November 29, 2014 - Pizza A Metro - Gilbert, Arizona

I visited  with Joshua and Judson Hayes.  Joshua ordered the soup of the day…and it was Straccialella.  When this soup is being served everyone has to try it because it is handmade by the order.  I call it Italian Egg Drop Soup.  This one had slice meatballs in the soup.  It was creamy.  The egg was perfect…and just the right Parmesan cheese.  Delicious.  Judson ordered the Spaghetti Bolgnese…only he doesn’t like spaghetti so we asked if we could substitute penne and they were more than happy to do that.  Bolgnese is my favorite.  The penne was cooked perfectly and the red meat sauce tasted wonderful.  I will return here often whenever I would like to have Italian food.

I did not order because we were leaving the third game of the hockey tournament in Gilbert and Judson's team this year gives me heart burn.  I couldn't have eaten a thing...and I was disappointed but I will return.

This is no regular pizza joint.  The original eatery is on Thomas Road in central Phoenix. It is good to have another site out in the East Valley.  I should also note that it is no longer owned by Chef Maurizio Benforte. 

November 24, 2014 - White Chocolate Grill - Phoenix, Arizona

We had lunch at the White Chocolate Grill between visits to the Penske Racing Museum and the Musical Instruments Museum.

I ordered the Southern Chicken Salad – crispy hand-battered chicken, field greens, smoked bacon, cherry tomatoes, avocado, chopped egg and house made Hailey’s croutons with Honey Mustard.  

What I really liked about the salad was that the whole salad was put together in bite sizes...no huge pieces of lettuce...or the hard boiled egg half plupped on top.  I also thought the salad came with lots of bacon chunks.  When I saw that it contained bacon I thought maybe a couple pieces of the bacon bits.  No actual bite size pieces of bacon.  It sure made for an enjoyable time of eating a salad.

Linda Hoover ordered the Grilled Chicken Sandwich – marinated, wood-fired chicken breast, Monterey Jack Cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and mayonnaise on a sesame bun.

For Dessert we tried the White Chocolate Banana Cream Pie – a graham cracker and chocolate chunk crust, fresh bananas and vanilla pastry cream – caramel, whipped cream and shaved white chocolate.

I would say the only negative was that our wait staff spoke too softly, otherwise she took great care of us, making sure that our glasses were always refilled.  I like that.

White Chocolate Grill

7000 E. Mayo Blvd.

Phoenix, AZ 85054

(480) 563-3377

November 17, 2014 - Babbo Italian Eatery - Phoenix, Arizona

After we left the day at the Heard Museum we met friend, Kelli Jo Welk for dinner at Babbo Italian Eatery.

The meal began with the Oil Bread and a balsamic vinegar and olive oil dip.  I told them to put another three loaves in the oven because I was Italian and hadn’t eaten Oil Bread in a long time.

Jo ordered the special for the evening – Spaghetti and Meatballs – Marinara Sauce, 2 large Meatballs, Parmesan, Oregano, Basil.  Since she saved so much money she also ordered The Pomodoro Tomato to begin her meal – whole skinless plum tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sea Salt and Fresh Basil.

Kelli Jo ordered the Quattro Formaggi Pizza -  Marinara Sauce, Mozzarella, Gouda, Provolone and Parmesan Cheeses topped with Oregano and Basil.

Linda ordered the Chicken Alfredo Pizza – Alfredo Sauce, roasted Chicken, Red Onion, Baked Spaghettini, Mozzarella, Parmesan.

I ordered the Babbo’s Bowl O’Bolognese – Marinara Sauce, Ground Beef, thyme, Bay Leaves, Garlic and Romano Cheese…served on Sphaghettini…but I asked to substitute Penne.  They were more than happy to do that for me.  It was delicious and I loved it.  I am sure it was because of the Romano Cheese.  I am half Italian…was served homemade Italian food my whole life but I am not crazy about pasta.   But this dish was perfect for me…the price was right…the atmosphere was right…the company was perfect.  Great meal.

Babbo Italian Eatery

6855 N. 16^th Street

Phoenix, AZ 85014

(602) 279-1500

November 17, 2014 - Courtyard Cafe at the Heard Museum

Jo Martin, Linda Hoover and I spent the day at the Heard Museum in central Phoenix.  Between tours we have lunch at the cafe.

I ordered the Tortilla Soup – creamy and spicy – loaded with chicken – blended peppers, tomatoes – crema.  Delicious!

Jo and Linda ordered the Chicken and Wild Rice Enchiladas – cooked in apple cider and garnished with apple slices.  Linda ate the house salad.  Jo asked if she could substitute that salad for the corn salad…and they were more than happy to do that.  I tasted a bite…great salad…served with tiny, tiny pieces of peppers and tomatoes…and it had a little zip to it.  I liked it.

For dessert all three of us shared the Fry Bread Sundate – large round piece of fry bread cut into pizza shaped slices…topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream…all guzzled with chocolate sauce and caramel sauce.  And the Caramel Apple Quesadilla  - strips of a light flexible pie crust with apples and sauce into between.  The huge round pie type of dessert was then cut in huge wedges and criss crossed to make start shaped serving that was topped with a scoop of ice cream…caramel sauce and broken pieces of walnuts.

I like both desserts but preferred the Caramel Apple Quesadilla more because coming from the influence of the Plains Indians I like my Fry Bread hot and fluffy….this piece was too thin and chewy.

Caramel Apple Quesadilla

Fry Bread Sundae

Courtyard Café at the Heard Museum

2301 N. Central Avenue

Phoenix, Arizona 859004

(602) 251- 0204

November 16, 2014 - Nando's Mexican Cafe - Mesa, Arizona

We ate a late dinner at Nando's Mexican Cafe.

Linda Hoover ordered the Nando’s Nachos – a huge plate of chips and ground beef.  Linda didn’t want any of the tomatoes, peppers, etc…just plain.  It would have really been heaped if everything else had been added to the plate of nachos that she was served.

Jo ordered the El Numero Nueve – combination that included a cheese enchildada, taco, chile relleno with rice.

I ordered the El Numero Diez – two beef flautas served with rice and beans.  My entire plate was very tasty.  When I was given the choice of two items to be served on the flautas - I chose quacamole and the tangy cream cheese.  The first time that I have ever eaten any type of cream cheese on my Mexican food.  It was delicious.

Linda and I also ordered the House Margarita while Jo ordered a dark beer…and chose the Kiltlifter.

The servings are really large…and I had to bring one of my flautas home.  I rarely do that.  The only negative I would say about the restaurant is that it wasn't decorated like a Mexican restaurant.... but maybe because it was a trendy Mexican cafe.

Nando’s Mexican Cafe

6715 E. McDowell Road

Mesa, AZ

(480) 830-8181

November 16, 2014 - Porter's Bar and Grill - Superior, Arizona

After a good part of the morning and afternoon at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, my visitors from Montana...Jo Martin and Linda Hoover...drove into Superior for a burger at Porter’s Bar and Grill.

Jo ordered the 1/ 3 pound Hamburger and added avocado.  Linda Hoover ordered the same but added bacon and cheese for a delicious looking Cheeseburger. 

I couldn’t resist.  I had to order the Superior Burger – green chilis, bacon and pepper jack cheese.  It is the signature burger at Porter's.

 The burgers were about two inches thick.  Once the green chilis, bacon and pepper jack cheese were added to the lettuce, tomato and onion I couldn’t take one whole bite.  I know I have a “big mouth” but it just wasn’t big enough to take a whole bite of the burger.  I thoroughly enjoyed my burger…and I think that Jo and Linda enjoyed theirs as much as I did.

Each of us added a glass of ice tea…promoted as “the best ice tea in Arizona.”…and it was.

Linda Hoover's Cheeseburger with Bacon

 

Jo proudly displays her Regular Burger with avocado 

My Superior Burger - came loaded with green chilis, bacon and pepper jack cheese.  It is Porter's signature burger.

The interior of the bar was loaded with old posters, flags from different countries, sports team pennants.  My favorite was  the “Barry Goldwater For President”  poster…and of course, the University of Montana Grizzlies pennant.  They even had a Chicago Black Hawk 2014 Stanley Cup Champions pennant hanging.  Plus there were a couple of old bar outdoor signs hanging up inside…décor of the bar was laid back and very relaxing.

Porter’s Bar and Grill

404 W. Main Street

Superior, AZ 85173

(520) 689-5003