Tag: Nook Kitchen

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.

February specials at Serrano’s

Throughout the month of February the family owned Mexican restaurants are featuring 3 dishes on the menu. Chichalada is a fried masa patty stuffed with chicharrones (fried pork bites similar to bacon), onion, cilantro and queso fresco, and topped with tomatillo sauce and crema is served with one side of your choice for $10.99.

The Phat Elvis is part of the Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge and features Tagalongs Graham cracker crust, peanut butter cheesecake, whipped cream and crumbled Girl Scout Tagalongs mixed with bananas and topped with chocolate ganache, brown-sugar bacon and a bonus Tagalong cookie for $7.99. The Strawberry Margarita is the Drink of the Month is $6.99.

All four locations are looking to hire both front and back of the house employees with on the spot walk in interviews every Wednesday from 2 – 4 p.m. Apply online if you can’t get to there on Wednesday’s.

Outdoor dining coming to Nook Kitchen

The Arcadia restaurant will increase capacity by 50 seats when their new covered patio opens. Owner Frank Vairo always envisioned al fresco dining at the restaurant but couldn’t get the city of Phoenix to approve it until it became a necessity during the Covid outbreak. The restaurant remains open for dinner and late night dining on Friday & Saturday’s til 2 a.m. during construction with reservations recommended.

Brick Road Coffee opens in Tempe

Co-owners and husbands Gabe Hagen and Jesse Shank opened their new coffee shop with the Wizard of Oz philosophy of acceptance and self-realization. All are welcome to enjoy a sense of community and art with their daily cup of Joe. Custom made murals by local artist Paige Reesor and L.A. artist Corrie Mattie adorn the walls and gender neutral restrooms. Coffee is supplied by local roaster CULT Artisan Beverage Company and pastries are from Tempe’s Squarz Bakery. Brick Road is on Rural Rd. just south the the 60 Freeway.

Koibito Poke adds a Keto bowl to the menu

Those on the high fat, low carb Ketogenic diet can now get the cauliflower based bowl packed with tuna & salmon, cucumber, green onion, kale, brussel sprouts, Sriracha aioli and topped with sesame seeds. The Keto bowl is available for dine-in, take-out and delivery.

LDV Winery receives 2 awards from prestigious wine competition

The San Francisco Chronicle 2022 Wine Competition announced the Arizona winery took home a gold and silver medal for their 2015 “The Signature” Petite Sirah in the $46 and over category and their 2015 Petite Sirah in the $40- $45.99 category. The competition had 45 judges from the trade, media, retail and hospitality industry and more 5,800 wines from North America were entered.

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 of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant, beer & wine community.

Pedal Haus releases RAD Pumpkin Ale for Rob Dollar Foundation

The Tempe & Chandler brew pub is releasing its first pumpkin ale on Saturday October 17th. On Saturday in Tempe from 3:00 -6:30 p.m. guests can enjoy the beer at happy hour prices with half of the beer’s sales being donated to the foundation named after the avid cyclist who was killed in 2017. The foundation helps the cyclist community promote safety and awareness to other motorists.

Friday & Saturday nights get Reverse Happy Hour at Nook Kitchen

Starting tonight the Arcadia restaurant is giving customers a few dollars off selected drinks and appetizers starting at 10 p.m. A DJ will be setting the late night vibe until 2 a.m. Last call for food is at 1:30 a.m.

It’s a Pink Out on Saturday 10/17 at Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant

The family owned restaurant with 5 east valley locations celebrates the life of co-owner Stephanie Serrano who passed away last year from breast cancer. The sales of Stephanie’s favorite dish Stacked Enchiladas will be donated to HonorHealth’s Virginia G. Piper Foundation, where she received treatment. Customers are encouraged to wear pink and a special price of $10.99 will be offered for the enchiladas.

It’s Pastra-ME Mondays at central Phoenix deli

Start your week off at Miracle Mile Deli and its popular weekly sandwich feature where you get a pastrami sandwich, fries & pickle spear for only $10. The Straw & New Yorker are $12. Good for dine-in or take-out through the end of the year.

Reel Deels now available all week at Reels Pizza Pies

The Surprise pizzeria has added daily Deels in addition to their Monday Reel Deel. Every day two 18-inch one-topping pizzas are just $34.99 or guests can get an 18-inch cheese pizza and 20 wings for $29.99. For a “Reel Deel” lunches available until 4:00 p.m. get a free drink with any two-slice pizza order, free drink with any slice and side salad order or any sub and a medium drink for just $8.

 

“Chopped” champion Chef Nick LaRosa has a new menu at Nook Kitchen

Arcadia’s Nook Kitchen has re-opened this week with a new menu from Chef Nick LaRosa. The restaurant moved to a new larger location along Indian School Road in December and was humming along as it did at the old location when Covid- 19 broke out. They did take out until several nearby restaurants were hit with the virus and owner Frank Vairo and partners decided to close for the summer.

Nicholas Winger, managing partner, said: “We can’t wait to welcome back our guests.  We are operating with limited-seating and dining socially distanced due to pandemic regulations, so we encourage reservations, especially with our small dining room. It fills up quickly.”

What’s on the menu from Chef Nick LaRosa

With the opening comes a new menu of Italian favorites with a modern twist from LaRosa. House made pastas and fresh ingredients are on the menu such as Casarecce Bolognese for meat lovers and Veggie Campanelle for vegetarians. Napolitano styled pizzas are still coming out of the pizza oven along with entrees such as pan-seared salmon, a double bone-in pork chop and the Nook Burger.

LaRosa was champion of the Food Network’s “Chopped” in 2017 and has earned other local accolades.

Chef Nick LaRosa
Aracini

“We’re excited and want to shout from the rooftops that ‘we’re back!’ ” LaRosa said. “And we’re really happy to be back, too.  The time off has given us the opportunity to add new menu items, plus fantastic desserts and still focus on the dishes we know our patrons love. “The specialness of our food is Italian with a twist.  If you want to eat hearty, we’ve got it.  If you’d rather eat light, we’ve got that too in spades.”

The menu also includes appetizers including Brussel Chips, Aracini and more. Exciting new desserts include a gelato flight from Cool Gelato and Nook’s version of Affogatto. Sommelier Matthew Wohleb has created a new and old world wine list to compliment the cuisine and mixoligist Gabe Chavez mixes up the cocktail program.

Nook Kitchen opens Wednesday thru Sunday at 5 p.m. and is at 4231 E. Indian School R. Phoenix 85018.

The Bar opens in Arcadia with The Dude watching over

The owners that have brought the Phoenix restaurant scene Arcadia’s and downtown Phoenix’s Nook Kitchen and the revamped Dilly Dally Lounge have opened The Bar.

Located along the bustling Indian School Rd. down the street from their other Arcadia restaurants The Bar pours “The Big Lebowski” inspired cocktails and plates up approachable bar food.

Owner Frank Vairo says, “We’re excited to add The Bar to our growing restaurant group and happy to be a part of this neighborhood. The Bar is a kitschy place for innovative cocktails along with familiar bar-style food that’s been elevated with fresh ingredients and house-made menu items.”

The Bar
Photos courtesy of Annie Marum

Cocktails at The Bar

Fans of the late ’90s cult film The Big Lebowski are encouraged to stop in after bowling a few games to sip on unique cocktails such as the “Dudebro” which combine Absolut vodka,  St. George coffee and Irish cream or The Bar’s version of the classic Margarita “Go With the Flow” which combines Absolut Lime vodka, Deep Eddy lemon, Aperol, sweet & sour juice and splash of soda over ice.

Not feeling “The Dude” in you, classic cocktails such as an Old Fashioned and others are prepared with enthusiasm and skill.

Approachable bar food

Using locally sourced ingredients for his house made dishes, chef Nick Larosa takes bar food up a couple of notches as he prepares comfort food staples. Scratch made potato skins & onion rings, Thick Cut Bacon BLT and the Double Decker American Burger on Noble Bread to name a few.

His proudest menu item is his own creation, John Blaze Honey  Hot Wings also known as “JBHH”. Hot wing fans will appreciate chef Nick’s signature dish and will notice how seriously he takes his mild and blazing hot wings.

A Cookies n Cream Reese’s Pieces Sundae is a good way to cure your craving for something sweet for dessert.

The Bar is open daily from 3 p.m. -2 a.m. and is at 3174 E. Indian School Rd. in Phoenix. Check out there website for more information.

 

Nook Kitchen to host Don Julio cocktail dinner

Wine dinners are pretty common in the restaurant world but the last few years have seen special dinner menus paired with beer and spirits. Tequila has become a popular pairing for dinners and Nook Kitchen in downtown Phoenix is hosting a 5-course Don Julio cocktail dinner on Wed. August 2nd.

The dinner will pair Don Julio tequilas that are aged and rare on some courses with a menu that is inspired by the cuisine of tequilas home state of Jalisco. The menu is as follow…..

First Course:

Grilled nopales and lengua de vaca consume

 

Don Julio Reposado,

Himalayan salt cordial,

kaffir lime oil, cayenne flake

 

Second Course:

Chef LaRosa’s deconstructed Chili Relleno Poblano, Oaxaca queso, tomato chili chutney, tequila pomegranate gastrique

 

Don Julio 70 Clara Anejo,

dry orange curacao, spanish dry vermouth,

blood orange sour

 

Third Course:

Watermelon, tequila & lime shaved ice

 

Fourth Course:

Braised pollo de muslo, maiz de la calle, maseca, mole, frijoles negros a la hoya

Don Julio 1942,

fermented masa, tamrindo,

guanabana liquer, fresh lime

 

Fifth Course:

Mexican inspired chocolate flan cinnamon, cumin, chocolate

house made tepache (traditional Mexican fermented pineapple drink)

 

The cost for the dinner is $55 plus tax and tip per person and will begin at 6p.m.

The downtown Nook Kitchen is the 2nd location of the popular Arcadia restaurant and is house off the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn at 15 E Monroe St, Phoenix. (602)258-1037 http://nookkitchen.com/

 

 

Where to take dad on Father’s Day if he’s a foodie

If your father is like my father then time spent with him will probably involve food. Whether he is a vegan(not mine), prefers a burger or a pizza, breakfast, lunch or dinner, beer or wine these Phoenix area restaurants will be taking care of your father on Father’s Day on June 18th.

Father's Day
Photo courtesy of Char Kitchen + Bar

Nook Kitchen

Dads will receive any draft beer for just $2 with the purchase of any pizza. Draft beer is regularly $5-$7.

Chompie’s

Dads get a free slice of Chompie’s signature Black and White Tuxedo Cake (valued at $5.99) with the purchase of an entrée.

Flanny’s – Happy Hour Offered All Day 12 p.m.-8 p.m.

$5 Hummus                                                                                                                         $5 Cheese Quesadilla                                                                                                    $5 Fried Pickles                                                                                                                 $7 Cheese Burger Sliders                                                                                            $7 Buffalo Chicken Sliders                                                                                          $2 off all Drafts and Cans                                                                                            $5 House Wines

24 Carrots-Vegan

Biscuits and Gravy Plate  12 Coconut butter biscuits, walnut-mushroom gravy, sautéed greens, veggie- chickpea scramble

Veggie Breakfast Sandwich  10.95 vegan omelet, roasted sweet potato, chipotle aioli, 24C bacun, tomato, onion & spinach

Caramel Machiatto Pancakes  10 fluffy pancakes, medjool-tahini caramel drizzle, coffee syrup GF option

Father's Day
Photo courtesy of Chompie’s

Carvalho’s Brazilian Kitchen –Brazilian Steak Combo

12 Oz. Picanha Grelhada (grilled culotte steak) plus Brazilian Beer or Caipirinha, or a non-alcoholic Brazilian beverage for $23. Includes grilled pineapple, Brazilian potato salad or black beans and rice. 

Tavern Americana- Penny beers with purchase of an entree    Seared 10oz Filet Mignon | Herbed Butter | Mashed Potatoes | Roasted Mushrooms  | Red Wine Cream Sauce | Charred Asparagus | $21                                                                                                                                       Any burger with choice of fries or salad  $10                                               Any one topping pizza (additional toppings with be regular charge)  $5.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar- Juicy Lucy burger til June 20th.                     Just in time for dad’s big day, the Juicy Lucy features a fresh ground Angus beef patty stuffed with melted Tillamook Cheddar and topped with a second slice of cheddar along with black pepper aioli and caramelized onions

Photo courtesy of Crvalho’s Brazilian Kitchen

Char Kitchen + Bar                                                                                                      The Mediterranean Cowboy Burger $14, is an 8 Oz. grass fed Angus beef patty topped with Harissa BBQ sauce, crumbled gorgonzola cheese and fried onion rings with a chipotle ranch schmear, served on a challah roll with a side.

Char will also be serving a 14 oz. Angus Ribeye steak topped with blue cheese and chive butter and served with scalloped potatoes and roasted vegetables for $35.

Rusconi’s American Kitchen- Special menu for $44                         Starter (choice of)
key west shrimp and red pepper grits
local linguica sausage, cured tomato, roasted corn jus
sweet potato roasted corn bisque
shaved san joaquin gold and mild fresno chili

white truffle scented mac-n-cheese
white truffle cream, san joaquin gold

Entree
pecan wood grilled prime flatiron steak
Amish blue cheese, roasted cornbread pudding, wilted spinach, pequillo tapenade
includes glass of chef’s choice red or white wine or draft beer

Dessert
dark chocolate bread pudding
vanilla sauce, berries and salted caramel

LDV Wine Gallery                                                                                                           On Father’s Day, dads will receive 25% off LDV Winery Petite Sirah (by the glass, by the bottle, or by the truckload)!

Thirsty Lion Gastropub                                                                                      Thirsty Lion offers half price beer flights on Father’s Day. For only $5, choose six of the over 24 beers and ciders on tap for your beer flight samples.  

Fired Pie Pizza                                                                                                                   All day long on, all Fired Pie locations are offering a buy one entrée get one free for dads on Father’s Day! Dine-in only.

Organ Stop Pizza- All you can eat pizza buffet and salad plus unlimited soft drinks

Adults $12.00 (including tax)
Kids 3-9 $10.00 (including tax

Beer, Wine and Ice Cream available for purchase at an additional charge. 

Tickets are available online or you can purchase them in the restaurant gift shop.  ADVANCED TICKET PURCHASE IS REQUIRED

Doors open @ approximately 11:15
Music begins @ approximately 11:45
Lunch concludes @ approximately 1:00

Lunch will consist of an all-you-can-eat buffet with prepared garden salads (with your choice of dressing).