Archive for September, 2008
September 30th, 2008, 8:00 pm by Jess Harter
The most impressive thing about Bourbon Steak, part of celebrity chef Michael Mina’s national restaurant empire, is the size of the dent the Fairmont Scottsdale resort’s trendy steakhouse will put in your bank account.
 Some of Mina’s culinary offerings are very good; others are disappointing. But all are expensive.
During one of my visits, for example, dinner for three — two small appetizers, three entrees and two small desserts — results in a gulp-inducing bill, after tax and tip, of $411.
No, the meal doesn’t include Bourbon Steak’s much-publicized $190 Japanese “A5” Kobe steak (which is no longer on the menu). It doesn’t even include a bottle of wine.
And as we leave the restaurant, one of my companions accurately sums up the evening, “That was good, but not great.”
For $400-plus, shouldn’t a meal be great?
• Previous: Bourbon Steak launches Sunday brunch (Sept. 14, 2008)
• Previous: Top new E.V. restaurants of 2008 - so far (July 16, 2008)
• Previous: Get your rebate check? 6 places to splurge (May 7, 2008)
• Previous: Tough economic times vs. a $190 steak (Feb. 13, 2008)
• Previous: Bourbon Steak opens at Fairmont Scottsdale (Feb. 11, 2008)
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in: Scottsdale | 1 Comment »
September 30th, 2008, 5:28 pm by Jess Harter
 Congratulations to Bill and Ann Samouris, who won Vito’s Pizza Place & Ristorante’s Napa Valley vacation drawing.
The Mesa couple, who have been Vito’s regulars for more than two decades, receive a three-day trip to California’s wine country next week.
The prize include airfare, hotel accommodations, fine-dining and all other expenses.
Info: (480) 832-3311 or vitospizza.com.
• Previous: Family-friendly Vito’s doesn’t play games with cuisine (July 6, 2007)
Posted in: Mesa | Post a Comment »
September 30th, 2008, 4:49 pm by Jess Harter
Citing differences with business partner Steve Wolff, chef Robert Stempkowski says he’s leaving Urban Campfire, the smokehouse-style restaurant on the southeast corner of University Drive and Rural Road in Tempe.
 “Urban Campfire, as we all knew it, is no more,” Stempkowski says, adding that his partnership with Wolff is “irretrievably broken.”
Urban Campfire, which opened in July 2007 in a stand-alone building that formerly housed Greasy Tony’s, featured such comfort foods as pulled-pork sliders, green chile stew and barbecue spare ribs.
Wolff and Stempkowski went through a protracted legal battle with Greasy Tony’s owners over a liquor license dispute. After winning a judgment, the pair decided to close the restaurant over the summer to renovate the aging building’s interior and patio.
The pair planned to reopen in August, but the restaurant remains closed.
Wolff still may try to reopen Urban Campfire, says Stempkowsk, whose long career includes stints at Christopher’s, Michael’s at the Citadel, Mary Elaine’s and Binkley’s.
“I don’t know what he’ll do as far as the food thing,” he says. “I just know I won’t be participating any more.”
• Previous: Urban Campfire to close for 10 weeks (May 19, 2008)
• Previous: Best new East Valley restaurants of 2007 (Dec. 30, 2007)
• Previous: Urban Campfire serves comfort food with panache (Aug. 24, 2007)
Posted in: Tempe | Post a Comment »
September 30th, 2008, 2:30 pm by Jess Harter
 Diners at Ra Sushi at Dana Park in Mesa did a double-take Saturday when actor Seann William Scott and his brother stopped in to order some sushi.
According to Ra’s Lindsay Watrous, Scott — who starred in such movies as “American Pie” and “The Dukes of Hazzard” — told staffers he was in the East Valley to see his brother’s new baby and he has a new movie coming out called “Role Models.”
Scott (pictured with Ra’s Justin Way and Jason Khneiger) enjoyed a glass of wine with his brother while waiting for their to-go order, which included Ra’s new beef tataki roll, the king crab roll, the spicy tuna roll, the spicy yellowtail roll and several California rolls.
Info: rasushi.com.
Posted in: Mesa | Post a Comment »
September 29th, 2008, 10:18 pm by Jess Harter
Arizona’s first-ever Restaurant Week proved very popular with diners, East Valley restaurant owners say. If anything, almost too popular — as some chefs and waitstaffs struggled to accommodate greater than expected demand.
“I thought it went great,” says Scottsdale restaurateur Sam Fox, who led the effort to launch the seven-day promotion. “Our business was incredible. I think for the first year, with what was going on in the world, the timing was perfect.”
 Nearly 100 Valley restaurants took part in Restaurant Week, which ended Friday, by offering special three-course menus for $29.
Fox estimates his four participating restaurants — Olive & Ivy, Greene House (pictured at left), Bloom and North — saw business increase 40 percent.
“There were a lot of new faces, which is exactly what we wanted,” Fox says. “Even on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday — seats were full.”
Don Carson, owner of Don & Charlie’s in Scottsdale, thought the week went so well he decided to extend his steakhouse’s $29 menu through the month of October.
Another participant, Roy’s, announced it would extend its menu another week, through Monday, at its restaurants in Scottsdale, Chandler and Phoenix.
• See the list of participating restaurants and their menus
• Previous: Roy’s extends Restaurant Week special for week (Sept. 29, 2008)
• Previous: Don & Charlie’s continues Restaurant Week special (Sept. 28, 2008)
• Previous: First-ever Arizona Restaurant Week starts Saturday (Sept. 17, 2008)
• Previous: 80+ eateries to participate in AZ Restaurant Week (July 28, 2008)
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in: Valleywide | 2 Comments »
September 29th, 2008, 12:19 pm by Jess Harter
 Roy’s is the second East Valley restaurant to announce it is extending its menu special from Arizona Restaurant Week, which concluded Friday.
Earlier, Don & Charlie’s in Scottsdale announced it would continue to offer its three-course, $29 menu for the entire month of October.
Roy’s, which has locations in Scottsdale, Chandler and Desert Ridge in Phoenix, only is offering its special menu through Monday, Oct. 6.
It includes choice of appetizer (ahi tuna or pear and arugula salad), entree (prosciutto-wrapped tiger shrimp, gorgonzola and spinach crusted salmon, Mongolian grilled top sirloin barbecue or braised Hawaii Kai beef short ribs) and dessert (hot chocolate soufflé [pictured] or strawberry shortcake).
The $29 fixed price does not include beverage, tax or gratuity.
Info: roysrestaurant.com.
Posted in: Chandler • Scottsdale | 2 Comments »
September 28th, 2008, 9:32 pm by Jess Harter
Dunkin’ Donuts continues to roll out revamped stores in the East Valley. The latest is on the southeast corner of Lindsey and Warner roads in Gilbert.
All of the Massachusetts-based chain’s stores were closed for several months for renovations to allow the introduction of new menu items, such as flatbread sandwiches and personal-size pizzas.
Info: dunkindonuts.com.
• Previous: 8 Dunkin’ Donuts stores to open in East Valley (Aug. 11, 2008)
• Previous:Dunkin’ Donuts to add sandwiches, pizzas (Feb. 25, 2008)
Posted in: Gilbert | Post a Comment »
September 28th, 2008, 5:30 pm by Jess Harter
Are you already missing Arizona Restaurant Week, which ended Sept. 26? It’s still going at one Scottsdale restaurant: Don & Charlie’s.
 Owner Don Carson says he got such a great response to his three-course, $29 menu last week he will continue to offer it through Oct. 31.
Now dubbed “Don’s All-Star Dinner,” it includes choice of appetizer (chilled shrimp “gazpacho style,” fried calamari, baked spinach and artichoke dip or onion strings), entree (full slab of barbecue baby back ribs, “Cuda” cut prime rib, filet medallion trio or macadamia nut crusted halibut) and dessert (banana cream pie [pictured], cheesecake or sundae).
As a point of comparison, the calamari ($9.95), prime rib ($24.95) and pie ($6.50) normally would cost more than $40. The special $29 price does not include beverage, tax or gratuity.
Info: (480) 990-0900 or donandcharlies.com.
• Previous: Arizona celebrates first-ever Restaurant Week (Sept. 17, 2008)
• Previous: Read my review of Don & Charlie’s (Sept. 2, 2008)
Posted in: Scottsdale | Post a Comment »
September 27th, 2008, 4:28 pm by Jess Harter
 Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis will sign her new cookbook “Giada’s Kitchen: New Italian Favorites” at noon Oct. 18 at Sur La Table in north Scottsdale.
De Laurentiis, the granddaughter of famed film producer Dino De Laurentiis, hosts the Food Network shows “Everyday Italian,” “Behind the Bash,” “Giada’s Weekend Getaways” and “Giada in Paradise.”
The booksigning, which runs from noon to 3 p.m., is a ticketed event. Guests receive a ticket when they go to Sur La Table and purchase her cookbook, which goes on sale Wednesday at the Kierland Commons store.
Info: (480) 998-0118 or surlatable.com.
Posted in: Scottsdale | Post a Comment »
September 27th, 2008, 3:45 pm by Jess Harter
 Locavore 4, the next installation in chef James Porter’s series of dinners based on locally grown or crafted ingredients, will take place Oct. 7 and 8 at Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar in Scottsdale.
The five-course menu will feature gazpacho, sweet shrimp and corn tamale, prickly pear glazed pork belly, stuffed leg of lamb and sassafras ice cream float.
On Friday, Oct. 3, diners can accompany Porter (pictured at left) to Mesa’s Superstition Farms to make the butter for the meals.
The trip to Superstition is Farms is free. The 6:30 p.m. dinners are $65, which includes wine pairings but not tax and tip. There will be a 5:30 p.m. meet and greet before each dinner.
Tapino is located at 7000 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale. Reservations: (480) 991-6887 or tapino.com.
• Check out the five-course menu for Locavore 4: Cultivation
Posted in: Scottsdale | Post a Comment »
September 27th, 2008, 12:43 pm by Jess Harter
 Corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and fish and chips are among the authentic foods available at the Arizona Irish Festival, which takes place 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix.
The food will be served by staff from three Valley Irish pubs — Fibber Magee’s, Skeptical Chymist and Tim Finnegan’s.
Traditional festival foods, such as hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches, also will be sold at a separate American-style food court.
Bushmills will provide Irish whiskey tastings, and there also will be absinthe-tasting booths.
The day’s festivities will include live music, dancing, vendor booths, a toast competition, storytelling and children’s activities.
Tickets for the festival are $10 for adults and $1 for children 6-12.
The Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, is located at Maragaret T. Hance Park.
Info: (602) 308-4601 or azirishfestival.org.
Posted in: Phoenix | Post a Comment »
September 26th, 2008, 2:42 pm by Jess Harter
SanTan Village regional shopping center is launching a farmers market Wednesday. The open-air market will run 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month through May 2009.
The market will be set up near Banana Republic, FitChix and the Sleep Number Store. Info: (480) 282-9500 or westcor.com.
Posted in: Gilbert | 1 Comment »
September 26th, 2008, 2:31 pm by Jess Harter
 Ra Sushi executive chef Tai Obata (pictured at left) has unveiled several new additions, including three new rolls, to the Scottsdale-based chain’s menu.
The new items include a beef tataki roll ($9.25), king crab roll ($11) and mango lobster roll ($9).
Other newcomers are a spicy octopus and cucumber salad ($6.25), shrimp shumai appetizer ($6.75) and a bara chirashi lunch bowl ($9).
Also making its debut: Kona Kampachi, a species of Hawaiian yellowtail, available as nigiri ($5) or sashimi ($10).
New to the drink menu: three martinis (Bruce Lee-Chee, Mount Saint Melons and Chai One On) and five cocktails (Moshi Moshi Mojito, Mango Libido Mojito, Crouching Chaiger, Okinawa Iced Tea and Kampai Mai Tai).
Ra has 21 restaurants across the country, including locations in Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and Ahwatukee. Info: rasushi.com.
Posted in: Ahwatukee • Mesa • Scottsdale • Tempe | Post a Comment »
September 25th, 2008, 2:00 pm by Jess Harter
 Farrelli’s Cinema Supper Club is offering a 15 percent discount on gift certificates purchased before Nov. 30.
To whet your appetite even further, the north Scottsdale theater/restaurant has put together a fall classic movie series featuring such all-time favorites as “Citizen Kane,” “Casablanca” and “Wizard of Oz.”
Farrelli’s also shows current movies, such as “The Pineapple Express” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”
The menu ranges from burgers and sandwiches to steaks and other entrees.
For showtimes or more info: (480) 905-7200 or farrellis.com.
Posted in: Scottsdale | Post a Comment »
September 24th, 2008, 2:46 pm by Jess Harter
 Ted Breaux (pictured at left), one of the world’s foremost experts on absinthe, will host a special pairing dinner Sunday at Digestif in Old Town Scottsdale.
Breaux, a New Orleans chemist, is the founder of Jade Liquors.
Executive chef Payton Curry and pastry chef Tracy Dempsey have put together a four-course menu, which will be complemented by four types of the green liquor.
Vegetarian options also are available.
The 6 p.m. dinner costs $50, excluding tax and tip.
Info: (480) 425-9463 or digestifscottsdale.com.
• Check out the four-course menu and absinthe pairings (pdf)
Posted in: Scottsdale | 8 Comments »
September 24th, 2008, 1:08 pm by Jess Harter
 SanTan Brewing Co. will celebrate its one-year anniversary by hosting an Oktoberfest event from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27.
The downtown Chandler brewery and restaurant will set up a parking-lot beer garden with vendor booths, live music and a beer maid contest. There will be a $20 admission to the beer garden area.
Participating brewers will include BJ’s, Rock Bottom, Gordon Biersch and Prescott Brewing Co.
Info: (480) 917-8700 or santanbrewing.com.
Posted in: Chandler | Post a Comment »
September 22nd, 2008, 12:59 pm by Jess Harter
Five Kahala brand restaurants will give away free food items this week to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Arizona:
 Monday: grilled egg rolls at Samurai Sam’s
Tuesday: 3-inch cold turkey subs at Blimpie’s
Wednesday: small order of fries at TacoTime
Thursday: 3-ounce ice cream creation at Cold Stone Creamery
Friday: small order of fries at Great Steak
The giveaways will take place between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. In exchange, diners are encouraged to make a small donation to Make-a-Wish.
Info: Make-a-Wish.
Posted in: Valleywide | Post a Comment »
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