UPDATE: Due to popular demand this has been extended to Monday nights throughout August.
Stay out of the kitchen on Sunday nights this summer because thru Sept. 1st diners at Phoenix area Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar’s www.FlemingsSteakhouse.com can enjoy a 3 course Prime Rib dinner for only $29.95. Start with your choice of New Wedge, Modern Caesar or Fleming’s Salad followed by Prime Rib served with a side and selection of sauces. Make sure you save room for dessert because there is one waiting for you at the end of your meal.
To wash down the Prime Rib, Fleming’s offers 5 glass’s of wine for only $6.00
o Scottsdale: 6333 N. Scottsdale Rd. / 480-596-8265
o DC Ranch-North Scottsdale: 20753 N. Pima Rd. / 480-538-8000
o Chandler: 905 N. 54th St. / 480-940-1900
o Peoria: 9712 W. Northern Ave. / 623-772-9463
As haboobs and monsoons start to kick up dirt & dust around the Phoenix area, the folks at Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market www.TomsThumbFreshMarket.com in Scottsdale are having their 1st Dirty Car Show next Saturday July, 13th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. If all goes as planned all the dirty cars will be cleaned when all is said and done and a lot of money will be raised for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale.
For the 4 hour time period, Tom’s Thumb will donate 50% of the proceeds from all cars that get a car wash to the Boys and Girls Club’s Teen Empowering Program. After 2 p.m. Tom’s Thumb will donate 25% of proceeds of all car washes when the customer mentions Boys and Girls Club at the time of purchase.
Teens will be on hand selling raffle tickets to raise more money and Tom’s Thumb will be holding a contest to see who has the dirtiest car the week of from July 1st- 12th. Interested in seeing if you have the dirtiest car of the week, you can upload a picture of your dirty car to Tom Thumb’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/toms-thumb-fresh-market or their Twitter @TheThumb1 or Instagram @tomsthumbsfreshmarket
The teens from the Boys and Girls Club will vote on who has the dirtiest car for the week of July 1st and July 8th and the winners will receive a car wash valued at $29.99 and a gift basket from Tom’s Thumb valued at $25.
Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market
9393 E. Bell Rd.
Scottsdale 85260
480-513-8186
Tonight Renegade MOD (formerly Renegade Canteen and Renegade Tap & Kitchen) www.renegadescottsdale.com opens to the public, last night a handful of people including myself got a first look and taste of several of the menu items. Most of the interior has stayed the same with the exception of several large murals on the walls in the dining room and over the bar by local artist Lalo Cota. The biggest change has been in the menu as former Kai executive chef Michael O’Dowd (the MOD in Renegade MOD) has come on board not only as executive chef but as a partner. Previously chefs Robert McGrath and Aaron May were involved but more in a consulting role. While at Kai, Chef O’Dowd garnered numerous 5 star and diamond reviews making it one of the best restaurants in the state and based on what I saw and tasted last night diners can expect more stellar reviews along with his outside of the box menu and creative presentation.
As guests mingled throughout the dining room, bar and patio we were served several samples of a few of the menu items brought to us by the attentive servers and we sipped on rum punch served in a plastic bag and drank through a straw and kept cold with a Kool Aid ice-cube. All of the samples were very good with my first taste being of the Grouper “Fish Stix”($26) is chef O’Dowd take on Macaroni & Cheese that is topped with Blue Crab and Shaved Cabbage and Ginger Slaw and is tossed with Toothpaste of Rouille. Creamy and good I found myself not turning this sample down when asked a couple of more times. Grouper “Fish Stix”
The Heirloom Tomato, Soy Beans and Crab Gazpacho($9) had kick to it and it’s cool temperature makes it a perfect starter for the hot summer months. Served for us in a shot glass made for a nice touch. Heirloom Tomato, soy Beans and Crab Gazpacho
The Venison Lollipops Dusted w/ Dry Mole ($14) has a hint of a gamey taste along with traditional mole flavor. If your fan of Mole this is not to be missed.
The chunks of Simply Put…Pork Belly ($11) are infused with Mexican Vanilla, Blis 9 & Peach Cobbler. Nothing else need be said, after all it is pork belly & the name says it all. Get some!
The Kale & Chard Kim Chee on Braunschweiger Pate ($12) looks like a sliced sushi roll and it’s uniquely topped with a poached free range egg, cured meat nuggets and rendered duck scented black bread made for one of the more creative dishes of the evening. Kale & Chard Kim Chee on Braunschweiger Pate
All though we did not taste the Big Azz Burger ($12) as a whole we were served meatballs using the combination ground pork, chuck and buffalo meats that is forged with roasted Poblano peppers, Maple bacon and spices. A great way to tease us as you know I have to go back and check it out as the meatballs were awesome.
A couple of other menu items sounded very interesting including Seafood In a Bag ($33), Kobe Chicken “Jerked” with Sweet Potato Casserole ($28) and the Re-Imagined Panzanella Composition ($16).
This dinner only restaurant should definitely tempt the palate of local foodies and be one of the more innovative experiences that the Scottsdale restaurant scene has been exposed to and with Chef O’Dowd’s reputation it should make the 3rd time a charm for this Renegade.
Renegade MOD is at 9343 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale 85260 (480)614-9400 and hours are 5:30-10 p.m. Tues. – Thurs. 5:30 – 11 on Sat. and 5:30 – 10 on Sun. Closed on Mon.
Flemings’s Prime Steakhouse,New Zealand Petite Lamb Chops
Wine Bar www.FlemingsSteakhouse.com has brought back its popular Small Plates & Big Pours pairings that starting this week. Guests can pair one of 7 Small Plates with one of 7 premium Big Pours glass of wine for only $24.95. The Small Plates are great for sharing or a lighter dinner and can also give guests the opportunity to try multiple plates and wines. This deal runs through June 30th.
Guests can choose from……
Small Plates
· New Zealand Petite Lamb Chops
· Fleming’s Lobster Tempura
· Colossal Shrimp Skewers
· New Bedford Scallops
· Sliced Filet Mignon
· Braised Short Ribs
· Ahi Tuna Colossal Shrimp Skewers Big Pours
· Esk Valley Merlot
· Villa Wolf Pinot Gris
· Parducci Petite Sirah
· B.R. Cohn Silver Label Cabernet
· A to Z Winework Pinot Noir
· Hanna Sauvignon Blanc
· Franciscan Estate Chardonnay
Scottsdale: 6333 N. Scottsdale Rd. / 480-596-8265
DC Ranch-North Scottsdale: 20753 N. Pima Rd. / 480-538-8000
Chandler: 905 N. 54th St. / 480-940-1900
Peoria: 9712 W. Northern Ave. / 623-772-9463
On Saturday June 1st, from 6 p.m. -8 p.m. Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market will be hosting “The Desert Stangs” Mustang Club and invite all to come check out these American classic cars. The cars owner, who are very passionate about the cars, will be happy to talk about their cars. Mustang Club members will get a free car wash between 5:00 -6:00 p.m.
During this time customers can enjoy beer and wine for $1 off while checking out these cool cars. You can also dine at Tom’s Thumb with their award-winning BBQ and southern inspired food.
There is no cost to attend.
Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market at 9393 E. Bell Road Scottsdale 85260 (480)513-8186 http://facebook.com/toms-thumb-fresh-market
It’s hard to believe that Memorial Day weekend is only 2 weeks away and San Tan Brewing Company http://www.santanbrewing.com/ is kicking off the unofficial start to summer with canal bike ride on Sunday May 26th. The ride will begin at Kelly’s at Southbridge (7117 E. 5th Ave. Scottsdale 85251) in Scottsdale at 3:00 p.m. where riders will grab a bite to eat and cold beer with the ride to start at 3:30. Once fueled up riders will head down the canal to Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn for cold beer before heading back to O.H.S.O Nano Brewery for more beer and then back to Scottsdale to Dos Gringos for the final stop which concludes with another San Tan beer and time to hang out.
Cost is $25 per person and includes food at Kelly’s along with a San Tan beer at all 4 stops. With the Memorial Day Weekend ride expected to sell out registration is on San tan’s events page http://bit.ly/YNdBbh
Celebrating Arizona’s more than 8,500 restaurants and their 260,000 employees while making Arizona a top culinary destination.
With the always popular Arizona Restaurant Week www.ArizonaRestaurantWeek.com starting in just 10 days May 18th- 27th, the Arizona Restaurant Association invited myself and a few other lucky media people to take tour, and taste, of 4 of Scottsdale’s newest restaurants participating in Spring 2013 celebration. Here is a sample of what you can expect. Top to bottom : cappuccino dei Funghi, Insalata manago & Caprese
We met at Taggia at The Firesky Resort & Spa to taste a sampling of the 3 choices they will be offering for their 1st course. The Cappuccino dei Fungi was a personal favorite as I love all things mushrooms, this mushroom soup uses Portobello and porcini along with some truffle spuma. The Caprese was a soft burrata, yellow heirloom tomato slice and pink peppercorns. Insalata Manago is roasted red peppers wrapped in thinly sliced mango tossed with pickled red onions and arugula.
All were prepared by executive Chef Massimo De Francesca and his staff. To read more about Taggia see my post about Massimo’s coastal Italian cuisine https://pullingcorksandforks.com/?p=840
Peter Rabbit cocktail
On to our next stop at Searsucker we were provided with transportation by Uber www.uber.com the newest way to catch a ride with their app on your cell phone for on-demand car service with professional drivers.
Greeted at Searsucker with a Peter Rabbit cocktail we enjoyed a sampling of Farm Bird lollipops with snake bite hot sauce for those of us who enjoy a little heat with their chicken. The squid “sweet heat” is Searsucker’s unique take on calamari with sweet and spicy a taste. www.searsucker.com/scottsdale
After a quick ride in one of Uber’s Escalades we arrived at Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse for our main course of Sirloin steak or salmon filet. My filet was perfectly cooked to medium rare and was served with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. There is nothing wrong with a good steak from Peter Luger’s alums Ben & Jack and their first foray outside of NYC. www.benandjackssteakhouse.com
Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse’s Sirloin steak w/ mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli
Almost full, we all saved room for dessert and we were off to Davati Enocteca for executive chef Peter DeRuvo’s Millie Foglie which is berry sauce and whip cream in between a puff pastry and a drizzle of creme anglaise. A perfect way to end the evening as the dessert was not to heavy and cured my daily sweet tooth. www.davantiscottsdale Davanti Enoteca’s Millie Foglie
Based on what I tasted and saw this should be another record-setting week for the twice annual culinary celebration and reservations are highly recommended if you plan to check out your favorite restaurant or get to a new restaurant you’ve been wanting to try.
People of all ages able to order off the new Chompie’s Kids Menu and Chompie’s will make a donation from every kids meal purchased to Phoenix nonprofit Playworks to help end bullying in schools.
On Wednesday, June 5th, 2013, Chompie’s, Arizona’s New York Deli invites people of all ages to “Eat Like a Kid” by ordering a Kids Meal* from their new kids menu (normally just for kids 10 and under). For every Kids Meal purchased, Chompie’s will make a donation to Playworks Arizona, a nonprofit organization that seeks to transform schools and end bullying by providing play and physical activity at recess and throughout the school day.
The new Chompie’s Kids Menu includes 19 delicious Chompie’s favorites for breakfast, lunch and dinner, such as their famous Jewish Sliders (featured on Travel Channel’s Man v. Food), Long Island French Toast served with bacon or turkey sausage and their Checkered Cab Cheeseburger served with choice of Fresh Fruit Salad, French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries or House-made Potato Chips.
The kids menu also includes a tasty gluten-free friendly section! Prices for the Kids Meals start at just $3.79. People can also order off the main menu that day. “Everyone Can Eat Like a Kid Day” is valid from open to closing on June 5th at all four of Chompie’s locations in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Chandler.
*No substitutions. Dine In only. Limit one kids meal per person. Offer excludes beverages, cookie/desserts and additional sides. Not valid with any other offers, coupons, discounts or promotional gift cards.
Please visit www.chompies.com/ccares to view the Kids Menu and to learn more about Everyone Can Eat Like a Kid Day and Playworks.
Here are the Big Apple Bargins for the remainder of May.
May 8th – May 14th
Sliced Deli Meats
Buy 1 lb. get 1/2 lb. of equal or lesser value Free!
excludes Tongue
Prices range from $9.99 lb.-$17.99 lb.
May 15th – May 21st
Homemade Deli Salads
Buy 1 lb. get 1/2 lb. of equal or lesser value Free!
Prices range from $4.99 – $16.99 lb.
May 22nd – May 29th
Homemade Soups
Chicken Noodle, Matzo Ball, Split Pea, Beef Barley,
Sweet&Sour Cabbage, Soup Du Jour
Buy 1-quart get 1-pint Free!
(Reg. $7.99 Qt.)
Chompies Big Apple Bargains are not valid with any other coupon,
offer, or discount, on catering, or with promotional
Custom App Helps Guests Navigate Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar’s
Extensive Wine List Using an iPad
WinePad
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has launched the Fleming’s WiNEPAD™, a custom app on iPad that helps Guests easily navigate the restaurant’s extensive wine list tableside or at the bar. Offered at each of its 65 locations nationwide, the Fleming’s WiNEPAD™ design mirrors the restaurant’s décor with a custom-designed case and color palette.
“For our Guests, the Fleming’s WiNEPAD™ takes the guessing out of ordering wine,” said National Director of Wine Maeve Pesquera. “We look forward to enhancing the experiences of our Guests and taking the intimidation factor out of wine.”
The application was developed by National Wine Director Maeve Pesquera, and the brand’s National IT Training Coordinator Craig Sheppard.
As the contemporary iteration of the classic American steakhouse, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is at the forefront of both technology and wine. Noted industry-wide for its technological advances and offerings, the brand heralds the Fleming’s WiNEPAD™ launch as the evolution of the successful Fleming’s 100®, its award-winning wine program that features 100 wines by the glass. Not only does the Fleming’s WiNEPAD™ boast easy-to-use, intuitive and interactive software, but it also provides label-specific tasting notes and, in some cases, the story behind the wine.
Another unique and differentiating element to the Fleming’s WiNEPAD™ is the ability for guests to match their current mood with specific varietal categories and tastes, providing a customized experience with the “What’s Your Mood” function. White wine moods range from Fragrant & Fruity to Rich & Elegant, red wine moods include Big & Intense and Rich & Voluptuous, and sweet wine moods feature Sweet & Mouth-watering and Sweet & Powerful. The Fleming’s WiNEPAD™ Mood Matcher function offers more than 10 moods with various wine selections for each to satisfy Guests’ ever-changing tastes.
Available tableside or at the bar, the Fleming’s WiNEPAD™ has other standard features including:
· Wine List Tab – Sorts wines in progressive order from lightest to fullest by region, varietal, Fleming’s 100® selections, wines rated at 90+ by Robert Parker Wine, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast and local selections chosen by the location’s Wine Manager;
· Maeve’s Raves – Presents wines selections recommended by the National Director of Wine Maeve Pesquera;
· Perfect Pairings – Showcases wine and food pairings based on the Guests’ menu selection by providing three perfectly paired wine options that deliciously accentuates complementary flavors. This takes the guesswork out of selecting the perfect glass of wine for each course;
· Spin the Bottle – Provides a fun and adventurous take on ordering wine for the indecisive. The bottle icon spins and lands on a different selection each time;
· Share This Wine – Gives Fleming’s Guests the ability to email themselves any wine on the wine list. The email comes to the Guest’s inbox complete with their new favorite wine, tasting notes and an image of the label;
· Register for ‘Friend of Fleming’s’ – Encourages Guests to sign up directly from the Fleming’s WiNEPAD™ to receive exclusive offers from Fleming’s and the opportunity to be the first to know about seasonal menus, exclusive wine tasting events and other extended offers;
· Tonight’s Features – Gives the inside scoop on everything happening at your Fleming’s tonight.
“Fleming’s has a 15-year history of innovation,” states Pesquera. “It’s in our heritage to adapt to our guests’ changing tastes and needs as their daily lives seamlessly integrate technology. The Fleming’s WiNEPAD™ is the next natural step to giving guests what they want – an exciting and educational interactive dining experience.”
There are four Fleming’s in Phoenix in Peoria, Chandler, North Scottsdale at DC Ranch and Scottsdale at Lincoln Road. For more information on Fleming’s or to make reservations, please visit www.flemingssteakhouse.com.
Abe’s of Scottsdale Deli Honors Mom’s on Their Special Day with a Complimentary “Toast”!
What’s better than bringing your mom breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day?
Bring her to Abe’s of Scottsdale Deli any time of day to enjoy her special day! Abe’s of Scottsdale Deli has crafted the perfect excuse to get your mother out of the kitchen on her day of honor.
Abe’s Benedict plate
Sunday, May 12, 2013
8 am to 8pm
Abe’s of Scottsdale Deli
10050 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite 127
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
(Off of Scottsdale Road and Gold Dust, located conveniently behind
California Pizza Kitchen)
Mom will be treated like a queen and can enjoy her day with a complimentary Mimosa or Bloody Mary, or delicious smoothie with a delight of flavor of fruit and milk.
Enjoy one of the following smoothies:
· Strawberry and Banana
· Triple Berry Delight with Raspberries, Blueberries and Blackberries
· Caribbean with pineapple, mango and coconut
In addition to their menu specialties, Abe’s will be offering two Mother’s Day specials that are sure to make Mother’s Day a special day for the whole family.
Mom will love Abe’s lox plate, filled with delicious hand sliced Nova Scotia salmon, your choice of Abe’s delicious bagels with plain, low-fat chive, veggie or lox cream cheese, homemade potato latke with applesauce and sour cream, fresh fruit and plus delicious slice of New York cheesecake and a mouth-watering complimentary “toast” beverage for $18.00.
Abe’s will also have eggs Benedict, poached eggs atop a toasted English muffin with Hollandaise sauce. Served with fresh fruit. Noodle kugel, and chocolate dipped strawberries, $18.00
Abe’s offers the following Benedicts:
· The Basic One, with Canadian Bacon
· The Deli, with grilled salami, pastrami or corned beef
· Florentine, with sautéed spinach
· Smoked Salmon, with Nova Scotia salmon
· CBH, with griddled corn beef hash
As always, all of Abe’s menu specialties are available including piled high sandwiches, homemade soups and traditional East coast deli specialties for breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available.
Reservations are suggested for parties of six or more. For those who want to serve Mom
breakfast in bed, carry out at our deli counter and mouth-watering trays are available. For more
information call 480-699-5700.
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar With a Special Three-Course Brunch Menu
On the most special day for moms, treat them to a three-course brunch at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Guests can enjoy innovative brunch favorites for $36.95 per guest. In addition, each mom will receive a $25 dining card valid for a future visit.
Guests are invited to celebrate Mother’s Day with the entire family. Fleming’s offers a special three-course brunch menu for children under 12 available for $17.95.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
All locations – there are four Fleming’s in Phoenix in Peoria, Chandler, North Scottsdale at DC Ranch and Scottsdale at Lincoln Road.
o Scottsdale: 6333 N. Scottsdale Rd. / 480-596-8265
o DC Ranch-North Scottsdale: 20753 N. Pima Rd. / 480-538-8000
o Chandler: 905 N. 54th St. / 480-940-1900
o Peoria: 9712 W. Northern Ave. / 623-772-9463
To find a location near you and make reservations, please visit Fleming’s website www.flemingssteakhouse.com.
Mother’s Day – Sunday, May 12, 2013
Open early from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and open during regular dinner hours at each location.
Brunch begins with a choice of appetizer including Lobster Bisque, Modern Caesar or Fresh Seasonal Fruits; followed by a choice of entrée including Prime Rib with a Trio of Sauces or Baked Brioche French Toast with a Walnut Crisp, among other mouth-watering choices, and ends with a choice of dessert including a classic White Chocolate Bread Pudding. The full menu is available online at FlemingsSteakhouse.com
Guests can choose to accompany the celebration with one of our specially hand-crafted cocktails including the Bellapolitan ($8.95), Scottish Beauty ($9.95) or Blood Orange Mimosa ($7.95).
