Union Public House

Tags

local, Places to eat, things to do, Tucson nightlife, Tucson Restaurants, Union Public House, Union Tucson

If you haven’t already heard of Tucson’s newest gastropub, Union Public House is a restaurant not to be missed!  Union is a place where you can come have a beer and watch the game or can come dressed up on a date; their dress code is come as you are. Owner Grant Krueger and General Manager Chris Thompson told us how they wanted to keep Union true to the culture of Tucson. To do this, they’re trying to make Union an everyday restaurant with really good food and a great bar! They have even brought a first to Tucson, wine on tap. Currently Union has 16 wines on tap and beers ranging from a basic Bud Light to Lost Coast. Their circular bar invites you to sit and enjoy a glass, and finds a way to draw in the entire restaurant.  Both Grant and Chris recalled a night when they were busy with a line out the door, and nobody wanted to sit in their private dining room, so as not to miss anything going on in the restaurant and bar area. They truly have created a place unique to Tucson, mixing great food and drinks with an incredible atmosphere that almost feels like you are transported out of Tucson.

Burger at Union

Union is doing more than adding another great restaurant to Tucson; it is also filling the gaps that in our opinion Tucson was lacking. One of these gaps is creating a place for the post-college crowd to go. If you are someone in your mid to late 20s looking for a place to go out, the options were limited. Fourth Avenue, for the most part, is often filled with people looking to get drunk while restaurants that try to be lounges at night usually draw an over 40 crowd. Union brings a fun atmosphere mixed with a combination of yummy drinks and delicious food. It is somewhere you want to go, and where everyone fits in.

Seating area inside Union

Another gap Union is filling is late night dining. After 9 p.m it can be hard to find a good restaurant still serving food.  They are committed to serving their made-from-scratch food all night long, and recently announced their kitchen will be open to 1 a.m. How many times have you been out and after a few beers wanted a bite to eat only to find out the kitchen was closed? If you happen to find yourself having late night hunger cravings after a few drinks at Union, we both recommend the pretzels! And for those with a sweet tooth, Thompson would suggest the brownie.

So what do you need to know about Union? Its located in St. Philips Plaza in Acacia’s former space.  Their “social hour” (happy hour) happens seven days a week and goes until 7 p.m. Another great tip–they are the only restaurant open during the St. Philips Farmers Market, and on Sundays offer a build your own Bloody Mary bar. If you can’t decide what to order, we can personally recommend the pretzels and the burger. Union’s burger is topped with Red Dragon English cheddar, pickled onions, arugula, and bacon jam on a house-made bun. Krueger’s favorite item off the menu is the UPH pork chop, served with a Gouda and Nueske’s bacon hash brown and fried parsnips. For even more information on Union check out their website or their Facebook page.

Carrie’s Tucson Top 10, Part 2

Tags

downtown Tucson, things to do, Top 10, Tucson

Today, I give you part 2 of my Tucson Top 10. Enjoy!

Looking down Congress Street

6. Congress Street/4^th Avenue/University Blvd walk: I might be a little sentimental since my significant other and I did this walk on our first date, but I think it provides a great picture of Tucson’s heart, culture, and personality. The update to the 4^th Avenue underpass with its mural of Tucson faces makes for great conversation, and the underpass creates an easy connection between 4^th and Congress Street. Take 4^th Ave. to University Blvd and let yourself head east through the lovely historic West University district. (I’m obsessed with those picturesque bungalows and their deep front porches.) You’ll eventually find yourself in Main Gate Square, and your Wildcat spirit starts to kick in.

7. Pastiche’s Corn-Crusted Waffle Fries: So here’s the thing about these fries. They’re not always on the menu at Pastiche so you may not even know what I’m talking about or be able to rush out to Pastiche Modern Eatery and try them. But I’m telling you, these are the best fries in town. French fries are my comfort food, my favorite food, and I eat them far more often than is good for me, so I know my stuff. These are waffle fries (criss-cross fries, if you prefer), and they’re tossed in corn masa, fried to a lovely crispness, and served with a little chile remoulade dipping sauce. Dipped in the sauce, they are crispy with a slight kick, and quite simply, can turn a bad day into a good one (at least for me).

8. Agua Caliente Park: I was told to find this park one day for an assignment for my photojournalism class, and I have loved it ever since. We weren’t told where it was, of course—we were supposed to be journalism students after all. A quick Google search will tell you that Agua Caliente Park is also known as the Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park, and it’s located in what looks like Tucson’s east side middle of nowhere. When you finally find it (and it’s really not all that hard to find with a good Google map), it’s like discovering an oasis. The sprawling grass, the shade of the palm trees, and the lake (?!) all combine to create a serene, not very desert-like setting. Take a picnic, take the kids, take your significant other, take yourself. It doesn’t matter—just go there this weekend.

9. La Baguette Parisienne: This is a little bakery on the east side at Broadway and Pantano in the Sunflower Market plaza. The minute you walk in you’re overtaken by the scent of fresh baked goods. I’m especially fond of the flutes and the chocolate chip shortbread cookies. All of the breads and pastries are also incredibly inexpensive. Fair warning—the bakery only accepts cash.

10. Climate: As I write this, it has been days upon days of an average 77 degrees in Tucson in December/January (and when I post this, the high temps have still been about 65+), and perhaps that is my very favorite thing about this city. I grew up in NJ, but over the years I have embraced the fact that I am a warm weather girl. Is there really anything better than a blue sky, going out without a jacket, and having lunch on a patio in January? I think not.

Carrie’s Tucson Top 10, Part 1

Tags

restaurants, shopping, things to do, Tucson, Tucson Festival of Books

Over the years, I’ve developed quite a few favorite Tucson things. It’s hard to pick just one when we’ve got such a great variety of places to eat, things to see, and things to do in this city, and honestly, it’s only getting better. Here are a few of my Tucson staples. Look for part 2 later this week.

1. Zona78: This is my favorite restaurant in Tucson. It’s a casually nice place, where you’d love to have a date, but it’s just as comfortable going with a group of friends or even just yourself. The food is always delicious, especially the bruschetta, made with house-made mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, basil, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.
2. The Gaslight Theatre: For the last couple of years, I’ve chosen to celebrate my birthday at this funny, eastside melodrama dinner theater. Their pop culture spoofs, improvisational style, and the audience interaction always makes for a laughter-filled night. The ice cream sundaes don’t hurt either!
3. Neo of Melaka: I tried this restaurant for the first time this past summer because of the Tucson Dining Card (a great summertime deal!), and I loved Neo right away. The mix of dishes from various Asian countries means the menu appeals to a variety of tastes, and yet none of the dishes suffer from a divided focus. Every dish I’ve had there is delicious, and Neo of Melaka has become my go-to eastside eatery of choice.
4. 

   Posing with the Berenstein Bears at the Tucson Festival of Books 2010

   Tucson Festival of Books: When this event debuted in 2009, I was overwhelmed with excitement. I still get overly excited each year with the approach of the Festival of Books. For my entire life, I have been a book lover. For two days in March, I clear my schedule and devote my Saturday and Sunday to attending this family-friendly festival. I make sure to pick up the Arizona Daily Star with the Festival of Books insert prior to the event, and I pore through it to mark out which workshops I want to attend. It’s thrilling to see books, reading, and literacy take center stage for a weekend.

5. Bohemia Art Emporium: I was delighted to discover this part store, part art gallery a couple years ago. In the strip mall next to Broadway Village, in the former Austin’s Ice Cream space (RIP Austin’s), Bohemia offers an eclectic mix of artwork, handmade goods, and fun gift ideas. This is where I go when I want to pick up a pretty, unique item to give a friend. If you’re there, keep an eye out for the artwork of Wil Taylor. I’m always drawn to his depictions of strong, thoughtful, beautiful women.

Downtown Welcomes New Lounge

Tags

Playground, Tucson bar, Tucson nightlife

Kade Mislinski, owner of HUB Restaurant & Creamery, is a man overflowing with visions. This Thursday Tucson will embrace his latest vision, Playground Lounge & Bar. This is a melding of adulthood and childhood, an appeal to our memories of socializing on the swings and monkey bars, a return to our “first social experience,” he says.

Mislinski treated Local Tucson Scene to a tour of Playground while construction dust was still on the ground and furniture sat around in boxes and wrapped in plastic. Playground sits on the corner of Congress Street and 5^thAvenue, two doors down from HUB. You can look forward to enjoying drinks within the lounge’s main space, simply called Playground Lounge, with a view of the passing traffic of Congress Street. The windows are key to this space. Mislinski wants people to see what’s happening inside, to feel invited in to play. Television screens dominate one wall, and faux ivy dominates another wall. The communal bar sits squarely in the center, with the addresses of famous playgrounds around the country stenciled around it.

Looking up at an art installation in Playground Lounge

He then led us upstairs to Detention, a small craft cocktail space that will open weeks after the rest of the lounge. Here, he envisions a simple menu with a handful of drinks determined by the bartender. He pictures adding a long banquette bench, and during our tour, comes up with the idea for the “Bartender Banquette,” a play on a restaurant’s chef’s table.

We finished the tour in Bar Cinema, the back patio that will house a small bar, fire pits, and the Snack Bar. Cabana-style seating will be available on the grassy areas, and along the street side, Mislinski envisions another space for people-watching, enjoying drinks and snacks and the company of others. This is another way he hopes to entice passersby to come into Playground. The Snack Bar is as simple and as well thought out as the rest of the concept—think milkshakes, popcorn, s’mores.

The rooftop deck with its view of Congress Street, mountains in the distance, just a bare hint of Arizona Stadium beyond, will be reserved for special events and parties. He already has more than 30 events booked for the space in 2012.

This is the playground, re-envisioned for adults, from 21 to 71. But, it still has the heart of a playground—hanging out with friends, making new friends, socializing.

Construction inside Playground Lounge

As a fan of HUB, I’m excited to see how Playground adds to the nightlife of Tucson. I’m excited to have a new place to go for happy hour (Recess, as it’s called at Playground), and I’m thrilled to see another new business be a part of downtown’s steady revitalization. I think Mislinski’s vision is exactly what Tucson needs to grow as a city. He recognizes the unique personality of our city, our down-to-earth quality without a lot of concern for the flashy or the shiny. But his restaurant and soon, his lounge, also help elevate Tucson, to be a little more sophisticated, a little more hip, a little more polished.

Thanks to Mislinski, Tucson has a new place to play.

 

Krissy’s Tucson Top 10

Tags

Places to eat, ritz carlton, things to do, Top 10, Tucson Arizona

View from the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain

Top Ten ( in no specific order ) :

1. La Encantada– It is so relaxing to walk around this beautiful outdoor mall, do some shopping and enjoy the view of the mountains and the city. * If you want an amazing city view make sure to dine on Blanco’s patio.
2. Oreganos– Best Italian in Tucson!! (my opinion of course) I highly recommend ordering the off the menu bruschetta and for dinner the Big Rig, with chicken! Their chicken is amazing, don’t forget to add it. And save room for the Pizzokie, it’s the best in town. Try the ½ white chocolate and ½ chocolate chip version.
3. Ritz Carlton Marana– this is a great place to go even if you are not staying there. Go for a drink or for their delicious breakfast. The views are gorgeous and the hotel is beautiful, it is a great escape. The only thing I would change is they should offer discounts for locals, such as discounted room rates.
4. Sauce– one of the many Fox Restaurant concepts, this is a great restaurant! I love how casual it is, you can go here for a dinner date or after the pool on a summer day. I always get the “mix it up” with a cup of tomato soup and a small chicken Caesar salad. * If you are here in the summer don’t miss the pizza, salad & wine special!
5. Viewing the city lights at the top of Campbell– Best views of the city and very romantic!
6. University of Arizona – Being a T-Loc I have been on the UofA campus many times, and being there always reminds me of the good times I have had there. Whether it was tailgating for a football game or leaving my last class of my undergrad knowing graduation was the next day. This is a special and beautiful place in Tucson.
7. Mexican Food – Tucson really knows their Mexican food! In high school we were hooked on Nicos, but since then the $$ have gone up and the food has gotten smaller in size.  Some of my favorites in town are Guadalajara Grill, Blanco,  BK (try the Sonoran dogs) and we still visit Nicos after a long night out.
8. Local drinks (borderlands, barrio, nimbus) – I am always up for a good beer, and even better if I can support local businesses while drinking. Drink Local. 
9. Eegees – My favorites here include the fries w/ ranch and you can’t go wrong with a Strawberry Eegee! But if you want the BEST thing on their menu you will have to wait until July for their watermelon Eegees!
10. Sabino Canyon – I highly recommend the hike to 7 falls, but make sure to give yourself an entire day for this hike.