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Your Guide to the 2024 Agave Heritage Festival Dinners

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Your Guide to the 2024 Agave Heritage Festival Dinners

by Sam JumpMar 12, 2024Updated Apr 11, 20242 min read
There are festivals and then there is the Agave Heritage Festival on Thursday, April 18 – Sunday, April 21, which is in a category of its own. The enriching and interactive four-day event dedicated to agave and the Southwest’s relationship to Mexico and the great Sonoran Desert region offers a unique perspective into the flavors and traditions of regional and heritage foods and spirits. This culinary weekend includes not-to-be-missed dinners that highlight some of the city's renowned restaurants and chefs via multi-course dinners that embody the magic that's created when agave spirits are paired with the unmistakable flavors that Tucson has become known for. Read on for an outline of each of this year's Heritage Dinners. Tickets are limited so don't hesitate to grab yours while they're available, and click here to explore the full list of events happening at this year's Festival.
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2 spots

Coronet

198 W Cushing StDowntown

Enjoy a signature cocktail, passed appetizers, and a warm welcome from Chef Fleming and Proprietor Sally Kane. The main dinner takes place under the stars, where the guests will enjoy the mezcal neat to truly experience the supreme craftsmanship from the heart of Jalisco. The Tequila Casahuin Heritage Dinner at the Historic Coronet Restaurant is happening on the beautiful 160 year-old property located at 198 West Cushing Street on Sunday, April 21, from 6 - 9 p.m. Tickets are $229 each and can be purchased here.

JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa

3800 W Starr Pass BlvdWestside

Named in honor of the godfather of agave, the Agave Heritage Festival, the Southwest Center, and Borderlands Restoration Network are honored to host the first annual Howard Scott Gentry Lifetime Achievement Award and Gala Dinner. This celebratory dinner culminates a four-day celebration of the agave plant and its role as a keystone of the borderlands, highlighting the culture, heritage, diversity, and sustainability of this plant and our region. The event will take place at 3800 West Starr Pass Boulevard on Sunday, April 21, from 5 - 9 p.m. and will begin with the traditional Starr Pass Tequila Toast on the patio featuring Mezcal Vago. Local chefs will collaborate with agave industry experts to present a multi-course tapas-style dinner utilizing regional and heritage ingredients. Each course will be paired with agave spirit cocktails or neat pours featuring Tequila Ocho. Tickets for the Gala Dinner are $229.69 each and can be purchased here. Tucson Foodie Insiders: check the member app for details on your exclusive 20% discount to this event, valid only through Friday, March 22. 

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Scratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜

@ikkyu.tucson 
@jaramencurry 
@kiwamiramenbar 
@kukai___ 
@marujapanesenoodle 
@maruplusaz 
@obonsushi 
@raijinramen 
@theramenbartucson 
@tossfriedchickennramen 

More guides on Tucsonfoodie.comScratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com
@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰

The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise.

📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰 The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise. 📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.
The grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉

@istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. 

The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. 

“The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar

Daily hours: 11am - 9pm

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comThe grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉 @istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. “The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar Daily hours: 11am - 9pm Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com
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Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up.

Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞

📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 
📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. 

Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. 

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comPhoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up. Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞 📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com