Page 48 – North Central News, December 2012
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Ol Fashion Ice Cream Parlor Serving the Valley Since 1951
Come in and try our homemade ice cream, sandwiches, soups and salads Buy a single cone or cup and get one
FREE with this ad Good through December 31, 2012 • One coupon per table
www.marycoyle.net 5521 N. 7th Avenue (7th Avenue just north of Missouri)
602-265-6266 Friend us on Facebook!
L’Amore owner Greg Rose and saute chef Nico Canales hold up salmon and grouper that had been delivered fresh that morning. The grouper become the day’s special entrée (photo by Patty Talahongva).
Café Chat L’Amore: a love of food and family By Patty Talahongva It’s hours before L’’Amore, 3159 E. Lincoln Drive, opens for the day and as one vendor leaves another is waiting for owner Greg Rose to sign off on a delivery. On this day he’s receiving seafood and discussing with his chefs the day’s specials, which he will post on Facebook with perhaps another comment about being good to animals. Rose and his wife, Kim Abbott, have owned the restaurant for nearly 11 years. They both love animals—hence the frequent Facebook references to dogs, turtles and such. While Abbott keeps her real estate job during the day, it doesn’t diminish her role at the restaurant. Italian food was a natural choice for Rose, who grew up near Woodstock, N.Y. and ate a lot of Italian food. At one time he actually cooked. “I used to make the ravioli every day,” he recalls. Not any more, at least not at the restaurant. Through the years he’s kept his prices competitive; entrees range from $18$28, and his food is fresh. On the website there’s a note declaring L’Amore has the “Best Cioppino” around. It’s a seafood dish that is tomato-based with calamari, shrimp, scallops, mussels and fish served over linguini. By popular demand, Rose is bring-
ing back the homemade meatball sandwich on an onion roll. His business has been built a lot on word-of-mouth, so he tends to pay attention when customers request something. Rose estimates that more than 80 percent of his customers are regulars; however, he still occasionally encounters people who have passed by L’Amore for years before they finally decide to stop and eat. He ribs them that they have been “missing out on a good thing.” Part of that “good thing” is the food and part is the restaurant’s vibe. Jimmy Matthews plays live music several nights a week but not so loudly that people have to shout to talk. And then there’s the location. Situated at the base of Camelback Mountain, you get a sense of being in the desert but you can also see downtown. Rose likes the area; it’s near his home, and he says this part of Phoenix has a small-town feel in a neighborly way. Still, the last few years have been rough. Rose says they’ve survived by tightening the spending and making sure nothing is wasted. This summer, in a rare move, he closed his restaurant for two weeks so that he and his wife could travel to Wyoming to enjoy one of their hobbies, long-distance horse riding. It also gave the employees time to spend with their families. He wants people to know how hard he and his staff work. “My employees
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North Central News, December 2012 – Page 49 FOOD FOR THOUGHT
and I work really hard to give optimum service, the freshest food and make you feel like you want to come back,” he says. Rose and Abbott have created a warm and cozy atmosphere in their restaurant. In mid-November they had already put up holly and Christmas lights to start the holiday season. It also is the perfect time of year to eat dinner on the patio and enjoy the free Wi-Fi that is offered. At full capacity the restaurant seats 130. “We have a great New Year’s Eve party here,” says Rose, adding, “We sell out fast!” There’s no admission charge but you do have to make reservations and dinner is off the regular menu. There also are balloons and a free champagne toast at midnight. The restaurant will remain open until1 a.m. And yes, there’s live music by Matthews. But before New Year’s, Happy Hour is a good time to try out L’Amore. It’s available from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Most appetizers are just $5 with the most expensive appetizer, cured meats, priced at $10. There are $3 beers and $5 for wine and cocktails. You also can learn about daily specials by following the restaurant on Twitter. While catering is available, it isn’t promoted much because Rose doesn’t like being away from his business. “I don’t like to be off site. I’m not a big fan of it,” he admits. So chances are quite good that when you visit, he and Abbott are going to be the ones to greet you at the door. To make a reservation, call 602381-3159. For more information, visit www.lamoreitalianrestaurant.com.
Dining Briefs Bruegger’s opens in Squaw Peak Plaza Bruegger’s Bagels recently celebrated the opening of a new store at 6819 N. 16th St., across from Moto Sushi at the southeast corner of 16th Street and Glendale Avenue. The bakery, which is owned and operated by Sun Pacific Restaurants LLC, will be the third Bruegger’s location in the greater Phoenix area. Bruegger’s features bagels baked fresh on-site and offers the full bakery menu, which includes sandwiches, salads, soups, desserts and signature breakfast and lunch items. Guests also may order from the bakery’s Under 500 Calorie menu.
There is seating inside for 50 and free Wi-Fi for guests. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Kids eat free at Mary Coyle Children age 11 and younger can eat free every Tuesday and Thursday evening at Mary Coyle ‘Ol Fashion Ice Cream Parlor, 5221 N. 7th Ave. The special promotion takes place between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. and is valid when an adult meal is purchased; only one free child’s meal is given per adult meal. “A family of four can eat dinner here and both children will eat courtesy of Mary Coyle,” said owner Mike Stoffey. Mary Coyle is one of the Valley’s most iconic eateries, serving residents their favorite ice cream flavors for more than 60 years. The eatery showcases the smiling face of Mary Coyle, pink-andwhite striped walls and a four-page ice cream menu featuring well-known sundae flavors created by the Coyle family. Mary Coyle is open Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 602265-6266 or visit www.marycoyle.net.
Wine bar opens inside coffee shop Central Phoenix vinophiles take note: Tertio Wine Bar has opened at 3508 N. 7th St., Suite 100, inside the Urban Beans coffee shop. Owner Virginia Senior celebrates three years in business at Urban Beans with the opening of her new concept; the name signifies a “third” evolution. “I wanted to take the business to the next level and Tertio is the perfect name to symbolize the third chapter in this adventure,” said Senior. The entire space has undergone a renovation that is modern yet unpretentious. Tertio will feature new menu items, wines and cocktails. Some of the seasonal small plate items include roasted poblano pepper stuffed with pumpkin, mushrooms, red onion and roasted garlic and topped with a tomatillo sauce; or a savory bacon-wrapped fig stuffed with blue cheese and accompanied by a port and tangerine reduction. These eats will complement a winesplease see WINE BAR on page 50
Page 50 – North Central News, December 2012
www.northcentralnews.net FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Season’s Greetings from everyone at
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by-the-glass and bottle menu that is robust in selection and flavor. Tertio’s signature cocktail is the Pink Diablo, a sexy libation melding tequila, mint, lime juice, prickly pear juice and habañero agave syrup with a splash of bubbles served in a sugar-rimmed glass. Tertio is open from 4 to 10 p.m. each day except Sunday, when it closes at 8 p.m. For more information, visit or facewww.tertiowinebar.com book/tertiowinebar.
Ling & Louie’s Kitchen opens at Biltmore mall
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WINE BAR continued from page 49
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Restaurant industry entrepreneurs Randy Schoch, founder and CEO of Desert Island Restaurants and Michael McDermott, founder of Kona Grill and Rojo Mexican Grill, have joined forces to launch a joint venture dining concept in the Biltmore Fashion Park in early December. Ling & Louie’s Kitchen, a brand expansion of Schoch’s successful Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill concept, will offer Asian-inspired cuisine with a
*?TC $PC?ID?QR UGRF 5MKCMLC (?KMSQ Enjoy a full buffet, cookie decorating, holiday music and pictures with the big guy himself, Santa Claus! Mrs. Claus will be there to read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas
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Adults $29.95* đ Children 4-10 $18* Children under 3 are complimentary
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contemporary American twist, including salads, burgers and sandwiches. Their signature dishes include Firecracker Chicken, Black Orchid Ahi, Braised Duck Flatbread and New Wave Pad Thai. The centrally located 7,500-squarefoot space previously was occupied by McDermott’s Black Chile Mexican Grill. For updates on Ling & Louie’s Kitchen, visit www.lingandlouies.com.
Whoopie Baking Co. opens kiosk at Biltmore Whoopie Baking Company has opened its first retail kiosk inside Union at the Biltmore Fashion Park, 26th Street and Camelback Road. Whoopie offers five to six different whoopie pie flavors each day at its new retail kiosk including two standard flavors like classic chocolate or spicy pumpkin, and three or four rotating flavors like salted caramel, espresso or lemon. Each individual whoopie pie costs $3 or $15 for a box of 6, and $30 per dozen. Special orders can be picked up at the retail kiosk with at least 48 hours advance notice. The “Woofie Pie” makes its debut at the retail location as well: a unique whoopie pie for canine companions who need life’s little indulgences as much as their owners do. Whoopie’s kiosk is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Flavor changes will be posted on Facebook and Twitter and posted on a board in the kiosk daily. Visit www.whoopiebakingco.com or call or call 888-608-1229 for more information.
First press wine makes season sparkle The holidays come but once a year, and so, too, does a wine that makes an excellent accompaniment to those festival gatherings and dinners. Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. It is fermented for just a few weeks, then officially released for sale on the third Thursday of November. The method of production means that there is very little tannin, and the wine can be dominated by fruity, ester flavors of bananas and pear drops. These are enhanced by the frequent recommendation to serve the wine lightly chilled.
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North Central News, December 2012 – Page 51 FOOD FOR THOUGHT
According to the harvest report from Georges Duboeuf, known as “the king of Beaujolais,� his Beaujolais Nouveau is “vibrant, fruit-forward and best chilled. The perfect wine for Thanksgiving, it will enchant your palate.� This is the 30th anniversary of the Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau bottling, and the bottle’s orange label is sprinkled with silver stars to reflect the magic of the wine and the season. Among the Phoenix restaurants offering the Beaujolais Nouveau on their menu are Tarbell’s, 3213 E. Camelback Road; Donovan’s Steak House, 3101 E. Camelback Road; and Kitchen 56, 3433 N. 56th St. In additions, bottles can be purchased at AJ’s, Cost Plus, Safeway, Fry’s and other Phoenix grocery stores. Bottles retail for around $9.99 each.
Breakfast with Santa at Rico’s American Grill Rico’s American Grill at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort, 7677 N. 16th St., will serve a holiday breakfast buffet during its annual Breakfast with Santa event while families take photos with Santa Claus. Mrs. Claus will join in the holly, jolly fun and treat children to gingerbread activity books, storytime and gingerbread cookie decorating. There are three seating times for Breakfast with Santa at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon on Dec. 16 and Dec. 22-24. Reservations are required for the event. The breakfast buffet costs $29.95 for adults and $18 for children ages 10 and
younger, and includes a complimentary photo with St. Nick. For more information on this special event, visit www.pointehilton squawpeak.com. For reservations, call 602-997-5850.
DQ offers holidaythemed treats
COME
Dairy Queen sweetens the season this month with holiday-themed candy cane treats including the popular Candy Cane Chill Blizzard Treat, as well as Candy Cane Royal Shakes and Waffle Bowl Sundaes. Available beginning Dec. 1, the Candy Cane Chill Blizzard Treat is a combination of peppermint candy cane pieces and rich choco chunks mixed with creamy DQ soft serve. The Candy Cane Royal Shake is blended with chopped peppermint candy pieces, and the Waffle Bowl Sundae is creamy DQ soft serve swirled with chocolate and crushed peppermint candy and finished with chocolate topping. The December Royal Shake and Waffle Bowl Sundae also are crowned with fluffy whipped topping and sprinkled with candy cane pieces. Many Blizzard Treat flavors, including Candy Cane Chill, can be made into DQ Cakes, which are great for winter gatherings and holidays including Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays, anniversaries and more. Customers also can customize their cakes by choosing cake border colors, personalized messages and more. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.
CJ’s Talley’s Pub
Not me.
Your Friendliest North Central Neighborhood Bar & Grill
Who says ... You have to spend a fortune to have a good time? Join us for Happy Hour during all the Arizona Cardinals games! 6022 N. 16th Street | 602-248-7765 cjstalleyspub.com Check out Talley’s Specials on
US!
Membership is available to all - you don’t need to be Italian to join.
New Year’s Eve Party Monday, Dec. 31
Join now for 2013 and reserve your place for the BEST NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY IN TOWN. Music and dancing in two different rooms featuring ROCKING BLUES BY “THE ROCKET 88s� and Italian & Adult Contemporary music by The Gina DeFazio Band. Spectacular Dinner Buffet, Choice of 2 Live bands, Champagne and Breakfast at midnight.
$55 per person includes 4 drink tickets. Advance tickets and reservations required.
Call 602-944-3090 for information. Membership required for one member of your party.
Don’t miss the Le Bellezze d’ Italia Charity Italian Car Show on February 23, 2013 celebrating 50 years of Lamborghini! Details at: www.Italiancarshow.com
7509 N. 12th St. 602-944-3090 • www.azaiclub.org
The Gift That Keeps on Grilling‌
TEXAZ GRILL GIFT CERTIFICATES!
Thinking about the ideal gift to get your pals, your parents and your partner? Give the gift of quality Texas cooking, unforgettable atmosphere and friendly available service with in any denomination. With every purchase, you will Give $100 as a gift, get $10 for yourself. Pretty nifty, huh? This special offer is available until December 24th, 2012 at 4p.m. Also available in a limited quantity is the In The Heart of TEXAZ cookbook. This cookbook is a compilation of recipes from TEXAZ Grill and our loyal patrons.
1 WK 6W ‡ www.texazgrill.com
Page 52 – North Central News, December 2012
www.northcentralnews.net FOOD FOR THOUGHT
New Year’s bash at American Italian club Looking for a fun place to ring in the new year? The Arizona American Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th St., will host a New Year’s Eve party on
Monday. Dec. 31. Start the evening off with a bountiful dinner buffet and enjoy a champagne toast and breakfast that begins at midnight. In addition, two rooms will feature dancing and live music. Dance the
night away with rocking bluses from the Rocket 88s or enjoy Italian and adult contemporary music from The Gina DeFazio Band. The cost is $55 per person and includes four drink tickets. A club
membership is required for one member of each party. Advance reservations are required. For more information, the club’s website at vist http://azaiclub.org/. To order tickets, call 602-944-3090.
For local restaurant listings, visit our Dining Guide at www.northcentralnews.net BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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4540 N. 7th St. 602-466-2720 www.pearlson7th.com • info@pearlson7th.com