Tonight, March 20, Crudo will be hosting a spectacular wine dinner event. Chef Cullen Campbell and Ryan Zepaltas with Zepaltas Winery will prepare a 4-course, wine paired dinner. Zepaltas isn’t your average winemaker. How you ask? Ryan Zepaltas is a professional skateboarder. Who says extreme athletes don’t have class? Tomorrow, Ryan and Chef Cullen will be teaming up for a great night filled with food, wine, and fun. For just $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity, you can make reservations by contacting Crudo at 602-358-8666

1^st Course:

Ahi Crudo with Guanciale, Spring Garlic, Bone Marrow

2009 Hanzell Vineyard Sonoma Valley Chardonnay

2^nd Course:
Farm Egg with Spring Herbs, Bacon and Polenta

2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

3^rd Course:
Gnudi with Brown Butter Mushrooms and Spring Garlic

2010 La Cruz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

4^th Course:
Pork Belly Stracotto with Turnips, Carrots, Radish and Cippolini

2011 Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah

It’s one of our favorite weeks of the year. The Arizona Restaurant Association proudly presents its highly anticipated biannual event, Arizona Restaurant Week. From September 15 to the 23rd, indulge your inner foodie.

More than 200 restaurants will offer specialty prix-fixe dinner menus for $20 (Tucson only), $30 and $40 per person, excluding beverages, tax and gratuity unless otherwise mentioned. The week will be full of great food, from that taco shop you’ve never heard to award-winning, upscale joints.

For all you techies, the event has its own mobile app, DINEAZ, to help you try everything at least once. To see a full list of menus and restaurants, click here. Keep checking back, because we’ll keep bringing you the latest food news.

August 4 marked the opening of Scottsdale’s latest Italian restuarant: Devanti Enoteca. Its rustic exposed brick walls, re-purposed farm wood and communal tables, Davanti looks like it was cut from the Italian countryside.

Just like a traditional Italian family, the exquisite menu is meant to be explored and shared by the table and offers guests the opportunity to try a variety of distinct items. The start diners may choose from the selection of formaggi and salumi which is designed for guests to create their own boards by choosing from unique options that include a cow’s milk cheese called the Truffle Tremor, or the Drunken Goat an aged goat cheese with grape must.

With pasta made in house daily, authentic pizza, and piati, Devanti is sure to be popular retreat for those seeking real Italian cuisine.

Devanti Enoteca | 6316 North Scottsdale Road | Scottsdale, AZ 85253

For some people the distinction between vegetarian and vegan is life changing, for others it’s more of a case-by-case basis. Regardless which classification best suits you, we believe everyone can enjoy vegan cuisine from time to time without feeling guilty about where their leather belt came from.

Even if you’ve mastered the art of vegetarianism, the crossover to vegan will likely bring about a whole new set of challenges – first and foremost: dining out. To help remedy this inevitable and delicious part of life, we’ve compiled a list of our 6 favorite spots for vegan dining:

Bombay Spice Grill and Wine is a perfect alternative to the sandwiches-and-salad vegan cuisine. With a separate and clearly specified vegan menu, as well as an international wine list, what could possibly be better?

The Pomegranate Cafe is a little East Valley gem that features fresh, local and organic ingredients in the entirely vegetarian (vegan upon request) cafe. Since the focus is on seasonal offerings and supporting farmers, you never know what the special might be.

»READ MORE

The 11th Annual Lunch & Learn experience is already underway (and selling out) at The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain.

Hosted by Chef Beau MacMillan, the summer series introduces guests to star chefs, wine makers and culinary experts.

Each Lunch & Learn includes a three-course lunch (or dinner, depending) paired with wine or cocktails, lessons on how to prepare the culinary specialties and recipes to take home.

Events are scheduled from noon to 2:30 p.m. each Saturday in July and August, with the exceptions of July 28 and August 11 which have been designated for dinner from 6 to 10 p.m.

Cost is $75 per person including tax and gratuity for lunch, or $125 per person plus tax and gratuity for dinner. For a listing of dates and menus or to make reservations, click here.

It might be the 4th of July today, but all anyone seems to be talking about is Mexican food. Not that we blame them – few things bring smiles to our faces like a fresh taco and a margarita on a hot summer day. So, once you’ve had your fill of hot dogs and decided to turn off your scorching hot grill, here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

According to EaterAZ, Big Earl’s BBQ in Scottsdale is in the midst of a Mexican revolution, from a taquitos transition to a dabble in “tacotory” to full blown Mexico City cuisine. While you’re waiting for the online menu to become officially updated, have a read, or better yet, pay Big Earl’s a visit. Whatever you do, don’t order the barbecue.

Meanwhile in Old Town, America’s Taco Shop is opening a new location, as reported by Chow Bella. Known for being “the home of the greatest carne asada in the Valley, ” this location will bring the restaurant’s count up to five (including the location in Arizona Mills Mall). Are they being franchised? Find out here.

If downtown Phoenix is more your thing, you’ll find new Mexican food there too. Chow Bella has covered opening of Tediberto’s Mexican-inspired vegan restaurant on Roosevelt Row. Get the details here … or skip the vegan joint and dig right in to some Mexican barbecue. Phoenix Bites highlights the prix fixe barbacoa tasting dinner at Distrito in Scottsdale’s Saguaro Hotel. The three-course dinner (plus dessert) is available Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. Click here for details.

If we still haven’t convinced you, feast your eyes on Mouth By Southwest’s Taco Tuesday roster. Not to mention how Barrio Cafe, Bianco’s Tacos & Tequila and Sir Veza’s Taco Garage will soon change the dining game for locals and tourists alike at Sky Harbor’s Terminal 4. Stay tuned for updates.

Apparently Brady-Siegel had the right idea after all: Beer & Donuts album circa 1987.

It hardly matters what time of year it is or how much it will cost you, beer and donut enthusiasts from far and wide are rejoicing with the recent release of pairings that will be featured at Il Vinaio for this one-of-a-kind event.

From 2 to 5 p.m. on July 28 the following featured craft beers and their accompanying house-made gourmet donuts will be available:

SanTan Mr. Pineapple hefe and Lemon Poppyseed Donut

Goose Island Matilda strong pale ale and Conch Fritter

Goose Island Pepe Nero black pepper saison and Bacon Bleu Cheese Donut

Firestone Walker Double DBA and Pecan Pie Donut

Cost is $16 and donuts are limited to the first 72 people, so quit drooling and ensure you get to partake by calling (480) 649-6476 to RSVP.

Il Vinaio | 270 West Main St. | Mesa, Ariz. | 85201

The 11-ounce Piedmontese All-Natural Bone-In Strip Steak as featured on the new summer menu. Photo courtesy of Seasons 52.

There’s something about summer that has Arizonans craving change. It could be the temperatures, it could be allure of an ocean (however far away) or it could just be the exceptional measures Valley restaurants take to accommodate that summer state of mind.

Like many Valley restaurants, Seasons 52 has introduced a new summer menu that features seasonal offerings in celebration of those of us who stick around for the not-so-tourist season.

Known for its fresh grill and wine bar, Seasons 52 changes its menu four times a year to capture the flavors of the season.

“… the summer menu features a variety of grilled vegetables, seafood and poultry that depict the essence of the season,”  said Cliff Pleau, Senior Director of Culinary at Seasons 52.

»READ MORE

Photo courtesy of Haute Living.

We know summer means warmer blazing temperatures, but in the desert it’s easy to forget that with summer comes exciting seasonal offerings, lighter fare and brighter colors. So besides all the tropical drinks and excuses to grill (which we are huge fans of, by the way) here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

Here in the Valley of the Sun, we can take year-round farmer’s markets for granted, so take some time this summer to support local farmers and enjoy their goods. Our friends at Chow Bella profile a summer staple, the Farmer’s Market Salad at St. Francis. While you’re at it, take a peek at their piece on Binkley’s Heirloom Tomato Dinner, also courtesy of a local farmer. Just in case you’re now feeling inspired, here’s a list of local farmer’s markets, courtesy of Haute Living. »READ MORE

Photo courtesy of Z'Tejas

There is a reason so many local festivities populate around mid June and that reason is because any man celebrating Father’s Day enjoys options just as much as the women in his life. If our Father’s Day Gift Guide missed the mark, one of the following practically free, sporting and eating ideas is sure to make dad’s day is memorable.

If free food and drink is you pop’s style: »READ MORE

Image courtesy of the Dairy Council of Arizona

In case you’ve missed the skinny thus far, June has been declared Arizona Dairy Month courtesy of the state’s Dairy Council (how fitting) and valley chefs are milking it for all it’s worth. With that in mind, here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

The “Moo-ving Milkshake Shop” is a cross between the modern delight of a food truck and the nostalgia of an ice cream parlor in years gone by. Five local gourmet chefs will showcase their own take on milkshake concepts at a different valley restaurant each week of June. With flavors like “Schnepf Farms Peach Cobbler” or “Mexican chocolate with oaxacan chile” you will not want to miss out on this udderly unique summer tour. For a list of chefs and participating locations, click here.

Another, albeit quirkier, way to pay homage to Arizona’s dairy industry is a cheesemaking class at The Fossil Creek Creamery in Strawberry, Ariz. This edible adventure made Chow Bella’s “Ten Favorite Arizona Summer Festivals and Adventures” list. Classes fill up fast, call (928) 476-5178 for reservations.

Pen and Fork has also boarded the milkshake moovement and devised a do-it-yourself milkshake in honor of the state’s beloved bovine. So, why not support our local dairy farms by grabbing some yogurt, ice cream or milk  (and some Kahlúa or Bailey’s, no judgement) for a completely customizable summer treat. Happy Blending.

Photo courtesy of V's Barbershop

Father’s day is the perfect opportunity to spoil the dads in your life, this can also include bringing them up to speed with the latest men’s fashion trends and electronics, facilitating their love for sports and leisure or simply surprising them with their favorite nonsensical or old school gifts.

Forget the electric razor gift idea this Father’s Day and get him some much deserved pampering mixed with a little old school class. V’s Barbershop offers gift cards, discounts on father and son haircuts, shoe shines, massages and so much more.

If you’re shopping for a man who couldn’t bear the thought of life without his iphone, a worthy investment is the Lifeproof iphone/ipad case that is rapidly gaining attention for its water, dirt, snow and shock proof capabilities. Enough said. »READ MORE

Say sayonara to summer tonight at all five Valley RA Sushi locations for their “So Long to Summer” parties. Each location across the Valley will host their own sayonara soiree starting at 7:00 p.m. with live music, drink specials and food specials on favorites including the Sunset Roll, Seaside Roll, Grilled Beef Skewers, Summer School Chicken Nuggets and more. Get a complete list of happenings at each location after the jump. »READ MORE

We know Elvis would appreciate this one. Poivre d’Or has put a twist on the classic jam flavors with this banana jam. Coming soon to a peanut butter sandwich near you. Read all about it at our sister publication, TastingTable.com.

[Tasting Table]

It’s time to finally give back for all your Momma gave you. And, let’s face it, she probably gave you a lot. This is the woman who allowed you to dress yourself for pre-school despite public humiliation; the one who taught you the importance of thank you notes; the one who showed you how to clean behind your ears and the woman who always seems to have a solution for every stubborn stain and broken heart.

This woman deserves the world. Since you can’t actually give her that (no word on whether or not it’s on the market), take her out for a nice brunch and check out our gift suggestions sure to make her smile after the jump. »READ MORE