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Tucson Originals Newsletter - August 2011
Jason Jonilonis

Chef of the Month

Meet Jason Jonilonis, Executive Chef for Sol Casinos which includes Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center; AVA Amphitheater; and Casino of the Sun; all enterprises of Tucson, Arizona’s Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Once the Casino Del Sol Resort opens on 11-11-11, Chef Jonilonis will oversee 10 dining options including PY Steakhouse, Festa International Buffet, Tequila Factory, Moby’s and Prema Lobby Lounge. ~ Read More

-- What’s New

GIFT CERTS

Mark your calendars for the next Tucson Originals gift certificate sale beginning on the morning of Wednesday, September 21st. With all certificates being good for use for six months after the purchase, it’s not too early to start doing a little holiday shopping! http://tucsonoriginals.com

-- Member News Veggies

Renee’s Organic Oven Is Hot!

Enjoy live music with dinner at Renee’s every Saturday evening from 6:30-8:30pm. Featuring the talented Elizabeth Blin on the guitar.

And Renee’s is now the eastside pickup location for the Sunizona Family FarmBox program - a system that provides direct delivery from their farm of their wonderful fresh fruits and veggies directly to you each week instead of passing through a retail distributor. For details visit /www.sunizonafamilyfarms.com

New Offerings At Venice

Mary and Jack, owners of Venice Restaurant & Pizzeria located at 7848 E Wrightstown Road invite you to enjoy their great summer specials. See the complete menu at www.7848venice.com. Phone 520-885-8946.

  • Happy Hour Every Day 3-7 P.M.
  • Well drinks $3.00, Wine 1/2 Carafe $8.00, Beer Domestic Long Necks $2.00.
  • Wings - Four kinds - Hot, Mild, Italian and Sweet Chili 12 - $7.50 Dozen.
  • Friday - Wine Special - 25% off all House Wines.
  • Saturday - 1/2 off Appetizers 4-9 P.M.
  • Summer Special May 25 to Sept. 5, 2011.
  • Two Spaghetti & Meats Sauce Dinners with Soup or Salad and Garlic Bread $20.11.
  • New items on the menu: Penne Pasta, Rotini or Spaghetti with any Meal, 7’ Personal Size Pizza $7.50 plus .25 cents each topping

Happy Hour At Pastiche

You Asked For It – Now You’ve Got It!! Owners Julie and Pat Connors are pleased to announce the new Pastiche Happy Hour featuring awesome prices on a wide variety of yummy appetizers and drinks Tuesday through Friday from 4pm until 6pm. Pastiche is located at 3025 N Campbell Avenue. Phone: 520-325-3333. http://www.pasticheME.com

Harvest Moon Celebrates Dinners

Harvest Moon

Every culture gives thanks for the bountiful harvest with a big celebration. Harvest Moon Restaurant is planning a celebration between September 6 – 13, every night starting at 6pm. Showcasing the best cuisines from every region of China with a modern version of an Imperial Feast for your dining pleasure. $80/person 11 Courses paired with wine (4 glasses each), $100 on Friday September 9th.

Enjoy a video showcasing featured guest Chef Tony Wu. Harvest Moon is located at 12125 N Oracle Road. For more details www.harvestmoontucson.com or call 520-825-5351.

Janos

A highlight of Hunger Action Month will be “Dinner with Janos” to benefit the Marana Heritage Farm‘s Youth Farm Project on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at Janos restaurant, 3770 E. Sunrise Drive on the grounds of the Westin La Paloma Resort. The event begins at 5:30 PM on the Janos patio with no host cocktails, a Farmers’ Market, Peruvian music and “Dinner with Janos” at 7:00 PM. The program is a farm-based learning opportunity for young people who express an interest in learning where food comes from. Tickets for “Dinner with Janos” are $75.00 per person and are available at www.communityfoodbank.org or by calling (520) 622-0525 Ext. 469.

For more information, contact Pauline Hechler at (520) 822-3308.

Pumpkin Palooza at DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails

DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails announces the planting of a Pumpkin Patch that will be ready just in time for Halloween! How better to get in the spirit of Fall during the hot Tucson Summer then to plant a pumpkin patch just outside your doors!? DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails planted an assortment of heirloom and modern squashes in July with the help of Sleeping Frog Farms. The squashes will be harvested for the October 22, Pumpkin Palooza event that will be held in the side lot located next to DOWNTOWN K + C.

Get the details at www.janos.com or call 520-615-6100.

-- What’s Hot

Originals In The News

The August issue of BizTucson featured the Tucson Originals in an article titled “World Class Dining.” Read the entire story.

Originals In Appetizer Cookoff

Hungry for an oven-gloves-off, jaw-dropping battle? YELP HAS AN APP FOR THAT! From September 6th through the 11th, 18 of Tucson’s ruling restaurant champs will go fork-to-fork in the ultimate food fight, while you play referee. Simply EAT $5 exclusive appetizers at contending kitchens, VOTE for the ones that totally knock you out, then CHEER as the chefs fight to the finish! Participating Tucson Originals restaurants are Cup Cafe, Delectables, DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails, JBAR, Lodge on the Desert, Maynards Market & Kitchen, Pasco, Renee’s Organic Oven, and Tavolino! It might be rude to talk with your mouth full, but when it comes to competition, subtle savory smack talk is a must! Get the details.

-- New Members

Tucson Originals Master Cooking Classes

There are just 3 spots left for the Fall 2011 Master Class series. We’ve got a wonderful lineup of Tucson Original Chefs who will share their expertise in a variety of culinary genres, including Iron Chef Tucson Ryan Clark from Lodge on the Desert, Josh and Aric Mussman, chef owners of Vero Amore and Noble Hops. The series of six classes begins on Tuesday, September 20th and ends on Tuesday, November 29th are all hands on....to sign up contact Colette Landeen at tucsonoriginals@gmail.com or 520-343-9985.

Summer Classes

CLASSES AT JANOS

Classes are $50 per person. To sign up call 520-615-6100 www.janos.com.

  • Saturday, August 20 ~ 1pm at Janos
  • Summer Salads and Chilled Soups

MIXOLOGY CLASSES AT DOWNTOWN KITCHEN & COCKTAILS

Classes are $25 per person. To sign up call 623-7700

  • Saturday, August 20 ~ 2pm
  • Scotch, Bourbon, and Dark Rum…oh my!
  • Saturday, September 10 ~ 2pm
  • Classic Cocktails; classy, sassy, and refined!

Primavera Cooks!

There are just two more Primavera Cooks feasts left for the 2011 series; Pastiche for dinner on Monday, September 12th and Kingfisher Brunch on Sunday, September 18th. Cost per person - $125 (inclusive). Get details at http://www.primavera.org/html/supportus/cooksdinners.html or contact: David Elliott at 623-5111 ext. 101.

$20.11 Tucson Originals Summer Offerings

You still have time to discover more great offerings! Get the details.

CHEFS SCENE AROUND TOWN

“On the Menu Live” with Matt Russell ~ KJLL 1330AM ~ Thursdays 5–6pm

  • August 25th – Vila Jarrell ~ V Fine Thai Dining
  • September 8th – Ryan Clark ~ Lodge on The Desert
  • September 29th – Rebecca Parisi ~ Bushi Traditional Japanese Cuisine

Tucson Farmers’s Markets ~ Tucson Original Chef Cooking Demos
It’s time for the Tucson Farmers’ Markets annual Chili Festival!

  • Friday, September 16th ~ 9–11am ~Jesse Owens Park ~ Chef Doug Levy ~ Feast
  • Sunday, September 18th ~ ~ 9–11am St. Phillips Plaza ~ Chef TBD

For details: http://farmersmarkettucson.com/the-markets

Harlow Gardens ~ Cocktail Demonstrations ~ Saturdays from 2-3pm

  • August 27th & 28th ~ Andrew Record ~ Pasco Kitchen & Lounge

“What’s for lunch?” Mondays at Noon on KOLD–TV 13

  • August 22nd ~ Wanda Zhang ~ Harvest Moon
  • August 29th ~ Angel Fabian ~ Noble Hops
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