Sunday, December 18, 2016

December 17, 2016 - SanTan Brewery Company - Chandler, Arizona

I visited on December 17, 2016 with Jeanne Stecher....after we were at Chandler Park...peeking at the Tumbleweed Christmas Tree. 

First of all when they ask for your phone number…give them your cell phone number not your home phone number.  It took us a few minutes before Jeanne realized that when your reservations were ready, they texted your phone.  These kids nowadays just assume that everyone has a cell phone…the hostess never even explained it to us.  Leave it up to the Patrick girls though…we will figure it out…we never miss a meal.

We choose this restaurant because Trip Adviser on Jeanne’s phone said it was #2 out of 658 restaurants in the area.  Who could go wrong…we didn’t.   But I did wonder what all those other restaurants were like because Chandler is supposed to have a huge number of good restaurants.  I bet Trip Adviser bases everything on how many responses, comments, etc they receive.  I think it is still best to go with us eaters and writers. 

It was close to where we were.  It was lunch.  It worked.

Jeanne ordered the Blue Bayou Burger – Cajon seasonings, blue cheese sauce, smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion on a split top bun.  You had a choice of fries, salad, potato salad, etc.  Both of us chose the house salad with blue cheese dressing.  Jeanne doesn’t do a lot of spicy things.  They were more than willing to cook it for her without a heavy dose of Cajon seasonings.




 Blue Cheese Burger and Salad


She choose a Diet Coke to drink…plus she was the driver.

I ordered the Mac+ Cheese Burger – you know – I just had to try it.  It was a mac and cheese cake with beer cheese sauce served on a pretzel bun.  I paired that with a glass of the American Amber. Perfect.



Mac+ Cheese Burger

I would probably not ever order that again…and not because it wasn’t tasty…but it was messy to eat.  I finally did take my fork and just eat most of the mac and cheese cake…the I ate the burger.  It was, however, a fun adventure.  Who cares that I used 20 napkins.  I didn’t get one drop on my clothing.  I thought that was a big success.



See that mac and cheese cake...I had to eat some with my fork..couldn't get a bite of the whole thing in my mouth.

The salads were fresh…the dressing was delicious…it was served with cucumbers, red onions.  I just couldn’t complain.  I would return…but next time I want to try the Fish and Chips.  I watched those come out of the kitchen.  They looked wonderful.

SanTan Brewing Company
85 San Marcos Place
Chandler, Arizona 85225
(480) 710-6603
(480) 917-8700
Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
             Friday and Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
             Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.




Sunday, December 11, 2016

December 9, 2016 - Sweet Cakes Cafe and Bakery - Mesa, Arizona

I visited on December 9, 2016 with Irma Heasley.   We were returning home on the light rail from visiting the Rosson House in Heritage Square.  Irma and I shared a Pecan Chicken Salad on a croissant…they gave each of us a cookie…and I also bought a peanut butter cookies…huge cookies…very good.

This small bakery is just perfect little lunch spot.  It is very casual…but what is important is the food…and what we ordered was large and tasted good.


I love peanut butter cookies…and I really liked the one that I ordered.  It was quite large.  It was crisp but not crisp because it was thin.

Sweet Cakes Café and Bakery
21 W. Main Street
Mesa, Arizona 85201
Hours:  Tuesday – Friday  9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
              Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
              Sunday – Monday - Closed

Thursday, December 8, 2016

December 7, 2016 - Chelsea's Kitchen - Phoenix, Arizona

I met  my friend Kellie Jo Welk for dinner.  We decided just to order the soup of the day – Pozole with Tortilla Chips – it was a thin red, spicy broth with the pozole and chips. Fresh cheese was scattered over the top.  It had a bit of a kick but was delicious.  I was busy visiting…but I think there was a touch of kale in the soup. This restaurant seems to use a lot of kale.  I thought it was the perfect soup.      

Both Kelli and I decided to order the Corn Bread with Green Chile starter and the Chicken Nachitos starter.  The chips were very good as was the homemade guacamole.  The salsa was served on the side. Sour cream and slice jalapenos also were served on the platter.  The pieces of chicken were large.  I thought the plate was delicious when served hot.  So we must have really been visiting because I didn’t think it tasted that good once it was cold.  I don’t know if I would order this particular starter again on another visit.

The Homemade Corn Bread with Green Chile was served hot in a square shaped pan.  The top of the bread was really crusted and all the spilling over and dripping down batter was baked onto the side of pan…just yummy!  I thought there was too much green chile in the bread as did Kelli.  I decided to take the leftover home and try it in the morning which I did.  It was delicious…still very moist and the green chiles were not a dominant taste in the cold bread.  I would try this again.

The service was very nice.  I arrived early and was able to be seated at the table by the fireplace.  This was perfect because I have been freezing lately in the evenings.  It is a small restaurant but very put together.  I liked the way we really couldn’t hear any of the people sitting around us.

As one leaves, feel free to grab a chocolate chip cookie with sea salt on the way outside…grab a bunch if you feel like it.  I just took one…and Kelli tasted a piece of my cookie.  Nice touch!


I also would like to return for another visit and try the Short Rib Tacos.  I would also like to try one of the hamburgers on the menu.  I will be back.

Chelsea’s Kitchen
5040 N. 40th Street
Phoenix, Arizona
(602) 957-2555
Hours:  Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

November 16, 2016 - D'vine Bistro and Wine Bar - Mesa, Arizona

I had lunch today with Jeanne and Willie Stecher at D'Vine.  We were celebrating Jeanne's 70th birthday.


Willie ordered the Cheese Pizza and added Pepperoni.

Jeanne and I each chose the Southwest Salmon Cake Salad …it was delicious….mixture of greens, red onions, sliced cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado slices, roasted corn cotija, sweet jalapeno vinaigrette topped withe two salmon patties and habanero sauce.  I was worried about ordering this entrée because that’s how I came to not eat salmon.  My Mother made us millions of salmon patties during Lent as we grew up…only she used the salmon out of can.  Gosh, I hated that stuff.  It was many…many years later as I spent lots of time with Jo Martin that I ventured a try of salmon again…and that fresh salmon is just pretty darn good.  The patties had a light batter mixture.  They were very thin but loaded with salmon.  I was happy with my meal.


Southwest Salmon Cake Salad

They brought us a crème brulee for Jeanne’s birthday celebration…forks around.  How nice!  We were sitting on the patio.  In true Arizona fashion when the waiter…Jacob…brought out the crème brulee with a candle in the middle..everyone on the patio sang “Happy Birthday” to Jeanne.

D’vine Bistro and Wine Bar
2837 N. Power Road
Mesa, Arizona 85215
(480) 654-4171
Hours:  Monday – Wednesday  11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
            Thursday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

            Sunday 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

November 11, 2016 - El Guero Canelo - Tucson, Arizona

As the Stechers and I  traveled home from our stay in Tombstone, we stopped in Tucson for a bite to eat.  We chose El Guero Canelo known for its famous Sonoran Dog...always decribed as a "grilled hot dog wrapped in bacon" topped with lots of goodness.

Jeanne and I each ordered a Sonoran Dog - a grilled hot dog wrapped in bacon…topped with beans, grilled onions, fresh onions, tomatoes, mayonnaise, cream sauce, mustard and jalapeno salsa…served on  the softest homemade bun (bolillo) in the whole wide world…and a fresh roasted chili on the side.  We also piled on more at the condiment counter. Of course…I ordered a  Made in Mexico Coke Cola.  There was one problem with my Sonoran Dog…it was not wrapped in bacon…so I don’t know if they forgot…or  if that is no longer served with the bacon.  Darn!   You know what that means?  I will just have to visit again and find out the answer to those questions.




Our Sonoran Dog



I wanted you to see the grilled pepper...and all the additional condiments.

Willie decided on the Carne Asada Burrito...the medium size.  It looked wonderful but I did taste it. Willie was happy with his choice.



Willie's Burrito



Jeanne also order chips and homemade guacamole.  It was delicious as were the chips.

El Guero Canelo
5201 S. 12th Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85719
(520) 295-9005
Hours:
            Monday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
            Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
            Friday 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
            Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

            Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.




Monday, November 14, 2016

November 11, 2016 - Landmark Lookout Lodge Tombstone, Arizona

When Jeanne and Willie Stecher and I planned this trip to Tombstone it was agreed that Jeanne would book the lodging.  She told us that she booked us at the Landmark Lookout Lodge because everyone commented on the wonderful breakfast.

We spent Thursday night there.  On Friday morning  we walked down to the nicest breakfast in the whole wide world at our motel.  We were given menus.   We could order one thing from five different groups so I ordered the scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, pancakes, coffee.  Willie ordered the eggs over easy, sausage links, bacon, pancakes, orange juice and coffee.  Jeanne ordered the French Toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee and  bacon.  The entire breakfast staff was absolutely wonderful. Served fresh...just cooked specifically for us.

What really made it more than perfect was Sara and Lara who cooked and served us our breakfasts. They went out of their way to make sure that we had exactly what we wanted.  How nice to be pampered at the motel.   I highly recommend staying at the motel if for no other reason...the breakfast.  Although I found my room quite nice and clean.  I had a very restful night.  Plus from our balcony we had a superb view of the whole valley and the Dragoon Mountains.

Another hats off to Sara and Laura for making out stay absolutely enjoyable.  Thank you, so much!

Saturday, November 12, 2016

November 10, 2016 - The Depot Steakhouse/Johnny Ringo Bar - Tombstone, Arizona

Jeanne and Willie Stecher and I are still in Tombstone, Arizona.  We spent the afternoon at the T. Miller's Tombstone Mercantile and Hotel, watched three historical gunfights at the Gunfight Palace, stopped at the Bird Cage Theater, shopped up and down Allen Street, made a quick visit at the Tombstone Courthouse and checked into our motel...The Landmark Lookout Lodge.

After much discussion we decided to try The Depot Steakhouse/Johnny Ringo Bar for dinner.   Willie ordered the Prime Rib Sandwich with a Baked Potato.  Jeanne and I split a Rib-Eye Steak with Baked Potato and a House Salad with homemade Blue Cheese Salad Dressing.  It was delicious…thick and cheesy.  I loved it.  The steak melted in your mouth.  I had a Bloody Mary, Jeanne a Pina Colada and Willie had a double Apple Crown Royal Whiskey on the rocks.

We shared a Crème Brulee for dessert…forks around.

The Depot Steakhouse/Johnny Ringo Bar
60 South 10th Street
Tombstone, Arizona
(520) 457-3404
Hours:  Wednesday – Thursday 3:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
              Friday 3:3o p.m. – 9:30 pm.
             Saturday 11:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
             Sunday 11:30 pm. – 8:30 p.m.

After dinner we enjoyed the Night Ghost Tour at the Bird Cage Theater.  It was a very good tour of the Theatre...and a fascinating ghost tour of the building.

November 10, 2016 - Crystal Palace Saloon - Tombstone, Arizona

I am spending two day in Tombstone, Arizona with Jeanne and Willie Stecher.  We just finished watching the Gunfight at the O. K. Corral, watching the presentation of the history of Tombstone at Tombstone's Historama, looking at some of musuem sites in the Gunfight Stage area.  We decided to walk down Allen Street and have lunch at The Crystal Palace Saloon and Restaurant.

Jeanne ordered the BLT with Fries, Willie chose the Pot Roast Sandwich with mashed potatoes and corn….with lots of gravy…it looked good.  I decided to try the Patty Melt which would not make my top 10 List but was good with cole slaw.

The food wasn't anything out of the ordinary but it was very good.

Here's my one negative comment about this eatery.  I put my meal on my credit card.  I have noticed as I posted the charge to my accounting program that I was charged $1 to use my credit card.  I do not approve of businesses that do this.  At the very least, warm me but I didn't see any signs anywhere that stated there would be a charged for using my credit card..or even one that said all credit cards must be for a $10 plus charge.  I had plenty of cash.  Given the options I could have made a choice.  I am still a big girl.

I most likely will never eat there again or direct people there for a meal when I am visiting Tombstone.  I guess to make a "buck" that business gave up lots of money from my future visits.

Crystal Palace Saloon and Restaurant
436 E. Allen Street
Tombstone, Arizona
(520) 457-3611
Hours:  Daily 11:00 a.m.  – 8:00 p.m.

History:

In 1880, Benjamin Wehrfritz and Seigfried Tribolet opened the Golden Eagle Brewery on the corner of 5th and Allen.  They featured a German style lunch offering Swiss and limburger cheese, sardines, pigs feet, smoked halibut, herring, head cheese and obviously, cold beer.  Later, it was called the Fredericksburg Lager Beer Depot.  The Golden Eagle Brewery was burned in the 1882 fire.  When it was rebuilt, it was a much larger two story Palace Saloon.  Eighty feet were devoted to the Crystal Palace Saloon.  It was lavishly furnished and showcased a fountain and goldfish pond in the center of the room.  Dr. George Goodfellow, who became renowned for his treatment of gunshot wounds, had an office on the second floor as did Marshal Virgil Earp.  The Crystal Palace has had its share of ups and downs over the years.  In 1914, state prohibition closed all the saloons and in 1915 it was renovated and reopened as a theatre.  It featured variety shows, comedies, dramas and motion pictures.  A three reel motion picture shown was Universal’s “the Tenth Commandment”.  After prohibition the Crystal Palace Saloon was reopened.  In the early 1960s, the Crystal Palace was purchased by Tombstone Historic Adventures.  They restored the Crystal Palace as it was in the 1880s.  The Crystal Palace sell sits in its original location and remains a popular saloon in Tombstone.

                                           - Tombstone's Historic Locations  
                                              Tombstone Map - History - Walking Tour
                                              Tombstone Restoration Commission
                                               Pages 29-30 

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

November 5, 2016 - Beaver Choice - Mesa, Arizona

As we drove home from spending the day at the 46th Annual Lichtfield Park Arts and Craft Festival, we decided to stop here for dinner.  Jeanne and Willie Stecher



have been here several times but this was my first visit.

Our meal started with three Pierogi, but they were either fried or baked…not cooked and steamed in water as I have seen Joan Leeds Patrick make them at her house.  They were served with sour cream..and were very tasty.


Three Pierogi Appetzer with Sour Cream

We order a small order of Poutine – fries with cheese curds and dripping with brown beef roast gravy.  They were good but I thought it needed more cheese curds and less brown gravy.  They were too soupy.  We drank our Karlsberg and Hefeweizen and wine as we munched on the fries.

Jeanne and I shared the Regular Schnitzel…oh…how I love schnitzel.  This crisp, thin-pounded cutlet was delicious.  It was served with a white Porcini Mushroom sauce on the side.  It is served with four sides..Dill-mashed Potatoes but we traded that for Thyme Fried Potatoes;  Fresh Salad which we traded for their delicious  Beet Salad – OMG!  Cubed beets in a mixture of what I thought was  sour cream and whipped cream mixed together..it had a sweet taste but not too sweet.;  Tomato Basil Salad and Sauerkraut.


Regular Schnitzel



Willie ordered the Polish Sampler – 1-Cabbage Roll, 3- Pierogi, Polish Sausage, Sauerkraut, Sliced Beets and the Fresh Salad.




Polish Sampler





                          The portion was so big and included so much food, it needed a second dish.



Dessert was a Rhubarb Crumble with  a Whipped Sweet Cream and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream…it was delicious…and took everyone of us back to our childhood years.

Beaver Choice
745 W. Baseline Road
Mesa, Arizona 85210
(480) 921-3137
Hours:  Tuesday – Wednesday  5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Thursday – Saturday 1100 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.   4:00 p.m. –  9:00 p.m.
             Sunday – Monday   Closed

Saturday, October 29, 2016

October 28, 2016 - Bodega 13 Tapas Kitchen - Carefree, Arizona

Debby Joy and I drove to Carefree to see the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden at night.  Our plan was to stop in Scottsdale for dinner but neither of us were hungry at that time.  Plus the traffic was beginning to get heavy on the North #101 so we drove straight to Carefree.  I was happy this happened because Debby was able to see the Garden in the daylight as well as the night.  We both agreed we liked it better in the daylight because we could see the carvers' detail on the pumpkins so much better.

Debby Joy ordered the Tomato Basil Soup and the Caprese Salad – fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil olive oil – some wonderful grape colored, sweet – heirloom tomatoes.  I ordered the Shrimp Scamp – sautéed white shrimp with white garlic, lemon and basil.

Tomato Basil Soup

We had the pleasure of meeting Chef Adar Benjamin.  We wanted to know what gave the soup the wonderful heat.  He told us it was his recipe – stewed tomatoes, slow braised onions in sherry, white wine, oregano, thyme and basil…and ground peppercorns.  We are sure the peppercorns are what gave the soup the heat.  The soup was garnished with chopped fresh basil…yummy!  We wished there had been more.  The soup’s consistency wasn’t one either of us is used to eating.  It was hearty.   Now add the fresh basil.  Just perfect.

Chef Adar also told us that the Shrimp Scampi was also his recipe.  I really liked the dish.  Six large shrimp  were served on a rectangular plate with two thin crostini.  I especially liked the fact that my dish was simple but filling.  I didn’t leave hungry…and I wasn’t stuffed.

Shrimp Scampi

 Both Debby and I were a little taken back that our food didn’t all arrive at the table at the same time.  Soon the Manager was at our table explaining to us that the food is served tapas style…one item at a time…so we understood.  This was my first experience in a tapas kitchen. All of my tapas experience was in bars while traveling in Spain. In the Spanish bars the counters are lined with pans of tapas.  We would go through and pick out which was we wanted for our plates.  Then take our plates back to our tables to eat while we drank our beverages.

Bodega 13 Tapas Kitchen
7202 E.  Ho  Road
Carefree, Arizona 85377
(480) 575-8272
Hours:  Monday – Friday 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Saturday-Sunday  12:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.


Wednesday, October 19, 2016

October 18, 2016 - The Venues Cafe - Carefree, Arizona

I visited the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden with Carol and Mike Thompson today.  We decided to stop at The Venues Cafe for a quick lunch.

Mike ordered The Dip – open faced, roast beef, caramelized onions, Swiss, horseradish, mayonnaise and au jus…only they didn’t bring him any au jus.  Carol ordered the (3) Tacos off the Lite Bites area of the menu.  She ordered the chicken tacos.  They were served open faced on small round corn tortillas with lots of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese.  I ordered the  BLT with avocado aioli.


The meal was just fine…the food tasted good...but pretty ordinary…nothing that was fantastic.

Venues Café
34 Easy Street
Carefree, Arizona 85377
(480) 595-9909

Thursday, October 13, 2016

October 13, 2016 - Oregano's Pizza Bistro - Mesa, Arizona

I had lunch at Oregano’s for the very first time.  It is a cute setting plus the food was good…and the portions were huge.  I ordered The Original Italian Stuffed Sandwich – 1/ 2 pound of pepperoni, capricolla and salami stuffed into an Italian roll…throw on the provolone and bake. Then top with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, black olives…sprinkle with oil and vinegar…and dried oregano.  The sandwich was served with Italian fries…cole slaw...and a dill pickle spear.  It was delicious…and as I said before…huge.  I couldn’t eat all of it.  So I took it home and ate the second half for dinner tonight.  It was still very tasty.


I saw a lot of items of the menu that I need to try so I will be returning.

Oregano’s Pizza Bistro
6821 E. Superstition Springs Blvd.
Mesa, Arizona 85209
(4800 305-5096
Hours:  Sunday – Thursday  11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

October 11, 2016 - Steak and Stone of Mesa - Mesa, Arizona

One of my high school classmates, Kitty Kase Williams, is in Arizona for a couple of months.  We usually get together once and a while during her stay. We decided to visit Steak and Stone for the first time together for dinner.   We split a rib eye steak…Kitty had the Baked Sweet Potato and the Salad Bar…we bought a second side, the Baked Potato loaded for me and another salad bar for me.

They bring the raw steak to your table along with a stone slab that is heated to 500 degrees.  You cut it up in chunks or strips as I did…and cook it to owever way you like steaks…Kitty likes her rare…I like mine medium well..how wonderful..


Our steak cooking on the 500 degree stone slab.

They also served a small loaf of hot out of the oven bread with lots of butter.  I really like that.


The hot...just out of the oven loaf of bread to two different butters.  You can also see Kitty's Baked Sweet Potato in the backgorund.

The salad bar was very fresh from the lettuce (there were several types) to the cucumbers, beets, cottage cheese…and the various choices of other salads.  Lots of croutons, toppings.  I thought it was swell.  I thought the rib eye could have been a little better… more tender for the price of $33…but it was tasty so I wasn’t complaining.  My baked potato was absolutely wonderful…baked perfectly…just as I like it…split open…and I really liked that…covered with onions, bacon and cheese.



Our salads...very fresh...check out the big jars of ice water.

I would go back there again.

Steak and Stone of Mesa
2613 N.  Thunderbird Circle
Mesa, AZ 85215

(480) 830-6100
Hours:  Monday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Sunday 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

October 5, 2016 - Zur Kate German Restaurant - Mesa, Arizona

I visited again on October 18, 2016 with Jeanne and Willie Stecher.  Jeanne ordered the Schnitzel covered with grilled onions…red cabbage and fried home potatoes…Willie ordered the Tuesday Night special…Cabbage Roll (and it was huge) with red cabbage and German potato salad.  I ordered the Bratwurst with red cabbage and German potato salad.  Everything was delicious as usual.  For dessert we shared Apple Strudel.  Not as good as Grandma Stecher’s but certainly tasty and homemade.

I tasted Jeanne's schnitzel because I am such a schnitzel fan...and it was crisp on the outside with hot, tasty meat on the inside.  It was smothered with grilled onions...grilled the way I like them...with a little brown to them.

Willie was raised with cabbage rolls...and he liked this one.  Both Willie and I liked our German potato salad...but he tasted Jeanne's fried home potatoes...and said that he liked them, too,

My brat was thick and spicy...but lean.  I had no complaints.

I visited by myself on October 5, 2016.  I ordered  the Rahm Schnitzel with brown sour cream gravy…and it was delicious…thinlybreaded and tasty…the tenderized pork loin was covered with the brown gravy  It  was perfect and had a sharp bite…like vinegar… to it at the end of each taste.  Someone had made this white and brown swirly in the gravy on top of the schnitzel as one would do with a latte…very nice.  I also choose the sauerkraut as a side and German potato salad.  Each was served warm.  The sauerkraut also had that vinegar taste at the end of each bite.  I liked it.  The German potato salad had bits of bacon and the sauce was not thick..just right.  Two slices of rye marbled rye bread was served with the meal. It was tasty.  I slathered it with butter…even more tasty.

The evening that I chose to try the restaurant, PBS was filming inside the restaurant.  Probably because it is October…you know what the means.  An accordion player entertained us through my whole meal.

History of the restaurant (which I read on their website)
For 16 years, Günther and Irene Krause owned and operated the original “Zur Kate” in Hamburg Germany. Günther was a “Metzgermeister” (Master Butcher) and Irene was tutored by the famous Herr Keimer to develop her culinary skills. In the fall of 1983, the Krauses re-located to Mesa (for it’s “wunderbar” weather) and opened “Zur Kate German Restaurant”.

Horst Schlembach was born in Großwenkheim (close to Bad Kissingen) in the Bavaria District of Germany. When he was 23, he used his last few “D-marks” (Deutsche marks) to relocate to Arizona (he wanted to be a cowboy). He joined the Krause’s at “Zur Kate” shortly after they opened. After 23 years of working with Günther & Irene, Horst with his wife Elena and son Horst Jr. became the new owners of “Zur Kate” (still in the same location).

Zur Kate translated means “to the old smokehouse” and to this day Zur Kate still attempts to recreate the “Gästehaus” atmosphere of “gemutlichkeit” (cordiality & friendliness). Here we treat everyone as friend when they come through the door.

Zur Kate German Restaurant
Main Street Shopping Center
4815 E. Main Street #16
Mesa, Arizona 85205
(480) 830-4244
Hours:  Tuesday – Saturday  4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.




            

October 5, 2016 - Zur Kate German Restaurant - Mesa, Arizona

I visited again on October 18, 2016 with Jeanne and Willie Stecher.  Jeanne ordered the Schnitzel covered with grilled onions…red cabbage and fried home potatoes…Willie ordered the Tuesday Night special…Cabbage Roll (and it was huge) with red cabbage and German potato salad.  I ordered the Bratwurst with red cabbage and German potato salad.  Everything was delicious as usual.  For dessert we shared Apple Strudel.  Not as good as Grandma Stecher’s but certainly tasty and homemade.

I tasted Jeanne's schnitzel because I am such a schnitzel fan...and it was crisp on the outside with hot, tasty meat on the inside.  It was smothered with grilled onions...grilled the way I like them...with a little brown to them.

Willie was raised with cabbage rolls...and he liked this one.  Both Willie and I liked our German potato salad...but he tasted Jeanne's fried home potatoes...and said that he liked them, too,

My brat was thick and spicy...but lean.  I had no complaints.

I visited by myself on October 5, 2016.  I ordered  the Rahm Schnitzel with brown sour cream gravy…and it was delicious…thinlybreaded and tasty…the tenderized pork loin was covered with the brown gravy  It  was perfect and had a sharp bite…like vinegar… to it at the end of each taste.  Someone had made this white and brown swirly in the gravy on top of the schnitzel as one would do with a latte…very nice.  I also choose the sauerkraut as a side and German potato salad.  Each was served warm.  The sauerkraut also had that vinegar taste at the end of each bite.  I liked it.  The German potato salad had bits of bacon and the sauce was not thick..just right.  Two slices of rye marbled rye bread was served with the meal. It was tasty.  I slathered it with butter…even more tasty.

The evening that I chose to try the restaurant, PBS was filming inside the restaurant.  Probably because it is October…you know what the means.  An accordion player entertained us through my whole meal.

History of the restaurant (which I read on their website)
For 16 years, Günther and Irene Krause owned and operated the original “Zur Kate” in Hamburg Germany. Günther was a “Metzgermeister” (Master Butcher) and Irene was tutored by the famous Herr Keimer to develop her culinary skills. In the fall of 1983, the Krauses re-located to Mesa (for it’s “wunderbar” weather) and opened “Zur Kate German Restaurant”.

Horst Schlembach was born in Großwenkheim (close to Bad Kissingen) in the Bavaria District of Germany. When he was 23, he used his last few “D-marks” (Deutsche marks) to relocate to Arizona (he wanted to be a cowboy). He joined the Krause’s at “Zur Kate” shortly after they opened. After 23 years of working with Günther & Irene, Horst with his wife Elena and son Horst Jr. became the new owners of “Zur Kate” (still in the same location).

Zur Kate translated means “to the old smokehouse” and to this day Zur Kate still attempts to recreate the “Gästehaus” atmosphere of “gemutlichkeit” (cordiality & friendliness). Here we treat everyone as friend when they come through the door.

Zur Kate German Restaurant
Main Street Shopping Center
4815 E. Main Street #16
Mesa, Arizona 85205
(480) 830-4244
Hours:  Tuesday – Saturday  4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.




            

Saturday, October 1, 2016

October 1, 2016 - Scottsdale Beer Company - Scottsdale, Arizona

Once again...after visiting on October 1, 2016...I visited on October 8, 2016 with Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes along with Jack and Judy Svendsen…after Jonah’s soccer game..where the Silver Bullets came from behind to tie the Ultras 8-8.  Jonah scored a goal. 

Today was the 1st Annual Scottsdale Beer Company Octoberfest!  I don’t know if it was just today or the whole month…I hope the whole month because I want to try the House-Made Beer Bratwurst.

We started with an order of the House-Made Fried Pickles…Jody and my favorites…I had the opportunity to ask our waiter about the seasoning…he told me that light batter was a gluten-free tapioca seasoning.  The dipping sauce is a cucumber Ranch.

Jody and I shared the End Butts and Rice….tiny pieces of the Charred BBQ Pork with rice…grilled broccoli, carrots, peas, onions, scrambled egg…crunchy sesame mix, fresh herbs and chili vinaigrette. It was just delicious…but very hot…and I am not talking temperature.  I wanted to try that last Saturday…and here I was eating that dish this Saturday even though it was Oktoberfest…and a great sounding Brat was offered.  I also tried a glass of Mudshark Pumpkin spiced Ale…made at this brewery with real pumpkin.  The after taste was spice and lasted until the next sip…very good.

Jack and Judy shared the Po’ Boy Sandwich – Cajun Style BBQ Shrimp, lettuce, pickled onions, Calabrian Chili Remoulade…all served on a soft roll.   Judy ordered an Apricot Ale…as did Jody…while Jack had the  German Hefeweizen...a dark wheat based beer.  All brewed right on the premises. 


Judson ordered the Wings – one pound of bone in wings with BBQ sauce.  Jonah ordered the Chicken Strips off the children’s menu with fries.

October 1, 2016 - Our first visit

I visited this establishment for the first time with Joshua, Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes.  It was lunch after Jonah's soccer game.  His team, the Silver Bullets won 9-5.

Back to the food!  We started with an order of Fried Pickles…I loved them because they were slices…great seasoning…and the dip was fantastic.  The slices were very thin and lightly coated batter and seasoned.  Joshua didn't like them because they reminded him too much of cucumbers. Can you believe that I raised a child who doesn't like cucumbers?  I can't.

Judson and I both ordered The Burger… 8oz Certified Arizona Beef, cheese curds, bacon, slow roasted tomatoes, bibb lettuce, and aioli



Judson ordered his with fries.


I ordered mine with homemade chips.  It was a delicious burger.


                                Jonah ordered the Grilled Cheese Sandwich with fresh fruit.


Joshua and Jody shared a BBQ Breakfast…it looked like BBQ meat on a bun with two fried eggs on the top which they split…along with home fried potatoes.  It looked good.



It was Happy Hour so Joshua and Jody tried a local beer.  I ordered a Blood Mary…excellent...ended up having two of them.   Well...it isn't often that I am not driving.  Plus it would be hours before I would drive home because the boys and I made Gooey Monster Cookies.


Scottsdale Beer Company
8608 E. Shea Blvd.
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
(480) 219-1844
Hours:  Monday- Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a..m.

             Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.           



Judson mixing the dough                                           Jonah likes to lick the batter on the beater.                                     


Judson is dividing the dough into four bowls so we are able to add color.


Judson is mixing up the blue dough.


The finished product.
We made blue, purple, black and green monster cookies.

Gooey Monster Cookies


Shared in the Cooking with Ginger Class at Las Palmas – Mesa, Arizona

1 white Cake Mix Box
1/ 2 cup butter softened
1/ 2 teaspoon vanilla
1 – 8-ounce package of cream cheese softened
1 egg
Powdered sugar
Food Coloring (use NEON food coloring to make them more vibrant)
Candy Eyeballs

1.  Beat butter, vanilla, egg and cream cheese until fluffy.
2.  Mix in cake mix.  Divide batter into bowls for the amount of colors you want.
3.  Add food coloring to each individual bowl and mix until all combined.
4.  Chill for 30 minutes.
5.  Roll into balls and dip in a bowl of powdered sugar.
6.  Place on greased cookie sheet and pat down a bit.
7.  Bake at 350* for 10-12 minutes.
8.  Add candy eyeballs while cookies are warm.


Oh...and here's a picture of our soccer star!