Tag: signature cocktails

Copper Mule Kitchen & Bar opens in north Scottsdale

Regional cuisine is served up at a restaurant that recently opened in north Scottsdale. Copper Mule Kitchen & Bar is owned R Squared Restaurant Concepts’ Christi & James Rice and James’s brother and sister in-law John & Erin Rucker. Their New American menu is full of dishes from states that the 4 have previously lived of New York, Texas, Mississippi, New Mexico & Arizona.

“Through the places we have lived before Scottsdale, we’ve grabbed flavors from our life experiences,” says co-owner Christi Rice. “Our menu and our specialty cocktails express all the culinary adventures we’ve had and what we’ve learned about food in other areas of the country. We also have fun infusing spirits into our culinary creations.”

All photos courtesy of Christi Rice

Copper Mule Kitchen & Bar serves lunch and dinner daily with happy hour in between from 3-6 p.m. Guests can expect dishes such as the Cay Shrimp Salad, Lemon Dill Grilled Salmon, Midwest Angus Beef Burger and AZ Ale Fish & Chips along with pitas, sandwiches salads and more. $2 off all appetizers during happy hour includes favorites Montauk Fried Olives, Delta Deviled Eggs and chicken wings.

With a name like Copper Mule it comes as no surprise the cocktail menu offers 9 mule cocktails. Irish and Kentucky Mule’s join signature cocktails from around the country including The Georgia Peach, The Tipsy Texan and more.

The family friendly, reasonably priced restaurant has a dog friendly patio. The Copper Mule Kitchen & bar is at 23335 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85255. For more information and to see the menu check pout their website.

La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval emerges with a new look and menu

Plenty of Mexican food can be found around Phoenix but not many fine dining Mexican food options. One of the best is La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess which offers a new look and menu. One of the things that has not changed is the history and heritage of the restaurant.

According to General Manager Jack Miller, “The leadership at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is committed to making sure the heritage and history of this local dining landmark is honored while bringing the design and menu forward. We are determined to make sure La Hacienda continues to be the top ranked Mexican restaurant in Arizona for another generation.”

The new Short Rib Barbacoa. All photos courtesy of The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Authentic dishes at La Hacienda

Influencing the menu comes when chef Richard Sandoval and chef Forest Hamrick visit their families and new restaurants in Mexico. Popular dishes including Lobster Tacos, Filet a la Parilla and table side guacamole returned when La Hacienda re-opened in late September. New dishes include Short Rib Barbacoa and Pescado Zarandeado, a barbecued Sea Bass with charred aioli, heirloom tomato and avocado.

Make sure you try the trio of Sweet Corn Tamales, the sweet spicy mole is “lick the plate” worthy.

Another new attraction are the 21 new specialty cocktails that have been introduced. All use less than four ingredients to highlight a specific flavor. “Smoked Cocktails” highlight the new cocktail menu that use Mezcal to give it the smoky flavor. La Hacienda features over 150 tequilas and a growing selection of Mezcal all picked by Tequila Goddess Katie Schnurr.

Black Currant Margarita

A new look and expansion

The exciting new menu is compliments the new look of La Hacienda created by Judith Testani. Testani is a local designer with her own firm, Testani Design. Testani says “The goal for the re-design of La Hacienda was to align the interior of the restaurant with the sophisticated palette of the chef and menu.”

The Bar at La Hacienda

An expanded lounge and bar allows guests to gather and offer communal dining at high top tables. Tequila bottles are on the new display shelf across from the agave wall crafted by a local artist.

Large light fixtures drop from the ceiling are new as is furniture and accessories from Mexico. Guests will notice light-colored stucco walls, detailed blacked steel and renovated restrooms.

Guest can dine at La Hacienda daily at 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Sun. – Thurs. and 10 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. To view the menu and more information view their website.

 

Dorian starts serving breakfast as it re-opens after summer hiatus.

Scottsdale’s Victorian decor’d Dorian is open 7 days a week as they started serving breakfast at 7 a.m. when they re-opened after a 2 month break. Breakfast is served daily until 12 p.m. and the restaurant will then re-open at 4 p.m. for Happy Hour leading up to dinner starting at 5 p.m.

The new breakfast menu and seasonal dinner menu was crafted by chef Kurtis Smith, a graduate of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute with over 13 years of experience.

Dorian

Dorian new menus

The new breakfast menu will include parfaits, smoothies, omelettes, Lemon Cake pancakes, biscuits & gravy and more ranging in price from $7-$14.

Double back for Happy Hour starting at 4 p.m. for $3 bottles beer, $5 well drinks, 25% off craft cocktails and 30% off the bar bites. The bar menu includes burgers, Grilled Octopus, Ravioli over Butternut Squash puree, salads and more. My personal favorite is the Tomato & Burrata Salad.

A Mediterranean inspired seasonal dinner menu highlights the delicious Braised Short Ribs over warm cheddar grits, shellfish filled bowl of Cioppino and roasted hare (new food trend) with root vegetables in brown butter sage compound butter.

Braised Short Ribs

“The popular bruschetta’s and house charcuterie board stayed on the menu,” said Chef Kurtis Smith. “They are great dishes to share with a group.  We revised the menu to offer more healthy and unique options. My goal was to create a menu of familiar foods, done well. Guests will find more vegan options, fresh fish, a very tender and tasty short rib and new salads. The dishes are flavorful and bold and our breakfast menu is casual and fun too.”

Cocktails and wine

Dorian offers 6 signature cocktails such as The Madam, Chandon No.5 and The Dorian for your enjoyment. If wine and champagne are your preferred adult beverage their is an extensive list from around the world selected by the in-house 2nd level sommelier. Bottles of wine are offered at $60-$10,000 with glasses available for $8-$15.

Dorian is at 7419 E. Indian Plaza in old town Scottsdale 85251. For more information visit http://www.dorianscottsdale.com/

Hula’s Modern Tiki celebrates New Year’s Eve with all day party

With New Year’s Eve on a Sunday this year and a day off on Monday you can say good-bye to 2017 & hello to 2018 starting at 10:30 in the morning at Hula’s Modern Tiki in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Photo courtesy of Hula’s Modern Tiki

New Year’s Eve daytime

Stop in on your way home from church or a hike for Hula’s weekend brunch and all day Happy Hour. Hula’s island inspired brunch includes Eggs Benedict w/ Spam, ham and more will be served until 2:30 p.m.

Happy Hour drinks flow from 10:30 a.m. –  6p.m. with $6 signature tropical cocktails including Dark & Stormy, Zombie and the award-winning Painkiller. Sparkling wine and Mimosa’s will be $3 for day drinking.

Hula's Modern Tiki
Eggs Benedict with Spam. Photo courtesy of Hula’s Modern Tiki

Hula’s at night

Once the sun sets and 2018 gets closer by the second Hula’s continues to party the night away. The kitchen will be cooking up island favorites until 10:00 p.m.  and $3 glasses of Champagne flowing starting at 6:00 p.m.

Ring in the new year at Hula’s at midnight and you’ll be offered a complimentary Champagne toast.

Make your way to Hula’s in Scottsdale at 7213 E. 1st Ave. 85251 or in Phoenix at 4700 N. Central Ave #122 85012. For more information check their  website

 

 

Updated: Nice weather to sip and savor for Social Hour on the patio at Beckett’s Table

Update: Beckett’s Table continues to serve  Social Hour but no longer serves it on the patio. It is only in the bar or at the community table.

The calendar may say it’s still winter but our Phoenix temperatures feel like spring has sprung and there is now better way to celebrate our beautiful weather than patio dining at Beckett’s Table. Come join chef and owner Justin Beckett on the patio for Social Hour daily from 5-6:30 and enjoy Happy Hour pricing on selected eats and drinks through the spring.

Beckett’s Table ‘s signature cocktail The Palmaire. Photo courtesy of Serendipit Consulting

Enjoy your time on the covered wrap around patio sipping on a glass of wine or a signature cocktail including The Palmaire which is made with Pomegranate liquor and juice, orange vodka, house made honey, syrup, lemonade and mint. In between sips, taste bites of the creative cuisine of chef Beckett who sources much of his fresh ingredients from within 30 miles of the restaurant.

Beckett’s Table is at 3717 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix 85018. http://beckettstable.com/