DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails is starting its “Around the Globe: Sisters Cities of Gastronomy” tour with a special menu from Wednesday, May 21 – Monday, June 24.
Since Tucson became the first city in the U.S. to be named a City of Gastronomy, chef Janos Wilder and others have traveled to other “sister” cities around the world to share the region’s culinary history and unique foods.
Now, Wilder is ready to share the flavors he’s collected.
This year’s culinary tour is making its first pit stop in Tsuruoka, Japan. It’s an ancient city located near the Sea of Japan, which in turn has an abundance of seafood waiting to take you on a culinary journey. No need to travel to Japan, though, because Wilder and his culinary team have created a menu to mimic the tastes of Tsuruoka.
The menu is available for more than a month at DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails. Take a glance at the menu to give your taste buds something to look forward to.
Tsuruoka Mushroom Soup – pickled shiitake, enoki, crimini, and roasted oyster florets in mushroom and ginger broth seasoned with soy, sake, green onion, cellophane noodles, tofu, and bok choy ($11)
Hibiscus Cured Hamachi Crudo – carrot-coriander puree, prickly pear ponzu, candied jalapeno, furikake with toasted pepitas, radish, and shiso ($14)
Ankake Pork and Shrimp Donburi – rice bowl with thinly sliced pork loin, shrimp stir-fried with summer squash, gai lan, bok choy, shiitakes, spinach, and ginger ($23)
Mentaiko Ramen with Roasted Oyster Mushrooms – cod roe, butter, and kobayaki glazed chicken ($23)
Yakiniku Japanese BBQ Platter – thinly cut quick-grilled short rib with smoked salt, rice; cured pork belly with tempura; dark meat glazed chicken yakitori with pressed, seared tofu, dipping sauces, and pickles ($26)
Black Sesame and Edamame Ice Cream – blueberry compote and sweetened wasabi whipped cream ($8)
Mentaiko Spaghetti with Roasted Oyster Mushrooms at DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Cooking demo & multi-course dinner
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There will also be a companion cooking demonstration class and dinner by chef Wilder on Friday, May 24 from 6 – 9 p.m. at The Carriage House.
Seats are $70 per person and you’ll get a copy of all of the recipes and a multi-course dinner with drinks.
Yakiniku Japanese BBQ Platter at DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Summer Culinary Tour Schedule
Panama City, Panama will begin on Wednesday, June 26 with the class and dinner on Friday, June 28.
Burgos, Spain begins on Wednesday, August 21 with class and dinner on Friday, August 23.
DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails is located at 135 S. Sixth Ave. For more information, visit downtownkitchen.com.
The Carriage House Event Venue and Cooking School is located in downtown Tucson at 125 S. Arizona Ave. Class reservations can be made at carriagehousetucson.com or by calling 520-615-6100.
At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
