




I don’t know about you, but every day, either late afternoon or early evening, someone in my family asks the dreaded question, “What’s for dinner?”
I don’t like to cook. I’ve tried. It’s just not my thing. I make a mean baked ziti and pancakes in letter and number shapes, but the rest, well, let’s take in, shall we?
And so, often, it’s 5 p.m., my family is starving, and I’m staring down the refrigerator like it’s going to whip up a meal and plate it for us all.
Thankfully, we live in Tempe, which is partly known for its food and beverage offerings.
We’re lucky enough to have everything from mom-and-pop destinations dishing up meals made using recipes passed down through the generations to James Beard Award–winning chefs showcasing their culinary prowess nightly. We have creative cocktails. We have food spanning just about all ethnicities and regions of the world.
Hungry and thirsty yet?
Our Food & Drink Issue is always one of my favorites because even though I hate cooking, I love to eat. Exploring the textures, tastes, and sips is perfection. I love to see how items are plated, drinks are presented, and how they pair together.
In this issue, we explore the area’s culinary stories. Read about three local favorite restaurants, Four Peaks Brewing Co.’s Tempe location, explore a kitchen trend, find a recipe for a great appetizer, and more.
Cheers to this issue!
Yours,
MICHELLE GLICKSMAN, EDITOR @TEMPECITYLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE
October 2024
PUBLISHER
Wendy Bates
wendy.bates@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Michelle Glicksman
michelle.glicksman@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Backcourt Marketing
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Alison Bailin Batz
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Brad Hendron
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
1: Wendy Tilton, Melissa Harlan, and Jim Matz celebrate the grand opening of Drink Me! Tea & Treats. 2: Kate Vawter, Nick Shivka, Haley Gill, Melissa Harlan, Mayor Woods, Councilmember Adams, and Councilmember Amberg at Drink Me! Tea & Treats. 3: Mayor Corey Woods and Tempe Chamber Legacy of Service Award recipient Raveen Arora. 4: Sue Rigler, owner of Hundred Mile Brewing Company, named Small Business of the Year, with Colin Diaz. 5: CEO Jodi Polanski of Lost Our Home Pet Rescue is Tempe Chamber’s Nonprofit of the Year. 6: Tempe Chamber’s Business Excellence Award for Large Business of the Year went to Sky Harbor International Airport. 7: Brian Stinson was awarded The PEAK Fleet-Micro Business of the Year at the Tempe Chamber Business Awards.
Taco Chelo recently opened its second Valley location (and first in Tempe), and it was designed to resemble a traditional Mexican pueblo. The modern taqueria—a collaboration between renowned restaurateur Aaron Chamberlin, revered chef Suny Santana, and internationally recognized artist Gennaro Garcia—features the same menu that’s made it a hot spot in Downtown Phoenix since 2018. Enjoy a selection of tacos wrapped in hand-pressed, made-to-order tortillas, signature entrees, and handcrafted cocktails. TacoChelo.com
WONDERING WHERE TO EAT YOUR NEXT MEAL? HERE, YOUR ANSWER TO THE ‘WHERE SHOULD WE EAT?’ QUESTION!
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
This Arizona-based, locally-owned, healthy Italian fusion restaurant sources clean, whole foods in which to create its popular dishes. In addition to typically prepared items, Picazzo's has a large selection of gluten-free, vegan, and/or allergen-friendly salads, entrees, pastas, pizzas, and desserts. A daily “healthy hour” offers specials on popular dishes and drinks. Picazzos.com
Located on the ground level of The Westin Tempe, this restaurant features modern Southwestern-inspired cuisine. It combines bold, rustic flavors with locally sourced ingredients for dishes that offer an authentic reflection of the Southwest’s rich history, and its innovative beverage program boasts local brews, an impressive wine list, and handcrafted cocktails. TerraTempe.com
This quaint and unassuming restaurant in South Tempe is owned by chef Chad Bolar and his wife, Becky. The couple first met in high school and are both McClintock Chargers alumni. Their dream was simple—to become a part of the neighborhood by serving good, quality meals to their community. Unique dishes include the grilled broccoli Caesar salad and the root beer glazed short rib. PeppermillAZ.com
Most beers list four primary ingredients on their labels: grains, hops, yeast, and water.
“What is not on the label, however, is all of the time, heart, creativity, and ingenuity that brewmasters and their teams pour into each can, bottle, growler, and keg,” says Trevor Needle, marketing director at Tempe’s own Four Peaks Brewing Company.
The brewing process is equal parts art and science, and something that must be seen to be believed.
“At Four Peaks, we want people to more than simply drink and enjoy our beer. We are passionate about educating our patrons on everything it takes to make our brews, as well as share stories about the historic place where they are crafted,” says Needle. “As such, we offer behind-the-scenes tours of our flagship brewery operation on 8th Street.”
The standard tour is led by an experienced guide who delves into the property’s wild history, shares stories from the brand’s early days, and walks guests through the brewing process, step by step.
Among the notable stories shared during the tour include how the brewery was first founded by a duo of Arizona State University alumni—Andy Ingram and Jim Scussel, and Randy Schultz who came from restaurant management—in 1996. The location itself was built in 1882. In its early days, it was a combination creamery/ice factory. It later housed a variety of businesses, including a recording studio owned by Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms, who hosted such greats as Stevie Nicks and Sublime, as well as many other regional and national musicians.
During the tour, also expect to hear about the development of Four Peaks’ No. 1 bestseller Kilt Lifter, which put Arizona beer on the map in the 1990s with multiple medals at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup, as well as the story behind its second most popular brew, Wow Wheat.
“Wow Wheat has a special place in our hearts as we developed it in partnership with the Joy Bus Diner, a local nonprofit restaurant that nourishes individuals with cancer,” says Needle. “Proceeds from this particular beer are donated back to Joy Bus to help them continue their incredible mission.”
Tour guests also have the chance to see some of the equipment in action, and there are samples of beer included with each ticket.
“If visiting in October, our tours have a little something extra, as well,” says Needle, noting there are special themed tours in honor of Halloween all month long. They start at $40 per ticket and include a limited-edition T-shirt and 32-ounce pitcher of Four Peaks’ seasonal Pumpkin Porter.
After the tour, guests often head to the brewery’s expansive pub, also on property, where they can order a variety of beers to sample, both regular and seasonal alike, as well as cocktails, wine, and mead. The food menu is nearly as long and impressive as the drinks, with elevated gastropub fare ranging from pizza and sandwiches to burgers and salads. On weekends, many tour-goers opt to indulge in the craveable brunch before or after a tour, which is available Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features a variety of benedicts, decadent buttermilk fried chicken and waffles, and even a modern twist on an Egg McMuffin.
FourPeaks.com/tours
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Shrimp Cocktail
• 1 lb. large shrimp
• 1 Tbs. peppercorn
• 1 each bay leaf
• 1 ½ cups lemon juice
• 2 cups lime juice (1 ½ for mix, ½ for sauce)
• ½ cup clamato
• ¼ cup Cholula
• ¼ cup ketchup
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 Tbs. chili powder blend
• ½ each tomato
• ¼ each jalapeño
• ½ each cucumber
• ¼ each onion
• ¼ each avocado
• ¼ bunch cilantro
• Sea salt (to taste)
• Tortilla chips directions
Peel the raw shrimp, de-vein, and butterfly from the top. Bring water to boil with peppercorns and bay leaf. Blanch the shrimp for a couple of seconds and take it out of the water quickly. Immediately put the shrimp in the ice bath, followed by the lemon/lime juice mix to finish curing for at least 30 minutes. During this time, mix together the cocktail sauce of clamato, Cholula, ketchup, orange juice, lime juice, and chili powder. Dice the tomato, jalapeño, cucumber, and onion into a pico de gallo. In a bowl, take the cured shrimp and pico de gallo and mix well. Place shrimp cocktail in a bowl and pour the cocktail sauce over the top and add the sliced avocado, cilantro, and sea salt to taste. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRAD HENDRON
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR FIRST ACUPUNCTURE APPOINTMENT
Acupuncture has been used for over 2,500 years to naturally relieve pain, restore health, and nurture well-being. It is a component of Chinese medicine that uses hair-thin needles into certain points along the body to help with things such as overall wellness, pain, stress, and more. Here, Anna Lunaria, licensed acupuncturist at Yin Rising Acupuncture in Tempe (YinRising.com), answers some of the most commonly asked questions about it.
“While most patients do feel a difference within one treatment, acupuncture is a physiological process, not a magic treatment.
... The best part is that the benefits of acupuncture are often long-lasting.”
Many people are afraid of needles. I explain that while many of us associate needles with injections and blood draws, those needles are much thicker than an acupuncture needle. The needles we prefer at Yin Rising Acupuncture are as thin as hair. Most people find acupuncture painless.
Are needles reused?
No, all our needles come in sterile packages and are disposed of in a Sharps container.
Do I keep my clothes on?
It depends on what we are treating. If you do remain clothed, it’s best to wear clothes that are easy to roll up past the knee and elbow. If we’re treating back or hip pain, then yes, clothes are generally removed.
How long are treatments?
It depends on what we are treating, and your age, state of health, and preferences. Treatments can be as quick as 20 minutes, while some can be 90 minutes. Generally, an acupuncture treatment lasts 45 minutes—10 to 15 minutes to insert the needles with 25 to 30 minutes of resting while the needles remain in place. MRI studies indicate that after 30 minutes, the brain stops responding to acupuncture stimuli.
old do you have to be to receive it?
My youngest patient was 3 weeks old (colic) and my oldest patient was 94.
How many sessions do I need to see a difference?
While most patients do feel a difference within one treatment, acupuncture is a physiological process, not a magic treatment. Most chronic conditions can take 10 to 20 treatments. Research shows that acupuncture works best when received two to three times per week. The best part is that the benefits of acupuncture are often long-lasting.
A Quick Guide to Open Kitchen Shelving
Before installing, thoroughly plan your layout. Balance appliances, windows, and focal points. Open shelving should create visual balance without obstructing flow.
Adding open kitchen shelves to your space not only offers a realm of storage opportunities, but they are a great way to show off your decorating style. Here, Kitchen Tune-Up Tempe Ahwatukee shares a few ways to optimize your open shelves to make the most impact. KitchenTuneUp.com
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
When styling shelves, group similar items together for visual appeal and accessibility. For example, arrange white dishes together or stack favorite cookbooks. Use complementary colors and themes to create a uniform story throughout your kitchen.
Open shelves allow for showcasing your personality. Intermix decorative pieces like small plants, art, or unique knick-knacks among dishes.
Maintain open shelves neat and dust-free. Regular cleaning is crucial since they’re exposed to kitchen grime.
Put the carving tools down and check out how you can add some pizzazz to your pumpkins with just a paint brush.
ARTICLE BY NICOLETTE MARTIN
For this design, you’ll need several pumpkins or gourds in various shapes and sizes, some white and metallic acrylic paint, hot glue and some fake creepy crawlers.
Paint your “background” pumpkins in metallic colors. For your centerpiece, use white paint to cover the body, metallic paint for the stem and hot glue your creepy crawlers all around.
OCTOBER 6TH
Tempe Tardeada
Tempe Community Center Complex | 12:00 PM
Celebrate Tempe’s Hispanic Heritage at the 26th annual Tempe Tardeada, an afternoon social festival featuring music, dancing, and traditional Mexican foods, arts and crafts, face painting, and inflatables for children—all for free from noon to 8 p.m. This event takes place in conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrates Tempe’s Hispanic history and roots. Tempe.gov
OCTOBER 11TH - 13TH
Four Peaks Oktoberfest
Tempe Beach Park
Four Peaks Brewing Co. and Tempe Sister Cities hosts this weekend full of entertainment for all ages, German food and beers, a carnival, races, and plenty of oom pah pah. This event is a long-standing Tempe tradition and is celebrating its 51st year. FourPeaksOktoberfest.com
OCTOBER 15TH - 20TH
Funny Girl
ASU Gammage
This Broadway revival dazzles with celebrated classic songs, including “Don’t Rain On My Parade” and “People.” This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history. ASUGammage.com
OCTOBER 19TH
Harelson Park/Warner Ranch | 5:00 PM
Celebrate the neighborhood with snacks, live music, cool vendors, and so much more. Kyrene de la Manitas steel drum band will perform. For more information, email Brooke@look2brooke.com.
OCTOBER 26TH
Mountain America Stadium | 6:00 AM
Join the Cystic Fibrosis community on event day to celebrate the progress and commitment to finding a cure for every person with cystic fibrosis. Every climber is committed to helping advance a cure for the condition. Join as an individual or as a team—by joining, you can help them reach them reach a lifesaving goal. FightCF.org
OCTOBER 26TH
The Official 7th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl
Fat Tuesday | 4:00 PM
Get ready for a spooktacular night as you join hundreds of others for this crawl that begins at Fat Tuesday on Mill Avenue. Some drinks or shots included with the ticket; no cover at any bars, the mid-party, or the after-party; a $1,000 costume contest; professional photographers, custom crawl cups (first 400 check-ins); drink specials, and more. CrawlWith.us./tempe/halloween
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