Photo courtesy Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
All the news that’s fit to nosh.
Architecture of a Great Meal: After shuttering dining institution Frank & Albert’s, the legendary Arizona Biltmore reconceived its space and recently debuted McArthur’s. The new restaurant is named after the resort’s lead architect, Albert Chase McArthur, a disciple of consulting architect Frank Lloyd Wright. “McArthur’s is a direct tribute to the heart of Arizona Biltmore, which is Albert Chase McArthur,” general manager Abby Murtagh says. “His legacy can be felt throughout the restaurant, invoking the same sense of place and unexpected discoveries for all who dine within its walls.” Highlights from the traditional American menu include lobster mac and cheese, Southwestern crispy chicken chopped salad and roasted brick chicken with rosemary potatoes and roasted tomato.
Wine it Up: In vino conviviality! Wine lovers, mark your calendars for these grape-centric events:
- AZ Uncorked Book Signing: Head to LDV Winery’s tasting room in Old Town Scottsdale on March 18 from 5-6:30 p.m. for a tasting and book signing with photographer and author Jenelle Bonifield. She’ll be signing copies of her tome, AZ Uncorked: The Arizona Wine Guide. Wine specials will also be on tap.
- Winemaker Weekend: Paul Hobbs Winery will be the guest of honor at this immersive weekend experience at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. Make your reservations for April 22-23 and attend a wine seminar and private wine dinner with winemaker Paul Hobbs himself.
- Wrigley Mansion Wine Festival: Keep the wine weekends going with this days-long fête at Wrigley Mansion. The second annual fest takes place April 28-May 1 and includes wine dinners, live music, interactive classes, face time with master sommeliers, a grand tasting and, because chef Christopher Gross is the mastermind behind it all, you know there will be incredible food.
Garden to Table: Our Great 48 honoree Bridget Pettis continues to work her plant magic with Project Roots, her nonprofit organization dedicated to providing nutritious food to urban neighborhoods. Support the mission by attending the organization’s first fundraiser, Taste of the Garden, on April 30 at 6 p.m. in the Spaces of Opportunity Garden in Phoenix. Star Valley chefs will prepare stunning dishes with locally grown food. “Creating dishes for people that come directly from the community gardens at Spaces of Opportunities is a perfect way for stakeholders to see a value in what we are doing first-hand,” says Pettis, former WNBA Phoenix Mercury player and Chicago Sky coach. “Most people in the Valley don’t have the luxury of experiencing food that comes directly from garden to table. That’s something we are excited to share during this fundraiser. The chefs we are working with are amazingly creative. The dishes they’ve crafted showcase the fruits of our labor perfectly.” Tickets cost $100 per person. Reserve your spot here.
New Restaurants on the Block: “Expansion” is the theme this week, as local restaurant chains grow their footprint.
- Peter Piper Express: Local pizza chain Peter Piper Pizza is opening its first to-go-only location this Friday, March 18, in the Arcadia Lite area of Phoenix. Peter Piper Express will donate 50 percent of sales on its grand opening day to Emily Health Center Library at Phoenix Children’s.
- Someburros: The fast-casual Mexican empire is making it even easier and speedier to get your pollo fundido and Poncho Villa burrito. It’s rolling out drive-thru lanes in 10 existing locations on April 1.
- Humble Bistro and Marketplace: Humble Bistro will debut this new concept this spring in Gilbert. In addition to offering brunch, lunch, happy hour and dinner, it will have a 1,500-square-foot patio, coffee bar, ice cream bar, wine store and a marketplace with products from local artisans as well as Humble pastas, pizza doughs and chile honey.
Eligible Menus: Exciting new menus are always popping up at some of your favorite Valley restaurants. This week, it’s raining cocktails with these new tipples:
- Bitter & Twitsed Cocktail Parlour: The Valley’s premier drinking establishment just launched its 2022 cocktail menu, which boasts 22 new cocktails, including eight non-alcoholic options. As per B&T custom, its 20 pages are beautifully hand-illustrated. I’m most excited for the Tropic Like It’s Hot: mezcal, guava, pineapple, passionfruit, lemon and house-made grapefruit syrup with an orange slice garnish and a rim of locally made Chamoy-Tajín sauce.
- Mix Up: Royal Palms Resort & Spa’s signature cocktail lounge has a new roster of seasonal cocktails to highlight the best of spring. On my radar: Oaxaca Old Fashioned (mezcal, tequila, agave, bitters and rosemary-smoked ice), Capri Nectar (pineapple rum, orgeat, amaro and tiki bitters) and Naran Naranja (mezcal, watermelon, Cointreau, lime and hibiscus-rose syrup).
- Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse: This Carefree institution has a new menu of lovely libations. Topping my to-try list: Chamoflauge (chamomile martini with chamomile-infused gin, Lilet Blanc, Cointreau, lemon and absinthe essence) and the Monkey See Monkey Do (tiki-inspired Scotch cocktail with pineapple, honey, lemon, orgeat, amaro and bitters).
$aving$: Watching the old budget? Who isn’t? Here are some sweet deals to help you $ave.
- The Hot Chick: The Peace, Love & Bubbles promotion runs every Sunday, when guests can order a bottle of Champagne for just $1 with the purchase of any entrée (12-3 p.m.). Nugs and Waffles and Champs? Sign me up.
- Salt and Lime Modern Mexican Grill: Purchase a fajita entrée any time this March and the restaurant will donate $1 per plate to Special Olympics Arizona and Special Olympics Illinois.
- Pedal Haus Brewery: Celebrate the second anniversary of the brewpub’s Chandler location on March 26 with food and drink specials (beer or Haus wine and brat or smash burger with fries for just $10). Custom $5 “scratch” tickets provide opportunities for five winners to nab beer for a year, with proceeds from the tickets benefitting Rob Dollar Foundation. The nonprofit promotes bicycle awareness and safety.
- Streets of New York: The local Italian chain’s Slam Dunk special is available on Phoenix Suns game days. Diners can order a 14-inch pizza and large antipasto salad for $28.95 by using the code slamdunk online.
