MICROSOFT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WILL KEEP GUESTS CONNECTEDAT SHERATON’S NEWLY BRANDED SIGNATURE COMMUNICATIONS HUB:“LINK AT SHERATON EXPERIENCED WITH MICROSOFT”  WHITE PLAINS, NY – May 14, 2008 – Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Microsoft Corp. announced today a partnership to implement products and services at the “Link @ Sheraton,” its signature communications hub rolling out in Sheraton lobbies this year. Under the agreement, Sheraton will also co-brand and rename the space “The Link @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft.” The partnership is one component of a comprehensive effort to enhance and differentiate the guest experience at Sheraton’s 408 hotels across 75 countries, currently rolling out globally.   Sheraton’s Link is a unique virtual and physical lobby lounge space that meets the needs of Sheraton’s core guests by enabling them to work, relax and remain connected with friends and family during their travels. It offers a unique and convenient online experience, including free Wi-Fi and Internet-enabled computer stations, to allow guests to email, search the Web, review local attractions and even print up boarding passes. Through its relationship with Microsoft, the new, enhanced “Link @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft” will offer Windows-based computers providing visitors with search, maps, email and information. In addition, many Link computers will also feature webcams, allowing guests to have free video-chats or email video postcards back home. Guests will also have access to televisions, daily newspapers, and food and beverage offerings.

May 11. Buffet featuring Prime Rib of Beef au Jus, Roasted Leg of Lamb, Chilled Seafood bar, Salads of the Season, Special Entrees & Sides, Omelet Bar, Artesian Breads, Cakes, Pies, Tortes, Pastries, a Crème Brulé Station and more. Compass Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, 9:30am-4:30pm. $61 for adults, $25 for children ages 5-12. For times and reservations, call 602 252 1234.   The Hyatt Regency is located at 122 N 2nd St in Downtown Phoenix.

After nearly a year of lunches, mixers and prizes, Friends of Transit Tuesdays are coming to an end.  Over 3,000 people attended our events, and over 1,100 entered into our prize drawings. Together, we have helped the businesses along the light rail route get through the tough times during construction. Thanks to all of you who helped us make the Tuesdays program a success.

Join us for the
Friends of Transit Tuesday
FINALE!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
11:00 am to 1:30 pm at
Portland’s Restaurant
105 W. Portland, Phoenix

This lunch discount is the best one yet:
The first 100 customers will get $7.50 off their lunch bill!
Print this email to receive discount

Sign up for the Friends of Transit Tuesday Finale Prize Drawing to win:
$250 to Brothers Tailor & Clothing Co
$250 to Arizona Laser, Electrolysis and Skin Care
$50 to Portland’s
$50 to Alexi’s
$20 to All About Books and Comics

AND, win great door prizes from:
JB’s Restaurant
Lux Coffee Bar
Beyond Juice
A Touch of Yogurt
Chill

Walking distance from my house and better than my mom's home cooking.  Yum yum.  I'm stuffed.  Dine in or take out.  Check out their web site. 

http://www.loloschickenandwaffles.com/

Yes, I ate the underdog tonight.  OK, that's not the whole truth.  I actually ate two "underdog" hot dogs at The Roosevelt Tavern at 816 N Third St just South of Roosevelt St.  (Third is a one way heading South.)  They have great beers on tap.  The "Arrogant Bastard", a San Diego micro brew has a nice bite and is sure to leave you feeling relaxed.  I've never been disappointed by a glass of wine off of their wine list either.  Anyways, back to the dog, they steam it with Tecate beer and grill the bun inside out.  Best hot dog I've ever had.  The "Dagwood" sandwich is a meaty treat as well. 

Every time I go I find good conversation with the patrons as well as the cuties (Tina and Sarah tonight) working the bar.  The Roosevelt serves food until 11pm nightly, open until midnight weekdays, 2 am weekends, closed on Monday. 

If you like Soul Food, check out 7 spots that azcentral.com recommends.  4 of the 7 are in Central Phoenix.

They left out a Downtown Phoenix staple for Soul Food, Bobby C's on Washington

check out the list

April 24. Help welcome 1130 The Restaurant to the neighborhood with a Grand Opening Celebration and Happy Hour. Sample 1130's great menu with complimentary hors devours. Enjoy specials on appetizers and drinks, entertainment and more. Also, join City of Phoenix officials for a special ribbon cutting ceremony. Thursday from 4:30pm-7pm.

For more information call 602 368 3046.  1130 The Restaurant is located in the  Palm Courtyard in the Downtown Arizona Center 455 N. 3rd Street #1130 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (3rd St. and Van Buren)

I've decided to try to open my own restaurant downtown. Having never done this before, I'm sure I don't even know how much I don't know. Whenever I'm at one of the local restaurants/bars that I admire, I try to meet the owner and ask a few questions. As you probably have heard a hundred times, opening a restaurant is long hours. I've been amazed that everyone has been so open and supportive and generous with their time. Places like Cibo's, Lost Leaf, Lisa G's wine bar, Matt's Big Breakfast and Roosevelts, Pizza Bianco, Bentley Projects, Ruby Room, etc are setting downtown apart from the suburbs and the rest of Phoenix. However, we still need more of this. We need more creative and talented business owners to come downtown.

The point of this post is to say that my experience thus far tells me that you'll have plenty of support from the local small business owners. I've been told that the process with the City, although still difficult has improved greatly. I'm convinced that the customer base will grow as fast as the authentic and creative businesses open in this area. Basically, build it and they will come. People are waiting for more. If you're someone considering opening a downtown business and need to find a space for it we can help you with that.

-Mark

I picked up this pamphlet, http://localfirstaz.com/downloads/small-wonders.pdf while having a tasty Belgium ale at Roosevelt's last weekend. It's a nifty fold-up with map included that features many of Central Phoenix's cool small businesses and events. www.localfirstaz.com is "a coalition of local business owners who are joining forces to create unique, strong communities that set Arizona apart from anytown, USA. We also aim to educate about the benefits of shopping locally." I signed up for their newsletter today.
-Mark

This glowing report, just in from our good friend Sherry Rampy.

Hey All! Just figured you might like another reason not to cook! LA PICCOLA CUCINA...Andy and Debbie Pappas' "Little Kitchen" is exquisite. It's located at 2241 North 7th Street, with bright red umbrellas outside a beautifully renovated building that started life as a bungalow nearly a century ago.

Wonderful mosaic tile and wood inside with comfortable seating. You order at the counter where you can see your yummy choices...they have sandwiches, prepared foods, pastries, and coffee...and an AMAZING assortment of Gelato. Now, I didn't think that I was a gelato fan...stems from a Canadian dairy farm background...it's just not ice cream. OMG!!! The chocolate gelato was INCREDIBLE, as was the chocolate mouse dessert (yes, I'm am hiking daily this week).

But, it's not just the wonderful desserts...the blood orange and banana foster's gelato were also pretty incredible. But the food you don't have to feel guilty about is great, too!

You get a choice of a "top shelf" like herbed chicken, stuffed pork loin, meatloaf, etc. and two choices of sides like ratatouille, grilled asparagus, pickled beets, herbed potatoes, string beans or a variety of salads for just under ten bucks...yup, better than you could make for yourself for under ten bucks!

So...if you can, support another local Mom and Pop shop...owners Andy and Debbie were absolutely delightful to chat with and the food...again, is exquisite.

My personal recommendation would be: stuffed pork, ratatouille, and grilled asparagus. If you could only choose one dessert (although I strongly recommend going with friends and sharing), it would have to be a chocolate gelato. They are open every day 'til 8pm.

Hope to run into some of you there.