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…
The Spot: Bei Sushi and Bar 2200 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-471-6609 beisushi.com The Hours: Happy hour is daily from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. Perfect for: Cheap sushi, cheap drinks, and tennis-ball-sized hunks of deep-fried imitation crab meat Interior: Stepping inside Bei Sushi for a Thursday…
Space. The final frontier. These are the voyages of my mouth. It’s an ongoing mission: to drink strange new beers. To seek out new brews from every civilization. To boldly drink what no man has drunk before. With apologies to Shatner, I’m stealing that mission statement from the starship Enterprise…
Later this summer, local entrepreneurs Craig Dziadowicz and Danielle Middlebrook will do their part to up the cool factor of downtown Phoenix by opening a wine store called Hidden Track Bottle Shop. Located at 111 West Monroe (in the same high-rise that houses the new coffeeshop Mornin’ Moonshine), Hidden Track will…
The glossy second draft of a Book o’ Cocktails is big and better, featuring drinks that are revisited, revised, and reinvented. H.G. Wells inspired images, dotted with nods to Dr. Who and illustrative styles of bygone eras, give a feel of what’s to come in your glass. The tour guide is…
The Spot: Perfect Pear 9845 South Priest Drive, Tempe 480-247-3410 perfectpearbistro.com The Hours: Happy hour is daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Perfect for: Cheap drinks and hummus nachos. Mostly the hummus nachos. Interior: Sit by the windows on the south side of the restaurant when you visit Perfect…
