Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

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

The Zuzu Burger Battle kicks off this week

The signature restaurant at Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho started the 8 week competition where members of the restaurant’s culinary team will create a unique burger. Each week’s burger will be featured on the brunch menu daily from 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and each burger is $19 and comes with fries or fruit. The winning burger will be selected on National Hamburger Day, May 28th with the winning team member winning $500 and the burger will be featured on the menu all summer long.

“Dollars for a Dozen” fundraiser returns to Over Easy

For the month of April the breakfast & lunch restaurant will match every dollar donated by guests to the United Food Bank. In addition every dollar raised will help a dozen eggs be delivered to the food bank by Shamrock Farms. Last year over $18,000 was raised and over 9,000 eggs were delivered. Guests can donate at any of 11 locations in Arizona.

Phoenix City Grille to host 5 course whiskey pairing dinner

The uptown Phoenix restaurant welcomes host Lewis Clyde (L.C.) May II of Clyde May Whiskey’s on Wednesday April 12th for the dinner with specially prepared menu. L.C. is Clyde May’s grandson and brand ambassador will be signing exclusive PCG single barrel bottles available for purchase at the event. The menu will feature cured pork belly, pork cheeks and more paired with the distilleries whiskey and rye. The evening begins at 6 p.m. and seats are limited and can be reserved for $150++ per person by calling 602-510-7174 or emailing brittnee.reed@outlook.com

Portillo’s announces 7th Arizona location

The Chicago- styled restaurant will open its next location in Queen Creek by the end of 2023. The location at Ellsworth and Elm will have indoor and outdoor seating for over 200 people and will feature their signature 2 lane drive thru for those on the go. When opened customer favorites like the Chicago style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches will be available. Managers and shift leaders will be hired in the near future and applicants can apply online.

Arizona restaurants left off list of finalists for James Beard Awards

Despite over 10 semifinalists earlier this year no Arizona restaurants or chefs made the cut of final nominees. The list was announced by the James Beard Foundation on Wednesday will the winners selected on Monday, June 7th. To see the full list of finalist head to their website.

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

Sips & Bites: News you can use from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Over Easy and Hickman Family Farms raising money for United Food bank in April

Starting today and all month long, the 11 locations are matching customer donations dollar for dollar and the farm will donate a dozen eggs for each donation. The two local businesses have a goal of donating $20,000 and 10,000 dozen eggs. Customers will see a prompt when paying their bill asking if they want to make a donation to United Food Bank.

March Madness at Koibito Poke this weekend

College basketball fan or not score $4 off your order when ordering online or on their app. Use promo code FINAL4 this Saturday and Sunday for this Final Four deal.

Rusty’s Beer Fest is this Sunday

Enjoy cold beers on the patio overlooking The Short Course and Camelback Mountain at Mountain Shadows Resort’s bar & grill. All the details and how to get tickets are here.

Raise a glass of rosé at Match Market & Bar

The downtown Phoenix restaurant in the Found:RE Hotel hosts its Monthly Guide to Wine featuring the perfect wine for Spring and Summer. Join the fun tasting and discussion about rosé Wednesday, April 6th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Admission is $25 and includes light fare with tickets available here.

Leila’s Empanadas celebrates National Empanada day with 2 events

Next Friday, April 8th the locally owned artisan maker of the Latin American hand held food celebrates from 4-6 p.m. at Sam’s Frozen Yogurt located at 3434 W Anthem Way, Suite 140, Anthem, AZ 85086. On Saturday Leila will be serving them up from 10 AM – Noon at Lil Miss Butcher 4705 E Carefree Hwy. Cave Creek, AZ 85331.

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.