March 24, 2017 - Spinato’s Pizzeria - Phoenix, Arizona

My niece and her son, Zach Hammler are in the Valley of the Sun to play in a soccer tournament.

This evening several of the family were at his second soccer game of the season.  After we all decided to go out for dinner.  We chose Spinato's Pizzeria.  There were 10 of us – Kristin and Zach Hammler, Anita and Issac Naughton, Jeanne and Willie Stecher, Tom and Carolyn Patrick and Willie’s sister LaVerne Bourdeau.

We ordered three pizzas for the group – all with thin crusts:

            Get Meaty – Italian sausage, Italian beef,  pepperoni, smoked Canadian bacon and mozzarella;     The Spicy Italian – meatball, pepperoni, red onions, mozzarella;            The Combo – Italia sausage, mushroom, mixed green and red sweet bell pepper, mozzarella.

I tried pieces form all three pizzas.  All were delicious.  The red sauce had a sweet taste to it…no tomato paste at all.  My guess is that they use fresh sweet tomatoes and basil.   I can hardly wait for my next trip to Spinato's Pizzeria.

Spinato’s Pizzeria

1614 E. Bell

Phoenix, Arizona 85022

(602 867-1010

Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

             Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

March 17, 2017 - Bisbee Breakfast Club - Bisbee, Arizona

I am out with Carol and Mike Thompson, Carol’s cousin Carol Jones for a long weekend.  We are camping at the Tombstone RV Park.  This morning we drove to Bisbee for a visit but first we had to stop for breakfast at the Bisbee Breakfast Club.

Carol Thompson ordered the Buttermilk Hotcakes – two large, fluffy cakes served with butter and syrup.   She asked if they came with blueberries…no…but they would add them.  Then she remarked that maybe two pancakes were too much for her to eat…and the waitress asked her if she only wanted one.  She did…she was happy about the whole thing.

Carol Jones ordered the Wingdinger – Hash browns with melted cheddar, jack cheese, two eggs and spicy sausage gravy wit toast.  Was she ever surprised to see biscuits and gravy on her plate when they served her.   She didn’t realize that it was going to include biscuits and gravy.

Mike Thompson ordered the Corned Beef Hash – house made and was served with two eggs.  He gave me a bite of it.  It was delicious but we just couldn’t identify what the taste was that made  it so good.

I ordered D’s Potato Cakes – house recipe potato cakes, grilled to golden brown…served with sour cream and applesauce, bacon, two eggs and a biscuit.  I ordered the bacon crispy…and it was served perfectly.  I thought my potato cakes were absolutely delicious.  They were a mixture of grated potatoes, onions, including the green tops…but I don’t know if it was all held together with an egg, sour cream…or milk.   Whatever it was delicious.  I should have asked.

I asked that my two eggs be scrambled…when my plate arrived there were way more than two eggs.  My biscuit was huge…hot out of the oven…buttered top…and I loved this…served with four pats of butter.

The staff was wonderful and efficient. 

Carol Thompson used the necessary…her only comment was “only one toilet”.

This restaurant is located in the Lowell area…sits along the rim of the Lavendar Pit.

Bisbee Breakfast Club

75 Erie Street

Bisbee, Arizona 85603

(520) 432-5885

 Hours:  Daily 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.    

March 12, 2017 - Alessia’s Ristorante Italino - Mesa, Arizona

On our way home from the baseball game in Goodyear, we decided to stop for dinner.  We chose Alessia's Ristorante Italino.

We started off with a basket of crispy hot bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil….this is always my favorite part of the whole meal at any Italian restaurant or home.

Willie chose the Pollo Erve – chicken breast sautéed with garlic, basil, rosemary, sage and onion red sauce.  I can’t remember his pasta choice.  I did try his sauce dunked in a piece of bread.  It was very good…light not heavy because I am sure that they made it using fresh tomatoes. I thought there was also a lemon or citrus taste to the sauce.

I ordered the Bolognese – ground beef, carrots, celery, onions in a creamy tomato sauce with parmesan over penne.  It was very good but I have eaten better Bolognese.  I love Bolognese.

Jeanne ordered the Mussels starter – a “big” plate of mussels.  They looked marvelous.

Big kudos from me because after we were served the waiter came around with the garter and topped everyone’s dish with freshly grated parmesan.  That always earns big points with me.  In fact I rarely return to an Italian restaurant that doesn’t do that very thing.

Jeanne and I split a dessert – Spumoni Bomba – spumoni ice cream all covered with dark chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate.  I was disappointed because it was a layer of pistachio ice with a layer of chocolate on top of it and a layer of strawberry on the bottom.  I wanted spumoni ice cream..even a small dish of it would have been wonderful.  The presentation though was great.  It was a hug ball – a big ice cream truffle.

I smiled to myself as we were about to leave.  A new couple was seated.  She asked about lasagna which they didn’t serve.  Girl after my heart.  I am from peasant Italian stock.  There isn’t anything quite as good as lasagna served piping hot with lots of meat and cheeses.

This, however, was a much more refined Italian restaurant.  I appreciated its loveliness…cloth table cloths…proper place settings…and of course all the delicious fresh ingredients that were used in the food.

The welcome in the menu:

“Alessia's Ristorante Italiano opened their doors in June of 2004.  Owners Jonathan and ShariCarr have created the best authentic Italian restaurant in the east valley of Mesa, Arizona.  Unlike most other Italian restaurants, Alessia's features dishes made from scratch every time you order with a focus on freshness featuring recipes from central to northern Italy.  Alessia's has created a wonderful neighborhood family italian restaurant which is great for dining any day of the week.  If you're looking for something other than the turn and burn establishments of today, the Carr family invites you to come try our wonderful food and enjoy our casual atmosphere!”

Alessia’s Ristorante Italino

5251 E. Brown Road

Mesa, Arizona 85202

(480) 396-2888

Hours:  Tuesday – Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

              Sunday 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

              Monday- Closed

March 12, 2017 - Black Bear Diner - Goodyear, Arizona

I went to my first Spring Training game today at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona. I went with Jeanne and Willie Stecher.  We decided to leave early and have breakfast.  We chose the Black Bear Diner.

Jeanne ordered the Classic 2-Egg Combo – 2 eggs scrambled, ½ order of chicken Apple Sausage (a blend of smoked chicken, sweet apples and seasonings), country red potatoes and a housemade biscuit.  The biscuits were huge…and delicious…especially slathered with butter.

I ordered the Classic 2-Egg Combo – 2 eggs scrambled,  Patty Sausage (made in-house form arecipe passed down through generations of Italian families).  I ordered mine mild as I know how spicy Italian sausage can be.   Hash browns..crispy and a biscuit.  

These biscuits have that baking power taste…they are large but light and fluffy…no doughy taste with these wonderful delights, hot out of the oven.  Jeanne also added strawberry jam to hers but I just used butter.  I didn’t want to miss that baking powder biscuit taste.

Willie ordered The ScramBOWL – all in one bowl – ham, bacon, link sausages, eggs, bell pepper, onion and pickled jalapeno, scrambled of country red potatoes, then topped with cheddar cheese and country gravy.  Served with another of those “big” biscuits.

A closer look at Willie's ScramBOWL

The breakfast here are huge, tasty and not overly expensive.  This restaurant knows all about customer service because they we make your breakfast precisely as you want it.  Plus they are always there at the perfect moment to re-fill your coffee cup and your glass of cold water.

You can also order several of their regular menu items off the “Little Less”  menu.   I think that is the way it should be.

I will be returning to the Black Bear Diner closest to me because there are more menu items that I would like to try.

Black Bear Diner

980 N. Dysart Road

Goodyear, Arizona 85338

(623) 932-2968

Hours:  Daily 6:00 a.m.  – 10:00 p.m.

March 10, 2017 - Karsen's Grill - Scottsdale, Arizona

Cousin Jim Cowhey arrived in Phoenix from Chicago for annual Spring Training trek to the Valley of the Sun.  I picked him up at the airport.  We headed to Scottsdale because he wa staying close to Old Town Scottsdale.

It took us a while to find a parking spot but we did and then walked to the bar/grill.  It wasn’t what I was expecting.  It was small…but they had food…and it was quiet so it ended up being just perfect spot for an afternoon visit.

I ordered the special for the day Fish and Chips with fries…they were very tasty…the batter was a meal breaded batter not a thick batter.   It fried up very crisp…making it easy to dip the fish in the sauce.  I wasn't served tartar sauce.  Instead I was served a homemade avocado based aioli sauce.  It was delicious!

Jim ordered the Jalapeno Club – Hickory Smoked Turkey, Black Forest Ham, Candied Jalapeno Cream Cheese, House-Cured Jalapeno Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado and Green Chile Aioli Sauce.  It looked interesting.

I was disappointed because it is described as “a cozy neighborhood watering hole offering burgers, sandwiches and daily specials, plus sports on TV.”  Where’s the beef?  I never saw one burger on the menu we were handed.  Did we have to ask for the burger menu?  I had read about the Patty Melt.  That’s what I wanted to try.   So basically I walked away disappointed…very disappointed…and it wasn’t the food…it wasn’t the staff…they were very attentive.

Karsen’s Grill

7246 E. First Street

Scottsdale, AZ

(480) 990-7660

karsengrill.com

Hours:  Monday -  Wednesday  11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

             Thursday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

             Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

March 6, 2017 - Creative Hands Cuisine - Mesa, Arizona

I am a volunteer usher at the Mesa Arts Center.  I attended the 2017 Mesa Arts Center Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Monday, March 6, 2017.  It was held in the complex…on the large stage of the Ikeda Theater.

The tables were draped in tablecloths.  The theme was “You Are Spring!”  As I sat down I noticed that at each place setting there was a pastel cloth napkin that was draped from under the salad plate to the top of the chair seat.  I thought that really looked neat.

A basket of fresh spring flowers was placed in the center of each table.  Fresh cut flowers!  Lovely!  I love fresh flowers for all occasions.

The dinner was the most delicious catered dinner I have ever eaten.  We started with a chopped salad accompanied with slices of baguette and this delicious fluffy herbed whipped butter. 

The main entrée was baked chicken breast.  The breast was baked so well...not dry…perfectly moist.  It had been marinated and crusted with herbs.

The mashed potatoes – the best I have ever eaten.  As far as I could tell they were Yukon potatoes whipped with butter, cream – and here’s the good part.  I think a salad dressing mix was added to the potatoes…most likely an Italian herb type of dressing…but no rosemary…I don’t like a lot of rosemary.  The potatoes were so tasty.

Green beans, with onions, garlic, almond slices and pimento finished the entrée.

A lovely orchid type flower on top of the meal completed the presentation.

Dessert was a Salted Caramel Brownie…yummo!   I loved this dinner.

We had a lovely quartet entertaining us through dinner.  Playing a lot of 40s music.  The female vocalist was very energetic.  She had a lovely voice accompanied by a piano, drums and bass.

Lots of prizes were given away after the dinner.  I should announce that I am still on my prizeless streak…well over one year long.  Every person at my table won something but me.

Creative Hands Cuisine

3035 N Maple St. #1
Mesa, AZ 85215

602-628-1534 office

480-588-8408 fax

Office Hours (Pending Events)
Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

The three of us from Las Palmas who usher  - Stella Summy, Lynda Patrick-Hayes and Irma Heasley.

March 4, 2017 - Revolu Modern Tacqueria and Bar - Peoria, Arizona

Loy Ann Chvilicek and I drove to Peoria to watch my grandson, Judson Hayes' hockey game.  It was against the Jr. Sun Devils Bantam AA team...and we won 2-1!

After the game Joshua, Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes, Jack and Judy Svendsen, Loy Ann Chvilicek and I ate dinner at the Revolu Modern Tacqueria and Bar.

I ordered three street tacos – The Del Mar – beer battered wild cod – shaved cabbage – red salsa – cilantro and lime crema; Carne Asada- skirt steak – red salsa – onion – cilantro and avo-crema;  and Al Pastor – spit fired pork – avo crema – red salsa-onion and cilantro.  They were just excellent.

I also had some bites of different dishes that the Hayes Family ordered – Crispy Brussel Sprouts – caramelized onion, bacon, lime zest, cotija and green salsa – what a great taste;  Elote – grilled corn on the cob, chipotle mayo, crumbled cotija – cilantro and lime. This is the best elote I have ever tasted.

I am definately coming back here for another visit.  I loved their food.  You can taste the freshness which I love.

Hats off to the manager and staff.  They were very accommading to this group of 8 who showed up without reservations.   They seated us without pause.  Took our orders and served us perfectly.  What a joy to experience customer service in this day and age.  I really appreciate it.

Revolu – Modern Tacqueria and Bar

15703 N. 83^rd Avenue

Peoria, Arizona 85382

(623) 878-0215

Hours :  Monday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

              Friday – Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

              Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

My grandson Jonah enjoying his cheese quesadilla - his usual choice  - the only item he will ever order.  I liked this wall in the restaurant.