Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Bad news for lovers of the Chicago pizza institution Rosati's. The franchised location near UA campus has shuttered recently, which means Tucsonans have one fewer options when searching for solid deep dish pizza.
Signs posted around the building indicate that the landlord locked out the pizzeria. No further information is available at this time.
Rosati's also has a location at 2944 W. Ina Rd. which is still open for business in case you need to get your Chicago-style pizza fix.
Tags: rosati's , pizza , tucson , chicago , deep dish , restaurant , closed , Image
Monday, September 14, 2015
You might have a case of the Mondays right now, but that's nothing compared to that Tuesday drag. So, why not combat the effects of weekday number two and spoil yourself with two of the best things known to man? That's right, Reilly's beer garden (101 E. Pennington St.) is hosting a beer and cheese pairing event on Tuesday, Sept. 15, giving you the opportunity to pretend like you're a Trappist monk and become an expert on both.
While Reilly's got the beer covered with a selection from their 40 rotating taps, they've also enlisted the help of Blu Wine & Cheese's Tana Fryer to bring some unique cheeses to pair up with the brews. The special one-night event will feature five beers and five cheeses.
The beer and cheese tasting begins at 5:30 p.m. so you have enough time to scuttle over after work. The event is $20, which includes the tasting as well as $1 off your choice of beer if you stick around after class. Tickets can be found via Eventbrite.
Tags: reilly , beer , cheese , blu , tana fryer , tucson , food , events , restaurants , tasting , flights
Friday, September 11, 2015
The Tucson Originals Restaurants and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson are joining forces to bring an afternoon of local food to Reid Park (900 S. Randolph Way). The first ever event will showcase 13 different local restaurants, serving up bites to attendees.
For the inaugural event, Noble Hops, Snow Peas, Rocco's, Mother Hubbard's, Fresco Pizzeria, Claire's Cafe and more will be on-site, as well as the "Lemonade by Littles" stand serving up refreshments courtesy of some little brothers and little sisters. The event will also feature music, raffles, games and activities for the whole family, with over $800 in prizes up for grabs.
Taste of Tucson hits Reid Park on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event itself is free admission, but proceeds from any of the restaurants that you patronize at the park that day will go towards Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Tucson.
Tags: taste of tucson , food , events , reid park , tucson originals , big brothers big sisters , mother hubbard's , fresco pizzeria , snow peas , rocco's , Image
Friday, September 4, 2015
Tucson's Heirloom Farmers Markets are heating up next weekend in honor of the chile pepper. The 12th Annual Chile Festival will celebrate spicy in a way that only the Sonoran desert can around this time of year. That's because, as summer nears a close here, the chiles that were growing out in high temperatures all season are at their peak flavor, heat and carry a vibrant red color that's alluring as much as it is a warning.
According to the Heirloom Farmers Markets, Arizona grows about 6,000 acres of chiles, which are valued at an estimated $10 million. Didn't teach you that in the 5 C's, did they?
Well, you can indulge in all of the tear-inducing, mouth-watering, nose-running goodness next weekend during the three-day, three-location event. On Friday, Sept. 11, the festival kicks off at Trail Dust Town (6541 E. Tanque Verde Road). Then on Saturday, Sept. 12, Oro Valley Farmers Market (11000 N. La Cañada) picks up the chile torch. Finally, Rillito Park Farmers Market (4502 N. First Ave.) will finish up the fest on Sunday, Sept. 13.
What sets these three days apart from typical farmers market days is first and foremost what the vendors bring to their tables. For this event you can expect all things chile, including roasted green chiles, chile spices, tamales, salsas and many other spicy treats. The final event will also feature a market cooking demonstration from chef Ryan Clark of Agustin Kitchen.
Tags: tucson , heirloom , farmers market , chile , pepper , festival , roasted green chiles , agustin kitchen , ryan clark
Thursday, September 3, 2015
The Ryan Goseling gose is a salty, sour brew with floral and citrus notes made with Saaz Hops and coriander. However, what sets this beer apart from other goses is the dry hopping process, which utilizes Mandarina Bavaria hops to give the beer an extra bitter edge. According to Historic brewer Zack Stoll, the finished result has a "very complex flavor that's hard to describe without tasting it."
Tap & Bottle's Rebecca and Scott Safford are heading up to the brewery in Flagstaff this weekend to release the beer up there, and then Tucson will get a taste the following weekend at Tap & Bottle. According to the Saffords, they've been looking to use the beer's funny name for a while.
"We tried to make it before with Sierra Nevada and the name got turned down...Maybe because someone else was using it nationally," Rebecca says, explaining that national beer naming requirements are different than those for in-state brews.
However, it wasn't until Carole Kennelly of Historic said they should join forces that this beer become a reality.
"We've always really liked their beers...We're also friends with them so it makes it fun," she adds, "Plus, they're always open to new ideas and willing to say 'Hey, let's just try it out.'"
Now, with Kennelly, Stoll and Ryan Burac of Historic, the beer is offering what the Saffords see as a tasty, light and refreshing beer option for the last days of summer.
So head to Tap & Bottle on September 11 at 5 p.m. to get your own sip of the lovely Ryan Goseling yourself. The price isn't set quite yet, but it should be somewhere around their typical pricing of $6 per pint. They anticipate only receiving two barrels maximum, which they, in turn, estimate will late about three days, so you'll want to get in there quick to try it.
"I think it'll go pretty fast," Rebecca warns.
She also mentions that some of the beer could be re-released after aging in Grand Canyon Winery barrels in the near future, but I'll keep you posted on that.
Tags: tap and bottle , rebecca safford , scott safford , historic brewing co , tucson , flagstaff , craft beer , release , ryan gosling , gose , sour
Despite what the name might seem to suggest, the sixth annual Arizona Farmer + Chef Connection isn't just for industry professionals. Sure, the vendor marketplace is a great way for Tucson's restaurants and hotels to find new local vendors for their wholesale accounts, but the whole event is jam packed with informational sessions focusing on sustainability, farming and the importance of buying local.
Put on by Local First Arizona, the event allows you to listen in on conversations between panels of experts on a range of topics. So, whether you're interested in learning how to limit food waste from Proper chef Kris Vrolijk and Iskashitaa's Barbra Eiswerth, how to farm with FoodCorps Arizona's Will Conway and Chris Mazarella of the Community Food Bank or how to maximize your localism with Local First's Kimber Lanning, Mike Mallozzi of Borderlands Brewing Co. and more, there'll be something for to pique your interest.
The final keynote speaking engagement features several big names and up-and-comers in Arizona's food scene. The event will pair purveyors with restaurant and business owners to discuss why they choose the sources that they do and more. Marco Bianco of Pane Bianco, James Beard Award nominated chef Kevin Binkley, Kelly Watters of the Food Conspiracy Co-op, Todd Bostock of Dos Cabezas Wineworks, Emma Zimmerman of Hayden Flour Mills and more will all contribute to this discussion.
The Arizona Farmer + Chef Connection will take over the Tucson Convention Center (260 S. Church Ave.) on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The event runs from noon until 5:30 p.m. with a closing reception featuring local appetizers, craft beer and wine to follow. Tickets are $10, which can be found online, along with more information, on the Local First Arizona website.
Tags: local first , arizona , farmer , chef , connection , tucson convention center , restaurant , wine , craft beer , sourcing , event
Saturday, August 29, 2015
The Facebook post said simply, "Poppy Kitchen is currently closed. Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience."
Metzger's Jax Kitchen closed in February 2014, followed by The Abbey in October 2014, Gio Taco in March 2015 and Jackson Tavern in May 2015 after just half of a year in operation. The restaurant, which operated in Westin La Paloma Resort, was the last vestige of the Metzger Family Restaurant Group. They had hired chef Gary Hickey to take over kitchen operations earlier this spring.
While it is unclear at this time what the future holds for Metzger or the former Poppy Kitchen space, the answering message for Poppy Kitchen promises an announcement for an "exciting, new" venture in Westin La Paloma.
Tags: poppy kitchen , tucson , closed , restaurant , westin la paloma , brian metzger , metzger family restaurant group
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
If you didn't feel like dumping a bucketful of ice water all of yourself last year, you still have the opportunity to join in on some group fun to benefit Arizona's chapter of the ALS Association. On Saturday, Sept. 5, Bite Nite will hit up Tucson for an evening of food, wine and charitable giving.
Although Bite Nite has been a major fundraiser in Phoenix since 2008, last year was the first time it came to Tucson. In 2014 alone, the Tucson event raised $65,000, selling out to 400 guests. This year, event organizers are anticipating another sellout.
The event will feature several of the Old Pueblo's favorite eateries including Penca, Mama Louisa's, Agustin Kitchen, Ermanos, Azul, Boca Tacos and more. The restaurants will each be serving upscale samples, which can in turn be paired with craft beer and wine, all while live music and a silent auction keep guests entertained. The auction will feature restaurant gift cards, free wine dinners and more.
Bite Nite Tucson will take place at the picturesque Westin La Paloma Resort from 6 until 10 p.m. Tickets for the event are $100 per person or $1,000 for a 10-seat table. You can buy yours and find more information on the event via the Bite Nite website. It is a 21 and over event.
Tags: bite nite , tucson , food , event , restaurants , westin la paloma , als association , charity , agustin kitchen , azul , boca tacos , ermanos , penca , mama louisa's
Friday, August 21, 2015
The Downtown Clifton (485 S. Stone Ave.) is melding the worlds of yee-haw and aloha to celebrate to summer rains. The small boutique hotel's Cowboy Monsoon Luau might seems a little muddled in concept, but you know what? Who cares? Grab your cowboy boots, slap on a grass skirt and do the hula or a line dance or something. I don't know.
The event will feature a dip in the MOCA mobile pools for Localist and MOCA members, live music by Hey, Bucko! on the cowboy side of things, Hawaiian fare from Mama's Hawaiian BBQ on the luau side of things and "Sam's Secret Rum Punch" for thirsty attendees. Best of all, should you drink too much of that special rum punch, you can extend the luau into the night by getting lei'd in one of the Downtown Clifton's rooms.
The Cowboy Monsoon Luau at the Downtown Clifton kicks off at 6 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 29. Tickets are available online in advance for $10 or at the door for $15. $100 gets you and a friend into the luau and a room for the night, along with the regular Clifton perks like breakfast at 5 Points. The event is hosted by Local First Arizona's Localist Program, which you can learn more about by visiting the Local First website.
Tags: downtown clifton , cowboy monsoon luau , party , hotel , boutique , tucson. food , events , mama's hawaiian bbq , hey bucko , moca , 5 points
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Starting today, Kingfisher Bar and Grill (2564 E. Grant Road) is going to be serving up Southern fare as the final stop on their summer Road Trip menu series. Of course, since it's Kingfisher, the menu highlights the best Southern seafood options with a distinct focus on Cajun and Creole cuisines.
Chef Fred Harris designed the "Down South" menu with offerings like a fried oyster po boy, fried green tomatoes and blackened catfish with a Tabasco aioli. Chef Marianne Bane contributed two desserts—coconut buttermilk pie and brown sugar pound cake—to the menu, while bartender Eric Smith is offering three cocktails to pair with dinner. The menu items are priced a la carte and range from $7 to $27.
You can stop into Kingfisher anytime between now and Sunday, Sept. 6 to try the limited time "Down South" menu. Reservations and more information are available by calling 323-7739.
Here's the full menu:
FIRST
Creole Barbecue Shrimp and Grits, Voodoo lager, garlic, butter, Worcestershire and scallions ($13)
Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, dark brown roux, Cajun mirepoix, okra and Texmati rice ($9)
Fried Green Tomatoes, pickled vegetables and roasted garlic aioli ($7)
Roasted Pork Belly, Red Beans and Rice and mango salsa ($9)
DINNER
Blackened Catfish, Tabasco aioli, green tomato jam, Texmati rice, red beans and honeyed carrots ($18)
Grilled Gulf Redfish, roasted peach gastrique, sweet corn relish, hoppin john and grilled zucchini ($27)
Fried Oyster Po Boy, remoulade, lettuce, tomato, potato bun, fries and slaw ($16)
Shrimp Jambalaya, tasso ham, Andouille, sauce picante, Cajun mirepoix, Texmati rice and scallions ($24)
DESSERT
Coconut Buttermilk Pie, blackberry sauce and freshly whipped cream ($8)
Brown Sugar Pound Cake, bourbon glazed grilled peaches and vanilla ice cream ($7.50)
DRINKS
Turkey Shoot: Wild Turkey, Wild Turkey rye and house smoked cola syrup with an absinthe rinse, served on the rocks ($10.50)
Pecan Dandy: Appleton’s rum, dry vermouth, house praline liquer and pecan bitters, served up with an orange twist ($10.50)
King Alfonse on Fire: iced coffee, cayenne infused cream and dark crème de cacao, served on the rocks ($10.50)
Tags: kingfisher , menu , new , road trip , southern , cajun , creole , tucson , restaurants , seafood , fred harris
