If we’ve learned anything these last two years, it’s that everyone can use a little support now and again. Here in Tucson, the hungry food scene has been an advocate for many local restaurants in the community, and in turn, the restaurants pay it forward.
For instance, how about brand spankin’ new dishes and drinks to celebrate 30 years in business? Sign us up, please!
Over on the corner of Prince Road and Campbell Avenue, Ghini’s French Caffe has exuded resilience since its opening in 1992, which is owned and operated by chef Coralie Satta — AKA Chef Ghini. To this day, Satta is still in the pilot’s seat and most dishes, if not all, are recipes that Satta’s grandmother would cook for her when she was a little girl in France. Their meals are something to be proud of, too, and most recently the restaurant became an official, certified business by the non-profit Tucson City of Gastronomy (TCoG).
In the words of TCoG Executive Director, Jonathan Mabry, Ghini’s is one of the locally owned food businesses recognized for “raising the bar by supporting the local food economy, preserving our food heritage, displaying sustainability leadership, and using community-minded business practices.”
Ghini’s made-from-scratch menu doesn’t stop there and spills over into La Baguette Bakery, which is located right next to the dining room — just follow your nose and you’ll find it. The chances you’ll uncover something delicious to sink your teeth into are high due to the bakery’s wide variety of freshly baked bread, pies, tarts, cakes, cookies, yule logs, and French macarons.
Good luck choosing just one of these treats with your coffee, all of which can either be enjoyed inside or out on the dog-friendly patio — Tucson’s very first designated four-legged friend-approved patio, that is.
Ghini’s doesn’t serve hot dogs on the menu and the same goes for your pup out on the patio because there are plenty of misters keeping things on the cooler side of comfort.
Now, let’s talk about the menu at Ghini’s French Caffe. Some of the new additions include a handful of fun cocktails, pasta, sandwiches, French toast, and burgers.
If you’re feeling rather famished and perhaps exhausted from the evening before, take a bite out of the Breakfast Burger — AKA The Hangover Helper — on the Brunch Menu. The burger is sandwiched in a grilled La Baguette roll and then layered with local tomatoes, crispy hashbrowns, bacon, melted cheddar, a sunnyside egg, and Sriracha aioli.
For those feeling a little wild in the morning, order it with double the meat.
Anniversary Celebration
The official anniversary is happening on Saturday, July 16, marking the restaurant’s 30th year in business, and to top it all off in a celebratory fashion, all of those dining in will get a free slice of cake from the bakery.
Plus, don’t forget that buy-one-get-one Classic Mimosas are in full effect, too.
Aside from the classic, Cranberry, Lavender, Peach Bellini, and Blood Orange are just a few waiting to wet your whistle on the Gourmet Mimosa menu. Additionally, the Mexican Mimosa, a combination of freshly squeezed orange juice, tequila, and champagne, or the Caramel Apple Pie Mimosa, which is apple juice and champagne topped with whipped cream and salted caramel, could be clever options to get your morning rollin’.
There are still plenty of essential dishes to be devoured, too, like the Eggs Provençal.
At first glance, it may seem simple but it’s possibly one of Tucson’s best breakfast dishes and a signature item at Ghini’s. This one comes with local tomato sautéed with fresh garlic, thyme, and farm eggs served with a choice of toast. For an extra $2, get the hashbrowns because what’s breakfast without some taters?
To end, Ghini’s is all about supporting local as much as they can so spend some time scanning over the in-store merch, which includes plateware, bottled dressings, handmade jewelry, t-shirts, baseball caps, and more.
Also, it’s no problemo if you feel like celebrating the restaurant’s 30 anniversary in the comfort of your own home. Ghini’s Take-N-Bake menu is comin’ in hot with meals big enough to feed six or more people.
Some folks love their French Onion Soup so much they buy it by the quart for $20 (guilty).
Ghini’s French Caffe is located at 1803 E Prince Rd. For more information, including hours and the full menu, visit ghiniscafe.com.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt 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.
