Tag: NYC

Zach Hunter joins Pedal Haus Brewery as Culinary Director

Pedal Haus Brewery recently announced the hiring of Michelin starred Chef Zach Hunter as its new Culinary Director. Hunter is no stranger to the Phoenix restaurant scene as he attended Arizona Culinary Institute before working at restaurants in Spain, NYC and Austin. The Illinois native came to Pedal Haus from Fox Restaurant Concepts and had previously worked at Wildfish in Scottsdale.

One of Hunter’s first tasks was to update the brunch menu at the downtown Phoenix location with the Chandler and Tempe locations to see the updated menu in the next couple of months. He will also focus on updating the menus frequently, beer pairing dinners, using more seasonal & locally sourced ingredients and spend more time 1 on 1 & mentoring the other chefs at Pedal Haus. Guests will find new dishes such as PB&J Sticky Buns, Smoked Short Rib Hash, Fried Chicken & Belgian Liege Waffles and more on the new brunch menu.

“Zach is an incredible chef and brings an impressive amount of experience and expertise with him. We’re excited to have him join the Pedal Haus family,” said Julian Wright, founder and CEO of Pedal Haus Brewery. “We look forward to elevating our food menu to match our expertly crafted beers and offering something unexpected to our guests.”

The career of Zach Hunter

After graduating ACI, Zach worked at Mugaritz in Spain and Atera in New York City where both were awarded two Michelin stars. From there he headed back out west to Austin where he was part of the research and development teams at Chef Tyson Cole’s acclaimed Uchi and Uchiko restaurants, before working at the namesake restaurant of James Beard award winner Paul Qui. At Qui, he was an important part of creating the multi-course menu in the restaurant’s tasting room.

He then went to Ausin’s Brewer’s Table as executive chef and learned about pairing beer and food. He was named Rising Star Chef of the Year by CultureMap Austin and the restaurant was named Restaurant of the Year by Austin Monthly Magazine.

“I’m thrilled to join the Pedal Haus family and work closely with our amazing teams to evolve and elevate our culinary program,” said Hunter. “I’m so excited to dive in head-first with my passion for hospitality and cuisine that seamlessly connects food and beer!”

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NYC experience coming to new Chompie’s Deli’s Phoenix location

When the new Chompie’s Deli opens this summer it will be like going home without leaving Phoenix. The new location at 32nd St & Cactus Rd. it will be only a mile away from the original location the Borenstein family opened at 32nd St & Shea Blvd. in 1979. For us East Coast transplants it will be like going home to visit NYC.

Enter the new 27,000 square foot restaurant through the bakery and market that will also be the hub for all baking, kosher cooking, and packaged goods. The NYC styled market will offer fresh baked bagels, breads, pastry and merchandise. A barista bar will be serving coffee drinks including cold brew, espresso and a variety of caffeinated beverages. The larger location allows Chompie’s to expand its gluten-free and keto friendly baked good for the menu and retail.

Chompie’s and its new investment partner JRI Hospitality have envisioned this type of NYC experience restaurant since it decided close its Paradise Valley Mall location (closing May 17th) last year as the mall goes into re-development.

“We all are extremely excited to bring Chompie’s back to its old stomping grounds and to be a part of the revitalization of the area,” says Mark Borenstein, co-founder and owner. “We’re so humbled by the support of our loyal customers and proud of everything the Chompie’s brand has come to represent for so many — a great meal anytime, a feast for the holidays, a dozen bagels to bring to the office, a beautiful cake for a celebration, or just a really good cup of coffee or a Bloody Mary to enjoy while catching up with a longtime friend. We intend to be part of our customers’ best memories for years to come.”

NYC state of mind

Entering the restaurant guests will recognize the glitz, a mural of the NYC skyline and memorabilia including the iconic Times Square ball from New Year’s Eve. The patio will remind you of Central Park with greenery, trees and lights among the various seating including a community tables and lounge seating.

“It’s an honor for us to partner with the Borenstein family to help Chompie’s grow and develop well into the future,” says Jason Ingermanson, CEO and president of JRI. “This partnership allows the family to remain an integral part of the restaurants’ day-to-day operations while we explore opportunities to further expand the brand that they’ve worked so hard to build to what is it today.”

When the new restaurant opens it will be filled with grand opening events and fundraisers. The new restaurant will be at 3212 E. Cactus Rd. Phoenix and more information is at their website.

NEW DESMOND’S STEAKHOUSE TO OPEN IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN 247-Seat Restaurant to Boast City’s Largest Open-to View Dry Aging Room

The latest entry in the high stakes arena of New York steakhouses is Desmond’s Steakhouse, opening Monday, Feb. 25 as a contemporary interpretation of the classic genre, melding stylish décor and service with culinary substance. Located in Manhattan’s energetic Midtown West on Seventh Avenue at 38th Street, Desmond’s is less beef-centric and offers more diverse dining experiences than typically associated with steakhouses. Certainly, the imposing 8,000 square foot, 247-seat restaurant showcases USDA prime beef (five different cuts in six sizes), its 50-day matured-to-perfection process finished in the city’s largest open-to-view dry aging room. Desmond’s, however, also presents a large array of non-bovine related offerings, including: succulent selections from the glistening raw bar that will rival the dry aging room as visual food porn; a collection signature dishes such as skillet seared sea scallops, truffled mashed potatoes, asparagus; and steaks of a piscatorial persuasion, including grilled yellow fin tuna, complemented – as are their beef counterparts – by an array of house made sauces.

The diversity of the menu is complemented by that of the experiences Desmond’s Steakhouse affords diners. From a quick bite at the 70 foot-plus marble-topped bar, anchored by the raw bar, or a casual meal in one of the bar area’s high backed leather-clad booths to a business one at the dining room’s spaced-for-private-conversation tables or a romantic dinner at one of its cozy banquettes. There are also sexy crescent-shaped booths for gatherings of up to six and a semi-private dining room.

Being on Fashion Avenue (the local moniker for Seventh), Desmond’s takes a more modish approach to traditional New York steakhouse ambiance. A dramatic Deco glamorous staircase sweeps up from the street level entrance on 38th Street where the predictable burnished wood paneling is enlivened with distinctive architectural elements including glass brick and field stone walls, antiqued red brick coffered ceilings and beige brick framed dark wood floors. Decorative accents such as white subway tile, regal cream crown molding and richly textured wall paper accents are bathed in the glow of the theatrical lighting from statement-making fixtures throughout.
It is an unabashedly swank setting in which a cocktail program showcasing pre-Prohibition concoctions, such as the Gold Rush and Mamie Taylor seems fitting. While the wine room visible behind the bar is testimony to Desmond’s commitment to the appreciation of the viticulture arts.
Desmond’s Steakhouse is at 513 Seventh Avenue, with its entrance on 38th Street. It is open daily for lunch and dinner. For reservations and more information, call (212) 391-6900 or visit www.desmondsnewyork.com