LOWDOWN

WINE TO WIN

This month The Mick Brasserie will kick off a delicious competition series in Somm Brawl, where eight talented sommeliers will pair their expert choice of wines with a four-course tasting menu curated by executive chef Brent Menke. Guests will vote which wines pair best, and the wining sommelier will move up the bracket to compete again until the last somm standing wins the title and bragging rights. The first event will take place Jan. 10 and continue on select Friday evenings until the Feb. 28 final. $135 per person. www. themickaz.com.

HEADING NORTH

Fat Ox executive chef Rochelle Daniel recently took her talents to Flagstaff to open Atria restaurant alongside her longtime chef de cuisine, Maribel Silva. Located in the heart of historic downtown, Atria serves up seasonal, modern American fare handcrafted with farm-fresh, locally grown ingredients. Menu items range from homemade pastas and fresh fish to steaks and sandwiches. The restaurant also offers afternoon bar bites and craft cocktails in the lounge featuring housemade syrups and tinctures as well as an extensive wine list. This is the first standalone restaurant from Daniel, who is nationally known for her appearances on Food Network’s Chopped TV show, and named to the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame in 2017. www.atriarestaurant.com.

ARTISTIC DRIVE

In addition to the car auctions happening this month, Mountain Shadows will host another event for gearheads: an art opening reception. Taking place Jan. 26 from 6 to 7 p.m., the resort will debut Avenues of Scraping Steel by Phoenix-based artist Mark Vinci. Guests are welcome to enjoy the automobile-inspired art along with wine and hors d’oevres as they get to speak with the artist and curator. Vinci is a four-time Emmy Award-winning graphic designer and artist who uses crushed car parts to create sculptural wall pieces that capture the feeling of motion. This pop-up exhibition will be on display from Jan. 25 to 31. www.mountainshadows.com.

WESTERN WONDERS

Celebrate Western Week in Scottsdale with a lineup of events paying homage to the city’s Western roots and Native American heritage. Taking place Jan. 29 through Feb. 6, the festivities will include an array of activities, educational events and entertainment. Highlights include the 64th annual Hashknife Pony Express Arrival at Scottsdale’s Museum of the West (Feb. 4, 11 a.m.), the two-day Arizona Indian Festival (Feb. 5 and 6, times vary) and the Arizona Native Edible Experience (Feb. 5, 6 p.m.). www.scottsdalewesternweek.com.

FIRESIDE FUN

Cozy up and enjoy Scottsdale’s mild winter weather under the stars with Hotel Valley Ho’s new fire pit. Each Fireside Nights rental is complete with a platter, a bottle of red wine or decadent hot chocolate and plenty of treats for four people. Hotel guests and locals alike can choose from options like a Bavarian pretzel board, charcuterie and s’mores. The early seating ($195) is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., while the late seating ($245) is from 8 to 10 p.m. www.hotelvalleyho.com.

GREAT HEIGHTS

The recently opened Westin Tempe now boasts the highest open-air rooftop bar in town: Skysill. The venue soars above the city atop the 18th floor of the hotel, offering shareable bites, handcrafted cocktails and a lineup of recurring events. The menu features tacos, nachos, sliders and a quinoa bowl, while the drinks are poolside staples with a fun twist. Seasonal and recurring events will range from live music and Arizona State University tailgates to an exercise and wellness series. www. skysillrooftop.com.

WITH ARTEFLAME’S MICHIEL AND JENNIFER SCHUITEMAKER

WHAT IS AN ARTEFLAME GRILL?

The Arteflame is a grill, plancha, fire bowl and a piece of art all in one that is designed to bring people together. The solid steel plancha cooktop avoids flames from ever touching your food. This is a much healthier way of grilling as there are no flare ups and all the juices stays in your food rather than drip into the fire.

HOW DO YOU USE THE GRILL?

Arteflame grills use wood and charcoal for fuel. You build a fire in the center of the grill and this heats the cooktop from the center out resulting in different cooking temperatures; warmer towards the center and cooler around the outside edges, so all foods can be grilled at the same time. Hardwoods such as hickory, mesquite, oak, maple, or fruit woods such as peach, cherry and apple add different flavors to your cooking.

WHAT MAKES ARTEFLAME UNIQUE?

The Arteflame was designed to solve some key issues. Traditional grills are unsightly, are never the center of any outdoor get together, often burn your food, are a mess to clean, and not family friendly. The Arteflame solves these issues by combining beautiful designs with excellent grilling characteristics.

WHAT IS THE GRILL MADE OUT OF?

The cooktop plancha is made of solid American steel. It has an opening in the center in which accessories can be placed such as a grill grate, a pizza oven or even a rotisserie. These grills are made to last; the cooktop of the 40” model weighs a whopping 170 lbs! The bowl is made from Corten steel, an architectural steel, also known as “weathering steel” and can be left outdoors year-round.

DO YOU HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT GRILLER TO USE ARTEFLAME?

No! Anyone can grill delicious food on an Arteflame, making it ideal for family grilling and entertaining. We notice more women and children feel comfortable using the Arteflame in addition, it is THE choice for elite chefs, restauranteurs, food enthusiasts, and the whole family. From Martha Stewart, and seven times James Beard award winning Bbq king; Steven Raichlen.

WHAT CAN YOU COOK ON AN ARTEFLAME?

Any meal of the day including eggs, bacon, pancakes, hash browns and more breakfast favorites. Because of the solid steel plancha, you can grill anything you love from traditional grilled meats and fish to your favorite breakfast items.

WHERE ARE ARTEFLAME GRILLS MANUFACTURED?

All Arteflame grills are proudly American made and manufactured in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company is dedicated to making 100% of all products in the US using US employees and only US made materials. All Arteflame products ship from the plant in Cincinnati within a day or two from receipt of orders.

WHAT ACCESSORIES ARE THERE FOR THE ARTEFLAME?

Underneath every Arteflame cooktop is an accessory ring. This ring allows for a center grill grate to lay flush with the cooktop and supports a wide variety of accessories to be mounted like a Pizza Oven with Pizza Grate, Rotisserie, Grill Grate Riser (for use with Paella pans), Wok Holder, Food Saver Ring, Warming Tables with wood cutting / serving trays. Besides specific grill accessories, Arteflame also has a beautiful leather apron, grill scrapers, lighters, and other related products. www.arteflame.com

GREAT UPCOMING EVENTS

BY ELIZABETH LIBERATORE

Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival

Jan. 14-16, Downtown Carefree

This Thunderbird Artists-produced event highlights the better things in life: art and wine. More than 155 artists, including featured artists Sumati and Michael Colpitts, will take over the streets of downtown Carefree with their original masterpieces of fine art. Amble from tent to tent to get a taste of all the varying mediums and subject matters represented, including glass, stone, mixed media, contemporary, European, and wildlife. For vino enthusiasts, there will be wine and microbrewing tastings and spirit samples, as well as festival food and sweet treats to satiate appetites after a long day of viewing art. General admission, $3; Wine tasting ticket with souvenir glass, $13. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. www.thunderbirdartists.com.

Arizona Fine Art Expo

Jan. 14-March 27, 26540 N. Scottsdale Road

Just north of MacDonald’s Ranch sits a fine arts experience like no other: Arizona Fine Art Expo. Now in its 18th year, the expo brings together 100 nationally acclaimed and award-winning artists, all of whom will be painting, sculpting, weaving, drawing, welding, etc., in real time throughout the event’s 10 weeks. After a full day of walking from one artist’s studio to another, attendees can take to the Cafe de Expo, which will offer breakfast, snacks and lunch. Before you head out, stop by the Artists’ Marketplace, selling fine arts and unique crafts by the expo’s participating artists. $10-$12. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. www.arizonafineartexpo.com.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon

Jan. 15-16, Varying locations

What better way to start the new year than with a scenic race through Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe? This highly revered event infuses music with running for an experience that keeps participants rocking and rolling to the finish line. And there’s a distance suited for everyone, with options to register for a marathon, half-marathon, 10K, and 5K. Post-run, participants will enjoy a concert with an incredible lineup of local bands around the course, refreshments, snacks, and much more. Times and prices vary. www.runrocknroll.com.

Celebration of Fine Art

Jan. 15-March 27, 18400 N. Hayden Road

For more than 30 years, art enthusiasts and artists alike have shared their love of art at the Celebration of Fine Art, one of the West’s premier art events, according to Art & Antiques Magazine. This magnificent celebration features 40,000 square feet of working studios and art by nearly 100 artists from across the country. From mixed media to jewelry to woodworking, artists of all mediums and representing all styles will be on-site mingling with attendees and selling their art. Be sure to return throughout the 10-week event, as artists will continually be creating new pieces from their pop-up studios. $8-$10. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. www.celebrateart.com.

Barrow Grand Ball

Jan. 22, Arizona Biltmore

The Women’s Board of the Barrow Neurological Foundation was established in 1965 to raise money for research at Barrow Neurological Institute. Since then, it has become the most successful fundraising entity in the Valley and is Barrow’s largest donor. The Barrow Grand Ball celebrates the philanthropic achievements of the foundation. More than 300 of the Valley’s most influential leaders and philanthropists will be attending the black tie affair, which features a seated dinner, dancing, and much more. Proceeds and donations will support medical research for neurological disorders. 6:30 p.m. Price upon request, contact@womensboardbnf.org.

Street Eats Food Truck Festival

Feb. 5-6, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Tantalizing sweets, barbecued meats, and tacos and pizzas of every variety. Hungry yet? Head to the two-day Street Eats Food Truck Festival, where every kind of craving can be satisfied. More than 55 food trucks will be serving up $2 samples and regular-priced, full-size items. Festivalgoers can also put their eating abilities to the test with food challenges, including a donut and pie-eating contest. Other event highlights include a free kids zone, lawn games, live music, and a local vendor marketplace. General admission, $8; VIP, $50. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. www.streeteatsaz.com.