If you frequent farmer’s markets and food festivals around Phoenix you’ve probably seen the Hot Bamboo booth. Owner Anna Heibach has been serving bao, dumplings and rice bowls for 10 years to those willing to wait up to 30-45 minutes in line. She’s decided to open a store front selling her popular dishes in Chandler come early January 2020.
Dumplings
The Indonesian born and raised Heibach started selling Asian street food in 2008 when her career as an artist slowed down. Before coming to Arizona to teach art she was in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany after she graduated Kent State University with a degree in Art & Architecture. She started making pastries for farmer’s markets, as her popularity grew she remembered her childhood favorites of bao, dumplings and more. Hot Bamboo was born during this time.
Heibach and son Preston won’t stop the festivals but felt the need to provide customers with a full time opportunity to enjoy her food.
Hot Bamboo will highlight character bao at the new store front. Customers can have them filled with pork, teriyaki, chorizo or vegan style. Rice bowls will include pineapple teriyaki pork, coconut curry and more. Her popular dumplings will be served at the restaurant filled with chicken, pork and shrimp. Other specialty snacks will be served along with Thai iced tea, smoothies and more.
Hot Bamboo will be at 980 E Pecos Rd. Chandler, AZ 85226 and open Tuesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. For more info and to see about a opening date check out their website.
Think you can eat a lot of food in a short amount of time? If so Chompie’s invites you to stop in to any of its Phoenix area locations and try the “A Day at the Deli” Challenge. Those that accept the challenge will need to eat 4 pounds of food in 30 minutes to win the challenge.
Make sure you wear your stretchy pants to consume deli favorites that include 6 pastrami & Swiss sliders on potato latkes, a bowl of Matzo Ball soup, a bowl of cole slaw and 6 Black & White cookies. Eat all in a half an hour and win two 40th anniversary travel mugs, their winning picture on Facebook and bragging rights to friends and family. Win or lose the day’s worth of food will cost you $40.
The “Day at the Deli” Challenge is available during business hours at their Tempe, Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale and Glendale locations. For more information visit Chompie’s website.
Match Restaurant & Lounge’s Executive Chef Orlando Parker takes you on a trip to Whoville on Saturday December 7th when he and his culinary team create a five course dinner based on the Dr. Seuss classic Christmas film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. Guests will have a full stomach and a smile on their face when dinner concludes. All courses will be paired with a specialty cocktail to complement each other.
1st Course: Whoville Treat — Cherry and Plum Bruschetta paired with The Green One cocktail
2nd Course:Grinch Greens — Creamy Spinach Soup with croutons served with The Stolen Christmas Tree cocktail
3rd Course: Cindy Lu Salad – Orange and Pomegranate Salad with buttermilk dressing complemented by Martha May’s Little Helper Cocktail
4th Course: Roast Beast – Rosemary Roast Beef and potatoes and carrots with horseradish crema served with the Lou Who Family Recipe Cocktail
5th Course:Who-Pudding – Plum Pudding with crème anglaise topped with fresh raspberries paired with The Mean One Cocktail
The “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and is $96 plus tax per person and reservations can be made by heading to the Eventbrite page.
In the northern part of the “Valley of the Sun” sits the village of Carefree, home to CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa. The AAA Four Diamond award resort offers guests and locals the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate from everyday life. Whether you prefer to pamper yourself at the spa, relieve stress through art or spirituality or tempt your palate with sips and bites from the resorts culinary team the resort has your best interest in mind this holiday season.
Whether you prefer to dine morning, noon or night, the resort’ signature restaurant Terras and Executive Chef Justin Macy offer several unique dining opportunities and events. Holiday dining, learning to cooking something new or visiting with out of town friends on the patio overlooking the Sonoran desert this line-up will keep you and your appetite satisfied.
Holiday Dining
Celebrate the holidays with healthy, yet indulgent culinary creations at Terras. Holiday dinners will celebrate the season’s best flavors with an exclusive prix-fixe menu complete with all the trimmings. Seating’s start at 5:00 p.m. with pricing ranging from $65 per adult and $32 per child.
Thanksgiving Dinner – November 28, 2019
Christmas Dinner – December 25, 2019
New Year’s Eve Celebration Dinner – December 31, 2019
All photos courtesy of CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa
Half-Off Happy Hour
The happiest of hours is available daily 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Terras, featuring half off all beer, house wine & well cocktails along with all bar menu bites
Sunday Brunch
Make Terras the new Sunday morning tradition and indulge in a variety of healthy and comfort classics from yogurt parfaits, breakfast goods, savory creations to decadent charcuterie boards and top it off with a glass of champagne.
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
$25 per person
Private Chef’s Table Experience
An intimate four-course dining experience at Terras for three to six people featuring a four-course dinner highlighting the season’s best ingredients and perfectly paired wine. Each night features a different Chef’s choice menu.
Available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
$150 per person
Tequila Sunset
Enjoy the epic Carefree sunset nightly on the Terras Terrace with a rainbow Tequila flight and choice of 3 tacos (steak, fish or chicken)
Available daily from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
$20 per person
Bottle & Board
Choose from a variety of Chef Justin Macy’s featured charcuterie boards, along with a bottle of vino for a perfect shareable evening at the Terras Lounge.
Available daily from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
$25 per person
CIVANA Culinary School
The CIVANA Culinary team spotlights tips and tricks to create health-conscious, delicious recipes. Choose from a variety of classes available to resort guests and the public.
Sustainable Juicing Class
Shake and Stir Cocktail Class
Soulful Soups
Bake Shop 101
Vines to Wines
Culinary Clinic
To make reservations for holiday dining & classes, spa & wellness packages and for staying at CIVANA visit their website.
CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa is at 37220 Mule Train Rd. Carefree 85377. 480-653-9000
Locally owned Barro’s Pizza has opened its 43rd location in a re-modeled shopping center a mile from Grand Canyon University. The new location at 6531 N. 35th Ave. in Phoenix is the first owned by Gina Barro, sister of owners Ken, Mike & Bruce Barro. The brothers opened their first restaurant over 40 years ago using their Italian grandmother Angelina’s pizza recipe. In addition to serving fluffy crust pizza with sweet and savory sauce, Barro’s serves chicken wings, subs, pasta and salads.
“This is the perfect neighborhood for Barro’s Pizza,” said Gina Barro, owner. The area has a lot of families that have lived there for many years so we can’t wait to provide a comfortable, homey, neighborhood restaurant where families can come any night of the week or for any occasion and enjoy a good meal.”
Gina’s son Chris and daughter Kylee are helping to manage the restaurant.
The modern contemporary decor of the restaurant has an urban vibe. The restaurant has 10 big screen TVs letting customers watch their favorite teams, video games and a play area with books and games for kids of all ages.
For more information about hours of operation and to see the menu head to their website.
Friday November 15th is when PHX Beer Co. will pour the first beer at their new brewery and tap room. Throughout the day there will be tours of the 15,000 square foot facility and first pour will be at 4 p.m. “We’re thrilled to be the newest addition to the great local craft beer industry,” said PHX Beer Co. Brewery Director, Adam Wojcik. “Our team has done a great job building a new and unique portfolio of beers we are incredibly proud of. We’re excited to share them with the community.”
The 20 barrel system will allow PHX Beer Co. to increase production its 12 beers it beers. The re-modeled tap room offers high and low tables, full bar and sliding barn doors will allow for private events. A garage door has been installed and when lifted it will give customers a behind the scenes look at the brewing process. Darts, shuffle board, Foosball and other games are available for guests to play.
The menu at Phx Beer Co. will include paninis, flatbreads and shareable plates including a meat & cheese plate and Morenci Ale Pretzel Bites. All 12 beers will be poured including Arizona Gold, Orange Grove IPA and the new seasonal Cranberry Oatmeal Stout. The brewer recently opened a Scottsdale restaurant that pours all 12 beers.
“We are incredibly proud of what we are creating here,” said Wojcik. “The last few months we have improved the space, added some delicious menu items and we are ready to share it with everyone.”
The Brewery & Tap Room will be open daily at 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Mon – Fri and 6 p.m. Sat. & Sun. Phx Beer Co. Brewery & Tap Room is at 3002 E. Washington Phoenix 85034. For more information visit their website.
Arizona’s first luxury resort, Castle Hot Springs has re-opened for its first full season. Originally opened in 1896, the 210 acre property will be opened from October til late June offering guests the opportunity to detach from the digital world while rejuvenating and healing in the resorts 120 degrees thermal hot springs. Hiking, horseback riding, foraging and star gazing are a few of the many activities guests can enjoy at the iconic resort and its surrounding desert and mountains.
Harvest, Castle Hot Springs signature restaurant
Castle Hot Springs is home to Harvest, the signature restaurant and farm offering crop driven cuisine. Executive chef Christopher Brugman’s menu rotates daily based on what’s available at the resorts one acre farm. The farm and greenhouse are overseen by resident agronomist Ian Berger. He oversees over 150 fruits and vegetables native to the desert along with the properties groves that are home to 36 types of citrus trees. Included in the farm are over 35 varieties of heirloom tomatoes.
Working together Brugman and Berger choose ripe fruit and vegetables for each days menu. What they don’t grow they get from local vendors to fill in the gaps. Harvest also adheres to zero waste and sustainable guidelines. Guests can participate in daily foraging and learn about “flavor farming” that covers the sweet and savory tastes through a foods color. Dishes such as Coconut Carrot Bisque and Tandoori Octopus Grilled over Juniper Wood have been on the menu. The culinary team also has an in-house pickling program and creates concoctions such as Brugman’s Onion Ash.
Food & Beverage Manager and Sommelier Thomas Burris has created a beverage program to complement Brugman’s cuisine. Signature cocktails such as the Trade Secret and Lady & The Tramp also use ingredients sourced from the property. Trade Secret is made with rosemary infused vodka, Elderflower and pink grapefruit. The savory Lady & The Tramp combine Pecorino Romano infused vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and fresh basil leaves. Castle Springs Lithium Lager is made exclusively for Harvest and uses natural elements of the resorts hot springs.
The resort is at 5050 E. Castle Hot Springs Rd. Castle Hot Springs AZ. 85342. For more information and to make a reservation head to their website.
Before there was a Phoenix culinary scene there was chef Vincent Guerithault of Vincent’s on Camelback. The award-winning chef started his culinary career in his home country of France before accepting a job at Le Francais in Chicago then making his way to Phoenix. His career started 50 years ago and to commemorate the milestone a “Toast & Roast” is planned for Friday, October 11th.
His classic French cuisine prepared with local ingredients has garnered him many awards and recognition in his home country and the United States including the 1993 James Beard Award for “America’s Best Chef- Southwest”. He is culinary royalty here in Phoenix having opened his Camelback Road restaurant 32 years ago.
Chef Vincent will be roasted by local celebrities including Senator John Kyl, businessman Jerry Colangelo, restaurateur Mark Tarbell, former Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard and more.
Chef Vincent Guerithault classic dishes
The multi-course dinner will highlight classic dishes the chef has served over the years at prestigious restaurants. The exciting evening is open to the public and is $295 per person plus tax & service and includes wine pairings. The menu is below.
Rondelles d’Aubergines Farcies aux Asperges et Parmesan (L’Oustau de Baumanière,Les Baux de Provence).Eggplant Wrapped Asparagus with Parmesan and Fleur de Sel
Consommé de Canard au Gingembre (Le Français, Chicago). Duck Consommé with Ginger
Homard et Saint-Jacques à la Vapeur au Beurre Blanc (Le Français, Chicago). Steamed Maine Lobster and Sea Scallops served with Beurre Blanc
Tourte de Ris de Veau au Champignons (L’Oustau de Baumanière, Les Baux de Provence). Veal Sweetbread Turnover with Wild Mushrooms
Tournedos Rossini et Pommes Soufflées (Le Français, Chicago). Beef Tenderloin with Foie Gras and Soufflé Potatoes
Crêpes Veuve Joyeuse au Citron (Maxim’s, Paris). Lemon Crêpe Soufflé
As I type Ocean 44 Chief Executive Chef Marc Lupino is on his way back to Scottsdale after a quick fishing trip to Alaska. Lupino left Wednesday for Cordova to fish the Copper River for King Salmon before the fishing season opens for commercial fishing.
This unique opportunity has Lupino and a small group of people fishing Thursday into Friday before returning to Scottsdale. Once he returns he will prepare the fish for guests Friday evening. It doesn’t get much fresher than that, especially for a restaurant so far from the Copper River.
Once in the kitchen the fish will be braised in spring water, butter and lemon. Can’t make it in tonight, the fish will be on the menu in coming weeks as more fish are caught.
Celebrating the Copper River King Salmon
This annual event as the fishing season opens has restaurants anticipating the arrival of this rich and flavorful fish. Restaurants in Seattle celebrate it’s arrival as Alaska Airlines delivers thousands of pounds of the fish Friday morning.
The airline’s “Salmon Thirty Salmon” even displays a 129 foot image of the wild caught salmon.
2019 is expected to be better than 2018 for the salmon harvest.
Ocean 44 is at 4748 N. Goldwater Blvd. Scottsdale 85251.
Guests dining for dinner and brunch at Mowry & Cotton will notice new dishes to choose from the next time they dine at the restaurant. Chef de Cuisine Tandy Peterson has added Spring vegetables and proteins to the menu at the award-wining restaurant.
At the modern American restaurant inside The Phoenician Resort, Peterson has chosen lighter and fresh fare for Spring dining. New dishes on the dinner menu include Corn & Chorizo dip with chicharrones, chilis & Oaxaca cheese. Popular American comfort food favorite Chicken Pot Pie is packed with potatoes, sage veloute and Spring vegetables. A fresh tuna steak and Blistering Shishito Peppers are also featured on the new menu.
New brunch menu items feature Crispy Chicken Sandwich and Belgian Waffles with lemon curd, berries and Chantilly cream.
Mowry & Cotton at The Phoenician 6000 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. To make reservations to dine with Chef Tandy Peterson call 480.423.2530
