Foodie news roundup for the week of Oct. 29.
The first-ever AZ Barrels, Bottles & Brews will be hosted Nov. 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. on the concourse at Salt River Fields, offering tastes and samples from your favorite Arizona producers, including Huss Brewing Co., McFate Brewing Company, SanTan Distillery, and many more. Tickets are $50, which includes 12 samples and access to purchase items from some of the best food trucks in Arizona. The 12 samples will give guests a tasty tipple to enjoy including 5-oz. beer pours, 2-oz. wine/cocktail samples, and ½-oz. neat spirits. In addition, VIP tickets are available, which gain you an extra hour of access to AZ Barrels, Bottles & Brews. Designated driver tickets are also available, who will receive a swag bag.
For the fourth year, the azcentral Wine & Food Experience hits WestWorld in Scottsdale this weekend. The event features celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Aaron Sanchez, as well as a showcase of the best food, wine, beer and spirits from local and national chefs and mixologists. Click here for tickets. All guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend.
From ice-cold brews to lively tunes, Bacon, Blues and Brews offers something for all appetites, and it’s all going down in Queen Creek’s Founders Park on Nov. 3 from noon to 9 p.m. The family-friendly celebration features craft beer, blues music, a kid’s zone, an array of inventive bacon-based dishes from chefs from around the Valley and much more. The event Benefits East Valley Firefighter Charities.
Scottsdale League for the Arts will celebrate Arizona’s culinary masters during the sixth-annual Cooks + Corks on Nov. 2 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North to raise funds for the arts and arts education. The event is enhanced by fine wines, stunning views of Pinnacle Peak, live music by Mel Bridges, chef demonstrations and entertainment from local artists. Tickets are available here.
Portillo’s has announced new App-y Hour drink specials and a chocolate cake shake sweepstakes. From Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, customers that place an online order between 2 to 5 p.m. on Portillos.com or by using the Portillo’s app, can enjoy half-off drinks with a purchase of an entrée. The App-y Hour special includes all shakes, smoothies, and soft drinks; alcohol is not included. Additionally, customers that place an online order between 2 to 5 p.m. will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes, with three lucky winners receiving free chocolate cake shakes for a year.
Through Jan. 7, MOD Pizza locations will offer delicious seasonal offerings, like Kevin Pizza (pumpkin puree, fresh peppery arugula, creamy mozzarella, Canadian bacon and Mama Lil’s Sweet Hot Peppas), the Roasted Sweet Potato Salad (sweet potatoes, fresh spinach, Canadian bacon, Mama Lil’s Sweet Hot Peppas and gorgonzola, all tossed with MOD’s Italian dressing), Salted Caramel Milkshake and the limited-edition Pumpkin Spice “No Name Cake.”
Ahipoki introduced its new “Kids Eat Free” promotion through the end of the year. Ahipoki is introducing a limited time offer from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 for kids that dine in with an adult. The kids bowl will consist of one scoop of fish and a choice of fresh toppings over a base of rice. For every adult bowl purchase, one child age 10 and under eats free. Additional kids bowls can be purchased for $4.95.
CRUjiente Tacos is dishing up a new fall/winter menu with Latin-inspired antojitos like $9 papas fritas and $13 charred octopus, street-style tacos like $5.50 36-hour beef short rib taco and $6 garlic roasted mushroom taco with guajillo butternut squash puree, and the return of the seasonal $9 cinnamon margarita.
Chick’n Bites (pictured) have arrived at Shake Shacks in Arizona. The crispy pieces of hand-breaded chicken breast are served with BBQ or Honey Mustard sauces and are available in a six-piece ($3.99) or 10-piece ($5.99). The Chick’n Bites (fresh, never frozen and from all natural, antibiotic-free whole muscle) are sous-vide cooked for optimum flavor, moisture and texture.
Flower Child has unveiled three new autumn-inspired dishes: Brussels & Squash Salad with arugula, roasted brussels, butternut squash, organic apple, ancient grains, cranberry, goat cheese, sprouted almond, chia seed vinaigrette (vegetarian); Roasted Butternut Squash with black kale, toasted mulberry, maple chestnut vinaigrette (vegan, gluten-free); and Yuzu Brussels Sprouts with golden miso, Thai basil (vegan, gluten-free). Plus, from now through Nov. 30, Flower Child will offer vegan and gluten-free hand-dipped Pumpkin Truffles, made with organic pumpkin puree and dark chocolate.
Hand Cut Burgers & Chophouse in Scottsdale will celebrate its two-year anniversary on Thursday, Nov. 8. The public is invited to attend the special event held from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be complimentary passed appetizers, a hosted Champagne bar and entertainment. Happy hour specials will also be offered during this time. Dinner reservations are recommended but not required.
Juby True is now offering a seasonal drink: the Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie. The seasonal sip is made with real pumpkin, banana, toasted walnut, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and house-made almond mylk. Not only is it delicious, it’s packed with antioxidants and vitamins benefiting the heart, blood pressure, and skin. The smoothie is available for $10.50 at both Juby True locations in Arcadia and at Scottsdale Quarter.
TEXAZ Grill is offering all-you-can-eat TEXAZ Red Chili for just $7.50 Saturday, Nov. 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no sharing, to-go or doggie bags). Also on Nov. 3, TEXAZ Grill will be serving up $3 Shiner Bock and Lone Star beers to wash it all down.
“An Intimate Weekend with Isabel and Michael Mondavi” takes place at L’Auberge de Sedona, A Destination Hotel this weekend, and the public has the chance to purchase individual tickets to the Meet the Winemaker creekside welcome reception on the evening of Friday, Nov. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. In addition to savoring passed bites by L’Auberge de Sedona’s Executive Chef Franck Desplechin and wines from the Isabel Mondavi wine portfolio, guests will have the opportunity for a meet and greet with Isabel and Michael Mondavi.
Taste Tidbits
