May 10, 2014 - Ristorante Giuseppe - Scottsdale, Arizona

Dinner with Joshua, Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes .  I started with Pasta Fagioli…we shared an order of Bruschetta (lots of chopped tomatoes dripping in olive oil…just like Grandma used to make…served on thinly sliced hard roll bread and large grated pieces of parmesean cheese)…then shared an order of Eggplant and Zuchini…Four big baked pieces smothered in cheese and red sauce.

Pasta Fagioli

Bruschetta

Eggplant and Zuchini 

Joshua and Jody split an order of Linguine  and Clams with Red Sauce. 

I ordered Pasta Alex…and the waiter suggested that since tonight they had homemade gnocchi that I get that for the pasta with the Pasta Alex sauce.. so I did….spicy sausage…oil…garlic…tomato…cream and pesto...yummy but there were lots of red peppers in the sauce….really had a bite to it.

Judson ordered Mostaccioli with Red Sauce…and one large Meatball.

Of course we had dessert  - I ordered the homemade cannoli…the creamy filling was light and delicious…not too sweet….everything about this treat was perfect.  Jody and Judson shared a piece of Chocolate Non-flour Cake…it was delicious and heavy.  I love those Italian cakes that are heavy.

Great Cannoli

We brought two bottles of wine because they encourage that with no corking fee.  It is just part of the ambience at this local eatery where the food is delicious and the crowds are huge.  It is a small family owned business with about ten tables inside and a few outside.

If you didn’t live in Scottsdale you would never know that it was there…except for those people who go there with their Scottsdale friends…then bring in the crowds.

And, of course this is Scottsdale where we shared bites of food with our neighboring table…then sips of wine….only in Scottsdale…and that’s what I love about this city.

Our service was absolutely wonderful.  The young man who was our waiter had so much fun with the two boys…and made it an enjoyable dining experience for both of them.

Joshua uncorking the wine!

 

 

Ristorante Giuseppe

 

13610 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 9

Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

(480) 991—4792

www.giuseppescottsdale.com

Hours:

Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Sunday 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Cash only accepted – no credit cards



May 10, 2014 - Soul Cafe - Scottsdale, Arizona

Breakfast this morning with the Hayes family at the Soul Cafe...

I ordered the Granola Raspberry Pancakes – two fluffy raspberry pancakes topped with their homemade granola (with lots of nuts) and three slices of bacon.  

Jody and Judson each ordered the Some Like It Hot – two fluffy zucchini, onions, red peppers and jalapenos pancakes with jalapeno infused bacon.

Joshua ordered the green pork chili over eggs.

Granola Raspberry Pancakes with Bacon

Green Pork Chili over Eggs

Soul Café

Corner of Pinnacle Peak and Miller

Scottsdale, Arizona

Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Sunday – Monday 7:30 p.m. – 2:00 pm

(480) 515-6254

Chef Sheila Bryson

May 9, 2014 - Lo Lo's Chicken and Waffles - Scottsdale, Arizona

This was a first time trying Fried Chicken and Waffles for both Jody and me.. I ordered the #8 – Betty’s Boob – one juicy breast and one delicious waffle.   Jody ordered the  Jody ordered the #9  - Lil Amadi – one thigh and one drumstick and one delicious waffle.  We also ordered iced tea that was served in a quart canning jar.  Kool-Aid on tap.

They were really good.  The chicken would have been delicious by itself…as would the waffle.  

Jody with her quart jar of iced tea.

My #8 - one juicy southern fried chicken breast and one delicious waffle. 

Cornbread slathered with butter.

Lo- Lo’s Chicken and Waffles

2765 N. Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale, Arizona 85257

(480) 945-1920

Hours:

Monday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

May 8, 2014 - Seafood, Chorizo and Vegetable Stew - Scottsdale, Arizona

Another long day of house hunting...this time with Joshua.  I think we have narrowed it down to two houses, but we have the complex chosen - Las Palmas in Mesa, Arizona.   I am shelled shocked.  I am somewhat scared.  I should have been this scared to make the move from Los Angeles to Montana in 1982 but I wasn't.  It was nice to arrive back at the Hayes household.  Jody was making dinner.  She is such a good cook.  Just what I needed:

                                                    Seafood, Chorizo and Vegetable Stew

                                                  Two different angles - this bowl was mine.

This bowl was Joshua's

Jody included shrimp and halibut as the seafood.  The halibut was caught by Jack and Judy Svendsen (Jody's parents) last summer in Alaska.  It was delicious.

I have included the recipe for those so inclined to make this stew.

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 oz. chorizo (fully cooked and cured), thinly sliced

2 stalks celery, thinly sliced

1 bulb fennel, cored and thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 28-oz. can whole peeled tomatoes in juice

3/ 4 cup dry white wine

1 – 12 ounce cod fillet, cut into 2 inch pieces

1/ 2  pound large peeled and deveined shrimp

1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 Tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped

Crusty bread, for serving

Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Add the chorizo and cook, stirring, for one minute.

Add the celery, fennel and garlic and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, 3 to 4 minutes.

Crush the tomatoes and add to the pan along with their juices.  Add the wine and bring to a boil.  Add the cod and shrimp and cook, covered, stirring once, until opaque throughout.  3 to 4 minutes 

Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar and tarragon.  Serve with bread.

Notes:  Can use soy chorizo.  If you don’t have white wine you can use chicken stock.

You can also add veggies like red peppers, etc.

May 7, 2014 - Carrabba's Italian Grill - Scottsdale, Arizona

Jack and Judy Svendsen, Jody's parents invited all of us to join them at Carraba's for dinner.

The dinner list included:  Joshua and Jody Hayes, Judson and Jonah Hayes, Jack and Judy Svendsen and myself.

It was good to see Jack and Judy again.  I haven't seen them since Thanksgiving weekend, 2012.  They live in North Phoenix during the winter months...then spend the summer at the cabin along beautiful Flathead Lake near Polson, Montana.

Judson ordered the Shrimp and Scallops Linguine alla Vodka – sautéed shrimp and scallops tossed with linguine in homemade vodka tomato cream sauce.  Joshua ordered the Johnny Rocco Salad – wood-grilled shrimp, scallops, roasted red peppers, ricotta salata, romaine lettuce and mixed greens in Italian vinaigrette.   Both Judson and Joshua thought this sauce for the pasta tasted good.

Judy ordered Linguine Clams – linguine tossed with clams, scallions and  Carrabba’s white wine cream sauce.   Both Judy and my meal was a special that was order the meal and get a second dish of your meal to share with the rest of the table.  Pretty interesting.

Jonah ordered Ravioli after the kids menu.

Jack ordered Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin – medallions wood-grilled and topped with Carrabba’s port wine fig sauce.  Jack’s meal was the tastiest I thought…the sauce was light and sweet.  It complimented the port very well.  I would order that if I ever returned to this restaurant.

I ordered the Conchiglie Bolognese – shell shaped pasta tossed in homemade Bolognese meat sauce topped with freshly grated ricotta salada. Mine was pretty basic...but I love Bolognese meat sauce with any type of pasta...and this was tasty.  My first time ever of having ricotta salata grated over the top of my pasta.

Jody ordered Veal Marsala – sautéed and topped with mushrooms, prosciutto and Carrabba’s Lombardo Marsala wine sauce. I didn't try Jody's meal....but she said that it was delicious.

Judson and I each chose soup with our meal.  We tried the Lentil, Sausage and Bean.  It was delicious and had quite a bite to it.  Judy choose also chose soup – Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup.  It also had quite a bite to it.

It tasted as if our soup as the Italian hot peppers had been blended with the lentils, seeds and all….quite unique.

We met at the restaurant at 6:00 p.m.  Apparently Happy Hour was occurring because everyone who ordered a glass of wine received a larger one for the price.  Not bad.

I must confess I am not a pasta lover, Italian that I am so I probably wouldn't pick this restaurant for dinner.

May 7, 2014 - Culver's - Scottsdale, Arizona

Culver's is one of my favorite fast food chains.  It's roots are in Wisconsin.  I go there just for the Wisconsin Cheese Curds and the Custard for dessert.

Jody, Judson and I went to the Culver's on Shea in Scottsdale for lunch today because Judson only had to go to school today for 1/ 2 day.  Jody and Judson each ordered the Original Butter Burger.  I ordered a limited offer called the Pepper Grinder.  We shared a large order of Wisconsin cheese curds.  Then followed with dessert – I ate a dish of chocolate custard – Jody had the Turtle Sundae and Judson ordered an Oreo Milkshake.

The custard is a thick, creamy  ice cream.  It is to die for...

May 6, 2014 - Honey Baked Ham Cafe - Mesa, Arizona

I am in Arizona looking for a house.  Jody, Jonah and I spent the day in Mesa at three different complexes.  For lunch we stopped at:

Honey Baked Ham Café
(corner of Baseline and Southern)

I ordered the Tavern Club Honey Baked Ham, Honey Baked Smoked Turkey, Signature Honey Spiced Bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, tangy mayo and honey mustard on fresh multigrain bread…along with a cup of white bean and ham soup.

 Jody ordered  a Chicken Salad with Grapes – white meat chicken breast, grapes, lettuce and tomato on a flaky croissant.

Jonah ate a Kids Meal – Honey Baked Ham and cheese with chips and a cookie.

I don’t think that I would eat there again but if I did I would just order a big bowl of soup.