Tag: local restaurant

Arizona Chef’s Week 2025 debuts August 1st-10th

As successful as the local restaurant scene is most of the year, the summer months can wash that all away. To help generate some off-season business, the Arizona Restaurant Association is building on the success of the twice-yearly Arizona Restaurant Week (ARW) as they are debuting Arizona Chef’s Week the first 10 days of August. To help support the local restaurant industry, like ARW, ACW will offer 3-course menus from a limited number of restaurants encouraging them to offer new unique and seasonal dishes. Each dinner will cost $55 or $66 per person.

“Year-round, it is our mission, our calling and our passion to promote and advocate for our hospitality industry,” said Arizona Restaurant Association President and CEO Steve Chucri. “Summertime in the Valley serves as a particularly challenging period for many restaurants, and therefore, it is more vital than ever to go out and support these establishments. This event is truly about local residents supporting local restaurants while experiencing an incredible meal.”

Familiar restaurants such as Vecina, The Mexicano, Fire at Will and others have already signed up to participate and in mid-July diners can head to the Arizona Chef’s Week website to see a list of participating restaurants and the menus they will be serving.

Prime Steak Concepts buys the Chart House for new concept

The owners of upscale restaurants Steak 44, Ocean 44, Dominick’s Steak House and other restaurants around the country announced that they have bought the popular Chart House restaurant in McCormick Ranch but won’t be operating it for long. Prime Steak Concepts has closed the lakeside restaurant with plans to open a new concept in the Fall ’26 after demolition and complete rebuild. The new concept is still in the R & D phase with no details available currently.

“We are excited to bring a new concept and new building to this incredible location. The entire property will be re-imagined,” said Jeff Mastro. “We have been developing a great new concept and menu and are excited to share it with our community and our guests. My brother Mike and I grew up just a few blocks away in McCormick Ranch and this is the perfect place for us to do something very special that fits this iconic location.”

The announcement comes a few months after Prime purchased the iconic Durant’s Steakhouse in Central Phoenix and is giving it a refresh while keeping its vintage interior and decor. Durant’s is scheduled to open later this year. The Chart House opened in 1984 on Camelback Lake and offered views of Camelback and Mummy Mountains while serving meat and seafood and was known for its large salad bar.

Details for Prime Steak Concepts new restaurant will be shared late in 2025, and you can stay up to date for Durant’s opening and the new concept at their website.

 

 

Yellow themed dinner coming to Match Market & Bar

Match Market & Bar, the signature restaurant in the Found:RE Hotel in Downtown Phoenix is in bright spirits as it will be presenting a seven-course dinner as part of the hotel’s current Yellow themed art exhibit. Reservations are being made for the Saturday, July 12th dinner that starts at 6:00 p.m.

Yellow on the menu

Guests will be surrounded by Yellow artwork as they dine on these specially created dishes from the sunny menu.

  • First Course: Cheddar Blini and Apricot—A selection of cheeses with stone fruit and miniature buckwheat pancakes filled with cheddar and covered in apricot coulis
  • Second Course: Golden Beet, Brioche, Endive, Tomato and Bacon Vinaigrette—Roasted golden beets with endive leaves and brioche croutons dressed in a roasted golden tomato and bacon vinaigrette
  • Third Course: Corn, Polenta and Popcorn—Fresh sweet corn puree under crispy pan-fried polenta covered in a buttery popcorn-infused emulsion.
  • Fourth Course: Golden Potato Gnocchi, Chanterelles and Mustard Velouté—Fluffy potato gnocchi sauteed with chanterelle mushrooms with a rich sauce made of yellow vegetables with wine and Dijon.
  • Fifth Course: Tomato-Parmesan Broth, Fregola, Sablefish and White Asparagus—Seared black cod with pasta pearls cooked in the water from golden heirloom tomatoes and simmered with Parmigiano-Reggiano and white asparagus.
  • Sixth Course: Roasted Chicken Leg, Yellow Piperade, Couscous and Egg Yolk—Chicken leg roasted until golden and covered in tangy yellow bell peppers served with couscous, yellow onion soubise and rich egg yolks from Vital Farms.
  • Seventh Course: Roasted Stone Fruit and Golden Apple, Macadamia Tuille and Honey Cremieux—Nectarine, apricots, plums and golden apples cooked several ways with a thin and crunchy macadamia tuille and creamy whipped honey-white chocolate Cremieux.

In keeping with the theme, three cocktails are being created to complement the dishes and will be available for purchase.

  • Sunny Pastures—Diego Limonado, Grey Goose Strawberry Basil, limoncello, orange liqueur and Lillet Blanc, $15
  • Summer Fling, made with Doc Swinson Summer Retreat, lemon, honey and mint, $15
  • El Mirador, featuring tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, Xtabentun, yuzu and lime, $15

Seats for this bright dining experience is $99++ per person and reservations can be made by calling 602-875-8080 or visit the restaurant’s website.

Amelia’s by Eat has new summer cocktails and weekly specials

The laid-back neighborhood restaurant and market at Via de Ventura and Hayden Rds. is offering new refreshing summer cocktails and weekly specials for guests sticking around Scottsdale this summer. Amelia’s by Eat was opened by Stacey Weber in 2023, offers guests an all-day menu of health-focused dishes along with a market for wine and grab & go offerings.

New cocktails include…..

· Strawberry Chamomile Paloma: Muddled organic strawberries, chamomile honey, grapefruit juice and sparkling water with Código 1530 Rosa tequila

· Lavender Superfood Chocolate Espresso-tini: A luxe twist on your espresso martini with Roxx organic vodka, volcanic cacao and house lavender syrup

· Limonchamp: Sparkling wine poured over Sweet Republic lemon sorbet = instant sunshine

· New non-alcoholic options like the Matchacicle and Berry Cold Foam Cold Brew.

Amelia’s by Eat is also offering taco and burger specials mid-week……

  • Taco Tuesdays – Every Tuesday, enjoy $5 rotating tacos, $12 chips with fire-roasted salsa and guac, plus $5 Clasico Mexican lagers and spicy + clean margaritas. It’s casual, craveable, and full of flavor.
  • Burger Thursdays – A new off-menu favorite turned into a weekly tradition. Juicy double stack grass fed beef burgers stacked with nitrate free bacon, American + Swiss cheese, shredded lettuce, house made pickles, amelia’s special sauce, shaved onion on a toasted brioche bun, served with frites street skinny fries for only $20. Enjoy Amelia’s better burger board with a local church music beer every Thursday all day this summer!

For more information about Amelia’s by Eat visit their website.

 

Big Nate’s Backyard Grill opens in Downtown Gilbert

Five years after opening their first location in Mesa (a 2nd location in E. Mesa opened in 2023), the family-owned Big Nate’s Backyard Grill has opened its third location in Downtown Gilbert. Their low and slow cooked Texas style BBQ, fresh ground brisket burgers and more are made from family recipes with meats smoked for more than 12 hours.

The concept came to brother-in-laws and partners, Ray Dandridge and Eric Solheim and their wives, all who shared a love of barbecue and family gatherings. What started in the backyard now has 3 locations and a food truck.

“We just loved cooking for friends and family,” said co-owner and pitmaster Eric Solheim. “It grew from there, and we’ve stayed committed to that same mindset. Make everything from scratch, treat people right and serve food we’d be proud to put on our own table.”

Signature dishes include brisket, pulled pork and smoked chicken with classic sides dishes including cole slaw, bbq beans and house-made sauces. Everything on the menu including desserts are made from scratch without soy, gluten and high fructose corn syrup.

Family friendly at Big Nate’s Backyard Grill

The Gilbert location includes a stage which gets used for entertainment including Jester-Z Improv. The group, founded in 2001, moved from Mesa to Gilbert late last year and offers clean, family friendly fun around the valley and at its 55-seat Gilbert venue on Friday and Saturday nights.

“We started Big Nate’s to bring families together over real, slow-smoked barbecue,” said co-owner and pitmaster Ray Dandridge. “Pairing that with clean comedy from JesterZ felt like the perfect downtown Gilbert addition.”

To celebrate July 4th, they’re offering 10% off Family Packs and the first 50 orders that weekend will get a free smoked apple pie. The small family pack includes three pounds of meat and two quart-sized sides for $109 and serves six people. A large family pack includes six pounds of meat and two half-gallon sides for $215 and serves 12 people. Big Nate’s food trucks will be out and about on the 4th at Gilbert’s celebration at Gilbert Regional Park and at the Phoenix Fabulous 4th celebration.

Big Nate’s Backyard BBQ is open Thursday- Saturday during the summer and is at 543 N. Gilbert Rd. 85234. To see the full menu and for more information visit their website.

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. 

  

Four Corners Taphouse bringing elevated sports bar to NW Peoria

Next Monday, June 23rd marks the opening of Westside Concepts newest concept, Four Corners Taphouse on Lake Pleasant Pkwy in Peoria. The new upscale sports bar takes over the original location of Haymaker, another concept from owner Joey Lucidi and his team at WCs. Haymaker relocated across the street last year, and the transformation began. WCs also owns Copper & Sage, Maple & Rye, NW Coffee and other West Valley concepts.

“I am so excited for this new concept,” says Lucidi. “We’ve been wanting a local sports bar and taphouse for years. Moving Haymaker gave us the perfect opportunity to make it happen, and we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. It’s going to be the go-to spot for all the big games and fun times.”

During the first week of operation the restaurant will offer happy hour all day, every day until Sunday, June 29th. The “ultimate game-day spot” offers over 4,400 square feet of space with indoor and outdoor seating to watch the game on 21 oversized 85-inch flat screen TVs with 360 degrees of viewing from every seat and 24 beers on tap. The space was designed by Social Design Studio.

On the menu at Four Corners Taphouse

The menu will offer a variety of classic and new dishes that work well for date night or to watch your favorite team. Dishes include Chicken Nachos, Italian Beef Sandwiches, The Mac-Daddy Burger, Artisan Pizzas, Chicken Philly Hoagie and more. A curated cocktail and wine menu will be available in addition to rotating taps for guests to pair their meals with. Lunch specials and rotating dinner specials will be available Monday-Friday.

Four Corners Taphouse will open daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is at 24762 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy and the full menu, and more information can be found at their website.

Round up for Eric Marsh Found. at Bill’s Grill & Red, White & Brew

A somber day is approaching as the 12th anniversary of the 19 firefighers of the Granite Mountain Hotshots who lost their lives fighting the Yarnell Fire near Prescott on June 30th, 2013. Two of Prescott’s favorite restaurants, Bill’s Grill and Red, White & Brew are honoring their lives with fundraisers in June for the Eric Marsh Foundation for Wildland Firefighters.

The Prescott non-profit helps wildfire firefighters and their families through financial and emotional support as many firefighters are volunteering to protect the Arizona wilderness. The Foundation is named after and is the legacy of the Granite Mountain Hotshots Superintendent.

“This cause is deeply personal to the Prescott community and to anyone who understands the risks wildland firefighters take every time they go out,” said Bill Toole, owner of POV Foods. “We want to keep their legacy alive and support the families and crews who continue to serve with the same dedication.”

Throughout June, guests can round up their checks with the proceeds benefiting the Foundation. On Monday, June 30th both restaurants will donate $1 of each specially created burger sold to the foundation as well. The month-long fundraiser also helps in remembering the bravery of the 19 firefighters, so they’re never forgotten.

Burgers for the Eric Marsh Foundation

At Bill’s Grill guests can order the Valor burger or the Five Alarm Chili Size burger and the Hot Shot burger at Red, White & Brew.

The Five Alarm Chili Size burger features a brioche bun stacked with a juicy patty, house made chili, ghost pepper cheese, fried jalapeños and chipotle aioli.

The Valor burger keeps it classic with cheddar, ketchup-based Valor sauce, red onion, lettuce, tomato and pickle.

The Hot Shot burger features a half-pound patty topped with poblano peppers, pepper jack cheese, onion tanglers and poblano crema, served on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, pickle, red onion and a choice of one side.

“We’re grateful for this continued support from Bill’s Grill and Red, White & Brew,” said Amanda Marsh, founder and executive director of the Eric Marsh Foundation. “These kinds of partnerships make it possible for us to meet the needs of wildland firefighters and their families when it matters most.”

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

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

Summer specials at The Mexicano

The popular Paradise Valley & Chandler restaurant from The Maggiore Group offers new summer food & drinks specials.

All-Day Happy Hour specials include: (available in the bar area)

  • $4 Clásico Margaritas, Modelo drafts & well drinks
  • $8 Bar Nachos
  • $10 Jalapeño Poppers
  • $12 Shrimp Ceviche
  • $12 Pastor Chicken Wings
  • $9 Mini Chimis, Tinga Burrito & more

All-You-Can-Eat-Taco-Tuesdays in the bar for only $8.88 on Thursdays, choose from potato, al pastor, shrimp & crunchy beef.

Weekly specials include…..

  • Margarita Mondays – 50% off all margaritas
  • *Best F#%ing Taco Tuesday – $2 tacos (dine-in only)
  • $3 tacos available all day, every day

New Happy Hour specials at Source

The restaurant at Epicenter at Agritopia in Gilbert just rolled out new Happy Hour specials available Wednesday – Friday from  3- 6 p.m.

  • Snack: Chickpea Hummus with pickled veggies and za’atar flatbread, $11
  • Pizza: Mozzarella with tomato, oregano and Decimi extra virgin olive oil, $10
  • Natural wines: $7 per glass or $25 per bottle
  • Beer: $5 each

Third Tuesday Tasting Dinner at Romeo’s Euro Cafe

The Downtown Gilbert cafe will be serving up another of its popular 3-course wine dinners next Tuesday, June 17th. Dinner starts with a Watermelon Wedge Salad followed by Chicken Breast stuffed with hearts of palms and prosciutto and ends with Black Forest Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs. The dinner is $48++ per person, and reservations can be made by calling 480-962-4224.

Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry relocating

The Old Town Scottsdale shop specializing in locally made artisan foods and more is making an unexpected relocation this summer due to a change in their lease. No address has been announced yet but as you can imagine relocating during the slow summer season is especially difficult.

Co-owners & mother and daughter Sharyn & Rebecca Seitz are looking to remind everyone of the continued support for them and other local businesses during the summer months. Ways to help are to visit the store Monday- Saturday 9:00a.m. – 5:00 p.m., placing an order online, sharing stories about the shop or donating.

Summer Passes at GenuWine Arizona

The wine bar/shop in Downtown Phoenix is offering two Summer Passes for wine and beer lovers. The Wine Lover Summer Pass is $40, and the Beer Lover Summer Pass is $20. Enjoy discounted glasses of wine or beer all summer long with each pass offering 5 tastes and one can be redeemed per visit through August.

Round Pond Estate wine dinner at 3 Mastro’s in Scottsdale

Next Tuesday, June 17th the local Mastro’s Steakhouse, Mastro’s City Hall and Mastro’s Ocean Club will host a five-course dinner paired with Round Pond Estate wines. The ultra-premium family-owned winery in Napa Valley is known for its highly sought after Cabernet Sauvignon and artisan foods. The evening’s experience will also include Round Pound Estate olive oils used in the preparation of several of the courses. The five-course dinner includes….

  • King Crab Hand Roll – Round Pond Chili Olive Oil, Carrot, Apple, Daikon, Shiso, Nori
  • Summer Salad – Strawberries, Watermelon, Herbed Sauvignon Blanc Vinaigrette
  • Wagyu Black Truffle Ravioli – Brown Butter, Balsamic Reduction, Grana Padano
  • New York Strip 6oz – Marinated Artichokes, Rosemary Garlic Emulsion accompanied by Round Pond Garlic Oil Sauteed Spinach and Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Butter Cake with Strawberries & Balsamic – Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Strawberries, Strawberry Balsamic Sauce

Seats for the 7:00 p.m. Round Pond Estate dinner are all inclusive at $250 per person, with part of the proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association. Seats can be reserved at Mastro’s website.