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.

Summer focused special’s at Serrano’s Mexican Food in August.

The family owned Mexican restaurants is offering 3 refreshing lighter food and drink specials at all locations this month. The Sangarita ($8.99) is their version of sangria & a margarita in one. Fresh fruit and an orange garnish make a great way to cool off. Carolyn’s Pronto Salad ($13.99) Crispy lettuce & cabbage topped with carne asada, fajita vegetables and more tossed with guacamole cilantro ranch dressing. Key Lime Margarita Ice Cream ($7.99) homemade margarita no churn ice cream with a graham cracker mix-in.

Inflation busting Happy Hour deals at Pedal Haus Brewery’s Phoenix location

Every Monday – Friday from 3- 6 p.m. at the downtown Phoenix location guests can save a few bucks on food & drinks at the locally owned brew pub. All food & drink specials sold separately.

$3 Day Drinker beer & Bacon Popcorn- fresh popped in bacon fat, seared bacon pieces, and bacon powder. $4 Select Haus Beers & Haus Mac & Cheese – add green chili +$1, add bacon +$2 vegan + $2. $5 Well Drinks & Loaded Fries – mushroom gravy, ground beef, beer cheese, sour cream, goat cheese, chives. $6 Haus Margs/Haus Wine & ½ lb of Haus Smoked Chicken Wings. $7 Steins & Happy Burger – 6oz beef patty, American cheese, haus sauce, diced onions, pickles.

Kids eat free at Morning Squeeze

Monday- Friday in August kids under 12 years old eat for free. Choose from Kid’s Menu dishes Grilled Cheese Sandwich & Fries, Eggs, Bacon & Potatoes, French Toast Sticks and a Mouse Pancake. All items come with a choice of soda, juice or milk. Available at all 3 locations in Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix.

Huss Brewing serving Hulu’s “The Bear” inspired sandwich

The downtown Phoenix location is serving the classic Chicago style Italian Beef sandwich for a limited time. The popular sandwich on social media is made from slow braised beef with Italian seasonings and sweet peppers then topped with melted sharp Provolone cheese and giardiniera on a crusty roll for $15.90. It comes with Sidewinder fries and is served during lunch and dinner while supplies last.

Aloha Spirit specials return to Original Breakfast House.

The north Phoenix breakfast and lunch restaurant rolled out new tropical inspired specials. Enjoy Short Rib Loco Moco ($16), Kalua Pork Benedict ($16), Spam & Eggs ($13.75), Tropical French Toast ($13.75), Kona Coffee Shrimp & Grits ($16.50) and a Hawaiian Lunch Plate for $13 or $14 depending on meat.

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.

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.

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.

All Mac & Cheese dishes Buy 1, Get 1 Free at Fired Pie

In honor of National Cheese Lovers Day on Wednesday January 20th all locations are offering up the deal on the popular comfort food. Baked and topped with Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs guests can choose from 40 different toppings. This deal is only good for dine-in and is good on mac n cheese of equal or lesser value.

Found:RE Hotel’s Passport Series goes to Mexico

The downtown Phoenix hotel hosts their monthly night with international flavor on Saturday January 16th. The pool and bar area will be transformed for a Mexican vacation with food, cocktails and more. The fiesta goes from 6 – 10 p.m. and more information can be found on their website.

Good news as Cider Corps releases seasonal pie ciders

The popular Pumpkin Pie, Peach Cobbler & Cherry Crisp ciders are now available by the can. Delayed due to the pandemic as ingredients were harder to source these ciders are available for a limited time. 6-packs are $20 and include 2 of each cider or can be purchased individually to be drank at the cidery. 6-packs can be ordered in advance for take away at https://www.toasttab.com/cider-corps-31-s-robson-103/v3

Signature cakes turn to pies at Chase’s Diner

Saturday January 23rd is National Pie Day at the Chandler diner, known for their scratch made desserts, is making two signature pies for the occasion. Turning their Carrot & German Chocolate Cake into pies guest can enjoy them by the slice ($4.29) or the whole darn pie ($13.99). Whole pies need to be ordered in advance.

Round 5 of Hotel Valley Ho’s Versus Series pits beer vs. wine

Which goes better with food, beer or wine? Find out on January 23rd when the Old Town Scottsdale hotel hosts another reception and three-course dinner. Tempe’s Huss Brewing Co. and Sonoma County’s Rodney Strong Vineyards will pair the beers and wines to see who wins. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and is $129++ per person.

Hance Park Conservancy hosts 4th Annual Noche en Blanco

Dressed in white under the stars people will gather on Saturday October 26th for the picnic styled Noche en Blanco. This is the 4th year the Hance Park Conservancy has held the fundraiser for downtown Phoenix’s popular gathering spot. The park is home to food festivals, music festivals and one of the last open spaces in downtown Phoenix.

Inspired by Paris’s “Dinner in White” guests are encouraged to dress in white for an evening of live entertainment and dancing under the stars. The evening ends with the highly anticipated grand carnavale parade with samba dancers.

Photo credit: Kassidy McDonald at Evolve Marketing

Picnic tables will be draped in white with guests invited to decorate them with flowers, lights and more. Local brewer Huss Brewing and Action Wines will be pouring beer and wine and guests can pre-order a picnic from Conceptually Social.

The event will donate all proceeds to the Conservancy which is dedicated to the future of the park. The non-profit has been instrumental in developing the master plan of the park adopted by the city in 2014.

Tickets for Noche en Blanco

Tickets for this 21 and over event are now on sale at http://hanceparkconservancy.org./ Pre- sale tickets are available until September 26th for $30, table of 8 for $225 and a gourmet picnic for 2 is $75.

Hance Park is at 116 E. Moreland Phoenix 85004.

Downtown Phoenix Oktoberfest returns to Civic Space Park

The end of September should bring cooler temperatures but this is Phoenix so it could still be warm for the annual Downtown Phoenix Oktoberfest. Quench your thirst at this German inspired festival that started as a wedding in 1810 and lasted for several days. The annual celebration continues around the world feasting and drinking for several days. Our downtown festival only lasts 6 hours on Saturday September 28th at Civic Space Park.

The doors open at 3:00 p.m. with authentic German food such as pretzels, brats, currywurst, schnitzel, spatzel and sauerkraut from Brat Haus, Eur Haus food truck and others. Huss Brewing makes sure the beer keeps flowing pouring their beers along with 8 German beers on tap.

“The Downtown Phoenix Oktoberfest is a chance for everyone to be German for the day,” said owner of HDE Agency, Landon Evans. “Oktoberfest is a long-running tradition in Germany and we love bringing it to Cityscape providing an authentic experience, live entertainment and plenty of fun.”oktoberfest

Funkhaus Brass Band will be playing New Orleans style music and games Corn Hole & Jenga will keep people entertained. Servers from Hooter will be serving food and drinks and will host a Stein Holding contest and Beer Maid contest. Save room and enter the brat eating contest.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to ICM Food & Clothing Bank. Since 1983 ICM has provided basin needs such as food, clothes, diapers and more to poor families.

Tickets are $10 online and $15 day off. Groups of 4 can get tickets for $30 online for a 50% savings. Food and beverage sold separately. Civic Space park is at 424 N. Central Ave.