Midtown Phoenix
Video: Devoured Culinary Classic
Posted on 3/16/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Have you Devoured? Hear from the local participants and (out of state?) attendees why this culinary event is a classic.
Thanks to Perry Allen, making his debut production for DPJ.
The Hangover: Devoured 2012
Posted on 3/16/12 by Justin Lee » No Comments
Buzzing underneath a blanket of warm Arizona sun, cradled within the state’s largest institution of art, this year’s Devoured Culinary Classic once again failed to disappoint.
Devoured 2012 was another culmination of Phoenix’s edible best. The annual, two-day event held inside the polished digs of the Phoenix Art Museum, pulled thousands, once again, to eat, drink and candidly revel in what has become the state’s most esteemed celebration of food.
A beautiful day at PAM
Though the crowds were relentless (especially Sunday morning, as expected), the festival’s organizers, including Local First Arizona’s Devour Phoenix, implemented learned strides in doing everything in their powers to lubricate the waves of covetous, hungry attendees.
From additional seating areas (including actual dining areas) to opening up more of the museum’s interior square footage for bottleneck relief and added participant staging, to simple aesthetics and comfort (strewn trash was more routinely picked up; tubs of complimentary bottled water were quickly refilled upon depletion), this year’s Devoured was a class in how to throw a major-league food festival that still maintains an air of intimacy.
Though Sunday is traditionally the more electric day of Devoured, Saturday was definitely not far behind this year, giving crowds some equally fantastic offerings.
Roka Akor came through strong Saturday with a sinister, smoky dice of grilled pork belly adorned with a mellow but oh-so gratifying kimchi; Province did well with tender pork meatballs lathered in a spicy, piquillo pepper marinara; and, Sierra Bonita’s roast pork loin, rubbed in an espresso-cocoa mix and steeped in a potent vanilla butter sauce also came out, if nothing else, as a positive surprise.
Relish Burger Bistro, who parked both days of the festival, showed well with what they do best – burgers – showing off a mouth-melting Wagyu slider. St. Francis, on the other hand, decimated the competition with a pitch-perfect garden salad, wowing with its bright collage of fresh local produce, nutty quinoa and a velvety citrus vinaigrette.
Gallo Blanco
By Saturday’s end, however, no single taste was more sinful than Gallo Blanco Cafe’s pork belly tacos, the meat of which virtually dissolved with each stolen bite. Served with a helping of sharp pickled onions and shavings of their infamous grilled corn (elote), these tacos easily stole Saturday’s show.
Then, came Sunday – a new day and, frankly, the weekend’s biggest arsenal.
J&G Steakhouse served an exceptionally seared slice of salted, dry-aged sirloin; Different Point of View returned, once again, with a made-to-order masterpiece: this year a photogenic brick of pork belly, grilled and stacked over savory griddled corn cakes, glued together with a delightful strawberry rhubarb compote.
Downtown’s ever-charming bookend for solid Jamaican eating, the Breadfruit, surprised even their biggest fans with a singular, simple, but perfectly delicious mussel, perfumed with a fragrant truffle and rum-accented broth that finished with the sting of some soulful Caribbean heat.
Barrio Cafe also helped anchor firm on Sunday with a no-surprise cochinita pibil knock-out; and, Citizen Public House came to the party quiet but equally strong, with their jewel-sized knobs of tea-smoked tuna – tender and irresistible.
Tuck Shop
For pure showmanship, Tuck Shop earned populist raves for their eye-catching (and momentous) seafood boil. Crawfish, shrimp, cobs of corn and red potatoes bathed in cajun-spiced waters before delivery (read: dumping) atop piles of newsprint for patrons to self-serve.
Sunday also brought the sheer, direct delights of Hana Japanese Eatery with a buffet of light, tasteful offerings, from tender skewers of marinated meats, smoky from the grill, to quail egg and sea urchin shooters that easily ranked as one of Devoured biggest fireworks.
If “cute” wasn’t a respectable sentiment for a great bite of food before, it is now, thanks entirely to the playful servings of “pork and beans” offered by Beckett’s Table. Hinting at that known classic combination, the restaurant clearly took a left turn, but in the right direction, with their pork rillette and herbed white beans, in a light but slurp-worthy broth.
And finally, any mention of Devoured sans a highlight of Kai would be a snag in life’s path. And, the regional dining powerhouse once again spared no effort. Easily stacking the longest lines of the weekend, Kai’s suckling pig machaca, roasting flamboyantly on a firey spit in full-view, served atop garlic fry bread with a tangy fruit jam, and, their tender flakes of cedar-grilled arctic char, continued to show why this trophy restaurant sits with few local peers.
At the end of a very long weekend, as we tended to our bruised elbows, sore feet, overstuffed stomachs and first-degree sunburns, we were all wholeheartedly reminded once again about the unapologetic pleasure of attending the Devoured Culinary Classic, year after year. It continues to show us how first-class eating, and simply enjoying a major food festival, doesn’t always have to be a mutually exclusive occurrence.
See you next year.
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- Relish
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- Tuck Shop
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- Talavera
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- St. Francis
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- Short Leash Hot Dogs
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- A beautiful day at PAM
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- PAM’s Dorrance Sculpture Garden
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- Roka Akor
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- Province
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- The Parlor
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- Kai
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- Hana
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- Gallo Blanco
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- District Kitchen
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- Different Point of View
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- Dave’s Electric Beer
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- Beckett’s Table
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- Barrio Café
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- Arroyo Vodka
From the Wire | Devoured Culinary Classic Returns
Posted on 3/06/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Some news items don’t need translation. That’s why DPJ launched the From the Wire series, so we could serve the destinations here by posting information and announcements – in their own words.
Devoured 2012 presented by The Arizona Republic
Metro Phoenix Prepares to be “Wined and Dined”
Sat. & Sun., March 10 & 11, 2012
Tickets $69 through March 9 at www.DevouredPhoenix.com
Devoured Culinary Classic 2012 is quickly approaching and promises again to serve up a world-class showcase of Arizona’s finest chefs, vintners and industry purveyors.
The independently edible, award-winning culinary event benefits Local First Arizona and occurs at Phoenix Art Museum in the enchanting Dorrance Sculpture Garden (1625 N. Central Ave), March 10 and 11, 11am to 3pm.
Amidst the culinary reverie is Devoured’s central mission to spotlight metropolitan Phoenix as a noteworthy international culinary destination, delivering guests an unparalleled opportunity to discover the vast and delectable array of innovative restaurants and wineries delivering their finest creations to the table – all in one location each year.
Devoured 2012 Sponsors Step up. Participating restaurants and chefs will enjoy the contributions of RedBird Farms (chicken); Arizona Farm Bureau (pork) as well as Sysco Arizona (beef) and AJ’s Fine Foods (desserts). Columbus Foods along with Valley Buick & GMC Dealers, Bar & Restaurant Insurance and SubZero/Wolf also are sponsors of this year’s event.
Arizona Wines & More to Explore. In addition, more than 10 Arizona vintners are among 30 global wineries participating in Devoured this year. Local vintners will present their unique aptitude for making distinctly Arizona wine. Indeed, a region that was first recognized as opportune for winemaking by Spanish missionaries in the 1700s, is now perpetuated by today’s Arizona winemakers who continue to yield distinctive varieties from the rugged Arizona terrain, consistently moving the state’s winemaking industry up the scale of global recognition.
Among local Arizona wine leaders confirmed for Devoured 2012 are:
• Arizona Stronghold Vineyards;
• Page Spring Cellars;
• Sand Reckoner Vineyard; and
• Dos Cabezas Wineworks.
And if a passion for wine from regions the world over is a driving force to show at Devoured, then the event hits the mark with these, among many others in a vast selection of wine brands and varieties:
• Miner Family – California;
• Vino del Sol – Argentina;
• Scarpetta – Italy;
• Neyen Estate – Chile; and
• Paul Hobbs Imports — South America.
Presented by Quench Fines Wines, more than 30 different wines from Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Chile, Argentina, Italy and South America are in store this year.
Furthermore, Hensley & Co. will present a healthy array of samplings by Arizona and other regional craft breweries as well
Lively Chefs Demonstrations. Devoured has become known for the opportunity to personally meet chefs and winemakers as guests sample the yields of Arizona’s finest culinary and winemaking talents. In addition, a lively SubZero-Wolf Chefs Demonstration Stage will beckon fans to see their favorite local gourmet talent in action.
Phoenix Art Museum Entry. What’s more, Devoured devotees enjoy free admission to the world-class Phoenix Art Museum, this year featuring a special exhibit by Frank Lloyd Wright which explores the tenets of 21st century organic architecture. Plus, another newly opening exhibit, The Sea, will showcase the influence of the ‘romance of the sea’ on fashion design, from the 19th century to current collections, drawn from the Museum’s extensive permanent collection, private collections and international fashion houses including Emilio Pucci, Emanuel Ungaro and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.
Saturday:
• Arizona Culinary Institute
• Betty’s Nosh
• Cartwright’s Sonoran Ranch House
• Chelsea’s Kitchen
• Cheuvront Restaurant and Wine Bar
• Crudo
• District American Kitchen and Wine Bar
• Espressions Roastery
• Fez Restaurant and Bar
• Gallo Blanco Café
• Green New American Vegetarian
• JJ’s Brownies
• La Grande Orange Grocery and Pizzeria
• Lee’s Cream Liqueur
• Lon’s at the Hermosa
• Maizie’s Café and Bistro
• NoRTH
• Palette at Phoenix Art Museum
• Phoenix City Grille
• Postino Winecafé
• Province
• Relish Burger Bistro at the Phoenician
• Roka Akor
• San Tan Brewing Co.
• Santa Barbara Catering Company
• Sens Asian Tapas & Sake Bar
• Shine Coffee, LLC
• Sierra Bonita Grill
• St. Francis
• Stingray Sushi
• Sushi Roku
• Switch Restaurant and Wine Bar
• Taggia at Firesky Resort and Spa
• Talavera at the Four Seasons
• The Farm Kitchen
• The House at Secret Garden
• The Parlor Pizzeria
• The Vig & The Vig Uptown
• Timo Wood Oven and Wine Bar
• Tonto Bar & Grill
• True Food Kitchen
• Urban Beans
• Urban Cookies
• Windsor and Churn
Sunday:
• Barrio Café /Barrio Queen/ Silvana Bistro
• Beckett’s Table
• Bliss & ReBAR
• Carte Blanche Gourmet Tacos
• Chelsea’s Kitchen
• Cheuvront Restaurant and Wine Bar
• CIBO
• Citizen Public House
• Cork
• Cuoco Pazzo
• Different Pointe of View
• District American Kitchen and Wine Bar
• Espresso Italia
• Essence Bakery
• Fez Restaurant and Bar
• Green New American Vegetarian
• Hana Japanese Eatery
• Honey Moon Sweets Bakery and Dessert Bar
• House of Tricks Restaurant
• Hula’s Modern Tiki
• J & G Steakhouse
• JJ’s Brownies
• Kai Restaurant at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort
• La Grande Orange Grocery and Pizzeria
• Maizie’s Café and Bistro
• Palette at Phoenix Art Museum
• Petite Maison
• Phoenix Public Market Urban Grocery and Wine Bar
• Postino Winecafé
• Province
• Relish Burger Bistro at the Phoenician
• Santa Barbara Catering Company
• Shine Coffee, LLC
• Short Leash Hot Dogs Mobile Food Truck
• St. Francis
• Sushi Roku
• Switch Restaurant and Wine Bar
• Tammie Coe Cakes
• The Breadfruit
• The Farm Kitchen
• The House at Secret Garden
• The Parlor Pizzeria
• Tuck Shop
• Whoopie Baking Co.
• Windsor and Churn
Wineries:
• Arizona Stronghold Vineyards – Arizona
• Dos Cabezas Wineworks – Arizona
• Caduceus Cellars – Arizona
• Page Spring Cellars – Arizona
• Hedges Family Estate – Washington State
• The Scholium Project – California
• Page Spring Cellars – Arizona
• Flowers Vineyard and Winery – California
• Neyen Estate – Chile
• Vias Imports – Italy
• Cannonball – California same table as #12 and #13
• Scarpetta – Italy
• Phoenix Ranch Wines – California
• Klinkerbrick Winery – California
• Vino Del Sol – Argentina
• Cliff Lede/Breggo – California
• Miner Family Vineyards – California
• Straight Line Wines – California
• Charles Smith Wines – Washington State
• Appellation Wine Company – California
• A to Z Wineworks – Oregon
• Merry Edwards Winery – California
• Palmina – California
• Copain Wine Cellars – California
• Owen Roe Winery – Oregon & Washington State
• Paul Hobbs Imports – South America
• Lioco – California
• Mt. Eden Vineyards – California
• Vineyard 7& 8 – California
• Sand Reckoner Vineyard – Arizona
• Jerome Winery- Arizona
• Bitter Creek Winery- Arizona
• Su Vino Winery- Arizona
Breweries:
• Sleepy Dog Brewer -Tempe, Az
• Mudshark Brewery -Lake Havasu City, Az
• Prescott Brewery -Prescott, Az
• Mogollon Brewery -Flagstaff, Az
• Electric Daves Brewery- Bisbee, Az
• Sierra Nevada Brewing- Chico, Ca
• Deschutes Brewing- Bend, Or
• Firestone Walker Brewing- Paso Robles, Ca
• Odell Brewing- Ft. Collins, Co
About Devoured Culinary Classic. Devoured, the independently edible award-wining culinary event, is a luscious showcase of Arizona’s finest independent restaurants, chefs, wineries and industry purveyors in a distinctly Phoenix setting – Phoenix Art Museum. Inspired by Local First Arizona, and produced by R Entertainment Co., Devoured brings together the culinary leaders that are establishing metro Phoenix as a premier culinary destination.
If you go
Event: Devoured Culinary Classic
Dates: March 10 & 11, 2012
Location: Phoenix Art Museum (Dorrance Sculpture Garden) 1625 N. Central Ave., Midtown (map)
Times: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (both days)
Tickets & Information: Visit DevouredPhoenix.com. Tickets are $69 through March 9; $79 at the door. Two-day tickets are $130 through March 9; $180 at the door. Museum Members: $49 per day, $90 for two-day tickets. Call 602.257.2124 for additional details. Tickets also at www.ProTix.com, by phone at 1.866.977.6849, or in person at Phoenix Art Museum.
From the Wire | 54th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market
Posted on 3/03/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Some news items don’t need translation. That’s why DPJ launched the From the Wire series, so we could serve the destinations here by posting information and announcements – in their own words.
ARIZONA’S LARGEST INDIAN MARKET CONTINUES TO COMBINE INNOVATION WITH TRADITION
Heard Museum’s Signature Event Expected to Draw Nearly 20,000 Visitors and More Than 700 Artists for Weekend of Art, Culture and Fun
One of Arizona’s most significant cultural events, the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, the state’s largest, continues to combine innovative new artists and activities with the timeless traditions of the Southwest.
Beginning life as a small community event, the Fair is now a world-acclaimed festival that draws nearly 20,000 visitors and more than 700 of the nation’s most outstanding and successful American Indian artists.
Among the guests are thousands of collectors from across the country, who arrive early to be the first to purchase one-of-a-kind artwork like jewelry, pottery, baskets, katsina dolls, textiles, fine art and more. The Fair has been designated as an Arizona Centennial Legacy Project.
Highlights –
- All of the performers during the 54th Annual Indian Fair and Market this year are specifically from tribes located from lands within Arizona for the continuing celebration of the centennial.
- This year’s fair will feature performances from the Lonjose Dance Group of Zuni Pueblo and the Southern Paiute Mountain Sheep Dancers.
- This year’s Fair will spotlight returning Native music legend R. Carlos Nakai, who will perform with William Eaton and Will Clipman Trio on the main stage on Saturday and Sunday at 12:55 pm.
- Hoop Dance World Champion Tony Duncan Apache/Arikara/Hidatsa will be performing “Dances of a Painted Warrior” only on Saturday March 3, 2012 on the main stage of the fair at 3:30 p.m.
- Estun-Bah, which includes Tony Duncan, Darrin Yazzie & Jeremy Dancing Bull, will be performing on the Canyon Records Stage Saturday March 3, at 12 p.m. and Sunday March 4, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
If you go
When: Saturday and Sunday, March 3 & 4, 2012, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Ariz.
Cost: Single-day admission: Adults $20; Children 16 and under FREE; Students with ID $10. Tickets will be available at the gate.
Info: Visit heard.org/fair or call 602.252.8840.
SuTRA Goes Guerilla for Coronado Home Tour
Posted on 3/02/12 by Christina O'Haver » No Comments
Sutra owner, Rebecca Fritz and lead Instructor, Danielle Campagna will also be celebrating their birthdays on Sunday. Photo courtesy of SuTRA Midtown.
While traveling along Sheridan Street, you probably never considered spreading your yoga mat out on the asphalt and assuming the lotus position.
But Sunday, March 4, as part of the 25th annual Coronado Home Tour, SuTRA Midtown invites the community to participate in a free guerilla yoga class in the middle of that very street.
The flash mobs of yoga, guerilla classes occur in public places, often spontaneously.
Danielle Campagna, SuTRA’s lead instructor, will teach the all-levels class in a vinyasa flow style, which focuses on breath-synchronized movements.
The studio will also raffle off two massage gift cards to participants.
After working up an appetite, yogis can hang out at The Main Ingredient Ale House & Café and score its all-day happy hour prices.
If you go:
Where: Sheridan and Seventh streets
Date: Sunday, March 4, 2012
Time: 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
What to bring: Yoga mat and water bottle
