3 Best Places to Eat and Drink This Week in Metro Phoenix

Cowboy Ciao Tuesday, October 14 Friendly competition between local wine experts is nothing new to Cowboy Ciao. In fact, the restaurant regularly hosts Sommelier Showdowns that pit two wine professionals against each other in a contest to pick a better pairing. This month the restaurant is shaking things up from...

By Lauren Saria

October 13, 2014

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Cowboy Ciao Tuesday, October 14

Friendly competition between local wine experts is nothing new to Cowboy Ciao. In fact, the restaurant regularly hosts Sommelier Showdowns that pit two wine professionals against each other in a contest to pick a better pairing. This month the restaurant is shaking things up from the usual routine by putting on a three-way Sommelier Showdown featuring Lyle Railsback of Kermit Lynch Imports, restauranteur Eric Railsback, and of course, Cowboy Ciao owner/wino Peter Kasperski. The dinner, which will begin at 6:30, will feature five courses with three -- yeah that's right, three -- wine pairings per course. Tickets cost $65 and reservations are required. Call 480-946-3111.

Tertio Thursday, October 16

There's certainly no shortage of wine dinners these days (see above) but it's not always easy to find vegetarian options at such events. That's why we're happy to inform you that Tertio Wine Bar will be hosting a vegetarian wine dinner this week. The five course Mediterranean dinner will include dishes such as stuffed grape leaves, Italian wedding soup, eggplant rotolini, and lasagne with Portobello mushrooms. Featured wines will include Torri Mor Pinot Gris 2012, Caldero Pinot Nero Alto Adige 2010, and Ware Port. Vegan options are available. Tickets cost $55 per person. For a reservation call 602-672-0785 or email [email protected].

Williams Sonoma Biltmore Friday, October 17

As we head into the holiday season, local lifestyle and entertaining expert Cheryl Najafi wants to get families back into the kitchen. In her new book Mother Daughter Dishes Najafi teamed up with her own mom, Peggy, to reinvent classic comfort food recipes with fresher alternatives. The book features some of Najafi's favorite childhood dishes, as well as family recipes that have been updated to include modern techniques. On Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Najafi will be at Williams Sonoma Biltmore to sign copies of the book, which is also available online for $18.22. For more information about Najafi visit her blog, CherylStyle.

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