Local ingredients on the menu include apples, pomegranates, quince, native hard squash, and Asian pears.
While autumn officially started a few weeks ago, the weather has finally cooled down to reflect it. Menus are beginning to transition over now as well, including DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails.
“This time of year we begin to feature the flavors and products of Tucson for our Sense of Placemenu which celebrates Tucson as a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy,” said Janos Wilder, executive chef and owner of DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails.
Local ingredients on the menu include apples, pomegranates, and quince from Mission Gardens, native hard squash, and Asian pears from Aravaipa farms.
“These are the foods of today — they are local, delicious, and tell our story about the unique flavors of Tucson in the fall,” Wilder said.
Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.