Archive for June, 2009
Rock out on the 4th of July!
It’s a weird July – the down economy has forced several event organizers to abandon efforts for Fourth of July events across the Valley so sadly, there just won’t be as many lights in the sky as there used to be. But, one Mesa business that is carrying on with tradition is Rockin’ R Ranch. In true, Western style, they are ready to put on a show for residents of Mesa and gathering friends and family. Their “Old Fashioned 4th of July Spectacular” starts with activities at 5:30 including watermelon eating contests, wagon rides and gold panning. A hearty dinner with all the fixins’ starts at 6:30 with BBQ chicken and beef (all you can eat!). The Rockin R Wranglers hit the stage at 7:30 and the evening will end in celebration – fireworks and all just before 9. Tickets are $20 for kids, $30 for adults. Find out more at www.RockinR.net.
Add comment June 30, 2009
FREE Family Movie Night this Saturday, June 27
Free Movie Night at the Mesa Amphitheatre
I’m looking forward to FREE Family Movie Night this Saturday, June 27, 2009 at the Mesa Amphitheatre. Madagascar 2 is a must see for families and even if you’ve seen it it is worth watching again. Hope to see you there tomorrow night!
Here are more details:
See “Madagascar 2 – Escape 2 Africa” for free on Saturday (June 27) as Mesa begins its Free Family Movie Nights at Mesa Amphitheatre. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 8 p.m. A large inflatable screen will be on the stage, allowing great views and plenty of seating on the grass and terraces. There will be free bounce houses for the kids, and concession stands will be open. Guests are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. No alcohol is permitted. 263 N. Center St, Mesa. 480-644-2171.
Add comment June 26, 2009
Free Coffee & a Bagel ✄$$
GoGo Ginger here…. want to share a “bite” of news I just received:
July 1st GRAND OPENING of Kokobelli Bagel & Café!!!
FREE cup of drip coffee and your choice of bagel with cream cheese!!!
from 7am to 10am
Kokobelli Bagel & Café
Fiesta Mall, In the Food Court
1445 West Southern Ave
480-969-5343
kokobelli bagel
Bon Appetite!
Add comment June 24, 2009
Simply Delicious
Mangos Cafe
Last week I introduced a friend to one of my favorite lunch spots, Mangos Mexican Café in Downtown Mesa. Just as much as I enjoyed this eatery on my first visit (and every time thereafter), she did too! I love the cozy feel as you walk in the front door, from the little café tables to the colorful walls. And the food is simply delicious! I always get the corn tortilla tacos with a side of rice, which is plenty to fill me up. And don’t forget the homemade tortilla chips. They are so tasty, it’s hard to keep from eating them all!
The great food and ambiance keeps Mangos pretty packed during the lunch rush, so you may want to head on down a little early (or later). Keep in mind they have outside patio seating, which is great during the cooler months.
Check out Mangos on your next lunch outing!
Mangos Mexican Café,
44 W Main St
480-464-5700
Add comment June 18, 2009
❦❧ Wines from the Vine ❦❧ Twice as Fine ❦❧
GoGo Ginger here again!
So, I stopped in last week to try the Pillsbury Wine Co.’s vinos at the Cellar Pub at Sun Devil Liquors.
Although I am a white wine drinker, the other tasters fell in love with the 2006 & 2007 vintages that were featured. (I even overheard an order for 2 cases)
I had fun talking with a few of the regulars, my bartender Kat and the owners. They were extremely friendly and eager to share tips with me, I took lots of notes.
PillsburyDistributor - Wine Tasting 6/11/09
Weekly Specials -
Mon & Tues: $1 off wine by glass/draft beer & 50¢ off bottle beer
Wed: No Cork Fee
Thurs: Wine Tastings (not avail july-aug) 6-8pm $5 per person, per tasting. ($5 credit is put toward purchase of two featured wines during tasting, $2.50 for one bottle)
Fri: Beer Tastings (not avail july-aug)
Sat & Tues: discount wine cart
**Summer special $3 Sangria (red)
Over the counter/Bar:
Beer: 3 on tap, rotates when kegs are emptied, prices range $4-8 glass or can purchase items from coolers in cellar at printed price.
Wine: About 20 “house” wines to select from, red, white, rose, and various varieties, prices range $7-9 glass
www.sdliquors.com • (480) 834-5050
235 N. Country Club Dr., Mesa, AZ 85201
Tourist Tip: Peanuts are available from the bartender on request.
For the connoisseurs: Wine Lockers available to rent
See you there tomorrow - This week, Argentinean wines featured! GoGo Ginger (
Cellar Pub, downtown Mesa
Add comment June 17, 2009
Who’s Your Daddy? The Party Continues in Mesa
Winners, losers, smokers, boozers. High techs and rednecks, bikers and thirsty hitchhikers. They are all welcome at Mesa’s newest offering, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. Earlier this month, local celebrities and fans came out in the hundreds when Toby Keith rolled into town to open his newest restaurant. And, restaurant is an understatement. This place is GINORMOUS (thank you Webster’s for acknowledging such a cool term so I don’t look like a fool using it). At 20,000 square feet, there is literally no stopping what can take place here. Toby himself said he “expects great things”, and so do we at the Mesa CVB.
The restaurant has a fully-equipped stage and you can catch live entertainment every Thursday night through Saturday night. As the lyrics to “I Love This Bar” dictate -there is never a cover charge and yup, beer is served in a Mason jar. On the weekends, you can be equally impressed with their “flare”tenders putting on a good show behind the bar. I’ll have to let someone else from our team blog about the food as I simply haven’t had a chance to get at some. Both times I’ve been to TK’s I was so busy running around all I could do was drool at the heavy platters of food as they whizzed by me. But, I wanted to make sure folks knew that this place caters to all – there is no dress code and honestly, you don’t have to appreciate country music (or even know who Toby Keith is for that matter) to enjoy this newest offering at Mesa Riverview. You just have to be seeking out a good time as you’ll definitely find it here – in Mesa!
Add comment June 15, 2009
❀Wine N UnWind Time!!❀
GoGo Ginger here….planning my next ventue!
I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t been to this hidden Mesa treasure in quite a few years….Time to fix that, tomorrow night!!
I just found out about and am planning on attending the Thursday Night Wine Tasting at Sun Devil Liquors Wine Cellar from 6-8pm.
This week’s feature: Pillsbury Wine Company’s newest releases.
Sun Devil is located at 235 N Country Club Drive.
You can reach them at (480) 834-5050 or www.topsliquors.com
$5 per person, per tasting. And even better….your tasting fee is credited toward a two bottle purchase of the featured wines during event.
Sun Devil Wine Cellar
Hope to see you there!!! Cheers!
GoGo GingerTourist tip: If you can’t make this week, there are still 3 more dates before they lay back and enjoy the summer months, see the website for dates and special features….you’ll probably see me there for the Argentinean tasting too. (
Add comment June 10, 2009
Close encounters of desert creatures
Just as the sun is setting, creatures and plants at the Desert Botanical Garden begin their evening adventures. Participate in one of the garden’s Flashlight Tours and get a chance to see everything from night-blooming flowers to owls, bats, and nighthawks. The tours are held Thursdays and Saturdays from now until August 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. Interpreters will be on hand to introduce you to a king snake and a tarantula. You may be one of the lucky ones to see the Arizona queen of the night bloom. Now that’s a treat!
The garden is located at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix. For more information: www.dbg.org
Add comment June 10, 2009
Who knew saving our planet was this yummy!
I had lunch today with Pizza Fusion owner, Jennifer Parks, and I have to say – that woman has one incredible story. (You can read about it here: http://tinyurl.com/mdmcov ). If you haven’t been yet to this new restaurant making waves here in the East Valley, what are you waiting for? Your tastebuds and your conscious are missing out. Just think – pizza, paninis, hearty salads and about the tastiest, gooey-ist, warmest fudge brownie you can sink your teeth into. But it’s so much more than that. For those interested in global warming and sustainable development, you’ll be happy to know that Mesa’s Pizza Fusion is set to become Arizona’s first and so far, only, LEED certified restaurant. They recycle, deliver via hybrid vehicles, use recycled blue jeans as insulation, use earth-friendly building materials (think bamboo, recycled glass…), have soy-based everything from paints to varnishes – and lessen their restaurant-biz footprints with wind energy offsets!
Hey Mesa - Pizza Fusion delivers!
But, that’s not the half of it. The food is phenomenal. Don’t go thinking you’re eating healthy just because they use organic products – although eating healthy is totally possible here – rather, this pizza is loaded with the freshest ingredients and that’s what makes it so tasty. They work with local purveyors and farmers to get the freshest produce to use in their bruschetta, sauces and have incredible relationships with cheese companies. Picky about your cheese – no worries, they have 7 types. My personal fave is the organic mozzerella. Got wine? They do! And tons of it – the good stuff too. They specialize in organic wines but have an equally impressive list of non-organic options, too. Pairing pizza and wine is a no brainer – and now you can pair it with live music. The Sahnas Brothers (incredibly talented flamenco guitarists) perform here often – call them to get the next date: 480-832-5200) – go early! You won’t want to miss it.
And finally, no blog I write is ever complete unless you have the “Mom Tip”. Moms looking for alternative restaurants that are kid-friendly will find it here (umm…let’s just say, you don’t always have to take kids to eat with a big red bird!). Every third Saturday, Pizza Fusion in Mesa hosts a kids education class where they can learn the real meaning behind being green and eating organic. Held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. topics change but are all geared to making little ones know the value of Mother Earth. And, all kids can play chef and make a personal pizza at the end of the class - for FREE! All they ask is that kids register so they have ample supplies and seating on hand. Here’s the upcoming schedule – save the dates my Mesa moms – totally worth it!
Sat., June 20
Sat., July 18
Sat., August 15
You can find out more about Pizza Fusion in Mesa (located between Higley & Recker Roads, on McKellips) on the national website link above, and follow them locally on Twitter, too @PizzaFusion021. I’m off to “save the earth, one pizza at a time!”.
Kids Gone Green...
Add comment June 8, 2009
Same Sun, More Fun, Less Burn This Summer In Mesa
Check out the NEW YouTube video about Mesa Stay-cations at VisitMesa.com/Values . This recently added video shares all the great things to experience right here in Mesa. From fabulous hotel pools, Sunsplash, tubing the Salt River, and much more.
Then when you decide to take a Stay-cation in Mesa click here to make your planning easy with the following savings and tips:
- Mesa Money – Save $10 A Day on Your Stay in Mesa
- Citywide Summer Values
- Budget-Friendly Planning
- More Ways to Save this Summer
Enjoy your summer and don’t forget to take a Stay-cation or Vacation this year.
Add comment June 5, 2009
