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.

Start 2021 off celebrating National Bloody Mary Day

New Year’s Day lands on a Friday in 2021 so nobody is in a hurry to get back to work so continue celebrating the New Year with a Bloody Mary. U.S. Egg, Pedal Haus Brewery, Angry Crab Shack, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria and Twin Peaks are all celebrating the A.M. cocktail favorite. Signature Bloody Marys are shaking up your morning as you get ready for what 2021 has in store.

Restaurants continue open new locations around the valley.

Not only is Dog Haus opening a new location but so are Z’ Tejas, Angry Crab Shack & Thai Chili 2 Go. The popular Southwestern & Mexican cuisine restaurant is opening a new lakeside restaurant in February at Scottsdale’s Mercado de Lago on Hayden Rd. at Via de Ventura. Angry Crab Shack has already started serving seafood and its popular Seafood Boils at its 12th Arizona location in Laveen. Thai Chili 2 Go is opening its 11th quick casual restaurant in Gilbert on December 30th.

Still time to order take-out or make a reservation for NYE.

Restaurants continue to take reservations and planning for take-out food as we say good bye to 2020. This updated list has restaurants around the valley serving up your last meal of 2020.

Restaurants continue to give and give in the holiday season.

In November Dominick’s Steak House, Ocean 44 and Steak 44 raised over $64,000 for local charities. Make A-Wish Foundation Arizona, PANDA and The Phoenix Heart Ball/ American Heart Association will benefit from the money raised.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria has raised over $110,000 in 2020 for No Kid Hungry through its fundraising initiatives. May 2021 be as generous to the local community from Phoenix restaurants.

Tinderbox Kitchen creates a desirable New Year’s Eve pairing menu

Flagstaff’s Tinderbox Kitchen wants the last meal of 2018 to be a memorable one. Chef Mike Schmitz three-course meal and dessert gives revelers much to think about choosing from course to course. The seasonally focused prix-fixe menu offers 4 dishes to choose from on courses 1 and 2 and six protein focused entrees.

A favorite dish is the pate Schmitz learned to make when working with Chef Jessica from Big Grove. “From start to finish it’s a beautiful dish both in its complete form and in the process,” which Chef describes as a two day process, breaking down the whole duck and using it across the menu and marinating the liver for the pate. He says it’s a joy to make and consume.

The menu is vegan friendly with Schmitz recommends the Fig & Brie Bruschetta and the Mushroom and Black Truffle Risotto. He considers the risotto the “dark horse” of the menu.

NYE menu at Tinderbox Kitchen

Each dish offers a suggested pairing of an optional glass of wine or classic cocktail. The menu is as follows.

COURSE ONE
Lobster Bisque
tomato, saffron, sherry
French 75 or 2015 Pouilly Fuissé

Butternut Squash Soup
apple, maple, sage, nutmeg
Old Fashioned or 2015 Pinot Noir

Pear and Pomegranate Salad
baby greens, brie, candied pecans
Regina George or 2015 Cinsaut

Beet and Citrus Salad
baby greens, fennel, goat cheese, pistachio
Turmeric Tonic or 2015 Grenache Blanc

COURSE TWO
Fig and Brie Bruschetta
hazelnuts, vanilla bean, orange
Spiced Grapefruit Negroni or Sparkling Rosé

Duck Liver Paté
port geleé, red onion marmalade, grilled bread
Ruby Manhattan or 2016 Malbec

Sea Scallops
parsnip puree, baby carrot, brussels’ sprouts
Turmeric Tonic or 2017 Riesling

Blue Point Oysters in Shell
shallot, cracked pepper, red wine vinegar
Hummingbird or Sparkling Brut

COURSE THREE
 Roasted Duck Breast
orzo, butternut squash, pomegranate, elderberry molasses, pecan
San Francisco Street or 2015 Red Blend

Lobster Tail
angel hair pasta, sun-dried tomato cream, lemon, parsley
White Negroni or Pouilly Fuissé

Filet Mignon
roasted garlic mashers, blistered green beans, mushroom demi-glace
Black Manhattan or 2014 Syrah

Mushroom and Black Truffle Risotto
parmesan, garlic, thyme, poached egg
The Old Man & The Sea or 2015 Pinot Noir

Rack of Lamb
smashed yukon potatoes, broccolini, red wine demi-glace
Barrel Aged Vieux Carre or 2015 Merlot

Grilled Swordfish
roasted garlic mashers, braised rainbow chard, tomato saffron broth, crispy leek
Vesper Martini or 2014 Chardonnay

DESSERT COURSE
Double Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake
oreo cookie crust, raspberries, chocolate sauce
Don Ciccio or 2014 Dessert Wine

White Chocolate Mousse
caramel apple compote, pomegranate
White Russian or 2010 White Riesling

The dinner is $85 per person ++ and wine and cocktail pairings are additional.

To make your reservation call 928-226-8400 or go to their website.

Tinderbox Kitchen is at 3 S. san francisco St. Flagstaff AZ. 86001