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🥇 For the second year in a row, the Valley is home to the Best Chef Southwest.
This year’s James Beard Award – considered the Oscars of the food and beverage industry – was won by Lom Wong chef-owner Yotaka ‘‘Sunny’’ Martin on Monday night.
Martin beat out four other finalists from the Southwest region, which includes Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Oklahoma.
Martin and her husband, Alex, launched their Thai restaurant in downtown Phoenix in 2022.
Last year’s Best Chef Southwest award went to Bacanora chef-owner Rene Andrade.
The Valley’s other 2025 finalist – Valentine pastry chef Crystal Kass – came up just short in her category, Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.
It’s the second straight year Kass was one of five finalists for the national award.
New happy hour deals
>> Mediterranean eatery Source in Gilbert has added several items to its happy hour menu (3-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday), including $5 beers, $7 natural wines, and $10 cheese pizzas.
>> New Mexican restaurant La Ristra in Gilbert and Chandler has a new summer happy hour with $3.50 domestic beers, $5 imports and crafts, $6 mixed drinks, shots, house wine, and more (2-6 p.m. weekdays).
>> Colorado-based sports bar Tom’s Watch Bar in downtown Phoenix has a new happy hour menu (7-9 p.m . Monday-Thursday) with $4 wells, select wines, and draft pints. Plus, $1 off all other beers, wines, and cocktails.
>> This Wednesday, Chicago-based Lou Malnati’s, which has sit-down locations in Scottsdale, Tempe, and Surprise, launches a new happy hour menu (3-5:30 p.m. weekdays) with $5 meatballs, bruschetta, and personal pizzas.
Marcellino’s dinner & a movie series
🎥 Marcellino Ristorante, an Italian restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale, has brought back its popular summer ‘‘Dinner & a Movie’’ series at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Sept. 9.
Up to 10 guests can choose from the restaurant’s regular menu or a special summer three-course prix fixe menu while watching an Italian-themed movie in a private dining room. Reservations are required.
The movies: “Moonstruck” (June 18, July 15, Sept. 3), “Cinema Paradiso” (Aug. 12 and 27), “La Cage Aux Folle” (July 1 and 16, Aug. 26), “The Big Night” (July 8, Aug. 20), “Marriage Italian Style” (June 17 and 25, July 2, Aug. 19), and “Under the Tuscan Sun” (June 24, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 9).
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Top 14 sushi restaurants in the Valley
🍣 Wednesday is National Sushi Day. MXSW Insiders can find the Valley’s 14 best sushi spots – from high-end omakase to casual roll joints – here.
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