Noshing Around

Trading Places

Café Poca Cosa closes its doors on Feb. 18 and reopens in the slick new space at 110 E. Pennington St. (at Scott Avenue) on Feb. 23. Although the new location won't look like a piñata exploded, it will still be colorful, with pomegranate-hued walls, artful niches, chocolate-colored chairs, a sleekly sculpted bar and a private dining room. Owner Susana Davila wants customers to know that the same menu and friendly service remains, along with free parking in the connected green parking structure. Call 622-6400 for reservations.


Progressive Dinner

From the Tucson Downtown Alliance comes a great idea that introduces diners to three downtown restaurants by providing wheels to meals. The adventure begins at Monkey Box for appetizers and a cocktail, then moves to the recently opened Central Bistro at the historic depot for dinner, then ends at Cushing Street Bar and Grill with dessert and an after-dinner drink. The cost is $50 per person, which includes food, beverages, transportation and gratuity. It starts at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Call 547-3342 for reservations.


Generosity of Independents

The Tucson Originals was to present a check for $17,784 to the Community Food Bank on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Pastiche. The money was raised during the third annual Tucson Culinary Festival, held November 2005.


The Contender

On Feb. 7, Chef Philippe Trosch, executive chef at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort's five-diamond Ventana Room, was invited to cook for 70 people, including two media tables and members of the James Beard House in New York City. Chefs who cook there garner exposure in hopes of a James Beard nomination; they're announced in March or April. A James Beard nomination is equal to a culinary Academy Award. Trosch served a five-course menu. Good luck, Philippe Trosch!