Tag: Cullen Campbell

Not your typical happy hour at Bar Crudo

Who doesn’t love a good happy hour, food and drink at reduced prices to end the day. Award winning fine dining restaurant Crudo offers happy hour 5 days a week and it’s not your typical bar food, well drinks, house wine or mass-produced beers. Tues.- Thurs. from 5 p.m. til closing and Fri. and Sat. from 5 p.m.-7p.m. in the bar known as Bar Crudo is where you’ll find craft cocktails and gourmet dishes.

Bar Crudo
All photos courtesy of Crudo

Bar Crudo Happy Hour

In the front door to the left is where you’ll find Bar Crudo and be able to take advantage of 23 classic and modern cocktails for only $7 each. Refreshing summer drinks such as Daiquiri, Dark & Stormy and grapefruit tasting Paloma are just a few.

If a cold craft beer is your go to drink during the summer you’re in luck as they’re only $4 a piece. Wine enthusiasts don’t worry, worldly selections are only $6 a glass.

Bar Bites

Why not grab a bite to eat from chef & owner Cullen Campbell as he prepares gourmet bar bites such as homemade and imported cheeses such as Burricota, Grana, Ricotta and Strachiatella. Looking for protein in your meal how about the comfort of a classic Meatloaf Burger. Thick sliced meatloaf topped with Cheddar cheese, Arugula and sweet and sour agrodolce sauce means you won’t need to make dinner when you get home.

The Castlevetrano olives are smoked over local Pecan wood and offer the flavors of the Mediterranean. Don’t forget the popular Crispy Pig Ears that have been a staple at Crudo since opening. Ask yourself when was the last time you’ve seen pig ears on a happy hour menu. Even better is their topped with Fresno chile vinaigrette and chives to bring a bit of heat to this delicacy.

Crudo is at 3630 E. Indian School Rd. (around back) Phoenix 85018. http://www.crudoaz.com

 

House of Tricks celebrates its 30th anniversary all week long

One of the valley’s favorite restaurants has stood the test of time and is celebrating with a weeks worth of specials and soiree to celebrate this milestone. Tempe’s House of Tricks celebrates its 30th anniversary on September 6th by bringing back some of its favorite dishes from its 30 years serving unique and satisfying food.

When Bob and Robin Trick opened House of Tricks in 1987 it was the first fine dining restaurant in Tempe.  Since then they’ve  hosted many graduation dinners, special events, wine tastings and charities functions while still serving farm to table dishes from its small kitchen to diners enjoying the beautiful and lush patio setting just off Mill Ave. in downtown Tempe.

House of TricksHouse of Tricks alumni

Several recognizable names in the valley’s restaurant scene worked at House of Tricks including executive chef and owner of Crudo & Okra Cullen Campbell, chef Kelly Fletcher and Brent Karlicek who oversees the beverage program at Upward Projects (Postine Wine Cafe, The Windsor, Federal Pizza and more).

A week long of favorites from the past

With the help of staff, regular customers, family and friends the restaurant will be serving favorite dishes that have been 86’d over the years but will return the week of September 5th- 15th. This opportunity to try dishes will give fans of the restaurant an opportunity to stroll down memory lane and enjoy meals they never thought they’d have again.

Guests can also look forward to a special craft cocktail to commemorate the 30th anniversary created by their in-house mixologist.

30th anniversary soiree

The Trick’s also have a party being planned for the evening of November 5th where guests will be asked to don cocktail attire for an evening of wine, dancing, music and hor d’oeuvres. Still in the planning stages tickets and details for this exciting soiree will be available soon at https://www.houseoftricks.com/

 

The Arizona Seven chef collective re-unite for chef Kelly Fletcher

The local food and restaurant community can never be accused of not helping one its own or its local communities, whether it’s an unfortunate occurrence(fire, theft) or medical need of a staff member we always rally when we hear the cry.The cry went out for chef and all around good guy Kelly Fletcher(House of Tricks, El Chorro Lodge & Zen Culinary) and the medical expenses incurred when Kelly fell ill with a life-threatening infection that had him in the hospital for weeks and at rest back at home.

We heard the cry and jumped into action with 2 Fund Up meals cooked by the “Arizona Seven” chef collective at Crudo restaurant in coming weeks.

The 2 Fund Ups will feature chefs Keenan Bosworth (Pig & Pickle), Cullen Campbell (Crudo, Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails), Jacob Cutino (Homeboy’s Hot Sauce), Josh Hebert (Posh Improvisational Cuisine, Hot Noodles Cold Sake), Scott Holmes (Little Miss BBQ), Stephen Jones (The Larder + The Delta), Bernie Kantak (Citizen Public House, The Gladly) and Gio Osso (Nico, Virtù Honest Craft).

A pig for Kelly Fletcher

100% from both Fund Ups will be donated to pay the medical expenses with the 1st Fund Up taking place next Sunday June 4th for a Communal Pig Roast. Chef & host Cullen Campbell will be roasting a whole hog at his Crudo restaurant with the other 6 chefs will be preparing gourmet side dishes, sauces, desserts and more smoked meats.

Beer from local brewery Huss Brewing Co. will be poured along with wines & cocktails from The Whiny Pig and Tito’s Vodka. The family style roast starts at 2 p.m. and is $50++ per person.

Multi Course dinner

On Monday July 31st the Arizona Seven will re-unite at Crudo for a Multi- Course Dinner to help pay down Kelly’s medical expenses. The menu will be created by Kelly with the other chefs putting their unique twist on each of the courses. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. and is $150 ++ per person.

For tickets to the Arizona Seven Fund Ups go to http://7cheffundup.bpt.me/

Who are the Arizona Seven chef collective?

Chefs who own restaurants are friends more than competitors who wish all the best in the day-to-day operations of locally owned restaurant survival. To bring awareness of the local Phoenix food scene the Arizona Seven chef collection debuted in 2014 with events for all to collaborate in and showcase their talents outside of their restaurants. The goal is to bring the James Beard Award back to Arizona.

Crudo is at 3603 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix 85018.

 

Local chefs compete for best burger at Okra Cookhouse & Cocktail’s Burger Battle

Burgers, burgers and more burgers is what’s on the menu the next 4 Sundays in October as Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails hosts a weekly Burger Battle. 6 local chefs will be competing to see who has the created the tastiest burger. Starting this Sunday October 9th and for the 2 Sundays following, diners can watch the fun and taste the burgers created that will be judged by celebrity judges. Each weeks winner will compete on Sunday October 30th to see which chef has created the best burger.

Photo courtesy of Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails
Photo courtesy of Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails

Burger battle participating chefs

Here are the 6 local chefs competing and the schedule with the fun starting every Sunday at 3pm.

October 9th features Kelly Fletcher from the soon to be open Zen Culinary going up against Gio Osso of Virtu & Nico

October 16th has host Cullen Campbell of Crudo & Okra doing battle against Doug Robson of Otro.

Ocotber 23rd pits Justin Beckett of Beckett’s Table and Southern Rail against Upward Projects Chris Newstrom

October 30th is the finals for the 3 winners.

Burger Battle and brunch for C-cap

Okra will also be serving their regular Sunday specials that include all day happy hour, 1/2 off bottles of wine and mixologist Micah Olson will be creating a special cocktail & punch with Tito’s vodka for the Burger Battle. Part of the proceeds from each weeks event will go to C-CAP , a non-profit that helps get young men and women get started in their culinary arts career.

Okra is at 5813 N. 7th St. Phoenix 85014 (602)296-4147 http://www.okraaz.com

 

Crudo to host 3 Italian winemakers at dinner on Sept. 21st

Whats goes better with Italian food paired with Italian wine, not much unless you’re in the company of 3 Italian winemakers who will discuss their wines being poured and paired that evening. This will be the reality on Wed. Sept 21st when Cullen Campbell, executive chef & co-owner of the award-winning Crudo hosts a 4 course Italian wine dinner with the wines imported by Kobrand.

Attending winemakers

It’s always a treat when you get to hear the inspiration and philosophy of winemakers about the complexity that goes into making wine. With that in mind Ernes Scardova of Medici Ermite, Giovanna Moretti of Tenuta Sette Ponit and Giovanni Folonari of Tenuta Di Nozzole & Camp Al Mare will all be flying in from Italy to enjoy the company of attendees and share their passion for Italian food and wine.

Crudo menu pairing

The 4-course dinner will cost $75 ++ per person and will start at 6pm and reservations are required. Reservations can be made by calling 602-358-8666 http://www.crudoaz.com. The menu is as follows…

1st Course
Albacore Crudo | Fermented Chili & Citrus Paste| Garlic Chives
Campo al Mare Vermentino di Toscana 2014
2nd Course
Butcher’s Pate|Truffle Conserva| Noble Bread
Medici Ermete Concerto Reggiano Lambrusco 2015
3rd Course
Gargati |Two Wash Farm Ragu|Basil
Tenuta Sette Ponti “Crognolo” 2014
4th Course
Teres Major Steak|Oxtail| Roasted Fingerlings| Salsa Delle Erbe
Tenuta di Nozzole “La Forra” Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2012