All the news that’s fit to nosh.
Genuinely Exciting: The Genuine, the long-awaited restaurant from Genuine Concepts (The VIG, Ladera Taverna y Cocina, Campo Italian Bistro & Bar, et al) opens this Thursday, April 28, on 16th Street north of Bethany Home Road, in the former The VIG Uptown space. Chef Jeremy Pacheco will helm the restaurant, with menu highlights including wood-oven-roasted mussels with orange blossom ale and Schreiner’s sausage, roasted chicken, pastas and share plates of charcuterie and cheese. “The Genuine is the culmination of everything we’ve learned since we started in 1991,” says co-founder Tucker Woodbury. “Starting with the foundation of our kitchen and the world-class menu by chef Jeremy that’s still very approachable and fresh and fun… with a variety of spaces and environments, from casual community tables to romantic booths, it’s the perfect neighborhood go-to with something for everyone.
Happy-ness Returns: Happy hour is back at Century Grand! Platform 18 and Grey Hen Rx will both offer 20 percent off select drinks Tuesday-Thursday from 4-6 p.m.
Grand Re-Opening: After an intensive renovation, Gilbert institution Liberty Market is open again starting Monday, April 25. The functional and aesthetic overhaul included revised seating, improved flow and efficiency from the kitchen and expo areas, diverse seating options (tables, booths, community dining spaces), a waiting area, dedicated takeout space and improved patio. A new menu is the cherry on top of the makeover.
Booze News: Spring is sprangin’ and cocktail menus are getting revamps. To wit:
- The Hot Chick: The Old Town Scottsdale hot spot recently debuted six new cocktails, from the Hot Girl Spritz (black cherry vodka, High Noone pineapple, pineapple juice) to the Pretty in Pink (a fruity, floral rum number with an edible flower). I’m looking forward to sipping the THC Paloma – blanco tequila, mezcal, grapefruit, lime and guava.
- Blanco Cocina + Cantina: Takeout cocktails are back at Blanco! For $18, you can get two bottles of one of three signature cocktails: perfect margarita, skinny margarita or blackberry elderflower sangria. Available only at the Borgata location.
- Doughbird: Blanco’s Fox Restaurant Concepts sibling is also on the takeout train, offering a similar $18/two-bottle promotion with your choice of Little Bird Sangria (blackberry, brandy, apricot, lime and red wine), Raven & Geary margarita (yuzu honey house-made sour) and The Local (whole strawberries, lemon juice and Arcadia Grapefruit Vodka).
Restaurant Do-Gooders: Support local charities with these restaurants’ specials:
- Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen: For every dessert sold in April, the gluten-free eatery will donate $1 to Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center. Additionally, the local chain will sell $3 blue autism awareness wristbands to benefit SARRC. Blue tablecloths will also grace its tables in honor of autism awareness’ signature hue.
- Miracle Mile Deli: On May 10, the Valley’s oldest deli will donate a portion of proceeds from all sales to the Colten Cowell Foundation, which provides “superhero experiences” for ill children.
To the Dogs: Love dogs and drinking? Head to The Spire Bar & Lawn at Arizona Biltmore on Saturday, April 30, for its Golden Hour with the Goldens event. The iconic resort partnered with Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Arizona Golden Rescue to showcase displaced golden retrievers and help them find “forever homes.” The canine theme carries through to the “Puptails” made with Tito’s, including The Golden (vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup) and Pawtio Party (vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, rosemary, thyme).
Patio Push: Nook Kitchen, the elevated neighborhood Italian joint in Arcadia, just debuted a pumped-up patio. The covered space offers views of Camelback Mountain, an additional 50 seats and misters for when it heats up this summer. “It makes the place feel larger, more open,” says co-owner Frank Vairo. “We’re just delighted, and the added seating is a real plus, especially while the evening temperatures are perfect for outdoor dining.”
New Restaurants on the Block:
- Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey: This Palm Springs import is set to open this May in the Melrose District. It pairs expertly crafted sushi with a curated selection of Japanese whiskey. Look for dishes like hamachi kama, Spanish octopus and albacore tataki.
- Artichoke Basille’s: The U.S.’s fastest-growing New York-style pizza chain is opening its third location in Arizona. On deck: a 3,510-square-foot space (plus 1,000-square-foot patio) at North Phoenix’s Desert Ridge Marketplace next door to Copper Blues Live. I’m psyched to try the Crab Pie.
- Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria: Chicago’s famed deep-dish pizza palace will open its seventh Valley location on Monday, April 25, at Queen Cree and Alma School roads in Chandler.
$aving$: Watching the old budget? Who isn’t? Here are some sweet deals to help you $ave.
- Grimaldi’s: The pizza chain is offering 15 percent off (dine-in and carry-out) to teachers and nurses from May 2-6 for teacher and nurse appreciation weeks.
- PHX Beer Co: The local brewery is re-releasing its limited-edition craft beer, the Shazaaam! West Coast IPA. The hoppy brew is an homage to legendary Phoenix Suns announcer Al McCoy, who counts “Shazaaam!” among his many catchprases.
- Kasai Japanese Steakhouse: Also celebrating the Suns, this steakhouse/teppanyaki restaurant is offering the Rise & Shine sushi roll and the Suns-Rise cocktail.
