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.

It’s tamale time at Los Sombreros

The locally owned Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale and Mesa are taking orders for their homemade Mexican comfort food by the dozen. Customers can split the orders to 6 each of two flavors Green Corn, Tomatillo Chicken, Rajas, Carnitas, Shredded Beef Brisket and Pineapple. 24 hour notice is required and they are available to be picked until December 24th at noon.

Festive Yuletide cocktails at Mavrix for a limited time

The entertainment venue in the Talking Stick Entertainment District has unveiled 4 seasonal cocktails available until December 31st. Sip on a Naughty or Spiced, Mistletoe Mule, White Christmas or Gettin’ Blitzen with scratch made food from their Trophy Room Grill.

Leila’s Empanadas launches in time for the holidays

Chef Leila Beltrame launched her new line of sweet & savory empanadas made from her family’s secret Brazilian recipe. A staple of Latin American cuisine her Beef, Chicken & Olive and Apple Creme Brulee empanadas are available at Sam’s Frozen Yogurt at 3434 W. Anthem Way, Anthem 85086 and online soon.

Crumbl Cookies around Phoenix collecting toys for Harvest Compassion Center

The local cookie franchise is collecting new toys in original packaging or minimum $10 gift card in exchange for a mention of a free Chocolate Chip Cookie. Exchange a toy for a cookie at their Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, Queen Creek, Signal Butte, Red Mountain Mesa, Mesa Groves, Arcadia, Norterra and Tempe locations.

2022 RECOUPON AZ Beers Booklet now available

The Arizona Craft Brewers Guild has released their popular booklet of $700 worth of coupons & discounts for the holidays. For only $35 you can use the coupons at 43 of Arizona breweries until the end of 2022. 110 coupons are in the booklet with up to 4 from each brewery. The booklets are available until the end of January 2022 at their website.

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.

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.

Walter Station Brewery releases limited edition AAWLager

The local brewer has partnered with the Arizona Animal Welfare League to celebrate its 50th anniversary saving the lives of over 100,000 homeless animals. The new beer will be released on Saturday June 5th from 12 – 4 pm at the Washington St. brewery. The 6 packs will be available all summer long at beer shops and at Walter Station with part of the proceeds being donated to AAWL. Their looking to raise $50,000 by their 50th birthday on August 20th.

Wagyu from around the world at STK Steakhouse

The vibe at the Scottsdale steakhouse just got a little tastier as they celebrate National Steakhouse Month. Indulge yourself with Wagyu from Japan, Australia & America throughout June with such delicacies as Korean Style Short Ribs, Wagyu Beef Tartare & Caviar, a Tomahawk Steak and more.

Daily Dose partners with Harvest Compassion Center for back to school drive

Until July 31st at the Scottsdale and Midtown Phoenix restaurants guests can donate a filled back pack and get a free stack of any pancakes or a free specialty coffee. The local non-profit and locally owned restaurants are looking to provide 800 students with the school supplies they need to be successful in school as part of their 2021-22 School Supply Drive.

Coffee for a cause at Press Coffee

From now until August 1st the Phoenix- based coffee roaster is donating a portion of its Community Blend beans to Cloud Covered Streets. The non-profit gives help to those experiencing homelessness with showers, haircuts and laundry. Since launching in mid-2020 the Community Blend has raised over $3,000 to other local non-profits and schools.

The Happiest of Happy Hours at Taphouse Kitchen

Your wallet can use some relief this summer as the Scottsdale and Phoenix restaurants are offering a ton of food and drink specials for $6 Monday- Friday from 3-6 p.m. Pints of beer, well cocktails, Spicy Tuna Roll, Brewery Pretzel, 8-inch Alondra’s Pizzas are just a few of the happy hour specials offered. Brunch lovers can enjoy any breakfast entree for just $10 and $.01 Mimosa and Bloody Marys Sat. & Sun. from 8-11 a.m.

Fresh Taste Meal Prep cooks for you and donates meals to those in need

A new local meal prep service launched last year that prepares fully cooked meals from its weekly menu. Fresh Taste Meal Prep delivers meals to your door or you can pick up at its north Phoenix location. Started by Tommy D’Ambrosio and his Aioli Gourmet Burgers team, he saw the need and popularity of fresh cooked meals for busy and home bound people.

It works like this, order your meals from their weekly offerings on the website and arrange for pick up or delivery. Meals can include Baked Ziti, Lemon Herb Salmon, Steak Chimichurri and of course Aioli Gourmet Burgers. Most meals are reasonably priced at $10-$13 with healthy and Keto friendly options. Order 5-9 meals and the price per meal drops to $9 each, 10 – 13 meals for $8.50 each and 14+ meals are $8 each.

“When the pandemic hit, we quickly pivoted our business model, moving into a prepared meals program for those staying at home. Soon after, my team quickly realized that frontline workers needed support and we created a meal donation program. During the first month after we launched, we donated more than 1,000 meals to the staff at HonorHealth, Valleywise Health and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. That’s what sparked the creation of Fresh Taste Meal Prep. Giving us the opportunity to support a local cause or food bank, every month of the year,” Tommy D’Ambrosio, chef and owner, Fresh Taste Meal Prep.

For every 10 meals ordered, 1 meal will be donated to Phoenix area non-profits to help feed the hungry. Fresh Taste Meal Prep partners with local non-profits monthly and has recently donated meals to Harvest Compassion Center.

Meals need to be ordered by Thursday 3 p.m. for delivery or pick up the following Sunday or Monday. Delivery is available valley wide or you can pick up your meals at Aioli’s 32nd St. & Shea location.