Wednesday, July 19, 2017

July 19, 2017 - Merci french cafe & patisserie - Scottsdale, Arizona

Tanya Connor took me to her favorite dining spot today.  I ordered the Quiche with scallop and bacon with Parmesan and ricotta cheese.  Now that was a slice of quiche.  It was almost like a slice of cake…close to almost 2” high in a delicious crust.  The texture was perfect..and the scallop pieces and the bacon was perfect.  It was served with a very large fresh salad and a very savory dressing.




Scallop and Bacon Quiche

Tanya ordered the Classic Burger without a bun.  It was also served with a huge salad that was exactly like mine…and there were also these delicious tasting herb French Fries.




Classic  Beef Burger

I couldn’t pass up the mouth watering desserts…all homemade.  I ordered the Milk Chocolate Tart…the crust was of fine crumbs and melted butter…topped with toffee chips. ...ganache with milk chocolate and salty caramel.  Yummy! The chocolate was absolutely marvelous.  There was a then dark chocolate banner that read “Merci”.




Milk Chocolate Tart

I want to visit for dinner.  I believe that I will return many times....making my list of people to invite to join me.

For lunch one goes to the counter and orders what is desired….then pays at the counter.  It is brought to your table when ready.  I felt the entire staff was very friendly and helpful.


Tanya goes to Merci quite often.  She knows everyone so she introduced me to Chef and owner Duc Liao.  She later told me that he  was once a Parisian fashion photographer.  You could see that in all the decorating of the café.

Merci french café & patisserie
7620 E. Indian School Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 947-2777
mercifrenchcafe.com
Hours:  Monday - Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
             Wednesday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
             Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

It is located in a small free standing shopping area located on Miller just south of Camelback.  I must check out the address above to see what is at that address...but I didn't feel it was on E. Indian School Road.

Price Range:  $=under $10 - $$= $11-$15 for lunch $$$= $16-$25 for dinner.  Very affordable in my opinion.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

July 12, 2017 - El Panzon y Frida - Scottsdale, Arizona


UPDATE:  This restaurant closed its doors in December, 2017.


This was the restaurant that I picked for my monthly dinner with Kelli Jo Welk.

While I waited for Kelli's arrival I ordered off with a El Panzon’s Paloma cocktail – El Silencto Mezcal – Cointreau – fresh lime – grapefruit basil sorbet all served in a lime-salt rim glass.  It has a very distinctive taste which was the basil in the sorbet.  I don’t know if I even liked it but it was a soothing drink…not  sweet and after drinking it I didn’t have a desire for something else to drink.

Kelli and I each ordered a starter soup – Kelli the Classic Tomato and I chose the Avocado Gazpacho.  I tasted Kelli’s and it was delicious.  I was surprised by mine because I was expecting soup…and it was served first by placing the sliced pickled radishes in the bowl…then spooning several soup spoons of the avocado soup..then topped with three grilled shrimp.  I must tell you though that it tasted marvelous even if it stunned my expectations of soup.  I would try it again.  I expected a cold soup and it was.  It always amazes me with sometimes how little the servings are…and yet I always walk away full.


Classic Tomato Soup



Avocado Gazpacho


I have always wanted to try a Bone Marrow appetizer so that’s what I ordered.  Kelli ordered the Sirloin Sliders.  We both just wanted a light dinner so we didn’t a full sized dinner.  If I ever returned I would order the Seared Scallops and Coconut Lobster.

My Bone Marrow was displayed marvelously and was served with delishly grilled asparagus served with five dollar sized tortillas and house chimichurri ( chopped parsley, cilantro, shallot, clove, oregano, vinegar and olive oil with some chile or red pepper flakes.  I thought this was delicious.  Comes from Argentina ,,always served with beef…but is also good with smoky grilled chicken and fish) .  I am happy that I ordered it but I don’t think I would ever order it again.


Bone Marrow


Kelli was served three sliders…which were quite large.   She gave me one…the sirloin was perfect and served with pickled cabbage, pearl onion, Dijon, horseradish crema on a pretzel roll.  These were very tasty.



Sirloin Sliders

The service was very nice.  Our server was so attentive.  It was different but good.  We were there really early so we were able to visit but once it began to get crowded it was really loud.


El Panzon y Frida
7323 E. Shoeman Lane
Scottsdale, Arizona
(480) 659-1544
Hours:  Tuesday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
             Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Monday:  Closed 



         
This restaurant is now closed.

Sunday, July 9, 2017

July 8, 2017 - Backyard Tacos - Mesa, Arizona

After my neighbor and I spent the afternoon at Smart and Final...and the Standard Restaurant Supply stores, we decided to have an early afternoon bite at Backyard Tacos before sitting down to watch the Diamondbacks vs. the Cincinnati Reds.

We each ordered a carne asada street taco…and we each ordered an Al Pastor street taco…OMG! The Al Pastor style taco is one that consists of crisp-thin shavings of vertical spit-roasted port, marinated with guajillo chiles and anchiote, a mildly earthy, ever-so-slightly bitter spice with a distinctive bright red color.  It is a dish that is said to have developed in Central Mexico, based on shawarma spit-grilled meat brought by Lebanese immigrants to Mexico.

Our meat appeared to have been cooked up extra crisp on the plancha after it had been sliced because it had that bacon-like quality.  Ours were topped with a bit of roasted pineapple, salsa, cilantro and onions.

Those little tiny street taco tortillas were crammed with filling…and after a trip through the salsa bar…perfection!  We had a choice of corn or flour tortillas….we picked flour. I will definitely be returning because there are five other items on the menu that I must try.

Every item is prepared freshly as you order..everything is made on site.  As you stand in line to place your order, behind the counter you see this huge open grill  cooking meat.  It was hot today…I can’t even imagine how hot it was working in the kitchen.


The service was excellent and fast.  For the number of guests coming and going, all the orders were filled rapidly...none of us waited long for our order to be given to us.  I felt that we really receive a great taco for the price paid.  We paid $2.25 for each street taco...but on Tuesdays they are $1.79 each.

Backyard Tacos
1524 E. University
Mesa, Arizona 85203
(480) 464-8226
Hours:  Monday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Friday  - Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
            Sunday – Closed