Tucson Culinary Festival
Taste, savor and enjoy the four days of events from Oct. 23-26, starting with the margarita championship and going all the way through the reserve tasting, the grand tasting and the brunch/Copper Chef cook-off. The margarita event is slated to be held at the Historic Train Depot downtown, with the rest of the events happening at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. This year's festival beneficiaries are the Tucson Originals, the Community Food Bank, New Beginnings and the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation. Check out the schedule, participants and sponsors, plus purchase tickets and more at the festival Web site.
New: Fratelli Gelato
Fratelli Gelato Lounge is one cool place, serving 27 flavors of gelato and other frozen Italian confections. Unlike at other ice cream shops, here, you'll feel like you're sitting in the middle of a Copenhagen furniture store: Décor and details matter. Fratelli is locally owned by two brothers. View the menu at the Lounge's Web site; 2485 N. Swan Road, No. 141; 319-5739.
The Grill's New Exhibition Kitchen
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol reopened last week, introducing a newly renovated dining room with an exhibition kitchen lounge. The Grill's Sunday brunch resumed Sept. 7. A new monthly event, the sommelier's cellar sale, offers bottles of wine at 50 percent off. The next sale, featuring Spanish varietals, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort is located at 5601 N. Hacienda del Sol Road; 299-1501.
Glorious Glassware
Would you believe that drinking wines in the proper wine glass can make a difference in enjoyment? I'm skeptical. To experience the difference, join Pastiche for five different wines in five different glasses at 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13. The cost is $35 per person, or $85 per person if you decide to keep the glassware, at Pastiche Modern Eatery, 3025 N. Campbell Ave.; 325-3333.
Coming Soon
Steve Schultz, owner of Red Sky Café in Plaza Palomino, will be opening Luna Bella, also in Plaza Palomino (at 2990 N. Swan Road), in the location that Firecracker Bistro and the short-lived Bistro Philippe used to occupy. Luna Bella will serve Northern Italian fare.
