New: The Lab Food and Drinks
O’Hungry’s, in Main Gate Square at 944 E. University Blvd., has closed, and a new place called The Lab Food and Drinks has opened there. We stopped in and found breakfast plates, sandwiches, salads and other standard American fare. The new owners are also capitalizing on the half-yard glasses that were O’Hungry’s claim to fame, but the new restaurant serves beer and margaritas out of the enormous vessels. Two suggestions for this eatery: Serving shots in test tubes would match your concept perfectly, and please post a menu on your website. Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily; 624-3907; www.thelabtucson.com.
Find the Buddhas
Did you know that if you find all nine Buddhas in the dining room at V Fine Thai Dining, you get a drink on the house? The swanky place at 9 E. Congress St. that’s run by Vila Jarrell also has a new program where patrons can have up to 16 bottles of wine stored in special, temperature-controlled lockers. Call the restaurant for pricing and more information. Jarrell says the eatery features a sculpture garden and Thai-themed murals that are a lovely backdrop for her Friday wine-tastings and other events. She’s also adding lunch hours in the coming weeks; 882-8143; www.tucsonthai.com.
Salsa and Tequila
An upcoming benefit for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona focuses on two of the more important facets of Southwestern life. The Southern Arizona Salsa Challenge from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 27, will feature chefs from Boca, Mosaic Café, Jax Kitchen and other renowned Tucson eateries. Salsa-tasting tickets are $10, which gets you a plate of chips and tastes of 12 salsas. The Southern Arizona Tequila Challenge takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on the same day, and features some of the city’s best mixologists. Tickets are $35, which includes drink samples, food-pairings and more. Visit saaca.org/salsatequilachallenge.html for tickets or more information.
Coming Soon: Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink
A new restaurant called Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink is setting up shop in the historic Reilly Funeral Parlor building at 102 E. Pennington St. Owner Tyler Fenton tells us the place will serve an array of finely made pizzas, sandwiches and fresh pastas. There will be a bar-and-lounge component as well. We’ll be back soon with more details.
This article appears in Aug 11-17, 2011.
It looks like the La Salsa on the SW corner of Campbell and Fort Lowell is shuttered.
Thanks. I noticed that this morning. Any idea how long it has been closed?
I’m thrilled to hear that a food & drink place is getting ready to open up in the former Reilly Funeral home on Pennington. I’m not thrilled about the food idea though. Pizza, pasta & sandwiches? Not very inventive or needed. Bummer.