Posts Tagged ‘Fair Trade Cafe’

Fair Trade Kitchen Unveils Healthy Lifestyles Menu

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

I don’t live an extremely healthy lifestyle food-wise. I eat Lean Pockets and copious amounts of tuna salad. Plus, I fancy red meat and eat it whenever possible.

So when Michelle Lavis-White invited me to try Fair Trade Kitchen’s new expanded healthy lifestyles menu–featuring homemade and mostly homegrown vegetarian and gluten-free dining options–I was all kinds of skeptical.

As a small-minded Welshman with meat-and-potato roots, I’ve always associated vegetarian dining, let alone vegan and gluten-free, with words like “tasteless,”  “unfortunate,” and “Oh, no thanks, I’m good.”  So imagine my uneasiness when Michele and her chef Ingrid presented me with tofu steaks and tofu cakes, along with sides of carrot salad, quinoa, and peanut pasta. On this overflowing, completely meatless plate, some roasted zucchini and carrots were about the only recognizable fare.

FairTradeFeeling brave and feeling the pressure of Chef Ingrid’s gaze, I dove in without any regard for my taste buds. And after about 15-20 chews I came to a startling conclusion:

This food, vegetarian or not, was really good.

The lentils were spicy, the tofu savory, the peanut noodles creamy and delicious. There was comforting rice and cheek popping carrot salad, all packed with incredible flavors.

“This is a culture shift,” said White, who is part of an ownership group that oversees both Fair Trade locations (Civic Space Park on Central and Roosevelt on First Avenue). “We’re not only preparing good and affordable food, but we’re educating people that what we should be eating is not only good for us, but good for the community and good for the planet.”

The healthy lifestyles menu is being beta tested at the Civic Space Park location but eventually White says the same items will be found at the Roosevelt shop.

White said that in developing the menu it was a top priority to keep the price points in line with budget-minded students, government workers and ASU faculty, so complete meals (like the one pictured above) will be available for between $5 and $6.

In addition to the vegetarian/organic/gluten-free menu, Fair Trade will continue to offer the salads and sandwiches (like the famous chicken curry) longtime fans of the cafe crave.

Fair Trade Kitchen, located on the bottom level of the AE England building, is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

5 Things to Be Thankful for Downtown

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

The Orpheum Theatre. Burgers. Free Wi-Fi. These are a few of my favorite things, as Maria Von Trapp and Oprah might say.*

And since it’s the time of year to give thanks, here’s a short list of things I’m thankful for Downtown, including suggestions for things to see and do:

5GuysBurger-palooza

Five Guys Burgers has already made a big splash at CityScape. I’ve sampled their not-so-small “little cheeseburger” and it’s messy, juicy and fabulous. If that’s not enough burger for you – and what is? – Blu Burger Grille is joining the restaurant roster at CityScape in 2011. Their burgers are seriously hefty half-pound bites of Angus beef, Kobe beef, salmon, Portobello mushroom or bison.

A Showcase for Local Artists

In an effort spearheaded by Phoenician Joey Robert Parks, 26 local writers were paired with 26 local photographers to create the 26 Blocks Exhibit.  The idea was to capture the past, present or future of 26 city blocks in downtown Phoenix. You can see the results of all this artistic effort through next Monday, Nov 29, in the lobby of CityScape’s Main Tower.

orpheumThe Orpheum Theatre

On Nov. 23 and Dec. 14, the Orpheum is offering a free, guided tour of this gorgeous, historical site. The one-hour tour, offered at noon and 1 p.m., will provide all kinds of history and a look backstage. Theater buffs should check this out.

The Ever-Changing Science Center

Even if you’ve been to the Arizona Science Center several times, you’ll always find something new to do or see.  Thrill-seekers will love the Evans Family SkyCycle, which gives you the chance to be strapped into a harness and ride across a cable nearly 14 feet in the air.

Free Wi-Fi

I’m almost sorry I discovered the fun of working on my laptop and drinking some kind of mocha latte. It hurts my diet. Ouch. On the bright side, we can all take advantage of free wi-fi Downtown at Duck and Decanter, Fair Trade Café and the Arizona Science Center café, to name a few.

* Apologies if you were hoping some of these things would include raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, a free car, or Dr. Phil.

Riding that Train…

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

…high on coffee.

I saw this mural months ago when I didn’t have my camera with me. I couldn’t remember where it was but Friday, while out driving, I saw it again on Central Avenue in mid-town Phoenix. It’s right by where the METRO Light Rail runs, covering an abandoned building. It’s interesting because it’s 3-dimensional.

I heard it’s from a coffee advertisement.  Do you recognize it?

Next time you’re on the Light Rail heading Downtown, look on the east side of Central at Columbus Avenue, and check this out. And, when you get Downtown, stop for some coffee at Fair Trade Cafe at 1020 N. Central Avenue, behind Trinity church, or Fair Trade at Civic Space Park at 424 N. Central Avenue. Fair Trade offers “Coffee with a Conscience.”

Concerts, Theater, Festivals, Oh My!

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

What a week in Downtown Phoenix!

Bryan_AdamsFirst up is Bryan Adams, who brings his Bare Bones Tour to the intimate setting of the Orpheum Theater tonight.  You’ll be singing along to classics like “Summer of ’69,” “Cuts Like a Knife,” and one of the best love songs of the 90s,  ”(Everything I Do) I Do It For You.”

Next, The Arizona Latino Arts and Culture Center and New Carpa Theater bring  “The Eagle and the Serpent: A History of Mexico Abridged” to their new stage, recreating Mexico’s tumultuous history from 30,000 BC to the present. With characters like Montezuma and Sinaloa Drug Kingpin “El Chapo,” this production is sure to be both entertaining and moving. 

Also, don’t forget that this weekend brings First Friday, and the galleries are stocked and ready for those craving art. You can also find great First Friday activities at Heritage Square Park, Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural CenterPhoenix Children’s Museum, Arizona Science Center, and even our own Ambassador Information Center at the 101 North Building.

Back for the season is the Civic Space Park monthly event, featuring great organizations, businesses and artists including Neighborhood Ministries, Barrio Bikes, Fair Trade Cafe and live music from The Haymarket Squares and Snake! Snake! Snakes!  There will also be a new exhibit opening in the A.E. England Gallery featuring paintings from ASU Assistant Professor Forrest Solis. Visit Fair Trade Cafe’s Facebook fan page for more details.

Downtown gets pink (just in time for breast cancer awareness month).  Pinkalicious the musical starts up at the Valley Youth Theater this week, celebrating all things pink while showing that being yourself is the best of all.  Australian Pink Floyd, the best one out there, will be at the Dodge Theater on Friday night with The Big Pink Greatest Hits World Tour. 

RAINBOWOf course, if you’d rather celebrate all the colors of the rainbow, make sure to visit the Rainbows Festival happening at Heritage Square on Saturday and Sunday.

Last but certainly not least, Herberger Theater Center will show off its latest renovations during Saturday’s Festival of the Arts.  You’ll get to tour the revamped theater while enjoying food, music and short films from the Phoenix Film Foundation.  There’s an interactive children’s area too!  That’s a lot of entertainment for only $5!

I could keep going and going but that would spoil the rest of the discoveries waiting inside this week’s What’s Happening. Download your copy here and get in on the Downtown fun!

Change Is In the Air

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Here it is, the moment we’ve all waited for: the first double-digit temps. Feel free to abandon the a/c and head outside to enjoy Downtown’s balmy fall nights.

Start with drinks at the newly opened ReBar on Roosevelt, which has a big outdoor patio and a nice vibe for relaxing with friends.

Rose&CrownWEBOther options include The Rose and Crown, where you can sip a Guinness on the always-popular porch or lawn; Steve’s Greenhouse Grill, where the misters keep you extra-comfortable; and Seamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, which has patio seating and a Publican who really knows his liquor. Ask him to recommend something from the pub’s big selection of draught beer and Irish whisky.

Where can you go from there? Head to Coach & Willie’s for wood-fired pizza on the inviting patio, complete with waterfall, or relax outside at Majerle’s and munch on classic American fare.

Of course, as you probably know, one of Downtown’s most eye-catching outdoor settings is the Arizona Center. Both Sam’s Café and My Big Fat Greek Restaurant face the Center’s gorgeous gardens, water features and cozy benches for canoodling.

Want more that’s outdoor? Sip a White Mocha coffee on the patio at Fair Trade Café, then walk a few steps to Civic Space Park and its green lawns. Relax under the stars while you feel sorry – just briefly –  for the rest of the country, which will soon be dealing with rain and snow.

It’s good to be a Phoenician.

This Week in Music

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

When it comes to music, one person’s Kobe beef is another person’s Spam. And since we all seem to have an appetite for different sounds, you’ll be glad to know that Downtown has a varied buffet this week.

RobertPlantRobert Plant & The Band of Joy

At 61, you’d think Robert Plant would have retired to a nice little villa in the South of France. But the former Zeppelin front man keeps re-inventing himself with his solo career. Next Tuesday, July 20th, he brings his new group, Band of Joy, to the Dodge Theatre. The set list will include songs by Los Lobos and Townes Van Zandt as well as material from their new CD on Rounder Records.

The Mana Quartet and Francisco Bibriesca

And now, for something completely different, as Monty Python would put it. This Friday, July 16th, Francisco Bibriesca and The Mana Quartet will be performing live at the Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center. The Mana Quartet, an award-winning saxophone ensemble, takes chamber music and turns it sideways, performing modern compositions by Philip Glass and others. Bibriesca, a renowned young classical guitarist from Mexico, has wowed audiences around the world.

For the steal of the week, you can see Bibriesca perform for free at 5:30 p.m. The Mana Quartet will play at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are only $10 per person at the door.

Hussy & Astrofunk at Fuse Fridays

Along with the usual suspects upstairs – house music from DJ’s Mara and Sol Martinez – Bar Smith will feature two live bands on the main floor this Friday. Astrofunk, a local contender, will perform along with Hussy, considered the top cover band in the UK. Hussy performs songs by The Stones, Hendrix, The Clash, REM and Kings of Leon, to name a few.  (Yow, that’s a lot of material to learn, but these guys are accomplished session musicians). No cover charge before 10 p.m.

Free Concert in Civic Space Park

I wish I could tell you the line-up, but you’ll have to go and see for yourself. This Friday, take the light rail to Central Avenue and Van Buren, walk one block north, and enjoy a free concert under the stars, next to “Her Secret is Patience,” that magical floating sculpture. Bring along a munchie or two from the Fair Trade Cafe, located in the Park.

HomeBase Shines In Trending Spoken Word Scene

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

Spoken Word is fast becoming one of the most preferred forms of entertainment for young and middle-aged Phoenicians.

HbliteIn any given month, there are more than 30 spoken word/open mic events happening in the Valley.

My favorite of all the spoken word gatherings is called “HomeBase: The Poets’ Poetry Set.”

HomeBase is held on the first and third Sundays of the month from 7-10 p.m. at the Wyndham Phoenix, 50 E. Adams St. Although HomeBase primarily caters to a professional African American audience, Spoken Word fans of ALL races are encouraged to attend and perform! The cover charge is only $5 and audience members should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early in order to find a seat!

HomeBase events were recently held at the Downtown Sheraton in Phoenix but moved to the Wyndham Phoenix location this past May.

Not only is Harold Branch III (also known as HB) the organizer and emcee for HomeBase, he is an extremely talented poet in his own right. He keeps the crowd laughing with his witty sense of humor and makes his audience members feel like they are a big part of the progress that HomeBase has experienced since it began in January 2009.

It’s truly inspiring to see the poets and singers who grace the stage. I admire how the poets use their wordsmithing skills and clever metaphors to deliver powerful messages. Moreover, I love the fact that HB challenges singers to perform a cappella! No background music – you have to prove that you can blow!

HB and his wonderful staff have managed to turn HomeBase into a MOVEMENT! HomeBase has the chance to be one of the most celebrated black events in Arizona’s history!

Downtown Phoenix is also home to:

Black Pearl Poetry Phoenix Fridays


Time: 7:30-10 p.m.
Location: Fair Trade Café, 1020 N. 1st Avenue @ Roosevelt Street, Phoenix
Open Mic, Poetry Slams for adults, ASU students, and teens 14-19
Cost: $5 general/$3 student/$2.00 Teens (14-19)

For more information about Spoken Word gatherings in the Valley, please visit PhxSoul.com!

Game On Downtown

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

It’s only hot if you keep thinking about it. That’s how I get through the summers. It seems to work for me.

To start off, I had the privilege of attending the Chinese Dance Academy’s performance at the Orpheum Theater last Saturday. This was one of those gems that you can only find if you are willing to look. Almost a full house showed up to enjoy the costumes, choreography, cultural exposure, as well as the darling little ones, who stole all the laughter and hearts of the audience. The beauty of the many nations of China was expressed in many different ways, and the use of lighting in combination with the costuming told a complete story, to my delight. I am thankful for my adventurous nature, otherwise I might have missed what was a stunning performance. I encourage you to try something that just sounds cool or interesting, and see where it leads you. I’m glad I did.

dodgeballLIVEThe Diamondbacks continue their homestand with games Monday-Thursday against the Atlanta Braves and a weekend series against National League MVP Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals. Don’t miss the fireworks Friday night, Dan Haren Bobblehead Night on Saturday (first 15K) and D. Baxter Replica Jersey Night on Sunday (first 5K kids 12-under).

Going along with the sports theme, US Airways Center is the place for big sports action at a small price all weekend long. First, on Friday, the Arizona Rattlers take on the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgs at 7:30 p.m. Then, on Saturday starting at 11:30 a.m., you can watch people get hit by balls at The Great American Dodgeball Bash. Your $10 Dodgeball ticket also gets you into Saturday night’s Mercury/Tulsa Shock game for FREE! What a deal! See azdodgeball.com for details.

Speaking of deals, Ballet Arizona performs its last show of a very successful season, and I have a special offer for you. Receive 50% off adult tickets to the performance of Balanchine Classics June 11-13. Use promo code “FRIENDS” at http://www.balletaz.org to get the discount. See this nationally recognized ballet company, which took part in an invitation-only performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. over the weekend in recognition of their artistic excellence.

This weekend is also the last chance to see Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at Valley Youth Theater, so don’t miss out.

How about a free movie? Beyond Motor City, a new documentary to air on PBS next month that looks at the fall of Detroit and the future of mass transportation in the U.S., will be shown at the A.E. England Building at Civic Space Park Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments from Fair Trade Café will be served. Yum!

Are you a full-blooded Downtowner? Text “EVENTS” to 25866 and become an Insider!

The Downtown Phoenix Coffeebar Potluck

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Did you know there are close to a dozen super cool coffeebars in the heart of Phoenix?

Cartel Coffee Lab
Conspire
Copper Star Coffee
Fair Trade
Lola Coffee

Lux Coffeebar
Royal Coffee Bar
Urban Beans

royalCome see what they have to offer on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Portland Park (next to the Roosevelt light rail station).

Each coffeebar is donating samples of their signature pastry or dessert for the event. 

In return they ask that you:

* Bring a bike or ride the light rail to the event

* Bring a friend – preferably one who is unfamiliar with Downtown

During the event, be sure to Tweet about which dessert you liked the best. (Earn more Good Karma Points by posting a picture!)

Special thanks to all the coffeebars for taking part in the event!  Please be sure to RSVP on the Facebook evite so we can get a good head count for the event. Information on how to ride the light rail can be found here.  Hope to see everyone there!

Five Ways To Get Your Pumpkin Fix

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

How much do I love pumpkin? I’ve petitioned coffee shops to keep pumpkin on the menu year-round, my bedroom smells of pumpkin-scented candles, and I beg family and friends to save their pumpkin seeds during carving season so that I may bake and season them for holiday munching. Here are five more ways I get my pumpkin fix.