Tag: James Beard Awards

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

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

Poppy’s Office has new summer cocktails 

The North Scottsdale speakeasy has added 6 refreshing cocktails to its menu. A few “mocktails” were also added. The new cocktails are…. 

  • Kumquat Cavalcade featuring Crop Organic Meyer Lemon Vodka, kumquat jam, lemon and Prosecco, $17
  • Sunset Mist made with Rolling Still Lavender Vodka, Giffard Elderflower, vanilla, lemon and tonic, $16
  • Rocky Point Summer (is there anything better?) pictured-featuring Corazon Blanco Tequila, Alma Tepec Chile Liqueur, Liquid Alchemist Blood Orange, grapefruit and lime, $15
  • Rising Phoenix—Amaras Espadin Mezcal, Maleza Cempasuchitl, guava, pineapple and lime, $17
  • Duck, Duck, Goose featuring Diplomatico Planas Rum, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Liquid Alchemist Coconut, gooseberry jam and lime, $16
  • Plums on Parade—Amrut Old Port Rum, Hakutsuru Plum Wine Reduction, honey and orange bitters, $15

Summer of Luxury menu available at Mastro’s for the summer 

Through September 25th, all 3 Scottsdale Mastro’s locations will be offering the new 4-course prix-fixe for $80 per person. The seasonal menu is available Monday- Thursday….. 

  • Appetizers: Mixed Green Salad, Nueske’s Maple Glazed Bacon Steak, French Onion Soup (Mastro’s Ocean Club will offer New England Clam Chowder instead), Shrimp Cocktail (2 pieces)
  • Entrees: Herb Roasted Chicken, Double Cut Pork Chop, Petite Filet, Blackened Slamon, Bone-In Filet 12oz (+$35), Bone-In Ribeye 22 oz (+$35)
    • Guests can also select from three house made butters: Black Truffle, Wagyu Red Winer and Bone Marrow (+$8 each)
  • Fresh Vegetables and Potatoes: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Spinach (Steamed, Sauteed or Creamed), Creamed Corn, Lobster Mashed Potatoes (+$25), Rosemary Garlic Sauteed Mushrooms
  • Desserts: Cheesecake, Signature Personal Warm Butter Cake, Raspberry Sorbet

Lom Wong’s Yokata Martin wins James Beard Award 

The chef & owner of the Downtown Phoenix won Best Chef: Southwest this week after being nominated with 11 other Arizona restaurant professionals. The list was whittled down to Martin and Crystal Kass of Valentine for Outstanding Pastry Chef/ Baker. The winners were announced this week at a ceremony in Chicago. 

Larder + Delta has closed 

The short-lived James Beard nominated restaurant from Chef Stephen Jones closed its Central Phoenix restaurant this week after less than a year of being open. The restaurant relocated last year from the Roosevelt Row Arts District taking the place of another JBF nominee, Binkley’s that closed in 2023. The southern style fine dining restaurant was struggling with low business as the summer began. Chef Jones had announced some changes last week pertaining to summer hours and the menu but unfortunately that wasn’t enough, and the restaurant became the first victim of the summer. 

  

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

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

Get the Golden Pancake, win pancakes for life at Eggstasy new Queen Creek location

Pancake lovers need to head to the new Queen Creek location tomorrow Saturday, April 5th as 3 guests will find a Golden Ticket with their order. Order any specialty pancakes or pancakes as your side dish for a chance to win. Its owner Peter Yarros way of saying “thank you” to the QC community who’s embraced the new location since opening in January.

Boo-Rrito raffle at Burrito Express in April

As ASU running back Cam Skattebo has announced he’s entering the upcoming NFL Draft guests ordering the signature Boo-Rrito any of the 7 restaurants around the valley will have the chance to enter the month-long raffle. Prizes include cleats, gloves and a signed football from the NFL hopeful. BE hopes to sell 3,000 Boo-Rrito’s (a hearty combination of chicken, beans, cheese, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, guacamole and rice) in April.

Papago Orange Blossom is Beer of the Month at Famous 48

As spring begins to bloom so is the Mandarin Wheat beer from the locally owned brewer at the Scottsdale restaurant. A 16 oz. pint is $5 and a 22 oz. is $7 for the light fruity and smooth draft beer.

Greek wine tasting at GenuWine Arizona next Thursday

Have you ever had a Greek wine? Did you even know they made wine in Greece? Whether you did or didn’t know, the Roosevelt Row wine bar is pouring 3 Greek wines next Thursday, April 10th from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $10 unless you’re a Wine Club member then it’s free. Member or not you’ll get 20% off any bottles you purchase from the tasting.

Two from Arizona nominated for James Beard Award

The were over a dozen potential James Beard Award winners from Arizona when the semifinalists were announced earlier this year. The Foundation announced this week the nominees that will have the chance to win the prestigious restaurant industry award at the June 16th ceremony. Crystal Kass from Phoenix’s Valentine has the chance to win Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker and Lom Wong’s Yotaka Martin is up for Best Chef: Southwest.

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

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

The Zuzu Burger Battle kicks off this week

The signature restaurant at Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho started the 8 week competition where members of the restaurant’s culinary team will create a unique burger. Each week’s burger will be featured on the brunch menu daily from 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and each burger is $19 and comes with fries or fruit. The winning burger will be selected on National Hamburger Day, May 28th with the winning team member winning $500 and the burger will be featured on the menu all summer long.

“Dollars for a Dozen” fundraiser returns to Over Easy

For the month of April the breakfast & lunch restaurant will match every dollar donated by guests to the United Food Bank. In addition every dollar raised will help a dozen eggs be delivered to the food bank by Shamrock Farms. Last year over $18,000 was raised and over 9,000 eggs were delivered. Guests can donate at any of 11 locations in Arizona.

Phoenix City Grille to host 5 course whiskey pairing dinner

The uptown Phoenix restaurant welcomes host Lewis Clyde (L.C.) May II of Clyde May Whiskey’s on Wednesday April 12th for the dinner with specially prepared menu. L.C. is Clyde May’s grandson and brand ambassador will be signing exclusive PCG single barrel bottles available for purchase at the event. The menu will feature cured pork belly, pork cheeks and more paired with the distilleries whiskey and rye. The evening begins at 6 p.m. and seats are limited and can be reserved for $150++ per person by calling 602-510-7174 or emailing brittnee.reed@outlook.com

Portillo’s announces 7th Arizona location

The Chicago- styled restaurant will open its next location in Queen Creek by the end of 2023. The location at Ellsworth and Elm will have indoor and outdoor seating for over 200 people and will feature their signature 2 lane drive thru for those on the go. When opened customer favorites like the Chicago style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches will be available. Managers and shift leaders will be hired in the near future and applicants can apply online.

Arizona restaurants left off list of finalists for James Beard Awards

Despite over 10 semifinalists earlier this year no Arizona restaurants or chefs made the cut of final nominees. The list was announced by the James Beard Foundation on Wednesday will the winners selected on Monday, June 7th. To see the full list of finalist head to their website.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Semifinalists for 2023 Restaurant & Chef Awards announced

This morning The James Beard Foundation announced the Semifinalists for its 2023 Restaurant and Chef Awards. Arizona is again well represented throughout several categories. Nominees will be announced Wednesday, March 29th and winners announced Monday, June 5th 2023 in Chicago. You can see the list of all 2023 semifinalists here.

The 2023 Arizona semifinalists are……

Outstanding Chef

Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Café, Phoenix

Outstanding Restaurant

Proper Meats + Provisions, Flagstaff

Emerging Chef

Christian Lowe, Shift Kitchen & Bar, Flagstaff

Outstanding Bakery

JL Patisserie, Phoenix and Scottsdale

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

Crystal Kass, Valentine, Phoenix

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

Glai Baan, Phoenix

Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)

Rene Andrade and Roberto Centeno, Bacanora, Phoenix

Jaren Bates and Brett Vibber, The Table at Junipine, Sedona

Nephi Craig, Café Gozhóó, Whiteriver

Wendy Garcia, Tumerico, Tucson

Fernando Hernández, Testal, Phoenix

Yotaka and Alex Martin, Lom Wong, Phoenix

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

James Beard Foundation nominees named & Arizona is well represented

The Arizona restaurant scene is a buzz with pride as 15 chefs and restaurants from Flagstaff to Tucson have been nominated for a prestigious James Beard award. The James Beard Foundation announced the nominees last week in several categories in recognition of exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industry. Winners will be announced at the annual James Beard Foundation awards ceremony on Monday June 13th 2022 in Chicago.

Several Arizona nominees have been nominated in previous years and/or have won the coveted award. Those representing Arizona in 2022 are…….

Outstanding Restaurateur- Chris Bianco, Tratto, Pane Bianco, and Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix

Outstanding Chef- Christopher Gross, Christopher’s, Phoenix & Stephen Jones, The Larder + The Delta, Phoenix

Outstanding Restaurant- ShinBay, Scottsdale, AZ

Emerging Chef- Rochelle Daniel, Atria, Flagstaff, AZ & Donald Hawk, Valentine, Phoenix

Best New Restaurant- Bacanora, Phoenix

Outstanding Pastry Chef- Mark Chacón, Chacónne Patisserie, Phoenix

Outstanding Baker- Don Guerra, Barrio Bread, Tucson, AZ

Outstanding Hospitality- Binkley’s, Phoenix

Outstanding Wine Program- Kai, Phoenix

Best Chef: Southwest- Lori Hashimoto, Hana Japanese Eatery; Phoenix, John Martinez, Tito & Pep, Tucson; Maria Mazon, BOCA Tacos y Tequila, Tuscon; Giovanni Scorzo, Andreoli Italian Grocer, Scottsdale

 

Arizona’s four nominees for the 2020 James Beard Awards.

Excitement in Arizona’s restaurant industry was high this week despite current events as The James Beard Foundation announced this week the finalists for the 2020 James Beard Awards. When semifinalists were announced earlier in the year and before the coronavirus epidemic Arizona had 10 in the running to be finalists. When the winners are announced on September 25th, 4 nominees will be representing Arizona.

After FnB’s Charleen Badman won the 2019 Best Chef: Southwest it should come as no surprise to many that 3 others have the chance to bring home the award this year.

The 2020 nominees are….

Silvana Salcido Esparza of Barrio Cafe (Phoenix) for Best Chef: Southwest.

Chrysa Robertson of Rancho Pinot Grille (Scottsdale) for Best Chef: Southwest.

Jeff Smedstad of Elote Cafe (Sedona) for Best Chef: Southwest.

Pizzeria Bianco (Phoenix) for Outstanding Restaurant.

Good luck to all.

Winners will be announced via the foundations Twitter feed.