Underground Dining…What’s That?
In a few short weeks, Chandler Cultural Foundation and Culinary Mischief will play host to forty passionate food and wine lovers and arts enthusiasts who come together for an exclusive underground dining experience to support the arts in Chandler. But, what is an “underground dining experience?”
Underground dining is an opportunity for a chef to showcase his or her work outside the restaurant setting. During these events, guests are able to enjoy amazing food and be surrounded by new and old friends (think extraordinary dinner party). The “underground” part of the entire event is the location is not disclosed until a few days prior to the event (in our case 3-4 days out).
For the first time ever, Chandler Center for the Arts will be host our very own underground dining event. Chef Gabriele Bertaccini, a passionate Italian Chef and wine lover, is the creator of this event and many others. He believes food and wine tasting experience is not complete if it is not shared with fellow foodies in the spirit of fun and pursuit of a great time. Chef Bertaccini has inspired hundreds of guests to love and understand food in locations around the globe
During our ” underground dining experience” guests will have the opportunity to indulge in six great wines and six amazing courses. In addition, live and silent auctions will be available and lots of surprises you won’t want to miss!
Have you had an underground dining experience? If not, now is you chance to change that. Gather your friends and join us on October 18 or 19 for an evening you won’t forget. Learn more here!
Art Full Of Gratitude
Eat Your Art Out Chandler was a success. Thank you to all those who went and ate their “art” out. It was wonderful to see the community supporting the arts. A special thank you to all of the restaurants and their staff who participated. We can’t wait for next year! In the meantime, please continue to go out to eat and support the restaurants who graciously supported us.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Culinary Art Galore
T minus 22 days until Eat Your Art Out Chandler. Have you selected the restaurant you will be visiting on February 26? If not, no worries. Today we are delighted to introduce two more restaurants joining our Eat Your Art Out Chandler team. Please meet Latitude 8 Thai Grill and D’Vine Bistro. Both locations offer an artistic culinary menu that will excite and delight your pallet.
For starters, what does Latitude Eight mean? Latitude Eight is a geographic designation for the southern part of Thailand which includes the island of Phuket, and other southern coastal cities such as Krabi and Hat Yai, where fresh seafood dominate the cuisine. Naturally, the owners, David and Nicha, felt Latitude Eight Thai Grill was a fitting name since the menu revolves around Thai inspired food. It was important for Nicha and David to show the more modern and updated feel of current Thai cities and culture, so they created a modern and serene space to present their food, while not losing the warm and neighborhood feel of Downtown Chandler. The restaurant’s goal is to elevate traditional Thai food by bringing contemporary beauty to the presentation and atmosphere without sacrificing authenticity. You can tell the moment you walk in (just look at the photo above of the interior of the restaurant).
Pour yourself a glass of wine as we head to another divine location. Dvine Bistro & Wine Bar is a Chef Driven American Eclectic Menu, with a Superior Wine Selection, as well as Spirits, Craft Beer, and prices to please. Their motto: “Make wine approachable.” No wine snobs, no point systems. The best wine they carry is the one YOU like. Their sensible portions allow guests to sample from a diverse menu. Lunch or dinner, you’ll be sure to find something “D’Vine” to satisfy your appetite.
Both these location are sure to make your taste buds dance in delight.
Please support the restaurants who support us! When you grab lunch or go out to dinner, try one of these participating Eat Your Art Out Chandler Restaurants.
Latitude Eight
11 W Boston Street, Suite #5, Chandler, AZ 85225 Map
Eat Your Art Out Participation:
- 11am-2pm and 5-9pm
Hours
- Lunch:
- Monday thru Friday 11:00 am to 2:00pm
- Closed on Sundays
- Dinner:
- Tuesday thru Thursday 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Friday 11:00am to 10:00pm
- Saturday 11:00am to 10:00pm
- Closed on Sundays
D’Vine Bistro & Wine Bar
Hours:
3990 S. Alma School, Chandler, AZ 85248 Map | 480.782.5550
Facebook
Hours:
- 11am – 11pm
Winery, Bistro & Cafe
Today we have the great opportunity to highlight two Eat Your Art Out Chandler Restaurants, Kokopelli Winery & Bistro and Bay Leaf Cafe.
Let’s first start our restaurant exploration at Kokopelli Winery & Bistro. Don, one of the restaurant owners, still remembers being a six-year-old boy and making his first batch of wine with his grandpa. “We didn’t have the same equipment as we did back then, we used a basket press,” recalled Don. When Don had his first experience being a wine maker as a little boy he asked his Grandpa, “How am I doing?” His Grandpa looked on in encouragement and told him not so bad. That was one of the many moments that shaped the idea for Kokopelli Winery & Bistro.
Eventually, Don and his wife, Carol, made the move to Arizona to start the winery. The winery was fulfilling a great promise that Don made to his mother that one day he would grow her a vineyard and that is just what he did. Don’s mother is the second generation winemaker in America from the Minchella family. “We don’t know how many generations we have back in Italy except for the fact that there are one too many to count,” Don said.
Today the winery is one of Arizona’s oldest and most decorated. It’s award winning Bistro offer fresh European style lunches and dinners. When asked why they are participating in Eat Your Art Out Chandler they responded by saying, “Giving back to our community is part of our mission.”
Time to travel to a different cuisine and culture. A new concept in Indian food offering healthy, delicious food customized to your choice is exactly what Bay Leaf Cafe is all about. Opening their doors on December 16,2011, Bay Leaf Cafe aimed to establish itself in an honorable position amongst the top restaurants in Chandler area. Bay Leaf Cafe features contemporary, seasonal cuisine in a setting that combines striking neoclassical architecture with simple yet elegant modern furnishings.
Bay Leaf offers the convenience of traditional Indian menu and quick grab and go options for those in hurry. Rice Bowl, Chapathi wrap, salads and popular chats are offered under their quick menu. Traditional fare includes tandoori and curry dishes. When asked why they are participating in this event owner, Satyendra said, “I believe Art is an integral part of our life and should be promoted to make our generation/future generations sensitive to human attributes.”
Please support the restaurants who support us! When you grab lunch or go out to dinner, try one of these participating Eat Your Art Out Chandler Restaurants.
Kokopelli Winery & Bistro
Hours (General):
- Monday: 11:00am till 6:00pm
- Tuesday- Thursday: 11:00am till 9:00pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11:00am till 10:00pm
Live Music & Dinner Friday & Saturday - Sunday: 11:00am till 5:00pm
35 W. Boston St., Chandler, AZ 85225
480.792.6927
Facebook
Bay Leaf Cafe
Hours:
- Tues-Sat 11am-9.30pm
- Sun-11am-8.30pm
- Mon-closed
SE Corner of Chandler Heights & Alma School Rd.
955 W Chandler Heights Rd ste-1, Chandler, Arizona 85286
Phone: 480-802-6634
Facebook
Vintage Dine
Food, Glorious Food! It’s Artsy Fartsy Foodies Tuesday and we have another great Eat Your Art Out Chandler restaurant to introduce. Today we are exploring Vintage 95.
As you pull up to the Vintage 95 building you can instantly sense the rich history imbedded in the walls. In 1926, the building was originally Chandler’s first Post Office. Since then, the building has been used for a variety of businesses. Today it holds the deliciously classic Vintage 95.
The idea for Vintage 95 came when owners, Gavin Jacobs, Craig Hills, and Tricia Hills united to realize a vision of creativity and passion. This vision turned into the sophisticated and inviting atmosphere enticing anyone to come in and dine. Vintage 95’s food and beverage program consists of contemporary American with a twist on the classics.* In conducting our research we explored the menu. Each menu is filled with gems of delight, for example the Mexican Chocolate Mousse which is served with a Chili Dusted Chocolate Truffle (yes please!).
From Sunday brunch to a Tuesday evening and beyond, Vintage 95 is committed to giving their guests amazing service, delicious food, and an unsurpassed selection of wine to the city of Chandler. For your next meal out, swing by Vintage 95 and explore their menu.
Don’t forget to visit them for dinner on Tuesday, Febraury 26 (Eat Your Art Out Chandler)!
Hours:
95 W. Boston Street
Chandler, AZ 85225
480-855-9463
Map
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Vintage95
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Vintage95Lounge
Please support the restaurants who support us! When you grab lunch or go out to dinner, try one of the participating Eat Your Art Out Chandler Restaurants.
On a side note…
Restaurants can still sign up for Eat Your Art Out Chandler on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. If your favorite restaurant is not on the list, let us know and we will contact them to see if they would like to participate. Bon Appétit!
*All historical information was selected from http://www.vintage95.com/story.html
Artsy Fartsy Foodies: A.J.’s Cafe
We are thrilled to report A.J.’s Cafe at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort is joining us for Eat Your Art Out Chandler on February 26, 2013.
A.J.’s Café embraces over 90 years of history in serving their guests. A casual dining experience allows you to explore the history of foods at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort. Old style dishes take you back to the early years of the resort, while showcasing the talents of their culinary team. Old world service meets contemporary cuisine and creates a unique dining experience.
The San Marcos Resort has a long history of being Chandler’s Hotel and being a centerpiece of the growth and success of the city. When asked why they support the arts they said “The San Marcos Resort feels strongly about supporting all of the arts and downtown Chandler.”
Make your reservation to join them on Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 for breakfast!
25% of Sales will be donated to Chandler Center for the Arts.
Hours: 6:00am – 9:00pm
141 S Arizona Ave.
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480)812-0900
Map
Facebook
Please support the restaurants who support us! When you grab lunch or go out to dinner, try one of the participating Eat Your Art Out Chandler Restaurants.
On a side note…
Restaurants are now able to sign up for Eat Your Art Out Chandler on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. If your favorite restaurant is not on the list, let us know and we will contact them to see if they would like to participate. Bon Appétit!
Artsy Fartsy Foodies: Serrano’s
Margaritas, homemade bean dip, hot tortilla chips, enchiladas, tacos…mmmm…
All of these amazing Mexican traditions can be found under one roof, Serrano’s Mexican Food. And to our delight, Serrano’s Mexican Food will be joining us for Eat Your Art Out Chandler on February 26, 2013.
In 1979, Ernie and Eva Serrano were working in the family business, Serrano’s Clothing Store, in downtown Chandler. Using the same Serrano’s logo as their clothing stores, Ernie and Eva bravely opened their first restaurant just behind their clothing store. The restaurant quickly became a customer favorite.
Fast forward to today. The Serrano family now owns and operates eight restaurants with seven Mexican food locations in the Southeast area. Along with Ernie and Eva, six of their eight children are involved in the restaurants.
Envision colorful plates full of delicious Mexican food, your traditional Mexican music in the background and the table surrounded by great friends. That is exactly what you can expect each time you enter any of Serrano’s restaurants. Serrano’s uses only the freshest foods, direct from our growers in Queen Creek and Willcox, Arizona. If you are looking to fill your belly with tasty, traditional Mexican food, this is your one stop spot!
Come out Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 and join them for lunch or dinner (or both)!
25% of Sales will be donated to Chandler Center for the Arts.
Hours:
- Sunday-Wednesday: 11 am to 9 pm
- Thursday-Saturday: 11 am to 10 pm
141 S Arizona Ave.
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 899-3318
Map
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Serranos-Mexican-Food-Restaurants/217361174160
Please support the restaurants who support us! When you grab lunch or go out to dinner, try one of the participating Eat Your Art Out Chandler Restaurants.
On a side note…
Restaurants are now able to sign up for Eat Your Art Out Chandler on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. If your favorite restaurant is not on the list, let us know and we will contact them to see if they would like to participate. Bon Appétit!
Artsy Fartsy Foodies: Tasty Two
Mouthwatering news! Two more restaurants, Floridinos and Dilly’s Deli, are joining us for Eat Your Art Out Chandler on February 26, 2013.
Jeff Weninger and Sarah Converse, had always worked in the food industry. It only seemed natural when these two had an opportunity to continue in what they knew best.
In 1993, Weninger and Converse opened the doors to Dilly’s Deli. Their motivating concept “Build the best sandwiches using the finest ingredients for a fair price and business will prosper.” Beginning with their first location in Tempe, their homemade bread was sliced to order. Bread is still made fresh in-store daily and thanks to word-of-mouth exposure from our loyal customers they have expanded to a well known sandwich shop in four locations within the Phoenix Valley. Dilly’s Deli offers a unique menu you can’t receive just anywhere.
As Dilly’s Deli grew Weninger and Converse listened to their customers discuss their favorite restaurants from back home. Floridino’s took the requests to heart and in 1996 they opened a second restaurant with the promise to embrace family-oriented, full-service, true Italian restaurant food in Chandler. Floridino’s is a place customers love to come to see the same faces, great food and a warm environment.
Between the two restaurants, 90% of their employees and customers live in the Chandler community. When asked why Dilly’s Deli and Floridino’s support Chandler Center for the Arts they replied “We love seeing the community come together for such a great event.”
And we are ever thrilled these two palatable restaurants are joining us for Eat Your Art Out Chandler. Be sure to stop by and enjoy a meal today.
Come out Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 and join them for lunch or dinner (or both)!
25% of Sales will be donated to Chandler Center for the Arts.
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
- Friday – Saturday 11am – 10pm
2895 Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 722-0645
Map
Facebook: facebook.com/dillysdeliaz
Twitter: twitter.com/dillysdeliaz
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
- Friday – Saturday 11am – 10pm
590 N. Alma School Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 812-8433
Map
Facebook: www.facebook.com/floridinospizza
Twitter: twitter.com/Floridinos
Please support the restaurants who support us! When you grab lunch or go out to dinner, try one of the participating Eat Your Art Out Chandler Restaurants.
On a side note…
Restaurants are now able to sign up for Eat Your Art Out Chandler on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. If your favorite restaurant is not on the list, let us know and we will contact them to see if they would like to participate. Bon Appétit!
Artsy Fartsy Foodies: Two Room Delight
We are pleased to announce two restaurants, The Living Room and The Sushi Room, will be joining us for Eat Your Art Out on February 26, 2013. This neighboring duo takes you from the wine vineyards of Italy to the retro atmosphere of Asia.
We start our cuisine journey at The Living Room. The Living Room is a relaxed, comfortable, welcoming wine lounge & café in Chandler. The food ranges from delicious appetizers such as red pepper hummus with warm pita bread to soups and sandwiches like the Prime Rib French Dip sandwich. And let’s not forget the wide range of exquisite wines. Tom Kaufman, owner of The Living Room, is passionate about offering a wine selection that takes you around the world.
Buckle up as we travel next door to The Sushi Room. Enter the doors to an oasis of beautifully crafted food and decor. The Sushi Room chefs are passionate about their 27 types of sushi rolls and non-sushi dishes, including a kid’s menu and vegetarian options. Inspired by their executive chef, Joseph Chun, a Valley local, who adds his Arizona touch to the special rolls and finds the freshest fish in the desert. The Sushi Room is sure to please those seeking a delightful experience.
Make sure to keep a look out for their new steakhouse and grill restaurant, ChoP Chandler, opening in mid-December.
For your next cuisine adventure, whether you are seeking to taste the sunset of Tuscany or the retro vibe of Japan, both of these “rooms” are sure to enchant your taste buds.
Come out Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 and join them for lunch or dinner (or both)!
25% of Sales will be donated to Chandler Center for the Arts.
The Living Room
Hours:
- Sun. – Thurs. 11am to 11pm
- Fri. & Sat. 11am to 2am
2475 W. Queen Creek Road
Chandler, AZ 85248
480.855.2848
Map
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheLivingRoomChandler
Twitter: twitter.com/livingroomaz
The Sushi Room
Hours:
- Mon – Thurs 11am to 10pm
- Fri and Sat 11am to 11pm
- Sun 11a to 9pm
2475 W. Queen Creek Road
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 821-9000
Map
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sushi-Room/262251473798470
Twitter: http://twitter.com/thesushiroom
Please support the restaurants who support us! When you grab lunch or go out to dinner, try one of the participating Eat Your Art Out Chandler Restaurants.
On a side note…
Restaurants are now able to sign up for Eat Your Art Out Chandler on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. If your favorite restaurant is not on the list, let us know and we will contact them to see if they would like to participate. Bon Appétit!
Artsy Fartsy Foodies: Iguana Mack’s
Round up your friends, kick up your boots and prepare for some delicious news. Today we are excited to announce Iguana Mack’s is joining us for Eat Your Art Out.
Iguana Mack’s is “a blast from Arizona’s Roadhouse past.” As soon as you enter the restaurant you are greeted with the savory roadhouse menu and a down-home, fun lovin’ atmosphere.
But, the merriment doesn’t stop with the food. Mosey on over to the bar and order one of their special roadhouse-themed beverages, locally crafted beers or custom cocktails. And when it comes to nightlife, Iguana Mack’s is the place to be. Count on your evening being filled with entertaining Live Music or exceptional guest DJ’s.
So whether you are looking for great food or a fun evening, Iguana Mack’s has it all.
Come out Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 and join them for dinner!
Iguana Mack’s is donating 25% of the proceeds to support Chandler Center for the Arts.
Hours: 11am-2am 7 days a week
Alma School & Knox
1371 N. Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
480-899-6735
Map
Website: www.iguanamacks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IguanaMacks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/iguanamacks
And if you happen to find yourself in need of some fun this Thanksgiving, head over to Iguana Mack’s – doors open at 6:00pm!
Please support the restaurants who support us! When you grab lunch or go out to dinner, try one of the participating Eat Your Art Out Chandler Restaurants.
On a side note…
Restaurants are now able to sign up for Eat Your Art Out Chandler on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. If your favorite restaurant is not on the list, let us know and we will contact them to see if they would like to participate. Bon Appétit!
Eat Your Art Out Chandler! Pittsburgh Willy’s “Best Hot Dog Joint In Town!”
It’s Wednesday and the special today is Pittsburgh Willy’s award winning cheese ‘n potato pierogies! I didn’t even know how to say “pierogies” (as my laughing co-workers can attest to!) and I can barely spell it but anything filled with cheese and potatoes has to be amazing, especially if Pittsburgh Willy’s is serving it. (The correct pronunciation is pye-roh-gee by the way.)
But don’t take my word for it. Take the readers of Phoenix New Times “Best of Phoenix” 2012 issue who just voted Pittsburgh Willy’s as the “Best Hot Dog Joint In Town!” Pittsburgh Willy’s is famous for their gourmet hog dogs cooked up fresh everyday with lots of one of a kind foods – all with a Pittsburgh touch!
Their specialties include:
- Gourmet hot dogs with a wide variety of fixins’!
- Award Winning Pierogies
- Specialty Sammiches (sandwiches for you non-Pittsburgh folks)
- No bean chili
- BBQ Pulled Pork
- Steel City Sliders
When Randy Walters, owner of Pittsburgh Willy’s, signed up to participate in Eat Your Art Out Chandler for the second year, we asked him a few questions about why he decided to start his own restaurant.
Q: Why did you decide to get into the food industry?
A: My dad had a hamburger/hot dog joint in the 1940’s. He lost the restaurant during the war. I was born much later but always heard about it and always wanted a hot dog joint!
Q: Why are you participating in Eat Your Art Out Chandler?
A: I am blessed to be doing what I love every day and my success depends entirely on the support of local customers….it is an honor to give back and support the local Chandler arts.
Q: Why support the arts in Chandler?
A: “As one of my T-shirts I sell in my restaurant says that has become my motto, ‘WE are CHANDLER one city/my city’.”
(I love this answer!)
Q:Why has your business been successful?
A: It takes folks back to simpler times, where a family can come in, relax and enjoy amazing customer service along with fresh made foods and delicious gourmet hot dogs n’ sammiches. My customers are family and they will feel the local commitment to the Chandler community and what makes doing business in Chandler like spending time with family.
Q: Describe Your Restaurant:
A: Step back to simpler times where you will feel like you’re eating at a friend’s home. From the outstanding customer service to the quality of food, you will experience what a “family joint” is like in Pittsburgh…without leaving friendly Chandler! From our amazing homemade no bean chili and pierogies to our many gourmet hot dogs and sammiches, PittsburghWilly’s promises that you will leave our joint well fed and eager to return!
Pittsburgh Willy’s is donating 50% of their proceeds between 11am-3pm to the Center’s fundraising event, Eat Your Art Out Chandler on Tuesday, February 26 !
1509 North Arizona Ave.
INSIDE MERCHANT SQUARE
Chandler, AZ 85225
480-857-2860
Map
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pittsburghwillys
Please support the restaurants who support us! When you grab lunch or go out to dinner, try one of the participating Eat Your Art Out Chandler Restaurants.
On a side note…
Restaurants are now able to sign up for Eat Your Art Out Chandler on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. If your favorite restaurant is not on the list, let us know and we will contact them to see if they would like to participate. Bon Appétit!
Eat Your Art Out Chandler? What is that?
When the Chandler Cultural Foundation’s fundraising committee put their fundraising hats on last season, they wanted to create an event that brought the community together; an event where lots of people could participate and be actively involved in supporting the arts in Chandler; much in the same spirit that got the Center built 23 year ago. The answer was Eat Your Art Out Chandler which was held on Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
For those of you who are new to the area, the Chandler Center for the Arts building is owned by the Chandler Unified School District and the City of Chandler. Against all odds, under the guidance of then Mayor Jerry Brooks (and Chandler Cultural Foundation Board Member Emeritus), these two government entities came together with the support of the community 23 years ago and raised $10 million to get the Center built. They created an agreement where the school district had priority use of the facility Monday-Thursday for it’s (now 44 ) schools in the district and the non-profit Chandler Cultural Foundation, established by the City of Chandler to oversee operations at the Center, would book headline entertainment, visual arts programming, hold fundraising activities and rent out the facility to various groups Friday-Sunday. This unique and nontraditional partnership has been used as a model for similar partnerships across the nation over the past 23 years.
While we are a City of Chandler and Chandler Unified School District building, our artistic and outreach programs are privately supported. The Chandler Center for the Arts receives no direct appropriations for artistic programming. Our appropriations must be applied only to the maintenance and operation of the actual building. Ticket sales and other earned income cover only part of our programming expenses, which means we must rely on donations in order to deliver quality arts programs at an affordable cost to the public.
Last February, we held the first Eat Your Art Out Chandler community event that brought together Chandler restaurants, arts patrons and corporate sponsors for one day to show their support for the arts in Chandler. Funds from Eat Your Art Out Chandler went to support various programs at the Center including headline entertainment, the Free Summer Concert Series and the Connecting Kidz programs.
Restaurants helped by selecting a mealtime (breakfast, lunch, dinner or all day) and donated 25-100% of their proceeds from that time-frame to the Chandler Center for the Arts on Tuesday, February 28. The community helped by eating at one or more of the participating restaurants on that day during those time frames.
The media helped by donating over $110,000 worth of advertising to promote the event and the 17 participating restaurants. When all was said and done, the community raised just under $10,000 for the Center! It was a huge success and an event we are doing again next Tuesday, February 26, 2013!
SAVE THE DATE!!