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Even though school has already started and the temps aren’t dropping anytime soon, Labor Day marks the official "end" of summer. Celebrate the last three-day weekend of summer with some dining deals at local eateries!

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Tomorrow more than 75 of the Southwest's best craft breweries are gathering at the Phoenix Convention Center for an annual toast to great beer at the Real Wild & Woody Festival. Savor seasonal sips, indulge in award-winning brews, tap into specialty casks and enjoy a whole lot of food, music, games and activities. But whatever you do, don't miss out on wetting your whistle with these unique new releases:
 

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What was one of humanity's greatest discoveries? You may say electricity, fire or even penicillin but I say nay. No, the greatest thing is the chicken wing. A delicious and versatile food that makes a great addition to any dance, kickback gathering, movie night, Super Bowl viewing, bingo game, Tupperware party or baby shower. The chicken wing is a sacred thing of limitless possibilities. It can be tossed, rubbed, smoked, fired, grilled, glazed, deboned, spicy or cool, sour or sweet. In honor of National Chicken Wing Day this Sunday, PHOENIX has curated the best deals and specials at Valley restaurants. Don't wing it, let us show you the way.

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Is there anything better than a festival overflowing with food? No, the answer is definitively no. For food lovers, tastemakers, and trend chasers, food festivals are our Mall of America; a near-endless shopping center chock full of treats, sweets and new eats. To be clear, festivals comes from the Latin festum which quite literally means feast; so, there is no better way to put on a festival than by placing the word "food" in front of it. Regardless of the season, Phoenix hosts several intriguing and uninhibited food festivals that serve the niche and general markets which categorize our various taste preferences. So, skim through our list below and check out the coolest food festivals that are arriving in the Valley soon.

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 You’re dining solo. Divorced, widowed, alone on a business trip, or otherwise single for the night. If you sit at a bar, your options are:

  • Take a chance talking to the people on either side of you (Risky!)
  • Chat-up the bartender in-between shaking and stirring
  • Stare at the TV and the rows of bottles.

 

But now you DO have another option -- several in fact! I discovered the communal table concept when my boyfriend was stranded in Chicago on my birthday. New to town, I didn’t want to dine alone. After ditching an angry stranger at the bar, I moved over to the only open seat at Houston’s communal table. Not only did my table gang toast me over martinis, they sang happy birthday. One fellow diner even picked up the tab for everyone!

Here are just a handful of the communal tables in and around Phoenix. I can’t guarantee you’ll get a free meal, but you may make some great new social and business connections.

See my communal dining etiquette tips at the end of the list, too!