Roundup: What’s New in Food

A quick roundup of tasty restaurant news that has passed our desks lately:

On, Saturday, August 27, Sugar Shack Sports Grill in Old Town Scottsdale is partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona to host a fundraising event, “I Wish it Snowed in August”. The event will begin at 4pm and will feature over 10,000 lbs of snow (yes, SNOW!), live music, raffle prizes and a silent auction to raise money for the foundation. There is no charge to attend the event, but the Sugar Shack will be donated a percentage of the evening’s sales to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and attendees can show their support by bidding on the silent auction items and purchasing raffle tickets as well.

• Olive & Ivy recently revamped their lunch and dinner menus for the first major update since the restaurant opened in 2006. The changes can be seen throughout more than 90% of the menus for lunch, dinner and the Marketplace. Even the Happy Hour menu reflects a few changes. A variety of sandwiches and salads have been added to the lunch menu, as well as many new entrees and pasta dishes. New small plate selections, bruschetta offerings, salads and entrees have debuted on their dinner menu. Check out the lunch and dinner menus for yourself!

• Ever wondered how to make your own beer? Now you can learn how at Luci’s Healthy Marketplace. On August 21st and 28th, Luci’s is holding a two-part “Homebrewing for Beginners” class taught by two local brewers, Steve Compton and Nathan Crocker. Part 1 on August 21st will cover the history of beer, and small groups will brew a variety of tasty beers. Part 2 on August 28th, you’ll bottle the brews for final fermentation. Groups will share their brews, so classmates can enjoy the fruits of everyone’s labor. Bring your own pry-top bottles or Luci’s can supply them. Everyone will take home approximately six 12 ounce bottles of brew. Enjoy featured brews such as chocolate maple porter, peanut butter porter, seasonal fruit honey ale, and IPA. Cost for the two-week class is $119.99, inclusive. For more information, contact the restaurant at 602-773-1339.

TipsyDevil.com

• Even the devil gets tipsy! TipsyDevil.com, a new Arizona-based bar and nightlife only daily deal website is set to launch next week offering flash sales on discounted gift certificates at the hottest local bar and nightlife destinations in Scottsdale, Phoenix and Tempe. TipsyDevil will feature exclusive deals delivered to subscribers via email daily on discounted bar tabs, guaranteed priority admission to top nightspots, massive discounts on table service, bottle services and exclusive VIP packages, escorted VIP nightlife tours, discounted tickets to concerts and special events and exclusive access to private parties, liquor tastings and other special events. To redeem the deals, subscribers simply present the deal purchase certificate email to the bar on their phone. The company will host its official launch party on Thursday, August 25th staring at 9pm at The Mint nightclub and lounge in Old Town Scottsdale. A very special daily deal offering the discounted drink promotion and VIP experience will be distributed prior to the event. To become a subscriber to TipsyDevil.com visit tipsydevil.com.

• RA Sushi recently announced that they will continue to offer three of their popular Summer Sips (specially themed summertime cocktails) through early September at all five Valley locations. The $8 summertime drinks have received so much positive feedback from patrons, that they will keep the Orange Dreamsicle, Coconut Mojito, and Key Lime Martini around until September 5th!

• In honor of National Spumoni Day, NYPD Pizza is celebrating by giving out free orders of Spumoni on Sunday, August 21st. Dine-in customers will receive a free order of Spumoni (normally priced at $4.50 a plate) with any purchase when they mention the National Spumoni Day deal. Provided by Berto’s, a local gelato shoppe, NYPD Pizza’s Spumoni is a combination of rum, pistachio, and chocolate flavored gelato with candied cherries and nuts. The special is valid at all 10 Valley locations during regular store hours.

• On Sunday, August 28th, head to Roka Akor for a Sushi-Making Class with Executive Chef Jason Alford. Guests are invited from 2pm-4pm to learn Roka Akor’s tips and tricks for re-creating some of the restaurant’s signature sushi dishes and sake pairings. From butterfish tataki, California maki, tuna sashimi and nigiri, and sushi rice, participants will receive a hands-on sushi making lesson from the executive chef himself, Jason Alford. Cost of the Sushi Master Class is $69 per person and includes instruction, take home recipes, and food and drink. Limited space is available for the class and reservations are required to participate. To sign up for the class, call 480-306-8800 or visit rokaakor.com.

• For a limited time, Mastro’s restaurants are serving up artisanal, handcrafted brews from the Alaskan Brewing Company. Now through September 31st, Mastro’s can pour guests a glass of the brewery’s Alaskan Amber or Alaskan Smoked Porter. The amber is an award-winning ale made from glacier-fed water, a blend of European and Pacific Northwest hop varieties, premium two-row pale and specialty malts. The porter is a limited edition beer with a dark, robust body and pronounced smoky flavor, an ideal pairing with many of the items on Mastro’s menu.