The Copper Chef Challenge and Barbecue is from 11 am to 1 pm. The cost is $25 per person and $10 for kids 12 and under.

Event Description: Join us for the chef challenge of the decade! Will Murph and Jeff of Bluefin and Kingfisher retain their title as they challenge a newcomer on dueling barbecues? Add two other surprise “throwdown” challenges to the mix, fabulous brunch, barbecue and cocktail offerings from Tucson Originals chefs, and you’ve got the perfect way to wrap up the weekend!

For more information, please visit the Tucson Culinary Festival website.

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There are two exciting wine events coming at Tavolino that we would like to share with you. Massimo Tenino (owner of Tavolino) will be joined by his brother, Paolo Tenino (owner of Pietro Rinaldi Winery at Piemonte, Italy) to host the following two events:

• Wine Tasting. Wednesday, July 21st, 2010, from 6 pm to 8 pm. In this event, you will enjoy a selection of Pietro Rinaldi wines complemented with a variety of meats and cheeses from Tavolino’s Salumeria Bar. The price is $22/person.
• Wine Dinner. Tuesday, July 27th, 2010, at 6:30 pm. Enjoy 5 courses paired perfectly with Pietro Rinaldi wines. $75/person (tax and gratuity not included). Visit Tavolino Ristorante to view wine dinner menu.

Pietro Rinaldi wines are available at both events for a special discounted price. Call 531-1913 to reserve your space.

Tavolino Ristorante Italiano is located at Plaza Colonial, 2890 E. Skyline Drive (SW corner of Skyline and Campbell).

I went there for a special dinner not too long ago and absolutely loved the atmosphere, the service, and of course, the food.

The menu features great options, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, and steaks cooked on the wood fired grill. See Firebirds menu.

The ambiance is elegant, but relaxed and comfortable. Firebirds also features a bar area (the Firebar) with an indoor stone fireplace. The bar offers an impressive list of wine, martinis, margaritas, and cocktails.

Firebirds is located in La Encantada Shopping Center at 2985 E Skyline Dr, Tucson, AZ. For information, please call 520-577-0747.

P. F. Chang’s offers a fantastic and delicious menu of American Chinese cuisine. In addition, a great list of gluten-free menu options is available upon request from your server. The P. F. Chang’s website is a wonderful resource, where you can view the menu, make reservations, and even get some delicious Chinese recipes.

Tucson has one P. F. Chang’s China Bistro location at River and Campbell (1805 E. River Road Suite 100. Tucson, AZ 85718). For questions, please contact P.F. Chang’s at (520) 615-8788.

P. F. Chang’s Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm. For a limited time, in Arizona locations only, you will get $2 off all appetizers and $2 off all specialty cocktails.

See you there!

In addition to their amazing steaks and seafood (see Sullivan’s Menu), Sullivan’s bar and the cigar-friendly patio feature live jazz entertainment seven nights a week.

The full bar offers high-end cognacs, single malt scotches, an incredible wine menu, and amazing martinis. Sullivan’s also offers a fully stocked cigar humidor.

Join me every Thursday night at my favorite Sullivan’s event: Swingin’ at Sully’s, featuring a half-priced entrees, $5 martinis, and more. See what’s happening at Sullivan’s other nights of the week.

Sullivan’s is located at 1785 East River Road, Tucson , AZ – 85718 (Map). View Sullivan’s hours of operation. For questions, please call (520) 299-4275 or email them at sullivans.tucson@steakco.com

Sur real offers great daily specials and fantastic happy hour deals (from Monday through Friday 3pm-6pm and 10pm-close).

It is so much more than a restaurant, though. At night (10 pm to 2 am), it transforms into a fun and upbeat atmosphere. On Friday, hopin’ DJ music sponsored by 92.9 The Mountain, featuring $5 Martinis and Caipirinhas and delicious appetizers to keep you going. Saturday is live Salsa music night dancing with Senor Q featuring $3 beer specials.

Sur Real is located at 3001 E Skyline Dr # 133, Tucson, AZ 85718-2145. Questions or Reservations? Call (520) 529-2644. Get more details including hours and directions.

The atmosphere is modern and upbeat. The food is delicious. Zinburger offers a great selection of gourmet burgers, salads, shakes, desserts. In addition, Zinburger offers a full bar, featuring a variety of 20 great wines.

See Zinburger’s Menu (in PDF format).

Zinburger is located at 1865 East River Road #101 Tucson, AZ 85718 (Map).

Phone is 520.299.7799

Hours:
Sundays through Thursdays, from 11 am to 10 pm
Fridays and Saturdays, from 11 am to 11 pm

Happy Hour occurs from 4 pm to pm every day!

See you at Tucson’s gourmet burger spot.

I met both Mark and Jenny, the husband and wife team, who own Avenue Coffee. They are both awesome, very friendly, and very committed to what they do.

Avenue Coffee offers all the great classical coffee drinks as well as many specialty and delicious coffee drinks. My favorite is The Monsoon (ice cream, espresso, chocolate, and peanut butter). Also, Avenue Coffee offers fresh-baked pastries every morning.

The atmosphere is upbeat and friendly, which is perfect for chillin’ with a friend or a good book. However, the noise level does not get out of hand, which is, coupled with the free WiFi, perfect for doing work.

Avenue Coffee is located at 2052 N. Campbell Avenue, 1 block north of Grant on the east side of the road. For questions, please call (520) 225-0437.

Please come and support this wonderful Tucson-based coffee shop.

The event will feature: Gourmet samples from 40 of Tucson’s finest independently-owned restaurants, 150 fine wine and spirits from around the world, the 4th Annual Margarita Championship, and informative seminars!

For a detailed listing of all events and/or to purchase tickets, please visit the 2009 Tucson Culinary Festival Events and Special Packages.

A portion of the proceeds will help two charitable organizations: New Beginnings for Women and Children and the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation.

The 2009 Tucson Culinary Festival will take place at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort:
7000 North Resort Drive (Tucson, AZ 85750). Phone: (520) 299-2020.

The Tucson Culinary Festival is indeed Tucson’s premier fine wine and food event. Hope to see you there!

This year, Arizona Restaurant Week takes place between Saturday, September 19, 2009 and Saturday, September 26, 2009.

Here is a list of Tucson fine restaurants participating in Arizona Restaurant Week. In each participating restaurant, you will enjoy a three-course dinner menu of signature dishes priced at $29/person or $58/couple (excluding drinks, tax, and tips in some locations).