Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
Penelope Pizza teams up with Okashi Ice Cream & Dirt Lady Bread for ‘Pasta Night’

Pasta Night at Penelope Pizza (Photo by Taylor Noel Photography)

Penelope Pizza teams up with Okashi Ice Cream & Dirt Lady Bread for ‘Pasta Night’

Dec 14, 20232 min read

The year is coming to an end quickly but there’s still time for one more Pasta Night at Penelope Wood Fired Pizza. The downtown pizza shop began these pop-up dinners earlier in the year and the upcoming/last Pasta Night experience of 2023 is on Tuesday, December 19.

Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and seating is first come, first serve.

Jared Schwartz of Penelope Wood Fired Pizza (Photo by Taylor Noel Photography)

“We’ll be slinging another insane dessert by Okashi Ice Cream and two freshly baked breads by Dirt Lady Bread,” said Jared Schwartz, owner of Penelope Pizza. “We are also offering a free dessert for Foodie Club members.”

So, if you’re a Foodie Club member, have your Tucson Foodie app handy the night of the dinner to redeem your free dessert. Plus, there will be extra Okashi desserts to purchase that evening.

In addition to the baguettes provided by Dirt Lady Bread, Molly Carney is making walnut bread and honey butter bread for folks to enjoy throughout dinner.

Pasta Night at Penelope Pizza (Photo by Taylor Noel Photography)

Pasta Night Menu (December 19)

Starters
  • Penelope’s Market Greens – mixed greens, citrus, fennel, grana padano, chili pistachio, smoked Sicilian lemon vinaigrette
  • Bread & Friends – freshly baked baguette by Dirt Lady Bread with EVOO and aged balsamic
  • Walnut Country Loaf – also by Dirt Lady Bread, filled with walnuts and served with whipped honey butter
Pasta
  • Ravioli il Foglio – their play on ravioles du dauphine with pear, prosciutto, pecorino, ricotta, grana padano, brown butter, and thyme
  • Saffron Fettucini – ricotta, crispy Calabrian shallots, pickled green chili, black pepper, parmesan, and parsley
  • Malloreddus – Penelope house sausage ragu, basil, grana padano
Sweets
  • Citrus Olive Oil Cake – candied citrus, fresh whip, and Okashi’s handmade ice cream
  • Okashi’s Strawberry Gateau St. Honore – puff pastry base with caramelized custard-filled profiteroles and a mound of custard that’s topped with vanilla Chantilly cream
Pasta Night at Penelope Pizza (Photo by Taylor Noel Photography)

“Everything about this started by somebody helping me and I feel I have a platform to help other people,” said Schwartz. “There are so many people doing cool stuff in Tucson right now and I feel like the more the merrier. So many people want to see this town thrive. Luckily, I have found myself in the midst of those people, and it’s a wonderful community to be a part of.”

Penelope Wood Fired Pizza is located at 210 E. Broadway Blvd. For more information, visit penelopepizza.com and follow Penelope Wood Fired Pizza on Instagram.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

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.

Get our free Tucson Foodie weekly newsletter

New openings, events, dish recommendations, and guides — every Wednesday. No spam.

Take us with you.

Discover the best local spots, browse the dish database, build and share your to-visit lists, support local, and join the Foodie Club when you're ready.

Advertisement

Follow @TucsonFoodie136.1K followers
IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
SPECIAL ADMISSION: 
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID 
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. 

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
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