation for Kids

“We personally know many of the families the Armer Foundation has supported over the years and want to do our part in giving back to help even more of our community members whose children are facing life-threatening illnesses, like Logan,” said Mikel Anne Arnce, co-founder of The Shop Beer Co.

Pivot Cycles is challenging riders of all ages to ride 13 hours before the Good Fest and to ride by The Shop Beer Co. on Saturday in Logan’s honor.  “Logan loved hitting the trails and enjoying the sunshine and it really inspired us to not only give back a bike but also continue Logan’s legacy with a #iridewithLogan challenge,” said Rachel When, Athlete Coordinator for Pivot Cycles. You can log your rides at their website and show the Pivot crew you log on Saturday to get some swag.

Tickets for Good Fest are $10 online in advance and $15 at the door. Children get in for free and can play games including cornhole, Jenga and play at a putting green. Tickets can be purchased by going to the Armer Foundation’s website. The brewery is at 922 W. 1st St. Tempe 85281.

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

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

May the 4th be with you in downtown Mesa

Myke’s Pizza, Cider Corps and Pair Cupworks celebrate Star Wars Day next Thursday starting at 7 a.m. Start your day in warp speed with a Dark Side Latte or a Blue Milk Espresso then at 11 a.m. enjoy a Luke, I Am Your Father’s Cheese Pizza or Dago Bahn Mi Pizza. Cool off with Light Saber Cider Slushie or a Mangolorian Cider. Dessert and tonic specials are also available and all are for dine-in only. At 6 p.m. the Star Wars soundtrack will set the mood and a costume contest is scheduled.

Suns playoff promotions continue in the 2nd round

With the Suns advancing to next round of the NBA Playoffs local restaurants are giving fans something else to cheers about. Old Town Scottsdale’s The Montauk offers a “Sun Burst” shot for $10 throughout the playoffs. It’s made with their dreamsicle frosè and topped with Empress 1908 Gin creating the signature orange & purple team colors. Around the corner at arcade bar The Hot Chick game day specials of $5 Suns Bru drafts, $10 Purple Haze cocktails and $10 Purple Gatorade Shots are offered.

Dave and Buster’s at Tempe Marketplace extend their Slam Dunk Deal including a free appetizer when you sign up for their loyalty program. Included in the deal are $20 Play Card and Watch menu entree of your choice for $29.99. Entrees include a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich, All-American Burger, Original and Boneless Wings and more.

Local couple opens 2nd location of Parlay Kitchen + Cocktails in Scottsdale

Kyle and Erica Walters opened their second restaurant last month at the Loop 101 & Via de Ventura 4 years after they opened in Chandler. Parlay features a menu of scratch made dishes for all palates and 24 signature cocktails. In addition to lunch and dinner they offer happy hour 7 days a week from 3-6 p.m., weekend brunch starting at 9 a.m. and live music Friday and Saturday from 6 -9 p.m.

Hundred Mile Brewing Co. hosts water drive in May

All month long the Tempe brewery and restaurant will be collecting packages of water in 12 packs or larger. Customer’s that donate water at the restaurant will receive $5 off each tables order. The water will be distributed to Tempe residents experiencing homelessness by the city’s Homeless Outreach Prevention Effort (H.O.P.E) team.

“As business in Tempe, we see ourselves as part of the community and we want to be good neighbors to everyone,” says Sue Rigler, founder of Hundred Mile Brewing Co. “We love partnering with the city and with other local businesses to support our community and we thank you for helping us help Tempe’s residents in need.”

Z Teja’s now offering new Spring seasonal menu

Warm temperatures means new cooler and refreshing dishes from Executive Chef Danny O’ Campo at the southwestern restaurant in Scottsdale and Chandler. Through July 1st guests can enjoy 5 new menu items including Fried Cauliflower, Green Chili Barbacoa filled Fried Relleno, Mango Steak Salad and Horseradish Honey Mustard Glaze Salmon. From the bar comes a Blue Raspberry Mojito to enjoy with your meal or by itself.

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

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Rusty’s Beer Fest is back at Mountain Shadows Resort

Still looking for something to do this weekend, the annual beer festival returns to the golf grill at the Paradise Valley resort. This Sunday, April 23rd enjoy up to 20 tastes of cold beer including local beers, a beer paired food buffet and raffles. The Fest goes from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and tickets are $49 at https://www.mountainshadows.com/.

A Taste of Sicily next Friday at Dolce Vita restaurant

Sicilian born owner Fabrizo highlights his home island’s cuisine next Friday, April 28th with a special dinner at his Mesa market and restaurant. The three course dinner goes from 4 – 8 p.m. and includes Insalata Vastasa then Spaghetti with Swordfish and Eggplants OR Pasta Incasciata. For the main course choose from Involtini Messinesi OR Eggplant Swordfish Meatballs. For dessert stroll the cases filled with homemade gelato. Dinner is $60++ and includes wine, without wine the cost is $50. To make reservations, call 480-218-0225.

Kentucky Derby brunch at The Boulders Resort

The “Run for the Roses” is quickly approaching Saturday May 6th and the Carefree resort has a themed brunch planned. On the patio at The Grill Kitchen & Bar from 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. guests will enjoy a mouth-watering special menu, cocktails and live entertainment with a golf course and desert views. Seats are $110 per person and reservations can be made by calling 480-488-9020 or visiting http://www.theboulders.com.

Win beer for a year from Macayo’s

Get Cinco de Mayo started early by entering online “Macayo’s Beer for a Year Sweepstakes” until Friday, May 5th. Enter to win a Dos XX and Macayo’s branded cooler and 12 24-packs of Dos XX beer. The winner will be picked and notified on or around May 6th.

A home run of a deal from the Streets of New York

During the entire baseball season, anytime the Diamondbacks play guests can receive $5 off their order of $25 or more when they use promo code DBACKSPEC. The deal is available at its 16 locations throughout Arizona.

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

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Cooper’s Hawk to open its 3rd Arizona restaurant in Gilbert

The Illinois based restaurant and winery has set May 8th as its opening day at its newest location in Gilbert. It joins the Scottsdale and Chandler locations serving a seasonal menu daily for lunch and dinner with happy hour Monday – Friday. The vast menu offers something for everybody including vegetarian, gluten-free and children’s options. A retail shop and wine bar welcomes you offering tastes of CH wines, to purchase bottles to go and to join their popular wine club. A 4th Arizona location in Surprise is set to open in the near future.

Limited edition Shazaaam! IPA available at PHX Beer Co.

The Phoenix brewery is honoring Phoenix Suns announcer Al McCoy with the release of Shazaaam! Valley Style IPA today, April 14th. 51 cases were brewed and their Phoenix taphouse will sell 4-pack cans to-go and have it on tap along with it on tap at their Scottsdale restaurant. McCoy announced his retirement at the end of this season after 51 years of announcing Suns games.

Taste of Argentina dinner at Zuzu next Thursday

A taste of South America comes to the signature restaurant at Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho next Thursday, April 20th. Argentinean wines will be paired with a multi-course menu from Chef de Cuisine Alejo Candia and Pastry Chef Maria Arenas. Courses include empanadas, Asado over hardwood and charcoal and more. The dinner starts at 6:00 p.m. and seats are $119++ per person and you can reserve your spot by calling 480-421-7997.

Pedal Haus to celebrate its Lucky 7 anniversary

The Tempe, Phoenix and Chandler locations will celebrate the lucky anniversary on Saturday, April 29th from 12 noon – 7 p.m. Since opening its Tempe location the brewery has won over 40 medals in national and international beer competitions. $7 anniversary specials include Steins, 2 Day Drinkers, Burgers & Brats and Margaritas. Guest can purchased custom scratch off tickets to win prizes with all tickets sales being donated to local dog non-profit, Almost There Rescue.

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers donates over $4,000 to local K-9 non-profit.

All 14 locations sold over 17,000 pints of Four Peaks draft beer in March as part of the restaurant’s Cold Beer Cares program. $4,300 was raised for Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association (ALECA), which helps train and support canine teams throughout Arizona. ALECA is the largest non-profit public safety K9 organization in the country.

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

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Stemistry opening 2nd location at Heritage Square

Dylan Capshaw the teenage entrepreneur and owner Stemistry celebrates the opening of his new location Sunday, March 26th. The downtown Phoenix location’s grand opening is from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. with live music, samples from vendors and a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. A portion of sales from the rose latte will be donated to the Humane Animal Rescue &Trapping Team, a non-profit that supports lost dogs and cats. Dylan opened his first coffee lab and flower shop last year in Scottsdale combining his two passions.

Pita Jungle to raise money for Waste Not on National Pita Day

Next Wednesday, March 29th customers ordering a pita sandwich will have a $1 of their order donated to Arizona non-profit whose mission is to create sustainable food systems and prevent the wasting of food. The all-day promotion is for dine-in and take-out orders at participating locations. Pita options include Mediterranean Roasted Chicken (Shawarma), Falafel Pita, Grilled Chicken Pita, Gyro, Philly Chicken and Philly Steak Pitas, The Amazing [Hummus & Chicken] Pita and vegan pita offerings.

All you can eat fish & chips at Chompie’s on Friday’s

All 4 Arizona locations have a new weekly special for guests, from 11 a.m. until closing every Friday. Get all you can eat fish & chips for $21.99 including a cup of soup or side salad, hand-dipped beer-battered cod, coleslaw, fries and tartar sauce. A single serving is available for $15.99.

Hummus Republic now open in north Scottsdale

The fast casual Mediterranean eatery is now open at The Promenade at Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. and Scottsdale Rd. Known for its build-your-own pitas, wraps and bowls you can choose your favorite base, hummus, protein and toppings. The restaurant is located near the UPS Store and Renaldi’s Deli and is open daily from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Liberty Station Tavern & Smokehouse offer new cocktails in time for Spring sipping season

The 2 north Scottsdale restaurants are now serving 8 new cocktails along with new craft beer and wines. A couple of the cocktails include Stacy’s Mom (Has Got It Goin’ On) is a gin based cocktail with fresh fruits and citrus, the lustful White Lotus combines pear brandy, prosecco simple syrup with other flavors. All cocktails are between $13 -$16.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Liquor store looks to revolutionize the customer experience

Trevor’s Liquor, popular south Scottsdale liquor store and beer & wine bar opened its second location recently and its owner are looking to give customers a more engaging and unique experience. The opening of the new Mayo Blvd. store come less than 3 years after the opening of their McDowell Rd. store.

“We are eager to build a community around our store, whether people come to Trevor’s to shop their favorite products or just to have fun,” said Jeff McDonald, owner and partner of Trevor’s Liquor. “Our team is proud to shake up the liquor store industry in Arizona to become more immersive and add elements of fun.” The Mayo Blvd. store comes after a very successful three years in which sales increased by over 28% in 2022 over 2021 sales despite opening during the pandemic.

The new 15,000 square foot store has not only a large selection of beer, wine & spirits but a tasting booth, a full bar offering beer, wine & cocktails, games, a luxury champagne room and two golf simulators. Cigar enthusiasts will find a walk-in humidor and a trendy cigar lounge along with a collection of rare and hard to find spirits.

Unlike their first location, the new location has an artisanal pizza kitchen where Executive Chef Parker Rosbrook will dish -up made from scratch pizzas and salads. Award winning mixologist and beverage director Jordan Chandler crafted their signature cocktail list using high quality ingredients and spirits. Both locations have a full calendar of events and online shopping is available on 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.

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