Photo courtesy Tía Carmen
All the news that’s fit to nosh.
Tía Favorita: Wonderful news for my fellow Top Chef devotees. Chef Angelo Sosa (seasons 7, 8 and 17) is opening a new restaurant here in the Valley. Contemporary Southwestern eatery Tía Carmen – named in honor of his beloved aunt – is set to open in April at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. “Throughout my life, my Tía Carmen instilled in me a passion and love for cooking, teaching me the impact and the power that food can have when made from a place of pure love,” he says. “The discovery of traveling through the Southwest gave me the opportunity to explore the region through the lens of ranchers, potters, farmers and artisans. I have always had a deep fascination and appreciation for Southwestern food traditions. It has been an honor and privilege to be able to contribute to this beautiful and rich culinary narrative.” The menu will be divided into three sections: light + fresh, maize + harina, and charcoal + wood + fire. Expect dishes including tuna crudo, tri-tip kebabs, lamb ragù with mesquite noodles and chicken guisado. Lots of local products, too, including Ramona Farms’ signature tepary beans.
Vodka for Ukraine: Restock your martini bar for a good cause this month. Locally owned Roxx Vodka will be donating $1 for every bottle of its booze sold in March to Polish charities providing aid to Ukrainian refugees. Roxx sources its alcohol from Rawicz, Poland. Find stockists here.
Sushi for Ukraine: Speaking of fundraisers for Ukraine, Sushi Roku in Scottsdale will donate 10 percent of all its sales on Wednesday, March 9, from 5-10 p.m. to World Central Kitchen as part of its Chefs for Ukraine fundraiser. “Like others, we felt helpless with the events unfolding in Ukraine,” says Lee Maen, founder of Sushi Roku and Innovative Dining Group. “We are so inspired by what chef José Andrés is doing right now through World Central Kitchen. By supporting his nonprofit, we will help feed refugees directly on the ground. We hope that through this one-day fundraising initiative, we will unite to make a difference.”
New Fests in Town: Did our inaugural Dish Fest leave you hungry for more food and drink frivolity? Check out these new festivals coming this spring.
- What: Food trucks, beer garden, live music, games, vendors, family-friendly activities
- When: April 30, 3 p.m.
- Where: Bell Bank Park in Mesa
- What: Showcase of Mesa’s craft beer breweries, food trucks, blues music, family activities, optional ticketed beer-tasting tour of four pop-up craft beer gardens
- When: March 12, 2-6 p.m.
- Where: Main Street and MacDonald in Downtown Mesa
- What: Wine festival celebrating Arizona wineries, live music, azcentral’s The Governor’s Cup wine competition
- When: March 27, 2-5 p.m.
- Where: Tarbell’s Wine Store parking lot; valet available but parking limited – rideshares encouraged
Celebratory Brew: To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, Pedal Haus Brewery’s female leadership will brew the special Desert Classic Pale Ale as part of the brewery’s rotating hops series. When the beer is available for sale in April, Pedal Haus will donate $1 from each pint sold to Pink Boots Society, a nonprofit that fosters women’s careers in the alcoholic beverage sphere through scholarships, networking and professional support.
Espresso Yourself: To celebrate the grand opening of Dapper & Stout’s new Uptown location, the “coffee-meets-cocktails” restaurant is throwing an espresso martini contest. Pop by on March 14 from 6-9 p.m. to see mixologists and baristas from local bars sling concoctions featuring Dapper & Stout’s espresso or cold brew. Best of all: The event benefits Phoenix Children’s. Purchase tickets here.
Mezcal Menu: Love mezcal but unsure how to pair it with food? Get some ideas at the mezcal dinner Los Sombreros is hosting with Mezcal Carreño on March 30 at 6 p.m. The four-course meal will be held at Los Sombreros’ Mesa location, in its upstairs Mezcaleria. Highlights include ceviche de camarón paired with a mezcal Old Fashioned and flan served with mezcal neat. Purchase tickets on the Los Sombreros website.
Platinum Anniversary: A couple of cherished local restaurants are celebrating their 20th anniversaries this year. Here’s how you can celebrate with them:
- Red, White & Brew: Enjoy classic “bold American” dishes like mussels vin blanc, glazed pecan-crusted salmon, eggplant Florentine over linguine, fusion salad and more at the Mesa and Prescott locations of this eatery. February marked its 20th year in business.
- Babbo Italian Eatery: On April 7, this local chain celebrates 20 years in business and the grand opening of its Goodyear location. The eighth outpost of the popular Italian bistro will host, along with its brethren, a fundraiser for The Seena Magowitz Foundation. All Arizona locations will be donating 100 percent of profits that day to the nonprofit, which spreads awareness about pancreatic cancer, helps patients and invests in research.
Barter & Shake Bulletin: Some helpful updates from the folks behind UnderTow and Century Grand:
- Guests can now book up to 30 days in advance – an improvement from the previous seven-day policy for persnickety planners like me.
- “On-time reservations” = If your entire party gets there on time, they’ll get you in your seats faster.
- You can now call and speak to an actual person, thanks to the space’s relocation/redesign’s designated area for host staff. They’ll be available by text as well.
- A new VIP program will be rolling out soon that includes waived pre-payment deposits and non-refundable booking fees, extended booking windows, etc. Additionally, once you’ve made 12 visits (lifetime, no expiration), you’ll be an automatic VIP.
A Pleasant Horse-Head-Spotting: ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho is tipping its fedora to the 50th anniversary of The Godfather with a Show Stopper Shake inspired by the classic mafia movie. The Holy Cannoli (“leave the gun, take the cannoli”) shake boasts a milkshake base with chocolate cannoli filling and biscotti crumble, with toppings including a chocolate cannoli, chocolate horse head, strawberry sauce, fondant rose, chocolate cigar, chocolate casino coins, more biscotti crumble and whipped cream. The $20 shake will be available throughout March, and $1 from each shake sold will benefit Child Crisis Arizona.
New Restaurants on the Block: Itching to try something new? Add these to your to-dine list:
- Birdcall: This Denver-based fast-casual chicken restaurant has plans to open 10 locations in the Valley in the next three years. The first is set to open in April in Scottsdale. Expect chicken sandwiches (served on Noble Bread buns, a nice local touch), chicken tenders, salads and gluten- and dairy-free nuggets.
- Guy Fieri Restaurant TBD: Hot on the heels of his success with the Valley’s delivery-only Flavortown Kitchen, Food Network impresario Guy Fieri is opening his first sit-down restaurant in Arizona this spring. The as-yet-unnamed concept will debut in Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field and will be open year-round.
- Spinato’s Pizzeria: The Valley pizza institution recently opened its sixth restaurant, Spinato’s at the Block, on Via de Ventura in Scottsdale. The open-air spot features 4,650 square feet of restaurant space with indoor/outdoor seating, a copper bar, 12-foot windows and an outdoor window for pickup orders.
- Bottle & Bean Coffee House & Wine Shop: Chandler’s buzzy Ocotillo neighborhood just got another cute coffee shop. Bottle & Bean offers full breakfast and lunch menus, a coffee bar using beans from Tempe’s Infusion Coffee + Tea, strong beer and wine list, retail wine to go and wine-themed gifts. A private dining space, patio seating and outdoor lawn round out its bona fides.
- Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery: OK, so it’s not technically in the Valley, but we know PHOENIX readers love Arizona breweries statewide. Last month, GCB+D opened its third location. This outpost is in Page, near the beautiful Horseshoe Bend, and located in what was once a fire station. A 15-barrel brewing system anchors the brewpub, which also boasts a full-service menu and bar, pool tables, foosball table, shuffleboard and more than 20 TVs. Best of all, it features a spacious outdoor patio with roll-up glass garage doors so patrons can enjoy the area’s gorgeous views.
