Archive for the 'Mesa' Category
November 20th, 2009, 11:45 am by Jess Harter
 D’Vine Bistro & Wine Bar hosts its semi-annual music festival Saturday at its east Mesa location.
The outdoor event, which runs from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., will feature six bands, wine and beer tastings and food specials.
The street alongside the restaurant will be closed to accommodate a stage. The music lineup, which showcases performers who regularly play at D’Vine’s Mesa or Chandler locations:
• John Burak, 1:30 p.m.
• The Dime (aka The Nick Heward Band), 2:30
• Soul Catcher, 4 p.m.
• Brendon Cottrell, 5:30
• Nick Smith Band , 7
• The Hype, 8:30
Several of the performers who play D’Vine with stripped-down lineups will be backed by full bands for the festival.
Wine and Four Peaks beer tastings will be $5 (for five tastings) between 1 and 5 p.m. Wine also will be available for $5 per glass and large beers for $4.
Chef Ramon Rice will prepare foods on an outdoor barbecue.
Local vendors will be selling items ranging from clothing to artwork. Gift certificates for local stores also will be raffled off.
“This is an event that’s well-supported by our commuity,” says D’Vine executive sommelier David Newton. “You can really feel it when you’re there.”
Admission to the festival is $10.
D’Vine, 2837 N. Power Road, is located just off the Loop 202 at Power and McDowell roads. Info: (480) 654-4171 or dvinebistro.com.
Posted in: Mesa • D'Vine | Post a Comment »
November 18th, 2009, 6:57 am by Jess Harter
Almost everyone looks forward to Thanksgiving Day dinner, but not many enjoy the hours of preparation and post-meal cleanup. Fortunately, a number of East Valley restaurants will be open on the holiday. All you have to do is show up and eat. (Take note: Reservations are strongly recommended.)
Cork: This south Chandler fine-dining gem (pictured above) is offering a four-course feast with three entrée choices (turkey, hanger steak or wild sturgeon) and two dessert options (pumpkin pie or pear-cranberry crisp). There are three seatings between noon and 5:30 p.m. Cost is $55 or adults and $15 for children. 4991 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 883-3773.
Ko’Sin: Almost every East Valley resort serves Thanksgiving dinner. At the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass, American Indian-themed Ko’Sin is doing a three-course meal with three entrée choices (turkey, New York steak or salmon) from noon to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cost is $55 for adults and $30 for children. 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, (602) 385-5726.
Bill Johnson’s Big Apple: This local chain, which also has four restaurants in Phoenix, dishes up a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, ham and all the fixings from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for just $12.99. If turkey’s not your thing, you can strain your belt by partaking in an all-you-can-eat prime rib feast for $19.99. 950 E. Main St., Mesa, (480) 969-6504.
Rawhide: New chefs Jon Andersen and Micheal Cairns recently updated this Western town and steakhouse’s menu, and their T-Day spread, available 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., will include turkey, ham, roasted sweet potatoes, corn bread stuffing and pumpkin and apple pie. Cost is $24 for adults and $12 for children. 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, (480) 502-5600.
Monti’s la Casa Vieja: Who says Thanksgiving has to be about turkey? This East Valley institution instead is offering a special surf-and-turf special featuring herb-crusted prime rib and jumbo shrimp. The mega-meal, which costs $22.95, also includes two sides plus a basket of Monti’s signature Roman bread. 100 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, (480) 967-7594.
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Tempe • 5 to Try | Post a Comment »
October 27th, 2009, 10:25 am by Jess Harter
The five-second rule apparently is in effect at Flaming Kabob, which tied for top dishonors on this week’s list of worst East Valley restaurant health inspections.
The restaurant, 2252 E. Baseline Road, Mesa, was flagged for seven major violations, including this doozy: “Staff noted dropping bread, picking up bread from floor with bare hand (and) proceeding to assemble sandwiches.”
If they do this in front of a county inspector, it makes me wonder what happens when an inspector isn’t watching.
Other violations included not washing those sandwich-making bare hands, “heavy organic buildup” on soda fountain and a soiled lid on ice machine. Oh, yeah — and a live cockroach found in the food-prep area.
No better was Four Seasons Sushi, 1652 N. Higley Road, Gilbert, whose seven major violations included the staff making sushi rolls with bare hands and improperly stored raw fish dripping on salad ingredients. Oh, yeah — and a live cockroach found in the food-prep area.
Other top offenders this week are Abuelita’s Kitchen and Club Cabo in Mesa and China Garden in Gilbert (five violations each).
For more details on these restaurants’ inspections, or to check any other restaurant, go to maricopa.gov and click on “Restaurant Ratings.”
Posted in: Gilbert • Mesa • Dirty Dining | 7 Comments »
October 26th, 2009, 12:05 pm by Jess Harter
 As a PBS special earlier this year pointed out, craft beer is the new wine. So it hasn’t been surprising to see Valley restaurants jump on the bandwagon by hosting special multi-course meals with beer pairings.
The latest is Flancer’s, which will pair four courses with Santa Fe Brewing ales at its Mesa location on Nov. 11. Check out the menu. The cost is $40, and reservation are filling up fast.
Meanwhile, SanTan Brewing in downtown Chandler will host its monthly Tuesday Night Tasting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Cost is $25 for five courses with ales, including SanTan’s new seasonal Awesome Amber.
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Beer Dinners • Flancer's. SanTan Brewing | Post a Comment »
October 23rd, 2009, 11:56 am by Jess Harter
Every day seems to be some sort of holiday in the food world, from National Popcorn Day (Jan. 19) to Beans ’n’ Franks Day (July 13) to National Pfeffernüsse Day (Dec. 23). Here are some food holidays coming up in the next five days, as well as a suggestion of where to celebrate each:
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill: Saturday is National Bologna Day, and the fried bologna sandwich ($9.99, pictured below) is one of the signature menu items at the country singer’s restaurant at Mesa Riverview. The thick-cut bologna is topped with onions, American cheese and Miracle Whip and served on grilled garlic toast. 1065 N. Dobson Road, Mesa, (480) 844-8629.
 Heart Attack Grill: Sunday is National Greasy Foods Day, and no one revels in dietary fat and cholesterol more than this Chandler burger joint (pictured above) with “naughty nurse” servers. The Quadruple Bypass cheeseburger is made with four half-pound beef patties and 12 strips of bacon, and the Flatliner fries are deep-fried in pure lard. 6185 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, (480) 205-7777.
SanTan Brewing Company: Monday is National Pretzel Day, and some of the best soft pretzels you’ll find outside a ballpark are served at this downtown Chandler brew pub. A pair of large pretzels ($6.50, or just $5 during happy hour) with or without salt come with spicy beer mustard and beer cheese for dipping. 8 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, (480) 917-8700.
Murphy’s Law Irish Pub: Tuesday is National Potato Day, and who knows the starchy tubers better than the Irish? House-fried potatoes take the place of chips in the Irish nachos ($8.95), and eight varieties of spud sides include bacon blue mash, green chili cheddar mash, beer cheese mash and parmesan-herb mash. 58 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, (480) 812-1588.
Romeo’s Euro Cafe: Wednesday is National Chocolate Day, and this Gilbert eatery has the most decadent dessert case in the East Valley. Specialty cakes include the Intoxicated Love, made with dark, milk and white chocolates, and Dark Desire, hazelnut-chocolate cake with dark chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache (both $6 per slice). 207 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, (480) 962-4224.
Posted in: Chandler • Gilbert • Mesa • 5 to Try • Heart Attack Grill • Murphy's Law • Romeo's Euro Cafe • SanTan Brewing Co. • Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill | Post a Comment »
October 19th, 2009, 9:23 pm by Jess Harter
Week-old cooked food, food not protected from contamination and poor handwashing procedures were among the eight major violations at Amando’s, the worst offender in this week’s Maricopa County restaurant inspections.
The Tempe restaurant, 2602 W. Southern Ave., was cited for having week-old diced potatoes in the walk-in cooler. The inspector also noted cooked shrimp, salsa and other foods were stored uncovered, and buckets of horchata dry mix were stored on the floor.
Other East Valley restaurants that had unfavorable inspections included 5 & Diner at Arizona Mills in Tempe, Bella Vino in Chandler (which closed this weekend) and the restaurant at the Safeway at Val Vista Drive and Southern Avenue in Mesa. Each had six major violations.
Cibo, the acclaimed wine café and pizzeria in downtown Phoenix, had five major violations.
For more details on these restaurants’ inspections, or to check any other restaurant, go to maricopa.gov and click on “Restaurant Ratings.”
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Phoenix • Tempe • 5 & Diner • Amando's • Bella Vino • Cibo • Safeway | Post a Comment »
September 28th, 2009, 2:53 pm by Jess Harter
Great news for east Mesa residents: Caffe Boa, the popular Mill Avenue bistro and wine bar, is opening a second location at Power and McDowell roads near Las Sendas.
The new Caffe Boa, which takes over the former Pacific Bay Company, is expected to open around Nov. 1.
The menu will include many of the favorite dishes from the Tempe bistro (pictured above), but owner Jay Wisniewski says the new restaurant will feature a wood-burning oven — something not found at the Mill location — for making pasta dishes, but not pizzas.
Another feature, Wisniewski says, will be a salumi station, offering artisan cured meats, at the end of the bar.
The 2,500-square-foot Mesa restaurant, which will have hardwood floors and earth-tone colors, will seat about 55 inside and another 45 on a patio with a fireplace.
Compared to the Tempe location, the Mesa one will offer a pared-down wine list of 25 reds and 25 whites — all available by the glass, half-bottle or bottle — from a glass-enclosed wine cellar.
“We think it will allow customers to try great wines from around the world without breaking the bank,” Wisniewski says.
The Mesa location is opening at an intersection that already has D’Vine Bistro & Wine Bar and Red White & Brew.
“Although there are some restaurants already doing good things there, I feel we can offer something that’s not out there,” Wisniewski says.
This marks Caffe Boa’s second try at expansion. Several years ago, Wisniewski opened additional locations in Ahwatukee (later sold and now with a different menu, although it retains the name) and north Scottsdale (since closed).
Posted in: Mesa • Caffe Boa | 3 Comments »
September 22nd, 2009, 6:38 pm by Jess Harter
 Cheesecake is perhaps the most ubiquitous dessert in the East Valley, served everywhere from pizzerias to seafood restaurants, sports bars to fine-dining destinations.
While quite simple — the American standard is a cream cheese-based filling in a graham cracker crumb crust — there’s no reason cheesecake has to be boring.
Here are five East Valley restaurants that serve cheesecake with a twist:
S’Bistro: You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy owner-chef Brian Banasek’s creative cheesecake lollipops ($2 apiece, pictured at right), which come in a variety of flavors and coatings with sauces. 124 W. Main Street, Mesa, (480) 962-0344,
La Calabria: Italians substitute ricotta for cream cheese, resulting in a drier texture. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better example than the cheesecake ($5.95 per slice) made by owner-chef Giovanni Spataro’s wife, Clara. 1534 E. Ray Road, Gilbert, (480) 726-3537.
McDuffy’s Grille: How do Americans improve a dessert that’s been around for at least 2,000 years? By deep-frying it, of course. McDuffy’s “cheesecake bites” ($5.29) are served with ice cream. 980 E. Pecos Road, Chandler, (480) 966-8200.
Cork: Pastry chef Danielle Morris uses chevre, a creamy goat’s milk cheese, for a tangy French twist, served with champagne grapes and port-soaked fig ($5). 4991 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 883-3773.
Vito’s Pizza: Take turtle cheesecake bites, bury in chocolate cream and top with nuts, chocolate chips and caramel. This pizzeria’s Chocolate Eruption ($7) lives up to its name. 1947 N. Lindsey Road, Mesa, (480) 832-3311.
Posted in: Chandler • Gilbert • Mesa • Cork • La Calabria • McDuffy's Grille • S'Bistro • Vito's Pizza | 1 Comment »
September 22nd, 2009, 11:02 am by Jess Harter
Marie Callender’s kicked off its October half-price pie sale Monday, more than a week early.
More than 30 kinds of pie, regularly priced $10.49-$15.49, are available for $6.99. The sale, which only applies to pies to go, runs through Oct. 31.
Marie Callender’s has East Valley locations on Chandler Boulevard, just east of I-10, in Chandler and on Dobson Road, north of Southern Avenue, in Mesa.
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Marie Callender's | Post a Comment »
September 21st, 2009, 5:28 pm by Jess Harter
If you’re tired of wine dinners and beer dinners, here’s something different: Blue Adobe Grille will host a three-course dinner with Sol de Mexico tequila pairings Thursday.
The food courses and pairings at the downtown Mesa restaurant, 144 N. Country Club Drive, will be:
• Citrus shrimp trio with blanco tequila (non-aged);
• Pecan-grilled beef tenderloin with red wine reduction and blue cheese salsa, with reposado tequila (aged in oak barrels up to a year);
• Dark chocolate torte with espresso creme, with anejo tequila (aged at least a year).
Cost for the dinner, which starts at 6:30 p.m., is $37, including tax and tip. Reservations: (480) 962-1000.
Posted in: Mesa • Blue Adobe Grille | Post a Comment »
September 16th, 2009, 7:20 am by Jess Harter
 The second annual Arizona Restaurant Week kicks off its eight-day run Saturday. More than 110 Valley restaurants will offer special, three-course meals for $29 per person.
Last year’s inaugural week featured mostly Scottsdale and Phoenix restaurants. This year, however, a number of Southeast Valley eateries are participating.
Here are the menu choices for five of them (for the full list of restaurants and menus, go to arizonarestaurantweek.com):
Landmark Restaurant (pictured above): First course: Shrimp cocktail, crab cakes or ravioli Espanol. Second course: Filet mignon with salad room; lamb chops with salad room; bacon-wrapped scallops with salad room; or Sterling prime rib. Third course: Chocolate mousse, raspberry cheesecake or Kentucky bourbon pecan pie. Additional item: House wine. 809 W. Main St., Mesa, (480) 962-4652.
 Brio Tuscan Grille (pictured at left): First course: Roasted garlic and artichoke dip; spicy shrimp and eggplant; or calamari fritto misto. Second course: Tuscan grilled pork chops, chicken Milanese pomodoro or shrimp and scallop risotto. Third course: Brulee trio of bananas Foster, vanilla bean and caramel. 2150 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert, (480) 917-9177.
Cork: First course: Risotto trio, baby arugula salad or organic green salad. Second course: Buttermilk fried chicken, grilled beef tenderloin or Alaskan lingcod. Third course: Creme brulee, flight of house-made sorbets infused with wine or chocolate-cherry brownie sundae. 4991 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 883-3773.
Tomaso’s: First course: Sausage and peppers with crostini; crab cakes and field greens; or Caprese salad and bruschetta. Second course: Cioppino with linguini or risotto; Sicilian combo with eggplant involtini, braciole and butternut squash ravioli; or halibut Genovese. Third course: Creme brulee, cannoli or pistachio tartufo. 7131 W. Ray Road, Chandler, (480) 940-1200.
Vito’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant: First course: Calamari, spinach-artichoke dip or bruschetta. Second course: Lasagna, chicken Marsala or lobster ravioli. Third course: Tiramisu, cannoli or spumoni. Additional item: Glass of wine. 1947 N. Lindsey Road, Mesa, (480) 832-3311.
Posted in: Chandler • Gilbert • Mesa • Brio Tuscan Grille • Cork • Landmark • Tomaso's • Vito's Pizza | 1 Comment »
September 10th, 2009, 6:16 pm by Jess Harter
The NFL kicks off its 2009 season this weekend. Sure, you can watch the games from the comfort of your living room, but where’s the camaraderie in that — not to mention the number of TVs necessary to follow up to 10 games at once?
Fortunately, the East Valley has no shortage of sports bars, all of which will be packed for the next 18 Sundays. Here are five of my favorites that not only provide prime viewing, but also top-notch food and beverage choices:
Blue 32 Sports Grill: The Valley’s gold standard in sports bar cuisine (pictured above). I love the freshly ground burgers and sliders, the nachos, the Philly cheesesteak, the turkey Rueben made with blue-cheese-and-bacon cole slaw, the tacos al carbon … you get the idea. Twenty-eight TVs show all the action, and you can get a table-top speaker box to tune into your game of choice. 1524 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert, (480) 963-0032.
 McDuffy’s Grille: This restaurant’s downtown Tempe predecessor was the Valley’s go-to sports bar for serious fans for more than a decade, and its latest incarnation offers an even better menu. Try the Pecos Mac & Cheese made with four cheeses and roasted green chiles. I’m also a sucker for crinkle-cut fries (pictured at right), which come with any of the nine burgers. There are 20 TVs inside and on an enclosed patio. 980 E. Pecos Road, Chandler, (480) 966-8200.
Buffalo Wings & Rings: What’s not to like about chicken wings that come in nine different sauces, each available in five levels of heat ranging from mild to atomic? A full lineup of domestic beers is complemented by an ever-changing roster of 20 craft beers. Twenty TVs follow all the on-field action. 1760 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, (480) 963-8000.
R.T. O’Sullivan’s: You’re sure to find your game at this spacious sports bar with more than 80 TVs. The something-for-everyone menu ranges from Irish favorites (corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, etc.) to American-style burgers and sandwiches. 1010 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, (480) 844-1290; 6646 Superstition Springs Boulevard, Mesa, (480) 396-9933.
Native New Yorker: A transplanted New York couple introduced Buffalo-style chicken wings at their failing Phoenix pizzeria in 1980, and the rest is Valley restaurant history. Today, besides award-winning wings, an all-encompassing menu includes burgers, sandwiches, pizza and pasta. Don’t miss the roast beef on house-made Kummelweck roll, a Buffalo favorite. 25 Valley locations.
Posted in: Chandler • Gilbert • Mesa • Blue 32 Sports Grill • Buffalo Wings & RIngs • McDuffy's Grille • Native New Yorker • R.T. O'Sullivan's | 9 Comments »
September 8th, 2009, 10:40 am by Jess Harter
 Do you make a special dessert that your friends and family rave about? Now you can share it with the rest of the Valley.
Flancer’s, which has locations in Gilbert and Mesa, is holding a Dessert Showdown contest. The winner gets a $100 Flancer’s gift certificate, their dessert on the restaurants’ menu for a year and a portion of the proceeds donated to a charity of your choice for three months.
To enter, bring your dessert to either Flancer’s location any day this month, along with a typed or printed-out copy of the recipe.
Desserts will be judges on taste, appearance, creativity, ease of recipe and availability of ingredients. Several finalists will be selected to compete in a Dessert Showdown in October.
Keep in mind: Desserts should be “restaurant-friendly,” meaning elaborate, time-intensive creations like multi-layered cakes are out. Sheet cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, cheesecakes and bread pudding generally are acceptable.
For more information, call Flancer’s at (480) 926-9077 (Gilbert) or (480) 396-0077 (east Mesa) or go to flancers.com.
Posted in: Gilbert • Mesa • Flancer's | 6 Comments »
August 28th, 2009, 7:02 am by Jess Harter
Mesa’s underwhelming restaurant scene took more hits with the recent closures of EJ’s Steakhouse and Pizza Fusion. You have to wonder: Does any other U.S. city of a half-million people boast so seemingly few quality dining options?
While Arizona’s third-largest metropolis may appear to be all national chains and fast food, there are still a handful of standout independent restaurants that are worth seeking out. Here are five suggestions:
 Blue Adobe Grill: A pecan-wood grill is the key ingredient at this decade-old New Mexican restaurant — even the salsa starts with blackened tomatoes and onions, resulting in a dark, sweet sauce. Must-haves include the chiles rellenos (filled with beef tenderloin, chorizo and two cheeses) and the bacon cheeseburger topped with green chiles. 144 N. Country Club Drive, Mesa, (480) 962-1000.
Flancer’s: Owner Jeff Flancer (pictured) opened a second, slightly larger location of his longtime Gilbert favorite in northeast Mesa last summer. It has all the attractions of the original fun-casual café — from its famous green chili turkey sandwich, dubbed the Chile Verde Birdie, to ’60s and ‘70s music artwork (in this case, posters instead of album covers) on the walls. 1902 N. Higley Road, Mesa, (480) 396-0077.
De la Cruz Bistro: If you’re looking for someplace to grab dinner before a show at the Mesa Arts Center, or a glass of wine afterward, you’ll find it right across Main Street at this year-old establishment from Mangos owners Omar and Silda de la Cruz. The Old World décor is rustic-romantic, and the menu ranges from bacon-wrapped meatloaf to Brazilian lobster tail. 10 W. Main St., Mesa, (480) 258-6942.
Cornish Pasty Co.: Owner Dean Thomas finally opened a spin-off of his popular Tempe eatery in January. The menu features nearly 40 different pasties (pronounced “PASS-tees”), savory English pastries stuffed with meats, cheeses and vegetables. CP also offers a nice selection of six draft beers and 18 bottled beers, about two-thirds European. 1941 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa, (480) 838-3586.
Pastis: The three owners of this 10-month-old restaurant are Serbian-American, but the menu spans most of Europe. Pastis (pronounced “pass-TEESE”) has a dozen sandwiches, as well as entrees focused on grilled meats like sirloin sausage links called chevapi served with Bosnian bread called lepinja. Save room for crepes for dessert. 1935 S. Val Vista Drive, Mesa, (480) 926-3354.
Posted in: Mesa • Blue Adobe Grill • Cornish Pasty Co. • De la Cruz Bistro • Flancer's • Pastis | 5 Comments »
August 25th, 2009, 11:18 am by Jess Harter
Il Vinaio, which recently replaced the Valley Eatery in downtown Mesa (read my preview), will host its first five-course wine dinner at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The five courses include coriander-crusted scallops, heirloom tomato salad, herb-crusted sea bass, bone-in pork tenderloin and coffee-chocolate cake (see menu)
About 10 spots remain for the 24-seat dinner, which costs $34.95. Info: (480) 649-6476 or www.ilvinaio.com.
Posted in: Mesa • Il Vinaio | Post a Comment »
August 25th, 2009, 10:50 am by Jess Harter
 Pizza Fusion (read my review) isn’t the only restaurant that’s closed in the northeast Mesa strip mall known as The Shoppes at Legacy House.
EJ’s Steakhouse (read review), the city’s only upscale steakhouse, has shut its doors after less than two years of operation. EJ’s also closed its stand-alone butcher shop next door.
Ground Central Coffee Hut, located next door to Pizza Fusion, also has closed.
A cryptic note posted on the door on Pizza Fusion reads, “Due to a structural defect in the complex, Pizza Fusion has chosen to relocate to help protect the health and welfare of its staff and guests.
“We regret having to make this move as our future location is yet undetermined and we will miss everyone greatly.”
Posted in: Mesa • EJ's Steakhouse • Ground Central | 9 Comments »
August 24th, 2009, 4:32 pm by Jess Harter
Jeez, I take one week of vacation and miss all kinds of news. Where to start?
• Mesa apparently doesn’t have much of an appetite for organic pizza and Earth-friendly decor. Pizza Fusion, billed as the country’s first “green” pizza chain, has closed its only Arizona location — near McKellips and Recker roads in Mesa — after just nine months. The phone number no longer works, and the chain’s website says, “We’re currently seeking a new site location.”
 • Chef Aaron May has closed his Spanish restaurant Sol y Sombra in north Scottsdale’s seemingly jinxed DC Ranch. The four-year-old tapas eatery shut down just a few days after May’s eight-month-old Autostrada closed next door. May also has scrapped plans for a Basque restaurant called Leche and a Texas barbecue joint called Ice House (the latter in the former Pischke’s spot) in Old Town Scottsdale.
• Rendezvous Point, which took over the former Citrus Cafe space near Alma School and Warner roads in Chandler, has closed after just two months. If you recall, the longtime Citrus Cafe had closed after its new owner was charged with stealing diners’ credit card numbers.
• Not all the local dining news was bad last week. Chef James Porter, who closed Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar in Scottsdale in May, already has opened his new (much smaller) place: the French-inspired Petite Maison in Old Town Scottsdale. It’s dinner-only for now (see menu), but breakfast and lunch are coming.
• Firehouse Subs, a Florida-based chain of firefighter-themed sandwich shops that opened its first Arizona location two years ago in Chandler, has opened a second at Mesa’s Dana Park (Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive).
• Regions Bistro & Bar, which in late May closed its two locations in Scottsdale and Tempe after just four and three months, respectively, has reopened its Shea Boulevard restaurant under new ownership (see menu). The Mill Avenue restaurant is expected to reopen in October.
• Dutch Bros. Coffee, an Oregon-based chain of drive-through coffee stands, celebrates the opening of its first Mesa location (McKellips and Gilbert roads) by giving away free drinks from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday. The chain’s five other Valley stands will offer 16-ounce hot or iced drinks for $2 all day.
• Need more proof that brew pubs are hot right now? Not one but two new ones are coming to Tempe this fall. Electric Dave’s Brewpub (formerly located in Bisbee) is coming to the corner of College Avenue and Fifth Street on Sept. 1, according to a sign in its window. Sleepy Dog Saloon & Brewery will open near University and McClintock drives in October.
• Mesa’s Blue Adobe Grill will host a Santa Fe Brewing beer dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The four tapas-sized courses — Santa Fe scampi, green chile and spinach mushroom caps, chile-rubbed baby back ribs and blueberry cheesecake — will be paired with four beers. There are only a few $22 tickets remaining. Info: (480) 962-1000.
• Also, SanTan Brewing in downtown Chandler will host its monthly Tuesday Night Tasting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8. The $25 dinner, which is expected to sell out this week, features four courses — the highlight of which undoubtedly will be the chocolate-covered bacon lollipops (see menu) — paired with SanTan beers. Info: (480) 917-8700.
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Scottsdale • Notes | 7 Comments »
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