Craft BeerBrewery Spotlight: PHX Beer Co.
Matthew JohnsonAugust 18, 2020
In the latest edition of our monthly series, we meet the team behind PHX Beer Co., a brewery that takes pride in pumping out more than local flavor.
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Desert DigestHappy Hour At Home: Gin
Leah LeMoineAugust 13, 2020
As much as I’d love to support local restaurants by ordering a massive takeout happy hour spread and gallons of to-go cocktails every week, I have to remember that we’re on a budget – me and the magazine. I know we’re not the only ones watching our spending right now, what with the global pandemic and economic depression and all. But you didn’t click on this to be reminded of all that sadness, you clicked on it for a boozy escape! I began the quarantine with a...
Craft BeerThirsty Thursday: New Craft Beer Release from Arizona Breweries (August 13)
Matthew JohnsonAugust 13, 2020
Here's what your local breweries are serving up chilled and brand new for the week of August 13.
As with so many businesses in the age of coronavirus, Arizona-based event company Cloth & Flame has had to adjust to the new normal. Since Governor Doug Ducey’s executive order prohibiting large gatherings went live, Cloth & Flame has been concentrating on smaller gatherings, including corporate events (splitting larger parties into smaller groups) and micro weddings. They specialize in “boundary pushing” custom-designed experiences in “accessible and seemingly impossible locations.” We recently spoke with owner Matt...
Desert Digest6 Local Cool Treats to Try This Summer
Leah LeMoineAugust 12, 2020
“What’s cooler than being cool?” André 3000 asked in OutKast’s 2003 hit “Hey Ya!” His answer, and our inspiration for August eating: “Ice cold!” Local Pop Co. Pick an ice pop – flavors include strawberries and cream, chocolate fudge and cucumber lime – and this Gilbert-based treat purveyor will deliver to your door. localpopco.com Sumo Snow Almost everything at this Asian-influenced treat shop (with locations in Surprise and Chandler) is bracingly cold: fresh fruit refreshers,...
It’s hard to believe that 14 new restaurants opened in the middle of July in Phoenix amid a worldwide pandemic, but here we are. Kudos to all. The Valley also saw six restaurants close in July. Openings Carnitas Way The folks at Los Sombreros have debuted a new concept featuring scratch-made California-style burritos, bowls and salads. Order online for take-out or delivery. Locations in Mesa, Scottsdale and Uptown Phoenix. carnitasway.com Flavorz Fish & Chicken Fried...
Desert DigestThe Arizona Community Dinner Fundraiser Benefits Local Restaurant Staffs Affected by COVID-19
Leah LeMoineAugust 6, 2020
Six months ago, prepaying for a nice dinner without knowing when you would be eating it or who would be cooking it would have been a ludicrous proposition. These days, it makes more sense than most things. Cloth & Flame – the destination dinner magicians known for chic pop-ups in the desert, meadows, farms, etc. – is pre-selling seats at future community dinners through the crowd-sourcing site GoFundMe. The Arizona Community Dinner Fundraiser will benefit...
Desert DigestAt-Home How-To: Southwest Gazpacho Recipe from Pita Jungle
Marilyn HawkesAugust 4, 2020
Now that we’re experiencing record-breaking heat, it’s time to roll out some cool dishes to take the sizzle out of summer. Bassel Osmani, co-founder of Pita Jungle, offers a gazpacho recipe that he also serves in his restaurants. Osmani says that it’s important to buy the best produce you can find. “Go to your favorite farmers market and get the cleanest organic produce.” He suggests using Persian cucumbers rather than large waterlogged cucumbers and get...
Desert DigestPav on Juice: New Grape on the Block
Pavle MilicAugust 4, 2020
The Arizona wine scene continues to show us the spirit of discovery and experimentation is alive and well. A common thread is the continuing search for grape varietals that can do well here. Enter Arizona wine pioneer Kent Callaghan’s latest discovery: Xarel-lo. Hailing from the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia, the white varietal is one normally found in the ubiquitous sparkling Cava. Callaghan tells me that his interest “began with a trip to Barcelona in...
Wild fermentation is the craps table of the brewing world. Working with funky European yeast strains, brewers can never be entirely sure what mischievous spore will float into their tank. The lack of certainty makes it exciting – a stylistic adrenaline rush that uplifts Williams-based Grand Canyon Brewing’s annual Wild Saison release. Aged in Sauvignon Blanc barrels, the oaky farmhouse beer leaps out of the glass with effervescent notes of lemon, peach and coriander, made...
Desert DigestPHXTogetherHere’s How Restaurateur Christopher Collins is Coping with COVID-19
Marilyn HawkesAugust 3, 2020
More than four months into the pandemic, many Valley restaurants are struggling. Between state-mandated regulations limiting the number of people they can serve in-house and a very frightened public, some local restaurant owners have safely divided up their dining rooms and/or turned to enhanced takeout options with contactless curbside pickup. We recently caught up with Christopher Collins of Common Ground Culinary, who owns local favorites Grassroots, Twisted Grove Parlor & Bar, Wally’s, Sweet Provisions, The...
Drink ThisDrink This: Agua Fresca Poptail
Leah LeMoineJuly 31, 2020
Try this creative cocktail with a tasty twist from Ghost Ranch.
Three BitesThree Bites: Rectangular Pizza
Craig OuthierJuly 31, 2020
Right angles are right-tasty in the hands of these genre-bending pizzaiolos.
Drink ThisLiquid Arizona: Rum Diary
Craig OuthierJuly 31, 2020
Grand Canyon Distillery puts an Arizonan stamp on the Caribbean spirit.