Friday, September 24, 2010

Posted By on Fri, Sep 24, 2010 at 2:26 PM

This is what you might want to eat this weekend. Just thought you should know.

There will also be demonstations on making ouzo cake, breads, lasagna ... the list goes on. Dancing, drinking and merriment will abound. You can even pick up a Greek fisherman hat. Hey, hats are in these days!

The Greek Festival continues through Sunday, Sept 26. More information here.

Posted By on Fri, Sep 24, 2010 at 9:30 AM

Hey, Wildcats! The Chipotle at 905 E. University Blvd. is handing out free burritos, tacos, salads and bowls to anyone with a valid CatCard from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Friday, Sept. 24.

We suggest showing up early to beat the lines. College kids are like piranhas when it comes to free food. Swarming may occur.

Incidentally, if free burritos make you feel like singing, consider trying out to sing the national anthem at future UA events while you’re down there. Auditions start at 5 p.m., in Main Gate Square. More information here.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Posted By on Thu, Sep 23, 2010 at 10:56 AM

Think you can set the land speed record for finishing one of Daggwood Cafe's signature sandwiches? Your mission, should you choose to consume it, is thus:

TRIPLE DECKER!!! PILED HIGH WITH HAM, ROAST BEEF, SMOKED TURKEY, SALAMI, PASTRAMI & PEPPERONI. LAYERED WITH CHEDDAR, HAVARTI, MUENSTER & PROVOLONE CHEESE. STUFFED WITH SPROUTS, LETTUCE, TOMATO & RED ONION, WITH MUSTARD, MAYO & PICKLE SPEAR.

Contest hopefulls have to fill out a registration form and explain why they should be one of the 12 people chosen. The registration deadline is Saturday, Sept. 25. The contest takes place Saturday, Oct. 9.

There will be prizes. More information here.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Posted By on Tue, Sep 21, 2010 at 2:46 PM

After 70-odd failed attempts, Something Sweet's Sugar OD Challenge has finally been completed—by a 5-foot-3, 120-pound competitive eater who calls herself Cardboard Shell (aka Michelle Lesco), no less.

To get an idea of the scope of this accomplishment, the Sugar OD is made of four brownies, four pieces of cheesecake, four scoops of ice cream and four cherries.

Lesco is no stranger to Tucson food challenges. She polished off Lindy's on Fourth's 12-paddy O.M.F.G. burger faster than Travel Channel's human food processor Adam Richman

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Friday, September 17, 2010

Posted By on Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 2:55 PM

That little chrome trailer  to the left is Tiki Tims Grill.
  • That little chrome trailer to the left is Tiki Tim's Grill.
Tiki Tim’s Grill opens tonight at the Hut ... but a bunch of Hawkeye fans have rented the place out! It looks like they’ll be the first to get a taste of owner Timothy Stevens’ island-inspired burgers and hotdogs.

We’ve heard that more than 1,000 people are expected to pack the Hut tonight. This didn’t seem to faze Stevens, who was all confidence and pep when we spoke this afternoon. But if things get dicey, it’s not like he can’t just relocate: Tiki Tim’s operates out of a renovated 1970s Airstream travel trailer, making it one of the most unique (and chromed-out) restaurants in Tucson.

Stevens eventually plans to hold luaus, clam bakes and all sorts of other events, but for now, he’s serving pineapple-topped burgers, hotdogs and other items.

A grand opening celebration is in the works. We’ll keep you posted.

Posted By on Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 2:00 PM

jaspers_1_photo_1_.JPG

The bar pictured here is where some seriously interesting cocktailing has been going on lately. Everything from bacon-infused whiskies to strawberry mojitos are being poured, and we're just scratching the surface.

While we’re on the subject of the recently renovated and renamed Jasper Food and Mixology (formerly Cafe Jasper at 6370 N. Campbell Ave., Suite 160), we must also mention the Peruvian-inspired tapas and drink specials available starting at 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

LaRue and mixologist Jonas Black have also come up with a “fresh-press” menu that works like this: Pick from a list of flavors and the bartender fashions a custom cocktail based on your choices. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure novel, only with alcohol and fresh-squeezed fruit juice. What a stunningly fantastic idea.

There’s also TVs for sports, a patio, dinner specials and breakfast every day starting at 7 a.m. Live music goes down on weekends.

Call 577-0326 for more information

Posted By on Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 11:17 AM

The Dish (3131 E. First St.) is holding its second "A Few of Our Favorite Things" wine dinner this Sunday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m.

If you like food and wine (and who doesn't?), then I strongly recommend this event. I attended the first "Favorite Things" dinner, and it was amazing. I still have dreams about the potato chips with mussel mayonnaise.

The chips with mussel mayonnaise aren't on this Sunday's seven-course menu (each with a different wine pairing), but lots of other great goodies are, including a salt cod fritter with sauce gribiche and local micro greens, paired with the Mont Marcel Brut Reserva; veal bockwurst with potato rosti, garlic greens and a mustard demi, paired with the Marc Kreydenweiss Andlau Riesling; and rabbit rillettes, with roast mushroom and chicory salad and marjoram pesto, paired with a Ponzi Pinot Noir "Tavola."

The complete menu can be viewed on The Dish's Facebook page.

The cost is $85 all-inclusive, and there are still seats available. Call 326-0121 for reservations.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Posted By on Tue, Sep 14, 2010 at 3:37 PM

On Monday, Sept. 27, Govinda's will be hosting an event called Feed the World Day. From 4 to 8 p.m., the restaurant will offer a six-course vegan meal, live music, health booths, hands-on demonstrations and more. The whole event is completely free of charge.

For more information, check out Govinda's website.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Posted By on Sat, Sep 11, 2010 at 8:57 PM

Shrimp and broccoli is good and plentiful and Chinese Box.
  • Shrimp and broccoli is good and plentiful at Chinese Box.

Chinese Box is open and serving up fast and satisfying Mandarin and Cantonese food at 4299 W. Ina Road. The place is co-owned by Peter Fung of Mandarin Grill at 8300 N. Thornydale Road.

We tried the drive through and were in and out in about 15 minutes. The place is open until 3 a.m. on weekends, and they seem to already have it together, despite opening just a week ago. Ample portions, good prices, huge styrofoam cups of delicious wonton soup ... without leaving the car? Works for me.

The menu is after the jump.

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Friday, September 10, 2010

Posted By on Fri, Sep 10, 2010 at 12:16 PM

Chef_Wooters.jpg
Chef Virginia Wooters has been hired to head up the culinary team at the Abbey, the new restaurant the owners of jaxKitchen plan to open next month.

Wooters, a Tucson native with more than 20 years in the business, has been the executive chef at McClintock’s and Wildflower. She also did a stint as the lead line cook at the Dish, was a demo chef at Tucson’s posh Canyon Ranch and held the executive chef position at Sweet Oregon Grill in Portland, Ore.

There's a little more information on the Abbey here and here.