The tender: Rich Heider IIThe bar: The Casablanca Lounge (7134 E. Stetson Dr., 480-970-7888) The pedigree: Heider was once a corporate bar trainer for Dave & Buster’s, opening locations in Maple Grove, Minn., Times Square and Tempe. He helped open J&G Steakhouse, then became GM at a few Scottsdale nightclubs, then…
The Spot: Big Earl’s BBQ, 7213 E. First Ave., Scottsdale, 480-947-6800. www.bigearlsbbq.comThe Hours: 2 – 6pm, Monday through Friday.The Details: Happy hour at this BBQ joint is simple: Choose from 5 finger-lickin’ appetizers priced at $5 each, plus $3 Bud Light drafts, red sangria and Rancho Allegre 100% Agave Margaritas…
Beer: Smashed PumpkinBrewery: Shipyard Brewing Co. Style: Pumpkin AleABV: 9 percent We at Chow Bella spent some time last week talking about pumpkin fatigue — how pumpkins and things flavored with pumpkin, much like premature Christmas decorations, have started sneaking into stores before they’re welcome. As noted, the world of…
This past weekend — as brewers and beer lovers got sauced during their yearly visit to Denver and the beer Mecca that is the Great American Beer Festival — four Arizona breweries took home medals. For those who don’t know, the Great American Beer Festival is one of the…
Yesterday we met Tammy Hartman, rancher, swimming instructor and longtime bartender at TEXAZ Grill. Today she shares with us the recipe for the Santa Ana Shake, a boozy dessert drink made with ice cream, Kahlua and tequila — ingredients you wouldn’t expect to play together as nicely as they do…
The tender: Tammy Hartman The bar: TEXAZ Grill (6003 N. 16th St., 602-248-7827) The pedigree: Hartman has been bartending in places throughout the Valley for 30 years. She got her start working alongside her sister at The Monastery, a venerable neighborhood bar that’s now closed, and jumped around several more…
The Spot: Citizen Public House, 7111 E. 5th Avenue Ste. E. Scottsdale, 480-398-4208.www.citizenpublichouse.comThe Hours: 3 – 6pm, daily. The Details: “CPH Social” (yes, even the name of their happy hour is unique) offers a daily $2 discount on specialty cocktails, wine by the glass, draft beer, and bar snacks. Bar…
Beer: Black XantusBrewery: Nectar AlesStyle: American Imperial StoutABV: 13 percent The birdwatcher enters the bar, cautious yet optimistic — he’s heard the Black Xantus has been spotted nearby. Usually expert at landing the scarcest finds, the birdwatcher has until now been frustrated in his search for this particular animal. Suddenly,…
[jump] The ingredients:1 can Red Bull2 oz. cherry vodka How to make it:Find a pointy object and stab a nickel-sized hole in the side of your can of Red Bull. Drink about two ounces from the opened can, then pour in the vodka. Tilt the can skyward, crack open…
The tender: Lexi HuckabyThe bar: DiVerti Bar & Grill (4 E. University Dr., 480-284-5972)The pedigree: Huckaby’s father worked for an oil company, so the family moved a lot — she lived in Brazil, Dubai, Egypt, London, Bangkok and Turkey before turning 15. A “traveling bartender” for the past four years,…
The Spot: Geisha A Go Go, 7150 E. 6th Ave., Scottsdale, 480-699-0055.www.geishaagogo.comThe Hours: 3 to 7pm. daily. Open to close (3 pm – 2am) every Sunday.The Details: Enjoy half off select apps and drinks every day — but what we really enjoy is Sunday’s deal at this happy hour spot. Rock…
Beer: Pumpkin PorterBrewery: Four Peaks Brewing Co. Style: American porterABV: 5.5 percent Here in Arizona, we don’t get much indication when the seasons change. The unbearably high temperatures might drop to slightly less unbearable range; the leaves might go from green straight to dead. Looking outside, you might not be able…
Yesterday we met Tammy Abney, bartender and serial hugger at Mastro’s City Hall. Today she shares with us the recipe for the Dream Berry, a martini she says has been very popular this summer. “It’s really good, very refreshing, Abney says. “It’s a little bit sweeter than most drinks, but not…
The tender: Tammy AbneyThe bar: Mastro’s City Hall Steakhouse (6991 E. Camelback Rd., 480-941-4700)The pedigree: Abney never went to bartending school — she started her career as a cocktail waitress at DJ’s Bar & Grill and worked her way up. She joined up with the Mastro Group in 1994 at…
The Spot: Roosevelt Tavern, 816 N. Third St., Phoenix, 602-254-2561.http://twitter.com/roosevelttavernThe Hours: 5 to 7pm, weekdays (closed Monday). All night long, Sundays. The Details: Happy hour just got even happier at this historic Downtown Phoenix destination. Choose from four options — $3 featured beer, $4 featured bar snack, $5 select white wine,…
Beer: ClutchBrewery: New Belgium Brewing Co. Style: American stoutABV: 9 percent It’s well-known that most brewers are major fans of rock and roll. Walk into a brewhouse when brewers are hard at work crafting beer and you’re likely to some heavily distorted, high energy stuff coming through the speakers. Much…
Yesterday we met Jenna Cacciamani, bartender at Tempe pizza place/beer bar Mellow Mushroom. Today she shares with us the recipe for the Baked Pear Martini, a drink she created that’s on the restaurant’s menu. “The prickly pear vodka comes from a local place,” Cacciamani says. “We try to do that…
The tender: Jenna Cacciamani The bar: Mellow Mushroom (740 S. Mill Ave. 480-967-6355) The pedigree: When Cacciamani’s manager at Applebee’s needed a bartender about 8 years ago, she was originally opposed– she was working tables, was fine with the money she was earning and liked her regulars. But she eventually ended up…
Beer: PerseveranceBrewery: Alaskan Brewing Co. Style: Russian Imperial StoutABV: 9 percent To last a quarter century in the beer industry takes a lot of perseverance. So does consistently producing award-winning brews in temperatures that would make Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat bundle up. But Alaskan Brewing Co., based in frosty Juneau,…
The Spot: Four Peaks Brewing Company, 1340 E. 8th St., Tempe,480-303-9967www.fourpeaks.comThe Hours: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., daily. The Details: You could sum up the happy hour at this reputable local brewery in three words: cheap specialty beer. Their daily discount knocks $1…
The Spot: Jade Bar, 5700 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, 480-948-2100www.sanctuaryoncamelback.comThe Hours: The Pour runs from 4 – 6 p.m., and reverse runs from 10 p.m. – midnight, daily. The Details: Located within the swanky Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa is the classy Jade Bar and their patio cocktail lounge,…
Beer: Arizona Centennial Ale & Arizona Centennial Copper AleBrewery: Sonoran Brewing Co. Style: American wheat ale, Extra Special Bitter On Feb. 14, 2012, our beloved state will have been part of the union for 100 years. An entire century! It’s a big deal deserving of celebration, and there’s no better…
