Foodie news roundup for the week of April 10.
Pita Jungle launched its new “Seasonal Kitchen Crafts” menu featuring six new items including chicken avocado pita tostada, ahi tuna poke bowl, spicy mango shrimp and more. The healthy family-friendly restaurant also recently revamped its happy hour with more items and offerings as low as $1.
Rusconi’s American Kitchen is raising funds this month The Joy Bus. Now through April 30, order the white chocolate butternut squash torte with pecan buttercream, berries and citrus curd for $8, and $2 from every purchase will be donated to The Joy Bus.
Westgate Entertainment District and Riviera Broadcasting partner up to host the Bites ‘N Brews Annual Craft Beer Festival (21-and-over event) on April 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. The festival will showcase samples of the best local craft brews from Flagstaff to Tucson as well as nationally known craft beers from more than 26 breweries. Westgate’s bars and restaurants will make up the “Bites” portion of the event including appetizers compliments of Salt Tacos y Tequila, Whiskey Rose and more. Guests will also enjoy tunes from the Valley’s best DJ’s , various outdoor games including corn-hole, life-sized beer pong and more. General admission: $35 per person (pre-sale) and includes entrance into the festival and 10 beer samplings in a four-ounce souvenir mug. VIP Admission: $55 per person and includes early admission into the festival at 4 p.m., 10 beer samplings in a 4-ounce souvenir mug and exclusive tastings and hospitality appetizers on the SALT VIP Terrace.
Fired Pie (pictured) has launched a happy hour at 9619 North Hayden Rd. Ste. 101 in Scottsdale. From 3 to 6 p.m., take $2 off a Fired Pie pizza creation, and be sure to grab a beer pitcher for $5, a wine carafe for $6, or take $1 off a glass of wine or bottle or pint of beer. This is only offered at this specific Scottsdale location.
Miracle Mile Deli is celebrating Passover all week from April 10 through April 18, by offering up a plate of brisket with veggies and matzo ball soup (made from scratch daily) for $12.50.
Original ChopShop announces plans of expansion in the Phoenix area, starting with an opening in Queen Creek on 21227 S. Ellsworth Loop Road. The restaurant will open in late April, marking its fourth location. Three more locations are planned to open this year in the neighborhoods of Arcadia, Paradise Valley and North Scottsdale. (Original ChopShop currently has restaurants in Scottsdale, Tempe and Chandler.) The new restaurant in Queen Creek will bring 50 new jobs to the area, with available positions in the culinary and hospitality teams. Interested candidates who have a passion for food and thrive in a fun, fast-paced environment should apply at www.originalchopshop.com/careers. They are also encouraged to attend the job fair, which takes place at the Queen Creek restaurant April 13 through April 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On April 17 at 6:30 p.m., Market Street Kitchen hosts a cocktail dinner with mixology masters Garrit Guthrie, Rich Heider and Luke Detraz. The five-course dinner is $100 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Press Coffee is now offering coffee-tasting classes held every Saturday at its Scottsdale Quarter location and every other Saturday at its new Chandler-Ocotillo spot. The sessions are only one hour, from 10 to 11 a.m., and provide an introduction into how location and roasting give specialty coffee its distinct flavors. It is $10 to reserve a space at the class and guests get a $10 Press Coffee gift card after the session. Sign up for the tastings at PressCoffee.com/tastings.
It’s Sunday Funday at Cowboy Ciao. On April 23, the Scottsdale restaurant is welcoming back beverage master, Richie Moe, behind the stick to whip up some cocktails for our next Somm Showdown. Enjoy five courses, six wines and four cocktails for $60, plus tax and gratuity. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. Call 480.946.3111 to reserve your spot.
el Pedregal at The Boulders Resort & Spa will be hosting a Tequila Festival event that is free to the public on Friday, April 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy tequila education, blending and tasting, live entertainment, cooking demos and food stations by Spotted Donkey Cantina.
The Sixth Annual Arizona Wine Growers Festival will be held at Kief-Joshua Vineyards April 22 and April 23 in Sonoita. This two-day event will feature many opportunities to not only learn more about Arizona’s world-class wines, but also experience a weekend in beautiful Sonoita. The event is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and tickets are $20-$40.
The Great Southwest Cajun Fest, brought to you by Abita Brewing, is set to return on Saturday, April 22, from noon to 9 p.m. in Downtown Chandler. Southwest Cajun Fest celebrates Cajun culture, cuisine and handcrafted beer, and will feature live music with jazz, blues and contemporary swing revival bands. Festivities also includes themed zones such as Bourbon Street, French Quarter, Garden District and more. Patrons of all ages are encouraged to dress in festive parade-style attire and join in on the fun and celebration. Eating competitions include watermelon, Cajun wings and crawfish. General admission is $8 during online pre-sale $10 at the gate. Kids 12 and under will be admitted for free. VIP admission is $125, which includes catered food, six adult beverages, access to private seating in the VIP area, private restrooms and front stage access. VIP tickets are only available in advance, online at www.southwestcajunfest.com.
The Original Taste (21-and-over event) returns to the Scottsdale Waterfront, April 22, from 7 to 10 p.m. (with late-night from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.) The event combines more than 40 of the Valley’s best restaurants, more than 50 wines from across the world, select brands of beer and premium liquor, entertainment and a scene you will not want to miss. Proceeds from Original Taste benefit Executive Council Charities to fund critical youth programs. Tickets available through https://www.ec70phx.com/the-original-taste
Dinner on the Desert 2017 at Desert Botanical Garden will celebrate a spring evening with the desert’s colors at dusk as guests gather to enjoy the setting sun spread breathtaking colors over the desert garden. Revel in the bidding of the unique Garden-themed auction, socialize with friends, and savor cuisine all in the magical setting under a starry night on April 22 from 6 to 11 p.m. Tickets start at $600 per person. Contact Esther Battock, Desert Botanical Garden, 480.481.8182 or ebattock@dbg.org.
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