🥯 Condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Chompies co-founder Renee “Lovey” Borenstein, who passed away Thursday. She would have turned 90 on April 22.
Lovey and her husband, Lou, launched Chompies Bagel Factory in 1979. Today, the expanded full-service restaurant, bakery, and deli has four Valley locations and its bread and bagels are sold in grocery stores Valleywide.
Lovey is survived by her husband of 71 years, three children, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Celebration of life
A celebration of life will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the Chompies on the northwest corner of Cactus and the Piestewa Freeway in Phoenix.
👨🍳 Chicken Plaka and Ravioli Marco Polo will be the entrees when Romeo’s Euro Cafe in downtown Gilbert holds its weekly ‘‘Taste of Romeo’s’’ dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The dinners, held in a private dining room, feature five courses selected from the restaurant’s regular menu.
This week’s courses
Spanaki balls (pictured): Spinach, rice, and a blend of cheeses. Battered and fried, served with marinara.
Kale Salad: Chopped kale with red peppers, peas, mushroom, asparagus, green onion, dried cranberries, and almonds tossed in honey Dijon dressing. Fried goat cheese ball garnish.
Chicken Plaka: Chicken breast sautéed with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and onions in a lemony cream sauce.
Ravioli Marco Polo: Baked cheese ravioli, meat sauce with Italian sausage, and ricotta topped with mozzarella and a touch of cinnamon.
Chocolate Temptation
Cost is $44 per person plus tax and tip. You can add five wine tastes for $10. RSVP: 480-962-4224.
🔥 Barley & Smoke, a 30-seat speakeasy from the owners of Peoria Artisan Brewery, has opened next to the brewpub on the southeast corner of Lake Pleasant Road and Lake Pleasant Parkway in Peoria.
What’s on the menu?
Highlights from the open kitchen, overseen by PAB executive chef Michael Mahalick, include globally inspired small plates such as marrow jam and oysters ($24), Japanese sweet potato with charred onion butter ($14), and a caviar-and-mezcal combo called ‘‘A Night in Juarez’’ ($28).
Large plates include octopus in Calabrian chile brodo ($32), smoked pork belly bao buns ($21), a 6-ounce ribeye ($40), and a wagyu burger ($19).
Classic cocktails feature high-end whiskey, scotch, tequila, and mezcal.
The space
Diners must make reservations (which are limited to two hours) and check in at the host stand of the brew pub to gain entrance to the speakeasy.
The dress code is business casual – no caps, shorts, or flip-flops are allowed.
If you go
📌 Barley & Smoke, 10144 W .Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria, 623-572-2816. Open 4-9 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and 4-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Closed Sunday-Tuesday.
🍸 Postino, the Valley’s pioneering wine cafe that was founded in 2001 and now has 21 locations in four states (including eight in Arizona), has introduced cocktails to its menu for the first time.
“Postino has always been known for our ever-changing selection of craft wines and beers that are affordable, unpretentious, and fun,” says Brent Karlicek, vice president of beverage at Upward Projects. “We wanted to take the same approach with our first-ever cocktail menu.”
🧆 The Halal Guys recently reopened its Tempe location and is celebrating by giving away a free dessert with the purchase of a platter or sandwich (pictured) today and Saturday. You also could score some limited-edition merchandise.
🥙 Pita Jungle in downtown Phoenix is hosting chef Erick Pineda and his popular Mexican pop-up concept Requinto from 6-9 tonight. He will be offering a limited menu of collaborative dishes influenced by the Mexican state of Guerrero.
This weekend’s top food & drink events in Valley 🍷 Sample more than 100 wines from around the world at the fourth annual Uncorked: Arizona Wine Festival from 6-10 p.m. Saturday at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. Early admission ($75) to the 21-and-over event is at 6, and general admission ($60) is at 7.
The episode, called ‘‘Phoenix Food Fans,’’ will air at 6 p.m. (and re-run at 9 p.m.) on most TV providers in the Valley. Check your specific provider’s listings.
Viewing parties
Bonfire will host watch parties at both its Tempe and Surprise locations. Tim Finnegan’s also will be showing it.
Meet Guy Fieri
‘‘DD&D’’ host Guy Fieri will stop at the north Scottsdale location of Trevor’s Liquor from 4-5 p.m. Sunday for a tasting and bottle-signing of his and musician Sammy Hagar’s Santo Tequila.
🇰🇷 Sorimmara, a global chain of Korean mala eateries, has opened its third U.S. location in the food court of the 99 Ranch Market on the northeast corner of Chandler and Dobson in Chandler.
Mala, a spicy sauce made with Sichuan peppers and dried chilli peppers, is the key ingredient in a type of Chinese street food known as malatang, similar to hot pots.
What’s on the menu?
Customers choose their ingredients, which are cooked for 3-4 minutes in the spicy broth. Prices are based on the weight of the chosen ingredients ($16.95-$18.95 per pound).
The menu also offers guobaorou – deep-fried pork, shrimp (pictured), or chicken in mala sauce – as well as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and mala fried rice.
The space
Formerly the home of K-Monster Chicken.
If you go
Sorimmara, 1920 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. Open 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
Dog Haus: Buy any breakfast burrito (pictured) and get a second one free if you order through the restaurant’s app.
El Pollo Loco: Rewards members who buy one burito will get a second of equal or lesser value for free.
Baja Fresh: Loyalty members who buy one burrito will get another free with the code BURRITO2024.
Del Taco: Rewards members who spend $10 will get a free burrito when using the app or ordering online.
Qdoba: Rewards members who buy an entrée and drink will get a free burrito.
Chipotle: Rewards members get free delivery on orders from $10-$200 with the code DELIVER online and in the app.
On the Border: Get $5 off a Big Bordurrito or a classic burrito or chimichanga when using the code 5OFFBURRITO online, through the app, or in person.
Someburros: Get a carnitas burrito, on the menu only for today, for $7.95 by using the code BURRO online, through the app, or in person.
Rubio’s: All burritos are just $8.99 when using the code BURRITO in the app or in person.
Recreo Cantina: Take the Ay Dios Mios Burrito Challenge – trying to finish a 2-pound extra-spicy burrito in less than 12 minutes – and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.
Pokeworks: Get $2 off any regular or large “Poke Your Way” burrito at participating locations.
