Foodie news roundup for the week of Sept. 23.
Local legends the Gin Blossoms will headline the 12th-annual SanTan Brewing Oktoberfest presented by Bashas’ on Sept. 28 (VIP packages are available). Guests can even take their concert experience to a new level by viewing the show from the ride-filled carnival presented by Chapman Automotive as the ferris wheel will be positioned directly in front of the stage. (Ride tickets will be available for purchase onsite at the festival.) The two-day festival, located in downtown Chandler, offers a family-friendly experience with classic German-inspired food and activities, live music, a carnival midway and beer and spirits provided by SanTan Brewing Company. Guests can expect the return of crowd favorites like polka music, Von Hanson’s brat-eating contests, stein-holding competitions, keg-stacking matchups and bring-your-own wiener dog races. General admission tickets start at $10. Food and beverages are sold separately.
Did you know that every day, one in five children in Arizona are at risk of going hungry? This number was recently improved from one in four which shows that organizations like No Kid Hungry are making an impact. With this, book your spot for the third-annual No Kid Hungry Dinner hosted by Sam Fox of Fox Restaurant Concepts in support of ending childhood hunger in Arizona and beyond. On Monday, Oct. 7, guests will enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience prepared by some of Arizona’s most notable chefs, like Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco, Gio Osso of Virtu Honest Craft, Lori Hashimoto of Hana Japanese Eatery, and Zach Hunter of Fox Restaurant Concepts. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., followed by a four-course seated dinner. In addition, guests will enjoy the opportunity to bid on unique items during a live auction. The dinner will be held at The Showcase Room at The Yard Tempe (149 S. Farmer Ave. Tempe, AZ). Single tickets are $225 and can be purchased at events.nokidhungry.org/phoenix.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, celebrate National Pancake Day at Brunch Café which is offering buy one, get one free on all of its amazing pancake dishes. Flavors include Original Buttermilk, Pumpkin, Blueberry Bliss, Carrot, Multi-grain, Gluten-Free and Blue Corn.
The Maggiore Group’s beloved dessert concept, The Sicilian Baker, is expanding its offerings with the debut of a gelato program (pictured). The bakery offers eight handmade flavors including hazelnut, mint, chocolate, pistachio, sea salt caramel, vanilla and strawberry. For an Italian twist on the ice cream sandwich, gelato lovers can order their scoop on a fresh, housemade brioche bun.
Who doesn’t need a juicy burger and an ice-cold beer to get them through the workweek? That’s the idea behind Match Restaurant and Lounge’s new Thursday night special featuring a burger and a draught beer for just $10 between 5 and 11 p.m.
Fall break for Valley schools is right around the corner, and Pita Jungle is offering a dine-in special that parents and kiddos will love. Between Sept. 30 and Oct. 13, kids eat free with the purchase of an entrée.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain’s CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar presents a one-of-a-kind wine dinner with net proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. The multi-course dining extravaganza will pair resort chefs’ creations with five coveted wines from France, with the chefs donning pink chef coats designed for this special occasion and to be worn for the entire breast cancer awareness month of October. A maximum of 30 tickets will be available for the intimate Oct. 3 wine dinner, presented on the CORE Terrace by Executive Chef Emily Dillport and her team. Tickets are $250 per person plus tax and gratuity. All net proceeds to be donated to breast cancer support causes. To reserve, call 520.572.3401.
Dorian is offering a free black cup of coffee during brunch, and Arcadia Tavern is dishing up $1 all-you-can-drink coffee and creamer all day for National Coffee Day on Sept. 29. Plus, Press Coffee will give out free drip coffee at each of its locations.
For even more National Coffee Day goodness, stop by Dunkin‘ on Sept. 29 to get two hot coffees for the price of one. Plus, Dunkin’ will be offering exclusive menu items at its next-generation store in Chandler as well as $2 medium latte, cappuccino, or Americano every day from 2 to 6 p.m. beginning Sept. 25.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, in honor of International Poke Day, Koi Poke locations around the Valley are offering a buy one bowl, get one 50 percent off special all day long. In addition, on this day only when guests purchase a full-priced bowl they can receive a glass of select wine or beer for just one cent at participating locations.
Blue Clover Distillery is hosting its second-annual chile-roasting party celebrating New Mexico’s green chile season with new green chile-focused menu items for the start of the fall season starting at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, and running through Sunday, Sept. 29. Blue Clover Distillery will also be launching its new flavored spirits including grapefruit, lemon, blood orange and strawberry vodka as well as blood orange and pineapple gin that will be available for sale during the roast.
Sushi Roku in Scottsdale will be celebrating International Sake Day with half off all bottles of sake on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Sip and savor your choice of hot or cold Sake, an aromatic Ginjo-shu Sake or a silky smooth Honjozo-shu Sake.
