Sunday, December 23, 2018

December 22, 2018 - Loco Patron Brewery - Scottsdale, Arizona


I visited  with Jeanne and Willie Stecher; Joshua, Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes; Joe, Tiffany, Tyler, Ryan and Jason King.  They had just debarked from the plane flight from Long Island, New York.  We were headed to a Coyotes games at the Gila River Arena vs. Colorado Avalanche for an outing.

Jeanne and I both ordered the Beer Battered Fish Taco – served with, spicy slaw, jicama pico de gallo, avocado cream, fire-cracker sauce, cotija and cilantro.  I thought my tacos were wonderful...large pieces of cod served in these very soft house-made ancho tortillas.  The fire-cracker sauce was just spicy enough to give the taco a kick.  I could really pick out that sauce.  Loved it.

Jody let me have piece of her Smokey Carnitas BBQ Pizza…and it was delicious – blackberry chipotle barbecue sauce, smokey carnitas, queso fresco, mpa onions, fresh jalapeno, toasted pepitas, cilantro, tequila-lime crema.



Loco Patron Brewery
14950 N. Northsight Blvd.
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
(480) 699 – 7271
Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
             Friday  11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
            Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
            Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Monday, December 17, 2018

Decmeber 13, 2018 - Rythym and Wine - Scottsdale, Arizona


I visited on December 13, 2018 with Carol Thompson.  We were having lunch after our appointments with Dr. Bruno.  Her receptionist recommended this restaurant to us for lunch. 

Carol ordered the Ground Chuck Sliders – two mini burgers on brioche buns, cheese, spicy pickles and bistro fries (a mixture of French fries and sweet potato fries).




I ordered the Grilled Cheese and Soup – Three Cheese Classic – gouda, yellow and white cheddar served with bistro fries and tomato basil soup.




Carol loved her order…and it filled her up…I thought mine was wonderful…my comfort food…the grilled cheese sandwich was gooey and loaded with cheese…and the soup was a hearty tomato basil…and I thought it was very tasty.

Rhythm and Wine

7605 W. Pinnacle Peak
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
(480) 478-6999
Hours:  Sunday – Tuesday 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Wednesday  - Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

December 8, 2018 - Hash Kitchen - Scottsdale, Arizona

See my updated April 1, 2017 -  Hash Kitchen post.  It will feature my first time trying
Avocado Toast with a picture.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

December 7, 2018 - Jim's Coney Island Cafe - Tempe, Arizona

I visited with Jeanne and Willie Stecher...Carol and Mike Thompson.  We were headed to the Arizona Heritage Center to see the Portraits of Courage exhibit.  We decided to try some place close the Center.

Jeanne and I both ordered the Patty Melt…it was okay…didn’t make my Top 10 Patty Melt list…with onion rings…but they were pretty good…and my hamburger was cooked through…no pink! 





Willie ordered the Fiesta Scramble…because breakfast is served all day long…





Carol ordered the BLT and she chose fries for her side…and they were good. 




Mike ordered the Philly…I thought everything was good…nothing special…but it wasn’t bad either…it was comfort food.  Plus the restaurant itself is an old diner…and it was worth the visit just to see that.  I felt as if I was back in the 60s.

Jim’s Coney Island Café
1750 N. Scottsdale Road
Tempe, Arizona 85281
(480) 945-4364
Hours:  Monday – Saturday 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

            Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.












Friday, December 14, 2018

December 2, 2018 - Coconut's Fish Cafe - Scottsdale, Arizona



I visited the location on Shea December 2, 2018 with Jeanne and Willie Stecher.  This was a first visit for each of us.

Jeanne ordered the Fish Tacos…two tacos per order made with 17 ingredients; including grilled Ono and Mahi Mahi, white corn tortilla, organic tomato salsa, cheese, house made coleslaw and mano salsa.  Jeanne loved her choice



Zagat rated “The Perfect Fish Taco”.

Willie chose the Mahi Fish and Chips…two pieces of Mahi Mahi lightly breaded in Italian bread crumbs served with coconut milk coleslaw and French fries.   Willie also liked his order.





I had the Seafood Chowder…it was very good…big chunks of fish…mushrooms with the chowder crackers…New England style with Ono, Mahi-Mahi, clams, mushrooms, onions and garlic.  I thought my order was hearty and very filling.  I liked it a lot.







Coconut’s Fish Café
16640 N. Scottsdale Road #103
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
(480) 275-6690
Hours:  Open Daily 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Second Location:
7366 E. Shea Blvd.  Suite #110
Scottsdale, Arizona

Friday, November 30, 2018

November 29, 2018 - My Three Girls Bakery - Phoenix, Arizona


Carol Thompson and I  went here for lunch after a doctor appointment.  I ordered a Protein Plate – Grandmother’s Old Fashioned Chicken Salad – diced roasted chicken, almonds, cranberries, grapes with a dollop of tarragon mayo layered on a bed of mixed green.  I really liked the concept of having a choice of ordering a sandwich or the same thing as a Protein Plate...same chicken salad but without the bread.


 Protein Plate - Grandmother's Old Fashioned Chicken Salad

Carol ordered the California Turkey Sandwich – roasted turkey breast with Harvarti Cheese, butter lettuce, tomato with a touch of raspberry chipotle mayo on authentic sourdough.



California Turkey Sandwich

Dessert -  Carol had a Monster Cookie…and I ordered a Coconut Cream Cheese Cupcake.  I loved the heavy cupcake with coconut right in the batter…and then topped with cream cheese frosting…delicious.




Coconut Cream Cheese Cupcake

My Three Girls Bakery
4801 E. Indian School Road, Suite 4
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
(602) 509-0307

Hours:  Monday-Friday 7am-6pm
               Saturday 8am-5pm
               Sunday 8am-3pm




Tuesday, October 30, 2018

October 16, 2018 - Snooze, An A. M. Eatery - Gilbert, Arizona

I visited one of my favorite breakfast spots with Sandy Wilts after a medical appointment.  I have covered this restaurant before this on my blog...something I never do...but I thought this one needed some more coverage.  I love creativity of this restaurant.  I return time and time again.  (You are able to view my first blog on February 8, 2018.)

Sandy ordered the Ooo La La Frittala – cage free egg whites filled with a fresh asparagus and mushroom salad, sliced zucchini and house-made pistou….topped with arugula, heirloom cherry tomatoes, citronette and grated Parmesan.  Sandy loved her meal.


Pistou is a Provencal cold sauce made form cloves of garlic, fresh basil, and olive oil…somewhat similar to the Liguarian sauce pesto without the pine nuts.

Citronette is a dressing of orange zest, lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegar, shallot and olive oil





                                                              Ooo La La Frittala

I ordered the Breakfast Pot Pie – homemade rosemary sausage gravy served over a puff pastry…served with an egg (I chose scrambled) and this 2” high circular mound of hash browns…my one side – a Bluebarry Danish Pancake – buttermilk pancake topped with blueberry coulis, sweet cream and almond streusel surrounding a center of lemony cream cheese filling (no not a big one, just a small one to taste.)

Blueberry coulis is a sauce of blueberries, sugar, water, cornstarch, lemon juice…thickened until lightly bubbly.



Blueberry Danish Pancake




Breakfast Pot Pie

Snooze, an A. M. Eatery

310 N. Gilbert Road
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
(480) 664-4488
Hours:  Daily 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 21, 2018

October 16, 2018 - Salerno's - Gilbert, Arizona


I visited with my two neices Mary Ellen and Sumer.  Sumer has finished a degree in the Human Resources area…and so we are talking about her applying and interviewing for a job.

I ordered the Lasagna served with red sauce.  They make their own pasta…but I thought the pasta was cooked way too long…it was just too soft.  Mary Ellen and Sumer split an order of Manicotti…and I felt the same way about it.  Maybe it is because I really don’t care for pasta or for that matter any Italian food…but I think it is because I want my pasta always al dente.  Anyway, I really didn’t care for my meal or theirs because they let me have a taste.  I didn’t care for the bread either that was served with the meal.  Darn.

They did, however, have grated cheese on the table…I like that.



Salerno’s
3921 e. Guadalupe Road
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 892-0040
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
            Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
            Sunday – 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
            Monday – Closed

Saturday, October 13, 2018

October 5, 2018 - Hopdoddy Burger Bar - Scottsdale, Arizona

I visited on October 5, 2018 with Carol Thompson after our doctor appointments in North Scottsdale.  We both ordered the Classic Burger with Tillamook Cheese…then we shared an order of the Parmesan Fries.  I really liked the Truffle Oil sauce served with the fries for dipping.

Jana, the receptionist, at the doctor’s office told us about the fries.   She calls them “naughty fries”…and they are …but oh…they are so good.  I am happy that she told us about them.  A patient just leaving the office…added her comments about how good everything was at this 
restaurant whose roots are in Austin, Texas.

They grind the all the hamburger meat every morning….make the hamburger patties by hand.  The buns are homemade.  I am looking forward to returning for my next burger.






Classic Burger with Tillamook Cheese



Carol dishing up the Parmesan Fries 



Closer look at those "naughty fries" - great Parmesan Fries

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

11055 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, Arizona
(480) 348-2337
hopdoddy.com
Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
            Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

September 25, 2018 - Osteria - Mesa, Arizona

I visited with our bridge ladies for our monthy "dining out". 

I was looking forward to this visit.  What a disappointment. None of the staff really acted as if they knew what to do..and most of them didn’t.  Service was very slow. 

Marilyn ordered the Farm Greens Salad with Gorgonzola Cheese, Carrot, Cucumber, Radish and Oregano.  She liked her salad…and it looked fresh and tasty.

Four of us decided to order the Tagliatelle Bolognese…Cathy and Sally, Janet and I each split a Caesar Salad.  It was okay…what I liked was being able to taste the anchovies.

Finally they brought some bread and oil to the table…now I am Italian and I might be mistaken but I have never eaten sour dough bread with my pasta.  Really?  Soon…here comes the pasta…and each of us ordered the same pasta dish but they brought two…and then two halves…so what the heck Janet and I split that order.  The pasta was all clumped together.  It looked as if it was left sitting after it was strained but never rinsed.  I thought the sauce was just too bland…plus it was too dry…as was the pasta.  The main entrees were not hot.  The four of us were very disappointed.

We had to ask for salt and pepper.  But what really galled me was – I am Italian – once they served the pasta no one asked if any of us  would like grated cheese on your entrée…there wasn’t even a shaker or dish of grated cheese on the table.  That is unacceptable for me.

We asked for cheese…and they brought it to us…acting as if they were so surprised that we would expect grated cheese on our pasta. 

When I manager or lead came to the table to see how the meal was Cathy was very emphatic about how terrible it was.  To his credit he said he would make that good and he did.  He didn’t charge Cathy for her meal.  But by now there was no changing anyone’s mind…the meal was just the worst!

I doubt that I would ever return.

Osteria
5609 E. McKellips Road Suite A111
Mesa, AZ  85215
(480) 300-5404
osteriausa.com
Hours:  Monday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
              Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
              Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
               Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

September 16, 2018 - Pho For Days - Peoria, Arizona


Visited on September 16, 2018 with Joshua, Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes…Andrea, Rob and Adam Trupp after a Notre Dame Prep Varsity Hockey Game.

I ordered the Lemongrass Chicken/Com GA XOA served with rice.  It was very tasty…lots of vegetables with the pieces of chicken.  The sauce was delicious and not as hot as the other places where I have eaten it.  Also it was a thinner sauce.

Several people in our dinner party ordered the BUN/VERMICELLI.  I thought the grilled shrimp and eggroll looked like something I would like to try.



Pho for Days
15703  N. 83rd Avenue
Peoria, Arizona 85382
(623) 302-9125
Hours:  Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Sunday  10:00 am. – 8:00 p.m.
Fare:  Vietnamese

Sunday, September 9, 2018

September 3, 2018 - Neiman Marcus Cafe - Scottsdale, Arizona



I visited with Carol Thompson on September 3, 2018.   We were shopping at Neiman Marcus.

It was a lovely “girls” lunch.  First they brought us demitasse type of cup and saucer with chicken consommé…just a few sips…that was followed with this huge popover served with strawberry butter.  The popover was perfect…crusty on the outside…and soft hollow inside.  I love popovers.  They are so light.




Popove


Carol ordered the  Oven-Roasted Turkey, Bacon, Swiss and Avocado Sandwich.  I ordered the Tuna Pecan Sandwich.  Both were served on wheat bread with chips, a small fruit bowl and a dill pickle slice.  I really enjoyed the taste of the tuna and pecan mixture taste.  The sandwiches were quite large.  We each had to take half of it home for dinner.



Tuna Pecan Sandwich

After we were given a candy – along thin piece of peppermint dipped in chocolate.



Neiman Marcus Café
Fashion Square – Level One
6900 E. Camelback Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
(480) 425-1454  XT 2068

Monday, September 3, 2018

August 31, 2018 - PURE Sushi - Scottsdale, Arizona


I visited with Joshua, Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes to celebrate Joshua’s 46th birthday.  

We started with the special- Fish and Chips Roll.  I loved it…and Edamame with sea salt .We ordered a several sushi items…In & Out Roll – shrimp tempura, spicy crab mix, cucumber inside, cooked shrimp an sliced avocado on the outside served with an Asin Pesto sauce; PURE Crunchy Roll – shrimp tempura, crab mixture, cucumber inside, tempura crunch on the outside..served with eel sauce  (I really liked this one); ..two California rolls, two Philly rolls…one spicy (which I loved)…one regular.  Judson also had Miso Soup…Jonah liked the Pork Gyoza – pan fried dumplings with the spicy citrus soy for dipping.  Another great meal together…just delicious.


PURE Sushi
20567 North Hayden Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Hours:  Monday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

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

August 31, 2018 - Handlebar Pub and Grill - Apache Junction, Arizona


After a morning of shopping at Cato's in Apache Junction for clothes, Sandy Wilts wanted to take us to a place thar she liked for lunch.

I ordered the Peppercorn Burger with beer braised onions, bleu cheese and peppercorn aioli..my choice of a side was the grilled zucchini, peppers and onions.



Carol and Sandy each ordered the Build Your Own Burger and their side was Potato Skins.





This bar/grill does not fry anything.  I thought this was wonderful.  They also have live music every evening.

We ate out on the patio…and they were most accommodating and welcoming to us…they made sure that we were at a table with no sun…that we were misted…and they started the portable swamp cooler at our table. They must have known that Carol was Queen for the day.

The Handlebar Pub and Grill

650 Apache Trail

Apache Junction, AZ 85120
Hours:  Monday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Sunday  12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday, August 31, 2018

August 30,2018 - Cyclo - Chandler, Arizona

Janet Hastings and I went to the restaurant for the first time after we played a not so good game of bridge in Sun Lakes.


After we sat down we were brought cold water with heart shaped watermelon pieces, lime, strawberry and ginger…it was just beautiful.  There were fresh flowers in the restaurant.  Lots of art work on the walls.  I thought the ambience of the restaurant was so welcoming…plus the owner, Justina Duong talks with every patron.  She is quite charming.




I ordered Ga Xao Xa Ot – Crispy Lemongrass Chicken served with Jasmine rice.  The chili, garlic soy sauce was tasty with a kick at the end of the bite.




Janet ordered Pho Tai/Chin Nam – Beef Noodle soup  with rare sirloin and rice noodles.







Justina brought us two complimentary kambuca to sample.  It is made in house.  She invited us to try them onour next visit.





We also split a dessert – Mango Sticky Rice with slice of mangoes on top of the rice and coconut milk.  It was served warm.  I really liked it because the taste was great but not too sweet.




Cyclo
1919 W. Chandler  Blvd.
Chandler, Arizona
(480) 963-4490
azeats.com/cyclo
Hours:  Monday – Thursday  11:00 s.m. – 2:30 p.m.

                                                 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Friday 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
                          5:00 p.m. – 10:00p.m.
             Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
                              5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Sunday - Closed  

Sunday, August 12, 2018

August 10, 2018 - Lush Burger - Scottsdale, Arizona

I was in Scottsdale picking up Jonah.  He was staying the night with me...and then on Saturday we were going to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum for the Learn Your Lizards Walk...then to the Heard Museum for another of the Indian Boarding Schools Film Series - "Our Spirits Don't Speak English".

We decided to have dinner at the Lush Burger while we waited for the #101 clear out.  This was my first visit. 

Jonah ordered the Sliders off the children’s menu…I ordered the Build-Your-Own Burger….brioche bun…burger with swiss cheese…bacon…grilled onions.  I had a choice of sides..and chose the fries…so did Jonah with his meal.  




Two Beef Slides - Children's Menu

I thought the burger looked really good…and it tasted good…but the bun was just too small for everything on the burger…I just hate fighting my burger to get it eaten.  I ended up eating it with my fork.   I think these big burgers need a bigger bun…or a heartier bun.  Otherwise the burgers are just too messy.  I would prefer a smaller burger that I am able to eat as a burger.

I really liked the Build Your Burger concept.  It seems as if every menu has fifteen different burgers...and that most of them have an item on the burger that I don't especially want...this one was perfect for me.



Build Your Own Burger

I really liked the fries even though there was a lot of salt on them which I usually don’t like.  It was a good dinner…Jonah ate both of his beef sliders.


It  was very nice that the staff changed both TVs close to us so that we were able to continue watching the baseball game. I have not complaints about the service.  

Lush Burger
18251 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
(480) 686-8908
Hours:  Daily 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.



August 9, 2018 Carolina's - Mesa, Arizona

I have been wanting to try this restaurant way before I ever moved to Arizona.  They recently expanded into Mesa.  Janet and I had such a good day at the bridge table that once again we decided to celebrate.  We tried Carolina's for the first time.


I was surprised that it was a place your order place and then pick a table until your number is called.  Wow!  I thought for sure it would  a sit-down place…but I loved the food….I love that machaca meat.  I ordered the 2 – machaca enchiladas…it came with rice and re-fried beans…Janet ordered the two enchiladas…one machaca and the other chicken. 



Janet also ordered chips and salsa.  Carolina’s is famous for its homemade tortillas…and I liked the salsa…only I would have preferred a chunkier salsa.  I could really taste the tomato in the salsa…





Machaca is a beef  that has been marinated, cooked, shredded and dried.  The drying process preserved the beef, made it easy to pack on the trail (like beef jerky) and it also gave the machaca a unique texture when prepared the traditional fashion.  It is rehydrated and then used in popular local cuisine in Northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States.

I need to find out more about this food.  I have eaten it many times at local real Mexican restaurants.  I think you can eat it after the process... skipping the drying out…and I bet for as much as Carolina’s sells in a day…that it had never been dried out…and rehydrated.



Carolina’s
1450E. Country Club
Mesa, Arizona 85210
(480) 912-3420
www.carolinasmexicanfood.com
Hours:  Monday – Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Sunday - Closed

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

August 2, 2018 - Tumi - Chandler, Arizona


Tumi
961 W. Ray Road #3  (southeast corner of  Alma School Rd  and Ray Road)
Chandler, Arizona 85225
(480) 821-1717
Hours – Tuesday – Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
              Sunday 11:30 a.m – 8:00 p.m.
              Monday - Closed
Fare:  Peruvian

Before ordering they set a plate of three objects on our table…two sauces…one hot…one not so hot…and this cup of like a popped or puffed corn nut….our snack.  It was salted…which was great…and it tasted good. 



Janet ordered the Seco de Res – tender pieces of meat slow cooked in Peruvian cilantro sauces…served with yucca (carsava), Peruvian beans,  salsa criolla and served with white rice.  (I tasted the beans and they were delicious.  Each dish had its own tastes.  Janet’s was like a stew.)





I ordered the Lomo Saltado – beef loin strips sauté in  fiery wok, with onions, tomatoes, cilantro mignonette and secrete ingredients mixed with French Fries, and served with white rice..  I love the taste of sauce of my dish…the rice was perfect…the meat was tender and tasty.  I loved my entrée.






Tumi
961 W. Ray Road #3  (southwest corner of  Alma School Rd  and Ray Road)
Chandler, Arizona 85225
(480) 821-1717
Hours – Tuesday – Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
              Sunday 11:30 a.m – 8:00 p.m.
              Monday - Closed
Fare:  Peruvian