Local restaurants entice Cactus League fans with food and drink specials

The games have begun for the month-long Cactus League season and Phoenix area restaurants are tempting baseball fans and locals to stop in with food and drink specials. Here are a few local restaurants to cheer your favorite team at before or after the game.

Cactuss League
Photo courtesy of Kassidy McDonald

Cactus League food specials

Fired Pie’s locations in the Phoenix area are offering game day ticket holders 10% off when they dine in after the game. To find a location near you check their website.

Thai Chili 2 Go is giving away a free dumpling appetizer at all 5 valley locations with purchase and a game day ticket stub. To find a location and hours check here.

Photo courtesy of Cider Corps

Mesa’s Cider Corps is extending their hours thru March 31st and offering a $1 off all pints when you bring in a same day ticket stub from Mesa’s Hohokam Stadium and Sloane Park. Hours are 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Mon. – Sat. with food trucks on site Fri. & Sat. http://cidercorpsaz.com/

One of Tempe’s newest restaurants Quartiere welcomes baseball fans to come check out their community driven Italian restaurant.  Until April 1st fans can bring any 2018 Spring Training ticket stub for 1/2 off an appetizer or entrée when you purchase an entrée. Pizzas, pastas, salads and more are available at Quartiere

McFate Brewing is bringing fans attending games at Scottsdale Stadium a pop-up beer garden beyond the center field fence at The Clayton House. On game day the beer garden opens 90 minutes before game time with live music, food and of course beer.  No ticket necessary.  The Clayton House is at 3719 N. 75th St. Scottsdale.

 

Volstead Public House continues vegan menu as it becomes Nile Cafe

Update: The February 28th groundbreaking has been postponed. Stay tuned for when It will be re-scheduled. The $5 Reggie special & Free coffee w/ purchase of t-shirt will still be honored on the 28th.

The downtown Mesa music scene wouldn’t be the same without the Nile Theater. To keep going strong they’re going to give their vegan restaurant Volstead Public House a new name, Nile Cafe. The new name will begin efforts to re-brand and market the theater in the 21st century.

All photos courtesy of Boyd Harrington

Starting on February 28th renovations will begin on the facade outside the theater with a groundbreaking ceremony with Mesa Mayor John Giles and others in attendance.

“The logo and joining of the café and theater are final seal on the work we have been doing since taking over the space 7 years ago,” said Michelle Donovan of the Mantooth Group. “The rebranded ties all our efforts together into one complete package and gives us room to grow into what The Nile really has always been – a focal point of entertainment and community for Downtown Mesa.”

The Nile Cafe food specials

After the 10:30 a.m. ceremony the new Nile Cafe will offer an all day food and drink special from their all plant-based menu. Guest can enjoy a FREE cup of coffee when you purchase a new Nile t-shirt and the popular Reggie vegan grilled cheese sandwich will be available for only $5.The menu created by Donovan offers vegan diners dishes like The Squawker Texas Ranger ($9.99) with vegan chicken drenched in buffalo sauce, My Boy Blue Sandwich ($9.99) with blueberry BBQ fried chicken, and The Philly ($8.50) with vegan steak sautéed in green and yellow peppers, onions and the café’s special marinade. The café also has daily scones and pastries, coffee, tea and beer.

The Nile music scene

The Nile dates back to 1924 as movie and music venue with multiple music genre’s playing there to fans. 4 bands will return on the 28th to help solidify The Nile Theater as a cornerstone of downtown Mesa. Senses Fail, Reggie , The Full Effect and Have Mercy have played The Nile in the last 20 years and return to the stage to celebrate the day.

“These groups bring back a lot of memories from coming to The Nile when I was in high school and college, and now as the owner,” Donovan said

The Nile is at 105 W. Main Street in Mesa 85210 TheNileTheater.com

Just in time for spring Pomelo at The Orchard offers Happy Hour all day

The arrival of spring last week means longer days and a longer opportunity to enjoy Happy Hour at Pomelo at The Orchard daily from 11 a.m – 6 p.m. No better way to enjoy this great weather indoors or out at this former citrus farm turned restaurant, ice cream and candy store.

Pomelo Happy Hour

During Happy Hour guest can enjoy $5 cocktails, $6 specialty cocktails, $5 glasses of wine, $1 off beers and a menu of special appetizers in the bar and lounge. You can also try the signature Bellissimo cocktail made with Pomelo’s own Pomelo Vodka, Blackberry Thyme syrup, fresh grapefruit juice and sparkling wine.

Daily Specials

If a 7 hour Happy Hour isn’t motivating you enough to visit Pomelo maybe these daily specials will.

Monday and Tuesday—All day a pizza and select bottle of wine is just $20.

Wednesday—All day it’s just $10 for two tacos and a house margarita.

Thursday—From open to close a Grass-Fed Burger and Beer is just $13.

Friday—Start the weekend early with happy hour from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the bar and lounge area.

Saturday and Sunday—Brunch is served from until 4 p.m. and there are $5 Mimosas, Bloody Marys or Sangria available.

Pomelo at The Orchard is at 7100 N. 12th St. Phoenix 85020 (602)633-2442 http://www.pomelophx.com/

 

Chef Charles Wiley to open Hearth ’61 at new Mountain Shadows resort

A lot has been going on the last few years at the corner of 56th St & Lincoln Dr. in Paradise Valley as the old Mountain Shadows resort makes way for the new & modern Mountain Shadows resort. Phoenix area foodies have been anxiously awaiting what popular chef Charles Wiley will be doing with the resorts signature restaurant. We now know he will be opening Hearth ’61 in early March.

The seasonal ingredient driven restaurants name Hearth ’61 pays tribute to 1961, the year Paradise Valley was incorporated and a “Hearth” being a centerpiece of the resort and the Paradise Valley community.

Duncan carrots

Chef Wiley will be using his friendships he’s built over the years at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain and at Hotel Valley Ho’s Zuzu with farmers and other local purveyors to fuel his menu that will marry rich flavors with traditional cooking styles and techniques on the evolving menu. The restaurant will be open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A few of the dishes from the menu are…..

Niman Ranch Dry Aged Tomahawk- A 40-oz. bone in rib-eye, dry aged 28 days, roasted garlic, rosemary truffle butter

George’s Bank Sea Scallops – sauce romesco, buttered mushrooms, ancient barley, charred spring onion, fennel pollen

Charred Eggplant & Hayden Mills Ancient Grains – red quinoa, white sonora & farro berries, shiitake mushrooms, asparagus, roasted peppers, ricotta salata

Ginger Roasted Carrots – tahini yogurt, chervil

Floor to ceiling windows to view the surrounding Camelback & Mummy Mountains and desert, a sunken living room lounge, open kitchen and above ground wine cellar surrounded by glass are just a few of the design and decor features that honor a time from the past along with modern ambience.

The 5’s courtesy of Hearth ’61

“It is truly an honor to be a part of this iconic project, the rebirth of Mountain Shadows,” said Wiley. “We will rely on all the relationships we’ve cultivated over the years with local farmers and artisans to craft a rustic yet vibrant cuisine. The culinary team we’ve assembled is nothing less than extraordinary, and we’re excited to present menus featuring a perfect balance of innovation and tradition”.

The inventive menu of chef Wiley’s at Hearth ’61 will be complimented by an ingredient driven cocktail program that features 2 original cocktails, The 5 C’s referring to Arizona’s cotton, copper, cattle , citrus and climate industries which will feature locally distilled Commerce Gin, grapefruit & lemon juice and muddled basil leafs. The Forty-Rod which uses High West whiskey, corn milk, lime juice, ginger – cayenne syrup and garnished with a corn husk is inspired by the strong whiskey drinks of the old west.

 

 

 

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

The new year means new menu items at Burger Theory

As the new years rolls in Phoenix’s Burger Theory rolls out new menu items for those who will quickly forget their new year’s resolutions. Burger Theory already puts unique twists on the classic burger and with these additions they will be spicing it up with the Ultimate Sriracha burger and the On the Border burger. A Breakfast burger has also been added for those who like breakfast all day.

All the burgers on the menu use Angus chuck, brisket and short rib beef  for their single and double patty burgers.

New non-burger menu items include Crispy Fish Sandwich, Sriracha Steak Salad and Nacho Fries and the sweet signature dessert Apple Crumb Mason Jar. Over 30 local craft beers are poured to wash down your burger, salad or sandwich.

Below is a list of all the new menu items at Burger Theory.

Nacho Fries – Creamy nacho cheese, bacon, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole and served with ground beef or chicken. 9

Sriracha Steak Salad – Mixed greens, tomato, red onions, cucumber, bleu cheese and Sriracha ranch dressing.  13

On the Border – Angus chuck, brisket and short rib patty, melted pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo, grilled onions, guacamole, lettuce and KGB sauce. 11

Ultimate Sriracha – Angus chuck, brisket and short rib patty, melted Swiss cheese, lettuce, bacon, grilled onions, tomato, Sriracha mayo. 12

Breakfast Burger – Angus chuck, brisket and short rib patty, melted cheddar cheese, bacon, fried egg, roasted garlic mayo and KGB sauce. 11

Crispy Fish Sandwich – Parmesan panko crusted cod filet, tartar sauce, shredded lettuce and a toasted potato bun. 11

Spicy Chicken Wrap – Crispy chicken tenders, buffalo sauce, lettuce, tomato, bleu cheese dressing wrapped in a flour tortilla. 12

Oven Roasted Chicken – Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, chicken gravy and grilled vegetables. 18

Sriracha Ribeye – Ribeye house marinated in a Sriracha glaze, smashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. 24

Apple Crumb Mason Jar – House made apple pie filling is layered with cinnamon apple pie crumble, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. 5

Burger Theory is at 4401 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix 85008. Next to the Holiday Inn. http://burgertheoryphx.com/

 

Pillsbury Wine Co. pairs wine with food at House of Tricks for exclusive dinner.

Sam Pillsbury owner & winemaker of Pillsbury Wine Co. will be pouring his wines alongside the flavorful foods prepared by the House of Tricks kitchen on Thurs. Jan. 12th 2017.

The evening will include a four course dinner along with wines direct from the winery in Cochise County where Sam grows and produces his award winning wines.

Photo courtesy of House of Tricks

As you sip your wine & savor the flavorful foods Sam will be talking about his wines, the Arizona wine industry and why the wine & food for the dinner were paired with each other.

The setting for the dinner is the highly acclaimed House of Tricks in downtown Tempe that is know for it’s seasonal menu of local ingredients, creative wine list and intimate dining patio dining.

August is National Sandwich Month and Miracle Mile Deli offers deals all month long

New Yorker sandwich
New Yorker sandwich
Americans eat more than 300 million sandwiches everyday and even more will be eaten in August as it’s National Sandwich Month. Locally owned Miracle Mile Deli is doing their part by offering 4 different made-to-order deli sandwiches each week for only $9.

August 1-7: The New Yorker—Hot Pastrami topped with homemade coleslaw and Miracle Mile Dressing. It’s a little taste of New York’s best in every bite!

August 8-14: The Hot Brisket of Beef—A family recipe of the most tender and leanest beef that simply melts in your mouth.

Hot Brisket Sandwich
Hot Brisket Sandwich
August 15-21: The Combo Sandwich—The perfect combination of Miracle Mile Deli’s two most popular meats, Hot Pastrami and Hot Corned Beef, stacked together for one tasty meal!

August 22-31: The Straw—Hot Pastrami, melted Swiss cheese and steamy sauerkraut piled high on your favorite bread.

Hot Pastrami sandwich
Hot Pastrami sandwich
Miracle Mile Deli is located at 4433 N. 16th Street in Phoenix, just two blocks south of Camelback Road. www.MiracleMileDeli.com