Delicious Destinations for the week of 08/24/2015

The summer is coming to an end and the heat and routine of the beginning of a new school year coupled with the last fleeting memories of your epic summer vacation can lead to boredom or a tiny touch of laziness. Don’t be defeated by the heat, check out these delicious destinations that are sure to get you motivated to get out of the house!

Monday, August 24th

Papa Murphy’s Teams Up with Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation

photo courtesy of Papa Murphy’s

Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza has launched a new campaign to benefit the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF). The 45 Papa Murphy’s locations in greater Phoenix and northern Arizona will donate $1 to AFFCF from every Mini Murph™ Make ‘N’ Bake Pizza Kit sold August 24-September 24.
The Mini Murph is a hit for children’s play dates, sleepovers and birthday parties. The pizza kit, which sells for $3, has everything kids need to be a mini pizza chef including a fresh seven-inch pizza crust, pizza sauce, 100 percent all-natural mozzarella cheese, and slices of real pepperoni (enough to cover traditionally or place creatively.)
“There’s over 18,000 kids in the foster care system in Arizona. We want to do everything we can to help these children,” said Ed Holmes, who owns numerous Papa Murphy’s locations around Arizona. “Giving a foster child a joyful childhood is a cause that aligns so well with our company mission and we are honored to help in any way we can.”
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation was started over 30 years ago with the mission of giving children in foster care a chance at a normal childhood. To that end, funds raised during this campaign will go towards music lessons, summer camp and other activities that are essential to these kids.
“We give children in foster care back their childhood. We help promote their self-esteem and enrich their lives by funding activities and other needs that give them the experiences they need while going through very difficult times. This partnership with Papa Murphy’s will allow us to enhance the lives of so many deserving children,” said AFFCF Executive Director Kris Jacober.
To help, visit any of the 45 locations in greater Phoenix and northern Arizona. To look up an address near you, go to www.papamurphys.com.

National Waffle Day!!

Who doesn’t love a perfectly crafted waffle; that tight crust and crunch on the outside and the pillowy interior? I am excited to dedicate all of my Monday to this beautiful breakfast treat and so is The Hash Kitchen! The creative breakfast spot will be offering up their spin on traditional chicken and waffles on Monday. Executive Chef Joey Maggiore of Maggiore Culinary Concepts has created the perfect blend of savory friend chicken and classic Belgian waffles with the signature menu item, “Herb Fried Chicken and Waffles” made with fried leeks, thick cut bacon and a warm maple reduction.

Aside from this decadent breakfast entree you will also find a DIY Bloody Mary Bar with over 50 premium toppings with all of the expected topping and many you never thought you couldn’t live without, like mini cheeseburger sliders or king crab.

Wednesday, August 26th

First Draft Book Club

Love great books and great food? Join the folks at First Draft Book Club with AZCentral and Changing Hands Bookstore at their August meetup. They will be discussing Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman. You’ll receive a 20% discount on copies of the book at any Changing Hands location through August 26th. Southern Rail will also be offering a special “To Kill a Mockingbird” themed prix-fixe meal including cornbread, fried chicken, braised collards and a Lane “prize” cake for $39. Reservations for the dinner are recommended and can be made by calling 602.200.0085. The dinner will begin at 5pm and the book discussion at 7pm.

Friday, August 28th

Chef’s Table dinner at Vivo! Ristorante

Tomaso Maggiore, renowned in the Valley as one of best chefs and a culinary legend, is hosting monthly Chef’s Table dinners at Vivo! Ristorante. Executive Chef Tomaso Maggiore will prepare an exclusive 4-course and seasonal wine dinner at his latest Italian restaurant and market. Vivo! Ristorante features high quality Italian products, an authentic pizzeria and an aperi-dinner.
The Chef’s Table dinner will begin at 6pm and will be started with a Zonin Prosecco toast with the wine paired dinner following immediately. What’s on the menu?
First| Pouilly Fuisse wine paired with Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms and Gnocchi
Second| Tenuta Polvaro Nero wine paired with Bucati
Third| Peter Franus Zinfandel paired with Spiedini
Fourth| Moscato Saracco paired with Saint Joseph Sfinge (zeppole)
The dinner is $65 per person (not including tax or gratuity) and reservations can be made by calling 480.699.9081.

The Attic’s 2nd Annual Lobster Boil

What screams summer more than a lobster boil? The Attic is holding their 2nd Annual Lobster Boil with Green Flash and Alpine Breweries. Beginning at 5pm they will be tapping 4 firkins: Alpine Duet Dry Hopped with Simcoe, Alpine Hoppy Birthday Hopped with Cascade, Green Flash Double West Coast Dry with Citra and Green Flash Citra Dry Hopped with Simcoe.
The lobster boil will include 1 1/4 pounds of fresh Maine lobster, shrimp, clams, corn, red potato and any draft for only $45 (not including tax or gratuity). This is not an all you can eat dinner and the regular menu will be available all night long as well. Reservations will be made for parties of 6 or more individuals, however you will want to call 602.955.1967  to reserve your dinner and so that they are able to prepare to serve all those that want in!

Saturday, August 29th

Huss Brewing 2nd Anniversary at Craft 64

Craft 64 is steadily gaining a reputation for having phenomenal pizzas (they make their own mozzarella from scratch every day) made in their 100% wood oven, and while that is draw enough on its own, they also boast 35 Arizona beers on tap. They have local love and will be sharing that love on Saturday with the celebration for Huss Brewing’s 2nd anniversary. Huss owners Jeff and Leah Huss will be on hand and will be featuring their core brews in addition to some specialty ones like their Koffee Kolsch, Strawberry Rhubard Blonde, Peach Pie Pale Ale and a few surprises here and there. The party starts at 7pm.

Grape Train Escape

A scenic sunset journey, perfect for the leisurely sipping a variety of specially-chosen vintages, awaits you aboard the Grape Train Escape on the Verde Canyon Railroad. Once a month on select summer Saturday evenings May through September, Verde Canyon Railroad highlights a different wine-growing region from across the globe, including Italy, Australia and New Zealand, South America, Washington State and California featuring our very own private label varietals. A tasting flight of five wines includes special accompanying hors d’oeuvres to complement each selection. This ride will feature Alacantara wines, among them Mesa Blanco, 2014 Merlot Rose, Confluence VI and Grand Rouge VI.

2015 Sweet Corn Festival

Coming from Illinois, surrounded by corn fields, I sometimes miss the fresh flavors that come from corn plucked from your own backyard field. This weekend you can enjoy that and much more at the 2015 Sweet Corn Festival at Mortimer Farms in Prescott. The Festival is a great family outing that will get you out of the sweltering heat and also manifest as a great teaching moment with your children. They will have a petting zoo, mazes, roping dummies, obstacle course, tons of farm fresh produce, an antique tractor show, love entertainment, hay rides and even a barn dance to round out all that family-friendly fun. And of course, there will be corn in any variety that you can think of and surely some that you haven’t!

ACI Open House

Here’s a great way to beat the summer heat, while experiencing the sweet warmth of our legendary chefs in our state-of-the-art kitchens!!! Arizona Culinary Institute will be holding an Open House on Saturday, August 29 from 9am to 12pm. And if you’ve ever thought about becoming a chef, now is a great time to pursue your passion as the next Night Program start date is August 31. Day and Night Classes begin September 28.