16 Dec 28th, 2023–Jan 3rD, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | been at the park, however. It started at the old Veterans of Foreign Wars building on Apache Boulevard as a fundraiser for Tempe Sister Cities, an organization founded in 1970. As it grew in popularity over the years, it needed room to expand and moved to Tempe Beach Park. Each year, thousands of revelers would gather to celebrate with Four Peaks beer and plenty of German music and food. That was until the pandemic hit. In 2020, the event was hosted virtually, and in 2021, it was canceled altogether. But in 2022, orga- nizers got it back on track and this year, the 50th-anniversary event was a success complete with wiener dog racing, brat- wurst eating, stein holding and plenty of beer drinking to go around. Major restaurants closed in 2023 Throughout the year, dozens of restaurants closed around the Valley. But some major players in the metro Phoenix dining scene shut their doors. Chef Stephen Jones, a two-time James Beard Award nominee, closed his celebrated restaurant the Larder + the Delta after five years. The chef promises he’s not done cooking, but no plans for a new restaurant have yet been announced. On Camelback Road, one of the Valley’s most iconic dining destinations closed this year. Tomaso’s on Camelback served its last customers in May after 46 years in business. And then in December, a short-lived spot unexpectedly closed its doors after making a splash during its one year in business. Piccolo Virtù, the third restaurant to join chef Gio Osso’s Virtu Honest Craft and Pizzeria Virtu was named our Best New Restaurant in the 2023 Best of Phoenix Awards. But just as it was about to hit the one-year mark, the restaurant was sold and has now closed. Mega sports events bring top chefs to town While not inherently food events, two massive happenings in the sports world brought celebrity chefs from around the country to town this year. The Super Bowl was held in Glendale in February and the surrounding weekend was one to remember. Guy Fieri set up shop just outside the stadium with his Flavortown Tailgate. Chefs Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Tim Love, Lasheeda Perry and Mark Buche hosted the Taste of NFL and Bobby Flay hosted The Players Tailgate. Then this fall, the Arizona Diamondbacks made it all the way to the World Series. The entire Valley erupted in celebration, restaurants included. There were Diamondbacks specials everywhere including at Chase Field, where stadium concession stands got in on the action, ditching cheap hotdogs for decadent specials including the Millionaire Steak Sandwich topped with black truffle cheese and a massive banana split dubbed “The Gargantuan.” This year in Phoenix was a good time to be a fan of baseball, football and food. Clockwise from top left: During the Arizona Diamondbacks World Series run, Chase Field concessionaires went all out with decadent food options. Tomaso’s served its last customers this year after over four decades in business. Federales’ fight to build a restaurant and bar on Roosevelt Row continues. (Photos courtesy of Arizona Diamondbacks, Tomaso’s and Four Corners) A Full Plate from p 14
