Sips & Bites: News you can use from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

New menus debut at Zuzu

The signature restaurant at Old Town Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho recently debuted the new menu from Executive Chef Russel LaCasce. Hotel guests and locals can choose from a Steak & Potato Skillet, Strawberry Crème Brûlée French Toast, the Hot Hot Chicken Sammie and more on the everyday brunch menu.

The dinner menu now includes Grilled Portuguese Octopus, a Slow Braised Pork Shank, Pan-Seared Diver Scallops and more. Save room for the Blood Orange Panna Cotta, Double Dark Chocolate Cake and other desserts from new Pastry Chef Maria Arenas. Reserve your table by calling 480-421-7997.

3rd Tuesday Dinner next week at Romeo’s Euro Cafe

The popular cafe in downtown Gilbert still has seats left for its monthly dinner on Tuesday, April 19th. The three course dinner is paired with wines from around the world to complement each dish chosen by his staff. The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and reservations can be made by calling 480-962-4224.

Eat Up Drive In celebrates its 1st anniversary

Starting Monday, April 18th through Sunday, April 24th the Arcadia restaurant will be serving up iced teas, lemonades, including their new seasonal cucumber lime lemonade, French fries and their famous gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, all for just one dollar each.

After a 2 year hiatus Foodstock is back next weekend

Over 55 food trucks will be heading back to the Peoria Sports Complex for the return of Arizona’s favorite food truck festival. The family friendly event is next Saturday, April 23rd from 4-10 p.m. Admission is $5 with children under 12 getting in for free. The event is a collaboration between Get Local Arizona Events and Peoria Diamond Club with all the proceeds from the gate going to feed hungry children in the west valley.

Huss Brewpub ready to open at Phoenix Convention Center

It’s been a long 2 plus years that I wrote about the local brewery opening in downtown Phoenix and a longer four years of planning for co-owners Jeff and Leah Huss. It’s about to pay off next Wednesday, April 20th on Monroe St. between 2nd and 3rd St. on the Convention Center’s north facade.

As part of the celebration one lucky winner will win a “Season Table at the Brewpub”. The winner and 3 guests will enjoy a table for 24 games with the reservation guaranteeing them a table during busy times. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 18th on social media in time for the Phoenix Suns playoff rally.

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Founders Food Fest part of LPGA Founders Cup festivities

The LPGA’s Founders Cup tournament pulls into north Phoenix in March and with it will be inaugural Founders Food Fest. The golf tournament at the Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa celebrates its 10th anniversary with week-long festivities and the two day food festival will be on Saturday and Sunday March 21st & 22nd and will feature at seven food trucks each day.

“The Founders Cup prides itself on being the ultimate family golf experience in the Valley, and that now includes this fun and tasty event for golf enthusiasts and foodies alike,” said Scott Wood, tournament director. “We’ve selected the most popular trucks in Phoenix for a food tour guests can enjoy while watching the best players in the LPGA compete this spring.”

Founders Food Fest
Photos courtesy of Ivan Morales at Evolve Marketing & PR

Once inside guests can get their “passport” stamped at each food truck then redeem a fully stamped “passport” for drink tickets at the 1950’s Club, an exclusive tented area on the 9th green.

Saturday’s food trucks include Short Leash Hot Dogs, Ice Cream Sociables and Wok this Way.

Sunday guests can taste dishes from Flying K BBQ, Paletta Betty, Chef Wade’s Bistro on Wheels and more.

Tickets for the Founders Food Fest are $65 per day plus tax when purchased on line and $125 for a weekend pass. Wildfire Golf Club is at 5350 E. Marriott Dr. Phoenix 85054.

 

Street Eats Food Truck Festival tickets now on sale.

In days your new year’s resolutions will be shot to hell and you’ll still be writing 2018 on documents. With holiday season almost behind us it’s time to focus on the food events of 2019 in the Phoenix area. The Street Eats Food Truck Festival is one of the first food festivals and returns to Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

Food truck fans save the date of February 16th & 17th when over 60 of the Phoenix areas best food trucks show up to serve their fans. Many Phoenix restaurants started as food trucks and many restaurants now offer food trucks to serve up their food.

From 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day people can sample $2 foods, enjoy live music and food contests on the grass fields. Kids can join the fun as their will be a big kid’s zone for them.

Street Eats Food Truck Festival tickets & participants

No matter your diet or mood there is a food truck in attendance for everybody. Popular food truck Mediterranean Majik, Bama BBQ 4 Ever, Press Italian Street Food and Queso Good are a few food trucks announced.

General Admission tickets are $12 each and VIP tickets are $75. VIP tickets get 6 drink tokens, 4 food tokens private bathrooms and access to the lounge. Kids under 12 and parking are free.

For more information and to purchase tickets click here. Salt River Fields is at 7555 N. Pima Rd. Scottsdale.