Page 42 April 2014 Spring temperatures take vegetarian diners outdoors B i w G L i H s s p i By Amanda Savage Patio dining is one of the many ways we celebrate wearing shorts and flip-flops while the snow is just melting in other parts of the country. For April, I thought I would look into the vegetarian and vegan options available at some of the area’s most beautiful patios. Chelsea’s Kitchen 602-957-2555 5040 N. 40th St. Hanging tree branches and the canal that flows directly behind the restaurant creates a sort of backyard oasis at Chelsea’s Kitchen. The vegetarian and vegan options at Chelsea’s Kitchen make it the perfect spot for lunch or a casual dinner. The restaurant serves weekend brunch, but there are very few veg options available. For lunch or dinner, start with guacamole and chips, which are vegan and vegetarian. Then, order the veggie burger (made vegan if served Adam and Eve style and without the Russian dressing) or veggie tacos (vegan as is), with a side of fries (also vegan). Chelsea’s Kitchen also has delicious vegetarian sides like mashed potatoes, kale slaw and heirloom white beans (vegan, and a great addition to the veggie tacos). The Vig 602-553-7227 4041 N. 40th St. The Vig Arcadia wins hands- down for brunch patio spot, solely based on its tofu scrambler (and possibly its $15 bottomless mimosas), which is a vegan burrito with tofu, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, green onions and poblano chiles – definitely add guac and pico de gallo. The Vig is also a great spot for lunch, a casual dinner or late-night bite. The regular menu offers many vegetarian options for every course. While there aren’t many vegan options listed, per se, The Vig is open and happy to make vegan alterations to existing menu items – just ask. I recommend starting with cheesy tater tots, hummus or nachos without meat. Then, moving to the black bean burger or mac and cheese! Jade Bar 480-607-2300 5700 E. McDonald Dr. Jade Bar at Sanctuary Resort sits along Camelback Mountain, and offers one of the most beautiful views of North Scottsdale/Phoenix by way of valet. For vegans/vegetarians Jade Bar is a great place for happy hour, light eats or a late- night bite. This would be a great place for vegans to order multiple appetizers to share, as their “snacks” and “small plates” consist of many vegan options, but their “big plates” lack. Literally every option is good. The popcorn, slow- roasted cauliflower, salted chips (with the exception of the caramelized dip) and eggplant hummus are all vegan starters. Vegetarians can enjoy the truffle mac and cheese for an entree and the creme brulee and nutella donuts for dessert. If you have only one thing here (and are not vegan) try the donuts. They are life changing. T. Cook’s & The Mix Up Bar 602-808-0766 5200 E. Camelback Rd. The Royal Palms offers one of the most romantic settings in the Valley. The old, Spanish-style architecture mixed with its “hidden” element seems to transport guests to a vacation state-of-mind. Food wise, T. Cook’s and The Mix Up Bar are perfect for vegetarians who eat dairy and eggs, but there are few options available for vegans. The Mix Up Bar is a less expensive, more casual version of T. Cook’s, and makes for a perfect happy hour meet-up, or light eat, as the only vegetarian food options are a caprese flatbread, roasted mushroom flatbread and mixed nuts with popcorn and pistachio brittle, and desserts. T. Cook’s offers daily breakfast, lunch and dinner menus along with separate brunch menus for Saturday and Sunday. Each menu offers vegetarian options, and while there aren’t vegetarian entrees printed on each menu, there is a vegetarian special offered verbally each day to every table. While it is difficult to list each item from the five menus that fall into the vegan or vegetarian category, the roasted butternut squash soup, roasted beet salad, flatbread, vegetable frittata and French toast are among some of the vegetarian options available on the menus. helsea’s Kitchen he Vig ade Bar T. Cook’s & The Mix Up Bar Visit your tablet’s app store and search “Arcadia News” to download your free app today! Find us on the go!

Page 43 April 2014 6 D A Y S 1 0 E V E N T S 1 0 0 R E S T A U R A N T S $3.8M+ DONATED PROUDLY PRESENTED BY SCOTTSDALE LEAGUE FOR THE ARTS 100% of event net proceeds fund art and art education programs in Arizona. S C O T T S D A L E F E S T. O R G T O P T I E R S P O N S O R S A S O F F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 ® 36TH ANNUA L SCOTTSDALE CULINARY FESTIVAL A P R I L 8 - 1 3 2 0 1 4 Postino barman tells all... By Amanda Savage Full name: Sander Streeter Position: Bartender Years at Postino Arcadia: Ten Where was your first job? Caddying at Westchester Country Club n New York. I was 11 years old and I wanted to buy a bike! When did you get your start in the bar business? I started in 1983 at Paradise Bar and Grill in Tempe. Later on, I worked at La Luna in France, the historic Holly Hotel n Michigan, and in Arizona -Tarbell’s, House of Tricks and Postino! How do you spend your free time? Cooking with my friends, biking, wimming and some traveling over the ummer months. Guilty pleasure? Hillstone’s hot fudge sundae! Fun fact people might not know about you? I taught high school French for a short eriod of time. What is your favorite thing about being a bartender? The people that I work with... they make t a great place to be! What about your least favorite thing? The retirement plan. If you could only pick three things that embody a great bartender, what would they be? Product knowledge, personality and customer recognition. What’s the oddest request you’ve ever gotten from a customer? A woman who requested a Harvey Wallbanger. (I hope she’s not reading this!) It’s a given that as a bartender you get hit on, or see others get hit on, what is the worst pick-up line you’ve ever heard? “I lost my number, can I borrow yours?” What’s your go-to drink when you’re out? Kettle soda, two lemons! Where are some of your favorite local spots to hang out at (besides Postino of course)? Casey Moore’s, Cartel and Hillstone! What’s your favorite cocktail or wine at Postino? 2010 Dunn Cabernet from Napa Valley. It’s your day off, you have nothing to do, money is not an object — what would you be doing? I would be skiing at Telluride! Sander Streeter from your friends at Pete’s Happy Easter Happy Easter WE’RE HAPPY TO SERVE YOU AT ANY OF OUR 8 CONVENIENT VALLEY LOCATIONS! • 22 S. Mesa Dr, Mesa • 1017 E. Apache Blvd, Tempe • 1111 E. Buckeye Rd, Phoenix • 2628 W. Van Buren, Phoenix • 3920 S. Central Ave, Phoenix • 4121 N. 44th St, Phoenix FAX: 602-952-9233 • 5516 W. Glendale Ave, Phoenix • 9309 W. Van Buren, Tolleson Need a menu? Visit our web site: WWW. PETESFISHANDCHIPS .COM Burgers, Dogs, Burritos! Scrumptious Fish & Chips! Fresh Breaded Onion Rings! Children’s Menus at Some Locations! Drive Thru/Take-Out Is Our Specialty! ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ Family Owned & Operated Since 1947