New
Wild Noodles recently opened at the Foothills Mall. The fast-casual chain of franchises has eight locations in six states with looming rapid growth. Menu items include Asian, American, Italian and low-carb noodles plus salads and an unusual dessert–wonton s’mores. Wild Noodles is located at 7475 N. La Cholla Blvd; 531-9373.
Tea Culture at Seven Cups
Zhu Ping, certified Chinese tea master, teaches a series of six weekly lessons covering six different teas. Each class delves into that particular tea’s ceremony, health benefits, history and culture. Join at any time; pre-registration is required. The cost of the series is $150; classes are held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at 2516 E. Sixth St.; 881-4072.
Flamenco Flavors
Every Saturday during December, the Hotel Congress features a multicultural experience with flamenco music and dancing plus a trio of tapas and house-made sangria for $5 each at 311 E. Congress St. from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Gone
The phones at Ménage a Trois wine bar and restaurant, Adobe Wine Deli and South American Parallel 32–which was slated to replace Ovens at St. Philip’s Plaza at Campbell and River roads–have all been disconnected. Ménage had received its share of rave reviews, too, and the location is a good one. Fernando Elizalde, what happened?
House Wine
One balmy night at Hacienda del Sol’s Terraza, Rebecca asked sommelier Dan McCoog to make a selection for a fun red. He presented us with House Wine–a big bottle with quirky graphics from K. Vintners in Walla Walla, Wash. This heady combination of 85 percent cabernet sauvignon, 11 percent syrah, 2 percent cabernet franc and 2 percent merlot explodes like a silky-smooth déjà vu, filled with comfort but a tad whimsical. Then, a few weeks later, Noshing reader Roger inquired whether I’d ever had House Wine and noted that B-Line was pouring it. For home use, pick it up at the Beverage House (6250 N. Oracle Road) for $11.59 per bottle.
This article appears in Dec 9-15, 2004.