Noshing Around

Arizona Restaurant Week

More than 40 local restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe dinners for $19, $29 or $39 in observance of Arizona Restaurant Week, from Saturday, Sept. 18, through Sunday, Sept. 26. Visit www.arizonarestaurantweek.com for a list of participating restaurants, reviews and other tidbits. Many restaurants fill up quickly for this event; early reservations are highly recommended.


Make That an Extra Large

The Peter Piper Pizza on Broadway Boulevard near Park Place Mall has relocated to a spot big enough for the owners to install a full-size amusement ride. The new location at 5925 E. Broadway Blvd. covers a whopping 20,000 square feet, said Matt Clauser, vice president of marketing for the Tucson franchises. Clauser said the new location also has a large adult-friendly area with numerous plasma TVs.


Get Your Greek On

We stopped in at Athens on Fourth Avenue (500 N. Fourth Ave.) recently and were reminded how satisfying Greek food can be. The simple combinations of quality ingredients, the salty cheese, the oil, the wine ... it left us wondering why we haven't dined more often at the restaurant, which has been around for about 17 years now. Also worthy of note is the place's new Hellenic Happy Hour, where deep discounts on cocktails, beer, wine and appetizers are available from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. 624-6886; athenson4th.com.

While we're on the subject ... the annual Greek Festival is nearly here, and this year's event has more food-related goings-on than you can shake a dolma at. The event will feature an expanded Greek deli booth and cooking demonstrations by representatives from OPA! Restaurant, My Big Fat Greek Restaurant and others. It's also a great opportunity to stock up on Greek spices, coffee, olives and other goods. Get your Greek on from Thursday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Sept. 26, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (1145 E. Fort Lowell Road). 888-0505; www.stdemetriostucson.org.


Openings

May's Counter Chicken and Waffles (2945 E. Speedway Blvd.) is finally open and slinging Southern comfort food from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. Chinese Box (4299 W. Ina Road, Marana) is also open and selling Cantonese and Mandarin fast food from 11 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday; 572-7000.