Tucson Original Chef of the Month
Chef Massimo Tenino owner of Tavolino Ristorante Italiano, is this month’s highlighted member. His fabulous cuisine is as authentically as Italian as he is… Read more about him at www.tucsonoriginals.com.
GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE NOW 50% off!
Get started on summer dining specials early with Tucson Originals Gift Certificates! All remaining certificates are now available online at 50% off the face value. Get them while they last at www.tucsonoriginals.com.
TUCSON ORIGINALS AWARD WINNERS!
Congratulations to the following Tucson Originals who have been selected in the 2011 Tucson Lifestyle Culinary Awards – get the full story in the May issue of Tucson Lifestyle Magazine.
Best French:Gold – Le RendezvousSilver – Ghini’s Bronze – Janos |
Best Café:Gold – Cup Café and Ghini’s (tie)Silver – Dakota Café Bronze – Eclectic Café |
Best Italian:Bronze – Tavolino Restaurante Italiano |
Best Thai:Bronze – Vila Thai |
Best Seafood:Gold – Bluefin Seafood BistroSilver – Kingfisher Bar & Grill |
Best Family Dining:Silver – Risky Business |
Best Southwestern:Silver – J Bar and Janos (tie) |
Best Breakfast:Silver – Ghini’s French Caffé |
Vero Amore News
Vero Amore owners Josh and Eric Mussman, are getting ready to open their latest venture later this month. “Noble Hops,” a gastropub, in Dove Mt. and are really excited about their new pizza truck – made from a converted fire truck. Look for it at the “Puttin’ on the Dog” event later this month.
Hotel Congress: Aaron DeFeo, wins award
Congratulations to Hotel Congress’s chief Mixologist, Aaron DeFeo, who is the winner of the 2010 metromix.com “Mix Madness” competition. Aaron is known for his masterful blend of current cocktail trends with classic techniques in creating some of Tucson’s most memorable cocktails.
JAVA EDGE
The “Edge Bar” at Java Edge is open for business! Offering an excellent collection of scotches, beer from Tucson’s own Nimbus Brewery and a very eclectic wine list as well as a brand new tapas menu.
It is official!! The long wait is finally over! The “Edge Bar” at Bear Canyon and Tanque Verde is finally open! Offering an excellent collection of scotches, beer from Tucson’s own Nimbus Brewery and a very eclectic wine list as well as a brand new tapas menu. The great coffee, sandwiches and fresh pastries are of course still available as well. Check out the new menu at www.java-edge.com.
ECLECTIC PIZZA IS NOW RENEE’S ORGANIC OVEN
Be sure to look for Eclectic Pizza’s new name – Renee’s Organic Oven! Owners Renee and Steve Kreager will be offering their same delicious menu of organic pizzas and dishes that let you eat well, feel good, smile and enjoy.
WHAT’S NEW AT LOTUS GARDEN
Lotus Garden is pleased to announce its new wine list featuring over 500 different wines from 15 countries. A PDF of the wine list, representing the contents of the wine shop, is available at http://www.lotusgarden.com/pdf/lotus_garden_wine_list.pdf. Show your Tucson Originals card during April or May and we’ll waive the corkage fee. Purchase six or more bottles of wine or spirits and receive a 20% discount. You’ll find wines for under $10, hard-to-find bottles, and hidden treasures to enjoy at home or with your meal at Lotus Garden.
You are invited to a luncheon at Lotus Garden followed by a talk and book signing on Saturday, April 23 at noon. Photographer Howard Paley will share his landscape photography and have books available for purchase. Reservations are required for this $10 event. Call 907-2427 to reserve your spot.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
The restaurants at Casino del Sol
We are thrilled to welcome the CASINO DEL SOL restaurants! The group currently includes Abuelitas, Bingo Deli, Moby’s and the Tequila Factory – all located inside the Casino located at 5655 W Valencia Road. We encourage you to visit the CASINO and see the exciting projects underway. Scheduled to open 11/11/11 are a 215 room luxury resort, including one of Tucson’s largest conference areas, a world class spa, Prime Steakhouse and much more. Read about it at http://www.casinodelsol.com/resort
The Ruscitti Group/POS Service
Welcome back to preferred purveyor, Tom Ruscitti, who’s company offers the latest state of the art in point-of-sale software and merchant service solutions. Read more at http://ruscittigroup.com
TUCSON CULINARY FESTIVAL
Save the dates for the 2011 Tucson Culinary Festival October 27–30! Lots of exciting new plans and activities are on tap for this year. The popular World Margarita Championship™ on Thursday, October 27th from 6–9pm, is expanding to fill the entire patio at Maynards Market and Kitchen so we can now accommodate 500 guests; Friday, October 28th is “An Original Day in Tucson” – one special day of exciting offerings from Tucson Originals all over town; Saturday, October 29th the “Reserve and Grand Tastings” have been combined into one event – 5pm early admission and premium food, wine and special guests for the Reserve Tasting blending into the Grand Tasting until 9pm. The exciting Copper Chef Challenge and Barbecue on Sunday, October 30th completes the weekend with exciting challenges and fabulous food from 11am to 3pm. Details to follow on the website beginning in May. Beneficiaries for this year’s events are Arizona’s Children Association, Diamond Children’s Medical Center, and New Beginnings for Women and Children.
A portion of the proceeds from the 2010 Tucson Culinary Festival was donated to Diamond Children’s Medical center and was used to purchase books, games and supplies for “Amandas Closet” - a cart that moves from floor to floor and distributes these items to kids at Diamond Children’s. In honor of the donation, The Tucson Originals were given two pavers (pictured above) on the medical center entrance path.
PUTTIN’ ON THE DOG – April 29th
Tickets are now on sale for one of the best, most fun events of the year – Puttin’ on the Dog to benefit the Tucson Humane Society. It’s a great evening outdoors under the stars and an opportunity to enjoy food from all your favorite Originals, and help support the efforts of our local Humane Society. For details and to purchase tickets visit http://tinyurl.com/dara38.
MASTER CHEF COOKING CLASSES – WINTER/SPRING 2011
It’s not too early to sign up for the fall series of master classes beginning in September. Chef/owner Ramiro Scavo from Pasco Kitchen & Lounge and Chef/owner Massimo Tenino of Tavolino Ristorante Italiano will be among the chef instructors in the next session. Detailed class schedule to be announced.
Fall 2011 dates: Sept 20, Oct. 4, 18, Nov. 1, 15, 29.
For more information contact Colette Landeen at 520-343-9985 or tucsonoriginals@gmail.com.
CHEFS SCENE AROUND TOWN
“On the Menu Live” with Matt Russell ~ KJLL 1330AM ~ Thursdays 5–6pm
- April 28th – Doug Levy ~ Feast
- May 26th – Pat Connors ~ Pastiche
“Food and Wine Radio Network Show” with Jennifer English ~ KJLL 1330AM ~ Fridays ~ 12pm–1pm
- April 22nd – Ramiro Scavo ~ Pasco Kitchen & Lounge
“Wake-Up Tucson” with Joe Higgins & Chris DeSimone ~ KVOI 1030am ~ 6am–8am
- April 29th – Pat Connors ~ Pastiche
“What’s for Lunch?” ~ KOLD, Channel 13 ~ Mondays ~ 12:00–12:30
- May 2nd – Doug Levy ~ Feast
- May 9th – Nora Pitpitan ~ Java Edge
Harlow Gardens ~ Chef Demonstrations ~ Saturdays from 2–3pm
- April 23rd – Lori Ryder ~ La Cocina
- May 7th – Doug Levy ~ Feast
