A Night with the Stars
May 2-42502 E. Camelback Road, #112The recently opened modern Italian restaurant Ambrogio15 will host an eight-course tasting menu curated by Michelin-starred chef Silvio Salmoiraghi paired with craft cocktails developed by mixologist Marco Russo – the same team responsible for the developing Phoenix location’s everyday menu. Tickets are $249 per person and may be reserved on OpenTable.
Mint Julep mixology class
May 37200 N. Scottsdale Road, Paradise ValleyLearn how to mix the perfect mint julep, just in time for the Kentucky Derby. During this interactive bartending class, hosted at The Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas, mixologists will guide guests through the process of crafting this whiskey-based cocktail. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased through Eventbrite.
Celebrate Star Wars Day with Lego building, beer tasting and burger eating at The Joy Lush Club.
Otto Rascon/Pexels
Bricks & Brews: May the Fourth Edition
May 424 W. Camelback Road, #D & EThe Joy Lush Club’s Lego-building and beer-tasting event is getting a “Star Wars” edition. The beer and wine bar has teamed up with Bricks & Minifigs Central Phoenix, Dark Sky Brewing Co. and Stoop Kid for an evening of making, sipping and eating. The $48 ticket includes your choice of “Star Wars” Lego kit, a pint from Dark Sky and a meal from the downtown burger spot Stoop Kid. Space is limited and tickets can be purchased online.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
May 5Various locationsIn addition to plenty of raucous parties happening across the Valley, dining deals and discounted drinks abound for Cinco de Mayo. Hamburguesas y Cervezas will offer $10 nachos, $3 Mexican draft beers, $6 house margaritas and complimentary chips and salsa all day long. Joyride Taco House will launch a new daily happy hour, starting May 5. Until 6 p.m., Joyride diners can sip $6 margaritas, ranch waters, draft pitchers and wine and munch on new snacks such as nopalitos and crinkle-cut fries served with an al pastor aioli and tomatillo ranch dressing. Or, treat yourself with Weft & Warp’s limited edition menu, available May 2 to 5, which includes dishes such as a red snapper ceviche and cinnamon rice pudding with tequila-soaked raisins.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is one of several restaurants around the Valley offering discounts to honor teachers and nurses. Both will receive a 15% discount from May 6 to 10.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
Honor teachers and nurses
May 6-12Various locationsMay is a month of gratitude – with Teacher Appreciation Week from May 6 to 10 and National Nurses Week from May 6 to 12. From May 6 to 10, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria will offer a 15% discount to teachers and nurses at its seven Valley locations. During that same timeframe, Mesquite Fresh Street Mex will offer 25% of meals for nurses, teachers and faculty when they show their work ID at checkout. Mountain Mike’s Pizza will offer teachers a 15% discount on all pizzas on May 7 with the code “TEACHER24”.
Pizza date night
May 825062 S. Meridian Road, Queen CreekJoin Queen Creek Olive Mill for a date night where you and your partner will don aprons and learn how to stretch, toss and bake pizza dough to make the perfect pie. The date night menu includes three courses and wine pairings. Tickets are $95 and may be purchased on Eventbrite.
TPC Scottsdale will play host to the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic, and the beer festival that happens during the tournament.
Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0/Flickr
AZ Beer Fest on the Course
May 1117020 Hayden Road, Scottsdale The AZ Beer Fest on the Course is back. Held during the third round of the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic at TPC Scottsdale, the festival will feature local brewers including Huss Brewing Co., Bone Haus Brewing, Phoenix Beer Co. and more. Brewers will pour samples for tournament spectators who are 21 years and older. Tournament tickets are $10 and may be purchased online.
Taste of Korea
May 1111640 N. 19th Ave.This cultural festival and expo, hosted at Kingdom In The Valley Christian Church, will feature Korean and Asian street food, activities and interactive exhibitions. Grab Korean barbecue or a bubble tea and get immersed in the culture through music, games, crafts and more. This family-friendly event is free for all ages.
For Mother's Day, The Americano will serve a prix fixe brunch and offer mimosa service and a bloody mary cart.
The Americano
Mother’s Day celebrations
May 11-12Various locationsThere’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the moms in your life this Mother’s Day. Groove to the live DJ, play yard games and indulge at Mother’s Day brunch buffet at The Duce. The all-you-can-eat lineup includes an egg station, brown sugar bacon and biscuits and gravy. Moms get a free mimosa and coffee service will be provided by Caffio Espresso. Treat mom to a prix fixe brunch at The Americano that will feature entrees including eggs Benedict, ricotta waffles and avocado toast with king crab, as well as mimosa service and a bloody mary cart. Take your fur babies to #LOVEPUP Foundation’s Third Annual Dog Mom’s Day on May 11 at the Ashley Castle in Chandler. The event will feature tea, nibbles, treats and live string music.
Ice Cream 101
May 181325 W. University Drive, TempeJust in time for the hot summer months, Tracy Dempsey Originals will host an intimate ice cream-making class. Guests will learn how to create a vanilla bean ice cream base, as well as an herb-infused ice cream with mint chocolate chips and a mix-in ice cream with cookies. Participants will sample these treats and take home a pint of their own. RSVPs must be made by May 10. Tickets are $40 per person, or $36 for ODV Wine Club members. Learn more and book here.
Meet Arizona farmers and bakers, including Barrio Bread's Don Guerra, at the From Seed to Slice Arizona Field Trip.
Sara Crocker
From Seed to Slice Arizona Field Trip
May 203830 E. Indian School RoadJoin the Bread Bakers Guild of America on a day-long field trip to learn more about local bakeries and the journey from grain to your table. The trip will begin at Essence Bakery over coffee and croissants with owner Eugenia Theodosopoulos. Then, hop on a bus bound for Gila Bend, where you’ll tour Oatman Farms and learn about its regenerative techniques. From there, guests will head to Queen Creek to learn about stone milling from Hayden Flour Mills and then visit Barrio Bread at Hayden's Gilbert facility for lunch. James Beard award-winning baker Don Guerra has hosted a weekly pop-up, baking a selection of bread in Gilbert since October. After a tour with Guerra wraps in Gilbert, the bus will return to Essence Bakery. Space is limited; tickets for the field trip are $135 for guild members, $160 for non-members.
Arizona Restaurant Week
May 17-26Various locations Arizona Restaurant Week returns for the springtime edition of this biannual dining event. Over 10 days, diners can choose from 160 restaurants and savor preset menus for discounted prices. Among some of this spring’s newcomers are the downtown Phoenix neighborhood spot First & Last, modern Mexican restaurant Santo Arcadia and chef Bernie Kantak’s newest all-day Scottsdale eatery Beginner’s Luck.
