Thai Food Community Buffet
An annual event one of my esteemed predecessors, Adam Borowitz, raved about is happening again Saturday, Jan. 18, 5 to 7 p.m., at Wat Buddhametta, 1133 S. Swan Road. Real deal Thai chefs preparing a buffet of your favorite authentic Thai dishes, such as pad thai, curries, fruit dishes, etc. Gluten and dairy free options abound. Cost for the experience is a measly $10 donation that benefits the Buddhist temple and their free class offerings to the public. No RSVP or reservation needed, but it never hurts to plan ahead. Call 745-4624 or click over to www.tucsonbuddhistcenter.org for more info.
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards
Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch, 5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol Rd, is hosting its first wine dinner of the year. The event takes place Sunday, Jan. 19, 6 to 9 p.m., and will feature Ferrari-Carano Vineyards along with special guest, wine-maker Sarah Quider. Paired with the lovely wines, is a four-course Italian dinner. Cost for the dinner and drinks is $75, plus there are room deals if you happen to enjoy the wine and food too much! Seating is limited so make your reservations now, 529-3500 or e-mail execadmin@haciendadelsol.com.
Prep & Pastry Officially Open
As promised, and update on the old Amelia Grey's Café. Prep & Pastry is officially open at 3073 N. Campbell Ave. and offering some scrumptious looking breakfast and lunch, including dishes such as duck confit hash, and pork belly BLTs. They are still hosting the "Amelia's Afternoon Tea" Monday to Friday from 2 to 4 p.m., so practice getting your pinky fingers out! For more information, visit prepandpastry.com
Proper Goes All Simple Life
Tucson eatery, Proper, 300 E. Congress St., has partnered with locally based Farm Education Resource Network or FERN, to solidify the "farm to table" culture. Proper Tucson will be donating 1 percent of cash sales for 2014 to fund an apprenticeship program providing opportunities for the future farmers of Arizona. Proper is known for its reliance on ingredients sourced from Arizona's farming and ranching communities and has taken it one step further in its efforts to give back to the local industries that feed us Tucsonans. Proper and FERN are holding a kick-off "Cash Mob" (cash-only) event on Thursday, Jan. 23. Guests will be treated to a Proper meet-and-greet cocktail reception where they can meet the participating farmers. Guests are also encouraged to have dinner at their leisure and, of course, use cash. For more info, visit www.propertucson.com.
