Tag: Halloween

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

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

It’s a Shellabration at Chula Seafood on Saturday

The local fish monger & restaurant is shellabrating the 8th anniversary of “Rosie”, the original location opened in 2016 at Roosevelt & Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale. $2 buck shucks (oysters) and happy drink prices all day at all 3 locations. Visitors to Rosie will have other food specials all day long.

Restaurants getting an early start on Halloween

With ghosts & goblins heading out next Thursday night several local restaurants are getting a head start on the spooky & scary.

Hash Kitchen- “Brunch After Dark” happens at the Chandler location on Saturday, October 26th from 6 – 10 p.m. Enjoy brunch dishes, eerie cocktails and the B.Y.O Bloody Mary bar along with DJ Iceman spinning the tunes, karaoke, best dressed costume contest, giveaways and prizes every hour. There is a $15 addmission which will be deducted from your final bill at the end of the night. Tickets can be purchased at this EventBrite link.

Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey- The Melrose neighborhood restaurant has a special menu from Friday, October 25th-31st. Included on the spooky menu is….

Signature Dish ($21): Harvest Pork Belly – Featuring tender pork belly paired with a velvety kabocha puree, refreshing Asian pear, zesty mignonette, and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Specialty Cocktails ($14): Heatwave – Ignite your senses with a bold blend of Blanco tequila and green chile vodka, spiced up with Hellfire Bitters and a hint of pomegranate. Witch’s Brew – This spellbinding concoction is made of lemongrass ginger shochu and Midori, combined with refreshing aloe and cucumber. Finished with a splash of yuzu and lemon.

Catalyst Crafted Ales- Saturday, October 26th is for the dogs at the Tempe brewery. From 1 – 3 p.m. there will be Howl O’Ween pet costume contest with prizes, beer specials for pet parents and new brunch dishes from S.A.LT. A $10 donation for every entry will be donated to Tempe’s Lost Our Home Pet Rescue.

Wine Girl- The popular Scottsdale wine bar gets into the holiday spirit with themed cocktails.

Monster Mash Shot – Unleash your inner monster with this vibrant shot of strawberry winearita and agave tequila, rimmed with black sugar and topped with shimmering green glitter.

Bloody Mimosa – A chilling twist on a classic! This Bloody Mimosa features house prosecco filled with a fake syringe of grenadine, creating a gory yet glamorous drink perfect for spooky celebrations.

Harvest Fizz – This refreshing mix of bubbly prosecco and crisp apple cider is served in a coupe glass and topped with a sparkling gold glitter ice cube.

Hendry Wine Dinner at Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse

Wednesday, November 6th brings the wines from the Napa Valley producer to Carefree for a four-course dinner. The dinner starts at 6 p.m. and seats are $125++ per person and seats are limited and can be required reservations can be made by calling 602-374-4784.

1st Course: Pan-Seared Scallop with brown butter and smoked cauliflower puree paired with 2022 Hendry Barrel-Aged Chardonnay, Napa Valley

2nd Course: Seared Pork Tenderloin with cheesy grits, green beans and black cherry apple sauce paired with 2020 Hendry Pinot Noir, Napa Valley

3rd Course: Roasted Lamb Chop with creamy risotto, asparagus spears and cherry reduction paired with 2019 Hendry Block 28 Zinfandel, Napa Valley

4th Course: Prime NY Strip Steak with au gratin potatoes, Brussels sprouts and red wine demi-glace paired with 2022 Hendry HRW Cabernet, Napa Valley

Desert Course: Maria’s Chocolate Tort

Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival this weekend

Kierland Commons welcome wineries from southern Arizona’s Willcox wine Country and more than 150 artists this Saturday & Sunday, October 26th & 27th. The two-day festival starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m. and is free to enter. Those 21 and older can purchase wine tasting tickets for $30-$45 in advance and $35-$40 at the door. Proceeds from wine sales go to Horses Help.

Wine & Candy tasting at GenuWine Arizona

With kids trick or treating, adults can head to the downtown Phoenix wine bar to taste 4 wines with 4 candies from 6-8 p.m. on Halloween night. Tickets are $20 and you get 20% off wine purchased from the tasting that night.

 

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

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

Dia de los Muertos Festival at Cien Agaves

The newly re-modeled restaurant and bar in Old Town Scottsdale is showing off its new look this Sunday, October 30th. From 1 – 4 p.m. festival goers can taste 15 different agaves, enjoy live music & get a swag bag. Capacity is limited and tickets are $30 and can be purchased here.

Tommy V’s hosts The Carlton Winemakers Studio dinner

Next Thursday, November 3rd the Scottsdale restaurant hosts a 5-course dinner paired with wines starting at 6:30 p.m. Red & white wines will be paired with Shrimp & Tuna Wheat Ceviche, Hazelnut Risotto, Braised Short Ribs and more. Seats are a $135++ and reservations can be made by calling the Scottsdale restaurant at 480-427-2264.

Trinchero Family Estates wine dinner at The Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar

Tara & Travis Rawlings purchased Moon Valley’s Aiellos and Isa’s Pizza in May and changed it to The Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar making some changes to higher quality ingredients and adjusted the menu to regional Italian. They host a six course dinner featuring Italian wines from the California based wine company on Wednesday, November 9th. They’re offering two seating’s at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. for $125++. You can reserve your spot for this memorable evening at their website.

Blue Hound Kitchen welcomes a new chef and new menu

Executive Chef Alex Robinson joined Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails at Hotel Palomar in August and hit the ground running working on a new menu. The menu and new cocktails from Clint “Spotty” Spotelson debuted in early October and features chef’s signature BHKC 900 Hot Stone with Australian Wagyu or Yellow Fin Tuna, Net of  The Sea, Roasted Airline Chicken Breast to name a few. Cocktail highlights include the bourbon based Stealth Bomber, Open Sesame with black sesame infused George Dickel rye and Pedro Conejo, an interesting combination of liquors, carrots and lime.

Halloween weekend around Phoenix

There are too many spooky events to mention this weekend around the Phoenix area. Look and you’ll find spooky cocktails, costume parties and more at your favorite restaurants, bars and breweries. Have fun and be safe!

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 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.

“Thank a Nurse” with Tea of A Kind in November

Tempe based Vessl and its Tea of a Kind ready-to drink tea have partnered with Nightingale 2030 Resilience Fund and American Cancer Society for their #ThankANurse campaign starting November 1st. 5% of all tea and product sales will be donated to local nurses.

GuacStar Kitchen & Cantina opens November 5th

New plant-based Mexican food eatery opens its first location at the Cornerstone Mall at University & Rural in Tempe.

AZ Paint Night returns to Padre Murphy’s

Glendale’s oldest bar and restaurant welcomes artist Lexie Swan every Tuesday for an evening of socially distanced painting on the patio. Canvas and paint are $20 and you get to take home what your art. Food and drink are sold separately and AZ Paint Night goes from 6:30 – 8:30.

Chef Danielle Leoni partners with World Central Kitchen Phoenix for meal kits.

The owner of the Breadfruit & Rum Bar has been keeping busy preparing farm to table meal kits for local organizations. Last week she delivered 400 meal kits to those in need at A New Leaf and Roosevelt Community Church. Another 400 meal kits will be prepared this Sunday November 1st with some going to those standing in line to vote on Election Day.

Highway 12 Vineyards & Winery featured at Sunday Supper Club

Hearth ’61, the signature restaurant at Mountain Shadows Resort hosts its monthly 5-course dinner. The unique menu is created by executive chef Charles Wiley to be paired with wines from California. This month’s dinner is on November 15th and cost $109 ++per person. To view the pairing menu and make a reservation visit their website.

Kids eat free on Halloween at Angry Crab Shack

No tricks are needed but costumes are at all 11 locations on Saturday October 31st. Until 6 p.m. all kids under 12 years old get a free kid’s meal. Choose from chicken tenders, mac n cheese, fried shrimp, kid’s cheeseburger or min corn dogs. All meals come with a fountain drink and choice of side.

 

 

 

Virtual cooking classes offered from Hotel Valley Ho

Looking for new recipes to impress friends and family look no further than new virtual cooking classes coming from Hotel Valley Ho Executive Chef Russell LaCasce. The R+R Show will feature Russell and his “Sous Chef” hotel General Manager Ronen Aviram preparing dishes with recipes and ideas for cocktails and leftovers viewable one Friday a month.

The free classes debut October 23rd with the VH Chopped Salad. Future virtual cooking classes include Petaluma Chicken on Nov. 20, the Hawaiian Poke Bowl on Dec. 18, The John Berry on Jan. 22, and Charbroiled Ribeye on Feb. 26. All classes are viewable at http://www.hotelvalleyho.com/. Private viewable classes are available for groups and private celebrations.

Also happening at the Scottsdale hotel will be a celebration of the tropics on Tiki Weekend October 30th – November 1st. Dust off your favorite Hawaiian shirt and tropical attire for a luau Friday night. Enjoy live music, a pig roast & tropical cocktails, hula dancers, fire dancers and more under the palm trees of the Palm Court. Tickets are $129 per person include chef prepared food, 3 drinks and a festive lei.

Halloween night put on your best tiki inspired costume for a Tiki-Mask-erade Party. The guest whose costume gets the loudest applause will be the winner. Enjoy cocktails, small bites, DJ music and of course Halloween candy outside in the Main Place Courtyard and hotel’s ballrooms. $99++ per person includes 4 drinks, small bites and candy. Space is limited to all events with social distancing enforced as will mask wearing unless seated. Special room rates are available starting October 27th and will include a welcome cocktail and $50 resort credit. See the website for details and to reserve your room.

 

Dia de los Muertos 4 day celebration at Ghett’ Yo’ Taco

Hispanics around the world honor deceased family and friends every year with Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. The festive holiday includes candle lighting vigils, traditional decorations and more. Downtown Chandler’s Ghett’ Yo’ Taco is showing their respect for the colorful holiday with a four day festival. The inaugural Dia de los Muertos event will benefit the Los Diablos ASU Alumni Chapter.Dia de los Muertos

“We are extremely excited to be hosting this Dia de los Muertos celebration for the first time,” said Wally Ansari, owner of Ghett’ Yo’ Taco’. “With four days of activities we’ve made sure that there is something fun for all ages. We are also very pleased to partner with Los Diablos for this event and support their mission to assist outstanding Latin college students at ASU. We look forward to bringing the Chandler community together to celebrate our departed loved ones.”

Dia de los Muertos events

Here is the schedule of events.

Thursday, October 31 – Halloween bar crawl will take place from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and will include stops at Chandler establishments The Local, Perch, Sleepy Whale and Quart Haus. The night will continue at Ghett’ Yo’ Taco with a costume contest for cash prizes and a candle lighting vigil. Guests are encouraged to bring candles and photos of their departed loved ones. Each bar will have drink specials and live music. Tickets for Thursday are available online at GhettYoTaco.com.

Friday, November 1 – From 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. attendees can enjoy a live DJ and patio expansion for guests to bring candles and/or pictures of deceased family members for a candle lighting vigil. Candles will be available on site for purchase. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, November 2 – Dia de los Muertos celebration will take place all day from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. Guests will be able to fully embrace Hispanic culture and experience a traditional celebration honoring departed loved ones. The day will consist of live musical performances, traditional Hispanic food, piñatas and sugar skull painting. Tickets for Saturday are available online at GhettYoTaco.com.

Sunday, November 3 – Celebrate Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Guests of all ages can enjoy music, food, drinks, a bouncy house and kid’s activities. This event is free and open to the public.

Los Diablos raises funds for scholarships and financial assistance for students in Arizona. The organization is committed to mentorship and community service as well.

Ghett’ Yo’ Taco is at 241 S. Oregon St. Chandler 85225.

 

Salty Sow treats you to Buy One, Get One dinners on Halloween

Those with Halloween on the brain are trying to decide what to get dressed up as or what candy to give out to neighborhood kids. Foodies are more concerned with “where are we having dinner?”. Lucky for us Salty Sow is treating us to a Buy One, Get One Free dinner on Thursday October 31st.

No trick is needed for this treat that goes from 4 – 10 p.m. and includes the whole menu. This isn’t the first time Salty Sow has run it’s annual “Dinner On Us” promotion and its become very popular.

Farm fresh signature entrees are included on Halloween night and include.

  • HAND CUT FILET MIGNON 8oz filet*, served with demi-glace caramelized shallot butter, crispy chile onions, and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes
  • GOAT CHEESE RAVIOLI handmade pasta stuffed with goat cheese and smoked date, and beurre blanc
  • SLOW COOKED BEEF SHOULDER served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, glazed root vegetables, and fried egg
  • CRISP CHICKEN THIGHS all-natural chicken, with fried smashed potatoes, and neck bone gravy
  • BLACKENED RIBEYE TACOS served with romaine Caesar, chimichurri, pickled red onion, avocado, cotija, and BBQ beans

  Salty Sow is at 4801 E. Cactus Rd. Phoenix 85032. For more information and to view the full menu checkout their website.

 

Exciting schedule of events for LDV Winery from October – December

Cooking classes, dinners and tastings are just a few of the events scheduled for LDV Winery to keep locals and visitors busy through the end of 2016. Below is a list of scheduled events for LDV with most hosted at their Wine Gallery at 6951 E. 1st St. Scottsdale 85251.

Photo courtesy of LDV Wine Gallery
Photo courtesy of LDV Wine Gallery

OCTOBER

LDV Sip & Learn Workshop – Candy Making and Wine

Sunday, October 9 from 4:00-6:00 PM

Just in time for Halloween! LDV Winery and NutWhats, local candy maker, present a candy making demonstration and discussion about wine pairings. $35.00 per person/$65 per couple (includes workshop materials, wine tasting, & nibbles).

Call the Wine Gallery at 480-664-4822

Vineyard to Table Winemaker Dinner with Chef/Owner Chrysa Robertson, Rancho Pinot

Monday, October 10 from 6:00-8:00 PM

An intimate evening of great food paired with award-winning LDV Winery estate wines. Chef/Owner Chrysa Roberson and LDV Winemaker Curt Dunham create an incredible meal under the stars at LDV Wine Gallery.  $95++ per person

Call the Wine Gallery at 480-664-4822 to prepay reservations; space limited.

Holiday Little Bites Cooking Class with John & Bev Hersey at LDV Winery

Saturday, October 15 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Astonish your friends this holiday season. Sip, learn, cook, and eat at this fun interactive class. Everyone will be in the holiday spirit at your get-together with “Holiday Little Bites” that are easy, healthy, and scrumptious. Every guest will be begging for your recipes! John is a graduate of Classic Cooking Academy and Beverly is former owner of the Aaron Conant House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire’s historic Strawberry Bank.

$55 per person. Registration required. Space limited.

Call the Wine Gallery at 480-664-4822 to reserve your place, space is limited.

NOVEMBER

Cruise the Danube with LDV Winery

November 3-10

Call Mary at 602-578-8443 or Liz at 480-688-1461 (Frosch International Travel) for more information about sailing with LDV. Click here for brochure.

Call Mary at 602-578-8443 or Liz at 480-688-1461 (Frosch International Travel).

****Winemaker Dinner featuring LDV Winery at Rusconi’s American Kitchen ****

Monday, November 14 at 6:00 p.m.

10637 N. Tatum Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85028

5-courses of Chef Rusconi’s delectable eats paired with local wines from LDV Winery.

How to register: Call 480-483-0009

Vineyard to Table Winemaker Dinner with Chef Justin Beckett, Beckett’s Table and Southern Rail

Tuesday, November 15 from 6:00-8:00 PM

An intimate evening of great food paired with award-winning LDV Winery estate wines. Chef/Owner Justin Beckett and LDV Winemaker Curt Dunham create an incredible meal served under the stars at LDV Wine Gallery.  $95++ per person

Call the Wine Gallery at 480-664-4822 to prepay reservations; space limited.

LDV Sip & Learn Workshop – Cheese & Wine Pairing

Sunday, November 20 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Expand your palate by exploring the science behind the classic wine and cheese pairing. Wine brings out unexpected nuances in cheese, which enhances both aspects of this quintessential pairing. $35.00 per person/$65 per couple (includes workshop materials, wine tasting, & nibbles).

Call the Wine Gallery at 480-664-4822

DECEMBER

LDV Sip & Learn Workshop – All About Chocolate & Wine Pairing

Sunday, December 4 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM

What makes wine and chocolate the perfect confectionery match. The workshop will discuss and taste wine pairings with locally made artisan chocolates. $35.00 per person/$65 per couple (includes workshop materials, wine tasting, & nibbles).

Call the Wine Gallery at 480-664-4822

Vineyard to Table Winemaker Dinner with Chef Mel Mecinas, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale

Monday, December 5 from 6:00-8:00 PM

An intimate evening of great food paired with award-winning LDV Winery estate wines. Chef Mel Mecinas and LDV Winemaker Curt Dunham create an incredible meal served under the stars at LDV Wine Gallery.  $95++ per person

Call the Wine Gallery at 480-664-4822 to prepay reservations; space limited.

For more information on Lawrence Dunham Vineyards, visit www.LDVWinery.com.