Food Co-op marks 40 with free cake, music
The Food Conspiracy Co-op, 412 N. Fourth Ave., is celebrating its 40th birthday on Saturday with free cake and music.
Stop by between noon and 3 p.m. for a slice of cake and a glass of milk (cow, soy or rice). There will be music by the Dusty Buskers. There's also face painting and balloons for the kids.
In addition, the co-op is offering discounts to members. More at foodconspiracy.coop
Saturnalia wine-event may mix in some magic
Certified sommelier and magician Kenny Stewart and DJ Carl Hanni have conjured up a monthly wine-tasting event that blends their talents.
Saturnalia will move to different locales each month, with Club Congress on Wednesday, La Cocina Restaurant in March and Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery in April.
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The tastings will take place later than traditional ones, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
"There's a lot of people that miss out on wine tastings - they say they're too early," Stewart said. "I want to make it an event. It's an opportunity to taste wines and get a quick education."
Hanni, who will spin vinyl at the events, explained the name: "We were looking for something that kind of reflected some sort of decadent approach to a good time."
The music will reflect Saturnalia's lounge ambiance: a mix of Latin groove jazz, exotica, downtempo electronica and sexy sounds from around the planet.
Stewart added magic to his repertoire last year.
"I used to be into magic when I was a kid," said Stewart, 39. "I joined some magic dork clubs and studied magic DVDs."
If things get slow, Stewart said he will bust out his bag of tricks.
"I'm always packing magic. I'll rock out some card tricks or some rope tricks."
Wednesday's event starts at 9 p.m at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. The tasting will cost $5 and feature five Portuguese wines.
Jax Kitchen now has a sister: The Abbey
Things are looking different at Jax Kitchen.
The menu has been revamped, right down to how it's laid out on paper, said co-owner Brian Metzger.
The change reflects that Executive Chef Virginia "Ginny" Wooters is at the helm of Jax as well as its recently opened sister restaurant, The Abbey, 6960 E. Sunrise Drive.
"We used that as an excuse to look at the menu with fresh eyes," Metzger said.
Now you'll find nibbles like a crab toast appetizer, featuring grilled baguette and fresh crab salad, and a duck leg confit salad with apples, pears, roasted beets, bleu cheese and a pickled cranberry vinaigrette.
Jax is at 7286 N. Oracle Road.
Janos special dinner with Dr. Loosen wines
Janos Restaurant, 3770 E. Sunrise Drive, is having a Dr. Loosen Estate Wine Dinner.
The five-wine, four-course menu of mostly seafood will begin with hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m. Feb. 24.
Wines from Dr. Loosen Estate in Mosel, Germany, will be paired with a menu from chef Janos Wilder.
Winery representative Matt Giedraitis will come from Germany, bringing the rare 1991 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese. Another unusual wine to be served will be the 2008 J Christopher Pinot Noir from the winery's sister property in Oregon.
The dinner costs $65 per person plus tax and gratuity.
Call Janos at 615-6100 to reserve or for more info.
German menu returns to Tubac resort
German specials are returning to The Tubac Golf Resort & Spa.
Favorites such as bread dumplings with creamy mushroom ragout ($11) and stuffed cabbage roll served with onion beer sauce, sauerkraut and potato salad ($14) are served from 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Tuesdays.
The resort is at 1 Otero Road in Tubac. For reservations and information, call 1-520-398-2678.
Papa Locos carves out niche in Rita Ranch
Papa Locos Tacos and Burgers has been serving all that and more since opening in Rita Ranch last June.
Bob Christian and his fiancee, Leticia Ramirez, opened the eatery at 8201 S. Rita Road, in the former Madre Mia's Mexican Cuisine. Ramirez comes from Guaymas, where her family has been in the restaurant business for more than 30 years.
"Everything is made from scratch," Christian said.
In addition to tacos and burgers, the menu includes tortilla soup, a cheesesteak, burritos and tortas. The Sonoran hot dog drew raves on Urban Spoon.
