The Spot: Culinary Dropout, 7531 E Camelback Rd. Scottsdale, 480-970-1700, http://www.foxrc.com/culinary_dropout.html The Hours: Happy Hour runs from 3 to 6 pm, M-F in the bar and on the patio. The Details: The gastropub idea is catching on everywhere. Sam Fox offers a pre-packaged ”boutique” concept of one at Culinary Dropout. While…
Yesterday we met Zach Ogle, the beer geek pouring drinks at Papago Brewing Co. The bartenders at Papago love to mix beers together, and today Ogle shares with us the recipe for one such mix: the Hop Suicide. Because it’s a simple combination of whatever hoppy stuff Papago happens to currently…
A good beer bar needs several things: good grub, an extensive tap list and a knowledgeable beer geek to do the pouring. Papago Brewing Co. (7107 E McDowell Rd., 480-425-7439) has killer pizza (check), 32 taps’ worth of delicious craft brews (check) and Zach Ogle (double check). A native of…
The Spot: Canteen Modern Tequila Bar, 640 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-773-7135 http://www.canteentequilabar.com The Hours: Chase some tacos with tequila during “Halfy Hour” between 4 and 6:30 pm every day of the week. The Details: The aptly named Halfy Hour includes half-priced house margaritas, beer, and well drinks, and half…
Beer appreciation (some might say snobbery) takes a certain amount of dedication. Constant vigilance in trying out new brews, keeping up with trends and happenings, all this and more is more or less required of the avid beer enthusiasts. As such, Zach Fowle, Chow Bella contributor and (putting it mildly)…
The adjacent liquor store, Tops Liquors, stocks hundreds of bottles of tequila, vodka, rum and the like, but Taste of Tops (403 W. University Drive, 480-967-5643) doesn’t serve any of that. In fact, ask for a pint of Bud on draft and you’ll be laughed out of the place. Taste of Tops…
At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…
The Spot : The Roosevelt Tavern, 816 N Third St. Phoenix, 602-254-2561. http://twitter.com/RooseveltTavern The Hours: 5 to 7 pm, M-F. All night, Sundays The Details: During happy hour, The Roosevelt offers one beer selection for $3, a select white wine for $5, a red wine for $6, and one snack for $4…
In case you missed it (or you’re just awakening from a beer-induced coma and need a reminder) AZ Beer Week is in full effect. If, like Benjamin Franklin, you believe beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy, get ready to worship at your choice…
At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…
Yesterday we met Amber Miller, the beauty pouring drinks Friday and Saturday nights at Axis/Radius. Today she shares with us the recipe for the Creamsicle, a drink that tastes exactly like it sounds. “It’s my favorite go-to drink for birthday shots or if a girl asks for a fruity or…
Amber Miller doesn’t get a lot of sleep these days. Along with being a full-time student at ASU working toward a master’s in public relations, she also works at Sachi Salon & Spa, interns at ABC 15 News, and for the past eight months has been behind the bar at…
The Spot: Caffe Boa, 398 S. Mill Ave. Tempe, 480-968-9112, http://www.cafeboa.com The Hours: 4 to 7 pm, daily. Caffe Boa gets a little extra credit for hosting Happy Hour through the weekend. The Details: Available only in the bar, Happy Hour prices include half price wine by the glass priced…
Yesterday we met Micah Olson, the sommelier and cocktail artist behind Jade Bar. Today he shares with us the recipe for the Flying Blueberry Sour. “It’s a variation on a gin sour with blueberries and tarragon,” Olson says. “It’s going to be on our menu in the spring. Blueberries and…
At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…
Micah Olson got his start in the food industry as a cook at age 16 and eventually profited from his love for wine by earning his sommelier certification, taking over the wine program at Sanctuary on Camelback’s Jade Bar (5700 E. McDonald Drive, 480-948-2100) about three-and-a-half years ago. At the same…
The Spot: Brio Tuscan Grille, San Tan Village Mall, 2150 E. Williams Field Rd. Suite 118, Gilbert, 480-917-9177,www.brioitalian.com There is another location at 15301 N Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. The Hours: Monday through Friday 3-7 pm and then again from 9 pm to close. The Details: While we were surprised that…
Yesterday we met Justin Bolotnik, the man who’s tended bar in several foreign lands, once got a $1,000 tip and spent a night with George Clooney at the titty bar. Today he shares with us the recipe for the Ticoz Sunrise, a drink that isn’t on the Ticoz menu yet,…
At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…
Justin Bolotnik may be a new face at Ticoz Resto-Bar (5114 N. 7th St., 602-200-0160), but he’s an old hand at bartending, having logged time at T.G.I.Friday’s (where he got his start at 17), Hard Rock Café (where he opened several international spots and helped rewrite the drink menu while…
The Spot : Picazzo’s Organic Kitchen, 440 W. Warner Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284. 480-831-5823 www.picazzos.com Picazzo’s has four other valley locations: The Esplanade; North Scottsdale; Paradise Valley; and Goodyear. Check each location for variations in menu and prices. Other AZ locations include: Casa Grande, Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff, and Surprise. The…
At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…
