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.

February specials at Serrano’s

Throughout the month of February the family owned Mexican restaurants are featuring 3 dishes on the menu. Chichalada is a fried masa patty stuffed with chicharrones (fried pork bites similar to bacon), onion, cilantro and queso fresco, and topped with tomatillo sauce and crema is served with one side of your choice for $10.99.

The Phat Elvis is part of the Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge and features Tagalongs Graham cracker crust, peanut butter cheesecake, whipped cream and crumbled Girl Scout Tagalongs mixed with bananas and topped with chocolate ganache, brown-sugar bacon and a bonus Tagalong cookie for $7.99. The Strawberry Margarita is the Drink of the Month is $6.99.

All four locations are looking to hire both front and back of the house employees with on the spot walk in interviews every Wednesday from 2 – 4 p.m. Apply online if you can’t get to there on Wednesday’s.

Outdoor dining coming to Nook Kitchen

The Arcadia restaurant will increase capacity by 50 seats when their new covered patio opens. Owner Frank Vairo always envisioned al fresco dining at the restaurant but couldn’t get the city of Phoenix to approve it until it became a necessity during the Covid outbreak. The restaurant remains open for dinner and late night dining on Friday & Saturday’s til 2 a.m. during construction with reservations recommended.

Brick Road Coffee opens in Tempe

Co-owners and husbands Gabe Hagen and Jesse Shank opened their new coffee shop with the Wizard of Oz philosophy of acceptance and self-realization. All are welcome to enjoy a sense of community and art with their daily cup of Joe. Custom made murals by local artist Paige Reesor and L.A. artist Corrie Mattie adorn the walls and gender neutral restrooms. Coffee is supplied by local roaster CULT Artisan Beverage Company and pastries are from Tempe’s Squarz Bakery. Brick Road is on Rural Rd. just south the the 60 Freeway.

Koibito Poke adds a Keto bowl to the menu

Those on the high fat, low carb Ketogenic diet can now get the cauliflower based bowl packed with tuna & salmon, cucumber, green onion, kale, brussel sprouts, Sriracha aioli and topped with sesame seeds. The Keto bowl is available for dine-in, take-out and delivery.

LDV Winery receives 2 awards from prestigious wine competition

The San Francisco Chronicle 2022 Wine Competition announced the Arizona winery took home a gold and silver medal for their 2015 “The Signature” Petite Sirah in the $46 and over category and their 2015 Petite Sirah in the $40- $45.99 category. The competition had 45 judges from the trade, media, retail and hospitality industry and more 5,800 wines from North America were entered.

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.

 

Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge is on until Feb. 28th

Have you had your share of Girl Scout cookies in the last month, I know those kids are everywhere hawking their boxes of Thin Mints, Samoas, Savannah Smiles and other irresistible varieties, I like the Toffee-tastics myself. I know their hard to resist both the cute kids selling them & the cookies themself but if you’ve resisted, now may be the time for a sweet surrender as the there is only a 9 days left in the Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge.

Through Feb. 28th many Phoenix area & Flagstaff restaurants are participating in the 4th annual Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge by creating a dessert with cookies as an ingredient. Portions of the sales of the desserts will go to the Girl Scouts around the Phoenix  & Flagstaff community.

Chefs creating these delicious desserts are hoping to inspire the home chefs to buy an extra box or 2 of Girls Scout cookies before March 5th and create their own dessert. If you are up for the challenge or visit a participating restaurant and order the dessert, snap a picture of your dessert or you & your family eating it and post on social media with #dessertchallenge tag.

If you don’t know any Girl Scouts or have been under a rock and can’t find them selling their cookies around town visit http://www.girlscoutsaz.org/  or download the Cookie Finder app.

Participating in this years challenge are…..

347 Grill at the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin CircDessert Designer: Frank Abeyta

Assigned Cookie: Samoas

Dessert: UltraStar Samoa Brownie Parfait

Cost: $3.95 Details: 16000 N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa www.ultrastarakchin.com

 Char Kitchen + Bar

Dessert Designer: Peter and Pal Micakaj

Assigned Cookie: Thin Mints

Dessert: Chocolate Mousse with Thin Mint Crumble

Cost: $8  6107 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale www.charkitchen.com

Chompie’s – All Valleywide Locations

Dessert Designer: Neal “The Chomper” Borenstein

Assigned Cookie: Thin Mints

Dessert: The Mint Cheesecake

Cost: $5.99 To find a Chompie’s near you  www.chompies.com

Churn

Dessert Designer: Jada Shiya

Assigned Cookie: Savannah Smiles

Dessert: Savannah Smile ice cream

Cost: $3.50/per regular scoop 5223 N. Central Ave., Phoenix; 602.279.8024; www.churnaz.com

 Compass Arizona Grill at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix

Dessert Designer: David Duarte

Assigned Cookie: Tagalongs

Dessert: Tagalong Crunch Bar

Cost: $8 122 N. 2nd Street, Phoenix; 480-440-3166; www.compassarizona.com

Coup des Tartes

Dessert Designer: Ron Pacioni

Assigned Cookie: Thin Mints

Dessert: Decadent Thin Mint Chocolate Tarte

Cost: $9 1725 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix; 602-212-1082; www.nicetartes.com

Drexyl Modern American

Dessert Designer: Scott Paget

Assigned Cookie: Tagalongs

Dessert: Tagalong Cookie Dark Chocolate Sphere

Cost: $11 8877 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480-840-1861; www.drexlyusa.com

 Flower Child – All Locations

Dessert Designer: Peder Bondhus

Assigned Cookie: Toffee-tastic

Dessert: Toffee-tastic Chocolate Pudding

Cost: $5 To find a Flower Child near you  www.iamaflowerchild.com

Fresko Mediterranean Kitchen

Dessert Designer: Janna Harris

Assigned Cookie: Savannah Smiles

Dessert: Melopita (Greek Honey Cake)

Cost: $4.50 5033 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix (Ahwatukee); 480-940-3669; www.freskokitchen.com

 Jalapeño Inferno – All Locations

Dessert Designer: Terry Craig

Assigned Cookie: Trefoils

Dessert: Girl Scout Banana Cream Pie

Cost: $5 20825 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale; 480.513.8332; www.jalapenoinferno.com

Lumberyard Brewing Company (Flagstaff)

Dessert Designer: Richard Kimball

Assigned Cookie: Trefoils

Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake Parfait

Cost: $4.95 5 S. San Francisco Street, Flagstaff; 928-779-2739; www.lumberyardbrewingcompany.com

Olive + Ivy

Dessert Designer: Kelli Sappington

Assigned Cookie: Trefoil

Dessert: Trefoil Cherry Cheesecake Gelato

Cost: $3.25 per scoop 7135 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale; 480-751-2200; www.foxrc.com

Proof Canteen at the Four Seasons Scottsdale Resort Troon North

Dessert Designer: Calena Srutowski

Assigned Cookie: Do-si-dos

Dessert: Triple Decker Do-si-do Delight

Cost: $10 10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale; 480-513-5085; www.proofcanteen.com

 Rhythm & Wine

Dessert Designer: Terry Craig

Assigned Cookie: Trefoils

Dessert: Girl Scout Banana Cream Pie

Cost: $5 7605 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale; 480-478-6999; www.rhythmandwine.com

Rusconi’s American Kitchen

Dessert Designer: Dave Rico

Assigned Cookie: Samoas

Dessert: Chocolate Chunk Samoa Pecan Pie

Cost: $8 10637 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix; 480-483-0009; www.rusconiskitchen.com

 Silver Pine Restaurant at the Little America Hotel (Flagstaff)

Dessert Designer: Vanessa Ronspies

Assigned Cookie: Samoas

Dessert: Samoa Tiramisu

Cost: $8 Inside the Little America Hotel at 2515 E. Butler Avenue in Flagstaff; 928-779-7900; www.littleamerica.com

 Sorso Wine Room

Dessert Designer: Paige Murphy

Assigned Cookie: Thin Mints

Dessert: #MintHappens Chocolate Mint Cheesecake Mousse

Cost: $7 15323 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480-951-4344; www.sorsowineroom.com

 The Crepe Club

Dessert Designer: Omar Tarabichi

Assigned Cookie: Tagalongs

Dessert: Tag-a-Crepe-Along

Cost: $7.95 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix; 602-956-0087; www.thecrepeclub.com

 The Henry

Dessert Designer: Lucia Alferez

Assigned Cookie: Samoas

Dessert: Samoa Doughnut with Toasted Coconut Cream Filling

Cost: $3 per doughnut 4455 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix; 602-429-8020; www.foxrc.com

 The MARKET by Jennifer’s Restaurant + Bar

Dessert Designer: Jennifer Russo

Assigned Cookie: Trefoils

Dessert: Twixted Trefoil Bar

Cost: $10 3603 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix; 602-626-5050; www.themarketphx.com

The Thumb

Dessert Designer: Susan Kolman

Assigned Cookie: Thin Mints

Dessert: Minty Oh!

Cost: $4.25 9393 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale; 480-513-8186; www.thethumb.com

Twisted Grove

Dessert Designer: Christopher Collins

Assigned Cookie: Tagalongs

Dessert: T.A.G. (Tagalongs Are Great) Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

Cost: $5 8220 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale; 480-699-0811; www.twistedgrove.com

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