I sort of understand why today would be a good day for restaurants to promote themselves.
After you've done your time under a pile of paperwork -- and perhaps coughed up some dough to Uncle Sam -- you could use a free taco from Taco del Mar (print out a tax day freebie coupon from their website) or 15 percent off your entire bill at any P.F. Chang's today.
But when did Earth Day become such a prime promo day?
Now, nestled between Easter and Mother's Day specials, we have yet another reason to dine out. And in case the date doesn't readily pop into your mind, it's April 22.
Quiessence is pimping itself as "Phoenix's top Eco-restaurant" with its $75 Earth Day gala dinner, a five-course vegetarian feast and tour of Maya's Farm right next door.
Stone Rose Lounge, at the Fairmont Scottsdale, is unveiling a new "green" cocktail with VeeV acai spirit, fresh basil, cucumber, lemon & simple syrup, while Dutch Bros. Coffee will be offering $1 coffee drinks to people who bring in their own reuseable mugs.
Chef Eddie Matney will serve a locavore dinner featuring local farm products, all by candlelight (get it? Earth Day?), at Eddie's House on April 22 as well.
And Fine's Cellar, while not officially mentioning Earth Day, is coincidentally launching its new "Fine's Thrifty Fixe Dinner," a $30 three-course dinner, on April 22. Fine's will roll out a different menu every Wednesday starting at 5 p.m., and will feature 20 different wines for $20.
Here's the menu for week one: Course one - Panzanella. Course two - your choice of either Short Ribs with Bee Pollen, Corn Bread & Saba Tomato Jam or Market Fish with Casino Hash or for vegetarians; Vegetable Risotto. Course three dessert - Fried Gelato.
