On The Menu Live

24/04/2021

Are you among Tucson's certifiably Banhdicted?

Check out my column in this week's Inside Tucson Business to learn about these spectacular sandwiches!

It’s been described as a banh mi boom when an information technology executive partnered with a real estate professional last fall to respond to a paucity of local purveyors of

09/04/2021

What roles do clothespins, teapots, and Mayan totems play in the cocktail culture at downtown Tucson's El Mezquite Grill & Taqueria?

My column in this week's Inside Tucson Business explains!

When my cocktail arrived with a corked ampoule of liquor fastened to the glass with a miniature clothespin, I knew there had to be a story behind this spirit riding

25/03/2021

Banh Mi bliss!

12/03/2021

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on today's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks included the Grab-n-Go Date Night Dinner from Gallery of Food (imaginative pizzas, two kinds of salads, buttery cookies, and a DVD!); this Saturday's start of St. Patrick's Day celebrating at Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar (they had me at corned beef tartines with cabbage, horseradish remoulade, and Guinness mustard); and the release of the 2021 Distiller's Cut at Whiskey Del Bac (this single malt beauty rested in a Spanish Sherry cask for years before it was recently bottled).

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice!

12/03/2021

Preparing our palates for St. Patrick's Day on the Wake Up Tucson radio show this morning with sips of Proper Whiskey!

11/03/2021

My Inside Tucson Business column this week pays tribute to my late Godfather as St. Patrick's Day approaches, while taking a peek at what a Tucson Iron Chef has planned for the big day!

St. Patrick’s Day is nearly upon us, and memories of Matt Kane will again mark the day for this Godson of Washington, D.C.’s most revered Irish pub proprietor.

05/03/2021

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on today's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks included the Johnny Rawls blues show at Monterey Court Studio Galleries and Cafe (See you tonight; I'll be the guy with the BBQ pulled pork sandwich!); the official can release of Ten55 Brewing Company's XOXO Coffee Stout (a lighter-bodied stout that's poolside perfect); and the 99th Anniversary menu at El Charro Cafe (count me in for the Combo-99!).

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice!

28/02/2021

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on Friday's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks included Friday Night Jazz at Bacio Italiano (great music to pair with your pasta, pizza, carbonara, cannoli...); the 50th Anniversary celebration at Food Conspiracy Co-op (with the release of a special collaborative ale with Crooked Tooth Brewing Co.); and the return of Sunday Brunch at Commoner&Co. (Chef Kyle Nottingham and crew at their morning best).

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice!

26/02/2021

Considering options for celebrating National Sauce Month in March?

Mulligans has 23 suggestions, almost one a day for the entire month. Check out my story in this week's Inside Tucson Business!

French chef Fernand Point once said, “In the orchestra of a great kitchen, the sauce chef is the soloist.” That must mean that local chef C.J. Hamm will take center

13/02/2021

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on yesterday's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks highlighted some upcoming Valentine's delights: The Dutch Eatery & Refuge (I'd go for the lobster ravioli with a brown butter sauce!); Wildflower American Cuisine (try the miso prawn and coconut bisque with burnt lime and chili oil!); and BOCA Tacos (the green chile relleno of ahi tuna escabeche could be a showstopper!).

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice!

10/02/2021

Check out my column in this week's Inside Tucson Business where I tell the story of a native Texan turned Tucsonan and how he's reimagining stadium club cuisine at the new Arizona Sands Club!

Hand-shucked and char-grilled oysters with chorizo and queso Chihuahua. Blackened tuna mignon with banana-jalapeno fried rice. Ribeye steak with a Burgundy mushroom and shallot ragout.

06/02/2021

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on yesterday's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks included the "5-6-7 happy hour" at Dante's Fire (5 dishes until 6pm for $7 each); the opening of Toast 101 (Eleven distinct toast and French toast expressions!); and Super Bowl suggestions for fans of Tampa and Kansas City cuisine (get a few boxes of Cuban sandwiches from Fini's Landing to cheer on the Bucs, or some racks of ribs from Brother John's Beer, Bourbon & BBQ for the Chiefs to rack up a win).

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice!

29/01/2021

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on today's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks included Crepes & Craft Beer at Arizona Beer House tonight (try the fig and duck crepes from Planet of the Crepes food truck); the opening of pre-orders for Commoner&Co.'s three Super Bowl Butcher Boxes (choose from the Essential, the Best, and the Ultimate); and mountaintop cold weather comfort food at the Iron Door (try the Iron Door chili with warm corn bread and honey!).

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice!

27/01/2021

Some unique mezcals have just landed in Tucson and they're only available at Hotel Congress.

What's the story behind the exclusivity? Check out my column in this week's Inside Tucson Business!

Todd Hanley claims that he won’t sleep until Tucson is recognized as the Agave Capital of the United States. If you ask me, after learning about his latest agave project,

26/01/2021

My fellow food writer The Well-Fed Foodie has some suggestions for grilling on football's biggest day. She'll be well-fed indeed with these butcher boxes from Commoner&Co.!

With the Super Bowl just less than two weeks away, you might be wondering how you will be celebrating the game now that the traditional big parties have been cancelled. If you’re lucky your team wi…

22/01/2021

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on today's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks included Ken's Hardwood Barbecue for "National Southern Food Day" today (Southern catfish, Carolina wings, Alabama white sauce, collard greens, sweet potato pie...); the Cowboy Cookout at Tanque Verde Ranch tomorrow night (a seemingly endless spread of wild west vittles for $39 all-you-can-eat!); and the eggs benedict special this weekend at Baja Cafe's Broadway location (poached eggs, grilled Oaxaca cheesy potatoes, a chimuchurri ribeye, house-cured bacon, fried leeks, and chipotle hollandaise!)

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice!

15/01/2021

Precious cargo.

Thanks, Barrio Brewing Co.!

09/01/2021

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on today's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks included Steaks and the Wild West Stunt Show at Pinnacle Peak Tucson / Trail Dust Town (do what I do and get the Big Cowboy!); the online launch of Congress Bottle Shop at Hotel Congress (check out their premium Mezcals); and a healthy start to the new year, and all year long, with hand-prepared meals from AZ Fit Kitchen (three meals a day for all dietary lifestyles).

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice!

22/12/2020

Tis the season. House-made Almond Roca from Jonathan's Cork!

It’s one of my Christmas traditions and I hope you’re able to get some before this year’s stash is depleted!

22/12/2020

Wake up with me on December 23 when I join Wake Up Tucson host Chris DeSimone for a special broadcast that dives into global culinary traditions during the holidays.

How is the season celebrated at the center of the plate in some of the world's most delicious regions? We'll ask a line-up of Tucson tastemakers as they share their perspectives during this special segment from 7:30 - 9:00 am on 1030 The Voice!

19/12/2020

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on yesterday's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks included Renee's Organic Oven's online bulk foods marketplace (jars of her house-made marinara and baked focaccia loaves are just a few of their offerings); A Merry Mariachi Christmas and Tamales at AZ Hops and Vines (grab a seat by the fire pits!); and holiday gift card sales and bonus deals at local restaurants (Ghini's French Caffe, Commoner & Co, Trident Grill, and Prep & Pastry just to name a few).

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice!

17/12/2020

Yum!

Fresh Focaccia
Order some for home from our bulk section online!

♥️🥰

11/12/2020

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on today's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks included Flying Aprons Tucson's virtual baklava class, the opening of Locale Neighborhood Italian (a seven-layer lasagna?!), and the new holiday wine packs at Postino WineCafe.

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice!

09/12/2020

Get ready for some drive-time deliciousness when I join fellow foodie Chris DeSimone on Wake Up Tucson this morning at 8:00 am on 1030 The Voice.

We'll be talking local food and beverage news, including the 2020 Winter Release from Whiskey Del Bac and holiday confections from Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery Bistro. Sounds like the perfect pairing!

05/12/2020

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on yesterday's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks included Miracle on Congress St. (with Santa appearances, free scoops of HUB Ice Cream Parlor ice cream for the kiddos, and special holiday cocktails for mom and dad at HUB Restaurant & Creamery); the unveiling of the 2020 Winter Release from Whiskey Del Bac (only 493 bottles made and they're on sale now at the distillery!); and the Food Drive at Jonathan's Cork to support the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona (special pricing on cocktails for those who donate!).

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice.

02/12/2020

The new head distiller at Whiskey Del Bac calls this year's Winter Release "a blend of hope and joy." I look forward to raising a glass and offering a toast to both!

Check out my story in this week's Inside Tucson Business and get my tip for increasing the chances of your getting one of the 493 bottles made!

If reassurance can be bottled, we can all take great comfort in the fact that Veronica Townsend has us covered.

21/11/2020

If you missed my Weekend Watch segment on yesterday's Bill Buckmaster Show, my picks included the mesquite-smoked Thanksgiving turkey and brisket package to-go at The Horseshoe Grill (must place order this weekend for pick-up next Wednesday); Saturday's Jazz in the Plaza at St. Philips Plaza (enjoy cuisine from Union Public House, Proof Artisanal Pizza & Pasta, and Reforma Modern Mexican. Mezcal + Tequila); and the 6th anniversary celebration at Pueblo Vida Brewing Company (four new commemorative brews, reservations required for tables of six).

Listen for my picks for weekend food, fun, and frolic every Friday at 12:50 pm on the Buckmaster Show on 1030 The Voice.

18/11/2020

Zac Perkins of High Desert Sauce Co. has become a true hot sauce hero 'round these parts. He's even putting his sauces to work to raise money for the National Kidney Foundation and The Rialto Theatre/Tucson, Arizona!

My Inside Tucson Business column this week explains.

Local hot sauce scientist Zac Perkins describes his bottled products in the same way he describes himself: “weirdly unique” and “oddly complex.”

10/11/2020

What were you doing 36 years ago? I had just started my senior year in high school and was working as a busser at Corleone's Restaurant near the University of Arizona.

What was Tinos Pizza Tucson doing 36 years ago? Opening their doors to the public! Please swing by and help celebrate their anniversary. You'll get a free $36 gift card with the purchase of either a $100 card, two $50 cards, four $25 cards....

28/10/2020

On assignment in Napa and staying at the historic Candlelight Inn Napa Valley!

Some wine by the pool on this gorgeous Northern California afternoon should get this stay off to a spectacular start!