All the news that’s fit to nosh.
We All Scream for Ice Cream: Dana Dumas, CEO and owner of SugarJam The Southern Kitchen, knows how to grow a business. She went from an at-home bakery to a brick-and-mortar brunch spot in North Scottsdale. Now, she is adding an ice cream trailer and a gift shop, known as The Market by Sugar, to her resume. The gift shop will sell handmade items like candles, crafts and home goods. The ice cream trailer will serve southern flavors like bourbon pecan and peach cobbler. Both the gift shop and the trailer open on July 23 and will be located next door to the restaurant.
Restaurant Do-Gooders: Through her nonprofit Another Round Another Rally, hospitality specialist Amanda Gunderson helps improve working conditions for bar and restaurant employees. Recently, she raised more than $4 million to train hospitality workers in Phoenix. Her efforts did not go unnoticed – she just became the first Arizona resident to receive a Pioneer Award. The award celebrates those who encourage mentorship and help make the hospitality industry more equitable.
Donut Stop Me Now: Bashas’ Grocery Store celebrated its 90th birthday by breaking a world record with Basha High School. On July 12, hundreds of people gathered to watch the largest doughnut mosaic being created. In total the mosaic used 14,400 donuts, weighed 5,400 pounds and measured 902 feet long.
The Lobster and the Wharf: Owning a drive-through is expensive, especially if all you serve is lobster. No one knows that better then Angie’s Lobster, the home of $9.99 lobster meals. To keep prices low, owners Tony and Roushan Christofellis recently purchased a wharf in Maine. The wharf will allow prices to remain low and wages to remain high. With the new savings, the Christofellises plan to open six more locations around the Valley.
A New, but Familiar Frontier: They say classics never go out of style. Here are a few new versions of old foodie favorites.
- The VIG: The VIG is opening its fifth Valley location this fall at 8729 N. Central Ave. It will feature the same famous Vignature cocktails and chef Jeremy Pacheco’s popular menu of upscale tavern food.
- Someburros: Hold onto your sombreros! Someburros is coming to the West Valley. On July 16, the popular Mexican food spot is opening a location in Goodyear at 50 Estrella Pkwy. Diners can enjoy the same handmade burritos, tacos and enchiladas.
Eligible Menus: Exciting new menus are always popping up at some of your favorite Valley restaurants.
- Eat Up Drive In: The upscale drive-through restaurant just launched its new catering menu perfect for office parties and family gatherings. The menu features gluten-friendly, vegetarian and vegan options. Highlights include a Caesar wrap, heirloom salad and wood-grilled citrus chicken. The catering menu is available now and orders can be made by phone (602-441-4750).
- Hash Kitchen: With its new brunch menu items, Hash Kitchen is sure to kickstart your morning. Highlights include the delicious one-pound loaded baked potato hash, an espresso and Kahlua-soaked tiramisu French toast and a new vanilla vodka cocktail called Espress Yourself.
New Restaurants on the Block: Itching to try something new? Bookmark these new eateries.
- Mr. Pickle’s: Looking for something dill-lightful? Mr. Pickle’s is coming to the desert. The sandwich shop serves up hot subs, cold subs and clubs. The first of many planned Arizona locations will be in Scottsdale.
- Collins Bros. Chophouse: Restauranteur Christopher Collins has embarked on a new adventure: Collins Bros. Chophouse. The warm, dimly lit, masculine restaurant only serves up the freshest seafood and the highest quality meats. To celebrate its recent grand opening, the restaurant is offering half off bottles of wine through the whole month of July.
- Torchy’s Tacos: From Austin to Phoenix, Torchy’s Tacos has just opened its first Arizona location. Known for addictive Green Chile Queso and Damn Good Tacos, it’s bound to be busy.
- Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine: Take a culinary tour of India, experience new flavors and rethink what you know of Indian Cuisine at Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine. Co-creator and head chef Karan Mittal is an internationally recognized culinarian, who has restaurants across the globe.
$aving$: Watching the old budget? Who isn’t? Here are some sweet deals to help you $ave.
- Marcellino Ristorante: Fancy a movie and an Italian dinner? Maybe a prix fixe menu? For only $49 per person, guests are treated to a three-course meal with decadent, carefully curated pastas, seafood and homemade desserts. If that doesn’t get you excited, maybe a movie will. Throughout the summer on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings starting at 5:30 p.m., couples, friends, families or strangers can enjoy an authentic Italian dinner followed by a classic award-winning film set in Italy. Attendees can look forward to a lineup that includes titles like Roman Holiday, Only You and When in Rome.
- Salt and Lime Modern Mexican Grill: ‘Tis the season with a Christmas in July deal. Purchase an $100 gift card and you will get a bonus $25 gift card.
- Miracle Mile Deli: Did you know that Miracle Mile Deli was the first establishment in Phoenix to sell an all-beef kosher hot dog? To celebrate the dog days of summer, National Hot Dog Month and a little bit of Arizona history, Miracle Mile Deli is offering a $6 hot dog special. Get a hotdog, fries and a drink all for $6.
- Z’Tejas: Join the Jug Club for to-go margaritas. The Jug Club is a membership club with weekly or monthly options starting at $500 for an annual monthly membership or $2,000 for the annual weekly membership, which comes out to 12 or 52 gallons per year. Each gallon serves 10-12 people and comes with chips and salsa. If you’re not sure you are ready to join the club, single gallons are available for $60.
- Koibito Poke: Enjoy seasonal happy hour on weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m. and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Offerings include $4 beers and $5 glasses of wine, seltzers and sake.
