I’m an Arizona-based food, beverage, and travel writer sharing stories of my culinary adventures, drink discoveries, gardening projects, and travel in Phoenix and beyond.
Join One Handsome Bastard as they celebrate National Happy Hour Day on Wednesday, Nov. 12 with happy hour specials and half-off cocktails all day long along with live magic by CJ the Magician. Guests are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations for bonus experiences.
Join Phoenix City Grille to experience a four-course exploration of Mexico’s mezcal regions, featuring Mezcal Derrumbes paired with Chef Uriel’s menu. Cost is $99++. Call 602-510-7174 or email privatedining@phoenixcitygrille.com to secure a reservation.
Join Campo Italian for an exclusive five-course experience paired with Copper Cane Wines featured brands, Belle Glos and Napa Valley Quilt .From lobster ravioli paired with Quilt Chardonnay, to Argentine beef striploin paired with Belle Glos Pinot Noir, it wil be a night to remember. $125++ per guest, limited seating available. CLICK TO RESERVE.
In celebration of the anniversary, Chino favorites and most-requested menu items will be brought back for the weekend, such as Black Bean Tostadas, Jade Red Wings and Jerk Wings. Guests can also enjoy a face painter and balloon animal artist on Saturday, as well as musical entertainment, tastings of menu items, door prizes, and the “Chino Kids 35 Years Later” wall. For more information about Chino Bandido’s 35th Anniversary Weekend, visit THIS LINK.
Come join us at Beckett's Table for a fun and informative cooking class with Chef Justin Beckett! November’d class will feature Bite Sized Appetizers for Holiday Entertaining. Ticket price of $125+ pp includes class with materials, a 3-course lunch with wine pairings, and gratuity. Get your tickets HERE.
Macayo’s Mexican Food tamalada classes are back. Guests will learn how to assemble tamales and enjoy a three-course lunch and margarit . They will also take home the tamales they assemble during the experience. Cost is $60++ per person. Tickets are available at http://macayo.com/shop/event-tickets with dates and locations as follows:
• Saturday, Nov. 15 | 3 p.m. at ASU Tempe
• Saturday, Nov. 22 | 3 p.m. at Ahwatukee
• Saturday, Dec. 6 | 3 p.m. at Goodyear
• Saturday, Dec. 13 | 3 p.m. at Scottsdale
• Saturday, Dec. 20 | 3 p.m. at Mesa Dobson •
Macayo’s Mexican Food tamalada classes are back. Guests will learn how to assemble tamales and enjoy a three-course lunch and margarit . They will also take home the tamales they assemble during the experience. Cost is $60++ per person. Tickets are available at http://macayo.com/shop/event-tickets with dates and locations as follows:
• Saturday, Nov. 22 | 3 p.m. at Ahwatukee
• Saturday, Dec. 6 | 3 p.m. at Goodyear
• Saturday, Dec. 13 | 3 p.m. at Scottsdale
• Saturday, Dec. 20 | 3 p.m. at Mesa Dobson •
Street Eats & Beats Festival 2025, Arizona’s first AAPI Music Festival, is a fresh remix of culture, community, and celebration. Tickets start at $21.32 including fees (Use discount code JAPAN for 10% off tickets!). For more information and to purchase tickets, visit THIS LINK.
Day 1: EDM stages, cosplay, neon lights & all the hype
Day 2: Enjoy live music, local eats & nonstop vibes
Day 3: Shop local at our free farmers market, support small businesses, and explore tasty bites from your favorite food trucks and vendors.
Macayo’s Mexican Food tamalada classes are back. Guests will learn how to assemble tamales and enjoy a three-course lunch and margarit . They will also take home the tamales they assemble during the experience. Cost is $60++ per person. Tickets are available at http://macayo.com/shop/event-tickets with dates and locations as follows:
• Saturday, Dec. 6 | 3 p.m. at Goodyear
• Saturday, Dec. 13 | 3 p.m. at Scottsdale
• Saturday, Dec. 20 | 3 p.m. at Mesa Dobson •
Get ready to indulge at Arizona’s first AZ Brunch Fest. Featuring the best brunch spots in Phoenix, this event serves up mouthwatering bites, refreshing mimosas, cocktails, and local craft beer. Whether you're a fan of sweet or savory, there’s something for everyone at this brunch-filled extravaganza. Early Bird tickets start at $55 for GA and $90 for VIP. Get your tickets HERE.
Driscoll’s Whiskey & Wisdom fall series at The Concept kicks off this month, and you’ll want to join them for an intimate evening of great food, great whiskey, and great company in an intimate setting (10 guests max). Cost: $150 pp. Click THIS LINK for more details and to register.
After decades of giving back to the community, Lisa Dahl announces The Lisa Dahl Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to nourishing those in need and honoring those who came before. “I'm pouring everything from my soul into the planning of three events that will be unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” says Dahl. For more information and to purchaese tickets, visit THIS LINK.
Friday: Forgotten Peoples Tribute. Screen Lisa Dahl’s award winning film, and enjoy an indigenous culture reception, Soup Hope, a four-course luncheon with DAOU wines, and live auction ($250 pp).
Saturday: Celebrazione Festa. A tribute to the 30th anniversary of Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano with an exclusive dinner party and live auction. (Cost: $350 pp)
Sunday: Pizza Send-Off . A joyful finale to don complimentary “when you cook with love, you feed the soul” aprons to make pizza together, sip on the new private-label wine Passionista de Sedona, sample our Soup Hope blend, and share a Sunday. (Cost: $100 pp).
The desert’s most anticipated culinary weekend returns as Local First Arizona presents the 18th annual Devour Culinary Classic at Desert Botanical Garden Guests can explore tasting stations, sip exceptional wines and craft beverages, and enjoy live music and art throughout the Garden’s trails. Tickets go on sale Nov. 3 at devourgoodfood.com/culinary-classic. (Must be 21+ to attend.)
Join La Zozzona at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort as they celebrate the renowned vineyards of Australia during a three-course wine dinner. The evening begins at 6:00 pm with a social hour, followed by 6:30 pm dinner with guests Molly Duker and Monica Telagades guiding you through the pairings. Price: $175 per person (Must be +21). To reserve your spot, visit THIS LINK.
Street Service showed us what happens when we share space, food, and good energy all summer long. We are taking over Side Hustle at The Egyptian Motor Hotel on November 9th with some of the Valley’s best chefs and A Roosevelt Jawn keeping the sound alive all weekend. GET YOUR PRE-SALE TICKETS HERE.
Join The Joy Bus as they celebrate their 13th annual Life Achievement Gala with a silent auction, an evening of entertainment, and a one-of-a-kind meal created by Arizona's finest chefs and Chopped Champions. Reserve your seat, book a table, or become a sponsor today: https://thejoybusdiner.ejoinme.org/2025gala
Phoenix is one of the stops on the 2025 USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience nationwide tour. Indulge in a culinary adventure and experience the area’s best local wine & food with a gourmet showcase, premier wine, beer, and spirits and live demonstrations. *This is a 21+ Event* 1:00-4:00 p.m. (Early Admission 12:00 p.m.) Tickets start at $60 pp for General Admission. TICKET LINK.
Join us for a celebration of Phoenix's culinary and beverage scene at the launch party for Phoenix Eats and Drinks hosted by Executive Chef Russell LaCasce of the Hotel Valley Ho and author Christina Barrueta. Here’s your chance to mingle with the talented restaurateurs, chefs, and mixologists featured in the book while sampling delicious bites from Tia Carmen to Zuzu and cocktails from Poppy's Office to the Phoenician Tavern.
The event will take place in the Sands venue. Books will be available for purchase, or bring your own copy for signing. Tickets are $99 per person and include sample dishes and two drinks. Click HERE for tickets.
On November 4, Anhelo welcomes Napa Valley Cult Wine Producer Fairchild Estate (Stones) for a five-course menu paired with six wines from Fairchild Estates, $500/person ++ Seatings start at 5pm and 7:45pm/8:00pm
5:00pm: OpenTable - Choose a time for your experience
7:45pm: OpenTable - Choose a time for your experience
Stags Leap District Comes to Paradise Valley! On November 4, the acclaimed Napa Valley wine region hits the road for an exclusive House of Cab evening at the historic Hermosa Inn. Meet the visiting vintners, winemakers, and proprietors behind Napa Valley’s legendary Stags Leap District, and sample their most coveted Cabernets. Ticket price also includes paired bites from Lon’s at the Hermosa’s award-winning culinary team led by Chef Brian Peterson and your own Riedel crystal Cabernet tasting glass. Tickets: $125 per person (Advance Enthusiast Price through September 1). For more information, including a list of visiting wineries, and to purchase your ticket, visit THIS LINK.
( For a $10 WriteOnRubee discount, use Promo Code RUBEE at get tickets! ) A Taste of AZ is launching their inaugural fall celebration, Sip, Savor, Shop, and you’re invited! Gather at the Salt River Fields East Lawn to enjoy unlimied bites from Arizona’s top restaurants along with local brews, wines, and cocktails while shopping a curated market of artisans and retailers for fall finds and holiday gifts. General Admission ($89) starts at 1:30 pm with VIP ($109) early admission at 12 pm.
We’re bringing Hollywood to Scottsdale! Join us for a collaborative five-course dinner with beverage pairings in ZuZu on October 30. Chef Russell is teaming up with Chef Larry Greenwood of The Front Yard at The Garland in Los Angeles for this special event. Tickets cost $139++ reservations are required. Visit TOCK to reserve your table.
And for round two? Chef Russell is heading to California on Tuesday, October 28 to bring the ZuZu energy to California and collaborating with Chef Larry on a five-course dinner with wine pairings,
Experience an evening of music and fine dining with a 4-course meal at LON’s at the Hermosa, featuring the sounds of Esteban. This unforgettable event is $275 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity (beverages not included). Click HERE for tickets.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity for an exclusive wine bottle signing and meet-and-greet with Salvatore Ferragamo Jr. at the Ferragamo Boutique in Scottsdale Fashion Square. Tickets are $150 per person and include a signed bottle of your choice: Pinino (Brunello di Montalcino) or Il Borro (Supertuscan). Attendance is limited to 100 guests. Get your tickets HERE
Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Italy at the 10th Annual Italian Festival of Arizona. This year, we are taking you on La Strada del Vino – a journey through Italy’s most beloved wine regions.. Enjoy more than 30 Italian wines, 40 vendors, live music and performances from Italy, and cuisine from the Valley’s top Italian restaurants, along with art, fashion, and family activities. Tickets available at www.italianassociation.org.
Location: Waterfront, Old Town Scottsdale
Dates: October 25–26, 2025
Hours: Saturday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
On Saturday and Sunday, October 25-26, 10 am to 5 pm, the SanTan Village Art & Wine Festival returns with over 100 artists, award-winning Arizona wineries, breweries, and a variety of family activities. Tasting tickets start at $15 per person. Get yours HERE.
LDV Winery Co-Owners Curt Dunham and Peggy Fiandaca invite wine enthusiasts to a very special winemaker dinner with a four-course menu prepared by Dunham and Fiandaca themselves. The cost of this dinner is $100 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Seating is limited; call 480-664-4822 to register. For more about LDV Winery, visit https://ldvwinery.com.
Join Sel in Old Town Scottsdale on Oct. 22nd for a four-course bourbon-paired dinner with Chef Branden Levine inspired by the modern, laid-back spirit of OFF Hours Bourbon. 6:00 pm reception, dinner to follow. Price: $120 per guest (before tax & gratuity). Click HERE for tickets and menu.
Chef Matt Carter
This fall, Outstanding in the Field returns to Agritopia Farm. Outstanding in the Field has been bringing people together around farm tables for more than 25 years, with dinners hosted in orchards, vineyards, beaches, and ranches across the globe. This is your chance to experience that surrounded by Agritopia Farm peach trees for a multi-course feast prepared by Chef Matt Carter of Fat Ox, The Mission, and Zinc Bistro with local bounty. The event starts late afternoon with a cocktail reception featuring cocktails by local tequila company Tequila Corrido and passed appetizers. This will be followed by insider tours of the farm and community garden areas, and a dinner paired with Dos Cabezas Wineworks. Tickets: $385 pp. Reserve your space HERE.
Join Food Pioneer Award-Winner Chef Carter for an intimate, hands-on pasta class featuring 4 pasta courses with sommelier wine pairings. Sunday, October 19th at 11am
$225++ per person | Includes a special pasta gift bag Reserve
Credit: Jeff Young
Arizona’s TACO FEST returns for two full days of tacos and tequila. Officially awarded “Best Culinary Event” by Arizona Foothills Magazine in 2025, TACO FEST will feature taco makers like SOL Mexican Cocina, Chula Seafood, Ling & Louie's, Fiesta Mexicana, Volanti, and Lost Burro, along with bars serving up Tequila Corrido margaritas, Estrella Jalisco cervezas, Licor 43 Carajillos and more. TACO FEST 2025 will also feature local artists, live music, mercado shopping, lawn games, arcade games, and kid’s zone. Kids 12 and under are free and parking is also free. For information or to purchase GA and VIP tickets ($12 to $60 per person), visit TacoFestAZ.com.
Celebrate the Valley’s best at PHOENIX magazine’s annual Best of the Valley Party, returning this year to Warehouse215 in downtown Phoenix. Enjoy a fresh new season of festivities with climate-controlled comfort, expanded seating, and even more of your favorite bites, along with a scavenger hunt, beer garden featuring Arizona’s top craft breweries, live entertainment, DJs, and interactive performances. Cost: $80 General Admission | $125 VIP Experience. For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit phoenixmag.com.
One day each month, Litchfield's Restaurant brings guests a seasonal five-course menu presented with a selection of the winery's most popular offerings.| Doors open at 6:00pm | Dinner starts at 6:30pm. Reservations required. Price does not include tax or gratuity.
Tuesday, Oct. 14; Maison Louis Jadot | $155*
Wednesday, Nov. 5: Chimney Rock | $170*
Tuesday, Dec. 2: Taub Family Vineyards | $165*
Tuesday, Jan. 13: Chateau Montelena | $165*
The World Cup of Wine enters its second semifinal. France (Travis) goes head-to-head with Mexico (Abel) for a 4-course chef-curated menu paired with 9 blind wines. You sip. You score. You vote. $159 plus gratuity and tax. Reserve
"Old Fashioned for a Cause" event is happening from October 10–19 at all 5 Thirsty Lion locations. Enjoy a classic cocktail while supporting the Southern Smoke Foundation, which provides essential aid to food and beverage workers in need with $1 from every Elijah Craig Old Fashioned sold going to this nonprofit. The featured cocktail includes Elijah Craig 10-year small batch bourbon, smoked orange peel, agave, and Fever-Tree club soda, finished with a Bordeaux cherr and smoked tableside.
Join Mowry & Cotton at the Phoenician Resort for a special night featuring the celebrated wines of Hundred Acre Winery, a Napa Valley icon renowned for its single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy complimentary valet parking, a guest raffle for a chance to win exclusive wine bottles, and a unique opportunity to meet and speak with the winemaker. Tickets are $200 (inclusive of tax and gratuity) at THIS LINK.
Guided by Chef Alex Stratta, a 2-starred Michelin and Italian Iron Chef known for his refined Mediterranean cuisine, guests will enjoy a multi-course menu paired by Wine Director Daniel Reza. Hundred Acre, the vision of vintner Jayson Woodbridge, is one of Napa Valley’s most revered estates, produced in small quantities and among the most sought-after in the world. Reception at 6:00 PM | Dinner at 6:30 PM. $600++ per person. Tickets
The World Cup of Wine heats up as the victors of France vs. Australia and Mexico vs. Portugal return to the table for a 4-course chef-curated menu paired with blind wines. Italy, led by Jimmy Cox, faces off against Spain, led by Bob Matott, in a showdown of flavor and finesse. You sip. You score. You vote. $159 plus gratuity and tax. Reserve
Breakthru Beverage Group presents Batch Burning at COURSE on October 5. For one night only, resident mixologist Justin Chard leads a spirited send-off to summer, pouring the final rounds of the restaurant’s lineup before introducing his fall libations. $12 cocktails and $12 fried chicken sandwiches. First come, first served—no reservations.
Join Kembara for a festive evening on Saturday, October 4th. Enjoy exclusive cocktails by guest mixologist featuring Rémy Martin and the debut of Kembara’s new fall menu. A limited amount of custom Rémy Martin mooncakes will be gifted to the first 80 reservations (dinner reservations open 5-9 pm). Visit opentable.com/r/kembara-phoenix to reserve your spot.
Join Ember at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort for an unforgettable evening as LPGA Champion and vintner Cristie Kerr of Kerr Cellars hosts a 5-Course Wine Dinner. $245 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For tickets, visit OpenTable or call 480-789-5323. Space is limited, so reservations are recommended.
Join Phoenix City Grille and special guest Hailey Wells for an exclusive wine-paired dinner featuring Justin Vineyards and Winery. Cost: $120 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Reserve: privatedining@phoenixcitygrille.com | 602.510.7174
