As temperatures cool down, things heat up in the desert and Phoenix foodies have plenty to look forward to this week and throughout the month. Think multiple collaborative dinners, charity events, wine pairings, and autumn-inspired menus.
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Wren House Named Arizona Brewery of the Year
Raise a glass to Wren House, which was just named Arizona Brewery of the Year at the fifth annual Arizona Craft Beer Awards. Wren House took home gold for its Spellbinder Hazy IPA, along with three silver medals, beating out Tucson breweries Barrio Brewing and MotoSona, which tied for runner-up. 12 West Brewing won Best in Show for its Zona Light.
In total, 34 Arizona breweries took home hardware from 243 entries. The Arizona Craft Beer Awards Festival takes place October 31 in downtown Mesa, allowing you to taste the winning entries for yourself. All in the name of quality control, right?
Dust Cutter Debuts a New Fall Menu
Dust Cutter just rolled out a new fall menu and, after a taste test, we can assure you it’s excellent. For example, the Copper Spur Burger, which piles brisket, short rib, and chuck grind on a Noble pretzel bun with onion jam, black pepper truffle aioli, and an onion ring, served with pickles and fries. To wash it all down, we went full campfire with a root beer float featuring the local Sonoran Brew Co. root beer, toasted marshmallow, and a salted-caramel-and-graham cracker rim. It’s so good you might start singing Kumbaya.
Castle Hot Springs Welcomes Heitz Cellar for Desert Vines
The luxury, all-inclusive wellness resort outside of Scottsdale is bringing a taste of Napa Valley to the Sonoran Desert on November 12 as part of its Desert Vines series. The legendary Heitz Cellar’s intimate wine-paired dinner will celebrate the winery’s famed portfolio, including its iconic Martha Vineyard’s Cabernet Sauvignon, with Castle Hot Springs’ farm-driven cuisine. The dinner is $550 per person, sign up here.
Wagyu Master Shabu Pops Up in Peoria
Wagyu Master Shabu makes its way to Arrowhead Fountains Center in Peoria, offering diners options like all-you-can-eat Japanese, premium wagyu, seafood, and more. The restaurant concept, known for serving the finest marbled A5 beef hot pot style, plans to operate as a pop-up until its eventual transformation into a more permanent Wagyu Factory.
Maple & Ash Creates a Cocktail for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Maple & Ash Scottsdale is a steakhouse with a cause. To recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it launched a new cocktail called Second Chances, made with Grey Goose vodka, house-made fig vermouth, spiced pear, cran-apple, and citrus.
Every time it’s ordered in the month of October, the restaurant will donate $2 to Phoenix nonprofit Check for a Lump, which supports breast health education, screenings, and community resources.
Thirsty Lion Raises Funds During Old Fashioned Week for Food and Beverage Workers
Speaking of restaurants supporting a good cause, Thirsty Lion is donating $1 from every Elijah Craig Smoked Old Fashioned sold at its locations to the Southern Smoke Foundation from October 9 through 18. The foundation provides emergency assistance and mental health resources to food and beverage workers.
Arizona Credit Union Picks Up the Tab at Local Restaurants
Free lunch in this economy? Yes, please! On October 13, Arizona Credit Union will celebrate Pay It Forward Day by sending participating credit unions to locally owned Valley restaurants to pick up a few customers’ tabs during designated hours. Participating spots include the following:
- Proof Bread in Litchfield Park, 8 a.m. until supplies last
- The Black Sheep Coffee in Glendale, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
- Sourdough Pizza Italian Restaurant in Mesa, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- King of Gyros in Chandler, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Eric’s Family Barbecue in Avondale, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sidewinder Subs in Gilbert, 12 to 2 p.m.
- Tre Bicchieri in Glendale 12 to 2 pm..
- Brick Road Coffee in Tempe and Mesa, 7 to 8 a.m.
This annual event is part of the fourth Arizona Credit Union Week, which brings together 18 local credit unions to support Arizona communities, businesses, and nonprofits. And since we’ve been wanting to try the new pumpkin muffins from Black Sheep Coffee, well, we’re headed down there to try our luck. Because who doesn’t love an undercover bill payer (or whatever their official title is)?
The Global Ambassador and JL Patisserie Team Up for Girls Who Bake
Noticing a theme here? Our restaurants just can’t get enough this fall of helping out charities and we are here for it, especially when two of the biggest names in pastry get involved. Sam Fox and JL Patisserie founder Jenna Leurquin announced they’ll be collaborating on a Smashed Raspberry Almond Croissant and Raspberry Almond Danish.
For a limited time (October 7 through 11), find these goodies at Le Market, located inside Global Ambassador. The profits will go to Girls Who Bake, an organization working to inspire the next generation of young girls through baking. Other JL Patisserie favorites will also make appearances, like the Pumpkin Spice Cruffin.
Virtù Honest Cafe Hosts a Collaborative Dinner
Want more chances to support charity collabs? Three acclaimed Valley chefs are also teaming up for a good cause. On Oct. 8, James Beard-nominated chef Gio Osso will welcome chefs Joshua Herbert and Bernie Kantak to Virtù Honest Craft for a four-course dinner benefiting the American Heart Association.
The evening begins with a cocktail hour before moving into a wine-paired dinner showcasing Booker Wines from Paso Robles and a silent auction. Tickets are $375 per person, plus tax and gratuity, purchased here.
Uchi Scottsdale and Vale Matcha Create an Eight-Course Matcha Dinner
You had us at matcha. On October 8, Uchi Scottsdale will partner with Arizona-based Vale Matcha for an eight-course, omakase-style tasting menu devoted to the ingredient. Dishes include Kumiai oyster with matcha, cucumber and green pepper; madai crudo with pandan matcha zu; and tea-smoked duck congee. Two collaborative matcha cocktails will be available in the main dining room that evening. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
NOOR Mediterranean Launches Late-Night Weekend Parties
Dinner is only the start of the night at Noor Mediterranean at Shea and Tatum. The new “Where the Dinner Ends and the Night Begins” program will take place throughout the fall and winter.
During the program you can visit every Friday and Saturday and expect rotating international DJs and an ‘80s and ‘90s Social Club, paired with a reverse happy hour menu and drinks. The after-dinner party starts at 10 p.m. and continues until 2 a.m., turning night owls into real party birds.
Ling’s Wok Shop Celebrates Five Years with Woktoberfest
Oktoberfest is cool, but have you heard of Woktoberfest? Ling’s Wok Shop’s enjoying its fifth anniversary all month long with a different weekly deal for Wokstar Rewards members. Through October 7, members get $5 off purchases of $25 or more, followed by freebies like Limeade Refreshers, matcha, and Korean cauliflower later in the month. The festivities wrap up October 22 through 31 with $10 off the Wokstar Family Feast.
