Word has it that Morton’s Steakhouse in Phoenix at the Esplanade will be closing its doors by end of day today (if it hasn’t already). Where can you find a juicy Morton’s Steak in Arizona? Morton’s will still serve the Scottsdale crowd at their Kierland Commons location, per their website. Local carnivores will have to wait until Del Frisco’s Steakhouse Frics Phoenix in the coming months.
We’re counting down the top stories of 2011. Check back daily for what you missed loved this past year on DLT. Happy New Year! We’ll see you in 2012!
As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (or at least since we launched way back in 2010).
As we get ‘Gleek-ed’ up for the return of “Glee,” we’re bringing back this Q&A with everybody’s fav cheerleader and former ASU student, Heather Morris (aka Brittany).
While in town for the launch of Glee Live, Heather Morris, aka the dippy cheerleader, Brittany, took a few minutes to swap some one liners with us. As ASU’s favorite drop-out and a former back-up dancer for Beyonce, Morris dished about her lack of party skills, as well as preserving her perfect make-out record when she smooched a local youngin. Interview after the jump.
We’re counting down the top stories of 2011. Check back daily for what you missed loved this past year on DLT. Happy New Year! We’ll see you in 2012!
Have you seen the Direct TV commercial with the miniature giraffe called “Opulence, I Has It”? (If not, do yourself a favor and watch it the video link below.) Either way, ladies and gentleman, meet the breeder of those ridiculously-cute miniature giraffes from that commercial…
Or not. After poking around their website, this is either a completely ridiculous and elaborate (Go Direct TV) hoax, or they’re legit. And yes, we realize that if they are in fact real, they are animals not objects. Really this is just an excuse to point out their adorableness, real or otherwise.
See a full gallery of photos (calling all Photoshop experts) and sign the “I Want Giraffe Wait-list” here because apparently, the latest newborn is reserved for a Prince. So you know, you’ve got that to compete with.
Here’s the original commercial. Note the dogs playing poker in the background.
As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.
If this one doesn’t make you laugh, then you’ve got no sense of humor. Graphic designer Theo Olesen hand designs a swear word a day, just for the hell of it. A few of our favorite (PG-13) words are below, but for a more in-depth look at his creative process and the NSFW versions, click here.
Balance is imperative in a cocktail. Not only in their taste, but also in their ability to make you lose yours. Screw balance. The stiffer the better. Looks like this glass may have had oneeee too many.
Ingredients:
3 oz Crown Royal
1/2 oz peach Schnapps
1/2 oz pineapple juice
Dash of bitters
Preparation:
Shake all incredients in an ice-filled mixing glass. Pour over rocks. Top with a splash of soda.
Glass by Nouvel Studio, drink created by MercBar, photographed by Craig Price
As if your car wasn’t hot enough already, these tunes will pump up any ol’ dashboard. Drive confidently knowing that your stoplight game is at 110%. Maybe even hot enough to make it all the way to Santa Fe, just be sure to thank DJ William Reed for his efforts when you arrive.
Air France- It Feels Good To Be Around You
Das Racist- Michael Jackson
Beirut-Santa Fe
Tycho-Hours
Chromeo-When the Night Falls
Hear that? The whistle’s a blowin’ and the wheels are a rollin’, so jump on board!
First stop, escape the daily grind and take a day trip to Clarkdale, Arizona for an End of the Summer Excursion aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad. Skip the messy camping trip and enjoy cocktails and appetizers as you take a four hour expedition through Arizona’s backcountry while relaxing in a chic refurbished vintage car instead.
Want to leave the kids at home? The Verde Canyon Railroad has extra special trips set up for the 21+ crowd. Starting this Saturday until September 10th passengers can enjoy tequila and wine tasting on the Saturday night Starlight Tours. Starry starry bliss.
Bus travel more your style? Check out the Wickenburg Film Commission’s overnight bar crawl. Every frat boy’s dream come true begins early Saturday morning in Wickenburg and focuses on Arizona’s most historic bars including the Wagon Wheel Saloon in Patagonia and the Desert Diamond Resort & Casino in Tucson. Two days of beers, busses and brawls, the fee includes transportation, breakfast, lunch, breakfast again (no need to fuss over dinner) and drink coupons. For more information on how to sign up contact the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce.
Whether traveling by bus or by train, this train (bus) is bound for glory!
This isn’t your grandmother’s china. Danish design company Phucisme achieves pottery perfection with these minimalist fine bone china cups. Embellished with an 80′s cool neon design, they’re available in black+red, black+green, black+yellow etc. Use anywhere except Miami Beach. Because that’s “where neon goes to die.”
If this one doesn’t make you laugh, then you’ve got no sense of humor. Graphic designer Theo Olesen hand designs a swear word a day, just for the hell of it. A few of our favorite (PG-13) words are below, but for a more in-depth look at his creative process and the NSFW versions, click here.
Remember wayyyy back in May of last year when we stumbled across a little blog called 101 Uses for My Ex-Wife’s Wedding Dress? Well not only has Tucson resident Kevin Cotter achieved 101 uses (his favorite being the Darth Vader scarecrow), but he’s also secured a book deal. The story of “how one man took an awkward situation and made it hilarious and practical,” is currently available for pre-order from Amazon here. We’re seriously wishing we could see his ex-wife’s reaction, because really, this is infuriatingly awesome.
Living up to the hype surrounding the making (Drew Barrymore directs), Best Coast’s Our Deal tells the story of a Night Creeper and Day Trotter in love. Think Grease meets West Side Story set against a catchy pop tune. But you know, that’s not our deal.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkbnmn
Here at DLT we like to come up with really catchy pop-culture headlines, but in this case, the name of our subject is all too perfect. If you haven’t already, please familiarize yourself with Modern Manor, a mid-century modern home furnishing mecca nestled just off 7th and Camelback with a serious case of M-azing (sorry, couldn’t help it).
Owned by Ryan and Kylie Durkin, the shop was opened with one purpose, to ‘help create homes with personality.’ It’s packed to the gills with tables and chairs, as well as decorative odds and ends including old science books, clocks and globes. Most intriguing, is the room containing vintage marquee letters in various fonts and sizes – some with birds nests intact. The final resting place of the once imfamous “Electric Ladyland” signage, you can create any word, hell, any sentence, to adorn your wall.
Recently, (as in yesterday) the Durkins have returned from a brief summer hiatus with a trailer full of shiny old items. They’re open Thursday-Sunday for your poking-around pleasure. But hurry, as they were recently featured on Apartment Therapy, so they’re officially Phoenix’s worst kept secret.
Modern Manor
716 W. Hazelwood St. Phoenix, AZ 85013
www.modernmanorstore.com
The Casa Carmel apartments have never been what one would call a ‘nice place to live.’ In fact, they were the sorts of places where you would expect an episode of Law and Order SVU to start. That is until they were purchased and remodeled by local designer/landscape architect/artist Bill Tonnesen. The 20 unit complex located at 2222 S. Rural Rd. has been entirely renovated and the transformation is entirely astonishing. A charming and cozy garden style apartment complex, take a look for yourself at the incredible before and after photos. Complete with art instillations and a “tin man’ on the roof, Casa Carmel just got a whole lot sweeter.
As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.
The Queen is dead, but that doesn’t mean we can’t party. On September 2nd, Andy Rourke bassist of the legendary band The Smiths will be making a guest DJ appearance during Sticky Fingers at Bar Smith in Phoenix. For a $10 cover you can enjoy the sounds of The Smiths (among others) as played by a former member. Sticky Fingers founder William Reed says its the “next best thing” to seeing The Smiths live, because for those who still love and listen, we’ll never get an opportunity to see them live.
Andy will begin his set at midnight on Sept. 2nd and has no qualms about chatting with fans, signing records and taking photos. So bring your Smiths records and get ready to dance!
With all the haboobs (insert inappropriate joke here) we’ve been experiencing lately, it seems only natural to drink in honor of our crazy weather. Cheers with the perfect cocktail; the ever classic dark n’ stormy. Prepared at one of the city’s finest lookout points, this recipe from J&G Steakhouse will be ready and waiting for you to whip up the next time a national news worthy haboob rolls through. Here’s hoping…
Ingredients:
2 oz. Goslings Black Seal Rum
1/2 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
1/2 oz. John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum
Stewart’s Ginger Beer
Lime Wheel
Prep:
Prepare the drink like a Collins. In a Collins glass, add Velvet Falernum and lime juice. Add ice and lime wheel. Cover the glass with a small shaker and shake briefly. Top off with Ginger beer but leave an inch clear on top. Now carefully add the rum on top. Serve immediately.
We’ve got wood for these Canby Sunglasses by Shwood. Available in 3 different varieties to match any man’s likeness, Cherry (All American), East Indian Rosewood (tall, dark and mysterious) or Zebrawood (exotic), you can also purchase a Slider Hardcase in which to insert your newly acquired wood. Given that their slogan is “Shwood: Experimenting with Nature” all these sexual innuendos were just far too easy (ha!). Purchase here.
We all have one. That one friend who is really, unbelievably awful at telling stories. Their tales are followed by awkward stares and half-hearted chuckles because really, they’re that terrible. The Arizona Storytellers Project will be nothing like that.
Tomorrow night at Beckett’s Table, members of our community including Robert Ortega, Philip Haldiman and Megan Finnerty will be baring their souls for five minutes for us to mercilessly mock. Just kidding! These brave individuals will briefly be letting us into their lives by telling their extraordinary tales of love, loss and hilarity. The key thread? Everything happened in Arizona. The slogan for the event is “We Heart Arizona: Stories of the People, Places and Things We Love– That Have Broken Our Hearts,” so you know this is going to be good. Bring Kleenex.
Beginning at 7 p.m., suggested donations of $10 will benefit various charities in honor of AZ’s centennial celebration. Listen to their ‘Once Upon a Times,’ their ‘Happily Ever Afters,’ or maybe their ‘To Be Continueds.’ Whatever the story may be, this will be an amazing night filled with community laughter and love. And leave those awkward stares and half-hearted chuckles at home, they have no place here.
For more details on Arizona Storytellers Project call 602.444.8770 or click here.
The Queen is dead, but that doesn’t mean we can’t party. On September 2nd, Andy Rourke bassist of the legendary band The Smiths will be making a guest DJ appearance during Sticky Fingers at Bar Smith in Phoenix. For a $10 cover you can enjoy the sounds of The Smiths (among others) as played by a former member. Sticky Fingers founder William Reed says its the “next best thing” to seeing The Smiths live, because for those who still love and listen, we’ll never get an opportunity to see them live.
Andy will begin his set at midnight on Sept. 2nd and has no qualms about chatting with fans, signing records and taking photos. So bring your Smiths records and get ready to dance!
For a compelling read, dive into Charles Fishman’s latest book The Big Thirst. An intriguing story of water, how we use it and how we’re going to have to get creative to save it. Traveling from irrigation fields in India, to the industrial and chronic overuse laundry services of Las Vegas, the book is filled with fun facts on how major corporations are doing their part to save water. Did you know that Royal Carribean saves 330,000 gallons of water every cruise by using chilled river rock instead of ice on buffets? Presenting the facts plain and simple, the book also serves as a “fact or crap” reference of water myths. So if you’re one to shut off the faucet while brushing your teeth or simply want to preserve this awesome planet of ours for future generations, read this.
Like butter and bacon, alcohol makes everything taste better. Thus, Texas-based Cherith Valley Gardens has just rolled out a line of Hors d’oeuvre Jellies. Featuring alcohol-spiked flavors such as Mimosa, Sangria, Red Win and Margarita, you’re now free to booze while innocently munching on your morning toast. Jelly shot anyone?
As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.
The last time we wrote about mixologist extraordinaire Jason Asher, he was “turning beets into gold” having recently come off a win at Bombay Sapphire and GQ’s Most Inspired Bartender competition. My… how things have changed!Having left Sanctuary’s Jade Bar (where his expertise revolutionized their cocktail culture) you can currently find him slingin’ drinks behind the bar at Mabel’s on Main. But that too, is about to change as Jason recently landed (so recent in fact that upon completion of our interview he had to ‘make a few phone calls’) every barman’s dream job.
But first, a little background info. Did you know that Arizona is the only state in the U.S. where all the country’s top five liquor and wine distributors operate compete? Recently, RNDC and Young’s Market (two of the top dogs) merged to form Youngs Market of the Southwest, and Jason Asher is their secret weapon.
So what will he be doing? Exactly what he does best, cultivating cocktails and making sure they’re perfect by overhauling their cocktail portfolio (you know when you go to a sports bar and their ‘cocktail list’ is just…awful? Yeah, those are portfolio cocktails), works with liquor reps to develop strategy, in store set-ups, and individual bar clients to keep staff on point. He’ll be an essential part of all aspects of the new venture’s state-wide beverage program overhaul. As Jason says, “it’s a career move, it’s all about the bigger picture.”
So what does this mean for Scoop Factory sippers? First, stop by Mabel’s and order a drink from Jason… or three. Secondly, cocktail quality in Arizona is about to get better. Wayyyy better. And despite losing one of our favorite bartenders, who are we to complain about that?
Image via
While pineapple drinks typically get a bad rep (are you really drinking a piña colada?), this drink from District American Kitchen is nothing to be ashamed of. With (you guessed it) pineapple, lavender and mint, this delicious drink is available for only $10 at the new downtown hotspot. Recipe and prep below just in case, you know…you felt like it.
Ingredients:
|
2oz Rain Lavender Vodka
1.5oz Fresh Lemon Juice 1.5oz Simple Syrup 2 Lavender Leaves 3 Fresh Pineapple Cubes 8 Pineapple Mint LeavesPreparation: Muddle mint, lavender leaves and pineapple cubes in a glass. Mix remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker, and pour over muddled ingredients on ice. Enjoy! |
Stop whatever you’re doing and listen to Rave on Buddy Holly, a tribute album to Buddy Holly. Bringing his music back to life are big names such as Fiona Apple, who sings the timeless ‘Everyday’ along with My Morning Jacket, Lou Reed and Modest Mouse. Available on Amazon as a digital download, you can also purchase the vinyl ep here. Nineteen worthy tracks of tribute to an amazingly influential artist, your ears will be so happy we sent you.
Let’s just break this down, shall we? Jack. Crackin. Bacon. Caramel. Corn. That’s right. As in Jack Daniels, bacon, caramel and popcorn. Can you feel your arteries hardening? We can! But at just $7.50 a bag, frankly my dear, we don’t give a damn. This snackie is homemade with all of the above drool-worthy ingredients as well as spanish peanuts and “a sprinkling of black pepper.” If you fail to see any posts on DLT for the remainder of the day, it’s because we’re stuffing our faces.
