The Spot: The Ivy 1890 West Germann Road, Chandler 480-699-6189 www.theivyaz.com The Hours: Happy hour is available daily from 3 to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9 p.m. to close. Perfect for: Getting your Mediterranean fix in the southeast Valley Interior: It’s difficult to put your finger on exactly what…
Last night, for the first time in more than a year, I pulled my old guitar from its melancholy confines in the bedroom closet, wiped off the dust that had collected between the strings, and played. My fingers were stubborn at first, reluctant to perform bends and stretches outside their now-usual…
In June, Eric Glomski, the winemaker behind Page Springs Cellars and Arizona Stronghold, released his latest project: a new wine label called Provisioner. Priced at $10 or less per bottle, Provisioner White is made from French Colombard, Chenin Blanc, and Malvasia grapes. It’s a light wine, focused around crisp citrus…
Three weeks into the Ten Weeks of Tiki series, Jade Bar and lead bartender Eddie Garcia are keeping classic tiki drinks flowing. And the combination of fresh juices, rums, and bitters at a resort bar is the perfect reminder to slow things down, if only for a drink or two. …
The Spot: The Attic 4247 East Indian School Road 602-955-1967 facebook.com/theattic4247 The Hours: Happy hour is from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Perfect for: Finger foods and affordable craft beer while watching the game The Interior: We’re not sure there’s any…
Plunking a slice of lime, lemon, or orange on the side of a glass of beer is a distinctly American tradition — one this writer wishes would kindly die. Not only do oils found in the peels of these fruits hinder head formation and rob you of precious aroma; they’re…
Nothing evokes sophistication and class like hosting your own wine and cheese party. However, while browsing through the tantalizing selections at Whole Foods or AJ’s, it can be difficult to know which wines go with which cheeses. In fact, pairing wine with food can be challenging in general. We know…
Craft cocktails were in vogue long before craft barbecue, but have the two ever crossed paths? Rarely. And certainly not often in Phoenix. But Adam Haggert, formerly of The Local and Merc Bar, has rolled out his second cocktail menu at Bootleggers’ second location in Old Town Scottsdale. It’s obscure,…
The Spot: La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop 5932 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale 623-939-3292 www.lasantisimagourmet.com The Hours: Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Perfect for: Tiny tacos and giant margaritas Interior: If you’ve been to the location of La Santisima on 16th Street in Phoenix, we…
Achtung! The brewers of Germany are best-known for clean lagers and fragrant hefeweizens, but this is but a small part of their contribution to the current craft beer landscape. Today our journey through beer history takes us to Bamberg, Germany, an ancient town located near the center of Deutschland known…
Make no mistake, the real-deal bartender is serious about the craft. So serious, in fact, that the best bartenders set themselves up for successful evenings, to banter and make conversation that leads drinkers away from the usual script and toward getting the best cocktail for into their hands. If you…
Along with mojitos and mai tais, sangria is a quintessential “umbrella” drink, perfect for poolside sipping. Traditionally made with wine, fruit juice, brandy, and heaps of chopped fruit, this Iberian classic is proof that sometimes wine can undo its top button and party down a bit. Here are our five…
The Spot: Linger Longer Lounge 6522 North 16th Street #6 602-264-4549 facebook.com/lingerlongerlounge The Hours: Happy hour is Monday through Friday 4 to 7 p.m. and all day Sunday. Perfect for: Happy hour with someone whose love is torn between good food and playing Jenga while listening to a killer playlist…
We’ve talked about the Trappists before, but here’s a quick refresher: Also known as the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, the Trappists are a Roman Catholic sect that follows the Rule of St. Benedict. Among other axioms, the Rule requires monks to take three vows: A Vow of…
Earlier this spring we told you about the arrival of Sorso Wine Room at the Scottsdale Quarter. We had heard about the 32-tap WineEmotion dispensing system, and to be honest, were pretty eager to try it out. It sounded so strange and intriguing; we needed to experience it first hand. …
The Spot: The Salt Cellar Restaurant 550 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale 480-947-1963 www.saltcellarrestaurant.com The Hours: Happy hour is daily from 4 to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the bar only. Perfect for: Giant oysters and a mental getaway Interior: The Salt Cellar in Scottsdale is one of the…
The origin of Oskar Blues, the name of Colorado’s canniest craft brewery, is shrouded in mystery. Some say the handle was inspired by a pair of hounds founder Dale Katechis and his brother, Chris, had growing up: Oskar and Blue. Some say Oskar Blue was a man Dale met while…
Just because the snowbirds are gone and you can actually find parking around town, doesn’t mean your social calendar has to completely dry up. In fact, there are wine dinner series and even educational events happening all over town during the next few months. So you don’t have to wade…
Friend 1 asks Friend 2 a seemingly trick question, “Hey, wanna go to Four Peaks for a cocktail?” Except it’s not a trick question at all. With a new Summer Signature Craft Cocktail Menu, Four Peak Brewery in Tempe has successfully debuted cocktails that are easier drinking than one might…
The Spot: Mejico Cocina Mejicana 2333 East Osborn Road 602-956-4420 mejicoaz.com The Hours: Happy hour is Monday through Friday 3 to 6 p.m. Perfect for: $5 margaritas and $1 tacos Interior: Mejico Cocina Mejicana is the perfect example of why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Because even though Mejico’s…
Summer is upon us, Phoenicians, and that means it’s time to switch up our wine game. Gone are the days of spicy Merlot and bold Bordeaux — for now at least — and here to take their place are light, chilled white wines and rosés. But that doesn’t mean you have to give…
Usually you’d drink a Negroni just ’cause — ’cause, you know, they’re delicious. But Negroni Week will give you the chance to drink for a cause. Next week bars around the world, the country, and right here in Phoenix are participating in Imbibe Magazine and Campari’s Negroni Week, which takes place from…
