Foodie news roundup for the week of Feb. 6.
Today, Feb. 9, is National Bagel Day! To celebrate, the pros at Thomas have unveiled two fab new bagels: Pizza Flavored Bagel and Limited Edition Party Cake Mini Bagels. The pizza bagels–which make a great lunch or dinner–features the classic Italian flavors of tomato, garlic, onion, basil and oregano and can be crowned with your favorite pizza toppings (simply bake for 10 minutes; get recipes here). The slightly sweet sprinkle-filled mini party cake bagels are sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Central Kitchen is hosting a pig roast this Friday for Arizona Beer Week with Phoenix Ale Brewery and Sonoran Brewery. The Phoenix restaurant will have pig on a spit in the courtyard of The Crown on 7th with live music and are expecting a crowd of about 100. The event starts at 6 p.m., but the pig will start roasting in the early a.m. $25 gets you in the door.
Shake Shack announced a limited-edition lineup of BBQ items, which became available earlier this week, for a limited time at all three Valley locations at Scottsdale Fashion Square, Uptown Plaza and Kierland Commons in Phoenix. Items include the BBQ ShackMeister Burger (pictured), an all-natural Angus beef cheeseburger topped with crispy ShackMeisterAle-marinated shallots and Shack BBQ sauce; the BBQ Chick’n Shack, a crispy, all-natural and antibiotic-free chicken breast with Shack BBQ sauce and pickles; and the BBQ Bacon Cheese Fries. crinkle-cut fries topped with all-natural smoked Niman Ranch bacon, Shack BBQ Sauce and cheese sauce. Seasonal shakes are also currently available.
Uptown Plaza in Central Phoenix has announced three new food tenants, all opening in the near future: 1. Elly’s Pancake House: A longtime Chicagoland cult classic, this first-ever Elly’s in Arizona will feature the same massive menu of fresh-cracked breakfast fare, fresh-sliced tropical fruits and hearty, mile-high sandwiches. 2. Huss Brewing Co.: Tempe’s award-winning, family-owned brewery will be opening an all-new family-friendly taproom serving up house-crafted beers and light snacks. 3. Nékter Juice Bar: The latest location of this fast-growing chain specializing in cold-pressed juices, smoothies and acai bowls.
Congrats! After receiving nearly 100 entries from 10 different states, Zonie Land, created by Phoenix home bartender and cocktail enthusiast Elliott Clark (@apartment_bartender), has won the inaugural Arizona Cocktail Week Cocktail Contest and is crowned the official cocktail of Arizona Cocktail Week. The cocktail will be featured this month at the Counter Intuitive, an Old Town Scottsdale bar, where the final judging took place as well as at several events during Arizona Cocktail Week, which is held Feb. 17-24 in Scottsdale.
In celebration of Arizona Beer Week, on Thursday, Feb. 16, stop by the third-annual Brat Haus and the Grand Canyon Brewing Company pig roast. For $28 per person, enjoy the full pig plate (with heirloom carrots, garlic-roasted local squash, beer-braised brussels sprouts and more) plus a flight of Grand Canyon Beers. Reservations are recommended for groups of six or more and can be made by calling Brat Haus at 480.947.4006.
Portillo’s announces the launch of the company’s donation program Portillo’s For Good. Through Portillo’s For Good, local and national nonprofits can partner with the brand to assist in fundraising and support of charitable giving opportunities. As its first Portillo’s For Good brand-wide initiative, the company is partnering with the American Red Cross on the charitable program, Cake for a Cause. Timed to coincide with Valentine’s Day, Portillo’s is offering a limited-time Heart-Shaped Chocolate Cake ($14.99), a holiday spin on the brand’s iconic dessert. Available in restaurants from February 10-14, a portion of proceeds from the sale of Heart-Shaped Cakes – up to $25,000 – will be donated to the relief organization.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, Sugar Happy bakery & coffee will offer a special mother/daughter cookie-decorating class on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Mothers and daughters will get to decorate several delicious cookies together, and everyone will leave with a pink bakery box filled with beautiful cookies. Cost is $15 per mother/daughter pair. (Advanced registration is required. Space is limited.) Then on the holiday, treat yourself to a special sweet as Sugar Happy will be serving free cappuccino and chocolate croissants on Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 7 a.m. to noon.
Downtown Scottsdale’s Cowboy Ciao celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend with wine and food. On Sunday, Feb. 12, is the 20th Anniversary Alumni Dinner featuring a who’s who of local chefs and beverage masters. Appearing in owner Peter Kasperski’s restaurants over the past 20 years, some of the featured chefs include Gio Osso, Nobuo Fukuda nd Keenan Bosworth, with mixologists including Richie Moe and Keifer Gilbert. This lineup of famed local talent will collaborate to present a five-course meal with beverage pairings for guests. Tickets are $150 per person (includes wine pairings) or $125 (includes cocktail pairings). Reservations are required. Call 480.946.3111.
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