Noshing Around

New: On a Roll Sushi

After a year of being victimized by Murphy's Law, Dominic and Teresa Moreno opened On a Roll last week at 63 E. Congress St. With more than 60 seats, the downtown restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from lunch until 10 p.m. on weekdays, with hours extended until 2 a.m. on weekends. Check out the daily 4 to 6 p.m. and late-night happy-hour specials; 622-7655. Please support downtown businesses--especially new ones that take a risk during the construction.

Drink Beer for the Cure

During the month of October, locally owned Thunder Canyon Brewery is donating 25 cents for every pint of Octoberfest beer sold to support employee Maggie Kipling, who is participating in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Three-Day Walk for the Cure in Tempe in November. Kipling and her team, Esperanza, will walk 20 miles each day. Thunder Canyon Brewery is located at the Foothills Mall; 7401 N. La Cholla Drive; call 797-2652 or visit Kipling's fundraising Web site.

25th Anniversary Special

Roma Caffe is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Congratulations! From now through the end of the year, you can savor chicken cotoletta alla parmigiana served with pasta, soup, salad and bread for two people for only $25 (regularly $16.50 each). Roma Caffe is open Monday through Saturday at 4140 W. Ina Road; 744-2929; romacaffe.com.

Ode to Tepary Beans

Loews Culinary Institute hosts a new series of cooking classes focused on traditional desert foods. The monthly cooking class is a collaboration between the Ventana Room and Tohono O'odham Community Action (TOCA), a nonprofit organization based on the Tohono O'odham Nation. TOCA is committed to revitalizing the culture and healthy food traditions of the Tohono O'odham people. Held on the third Wednesday through February, each class begins with a tour of the nature trail and discussion of edible and healthy desert foods. The October class features tepary beans; the cost is $50 per person and includes a $50 gift certificate to the Ventana Room. Call 615-5494 to reserve and inquire about the schedule; classes are held from 1 to 2:30 p.m.