New: Casablanca
Jeff Wer, owner of three other restaurants, has opened Casablanca in the former Mountain Oyster Club at 281-83 N. Stone Ave. This historical landmark can accommodate weddings and banquets as well as tango dancing on weekends until 2 a.m. Wer will be adding an outdoor barbecue on the lush courtyard. The menu combines Greek, Turkish, Arabic, Jewish and Moroccan cuisines; 624-5570; open daily for lunch and dinner.
Fifth Anniversary for Yoshimatsu
Here's a restaurant that knows how to do it right. The first 500 customers who spend more than $15 from February 1 through 4 will receive an original t-shirt or promotional item. Yoshimatsu Healthy Japanese Eatery has two Best of Tucson restaurants under one roof for sushi and Japanese food at 2660 N. Campbell Ave.; 320-1574.
Lunar New Year Celebration
The original owners of Dragon View have returned and, according to Noshing tipsters, the food rocks. Join the Pan Asian Community Alliance for a 10-course traditional Chinese New Years. The event happens Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. The cost is $70 per person ($40 tax-deductible). Call Dorothy Lew at 512-0144 to reserve; 400 N. Bonita Ave; 623-9855.
Iron Chef Competition
The Iron Chef competition, presented by Michelob, was held on Jan. 14 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort. It raised $6,000 to benefit Café 54 for operating costs and expansion. Café 54 is a downtown restaurant and employment training program for adults recovering from mental illness. Eight chefs were in the running as Iron Chef contestants but Jonathan Landeen of Jonathan's Cork and Albert Hall of Acacia at St. Philips received the most votes on the 94.9 MIXfm and Z104.1 Web sites. The mystery ingredient was duck, and Albert Hall won.
