All the news that’s fit to nosh.
Wine Country BBQ: Wine lovers and barbecue enthusiasts can unite this summer at LDV Winery’s annual Wine Country BBQ in Pearce, Arizona. Raise a glass and savor the flavors on Saturday, August 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event includes a wine tasting, BBQ lunch, tours of the vineyard and winery, and various photo opportunities. Tickets are $40 each and guests can register by calling 480-664-4822 or emailing info@LDVWinery.com.
A Taste of Disney: Break out those Mickey ears and head Downtown to experience Disney magic without leaving the desert. FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel and Match Market are hosting a Disney-inspired food festival on Saturday, July 22 from noon to 4 p.m. There will be small plates inspired by the parks like turkey legs, Dole whips and corn dogs. There will also be food inspired by classic and modern movies like baked meatballs from Lady and the Tramp. Guests will have a chance to win two Disneyland park tickets and additional prizes will be offered for trivia and costume contests. Disney tunes and movies will be playing throughout the galleries and lounges for a more enchanting and imaginative experience. Tickets start at $50 and include 10 food tickets.
Wing in the School Year: ATL Wings on West Thomas Road is helping families get back-to-school ready by hosting a school supply donation party on Monday, July 24. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., families in need can receive essential school supplies and various giveaways including free food, gift cards for haircuts, school clothing and more. Donations are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cheers to Three Years: Greenwood Brewery and Taproom is celebrating its third birthday on Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23. There will be a Desert Oasis Party in the beer garden with food vendors, a secret bar, an array of activities and more. Brewery tours, live music from local bands and anniversary merchandise from artist Aileen Martinez of Look See Draw will also be available. The woman-owned taproom has become a beloved space on Roosevelt Row and beloved member the craft beer scene, and it invites everyone to celebrate this milestone. For more information visit its website.
Ready, Set, Dough: Grimaldi’s Pizzeria launches a digital restaurant experience in the form of a web game, “Ready, Set, Dough!” Players are placed in a virtual Grimaldi’s Pizzeria where they’re tasked with serving pizzas to customers. There are five levels of increasing difficulty, with each level changing the location of the goal number of pizzas. When a player provides excellent service, they’re rewarded with tips. This game is perfect for restaurant guests waiting for their pizza in real life or those who grew up playing food service desktop games who want a taste of nostalgia. The game is available on desktop, mobile or the Grimaldi’s Pizzeria app.
Taco Tasting: Chef Angelo Sosa of Tía Carmen and Chef Maria Mazon, executive chef and owner of BOCA Tacos y Tequila are collaborating to create an exclusive seven-course taco tasting menu with beverage pairings. Sosa and Mazon are renowned chefs who’ve appeared on several popular television shows like Bravo’s Top Chef, Food Network’s Chopped and HBO Max’s Selena and Chef. Their specialty tacos will be available at Tía Carmen from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29 only. The restaurant is located at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa and the cost will be $95 per person excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations can be made here.
Sip Back and Relax: North Italia’s Summer Sips campaign and Happy Hour To Go program are in full swing. The Summer Sips campaign includes four limited edition cocktails, the Dulce Fiore, Il Cielo, Amarena Sour and the Arizona exclusive Strawberry Stinger created by North Italia Gilbert’s lead bartender, Lexy Laguna. All cocktails are $15 and available now until Monday, September 4. The Happy Hour To Go specials include both food and cocktails and will be available through the month of July. Guests can order to go or via Doordash. Enjoy exclusive cocktails at any of the four North Italia locations in Arizona, in the comfort of your own home or by the pool. The pos-sip-ilities are endless.
New Restaurants on the Block:
Blondes Have More Fun: Bottled Blonde Pizzeria and Beer Garden is headed to historic downtown Gilbert and is set to open in 2025. The venue will boast a two-story building with a rooftop patio, oversized TVs and state-of-the-art light and sound installations on top of a full-service restaurant, bar and beer garden. From brunch to late-night bites, Bottled Blonde will serve specialties like Butterfinger French Toast and Italian favorites like gourmet pizzas and artisan sandwiches. The extensive beverage menu is also packed with cocktails, frozen drinks, fine wines and premium beers. Shareable drink selections include a Mimosa tower, a 128-ounce beer tower, and a signature bottle service to ensure everyone can have more fun, regardless of their hair color.
Eligible Menus:
C is for Cocktail: Downtown Phoenix’s Nightlife gem Quartz is celebrating the art of mixology with a cocktail alphabet – 26 new cocktail flavors are released over 26 weeks, starting Monday, July 3 and going until Thursday, December 28. The first two cocktails were the aviation cocktail and blue Hawaiian. C, D and E will be caipirinha, daiquiri and an espresso martini. The exclusive cocktails are available Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit its website.
Berry Delicious Breakfast: The Original Breakfast House is embracing strawberry season with fresh and fruity specials available now. Strawberry shortcakes as well as strawberry crepes, waffles and lemon curd French toast are included in the Strawberry Festival menu. Stop by the classic American diner in Phoenix to experience these sweet and delectable dishes.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Get a taste of Christmas joy early with Christmas in July specials at Salt and Lime Modern Mexican Grill. If you’re a Grinch about these scorching temps, cool down and cozy up with the taco spot’s Feliz Navidad Cantina. Holiday-inspired cocktails like the peppermint white Russian and Grinch margarita will be available through the month of July. Tired of the excessive heat warnings? Pretend it’s winter with the Winterberry cocktail featuring Mandarin vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, elderflower, agave and ginger beer or the White Christmas martini with vanilla vodka, white chocolate, crème de cacao and half-and-half. Indulge in some flavors that taste like Christmas and have a holly jolly summer.
Italian Summer: The Sicilian Butcher by celebrity chef Joey Maggiore launched a variety of new Mediterranean-inspired menu items. Dishes include pull-apart garlic bread, imported burrata, mussels and branzino, a dish made with pan-roasted sea bass, arugula, shallots herb pesto and lemon. The Italian restaurant will also have happy hour with discounted beverages and charcuterie boards from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The new menu and happy hour specials are available at all locations.
Summer Lunchin’: Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix has launched a brand-new weekday lunch menu. The new menu offers seasonal selections like chipotle BBQ meatballs, Arizona cheesesteak sandwiches, quinoa power bowls, and a flatbread and salad lunch special. Beverages including cocktails, mocktails, beer and more are also available for a refreshing mid-day pick-me-up. The full menu can be found here and reservations can be made online.
$aving$:
Guac-tail Hour: The Mission at Kierland Commons in Scottsdale recently launched a daily Guac-tail Hour, like a happy hour but with guacamole. Deals include half-off margaritas and cans of Tecate as well as discounted chips, salsa, guacamole, gorditas, tostadas and more. Get ready to guac and roll on over to The Mission for these delicious deals available from 3 to 5 p.m. daily.
