Tucson Citizen Morgue, Part 1 (2006-2009)

Posts Tagged ‘Dina L. Doolen’

Let the spirit move you to try these award winners

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

Heaven Hill Distilleries' Rittenhouse Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey, Very Rare 23 Year Old was named the Top Rye Whisk(e)y in the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The file photo above shows Heaven Hill master distiller Parker Beam.

What better way to introduce yourself to a new spirit than to sample the “best” in a given category.

One way to find the best is to consider the results of last month’s eighth annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

In all, 25 judges tasted 847 spirits from 63 countries in 439 brand classifications, according to the competition’s official Web site.

Here is a rundown of the winners, based on a press release from event organizers, including where appropriate the price given by the entrant per 750-milliliter bottle. Note that its Whisk(e)y categories combine Scotch whisky and other whiskeys.:

• Distiller of the Year Buffalo Trace Distillery (Kentucky)

• Importer of the Year Moët Hennessy USA (New York, N.Y.)

• Best in Show – White Weber Haus, Silver Cachaça (Brazil) (no price available)

• Best in Show – Whisk(e)y Highland Park 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch (Scotland) ($40)

• Best in Show – Brandy Loujan 1979 Armagnac (France) ($105)

• Best in Show – Liqueur Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur (France) ($30)

• Top Absinthe (new category) Vieux Pontarlier Absinthe (France) (NPA)

• Top Vodka Snow Queen Vodka (Kazakhstan) ($29)

• Top Gin Plymouth Gin (England) ($30)

• Top Rum Matusalem Gran Reserva Rum (Dominican Republic) ($32)

• Top Tequila AsomBroso Silver Tequila (Mexico) ($45)

• Top Reposado Tequila El Tesoro Platinum Tequila (Mexico) ($40)

• Top Añejo Tequila Siete Leguas Añejo Tequila (Mexico) ($50)

• Top Extra-Aged Añejo Tequila Don Julio Extra-Aged Añejo Tequila (Mexico) ($350)

• Top Irish Whiskey Jameson Rare Vintage Irish Whiskey (Ireland) ($250)

• Top Rye Whisk(e)y Rittenhouse Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey, Very Rare 23 Year Old (Kentucky) ($170)

• Top Blended Scotch Chivas Regal 25 Year Old Scotch (Scotland) ($299)

• Top Bourbon Pappy Van Winkle Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Reserve 20 Year Old (Kentucky) ($100)

• Top Cognac Hennessy Cognac Paradis Extra (France) ($320)

• Top Fruit Liqueur Cointreau Orange Liqueur (France) ($34)

———

IN TUCSON

These Tucson liquor stores likely are your best bets for finding some of the competition’s winners. Prices may vary considerably. You may want to call ahead, or order online.

AJ’S FINE FOODS 2805 E. Skyline Drive, 232-6340

BEVMO! 6228 E. Broadway, Suite 100, 514-0695

MAGEE ROAD LIQUORS 7980 N. Oracle Road, 297-9113

PLAZA LIQUORS AND FINE WINES 2642 N. Campbell Ave., 327-0452

RUMRUNNER WINE & CHEESE CO. 3131 E. First St., 326-0121

THE BEVERAGE HOUSE • 6250 N. Oracle Road, 219-6424, • 4231 E. 22nd Street, Suite 141, 323-6566, and • 8660 E. Broadway, 296-9933

Tags: Bars/Drinks, Dina L. Doolen, National, Taste-Bars/Drinks, Taste-Bars/Drinks-National
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Popularity of rye whiskeys on rise in last 18 months

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

Tucson, noted for lagging in national trends, already is seeing hints of a rise in popularity of rye whiskeys.

“We’ve seen a big trend in rye,” says Robert Millican, a salesman at Rumrunner Wine & Cheese Co., 3131 E. First St. “And we’ve got different ones that are selling better than others.”

Rye whiskey’s growing popularity across America since mid-2006 can be seen in recent announced expansions at bourbon-makers Wild Turkey and Heaven Hill distilleries and Fortune Brands (owners of Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam).

Millican says Buffalo Trace Distillery’s 6-year-old Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey is Rumrunner’s top-selling rye whiskey, regularly selling out. And for good reason – it was named “Northern American Whiskey of the Year” for 2007 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

“I’d say the volume of interest in rye whiskey has gone up exponentially in the last two years,” says Heaven Hill Distillery spokesman Larry Kass.

In 2007, Heaven Hill doubled its production for rye whiskey – albeit from only two to four days of distilling a year.

Melissa Mauzy, sales manager for Plaza Liquors and Fine Wines says it added Heaven Hill’s Rittenhouse line of ryes after Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye was named “Northern American Whiskey of the Year” in 2006.

She says the store, 2642 N. Campbell Ave., does not track sales but, anecdotally, she says she has not seen a spike in rye whiskey sales. Still, it has expanded its selection of ryes.

Plaza carries seven ryes, including the premium Old Potrero ($74.49 for a 750-milliliter bottle) by Anchor Brewing Co., of San Francisco.

But, at The Beverage House’s Northwest Side location, 6250 N. Oracle Road, manager Alice Ames says single-malt Scotches, high-end bourbons and tequila still rule the day there.

Buffalo Trace president and CEO Mark Brown and others compare the trend in rye to the explosion of single malt Scotch whiskeys in the 1990s.

As American consumers became more sophisticated, they wanted to sample different, often rare and pricey whiskeys – small batch and single-barrel bourbons, and now, rye.

Chuck Martin of the Cincinnati Enquirer and Alex Davis and David Goetz of The (Louisville, Ky.,) Courier-Journal contributed to this article.

———

TASTING NOTES

Jay Erisman, fine spirits manager at the Party Source in Bellevue, Ohio, offers these comments on a sample of rye whiskeys. Some of these ryes are in limited supply. Prices may vary.

Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye ($15) Showing plenty of spicy notes, this whiskey makes a nice Manhattan or Sazerac cocktail with rye flavors coming through.

Sazerac Straight Rye 6-Year-Old ($26) Displays interplay between grain, oak and spice, with notes of licorice, oak, cocoa and bit of smoke. Finish is long and satisfyingly spicy.

Sazerac Co. Van Winkle Family Reserve 13-Year-Old ($39) A real butt-kicker, this whiskey offers a dense salvo of rye spice while a raucous rye aroma greets the nose. There’s a touch of caramel-toffee sweetness, but overall the dry spice dominates.

Black Maple Hill Rye 18-Year-Old ($74) Rye spice flavors are irrepressible, simmering below the surface of this cranked-up whiskey. Very spicy and complex, the flavors are long and compelling from nose to finish.

———

ON THE SHELVES

By law, rye whiskey must be at least 51 percent rye. Corn and malted barley are also primary ingredients.

Here is a sample of the rye whiskeys on metro Tucson liquor store shelves. Prices vary. Keep in mind that rye is selling fast, so call ahead.

THE BEVERAGE HOUSE 6250 N. Oracle Road, 219-6424 (two other locations)

• Old Overholt Rye Whiskey

BEVMO! 6228 E. Broadway, Suite 100, 514-0695

• Old Overholt Rye Whiskey

• Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey 21 Year (3,500 bottles made.)

• Russell’s Reserve Rye (Wild Turkey Bourbon)

PLAZA LIQUORS AND FINE WINES 2642 N. Campbell Ave., 327-0452

• Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye (Heaven Hill Distillery)

• Michter’s American Whiskey Co. Straight Rye

• Old Potrero Single Malt Straight Rye Whiskey (Anchor Brewing Co.)

RUMRUNNER WINE & CHEESE CO. 3200 E. Speedway Blvd., 326-0121

• Old Overholt Rye Whiskey

• Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey 100 Proof

• 6-year-old Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey (Buffalo Trace Distillery)

DINA L. DOOLEN

Tags: Bars/Drinks, Dina L. Doolen, Taste-Bars/Drinks, Taste-Bars/Drinks-Local
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Mobil gives Ventana Room, Omni spa 4 stars
Monday, January 28th, 2008

Ventana Room Executive Chef Mark Ehrler also is Executive Chef for the entire Loews Hotels chain.

One Tucson restaurant and one Tucson spa have earned Mobil Travel Guide awards.

Mobil gave Ventana Room at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort & Spa a Four-Star Restaurant rating and The Spa at Omni Tucson National a Four-Star Spa rating.

Other Arizona restaurants and hotels that made the cut in the ratings, announced Monday are:

Four-Star Restaurants
Kai (at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa in Chandler)

Mary Elaine’s (at The Phoenician in Scottsdale)

Four-star Hotels
The Ritz-Carlton (Phoenix)

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

The Phoenician (Scottsdale)

Four-Star Spas

The Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain (Paradise Valley)

Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms (Phoenix)

Spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

The Centre for Well Being (Scottsdale)

Willow Stream Spa (Scottsdale).

For more on the ratings, go to the Mobil Travel Guide online.

This is Mobil Travel Guide’s 50th year.

Tags: Breaking News, Dina L. Doolen, Restaurants, Special-Breaking News, Taste-Restaurants, Taste-Restaurants-Local
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‘Bark!’ if you liked local Oscar, kids’ festival, In-N-Out
Thursday, December 27th, 2007

After last year’s hoopla over Disney’s “The Lion King,” the Tucson-area entertainment scene seemed almost anticlimactic in 2007. But we were treated to a visit by an Oscar winner, a concert by a music-fashion icon and a golden celebration of a visual arts institution in Tucson. Calendar staffers take a look back at some of the year’s most memorable moments.

THEATER

What a year. Theater’s blend of local productions and celebrities on national tours brought Baked Apple audiences a wide assortment of opportunities.

• On the homegrown front, Arizona Onstage Productions’ staging of the bittersweet comedy “Bark!” in July became the must-see hit of the season. A reprise of several performances with the same cast is set for 2008.

• The Arizona Theatre Company, the state’s fully professional theater company, brought back its Rep Fest in March and April to enrich our community. The trio of plays, shown back-to-back-to-back in limited runs, were “Love, Janis,” “Molly’s Delicious” and “I Am My Own Wife.”

• UApresents presented Olympia Dukakis at the downtown Fox Theatre in January in a one-woman production of “Rose,” recounting the tumultuous life of a Jewish octogenarian who was born in the Ukraine, survived the Nazi concentration camps, immigrated to America and traveled to Israel. The play was inspired by the playwright’s own grandmother.

• Chamber Music Plus Southwest debuted its new show “Raisin’ Cain” starring Jasmine Guy and written by Harry Clark, with music composed and played by the Avery Sharp Trio. The production about the Harlem Renaissance then traveled to New York to play in the famed Apollo Theater. After “Cain,” the company founded by pianist Sanda Schuldmann and cellist Clark continued with its concert programs, with featured appearances by Shirley Knight and most recently Talia Shire.

• Broadway In Tucson found exceptional success presenting the 1962 Edward Albee classic “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” with celebrity actors Kathleen Turner and Bill Irwin. They performed using a script Albee had tweaked a bit to make it more timely.

Broadway in Tucson also brought in the ultra-fresh touring company of “Avenue Q” for a show that didn’t have any famous actors in the cast but still made a heartwarming impression.

It was also a year that Broadway in Tucson made the surprise announcement that its first and only general manager, Mark Rasdorf, was leaving. His replacement as general manager is Lendre Kearns.

• Beowulf Alley Theatre Company also made a management change, following founding artistic director Stephen Elton’s departure for California. The board of directors has reorganized with a series of committees heading the company’s various functions.

• The new Redondo Music Theater got under way in its first full season with founding artistic director Hal Hundley. In the mid-1970s Hundley started the Southern Arizona Light Opera Company here.

FILM

• The local film scene got a jolt of enthusiasm in February when University of Arizona graduate Ari Sandel won an Oscar for his 21-minute film short “West Bank Story.” His “musical comedy about hope” described the competition between two adjacent falafel stands on Israel’s West Bank – one owned by a Palestinian, the other by a Jew.

• Pride of race also had a role in Tucson filmmaker Ruben Reyes’ new picture “Pancho Goes To College,” a comedy about a group of first-year students and friends at the University of Arizona. The film won best feature at the East L.A. Cine Sin Fin Chicano Film Festival. Sweetening the experience, Camiliano Juarez of Tucson won the best actor award.

• Meanwhile, audiences were happy to see new places developing for watching films.

The Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., began a regular program of screening movie favorites. This month, for example, the re-invigorated downtown showplace is presenting Christmas classics.

In July, the Loft Cinema started an annual summer film festival for children. Being the Loft, Tucson’s theater specializing in art films, the children’s festival included pictures such as “Kirikou and the Sorceress” a French film of African folktales, as well as a Hungarian fantasy filmed entirely with puppets, the “Strings.”

Just this month, a new, locally owned, 12-screen multiplex with stadium-style seating opened on the Northwest Side. Tower Theatres at Arizona Pavilions is just west of Interstate 10 near Cortaro Road.

MUSIC

• Yes, we still watch bands bypass the Old Pueblo for Phoenix, but buoyed by stories of the days when Tucson was an artist’s first choice, we are encouraged when Gwen Stefani comes to town. The pop siren/fashionista visited Casino Del Sol AVA Amphitheater Oct. 29. It fills us with hope.

• The Tucson Symphony Orchestra announced in November that it will record its first commercial CD, a work featuring three pieces by French-Canadian composer André Mathieu. Included on the disc will be performances by the TSO, its chorus and pianist Alain Lefèvre. Canadian-based label Analekta will release the CD during TSO’s 2008-09 season.

• Tucson flutist R. Carlos Nakai in December was nominated for a Grammy in the best Native American music album (vocal or instrumental) category. Nakai, Cliff Sarde, William Eaton and Randy Wood were nominated for their collaboration “Reconnections.” It is Nakai’s eighth nomination.

• In April, firefighter-paramedic Billy Scroggs of Sahuarita came in second in the final round of the CMT Music City Madness Music Video Contest. The singer-songwriter’s “It’s My Turn” was among the entries in the country music cable network’s contest for unsigned artists who were required to submit an original song and produce their own music video.

VISUAL ARTS

• The University of Arizona Museum of Art continued to prove its status as a gem in the desert by landing four sets of etchings by Spanish artist Francisco de Goya, known largely for his poignant commentaries on Spanish society of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The third installment, “Los Desastres de la Guerra (The Disasters of War),” is on display through Feb. 3, and “Los Caprichos (Caprices)” runs from Feb. 14-June 8.

• MOCA in August hosted internationally known performance art troupe La Pocha Nostra. Headed by director Guillermo Gómez-Peña, the performance collective came to the Museum of Contemporary Art to hold a workshop that culminated in a public performance. Artists from almost every continent were selected to learn from La Pocha Nostra.

• Two downtown artists’ warehouses closed. With the city wanting to buy the state-owned Steinfeld Warehouse and Z’s Warehouse and the old buildings in disrepair, they’ve been padlocked until further notice. All 15 aritists who worked in Steinfeld found spaces in the downtown area, the same with Dinnerware Gallery, which called Steinfeld home as well.

RESTAURANTS

Tucson diners lost some of their favorite restaurants this year. In many cases, the closures were to make way for new restaurants. Some eateries also got national attention from the likes of Food Network personality Rachael Ray and celebrity chef Todd English.

• Starting out on a positive note, among the notable openings was In-N-Out Burger starting not one but two locations here. The first opening, April 30 at El Con Mall, causes all sorts of chaos, with waits of more than an hour for a couple of weeks after it opened.

• Tucson’s own Sam Fox opened a couple of new concepts, Blanco Tacos + Tequila, serving contemporary Mexican food at La Encantada, and Zinburger, a burgers, wine and beer joint in his former beloved Bistro Zin, which he closed to pursue this venture.

• Two long-time Tucsonans, Dennis Arnold of Gentle Ben’s Brewing Co., and Albert Vasquez, whose El Saguarito had the concessions contract with the University of Arizona for years, started new ventures. After 10 years of work, Arnold this fall opened Barrio Brewing Co. near downtown. Vasquez opened an El Saguarito in the former Corleone’s near UA.

• Among the other notable closings were Fuego!, where chef-owner Alan Zeman ended a 10-year run in January, selling to Firkin Group of Pubs, which opened Firkin & Friar in the summer. Restaurateur Bob McMahon made drastic changes to his Metro Restaurants empire, closing Metro Grill at Park Place, City Grill and Firecracker Bistro. City Grill will become Italia, an authentic pan-Italian restaurant, while renowned master chef of France Philippe Trosch is revamping Firecracker into a Parisian cafe, Bistro Philippe, both to open in early 2008. Other noteworthy closings were Soleil, Evangelo’s and Las Cazuelitas de Tucson.

15-minutes of fame
• The syndicated PBS series “Food Trip with Todd English” had two episodes on Southwestern cuisine and featured chefs Janos Wilder of Janos and Melissa Kelly of Primo. English also visited El Charro Café chef-owner Carlotta Flores, street vendors Matilde and Oscar Santa Cruz and ordered a tres leches cake from Norma’s Cakery.

• The Food Network’s “$40 a Day” with Rachael Ray visited Tucson for an episode that aired in April. She featured The B Line, Cafe Poca Cosa, The Cup Cafe and The Dish.

• In June, Le Cave’s Bakery was named as one of 39 top doughnut destinations by food writer Ed Levine in his survey of “America’s Best Doughnuts.” Home of the “original vegetable glazed donut” since 1935, Le Cave’s was the only purveyor of doughnuts in the entire Southwest listed in the Serious Eats National Doughnut Honor Roll.

Also Notable
• Mitch Levy sold his popular Cuvée World Bistro to focus on the Cuvee World Bistro he opened this summer in Basalt, Colo.

• Rumrunner Wine & Cheese Co. and The Dish Bistro & Wine Bar moved across the street to a slightly larger location.

MISCELLANEOUS

• We lost two independent record stores this year when Hear’s Music and CD City closed. Hear’s was the only spot in town specializing in music from around the world. CD City had a great selection of artists, not to mention its full bins in the back that let you try new sounds on the cheap.

• Former Tucsonan Kate Walsh got her own TV show this season. She had “made it” with her turn on the hit “Grey’s Anatomy,” but it’s quite a testament to her abilities and sell-ability that she was given her own vehicle, “Private Practice.”

• When the voter-approved smoking ban for bars and restaurants took effect May 1, business owners and smokers cried foul. Certainty arose among this group that businesses would shut down from lack of patronage. Clearer heads and lungs seemed to prevail as most businesses have found their way through the transition. A doorman at a Fourth Avenue bar put it best when he said: “They may have to stop smoking, but they’re certainly not going to stop drinking.”

The future of Dillinger Days was in doubt when a relative of the infamous gangster sued Hotel Congress, which since 2004 has hosted the downtown event marking the capture of John Dillinger in Tucson in 1934. Claiming he owns his late cousin’s name and image, Jeffrey Scalf of Indiana argued organizers have to pay him for the right to use Dillinger’s name. The lawsuit was settled out of court and the festival continued as usual during the week of Jan. 25.

NOTABLE ANNIVERSARIES
• El Charro Cafe: 85 years

• Latin American Social Club: 75 years

• El Casino Ballroom: 60 years

• Lil Abner’s: 60 years

• University of Arizona Museum of Art: 50 years

• The Gaslight Theatre: 30 years

• Bookmans: 30 years

• Tucson International Mariachi Fesitval: 25 years

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RELATED STORIES:

Daniel Buckley’s picks for the best CDs

Chuck Graham’s picks for the best CDs

Rogelio Yubeta Olivas’ picks for the best CDs

Notable deaths in entertainment

Chuck Graham’s top 10 movies

Larry Cox’s favorite books

Top sellers on iTunes

Wacky and tacky celebs

The year’s best quotes

By Polly Higgins, Chuck Graham, Dina L. Doolen, Rogelio Yubeta Olivas, Cara Rene

Tags: Cara Rene, Chuck Graham, Dina L. Doolen, Polly Higgins, Rogelio Yubeta Olivas
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Tucson brews score 2 gold medals in Denver contest
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007

Tucson’s Thunder Canyon Brewery won two medals at last week’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

The 10-year-old brewpub, 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd., won the gold medal in the American-style Dark Lager category for its Road Runner Red Lager, with a bronze in the Specialty Beer category for its Doble Diablo.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery in Chandler, which makes all the brews for BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse, 4270 N. Oracle Road, won two golds and a bronze. The golds were for its Nit Wit Belgian wheat and Half Wit low-strength ale.

For more on beer, spirits and wine news and all things foodie, read today’s Taste Plus, www.tucsoncitizen.com/ tasteplus.

Tags: Bars/Drinks, Breaking News, Dina L. Doolen, page-a01, Special-Breaking News, Taste-Bars/Drinks, Taste-Bars/Drinks-Local
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Learn about different cuisines of Tucson Meet Yourself
Wednesday, October 10th, 2007

FOOD AND CULTURE PAVILION

Taste Plus Food & Drink Editor Dina L. Doolen hosts food demonstrations at the Pavilion, near the fountain area, Friday and most of Saturday. At noon Saturday at the pavilion, the Citizen also will be giving out slices of birthday cake to mark the newspaper’s 137th birthday. Here is the schedule, with hosts listed for each day.

Friday
(Dina Doolen, Tucson Citizen)

7 p.m. – Popovers and fry bread (Desert Indian Dancers)

8 – Tastes of India (India Society of Southern Arizona)

9 – Costa Rican tamales (Club Costa Rica)

Saturday
(Dina Doolen, Tucson Citizen, and Elizabeth Mikesell, Pima Community College, Culinary Arts Program)

noon – Pan dulce (Erica Franco, La Estrella Bakery)

1 p.m. – Danish open-faced sandwiches (Danish Club of Tucson)

2 – Swedish delicacies (Vasa Tucson Lodge 691)

3 – Chinese chopping techniques (Tucson Chinese Christian Church)

4 – Thai stir-fried noodles (Dhammaratanaram Temple)

5 – Hungarian palacsinta (Olga Streyar)

6 – Sweet potato pie (Gethsemane Cogic Women’s Department)

7 – Fried banana (Thriratana Tucson Buddhist Temple)

8 – Cultural cuisines (PCC Culinary Arts chefs)

Sunday
(Barry Infuso, PCC Culinary Arts Program, and Maribel Alvarez, University of Arizona folklorist)

noon – Cuban green plantains (Patricia Espinosa-Artiles)

1 p.m. – Tastes of Trinidad (Pauline Noel)

2 – Gambas al Ajillo (Vicente Sanchez of Club España)

3 – Firehouse cooking (Richard Felix, Tucson Fire Department, Station 18)

4 – Quinceañera cakes (Antonia Valdez)

———

IF YOU GO
What: Tucson Meet Yourself

When: noon-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-5:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: El Presidio Park, 115 N. Church Ave.

Price: free admission

Info: tucsonmeetyourself.org

MORE ABOUT TUCSON MEET YOURSELF FOODS
Go here to read about the 30 food vendors.

MORE ON BUBBLE TEA

Learn more about bubble tea, or boba, which Tucson Chinese Christian Church and Vietnamese Student Association both are selling this weekend: • It’s high time for bubble tea

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GLOSSARY OF EATS

Æbleskiver: A traditional Danish dessert, similar to a doughnut, but without the hole, and sweeter than traditional doughnuts. It is made in a special cast-iron pan and served hot with syrup, jam or powdered sugar.

Agua fresca: Lightly sugar-sweetened fruit juice common in Mexico.

Aloo Curry: An Indian potato curry dish usually including garlic, curry powder and coconut oil

Baklava: A traditional Greek pastry including nuts and honey wrapped in phyllo dough.

Bubble tea: A Taiwanese green or black tea beverage with tapioca that originated in the 1980s. Also called boda.

Cannoli: A traditional Italian pastry filled with a sweetened ricotta cheese mixture

Chicken Adobo: A Philippine dish of marinated meat or fish seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, vinegar and spices.

Chili con carne: A traditional Tex-Mex recipe of beans, beef and a chile-and-tomato sauce.

Churro: A crisp fried-dough pastry originating in Spain and named for the horn of a breed of sheep. It is coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture and often eaten at breakfast.

Costa Rican tamales: Tamales also are a traditional Christmas food in Costa Rica and are traditionally made from corn masa, pork, olives and cooked rice and wrapped in banana leaves.

Festaval: A traditional Caribbean dish similar to a corn bread biscuit

Fry bread: Also called popovers and developed by American Indians on reservations, it is a deep-fried flatbread, served open-faced with such toppings as honey, powdered, sugar or refried beans.

Gai Satay (barbecued chicken): A traditional barbecue dish of southern Thailand that originated in Indonesia and Malaysia. Seasonings include cumin, coriander and coconut milk.

Gallo pinto: A traditional Costa Rican dish of black beans and rice, seasoned with onions, cilantro and sweet peppers.

Gazpacho: A traditional cold tomato and fresh vegetable soup originating in Spain’s Andalusia region.

Indian (or Navajo) taco: Fry bread filled with ground meat and/or beans, cheese, lettuce and tomato and folded like a taco.

Jerk chicken: Grilled chicken marinated in a combination of lime, allspice, brown sugar, garlic cloves , peppers, thyme, green onions, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Mongolian beef: A traditional northern Chinese dish that in America generally is sliced flank steak and stir-fried vegetables in a sweet and savory brown sauce.

Naan: A soft, flat Indian yeast bread.

Oxtail stew: A common dish in Jamaica, now of any beef tail, cut into sections and stewed with butter beans.

Pad Thai: Perhaps the best known Thai dish in America; it is a stir-fry noodle dish, with strong influences from southern China and generall includes as ingredients fish sauce, peanut oil and garlic with various proteins, including fish and tofu.

Paella: Originating in Spain’s Valencia region, it traditionally includes some form of meat, olive oil, rice and vegetables with saffron. Seafood paella has become a popular variation.

Paleta: A Mexican frozen fruit juice pop with chunks of fruit in it

Pancit: Philippine-style fried noodles often combined with meat and/or vegetables cut into strips with garlic and onions among the seasonings

Picadillo de Papa: A traditional Costa Rican side dish of chopped meat and potatoes.

Pierogi: A traditional Polish dumpling of various sizes and fillings, including cottage cheese, onions, potatoes and cabbage, depending on the region. A common version in America is filled with a potato mixture.

Raspado: A Mexican snow cone.

Samosa: Deep-fried palm-sized triangular dumplings filled with vegetables and/or meat. Potato samosas are common.

Sesame balls: A Thai dish that may be toasted sesame balls in a sweet syrup pressed into balls or a doughnut like ball rolled in sesames.

Spanakopita: A traditional Greek spinach pie, with cheese, onions and herbs encased in flaky phyllo dough.

Swedish meatballs: A mixture of pork and beef seasoned with onion, usually topped with sour cream and beef broth sauce.

Sweet potato pie: Reflects the merging of West African and Old South cultures and dates to early Colonial America. Generally consisting of sweet potatoes, cream, brown sugar and/or molasses and spices.

Thai fried bananas: A traditional Thai dessert in which ripe bananas are wrapped in spring roll wrappers and deep fried.

Thai iced tea: Sugar-sweetened black tea spiced with cinnamon, vanilla and clove, with evaporated milk or half-and-half.

Sources: • jamaicans.com/cooking/index.htm • foodtimeline.org • costaricatour.com • about.com • allrecipes.com • importfood.com • thaifoodandtravel.com • answers.com • indianfoodsco.com • food-india.com • mekongexpress.com • buzzle.com • pl-info.net • worldwideschool.org • wisegeek.com

Tucson Meet Yourself

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Pad Thai (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles)

This recipe is courtesy of Dhammaratanaram Temple.

3 cups narrow (small size) rice noodle, soaked in warm water till flexible

1/2 cup sliced chicken, small strips

4 shrimps

2 eggs

1/3 cup soy bean curd, cut into small slivers

1 tablespoon pickled white radish, chopped

1/2 cup cooking oil

1 teaspoon of garlic, chopped

1 teaspoon shallots or onion, chopped

1 teaspoon of ground dry red chilé or paprika

4 tablespoons sugar

4 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 tablespoons tamarind juice

1/2 cup bean sprouts (includes some for garnish)

1/3 cup spring onions, chopped to 1 1/2-inch strips (includes some for garnish)

1 lime

2 tablespoons ground roasted peanuts, for garnish

Fry the chopped garlic and onion until they turn yellow. Add the chicken and fry until cooked.

Pour in the shrimp, pickled white radish and soy bean curd. Break the eggs into the pan and scramble. Add sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, tamarind juice and stir well, then add the noodles and spring onion and stir-fry until mixed well.

Add most of the bean sprouts and stir-fry until cooked. Spoon servings onto a platter. Garnish with ground roasted peanuts, ground dry red chilé, rest of bean sprouts, a lime wedge and the remainder of the spring onion.

Serves 6 to 8.

———

Jerk Sauce

Because Deon of Taste of Jamaica says his Jerk Chicken recipe is secret, here’s one from jamaicans.com, including methods for using different meats. It suggests, if using it on fish, use only “steak fish,” such as grouper. This sauce is designed to be used as an overnight marinade.

1/2 cup of pimentos (allspice berries)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar, plus more

6-8 garlic cloves

4-6 Scotch bonnet peppers

1 tablespoon ground thyme or 2 tablespoons thyme leaves

1-2 bunches scallions (green onions)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

salt and pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons soy sauce to moisten

Liquify all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Refrigerate in covered container until needed.

To marinate: • Chicken, leave the skin on and rub the meat with the sauce, being sure to rub under skin and in cavities. • Pork shoulder, make shallow cuts in the meat and rub in the sauce.

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Pancit

To give you an idea of what’s on the menu this weekend, here is a recipe from recipezaar.com for the ubiquitous Filipino comfort food, pancit.

1/2 tablespoon sesame oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons fresh ginger root, minced

1 bunch green onions, chopped into 1-inch pieces

2 hot chilé peppers, minced

1 package (8 ounces) fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 cup cooked chicken breasts, chopped

1 cup shrimp, peeled and chopped

3 links spicy pork sausage, sliced

1/2 cup sake

1/4 cup soy sauce

7 cups chicken broth

1 package (12 ounces) rice noodles

1/2 pound fresh bean sprouts

1/2 pound snow peas

In a large wok, heat oil and stir-fry garlic, ginger, green onions, chile peppers, mushrooms, chicken, shrimp and sausage until shrimp is pink and sausage is slightly browned. Stir in sake and soy sauce and simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Cover and set aside.

In a large saucepan, bring chicken broth to a rolling boil.

Add noodles and cook over high heat for 2 minutes. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water.

Place the shrimp mixture over medium heat and add the bean sprouts. Sauté for 2 minutes.

Stir in the snow peas and sauté 2 more minutes.

Stir in cooked noodles and toss until well mixed. Serve immediately. Serves 8.

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• The word sampaguita in the Filipino-American club’s name refers to the national flower of the Philippines, jasmine.

———

• Taste of Jamaica is not yet an official club. Organizer Deon says he is working to build membership, which now is just a handful of Jamaica natives.

———

• Casa Vicente Restaurante Español chef-owner Vicente Sanchez opened his restaurant at 375 S. Stone Ave. in 2005 to double as a Spanish cultural center. It hosts regular live flamenco music and dance performances and classes. For more information, call 884-5253.

By Dalina Castellanos, Dina L. Doolen

Tags: Dalina Castellanos, Dina L. Doolen, Events/Attractions, Taste-Events/Attractions
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Beer, beer, beer
Friday, September 28th, 2007

Jess Marquez (left-hand) and Austin Weltha (right) of Tucson’s Nimbus Brewing Co., pour beer for the crowd at last Saturday’s 21st Annual Beer Festival at Hi-Corbett Field. Organizers say hundreds, but did not have exact numbers. The event is a fundraiser for Sun Sounds Arizona.

Last Saturday’s 21st Great Tucson Beer Festival unofficially kicked off beer season in Tucson.

Fall beers are on coming into taps and onto shelves.

For those of you who missed the beer fest, there’s still this weekend’s Sixth Annual Tucson Oktoberfest and the Mount Lemmon Oktoberfest weekends through Oct. 14.

Another option is to go to one check out the handful of local brewpubs with craft brews on tap.

BREW PUBS AND BEER JOINTS
If you want to try some locally brewed suds, Tucson has several options.

Brewpubs
(These establishments brew their beer in house.)

BARRIO BREWING 800 E. 16th St., 791-2739

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to close (time varies) Friday and Saturday

Details: The brewery for Gentle Ben’s Brewing Co., also is a brewpub. Several in-house beers on tap

GENTLE BEN’S BREWING CO. 865 E. University Blvd., 624-4177

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

Details: A University of Arizona mainstay since 1970. It carries several in-house beers.

NIMBUS BREWING COMPANY & TAPROOM 3850 E. 44th St., 745-9175

Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday

Details: This local brewpub has several in-house brews on tap, including Old Monkeyshine Ale, with 8 percent alcohol by volume.

THUNDER CANYON BREWERY 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd., 797-2652

Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Details: This local brewpub has several of its beers, including seasonal beers, on tap.

Pubs
(These establishments don’t brew in house, but do have several craft beers on tap.)

THE AULD DUBLINER

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily

Details: This Irish pub chain has nearly a dozen imports on tap.

BJ’S RESTAURANT BREWHOUSE 4270 N. Oracle Road, 690-1900

Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Thursday-Saturday

Details: Ten of this California chain’s own craft brews are on tap, though not brewed on these premises.

BROOKLYN BEER & BURGERS 3790 E. Irvington Road, 750-9000

Hours: 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sunday

Details: The owners of Canal Street Pizzeria have this beer and burgers joint. It has nearly two dozen beers on tap.

FIRKIN & FRIAR 6958 E. Tanque Verde Road, 885-8277

Hours: from11 a.m. daily (closing time varies; usually until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday)

Details: This new English-style pub is owned by a Canadian chain and has 20 beers on tap, including two specialty taps.

FROG & FIRKIN 874 E. University Blvd., 623-7507

Hours: Su-Th 11am-1am (F&Sa till 2am)

Details: This English-style pub on Main Gate Square has a couple dozen import and U.S. craft brews on tap.

OLD CHICAGO 2960 N. Campbell Ave., 327-6200

Hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday

Details: Two dozen import and U.S. craft brews on tap.

OLIVE R TWIST 4915 E. Speedway Blvd., 319-8955

Hours: 11am-2am daily

Details: 28 beers on tap, primarily craft beers and imports, with some domestics.

TRIDENT GRILL 2033 E. Speedway Blvd., 795-5755

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-midnight Sunday, 11 a.m.-midnight Monday

Details: Nearly two dozen beers on tap.

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OKTOBERFESTS
Thursday-Saturday
SIXTH ANNUAL TUCSON OKTOBERFEST: This event drew about 40,000 people last year, organizers say. German food and drink, including beer, will be for sale. It also will have live music and dancing, children’s games and 120 arts and crafts booths. All proceeds benefit the Optimist Club of Tucson. When: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday Where: Hi Corbett Field, 3400 E. Camino Campestre Price: $3 adult admission, free admission children 12 and younger Info: 241-7730

Weekends through Oct. 14
MOUNT LEMMON SKI VALLEY OKTOBERFEST: On Ski Valley’s third deck, bands directed by John Prokop will perform traditional German music Saturdays and Sundays. Traditional German dance performances by Bela Vrucina will be on Sundays except this week. German beers and foods will be served at the Iron Door Restaurant in various combinations. The Miner’s Sweet Tooth will be selling treats, including German Chocolate Fudge, while the Mother Lode Gift Shop will be selling beer steins and clothing. Those attending are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. The ski lift will be open. When: 11:45 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Sept. 29-30, Oct. 6-7 and Oct. 13-14 Where: 10300 Ski Run Road Price: no admission, but $4 parking Info: 885-1181 Directions: From Tucson, take Catalina Highway/Mount Lemmon Highway toward Summerhaven; just before Summerhaven go right on Ski Run Road at the Ski Valley sign and follow the signs to the parking lot.

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WINE & SPIRITS CLASSES & TASTINGS THIS WEEKEND

Rather have something besides beer? Here are some wine and spirits tastings and classes this weekend.

THROUGH SATURDAY
Special wine tastings
FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR: For its California Wine Month it is featuring three flights of California fine wines each week – chose the red flight, white flight or limited flight of special reserve wines – served in 2-ounce tastes. Through Sunday, “Cool Climate Sonoma Whites” When: from 5 p.m. daily Where: 6360 N. Campbell Ave. Price: Varies Info: 529-5017, flemingssteakhouse.com

THURSDAY-SATURDAY
Regular tastings
CATAVINOS: The new wine shop has tastings Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with complimentary cheese and crackers. This week, sample six syrahs from around the world. When: 4-9 each night Where: 3063 N. Alvernon Way Price: $10 ($8 with purchase of a bottle of wine) Info: 323-3063, catavinoswines.com

FRIDAY
Regular tastings
BEVERAGE HOUSE-NORTH: This week, staff picks When: 4-6:30 p.m. Where: 6250 N. Oracle Road Price: $4 Info: 219-6424, beveragehouse.net

BEVERAGE HOUSE-EAST: This week, staff picks When: 4-6 p.m. Where: 8660 E. Broadway Price: $2 Info: 296-9933

PASTICHE WINE SHOP: Call for selections. When: 5-6:30 p.m. Where: 3025 N. Campbell Ave. Price: free Info: 325-3333, pasticheme.com

SATURDAY
Regular tastings
AJ’S FINE FOODS: Try four wines in its educational hour at the supermarket’s Tasting Emporium. Free appetizers served. Limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis. This week, unconventional wine blends When: 2 p.m. Where: 2905 E. Skyline Drive Price: $5 Info: 232-6340, ajsfinefoods.com

Wine class series – CORRECTION
JW MARRIOTT STARR PASS RESORT & SPA: This week’s special class on wines from Gaja Winery of Italy has been cancelled. Instead, this week’s class will be on chianti, with cheeses and breads from the resort’s Primo restaurant. Reservations required. When: 3:30-5 p.m. Where: 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd. Price: $25 Info: 791-6071

SUNDAY
Special scotch tasting
BAR 58 & BISTRO (ST. PHILIP’S PLAZA): This week, a scotch tasting When: 3-5 p.m. Where: 4280 N. Campbell Ave. Price: $20 Info: 529-2020

Tags: Bars/Drinks, Dina L. Doolen, Taste-Bars/Drinks, Taste-Bars/Drinks-Local
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RESTAURANT NOTEBOOK
Wednesday, August 15th, 2007

The Flores family has added three locations since the original El Charro Cafe (above), 311 N. Court Ave., which continues to be a big draw. A fourth location, El Charro Ventana, is pending.

The owners of El Charro Cafe have their sights set on the foothills and upstart Guadalajara Grill is aiming for an East Side location, according to state records.

Aug. 1, the Flores family filed with the Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control seeking a restaurant liquor license for El Charro Ventana, 6910 E. Sunrise Drive.

A message left for El Charro CEO Ray Flores Jr., was not returned a press time.

And, July 13, about the same time husband and wife Seth and Emma Yolanda Vera Holzman were opening their Pizzazz Bistro! across from their first Guadalajara Grill, it filed for a liquor license for Guadalajara Grill – East, 6616 E. Grant Road.

Also of note:

• Miss Saigon Cafe is opening its second eatery – Miss Saigon Bar & Grill – at 4650 W. Ina Road.

• Tucson is getting its second Hawaiian restaurant in less than a year. North Shore Hawaiian Cuisine is going in at 6255 E. Golf Links Road. It joins Lani’s Luau, 2532 S. Harrison Road, home of the “Hawaiian Plate Lunch), which opened this spring.

Check online for updates, www.tucsoncitizen.com/ tasteplus.

HELLO . . .
Here are some new restaurants and bars soon to or already open that have applied for liquor licenses, based on state records:

Bars and wine bars
BEVMO! 6228 E. Broadway, Suite 100

CLUB SOCIAL 4550 S. 12th Ave.

CANOA RANCH RESORT 5775 S. Camino del Sol (Green Valley)

CATA VINOS 3063 N. Alvernon Way

Restaurants
EL CHARRO VENTANA 6910 E. Sunrise Drive (formerly Sonora Bay Mexican Restaurant & Cantina)

EL TACO TOTE 1645 W. Valencia Road, Suite 111

FLORENTINO’S RESTAURANT 100 W. Duval Mine Road, Suite 180 (Green Valley)

GUADALAJARA GRILL – EAST 6616 E. Grant Road (formerly Ferranti’s Fine Foods)

HACIENDA DEL MAR 5358 S. Nogales Highway (formerly Parrilla del Rey)

KAMON ASIAN BISTRO SUSHI BAR 9630 E. 22nd St., Suite 100

LA OLLA 8551 N. Silverbell Road

MISS SAIGON BAR & GRILL 4650 W. Ina Road (formerly Perkins Restaurant)

MONKEY BUSINESS EATERTAINMENT 8581 N. Silverbell Road

MY BROTHERS PLACE 135 E. Congress St. (formerly Wilde Playhouse)

NORTH SHORE HAWAIIAN CUISINE 6255 E. Golf Links Road (formerly Third Base Bar)

SHLOMO & VITO’S NEW YORK DELICATESSEN 2870 E. Skyline Drive (in Plaza Colonial)

Source: Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control

MORE NEW RESTAURANTS

Here are some new restaurants and bars soon to or already open that have applied for liquor licenses, based on state records:

Bars and wine bars
BEVMO! 6228 E. Broadway, Suite 100

CLUB SOCIAL 4550 S. 12th Ave.

CANOA RANCH RESORT 5775 S. Camino del Sol (Green Valley)

CATA VINOS 3063 N. Alvernon Way

Restaurants
EL CHARRO VENTANA 6910 E. Sunrise Drive (formerly Sonora Bay Mexican Restaurant & Cantina)

EL TACO TOTE 1645 W. Valencia Road, Suite 111

FLORENTINO’S RESTAURANT 100 W. Duval Mine Road, Suite 180

GUADALAJARA GRILL – EAST 6616 E. Grant Road (formerly Ferranti’s Fine Foods)

HACIENDA DEL MAR 5358 S. Nogales Highway (formerly Parrilla del Rey)

KAMON ASIAN BISTRO SUSHI BAR 9630 E. 22nd St., Suite 100

LA OLLA 8551 N. Silverbell Road

MISS SAIGON BAR & GRILL 4650 W. Ina Road (formerly Perkins Restaurant)

MONKEY BUSINESS EATERTAINMENT 8581 N. Silverbell Road

MY BROTHERS PLACE 135 E. Congress St. (formerly Wilde Playhouse)

NORTH SHORE HAWAIIAN CUISINE 6255 E. Golf Links Road (formerly Third Base Bar)

SHLOMO & VITO’S NEW YORK DELICATESSEN 2870 E. Skyline Drive (in Plaza Colonial)

Source: Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control

Eat Tucson: Our blog chews over the local dining scene. TODAY: Chick-fil-A headed to El Con; La Encantada gets a wine bar

Tags: Breaking News, Briefs, Dina L. Doolen, Edge-Briefs, Edge-Briefs-Local, Restaurants, Special-Breaking News, Taste-Restaurants, Taste-Restaurants-Local
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Anthony’s 1 of 76 top wine restaurants in world
Thursday, August 2nd, 2007

Anthony's in the Catalinas has been a Grand Award winner since 1993.

For the 15th consecutive year, Anthony’s in the Catalinas has received Wine Spectator magazine’s Grand Award.

The magazine gave out only 76 Grand Awards to restaurants around the world, recognizing restaurants as “the ultimate dining destinations for wine lovers.”

Those honors, plus Award of Excellence and Best of Award of Excellence, are announced in the August edition of the magazine.

Anthony’s strengths, the magazine’s writers say, are in wines from California and France’s Bordeaux region. The restaurant, a Grand Award winner since 1993, has 1,850 wine selections and 25,000 bottles.

Twenty-one Tucson restaurants received Wine Spectator awards, including, for the first time, Acacia, Arizona Inn’s main dining room; Westward Look Resort’s Gold Room; the now-closed Bistro Zin and Soleil.

Arizona’s only other Grand Award winner was Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale.

To be considered, restaurants must submit their wine lists, dinner menus and a cover letter describing their wine program, plus a $250 “processing fee.”

Wine Spectator is available at select Tucson locations, including Plaza Liquors and Fine Wines, 2642 N. Campbell Ave. (327-0452), according to the magazine’s Web site.

WHAT THEY MEAN

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Wine Spectator’s basic award for lists that offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Typically these lists offer at least 100 wine selections.

BEST OF AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: This second-tier award recognizes restaurants that clearly exceed the requirements of the award of excellence; many are close to the Grand Award level. This lists display either vintage depth, with vertical offerings from several top producers of major regions, or excellent breadth spread over several wine-growing regions. These wine lists typically offer 400 or more selections, along with a superior presentation.

GRAND AWARD: Wine Spectator’s top award, given to restaurants that show an uncompromising, passionate devotion to the quality of their wine programs. They typically offer 1,500 selections or more, and feature serious breadth of top producers, outstanding depth in mature vintages, a selcetino of large format bottles, excellent harmony with the menu and superior organization, presentation and wine service.

Source: www.winespectator.com

Eat Tucson: Our blog chews over the local dining scene. TODAY: Inspired by “Ratatouille”

———

TUCSON SELECTIONS

Note: Wine directors and/or sommeliers listed are from when the restaurant submitted itself for consideration. Not all restaurants listed them.

Award of Excellence
ACACIA (first-time winner is listed in the awards as Acacia at St. Philip’s) 4340 N. Campbell Ave., 232-0101

ARIZONA INN (first-time winner,
listed in awards as Main Dining Room) 2200 E. Elm St., 325-1541

BISTRO ZIN (now closed while its owner revamps
the space into a different restaurant concept) 1865 E. River Road

CUVÉE WORLD BISTRO 3352 E. Speedway Blvd., 881-7577 In the “cellar”: owner and wine director, Mitch Levy

FEAST 4122 E. Speedway Blvd., 326-9363

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE 6360 N. Campbell Ave., 529-5017

GOLD ROOM (at Westward Look Resort, first-time winner) 245 E. Ina Road, 297-1151

J BAR (at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa) 3770 E. Sunrise Drive, 615-6100

THE MELTING POT 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd., 575-6358

MICHELANGELO RISTORANTE ITALIANO 420 W. Magee Road, 297-5775

PASTICHE MODERN EATERY 3025 N. Campbell Ave., 325-3333

RED SKY CAFE AND CATERING 2910 N. Swan Road, 326-5454

SOLEIL 3001 E. Skyline Drive (closed for remodeling by new owners)

SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE 1785 E. River Road, 299-4275

WILDFLOWER 7037 N. Oracle Road, 219-4230

BEST OF AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
BAR 58 & BISTRO (listed in the awards as 58 Degrees & Holding Co., its wine storage service and liquor store) 5340 E. Broadway, 747-5858

THE GRILL (at Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort) 5601 N. Hacienda Del Sol Road, 529-3500

In the cellar: wine director, Daniel McCoog

JANOS (also at La Paloma) 3770 E. Sunrise Drive, 615-6100 (same as for J Bar) In the cellar: wine director, Kevin Leeser

MCMAHON’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE 2959 N. Swan Road, 327-7463 In the cellar: Sommelier, Rodney Remily

VENTANA ROOM (at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort & Spa) 7000 N. Resort Drive, 615-5494 In the cellar: wine director, Kevin Brady

Grand Award
ANTHONY’S IN THE CATALINAS 6440 N. Campbell Ave., 299-1771 In the cellar: owner and wine director, Anthony Martino; sommeliers, Joe Mascari, Noel Patterson and Dave Teffo

Tags: Bars/Drinks, Dina L. Doolen, Taste-Bars/Drinks, Taste-Bars/Drinks-Local
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McMahon to open Italia in place of City Grill, closes Metro
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007

Restaurateur Bob McMahon soon will be able to eat his favorite cuisine at one of his own restaurants.

Sept. 12, McMahon said Tuesday morning, Italia will open in the current home of City Grill, 6350 E. Tanque Verde Road.

The owner of Metro Restaurants plans to close City Grill next month and do an extensive remodeling, though he declined to give an amount.

City Grill “has the same menu as Metropolitan Grill,” he said, referring to his restaurant at 7892 N. Oracle Road. City “had run its phase.”

The work coincides with his decision not to renew his lease at Park Place mall for the seven-year-old Metro Grill, 5870 E. Broadway, whose last day of business was Sunday.

Entree prices at Italia will range from $12 to $24.

Though McMahon has hired a top-rated chef from out of town to run Italia – which will serve “really Italian food” – he neither wants to reveal the chef nor menu details yet.

Italia will be open at 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, with an antipasto happy hour, and stay open late. Sundays, it will open at noon.

The Metro Restaurants group has eight restaurants, including Old Pueblo Grille-Foothills, 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd. in Foothills Mall, which he has no plans of closing.

“I’ve been working on this for a year,” McMahon says of Italia. “I can’t wait.”

Tags: Breaking News, Dina L. Doolen, Edge-Government, Edge-Government-Local, Government, Restaurants, Special-Breaking News, Taste-Restaurants, Taste-Restaurants-Local
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RESTAURANT NOTEBOOK
Wednesday, July 4th, 2007

About 600 people, including Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Gala committee member Mary Foster (left) and David and Mary Parnell attended the April 29 event.

Robert Ramos Sr. says his R&R Bar-B-Que Co. expects one of its busiest days today.

The year-old catering business has a concession contract at Tucson Electric Park, which tonight hosts a Tucson Sidewinders’ game followed by Fourth of July fireworks.

Ramos, a Tucson native and chef for 23 years, says he and his son, Robert Ramos Jr., have their own “Tucson-style” barbecue and specialize in pulled pork, baby back ribs and brisket.

For more information, go to rrbarbque.com or call 258-9994 or 258-9995.

Hello . . .

Martyn Meisner opened Caffe Lucé, 943 E. University Blvd. (207-5504) last month. . . .

Coming soon . . .

Paradise Bakery, 845 N. Park Ave., in October.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Gala brought in $80,000 to $100,000, according to museum officials.

The annual fundraiser, chaired by Holly Gardner and Amy Draper, was held April 29 and featured Ocotillo Café executive chef Martin Coy’s special menu highlighting native plants and regional flavors.

The museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, is open daily 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March through September.

Tags: Dina L. Doolen, Restaurants, Taste-Restaurants, Taste-Restaurants-Local
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WHAT’S COOKIN’ FOR THE SAGUARO HARVEST
Wednesday, June 27th, 2007

Learn how to harvest and cook with the fruit of the saguaro plant Saturday and July 7.

The next two weekends, groups have celebrations to mark the traditional Tohono O’odham saguaro harvest.

At one of the celebrations, you can sign up for interactive workshops to learn how to pick the fruits and make your own syrup.

If you aren’t going to the events but are curious about using the fruits, here is a recipe we want to share.

Saguaro Salsa

1/2 cup saguaro fruit, diced

3/4 cup watermelon, diced

1/2 cup cantaloupe, diced

1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup rice wine vinegar

4 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red chili pepper

Combine all ingredients and toss until well mixed. Chill. Can be served with fish, chicken or chips.

Serves 6 to 8.

Source: desertusa.com

Eat Tucson: Our blog chews over the local dining scene. TODAY: New UA-area coffeehouse

———

MORE RECIPES

Saguaro Cactus Fruit Jam

6 cups saguaro cactus pulp

water, as needed (see instructions)

Gather saguaro cactus fruit pulp.

Put 6 cups of the pulp in a pot and add water until half of the pulp is covered. Soak the pulp for 90 minutes. Stir every now and then.

Put the pot over a low flame and cook for 30 to 40 minutes.

Separate the pulp from the liquid, saving the pulp. Boil the liquid very slowly stirring constantly until it turns into a syrup.

Mash the pulp and put through a strainer to remove the seeds.

Combine the remaining pulp with the syrup until the mixture has the consistency of jam. When it looks like jam, it is jam.

Serve over warm fry bread.

Source: pepperfool.com

Spring Saguaro Cream

1 envelope (1 tablespoon) plain unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup cold water

3 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup granulated sugar

pinch of salt

1/2 cup boiling water

1 cup mashed saguaro fruit

1 cup mashed strawberries

1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Soak gelatin in cold water for 5 minutes, then add with lemon juice, sugar and salt to boiling water. Stir until gelatin is dissolved, then remove from heat.

Chill until mixture begins to thicken, then stir in fruit. Fold in whipped cream and chill until set. To serve, garnish with additional fruit if desired.

Source: desertusa.com

Saguaro Seed Scones

1/4 cup saguaro seeds, ground in blender

2 cups flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

5 tablespoons cold butter

1 egg, beaten

2/3 cup buttermilk

2 teaspoons butter, melted

1 tablespoon saguaro seeds

To prepare the seeds, add equal water to fruit breaking up pulp with hands and soak for at least 10 hours. Strain the liquid into a pot for other use. Dry the remaining seeds on a tray in the oven or in the sun. Shake pans to remove remaining pulp.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a chilled bowl, stir together the ground saguaro seeds, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Cut cold butter into pieces and rub into dry ingredients, using fingers until butter is broken up and coarse crumbs form.

Stir in beaten egg and buttermilk to make a soft dough. Place dough on lightly floured board and knead 5 to 7 times. Separate dough in two equal parts and make each into circles about 6 inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick. Cut each circle into 6 wedges.

Place scones on greased baking sheet leaving space between. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar and whole Saguaro seeds. Bake about 15-20 minutes, until tops are golden brown and puffy. Sprinkle with more sugar if desired. Cool on rack.

Makes 12.

Serve with jam, honey or lemon curd.

Source: desertusa.com

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RESTAURANT HOLIDAY HOURS, CLOSINGS & SPECIALS
JULY 4
BENTLEY’S HOUSE OF COFFEE & TEA: closed July 4. Where: 1730 E. Speedway Blvd. Info: 795-0338

GAVI ITALIAN RESTAURANTS: All Gavi Italian restaurants, except for Piazza Gavi, will be closed July 4. Piazza Gavi will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner When: 6:30 a.m.-close (time depends on business) Where: 5415 N. Kolb Road Price: varies Info: 577-1099, gaviitalianfoods.com

OLIVE R TWIST CAFE: Crawfest, including crabs, crawfish and cocktails. When: 11-2 a.m. Where: 4915 E. Speedway Blvd. Price: varies Info: 319-8955, the-twist.com

HONORING LOCAL HEROES: Rockin’ Baja Lobster is showing respect for our armed forces, police officers and firefighters by offering a 15 percent discount with valid identification. Reservations required. When: 5-9:30 p.m. Where: 7131 E. Broadway Price: discounted cost of food Info: 721-2252, rockinbaja.com

FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS WITH FOOD
JULY 3
JW MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA: For its Fourth of July celebration, it is offering fireworks, barbecue and children’s activities exclusively to dinner patrons and resort guests. The barbecue includes a cash bar for wine, beer and liquor. Fourth of July stay packages, including the barbecue also are being offered. Reservations for the barbecue or dinner at any of the resort’s restaurants is required. A check-point will be set up to screen diners and guests. When: 5:30-8 p.m. (barbecue), 8:30 p.m. (fireworks start) Where: 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd. Price: barbecue and fireworks, $30 for adults, $15 for children under 12 and free for children 5 and younger; stay packages for Fourth of July, starting at $179 Info: 792-3500, jwmarriottstarrpass.com

JULY 4
TUCSON HILTON EL CONQUISTADOR RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB: 4th of July Extravaganza features Lifehouse, Rocco DeLuca & the Burden and Ryanhood, with fireworks and resort restaurant dining specials. Tickets for the concert and fireworks, plus parking passes are for sale in advance. Stay packages (minimum two nights), starting at $149 per room per night, also are being offered When: gates open at 3 p.m. Where: 10000 N. Oracle Road Price: $17 (advance) or $20 (door) adults, $8 (advance) or $10 door children 6-12 and free children 5 and younger. Parking passes are $6 per vehicle and can be purchased, along with tickets, only online. Info: 800-445-8667, hiltonelconquistador.com/4thofjuly/

LA PALOMA COUNTRY CLUB: Fireworks display for club members and guests of the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa. When: TBA Where: 3660 E. Sunrise Drive Price: Stay packages start at $119 per night Info: 742-6100 or 742-6000, lapalomacc.com or westinlapaloma.com

ALL-AMERICAN FOURTH OF JULY CAR SHOW AND CONCERT: The car show features more than 100 cars and trucks. There also will be food and family activities. Headlining the event is Haley Jane. Opening bands are Affirming the Consequent and American Android. Wrapping up the festivities is the annual fireworks display at “A” Mountain. Sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Local Arts. When: 3 p.m. Concert begins at 6 and fireworks at 9 Where: 1248 N. Main Ave. Price: $2 adults, free children 12 and younger Info: 403-5989, northmainave.com

FOURTH OF JULY WITH TSO!: This Fourth of July party with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra at Riverfront Park includes hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream and a musical synchronized fireworks show. Free parking at The Home Depot, 4302 N. Oracle Road, and also at Casas Adobes Baptist Church, 10801 N. La Cholla Blvd. Shuttle buses will run continuously from both locations starting at 5 p.m. Pets permitted on leashes. When: 5:30 p.m. (activities), 9:10 p.m. (fireworks) Where: 551 W. Lambert Lane Price: free but a nonperishable food donation is requested; shuttle bus service is $1 per rider round trip Info: 797-3959, GOVAC.org

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SATURDAY

Food & wine
SAGUARO HARVEST: Watch the ancient tradition of the Saguaro harvest as practiced by the local Tohono O’odham Nation, gather and taste the saguaro fruit, learn about the process of making syrup from the fruit of the cactus and sample a variety of other desert foods. Guided by O’odham teacher Stella Tucker. Reservations are required as space is limited. When: 6:30-9:30 a.m. Where: Feliz Paseos Park, 1600 N. Camino de Oeste Price: free Info: 615-7855

JULY 7

Festivals and fiestas
HA:SAN BAK: SAGUARO HARVEST CELEBRATION: Celebrate the Saguaro. Learn its legends, lore and natural history at this annual festival. The saguaro fruit is traditionally harvested by the Tohono O’odham Nation as part of tribal ceremonies to call forth the clouds and rain. At Colossal Cave Mountain Park, attend an interactive workshop and become a fruit-picker for the day, harvest the fruit, and make your own syrup, guided by Tohono O’odham Nation member Regina Siqueros and naturalist Bill Peachey. The workshop continues until the syrup is made and includes breakfast and lunch featuring O’odham-inspired foods. Taste fresh-made saguaro syrup, talk to the presenters, watch O’odham dancers, listen to traditional music and see basket-making demonstrations. Available food will include Indian fry bread. Space is limited, so reservations are required. When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail Price: free for festival with park use fee ($5 per car up to six people); for workshops $60 for adults; $45 for 12 and younger. Info: 675-7275, colossalcave.com

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ONGOING

TUCSON ORIGINALS: Gift certificates are on sale for 30 percent to 40 percent off at the Web site for the local group of independent restaurateurs. Certificates will be delivered immediately to your e-mail address to print out. Price: varies Info: tucsonoriginals.com

TODAY
Free concerts
BLUEGRASS AT CASA VALLARTA: Members of the Desert Bluegrass Association and members of the public play on the third Wednesday of every month at Casa Vallarta Mexican Restaurant. When: 7-9 p.m. Where: 8963 E. Tanque Verde Road Price: free Info: 749-1339, desertbluegrass.org

Out of town
APPLE ANNIE’S PRODUCE & PUMPKINS: Today it opens to the public for the season for picking in the Sulphur Springs Valley near Willcox. You-pick vegetables include green beans, summer squash, yellow bell peppers, green chiles, eggplant, cucumbers and sweet corn. When: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily Where: 6405 W. Williams Road Price: varies Info: (520) 384-4685, appleannies.com Directions: Take Interstate 10 to exit 340 in Willcox, turn onto Fort Grant Road, drive 11.5 miles and turn right onto Williams Road.

THURSDAY
Summer special
LOEWS VENTANA CANYON RESORT: Its Cascade Lounge hosts Thursday Night Fever Disco Inferno weekly through Aug. 30. A DJ from Satyr Entertainment will spin popular ’70s tunes and more. It will include weekly beverage promotions. When: 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Where: 7000 N. Resort Drive Price: varies Info: 299-2020

Farmers markets
SANTA CRUZ RIVER FARMER’S MARKET: Locally and naturally grown produce, plants and cactuses and Mexican baked goods are available directly from producers at this Community Food Bank market. When: 4-7 p.m. Where: Santa Cruz River Park, 600 N. Riverside Drive Price: free admission Info: 622-0525, communityfoodbank.org

Out of town
BLUE HOUSE FARMERS MARKET: Farmers, artists and crafts people sell their wares at the weekly event. Authors and musicians also are welcome. When: 3-7 p.m. Thursdays Where: 145 Railview Ave., Willcox Price: free admission Info: (520) 253-0442

FRIDAY

Farmers markets
EL PRESIDIO MERCADO: Fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers will be available. When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: El Presidio Park, 225 W. Alameda St. Info: 326-7810 Directions: just west of the Pima County Courthouse

FRIDAY & TUESDAY
Support Group
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: Tuesdays and Fridays offer support and friendship for adults who want to stop compulsive eating. When: 6-7 p.m. Where: Mountain View Retirement Village, 7900 N. La Cañada Drive Price: free Info: 798-3478

SATURDAY

Food & Wine
LOCAL FEST: Produce from Willcox, natural health products from Phoenix, chips from Alejandro’s Market and Grass Roots Essene bread will be available for purchase at this event. When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Wild Oats Natural Market, 7133 N. Oracle Road Price: free Info: 297-5394

Farmers markets

PLAZA PALOMINO FOOD FAIRE: Vendors have veggies, cantaloupe, lettuce, sweet potatoes, squash, cucumbers, bread, salsa, cactus, rose plants, tamales, emu products, soap honey and more at Plaza Palomino. When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: 2970 N. Swan Road Info: 320-6344

ORO VALLEY FARMER’S MARKET: Fresh produce from more than 28 farmers, plus products from bakeries, nurseries and Tucson, Willcox, Benson and Catalina ranchers. Organizer also operates the St. Philip’s Plaza Farmer’s Market. When: 8 a.m.-noon Where: Oro Valley Town Hall, 11000 N. La Cañada Drive, Oro Valley Info: 918-9811

SUNDAY

Festivals and fiestas
GOVINDA’S NATURAL FOODS BUFFET: Sunday Feast and Festival feature a musical mantra meditation, spiritual discourse and ancient Arati ceremony; eight-course dinner included. When: 5:30-8 p.m. Where: 711 E. Blacklidge Drive Price: $3 donation for dinner Info: 792-0630, govindasoftucson.com

Farmers markets
CIVANO NURSERY ARTISANS & FARMERS’ MARKET: Seasonal and organic produce, foods and other goodies, plus food demonstrations featuring local and organic ingredients. When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: 5301 S. Houghton Road Price: free Info: 248-9218, DragoonMarketplace.MySite.com

ST. PHILIP’S PLAZA FARMER’S MARKET: Fresh produce from more than 28 farmers, plus products from bakeries, nurseries and Tucson, Willcox, Benson and Catalina ranchers. When: 8 a.m.-noon Where: St. Philip’s Plaza Farmer’s Market, 4380 N. Campbell Ave. Info: 918-9811

TUESDAY

Food & Wine
RAW FOOD POTLUCK: Bring a dish to share with others for this potluck featuring new recipes by other “raw foodies.” When: 6-7 p.m. Where: Wild Oats Market, 7133 N. Oracle Road Price: free Info: 297-5394, wildoats.com

Farmers markets
COMMUNITY FOOD BANK FARMER’S MARKET: Fresh food from Arizona farmers, demonstrations and samples on display. Cash, Food Stamp benefits and AZ FMNP vouchers (for enrolled Food Plus participants) welcome. When: 8 a.m.-noon Where: Community Food Bank, 3003 S. Country Club Road Info: 622-0525, communityfoodbank.org

JULY 4

Free concerts
BLUEGRASS AT RINCON MARKET: Desert Bluegrass Association members at the public jam at Rincon Market. When: 7-9 p.m. Where: 2513 E. Sixth St. Price: free Info: 760-0745, desertbluegrass.org

JULY 6 DEADLINE

Food & Wine
BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATION: Reservations required by July 6 for this two-hour luncheon July 14 at Feast. Celebrate Bastille Day with French-style accordion music and food at the Alliance Française Tucson benefit luncheon. The Mouton Cadet winery is providing complimentary wine. When: noon-2 p.m. Where: 4122 E. Speedway Blvd. Price: $55, includes courses, tax, tip, some beverages and a $10 donation Info: 327-7235, eatatfeast.com

Home and garden
SUCCESSFUL PLANTS FOR TUCSON GARDENS: This class, taught by trained Tucson Botanical Gardens docents, is a follow-up to the Newcomers and Xeriscape classes. This session will emphasize choosing appropriate plants for your landscape. Characteristics of highly recommended trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers will be discussed. Information on ultimate size, flowering season, hardiness and preferred exposure will help in making informed choices. Taught by trained TBG docents. Classes are held on the first Saturday of each month. When: 9:30 a.m.-noon Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way Price: $12 (includes admission to the Gardens), $7 TBG members Info: 326-9686 Ext. 10

JULY 7

Food & Wine
BEST OF THE BARRIO SOUTH TUCSON CULINARY TOUR: Every other Saturday, Gray Line Tours leads this trip to various South Side eateries, including La Estrella Bakery, Rodriguez Fish Co. and El Güero Canelo. The tour also is July 21. When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Meet at Gray Line Tour offices, 3594 E. Lincoln St. Price: $59, includes tour, food and refreshments Info: 622-8811 Ext. 3122 Directions: Near the intersection of Palo Verde Road and Ajo Way

JULY 10

Free concerts
BLUEGRASS AT CASA VALLARTA: Members of the Desert Bluegrass Association and members of the public play on the third Wednesday of every month at Casa Vallarta Mexican Restaurant. When: 7-9 p.m. Where: 8963 E. Tanque Verde Road Price: free Info: 749-1339, desertbluegrass.org

JULY 12

Health & Fitness
EAT WELL, EXERCISE SMART AND FLATTEN YOUR TUMMY: Fitness coach Ethel Mae Schmid will discuss how to flatten your stomach through wellness eating and smart exercising. When: 6:30-7:15 p.m. Where: Body By Ethel Fitness Coaching, 7659 E. Golden River Lane Price: $6 adults, free for anyone younger than 18 Info: 886-6267, bodybyethel.com

JULY 14

SUMMER OF ENCHANTMENT CULINARY CONCERTS: La Encantada shopping center has a summer culinary concert series, with local bands and La Encantada restaurants paired on alternate Saturdays. First, the band performs, followed by a cooking demonstration and food sampling. La Encantada also provides complimentary water, mini-muffins and juice. Bands and restaurants are: • July 14 Amilcar & Amigos (Blanco Tacos & Tequila) • July 28 Mood Swing Jazz Trio (Bluepoint Kitchen & Bar) • Aug. 11 Cool Breeze (Homero Ceron)(Ra Sushi Bar) • Aug. 25 Retro Rockets (Armitage Wine Bar) When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: La Encantada Center Courtyard, 2905 E. Skyline Drive Price: free Info: 299-3556

JULY 15 & SELECT SUNDAYS
Food & wine
JW MARRIOTT STARR PASS RESORT & SPA: Its Primo and Signature Grill restaurants have summer dinner specials. Primo’s Sunday Supper offers a traditional three-course meal, while Signature Grill’s Sunday Sipper offers a three-course menu, paired with infused or specialty tequilas. When: Primo dinners July 29 and Aug. 26, Signature Grill dinners July 15 and Aug. 12 Where: 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd. Price: $40 (not including liquor) Primo, $39 Signature Grill Info: 791-6002 (Primo) or 792-3500 (Signature Grill), jwmarriottstarrpass.com

JULY 16

Food & Wine
VIN TABLA WORLDLY WINE DINNERS: These wine-themed dinners are three-course meals featuring cuisine and wine tasting pairings from around the world. Tonight’s featured region is Greece. When: 5 p.m. Where: 2890 E. Skyline Drive Price: $30 Info: 577-6210, vintabla.com

JULY 18

Free concerts
BLUEGRASS AT CASA VALLARTA: Members of the Desert Bluegrass Association and members of the public play on the third Wednesday of every month at Casa Vallarta Mexican Restaurant. When: 7-9 p.m. Where: 8963 E. Tanque Verde Road Price: free Info: 749-1339, desertbluegrass.org

JULY 21

Food & Wine
SPRING ROLLS: Learn how to make these traditional Vietnamese dishes and present them on the plate at this Tucson Botanical Gardens class led by Phuong-Ly Dao, owner of Dao’s TaiPan Restaurant. Class limited to 12. When: 10-11:30 a.m. Where: 2150 N. Alvernon Way Price: $15 TBG members, $20 nonmembers Info: 326-9686 Ext. 10, tucsonbotanical.org

Out of Town
PLANTS OF THE BIBLE TOUR: Pomegranates, olives, common fig, palms . . . what do these plants have in common? Find out during this easy walking tour that explores botany, history and Scripture and is led by Arizona State Parks volunteers and Bible scholars. The tour is featured on the third Saturday of every month through September. When: 9:30 a.m. Where: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 E. U.S. Route 60, Superior Price: $7.50 adults, $3 ages 5-12 Info: 520-689-2811 http://ag.arizona.edu/BTA/index.html Directions: U.S. Route 60, Milepost 223 near Superior

Food & Wine
BEST OF THE BARRIO SOUTH TUCSON CULINARY TOUR: This is the last weekend for this Gray Line Tours trip to various South Side eateries, including La Estrella Bakery, Rodriguez Fish Co. and El Güero Canelo. When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Meet at Gray Line Tour offices, 3594 E. Lincoln St. Price: $59, includes tour, food and refreshments Info: 622-8811 Ext. 3122 Directions: near the intersection of Palo Verde Road and Ajo Way

AUG. 4

Out of Town
GRAPE STOMPING AND WINE TASTING: Sonoita Vineyards will host its annual August Festival on Aug. 4-5. Guests can take part in grape-stomping contests, enjoy a tractor-drawn vineyard tour, listen to a live band and savor a gourmet meal prepared by local restaurants and featuring local wines, such as Arizona Sunset and Sonora Blanca. When: For more information, call or visit the Web Site. Where: Sonoita Vineyards, Sonoita Info: 520-455-5893, sonoitavineyards.com Directions: The winery is located three miles south of Elgin on Elgin-Canelo Road

JULY 25

Health & Fitness
CELIAC ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION GROUP: Southern Arizona Celiac Support Group holds a monthly Gluten-Free Round Table. Learn how to manage Celiac Disease and related conditions with gluten-free foods, the only successful treatment for this illness. The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month. When: 1-2:30 p.m. Where: Ward 6 City Hall, 3202 E. First St. Price: free Info: 298-5551, southernarizonaceliacsupport.org

AUG. 6

Food & Wine
“WORLDLY WINE DINNERS”: These wine-themed dinners are three-course meals featuring cuisine and wine tasting pairings from around the world. Tonight’s featured region is Alsace, France. When: 5 p.m. Where: VINtabla Restaurant & Wine Bar, 2890 E. Skyline Drive Price: $30 Info: 577-6210, vintabla.com

AUG. 20

VIN TABLA WORLDLY WINE DINNERS: These wine-themed dinners are three-course meals featuring cuisine and wine tasting pairings from around the world. Tonight’s featured region is Loire Valley, France. When: 5 p.m. Where: 2890 E. Skyline Drive Price: $30 Info: 577-6210, vintabla.com

AUG. 22

Health & Fitness
CELIAC ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION GROUP: Southern Arizona Celiac Support Group holds a monthly Gluten-Free Round Table. Learn how to manage Celiac Disease and related conditions with gluten-free foods, the only successful treatment for this illness. The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month. When: 1-2:30 p.m. Where: Ward 6 City Hall, 3202 E. First St. Price: free Info: 298-5551, southernarizonaceliacsupport.org

AUG. 25

Home and garden
COMPOSTING Q&A: The Tucson Organic Gardeners answer home composting questions at the Home Compost Demonstration Site at the rear of Tucson Botanical Gardens. Free with TBG admission. When: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Where: 2150 N. Alvernon Way Price: $7 adults, $3 children ages 4-12, free children 3 and younger and TBG members Info: 326-9686 Ext. 39, tucsonbotanical.org

SEPT. 4

Health & Fitness
HEALTHY FAMILIES LECTURES: This free seminar is devoted to lectures on mother- and-child nutrition. Sessions are held the first Tuesday of each month. When: 10 a.m.-noon Where: Ada Pierce McCormick Building (in the Chapel), 1401 E. First St. Price: free Info: 975-5138, tucsonbotanical.org

SEPT. 5

Home and garden
PLANT CLINIC: Paul Bessey, retired University of Arizona plant sciences professor, and other members of the Gardeners of Tucson will be available in the Tucson Botanical Gardens’ Education Building or by phone to answer questions on plant pests, disease and nutrient deficiencies. Enter at the east end of the building. Free, but please pay full admission if also touring the Tucson Botanical Gardens. When: 10 a.m.-noon Where: 2150 N. Alvernon Way Price: $7 adults, $3 children ages 4-12, free children 3 and younger and TBG members Info: 326-9686 Ext. 30

SEPT. 19

Home and garden
PLANT CLINIC: Paul Bessey, retired University of Arizona Plant Sciences professor, and other members of the Gardeners of Tucson will be available in the Education Building or by phone to answer questions on plant pests, disease and nutrient deficiencies. Enter at the east end of the building. Free, but please pay full admission if also touring the Tucson Botanical Gardens. When: 10 a.m.-noon Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way Price: TBG’s admission is: $7 adults, $3 ages 4-12. Children 3 and younger and TBG members are free. Info: 326-9686 Ext. 30

SEPT. 26

Health & Fitness
CELIAC ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION GROUP: Southern Arizona Celiac Support Group holds a monthly Gluten-Free Round Table. Learn how to manage Celiac Disease and related conditions with gluten-free foods, the only successful treatment for this illness. The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month. When: 1-2:30 p.m. Where: Ward 6 City Hall, 3202 E. First St. Price: free Info: 298-5551, southernarizonaceliacsupport.org

Home and garden
PLANT CLINIC: Paul Bessey, retired University of Arizona Plant Sciences professor, and other members of the Gardeners of Tucson will be available in the Education Building or by phone to answer questions on plant pests, disease and nutrient deficiencies. Enter at the east end of the building. Free, but please pay full admission if also touring the Tucson Botanical Gardens. When: 10 a.m.-noon Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way Price: TBG’s admission is: $7 adults, $3 ages 4-12. Children 3 and younger and TBG members are free. Info: 326-9686 Ext. 30

SEPT. 28

Dinner/Galas/Auctions
GRAPE EXPECTATIONS: Grape Expectations features wine, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and entertainment. Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: La Encantada Shopping Center, 2950 E. Skyline Drive Price: $65 in advance. Info: 326-0060, rmhctucson.org 21+

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE GRAPE EXPECTATIONS: Grape Expectations 2007 Wine Tasting & Silent Auction will feature wine and beer tasting, hors d’oeuvres from Tucson restaurants, a silent auction and entertainment. Proceeds will fund the operation of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona. ($45 of each ticket is tax deductible). When: 5:30-9 p.m. Where: La Encantada Shopping Center, 2905 E. Skyline Drive Price: $70 Info: 326-0060 Ext. 109, rmhctucson.org adult event

OCT. 13

Dinner/Galas/Auctions
2007 SCOOTIN’ UNDER THE STARS: La Paloma Family Services hosts its fifth annual Boot Scootin’ for Kids benefit. The evening includes dinner, a silent auction, live entertainment and the Commitment to Children Awards ceremony. This year’s honorees are Rodney Glassman of the Glassman Foundation and Penelope Jacks of the Children’s Action Alliance Southern Arizona. When: 6 p.m. Where: LPFS Foster Care Resource Center, 870 W. Miracle Mile Price: $125 Info: 750-9667, lapalomakids.org

Festivals and fiestas
CIENEGA CORRIDOR PIONEER DAY: Come celebrate Pioneer Day in the Cienega Corridor. Spend the day at a working ranch learning about the cultural, biological and historical significance of this unique part of the Tucson Basin, and what is being done to protect it. This year’s event will share exhibits and events marking the history of transportation from the 1800s to the present. The family will enjoy activities as diverse as wagon rides, arena events, trail walks, an information fair, antique car display, the history of railroading, and interactive games and events for children. Other activities will include reminiscences by local old-timers about the Old West; story telling; music, entertainment and food.

Appropriately, the event will be held at Colossal Cave Mountain Park’s La Posta Quemada Ranch facility, a working ranch since the 1870s. When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail Price: Free with park use fee ($5 per car up to six people). Info: 675-7275, colossalcave.com

CIENEGA WATERSHED PIONEER DAY: Spend the day at a working ranch learning about the cultural, biological and historical significance of this unique part of the Tucson Basin, and what is being done to protect it. This year’s event will feature displays, information and demonstrations depicting the transportation heritage. The whole family will enjoy activities as diverse as make-and-take projects for kids, interactive games, the Caboose museum and displays of antique cars. Children can make personalized adobe bricks. Other activities will include reminiscences by local old-timers about the Old West, a nature and culture information fair with booths, presentations, nature walks and demonstrations; and wagon rides, arena events, a miniature railway, entertainment and food. The event will be held at Colossal Cave Mountain Park’s La Posta Quemada Ranch facility, a working ranch since the 1870s. When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail Price: free with park fee ($5 per car). Info: 647-7121 www,colossalcave.com

OCT. 24

Dinner/Galas/Auctions
“FIESTA EL RIO”: The El Rio Foundation’s annual dinner celebrates the nonprofit health center’s 37-year legacy of providing quality dental and health care to families in need. A cocktail reception opens the fundraiser, with dinner and dancing to live music afterward. All proceeds benefit El Rio’s dental program. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: Westin La Paloma, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive Price: $200 single or $1,700 per table. Info: 309-2294, elrio.org

Health & Fitness
CELIAC ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION GROUP: Southern Arizona Celiac Support Group holds a monthly Gluten-Free Round Table. Learn how to manage Celiac Disease and related conditions with gluten-free foods, the only successful treatment for this illness. The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month. When: 1-2:30 p.m. Where: Ward 6 City Hall, 3202 E. First St. Price: free Info: 298-5551, southernarizonaceliacsupport.org

OCT. 28

Festivals and fiestas
CELEBRATE! THE DAY OF THE DEAD: Festivities and entertainment start with a Mexican buffet celebrating Dia de los Muertos 2007 (Day of the Dead). This day honors those who have died. Guest speaker Martin Rivera shares funny and scary stories about the day. The event also include a community ofrenda, live music and crafts. Children, and adults, too, can unleash their creativity by decorating their own Mexican sugar skulls, making tissue paper flowers or making papeles, the Mexican cut-paper flags so prominent in Day of the Dead memorials. The event will be held at the Park’s 129-year-old La Posta Quemada Ranch facility and presented by the Pima County Parklands Foundation. When: 1-3 p.m. Where: Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16711 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail Price: free with park use fee ($5 per car up to six people) Info: 675-7275, colossalcave.com

NOV. 24

Holiday
HOLIDAY NIGHTS: These evenings of festivities include live music, holiday cookies and 500,000 holiday lights and luminarias illuminating the park. There’s even a very special desert snowmen. Holiday Nights are Nov. 24, Nov. 25, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. When: 5 p.m. Where: Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte Price: $5 adults, $4 seniors (62+), $3 students with valid ID, $2 ages 5-12. Info: 742-6455

DEC. 1

Holiday
HOLIDAY NIGHTS: These evenings of festivities include live music, holiday cookies and 500,000 holiday lights and luminarias illuminating the park. There’s even a very special desert snowmen. Last Holiday Night isDec. 1. When: 5 p.m. Where: Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte Price: $5 adults, $4 seniors (62+), $3 students with valid ID, $2 ages 5-12. Info: 742-6455

DEC. 2

Festivals and fiestas
SUNDAY IN THE PARK: AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS FAIR: Hear presentations, meet traditional musicians and artists at the American Indian Traditional Arts Fair. When: 1-4 p.m. Where: Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16711 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail Price: free with park use fee ($5 per car up to six people) Info: 675-7275, colossalcave.com

DEC. 8

Festivals and fiestas
FOURTH AVENUE WINTER STREET FAIR: This three-day event features 400 arts and crafts booths, 35 food vendors, three stages, street musicians, jugglers and other performers. Handmade works from country crafts to fine art – in glass, clay, wood, clothing, metal, jewelry – will be available for sale by the artists. Food fare includes Greek, Mexican, Thai, barbecue, fry bread, funnel cakes and chicken. New this year for kids is “VAN GROW,” a free hands-on art area that also has flight simulators, climbing rocks, face painting, chair massages and balloons.

VAN GROW is sponsored by the Tucson Children’s Museum, Michaels Arts and Crafts, and Crayola. PLEASE NOTE: Daylong parking is available for $5 Friday and $2 each Saturday and Sunday at the downtown Pennington Street garage (at Scott Avenue). A free shuttle runs to and from the fair all three days, with pickup and drop-off at the southwest corner of Fourth Avenue and Sixth Street. When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Check dates and times for 2007 Where: Fourth Avenue, Price: free admission Info: 624-5004, fourthavenue.org Directions: between Ninth Street and University Boulevard, along Fourth Avenue

DEC. 14

Holiday
WINTER CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD: This compilation of holiday songs from around the world, including Spain, Israel, Africa and the United States, will be performed by the Southern Arizona Women’s Chorus. Directed by Terrie Ashbaugh and accompanied by Helen Jones, the 80-women chorus has been performing in Tucson for more than 20 years. When: 7 p.m. Where: Ascension Lutheran Church, 1220 W. Magee Road Price: $15 adults, children under 6 are free Info: 404-3148 southernarizonawomenschorus.org

Tags: Dina L. Doolen, Events/Attractions, Taste-Events/Attractions, Taste-Events/Attractions-Local
Posted in Local, Taste | Comments Off

Summer dining deals
Wednesday, June 20th, 2007

Hot days mean cheap eats at local restaurants

<strong>Linda Mills</strong> (left) and <strong>Barbara Sokola</strong> on Friday at Miguel’s at La Posada

Check out our interactive map to find the best dining deal in your area.

Holy Hades, it’s hot.

And, yes, we know the age-old Pollyanna response – “but it’s a dry heat.”

A convection oven is a dry heat, too. That doesn’t mean we want to spend the summer in one.

Guess I ought to look on the bright side: less traffic, shorter lines, more daylight hours and last but certainly not least, sizzling summer dining deals.

Here’s your chance to save big bucks on great food and help locally owned restaurants get through the dog days.

“It’s really tough making it in the summer,” says longtime Tucson restaurateur Alan Zeman, who co-founded Tucson Originals, a group of local independent restaurants. “We used to say that after graduation and Mother’s Day, it was like falling off a cliff.”

Compared to most cities, Tucson has a wealth of excellent places to eat at extremely good prices, particularly during the summer, says Zeman, former chef and owner of Fuego, which he sold this spring and is about to reopen as an English-style pub.

“Because of the growth of the area and the competition from chains, Tucson is such a buyer’s market for fine dining,” he says. “I just came back from Vegas, and it cost me $100 to do lunch, and I could have gotten something just as good or better at a bunch of places here for half that.”

OUR TOP 10
ANTHONY’S IN THE CATALINAS 6440 N. Campbell Ave., 299-1771

Details: 5:30-10 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 30, dinner for two for $69.95. Choose appetizer, soup or salad, entree, dessert and half bottle of chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon or coffee or tea.

CHAD’S STEAKHOUSE & SALOON 3001 N. Swan Road, 881-1802

Details:Buy a rib-eye dinner, get a glass of your choice of wine or dessert for $20.

MIGUEL’S AT LA POSADA 5900 N. Oracle Road, 887-3777

Details: Through Sept. 1, from 5 to 10 p.m., in the dining room, get soup, salad, appetizer, main course and dessert for $18; in the bar, get half off all drinks. Fridays in June and July in the bar, “Disco Night” 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., half off all drinks.

PAPAGAYO 4717 E. Sunrise Drive, 577-6055

Details: Choose chicken, beef or combo fajitas for two plus a bottle of house chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon for $20.

RED SKY CAFÉ 2900 N. Swan Road, 326-5454

Details: Get the Herb Crusted Prime Rib Dinner with the soup of the day, and either a Caesar Salad, California Green Salad or Spinach Salad for $19.95.

RIC’S CAFÉ 5605 E. River Road, 577-7272

Details: Get a full rack of barbecue ribs with traditional sides and a glass of the house wine for $20.

ROMA CAFFÉ 4140 W. Ina Road, 744-2929

Details: Get the 14-ounce Sterling Silver Premium rib-eye steak dinner with a side of pasta and vegetables and your choice of soup or salad for $20 with the purchase of a beverage.

ZIVAZ MEXICAN BISTRO 4590 E. Broadway, 325-1234 Details: Two can share its summer special for $20: Get one Platillos Zivaz entree, one dessert and your choice of two margaritas or bottle of wine.

THE WESTIN LA PALOMA RESORT & SPA 3800 E. Sunrise Drive, 577-5859 Details: In its Desert Garden Lounge 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, Unwind Hour offers various specials and activities, including a “make your own margarita” station and a “make your own guacamole” station.

WESTWARD LOOK RESORT 245 E. Ina Road, 297-1151

Details: Among the nightly specials at its Lookout Bar & Grille, two stand out: • 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Half Slab of Baby Back Ribs with sides, $12, plus $2 domestic and imported beer • 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Prime Rib dinner with sides and brownie sundae dessert, $19.95, also half-priced appetizers

NO. 11: DESSERT BONUS

BARRIO FOOD AND DRINK 135 S. Sixth Ave., 629-0191

Details: A dessert special you may, or may not, want to share: For $20, get a plate of “Cheffrey’s Desserts,” (a play on chef-owner Jeff Glomski’s name) including chocolate strawberries, Kahlua truffles and crème brûlée and berries anglaise, paired with a Chef’s Choice coffee drink.

RESTAURANTS
Here are summer other dining deals worth checking out.

ACACIA

4340 N. Campbell Ave., 232-0101, acaciatucson.com

Details: Get a house salad, summer-size cioppino and dessert for $20.

ANTHONY’S IN THE CATALINAS

6440 N. Campbell Ave., 299-1771, anthonyscatalinas.com

Details: 5:30-10 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 30, dinner for two for $69.95. Choose an appetizer, soup or salad, entree, dessert and half bottle of chardonnay or cabernet or coffee or tea.

BARRIO FOOD AND DRINK

135 S. Sixth Ave., 629-0191, barriofoodanddrink.com

Details: $20 gets you a plate of Cheffrey’s Desserts, including chocolate strawberries, Kahlua truffles and crème brûlée and berries anglaise, paired with a Chef’s Choice coffee drink.

CENTRAL BISTRO

400 N. Toole Ave., 623-1955, central-tucson.com

Details: For $20, choose a salad, appetizer and one of four wines.

Note: Closed for vacation July 1-22.

CHAD’S STEAKHOUSE & SALOON

3001 N. Swan Road, 881-1802, chadssteakhouse.com

Details: Get a rib-eye dinner, glass of your choice of wine and dessert for $20.

THE CUP CAFÉ

311 E. Congress St., 622-8848, hotelcongress.com/cup

Details: Have the pasta of the day and a glass of Portuguese house white or red wine for $20.

CUVÉE WORLD BISTRO

3352 E. Speedway Blvd., 881-7577, cuveebistro.com

Details: From 4 to 7 p.m. daily and 10 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, with its happy hour two-for-$20 special, choose any two glasses of wine from those on its menu priced less than $10 per glass and any two bar menu appetizers.

DAKOTA CAFÉ

6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, 298-7188, dakotacafeandcatering.com

Details: Soft Shell Tacos with Lobster, Avocado Salsa and Spicy Cherry Tomato Salad and a slice of Fresh Lime Pie for $20, available 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

ECLECTIC CAFÉ

7053 E. Tanque Verde Road, 885-2842, eclectic-cafe.com

Details: Get two iced teas and two warm salads for $20.

EL CHARRO CAFÉ

311 N. Court Ave., 622-1922

4699 E. Speedway Blvd., 325-1922

6310 E. Broadway, 745-1922

100 W. Orange Grove Road, 615-1922,

elcharrocafe.com

Details: At all of its locations for its summer special for two, get two Bahia tacos each, one Tecate beer each and one dessert tamale to share for $20.

ELLE, A WINE COUNTRY RESTAURANT

3048 E. Broadway, 327-0500, ellerestaurant.com

Details: The restaurant has its annual Summer Wine Country Tour, with the dinner menu featuring two regional entree specials paired with wines from one of five wine regions (the region changes every few weeks), offered 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, Friday and Saturday till 10 p.m., Sunday 4 to 9 p.m. Those purchasing tour packages will be guests at a post-tour, early fall hors d’oeuvres and wine pairing party. The price is $29 per dinner or $145 for tour packages (available through June 17).

FEAST

4122 E. Speedway Blvd., 326-9363, eatatfeast.com

Details: Get a three-course summer feast including a mixed green salad, your favorite menu entree and any dessert for $20.

FIRECRACKER

2990 N. Swan Road, 318-1118

Details: Half-priced wines offered Sundays.

FRANCISCO’S DE NOCHE

3843 E. Pima St., 881-2710, franciscosintucson.com

Details: For its couples special, get two chicken, beef or shrimp fajitas and two beverages for $20.

INTERMEZZO

5350 E. Broadway, 748-8100, intermezzo-tucson.com

Details: For its $20 dinner for two, get a Caesar or organic mixed greens salad, your choice of chicken Parmesan or eggplant Parmesan entree or prime rib sandwich, available 4 to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. (No other discounts or coupons may be used with the special.)

JANOS

3770 E. Sunrise Drive, 615-6100, janos.com/janos_menu.shtml

Details: Summer sampler of three main courses of your choice for $19.95. Call the restaurant or check its Web site for other summer specials.

J BAR

3770 E. Sunrise Drive, 615-6100, janos.com/jbar_menu.shtml

Details: It is offering its Summer Samplers for $12.95. There is live music Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call the restaurant or check its Web site for other summer specials.

JONATHAN’S CORK

6320 E. Tanque Verde Road, 296-1631, jonathanscork.com

Details: Get its Summer Savings Surf and Turf (a 5-ounce filet and four shrimp) for $20. The bar opens at 3 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, with dinner starting at 5 p.m. daily.

LODGE ON THE DESERT

306 N. Alvernon Way, 325-3366, lodgeonthedesert.com/dining.html

Details: It offers three choices for its $20 summer special: Wild Mushroom Tamale, Shrimp Linguine or Pan-Roasted Chicken. Each comes with a house salad 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays and 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

MAGPIE’S GOURMET PIZZA

4654 E. Speedway Blvd., 795-5977

105 S. Houghton Road, 751-9949

605 N. Fourth Ave., 628-1661

8295 N. Cortaro Road, 572-4300

7315 N. Oracle Road, 297-2712

7159 E. Tanque Verde Road, 546-6526, magpiespizza.com

Details: For dine in, takeout or delivery, get a large single-topping pizza, large garden salad and garlic breadsticks for $20.

METROPOLITAN GRILL

7892 N. Oracle Road, 531-1212, metrorestaurants.com

Details: $14.99 for a half-pound of crab or $19.99 for a pound of crab, including vegetables and choice of side through June 30.

METRO RESTAURANTS

• City Grill 6464 E. Tanque Verde Road, 733-1111, metrorestaurants.com

• Firecracker 2999 N. Swan Road, 318-1118

• Grill on the Green 5800 S. Camino Del Sol, Green Valley, 393-1933

• Grill at Torres Blancas 3233 S. Abrego Drive, Green Valley, 393-1933

• McMahon’s Prime Steakhouse 2959 N. Swan Road, 327-7463

• Metro Grill 5870 E. Broadway (Park Place), 571-7111

• Metropolitan Grill 7892 N. Oracle Road, 531-1212

• Old Pueblo Grille-Alvernon 60 N. Alvernon Way, 326-6000

• Old Pueblo Grille-Foothills 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd., 297-1999

metrorestaurants.com

Details: By signing up at the restaurant group’s Web site, get a coupon for half-priced bottle of wine with the purchase of an entree at any of its eateries for the month of July. The group will announce more specials throughout the summer.

MIGUEL’S STEAK & SEAFOOD

5900 N. Oracle Road, 887-3777,

miguelstucson.com

Details: Through Sept. 1, from 5 to 10 p.m. in the dining room, get soup, salad, appetizer, main course and dessert for $18; in the bar, get half off all drinks. Fridays in June and July in the bar, “Disco Night” is from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

MONTANA AVENUE

6390 E. Grant Road, 298-2020, foxrc.com

Details: Half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays through Aug. 31.

NoRTH

2995 E. Skyline Drive, 299-1600, foxrc.com

Details: Half-price bottles of wine on Sundays from June 1 to Aug. 31.

OLD PUEBLO GRILLE-FOOTHILLS

7401 N. La Cholla Blvd., 297-1999, metrorestaurants.com

Details: All summer, get two drinks for the price of one and $2 off appetizers every day until 9 p.m. in the lounge.

PAPAGAYO

4717 E. Sunrise Drive, 577-6055, papagayo.org

Details: Choose chicken, beef or combo fajitas for two plus a bottle of house chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon for $20.

PASTICHE MODERN EATERY

3025 N. Campbell Ave., 325-3333, pasticheme.com

Details: For $20, get a baby greens salad and thyme-crusted seabass for $20.

RED SKY CAFÉ

2900 N. Swan Road, 326-5454, redskycafeandcatering.com

Details: Get the Herb-Crusted Prime Rib Dinner with the soup of the day, and either a Caesar Salad, California Green Salad or Spinach Salad for $19.95.

RIC’S CAFÉ

5605 E. River Road, 577-7272, tucsonoriginals.com/restaurants/rics.html

Details: Get a full rack of barbecue ribs with sides and a glass of the house wine for $20.

ROMA CAFFÉ

4140 W. Ina Road, 744-2929, romacaffe.com

Details: Get the 14-ounce Sterling Silver Premium rib-eye steak dinner with a side of pasta and vegetables and your choice of soup or salad for $20 with the purchase of a beverage.

SAUCE

7117 N. Oracle Road, 297-8575

2990 N. Campbell Ave., 795.0344

5285 E. Broadway, 514-1122, foxrc.com

Details: For its $20 summer sampler special, two can share a pizza and salad and each gets a glass of Pinot Grigio or Chianti.

TERRA COTTA

3500 E. Sunrise Drive, 577-8100, dineterracotta.com

Details: Various specials through Labor Day:

• Different Terra Cotta classic dish featured each week for $20, plus a choice of demi-sized Chocolate Peanut Butter Madness or Crème Brûlée for dessert. For $5 more, get a classic appetizer.

• Special summer menu includes Red Chile Beef Avocado Quesadilla with Salsa Fresca Starter, Mixed Grill, a sampling of Grilled Salmon with Tomato Ceviche, Chicken Tamale Pie with summer vegetables and Gorgonzola Crusted Bistro Steak with bordelaise and truffled potato.

• $5 Maytag Bleu Cheese Infused Angus Burger during happy hour, 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays

• On Wine Wednesdays, get samples of three wines or a glass of one wine for $6 or your favorite by the bottle for $20.

• Summer hours are 4 p.m. to close daily, with Sunday brunch 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WILDFLOWER

7037 N. Oracle Road, 219-4230, foxrc.com

Details: Half-priced bottles of wine on Tuesdays through Aug. 31.

ZIVAZ MEXICAN BISTRO

4590 E. Broadway, 325-1234, zivazbistro.com

Details: Two can share the summer special for $20: Get one Platillos Zivaz entree, one dessert and your choice of two margaritas or a bottle of wine.

ROCKIN’ BAJA LOBSTER

7131 E. Broadway, 721-2252, rockinbaja.com

Details: Various specials for summer:

• From 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday nights, All You Can Eat Shrimp Buckets with limited Create-Your-Own Ultimate Caesar Salad Bar for $19.99.

• Two summer cocktails are on the menu: the Summer Citrus Cooler and, making its debut in July, an as-yet-unnamed cocktail of fresh fruit juices and liquor that will serve two.

• 5 O’Clock Somewhere Happy Hour 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays offers all appetizers for $4.95 each, plus other specials ranging from fish tacos for $1.95 to the $3.25 house margaritas and $2.75 well cocktails and house wine.

RESORT RESTAURANTS

LOEWS VENTANA CANYON RESORT

7000 N. Resort Drive, 299-2020 or (800) 234-5117, loewshotels.com

Details: The Ventana Room Summer Tasting Menu offers a three-course menu with summer wine pairings for $85. Through Aug. 30, it’s Thursday Night Fever Disco Inferno, 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. in the Cascade Lounge.

THE WESTIN LA PALOMA RESORT & SPA

3800 E. Sunrise Drive, 577-5859, westinlapalomaresort.com

Details: Various offerings:

• Desert Garden Bistro 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Labor Day, summertime dinner buffets, with a different theme each week, $21.95 adults, $9.95 children ages 6-12, free to children younger than 6

• Desert Garden Bistro weekly Sunday brunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., $32 adults, $14.95 children ages 6-12, free for children younger than 6

• Desert Garden Lounge 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays. Unwind Hour offers various activities and prices, including a “make your own margarita” station and a “make your own guacamole” station.

WESTWARD LOOK RESORT

245 E. Ina Road, 297-1151, westwardlook.com

Details: Several offers:

• Gold Room On Wednesdays, Create Your Own Menu special. Get a three-course dinner, including choice of appetizer, entree and dessert, $29, 5:30 to 10 p.m. daily, with live music by Joe Bourne from 7 to 9 p.m. On Friday and Saturday nights, there are live dinner jazz and guitar performances by Dan Griffin.

• Lookout Bar & Grille Breakfast buffet 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays, $12 adults, $6 children ages 5-10, free for children 4 and younger; Nightly Specials: • 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Half Slab of Baby Back Ribs with sides, $12, plus $2 domestic and imported beer • 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, prime rib dinner with sides and brownie sundae dessert, $19.95, also half-priced appetizers • 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, diners spin the “specials wheel” for such options as 10 percent off a meal, free dessert or free appetizers, also half-priced margaritas • 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Tacos and Tequilas night, also Solid Gold Disco nights start at 7:30 p.m. • 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, chef’s specials and live entertainment

LATE-NIGHT EATS
Many of us beat the heat by venturing out only at night. Fortunately, some area restaurants stay open late (by Tucson standards) to feed local night owls.

Taste Plus

BENTLEY’S HOUSE OF COFFEE AND TEA

1730 E. Speedway Blvd., 795-0338

Hours: 7 a.m.-midnight Mondays-Saturdays, 8 a.m.-midnight Sundays

Details: Come sip a latte and have a bite to eat while doing some late-night studying, Web surfing or just chatting. Don’t miss open mic nights, Fridays starting at 7.

BLACK ROSE CAFFE

1800 N. Stone Ave., 777-3079

Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-midnight Fridays, 1 p.m.-midnight Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays

Details: Whether you are coming to surf the Web or have a cup of coffee, Black Rose’s menu will tease your taste buds. Choose from sandwiches, salads, teas and shakes.

BOONDOCKS LOUNGE

3306 N. First Ave., 690-0991

Hours: 10 a.m.- 2 a.m. daily

Details: Although the giant wine bottle at the entrance seems intimidating, Boondocks is the ultimate dive experience. This place serves everything from burgers to wings, plus steak on Thursdays and fish on Fridays.

BROOKLYN PIZZA CO.

534 N. Fourth Ave., 622-6868

Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: No, this is not a hoax. Many say the pizza here tastes as if it was flown in from Brooklyn. Weekends, stop by for a late-night slice at the walk-up window after you’re done at the bars on Fourth Avenue.

CASA VICENTE

375 S. Stone Ave., 884-5253

Hours: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-11 p.m. Fridays, 5-11 p.m. Saturdays

Details: This authentic Spanish restaurant is the place where you can sip sangria, munch tapas and paella, and have the ultimate European experience. Casa Vicente is family-run and features live Spanish guitar Thursday nights.

CHARLIE’S TAVERN AND GRILL

3412 N. Dodge Blvd., 795-8646

Hours: 11a.m.-11 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-midnight Sundays

Details: If you’re in the mood for Tucson’s only stuffed steak, plus imported beers on tap, Charlie’s will satisfy your craving. You’ll be eating and drinking merrily, especially with eight big screen televisions. Come for poker on Sunday nights.

CHUY’S BAJA BROILER

3100 E. Speedway Blvd., 326-4969

Hours: 8 a.m.-midnight Sundays-Thursdays, 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: If you are too lazy to put on your Sunday best, dine in comfort at Chuy’s Baja Broiler. Unlimited access to the tortilla chip and salsa bar makes it a worthwhile trip.

COFFEE X CHANGE

2443 N. Campbell Ave., 327-6783

Hours: Always open

Details: If you can’t sleep, stop by the never-closed Coffee X Change for some late-night lattes and chatter. It serves espresso beverages, coffee and tea, plus the best chicken salad in town.

CUSHING STREET BAR

198 W. Cushing St., 622-7984

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays, 5-11 p.m. Saturdays

Details: This historic Tucson landmark is a great place for a mojito and a bite to eat before seeing a play downtown. Dine in a garden patio or territorial-style dining room.

CUVÉE WORLD BISTRO 3352 E. Speedway Blvd., 881-7577

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-midnight Fridays, 5 p.m.-midnight Saturdays

Details: This bistro’s candlelit atmosphere only enhances the exquisite array of wine and food. Try the Mahogany Duck. Some say it’s to die for.

DELECTABLES RESTAURANT

533 N. Fourth Ave., 884-9289

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: Expect to eat the freshest of food, creatively arranged on your plate. This food comes to the table like a work of art. Even Monet’s mouth would water.

DIRTBAG’S BAR

1800 E. Speedway Blvd., 326-2600

Hours: 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays, noon-2 a.m. Sundays

Details: Aside from being “a part of growing up,” as its sign says, Dirtbag’s is a loud and lively place with great burgers and bar food. Although it’s open until 2 a.m., the kitchen closes around midnight.

EL GÜERO CANELO NO. 2

2480 N. Oracle Road, 882-8977

Hours: 6:30 a.m.-midnight Mondays-Saturdays, 7 a.m.-midnight Sundays

Details: Experience a taste of Mexico’s Sonora state at Daniel Contreras’ newest location. This place has mind-blowing Sonora-style hot dogs – that’s with bacon, mayo, beans, onions and mustard.

EL PASO BAR-B-QUE CO.

5510 E. Broadway, 745-2000

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: If you like ribs and catfish, this is the place for you. Dine on the patio on a cool summer night.

ELLE, A WINE COUNTRY RESTAURANT

3048 E. Broadway, 327-0500

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4:30-9 p.m. Sundays

Details: This midtown restaurant has more to offer than just great wine. The menu is seasonal, the pasta dishes are scrumptious and the desserts are unforgettable.

FAMOUS DAVE’S

4565 N. Oracle Road, 888-1512

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: Famous Dave’s award-winning pit-smoked ribs might leave you full to the brim. A word of advice: Leave room for the warm pecan pie. It’s worth it.

FIRECRACKER

2990 N. Swan Road, 318-1118

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Fridays, 4-10:30 p.m. Saturdays, 4-10 p.m. Sundays

Details: This chic restaurant’s Pacific Rim cuisine is unlike any other in Tucson. The Firecracker Shrimp are a must-have staple of the menu. Be careful, though, because they have a spicy kick powerful enough to break a board.

FROG & FIRKIN

874 E. University Blvd., 623-7507

Hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sundays

Details: Whether you need to kill time in between classes or are hungry after a performance at Centennial Hall, Frog has what you need. With more than 26 beers on tap and 75 imported and domestic bottles, it will make sure you go home happy. Frog’s menu includes salads, soups, pizza and sandwiches.

GRILL

100 E. Congress St., 623-7621

Hours: Always open

Details: If you need something to cure your post-bar-hopping hunger, go to the Grill and order some tots, or heck, a humongous bowl of Cap’n Crunch to prevent the dreaded hangover. A couple of bits of advice: Be prepared to fight for a table and definitely try the butterscotch shake.

IGUANA CAFÉ

210 E. Congress St., 882-5140

Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: Located in the heart of downtown Tucson, this eatery is a great place to people watch or have a sandwich.

IKE’S COFFEE AND TEA

3400 E. Speedway Blvd., Suite 121, 323-7205

Hours: 6 a.m.-midnight daily

Details: Don’t expect a gregarious crowd here. Ike’s is where you’ll find every type of student studying hard and drinking large mugs of coffee.

JOE’S CRAB SHACK

410 N. Wilmot Road, 751-0050

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: The name says it all. Joe’s serves crab in every way, shape and form. It’s also fun for the whole family and even has a children’s play area.

JAVELINA CANTINA

445 S. Alvernon Way, 881-4200

Hours: 2-10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturdays and Sundays

Details: Partake in some contemporary Southwestern eats or opt for an appetizer and a margarita at this tavern in the Doubletree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park.

KINGFISHER BAR AND GRILL

2564 E. Grant Road, 323-7739

Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Monday-Friday, 5 p.m.-midnight Saturdays and Sundays

Note: It will be closed July 1-7.

Details: If you like a full bar and have a late-night craving for seafood, Kingfisher offers both. If you like a swanky atmosphere and hefty portions of fish and chips, this is definitely the spot for you.

LOS ALAZANES MEXICAN FOOD

2553 N. Campbell Ave., 327-6075

Hours: Always open

Details: A great option for those 3 a.m. cravings for Mexican food. The California Burrito, stuffed with potatoes, will definitely hit the spot.

LA PARILLA SUIZA

5602 E. Speedway Blvd., 747-4838

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: Enjoy authentic Mexico City cuisine here. The fajitas come to the table sizzling with flavor.

LUXOR CAFÉ

3699 N. Campbell Ave., 325-3771

Hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-4 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m.- 1 a.m. Sundays

Details: This Middle Eastern restaurant has an inviting and luxurious environment, plus late-late hours. Come eat or relax in the hookah lounge.

MIMI’S CAFE

4420 N. Oracle Road, 690-9544; 120 S. Wilmot Road, 747-7273

Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily

Details: This bistro chain specializes in American comfort food, ranging from hamburgers to chicken pot pie.

NO ANCHOVIES

870 E. University Blvd., 623-3333

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Thursdays-Saturdays

Details: A university staple, it is considerably quieter during the summer and is a great spot to get a pizza slice and beer. Can’t decide between pizza or wings? Get the best of both worlds with the buffalo wing pizza.

O’MALLEY’S ON FOURTH

247 N. Fourth Ave., 623-8600

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily

Details: Be careful. If you’re looking for a quiet late-night dinner, this Irish-themed tavern is not the place. O’Malleys serves pub food, but it specializes in booze and is one of the busiest college bars in Tucson.

OLD CHICAGO

2960 N. Campbell Ave., 327-6200

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily

Details: It bills itself as a pizza joint, but Old Chicago has all the typical fare of a restaurant that serves a whole lot of beer: burgers, wings, fries – the whole nine yards.

OLIVE R TWIST CAFÉ

4915 E. Speedway Blvd., 319-8955

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily until September. Once the NFL and UA football seasons start, it’s 10-2 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays

Details: The kitchen here is open until 1 a.m., and the food definitely falls in the Cheap Eats category. Wings are 20 cents on Thursdays and personal pizzas are $1 on Wednesdays. Look out for a bunch of summer beers too.

PASTICHE MODERN EATERY

3025 N. Campbell Ave., 325-3333

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-midnight Mondays-Fridays, 4:30 p.m.-midnight Saturday and Sunday

Details: Pastiche offers great dishes until late – try the thyme-crusted sea bass – but you’ll have to dig a little deeper into your pocket.

RISKY BUSINESS 4

250 S. Craycroft Road, 584-1610

Hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sundays-Thursdays, 11-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: A great sports bar that has one of the best margaritas in town – really.

SAM HUGHES PLACE CHAMPIONSHIP DINING

446 N. Campbell Ave., 747-5223

Hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. daily

Details: A great restaurant that offers both a nice atmosphere and nice prices. Catch a game on one of the 27 high-definition TVs, four of which are in the bathrooms.

SHOT IN THE DARK CAFE

121 E. Broadway, 882-5544

Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays

Details: Grab a meal for six bucks at this quirky café. It offers several odd drinks, such as the Peanut Butter Mocha, although it does serve all the espresso standards.

SOMETHING SWEET DESSERT LOUNGE

5319 E. Speedway Blvd., 881-7735

Hours: 5 p.m.-midnight Mondays to Thursdays, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays, 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m.-midnight Sundays

Details: This place has just about every type of cake or milkshake imaginable, as well as everything sweet in between. Crack open one of the house board games during weekday game nights while satisfying that sweet tooth.

THE AULD DUBLINER

800 E. University Blvd., 206-0323

Hours: 11-2 a.m. daily

Details: The Irish are probably best known for their ale, so it may surprise some that, yes, there’s such a thing as Irish food. As far as bars on University Boulevard go, this one would be voted Bar Where You’re Most Likely to Run Into Your Professor.

THE BAMBOO CLUB

5870 E. Broadway, 514-9665

Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily

Details: Don’t be intimidated by the name. This restaurant is open to everyone willing to indulge in outstanding Asian cuisine. The seared Ahi appetizer is mouth-watering.

THE FRENCH QUARTER

3146 E. Grant Road, 318-4767, thefrenchquarterbayou.com

Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: You don’t have to travel far to get to the Old Pueblo’s French Quarter. Be prepared to eat some fried pickles and po’ boys while listening to live New Orleans jazz nightly.

THE TACO SHOP CO.

1350 E. Broadway, 622-1899

Hours: Always open

Details: There’s definitely not a shortage of 24-hour eats in Tucson when it comes to Mexican food. This one is a bit fresher than the rest. Its other location, at 17 N. Stone Ave. (903-0255), is open only weekday days.

Late-night weekends only
5 & DINER

4520 N. Stone Ave., 690-1957

Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: 1950s style dining in a fun and friendly atmosphere with juicy burgers and shakes.

58 DEGREES & HOLDING CO.

5340 E. Broadway, 747-5858,

4280 N. Campbell Ave., 299-5804

Hours: Campbell location 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11-1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays; Broadway location 3-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 3 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays

Details: Enjoy unique dishes with a Mediterranean flair. Choose from 865 types of wine from around the world. Both locations are adjacent to the company’s wine shops and storage facilities. The Campbell location just opened its patio.

BARRIO FOOD AND DRINK

135 S. Sixth Ave., 629-0191

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-midnight Fridays, 5 p.m.-midnight Saturdays, 5-9 p.m. Sundays

Details: Tucked away in downtown Tucson, Barrio offers an urban experience with a cosmopolitan menu.

BONSAI

3305 N. Swan Road, 325-4494

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-11 p.m. Fridays, 4-11 p.m. Saturdays, 4-10 p.m. Sundays

Details: Japanese cuisine with sushi and many combination teppan-yaki entrees, including filet mignon and lobster.

CASABLANCA BAR & GRILL

283 N. Stone Ave., 624-5570

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays, 11-2 a.m. Saturdays, noon-9 p.m. Sundays

Details: Night owls downtown can enjoy a midnight meal of falafel and baklava here. Saturday nights, the restaurant is open until 2 a.m. with belly dancers and tango music.

THE CASBAH TEA HOUSE

628 N. Fourth Ave., 903-0305

Hours: (summer hours) 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays

Details: Sip on chai tea or enjoy organic and vegetarian cuisine that even meat eaters will rave about.

CHARIOT PIZZA

3930 N. Flowing Wells Road, 696-0807

and 1835 S. Alvernon Way, 750-8350

Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: The perfect place if you feel like takeout and delivery, though you can dine in as well. Pizza is not its only forte. Homemade lasagna and meatballs are customer favorites.

MARIO’S PIZZA

3157 N. First Ave., 622-3668

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4-10 p.m. Sundays

Details: A First Avenue must, Mario’s may look like a dive, but the pizza is to die for.

OLIVE GARDEN

300 W. Wetmore Road, 292-1077

5410 E. Broadway, 790-5787

and 1213 W. Irvington Road, 434-0789

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: The Olive Garden is a chain Italian restaurant with all the typical Italian dishes. Go for the all-you-can-eat salad and breadsticks.

ON THE BORDER MEXICAN GRILL

5205 E. Broadway, 745-9688

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: This family-friendly chain has a large selection of heavily Americanized Mexican food, including a bunch of fajitas, burritos and quesadillas.

RED GARTER SALOON

3143 E. Speedway Blvd., 325-0483

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Details: Just your standard pub food at this comfy bar, which has a large patio. See if its claim of having the best burgers in town is true.

RED ROBIN

4500 N. Oracle Road, 292-0888

Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays

Details: This chain has a variety of burgers and (a bonus!) a mall attached to it: Tucson Mall, to be exact.

ROSATI’S ON SIXTH

1838 E. Sixth St., 622-2200

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays

Details: If having your pizza cut into squares doesn’t bother you, Rosati’s has some excellent Chicago-style pizza (oddly, with a thin crust) for a good price.

TAQUERIA JUANITO’S

708 W. Grant Road, 623-2222

Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: A fantastic Mexican joint that cooks with no lard without sacrificing the flavor.

THE CUP CAFÉ

311 E. Congress St., 798-1618

Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: Located in the classic Hotel Congress, this place serves unique urban cuisine with such dishes as The Herbed Shroom and Mary Had a Rack of Lamb.

WINGS OVER BROADWAY

5004 W. Broadway, 323-8805

Hours: 4-10 p.m. Mondays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Details: This independent joint taps into the lucrative market of those who crave wings and beer.

ZACHARY’S PIZZA

1028 E. Sixth St., 623-6323

Hours: 4-10 p.m. Mondays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3-9 p.m. Sundays

Details: A local favorite, it has some of the best classic pan pizza in town, and the crew will put just about anything you want on it.

Eat Tucson: Our blog chews over the local dining scene. NEW: A frothy glass of Moose Drool, please. AND:The latest Bon Appetit

Ric's Cafe offers a full rack of ribs dinner and glass of house wine for $20.

Red Sky's chef-owner Steve Schultz has a prime rib dinner special for $19.95.

Tortilla Soup is an option in Miguel's summer deal.

Humberto Garcia and Lordes Ortiz enjoy chips, salsa and drinks while waiting for their food at Miguel's at La Posada, which offers a five-course meal with options for $18.

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MULTIMEDIA
Check out our interactive map to find the best dining deal in your area.

By Tom Stauffer, Dina L. Doolen

Tags: Dina L. Doolen, Restaurants, Taste-Restaurants, Tom Stauffer
Posted in Taste | Comments Off

Texan fare to celebrate Juneteenth
Wednesday, June 13th, 2007

Think Texan food, and your first thoughts may go to barbecue and that affront to Mexican cuisine Tex-Mex.

It’s a regional pride thing. Even our own cookbook critic, Larry Cox, admits his bias.

“I think of Texas food and Tucson food as sisters, both raised in the country,” he tells us.

“Texas food is fairly tame and predictable, while her more interesting sister sneaks an occasional cigarette, curses like a Teamster and enjoys life.”

Many Texans would beg to differ. So, to mark Juneteenth – commemorating June 19, 1865, the date slaves in Texas learned they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 – we thought it appropriate to offer a peek at Texan cuisine.

We say peek because Texas, bigger than many countries, is hugely diverse in its cuisine.

For example, eastern Texas cuisine is similar to Southern food, central Texas hill country fare has Slavic and German influences and western Texas eats are more Southwestern.

Although Tucson has the chains Texas Roadhouse and Texas T-bone Steakhouse, two locally owned eateries offer great Texas-style barbecue: Bubb’s Grubb and the renowned Mr. K’s Barbecue, started by ex-Texan Charles Kendrick.

Texan writer Corina Miller says Tex-Mex “is characterized by . . . such seasonings as cumin, red and black pepper and garlic.”

It was popularized by many southern Texas family restaurants, including El Rancho in Austin.

Chili con carne originated in Texas in the 18th century, and nachos (created in the border town of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico) and fajitas as we know them are 20th century Tex-Mex creations.

While German influences are well-regarded in Texas (Oktoberfests abound), German chocolate cake, which originated in Dallas, isn’t German. It is named for the founder of Baker’s Chocolate Co., Sam German. Then there’s Texas sheet cake, also popularized around 1960.

Since Father’s Day coincides with Juneteenth this year, we offer online recipes for both desserts.

Eat Tucson: Our blog chews over what’s new and exciting in local dining. New: Web site not impressed by Tucson block parties.

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German Chocolate Cake

If you do not have Eagle Brand condensed milk for the filling, use this substitute: Mix 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered milk mix with 1/2 cup water and 3/4 cup granulated sugar.

Shave off any high spots on the cake with a bread knife so the cakes stack evenly. Use scraps from the shavings to fill in any low spots.

Cake
1 package (4 ounces) Baker’s German’s sweet chocolate

1/2 cup water, boiling

1 cup butter or margarine

2 cup sugar

4 eggs, separated

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups flour, all-purpose

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

coconut-pecan frosting (recipe follows)

Melt chocolate in water and cool. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg yolks. Stir in vanilla extract and melted chocolate.

Mix flour, soda and salt. Beat in flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Pour batter into 3 9-inch layer pans, lined on bottoms with waxed paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly pressed in the center. Cool 15 minutes; remove and cool on rack.

Fill and frost cooled cake.

Filling and topping
1 14-ounce can of condensed milk such as Eagle Brand

1/2 cup water

3 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 1/3 cups pecans, chopped (Also reserve 10 pecan halves for garnish.)

1 3/4 cups Angel Flake coconut

Cook the milk, eggs and water over a double boiler until thickened. Cook it over direct heat if you use complete concentration.

Then add the vanilla and butter, and whisk in until it is melted and smooth. Add the chopped pecans and coconut.

Divide the filling evenly among the 3 cakes, putting the first layer down, then spreading the filling evenly. Repeat with the other layer.

Frost the side of the cake only.

For garnish, you can place pecan halves around the top edge. You can also add maraschino cherry halves.

Chocolate frosting (optional)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

9 squares Baker’s German’s sweet chocolate, melted and cooled

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 tablespoons milk

Note: For a richer chocolate flavor, add cocoa powder or use more chocolate.

Mix butter and chocolate in mixing bowl. Stir in powdered sugar.

Beat vanilla and milk until smooth and of spreading consistency.

Source: kitchenproject.com

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Texas Sheet Cake

2 cups sugar

2 cups flour, all-purpose

1/4 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup canola or other vegetable oil

1 cup water

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease and flour a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan.

Sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda and cinnamon, and set aside. Stir together the remaining ingredients. Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, stirring until you have a smooth, rather thin batter.

Pour into the prepared pan and bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting.

Frosting
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk

1/4 cup cocoa

1/2 cup butter

1 pound (about 4 cups) confectioner’s sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans

Mix the milk and cocoa in a heavy saucepan. Add the butter and, over medium heat, stir until the butter melts. Remove from heat and gradually stir in the sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the pecans.

When the cake is just out of the oven, spread the frosting evenly on the hot cake.

Source: texascooking.com

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ON THE WEB

> Read about Amarillo’s The Big Texan Steak Ranch: www.roadsideamerica.com/ attract/TXAMAsteak.html

> Texas Food TV: www.texasfoodtv.com

> Texas recipes, culture: www.texascooking.com, www.texasmonthly.com, www.texasescapes.com/Food/Food.htm

Tags: Dina L. Doolen, Holidays, Taste-Holidays, Taste-Holidays-Local
Posted in Local, Taste | Comments Off

Restaurant Notebook
Wednesday, June 13th, 2007

Schedule announced for fifth Tucson Culinary Festival
The schedule for the 2007 Tucson Culinary Festival has been announced.

The Oct. 4-7 festival at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort is sponsored by Tucson Originals, a group of local independent restaurants. The fifth annual event’s purpose is to celebrate “the culinary flavors and treasures of Tucson that help give the Old Pueblo its sense of place,” according to a statement.

The festival features a Reserve Tasting of boutique wines and appetizers, a Grand Tasting of Tucson Originals chefs’ dishes and more than 80 wines, plus the World Margarita and Copper Chef competitions and a buffet brunch.

Part of the festival’s proceeds go to the Community Food Bank and to New Beginnings for Women and Children.

Individual ticket prices range from $20 for some of the seminars to $145 for the Reserve Tasting. Packages also are offered. For more information, go to the festival Web site, tucsonculinaryfestival.com, or call 488-8601.

Hello . . .
. . . La Taverna di Gavi, 6960 E. Sunrise Drive, the revamped Gavi Italian Restaurant, serving French and Italian fare.

Keeping an eye on . . .
. . . Firkin & Friar English pub, 6958 E. Tanque Verde Road, in the former Fuego, set to open June 25 . . . Barrio Brewing, 800 E. 16th St., now looking at July . . . Soleil (March 2000), 3001 E. Skyline Drive, closed for remodeling.

Eat Tucson: Our blog chews over what’s new and exciting in local dining. New: Web site not impressed by Tucson block parties.

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2007 SCHEDULE

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Tucson Culinary Festival-related events are Oct. 4-7. Not all details have been finalized.

Unless noted, reservations are required. Prices are per person and do not include tax or tip.

Taste Plus

OCT. 4

WORLD MARGARITA COMPETITION: Cuvée World Bistro bartender Shelley Moe defends her title against bartenders from other independently owned Tucson bar-restaurants. Those attending may sample the eight finalists’ entries. When: 8-10 p.m. Where: Cuvée, 3352 E. Speedway Blvd. Price: $20 per person

OCT. 5

RESERVE TASTING: A selection of 30 to 40 boutique wines, including limited production reserves and rare wines seldom offered by the taste. They will be paired with specially prepared appetizers. When: 7-10 p.m. Where: Loews Ventana Canyon Resort’s Canyon Café, 7000 N. Resort Drive Price: $145

OCT. 6

MIXOLOGY CLASS: Taught by renowned master mixologist Tony Abu Ganim. The one-hour class covers cocktail recipes, techniques and tips for creating “your own signature drink.” When: to be announced Where: TBA at Loews Price: TBA

GRAND TASTING: Features more than 30 of the top Tucson Originals chefs sharing their signature dishes, plus tastings offered by more than 80 wine and spirit purveyors. Notable culinary authorities will be at the cookbook signing and sale table, plus signature wine collections will be offered in silent auction. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: Loews’ Grand Ballroom Price: $85 per person

OCT. 7

BUFFET BRUNCH: Loews’ award-winning executive chef Marc Ehrler shares some of his favorite dishes at the “Marc Ehrler and Friends” multicourse buffet brunch. When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Loews’ Canyon Café Price: $65

COPPER CHEF COMPETITION: Feast chef-owner Doug Levy defends his 2006 title against Jonathan’s Cork owner Jonathan Landeen, with each preparing a meal from a “mystery” bag of ingredients in 30 minutes. When: TBA Where: TBA Price: TBA

Tags: Dina L. Doolen, Restaurants, Taste-Restaurants, Taste-Restaurants-Local
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