Tag: Sunday Funday

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Free bowl of menudo on New Year’s Day

All 35 Food City locations in Arizona celebrate National Menudo Month and National Hangover Day January 1st 2023 with a free bowl of menudo. The popular hangover remedy is available from 9-11 a.m. in the deli for dine-in only.

Famous 48 now serving lunch & weekend brunch

The standalone restaurant in the Shops at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale is now serving lunch 7 days a week starting at 11 a.m. Saturday & Sunday brunch starts at 10:30 a.m. until 3:00p.m.

Sunday Funday taco specials at Urban Margarita

Every Sunday from 1:30 p.m. til closing the Glendale restaurant has street tacos for only $2 each. Choose from grilled steak, chicken or carnitas and don’t forget the margarita to wash them down.

Batch Cookie Shop coming to Queen Creek in 2023

The family owned cookie shop in Gilbert announced its second location will be coming to Queen Creek this summer. It will be in front of the new Costco at Rittenhouse and Ellsworth Rds. More details will be available as they get closer to opening day.

OpenTable names local restaurants Top 100 Restaurants in America in 2022

Steak 44, Ocean 44 and Dominick’s Steakhouse in Phoenix and Scottsdale have been named to the prestigious list. All 3 restaurants are owned by father and sons Dennis, Michael & Jeff Mastro and partner Scott Trolio. The list is curated from over 13 million customer reviews on the website from October 31st 2021- September 30th 2022. Also making the list from Arizona is Mariposa in Sedona and The Henry in Phoenix.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

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

 

 

Bartenders mix it up for Bar Brawl at Jade Bar

A little friendly competition is always good to keep us on our toes and even more so in the Phoenix restaurant community as we find ways to make the summer go by quicker. Jade Bar at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa will host a friendly Bar Brawl for 8 local bartenders to show off what they do best….make delicious cocktails.

Every Sunday at 8 p.m. from July 16th – August 6th two bartenders will go head to head to see who will advance to the Semi-Finals on August 13th & 20th with the two winners advancing to the Championship on August 27th where the new “Bar Brawl  Champion’ will be crowned.

Bar brawl

Each weeks head to head competition will use specific spirits and ingredients for cocktails that will be judged by a panel of local judges.

Eddie Aces, Jade Bar’s Head Mixologist will emcee the event each week with locals and resort guest invited to cheer on the bartenders while DJ Hybrid will be providing entertainment. A special menu of “Bar Brawl Bites” will be available for purchase for happy hour prices during each weeks competition. There is no cost to attend the Bar Brawl.

The Bar Brawl Champion will be awarded a fun-filled trip to Austin City Limits. Previous winners have included Kyle Mason of Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia and Keifer Gilbert of Crudo and Counter Intuitive.

The 8 bartenders competing will be

  • Piroose Hajizadeh-Amini, Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
  • Kyle Landry, Crudo
  • Liza Loewenhagen, Cobra Arcade Bar
  • Alex Knight, Culinary Dropout
  • William Luddington, The Ostrich
  • Gavin Pena, The Clever Ko
  • Rando Shields, Shady’s Fine Ale’s and Cocktails
  • Sam Penton, Counter Intuitive

and their head to head competition will be

  • July 16 – Pena vs. Hajizadeh-Amini
  • July 23 – Lowenhagen vs. Knight
  • July 30 –  Shields vs. Luddington
  • Aug.  6 –  Landry vs. Penton

 

 

 

 

 

Easter weekend is hopping at The Wigwam resort

Those looking for a family friendly Easter celebration in Phoenix’s west valley have few choices when it comes to celebrating with the classic resort style brunch. Good news as the historic AAA Four-Diamond Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park is celebrating on both Saturday and Sunday April 15th & 16th.

Easter bunny breakfast at The Wigwam

Kids get ready as the Easter Bunny will be hopping in to the resort’s Aztec Ballroom on Saturday morning for a special breakfast from 8 a.m. – 11a.m. The scrumptious menu includes French Toast, mini waffles, an omelette station along with Applewood smoked bacon, Wigwam potatoes, fresh fruit and an assortment of danishes. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny is $25 for adults and $15 for kids  3-12 years old.

After breakfast head out to the resorts lawn for the Easter Eggstravaganza for Egg Roll Races, Easter Bunny Hopping Trail, egg dyeing and animals from the nearby Wildlife World Zoo. The Easter Bunny will be available for photos and other activities are planned. The Eggstravaganza is free and open to the public and runs from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Sunday Easter Brunch

Those looking for a traditional Easter Brunch buffet should head to the Wigwam Ballroom from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday where they can choose maple peppercorn glazed ham, carved pepper crusted sirloin and seared salmon. An omelette station along with pancakes and penne pasta with basil pesto and goat cheese will also be available. Reservations are required and the cost is $48 for adults, $20 for kids 3 – 12 years old and free for kids under 2 years old.

A four course brunch will be available in Litchfield’s Restaurant that will feature an appetizer course with your choice of field greens, antipasti or fresh berries. Guests can choose from Caprese Benedict, smoked salmon flatbread, shrimp & grits or Huevos Rancheros for an entrée. A dessert station with a selection of truffles, fruit tarts. macrons and other desserts will be available to end your meal. Reservations for Sunday Brunch can be made by calling (623)935-3811. For more information go to http://www.wigwamarizona.com/

 

azcentral.com Food & Wine Experience announces a la carte schedule

For several months foodies around the valley have been waiting anxiously for the up coming azcentral.com Food & Wine Experience the weekend of Nov. 5th-6th. The event at Salt River Fields will bring foodies together with chefs from Phoenix area restaurants and celebrity chef Mario Batali for cooking classes, dinners, a whiskey tasting and much more.

azcentral-food-wine-logo-cid_image002_jpg01d218b9With great food from over 70 restaurants and more than 200 beers and whiskeys available to taste organizers have put together an a la carte schedule so each festival goer can personalize their own experience.

azcentral.com Food & wine experience a la carte itinerary

Below is the a la carte itinerary so you can plan a fun weekend.

mario-batali-unspecified8lunjhny
Photo courtesy of Ken Goodman

Sat., Nov. 5

  • Lunch with Mario Batali. The chance to dine on recipes by this global favorite sold out within days.  Guests will dine on Mario’s favorite recipes, have the chance to hear firsthand from the maestro about his culinary inspirations and learn what promoted his latest book newest out this fall MARIO BATALI BIG AMERICAN COOKBOOK: 250 Favorite Recipes from Across the USA. SOLD OUT
  • 1:30pm.  The Blend. Master bourbon maker and proprietor of Jefferson’s Small Batch Bourbon of Kentucky, Trey Zoeller leads this interactive adventure in blending.  Guests create their own custom bourbon and learn the historic secrets to this signature beverage. $39
  • Scotch, Steaks and Stogies. It’s a triple threat of super talent: chefs James Porter, Christopher Gross and Matt Carter lead this happy hour of great food and strong drink.  Porter pontificates straight from his Terra farm + manor; James Beard winner & French chef extraordinaire Christopher Gross adds spark straight from his venerable Christopher’s and Crush Lounge; and super perfect restaurateur Matt Carter delivers the flair of his Zinc Bistro, The Mission, The House Brasserie and the soon opening, Fat Ox. $59
  • Not Your Average BBQ & Brews. Another super trio elevates the American barbecue to new heights.  Think wagu beef vs. pulled pork. ‘nuf said.  Little Miss Barbecue’s jewel of a smoker, Scott Holmes, takes the griller’s role; Downtown Phoenix food creative Stephen Jones of DeSoto Market adds his stamp of culinary flair; and Bernie Kantak puts his precision into action straight from Citizen Public House and The Gladly. Want more of a reason to attend this event? Select varieties of Four Peaks, Goose Island and Golden Road breweries are featured accompaniments.  $79
  • Talking Stick Destination Dinner. Indigenous ingredients and savory continental flavors served with each course in this evening of authentic cultural immersion of the Southwest. Come for the food but stay for the flautist and hoop dancing performances of the Native American tradition. $80
  • Batali + Bianco. Experience elevated dining from two of the world’s most popular Italian chefs. An evening of fine food, excellent wine, warm hearts and two superbly inspiring culinary personalities. This occurs at the new Tratto in Phoenix. An evening to remember! $175.

Sun., Nov. 6

  • Eat. Drink. Give. We’re talking Sisterhood of the Stove, people!  Get on your feet and support this beautiful mini grand tasting lovingly prepared by a 13 all-female chef cast.  AND proceeds benefit The Joy Bus, which delivers fresh healthy meals to cancer patients. These sisters bring the heat from the kitchen to create small bites and joyful cocktails in a feel-good midday dining event that won’t disappoint.  $99
  • 12:30pm. East Meets West. When Nobuo Fukada decides to put a new twist on cuisine, guests know something exotic and delicious is about to happen.  The James Beard Award winning chef enlightens with insights on delicate yet satiating creations in a dining presentation that combines Japanese culture.  His small bites are paired with fine wines, rare Japanese whiskey and sake.  $49
  • 2:30pm.  Sunday Sip ‘n Tell. The traditions, regions and secrets of select wines make for a rare and palate-pleasing storyline in this Sunday afternoon seminar of libations presented by Today’s Patio.  $49
  • The Grand Finale Gio Osso, Alex Stratta, Kevin Fink, Bruce Kalman, and Chris Bianco present a superlative multi-course meal with fabulous pairings, capping off 3 days of rare food and beverages. Each delivers their own creation passionately prepared for an unforgettable evening with mega award-winning culinary personalities. $125

Ticket and information

Subscribers to azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic are eligible for $10 and $15-off any Grand Tasting ticket while supplies last at azcentral.com/insider. Grand Tasting tickets and latest information is at http://www.azcentralfoodandwine.com/.

 

Local chefs compete for best burger at Okra Cookhouse & Cocktail’s Burger Battle

Burgers, burgers and more burgers is what’s on the menu the next 4 Sundays in October as Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails hosts a weekly Burger Battle. 6 local chefs will be competing to see who has the created the tastiest burger. Starting this Sunday October 9th and for the 2 Sundays following, diners can watch the fun and taste the burgers created that will be judged by celebrity judges. Each weeks winner will compete on Sunday October 30th to see which chef has created the best burger.

Photo courtesy of Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails
Photo courtesy of Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails

Burger battle participating chefs

Here are the 6 local chefs competing and the schedule with the fun starting every Sunday at 3pm.

October 9th features Kelly Fletcher from the soon to be open Zen Culinary going up against Gio Osso of Virtu & Nico

October 16th has host Cullen Campbell of Crudo & Okra doing battle against Doug Robson of Otro.

Ocotber 23rd pits Justin Beckett of Beckett’s Table and Southern Rail against Upward Projects Chris Newstrom

October 30th is the finals for the 3 winners.

Burger Battle and brunch for C-cap

Okra will also be serving their regular Sunday specials that include all day happy hour, 1/2 off bottles of wine and mixologist Micah Olson will be creating a special cocktail & punch with Tito’s vodka for the Burger Battle. Part of the proceeds from each weeks event will go to C-CAP , a non-profit that helps get young men and women get started in their culinary arts career.

Okra is at 5813 N. 7th St. Phoenix 85014 (602)296-4147 http://www.okraaz.com

 

Breakfast at Tiffany’s themed event to benefit Scottsdale League of the Arts on Sept. 25th

The non-profit Scottsdale League of the Arts will be hosting a Breakfast at Tiffany’s themed Wine Country Brunch at The Camby Hotel in Phoenix on Sunday September 25th from 11am- 2pm. Brunch will be prepared by not only The Camby’s culinary team but from restaurants, The Herb Box and Arcadia Farms. Guests will be able to sip Mimosa’s from the Mimosa Bar, Champagne and wines paired with for the culinary delights served.

Mimosa Bar
Mimosa Bar

Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme

The classic film Breakfast at Tiffany’s themed brunch will allow guests to dress up like Audrey Hepburn’s character Holly Golightly and others from the early 1960’s era. There will be a Audrey Hepburn look-a-like to have photos taken with the film playing in the background. Games and other fun will be played and had during the 3 hour event. “We are excited to have one of our community favorite events; the Wine Country Brunch as a featured event this fall. It is a great way to mingle with friends and enjoy an amazing brunch, all while benefiting charity!” said Dan Bowman, Scottsdale League for the Arts.

the-cambyThe Scottsdale League of the Arts

All money raised will go to Scottsdale League of the Arts as it support of the arts and arts education through various organizations throughout the Phoenix area. Wine Country Brunch is just one of several fund raising events Scottsdale League of the Arts hosts every year. Others include the week long Scottsdale Culinary Festival in the spring and The Friends of James Beard Dinner. Over $4 million has been raised and awarded to Ballet Arizona, Childsplay and Free Arts of Arizona along with other organizations.

Tickets for Wine Country brunch

Tickets for the event are $75 per person or $650 for a table of 10 and include unlimited food and drink samples as well as all the days activities. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.scottsdalefest.org/2016wcb

 

 

Tavern Americana opens early on weekends for football with food and drink specials

College football season has started and the pros start to play for real in a few more days and Tavern Americana is reaching out to all football fans opening at 10 a.m. and with food and drinks specials every Saturday and Sunday at their north Scottsdale restaurant.

Drink & food speicals on weekends

$8 pitchers of beers & $12 Bottomless Bloodies are on tap for drink specials and the food menu includes House made jerk at $5, Cuban Sandwich $9 and a Sonoran Dog $9 and several other tasty sounding foods.

Photo Courtesy of Tavern Americana
Photo Courtesy of Tavern Americana

Monday night specials

For 3 of the Monday night games there will be game day entries from the cities to which the 2 teams are playing and include…

        Sept. 19: Philly Cheese Steak versus Chicago Dog for Eagles versus Bears.

        Oct. 3: New York Deep Dish Pizza versus Juicy Lucy for Giants versus Vikings.

·      Oct. 10: Cuban sandwich versus Carolina style BBQ sandwich Buccaneers versus Panthers.

sunday funday at tavern americana

Sundays through football season you can enjoy Happy Hour pricing all day and can enjoy additional Brunch menu items during your favorite game. Sweet, savory or spicy you can choose from these tasty menu items.

   Stuffed French toast – Cream cheese stuffed brioche, seasonal fruit compote, warm maple syrup, vanilla cream – $11

   Tavern Power Bowl – Quinoa/potatoes, avocado, spinach, tomato, mushrooms, poached eggs, chipotle vinaigrette – $14

   Southwestern Hash – chorizo, tavern potatoes, caramelized onions, jalapeños, pico de gallo, avocado, pepper jack. Served w/ toast or biscuit –  $11

   Veggie Bene – avocado, asparagus, roasted red pepper, basil hollandaise. Potatoes $12

Tavern Americana is at 20469 N. Hayden rd. Scottsdale (480)502-6740 http://www.urbantaverngroup.com