Food festival season is in full swing in other parts of the country, but in the Valley of the Sun, it's already too hot to crowd around outside with a thousand other people to score a bite of meat grilled over the open flame -- even if it is insanely delicious. That's no great loss, however, because instead Phoenix residents can score 30 Small Bites of Summer for $30. This deal is like a DIY food festival spread out over three months, so you can relax at a table instead of waiting in long lines. And the experience won't end with a massive food hangover.
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Buy a Small Bites of Summer dining card for $30, and you can stop by 30 of Phoenix's top restaurants to enjoy a pre-selected small plate any time in June, July, or August. Participating restaurants include fine-dining favorites FnB, House of Tricks, and Petite Maison; new standouts Otro Café, Phoenix Public Market Café, and Searsucker; and standbys like Malee's Thai Bistro, Wright's at the Biltmore, and Christopher's Crush. One small plate is served per card presented, no reservations required.
Dining cards are available to purchase online, or call 602-222-3463 to get discounts on bulk purchases (10% off 50-99 cards, 20% off 100+ cards). A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross to support disaster relief efforts for the Oklahoma City tornado. Only a limited number of these deals are available. Although Small Bites of Summer can be redeemed through August 31, these cards will not last that long!
These restaurants aren't skimping on the goods, either, and a few have planned different specials every month to accommodate dietary restrictions (or for those who just don't want to eat grilled beef heart). Here are a few bites to look forward to:
Foie gras milkshake with blackberry swirl at Binkley's Restaurant
Albacore crudo with green apple, black garlic, and truffle at Crudo (June offering)
Honey tamarind-glazed chicken lollipop at RnR
Corn cake soufflé at Los Sombreros
Honeydew gazpacho with grilled shrimp and lime at J&G Steakhouse (August offering)
Cheesesteak sliders at Del Frisco's Grille
Signature spicy tuna hanabi at Sushi Roku
Bison carpaccio at Gertrude's (June offering)