January 22, 2017 - The Old Spaghetti Factory - Phoenix, Arizona

I visited on January 22, 2017 with Irma Heasley, Donna Dugenske and Judy Heath. We started by ordering the Shrimp, Spinach and Artichoke Dip – a hot cheesy blend of Bay Shrimp, spinach and artichoke hearts sautéed with brandy, cream, fresh herbs and Romano cheese.  Served with toasted rustic bread.  I was disappointed with the bread…it was just slices that looked as if they were put into the Panini machine.

Donna and I ordered the Lasagna – layers of noodles, Marinara Sauce, ground beef and pork and four delicious cheeses. It was okay…but not the best I have ever eaten….too much noodle and not enough meat.  Irma ordered the Spicy Spaghetti Vesuvius – a spicy blend of tender all natural chicken, sausage and diced meatballs with green peppers and onions.  Seasoned with Tabasco and cayenne pepper. She gave me a taste…and I thought it was quite wonderful…especially the taste of the green peppers in the sauce…it did have a big kick to it.

Judy chose the Gourmet Jumbo Crab Ravioli – large ravioli stuffed with savory crab meat and ricotta cheese topped with a rich Pesto Alfredo Sauce.

The meal came with a choice of soup or salad.  Donna, Irma and I chose the salad with blue cheese dressing…but I must say…I didn’t really think it was blue cheese dressing.  Judy chose the soup – Minestrone.  This course was served with a lovely, hot load of bread…and butter.

The three-course meal also included dessert.  We all chose the spumoni ice cream.  I was so excited.  We were just talking a few days ago that we hadn’t seen any spumoni ice cream in the grocery stores in the Valley.  I loved it.  A perfect ending to our Italian afternoon.

I most likely would never choose to eat at the restaurant again…but if a friend wanted to go there…I would…just for the spumoni ice cream.  Maybe I could just order a big bowl of spumoni.

The Old Spaghetti Factory

1518 N. Central Avenue

Phoenix, Arizona 85004

(602) 257-0380

Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

             Friday 11:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.

             Saturday  11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

             Sunday  11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

January 14, 2017 - Pizza A Metro - Gilbert, Arizona

See my Janaury 17, 2016 post.  I have added this visit's report to that one.

January 11, 2017 - La Piazza Al Forno - Glendale, Arizona

Carol Thompson and I went on  the bus trip to Glendale to the Kimberly Ann’s Tea Room.    We went into the Glendale Historic District.  When we pulled up to the Tea Room, it was closed.  Then we found out that it closed permanently at year end.  Nice!  So our tour leader made a quick call to La Piazza Al Forno…pizza…Napoletana style.

Sometimes disappointments can turn into  wonderful experiences. That's what happened to us today.

We went to La Piazza Al Forno for lunch.

Carol and I both ordered the Ragu Alla Bolognese – rigatoni with meat sauce – but I love that Bolognese meat sauce.  It was really delicious.  The pasta was cooked al dente..meat sauce was delicious.  When it is Bolognese…it looks as if it a mixture of white sauce and red sauce..and it tastes just yummy…a little more creamy…and not so much tomato pastey. It was served with homemade focaccia.

Ragu Alla Bolognese

If I closed my eyes I would think that I was back in Naples at a small pizza parlor.

La Piazza Al Forno

5803 W. Glendale Avenue

Glendale, Arizona

(623) 847-3301

Hours:   Tuesday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.   5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

              Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

              Sunday – Monday – Closed

La Piazza was seen on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  

Named New Time Best of Phoenix Winners 2009-2014

January 8, 2017 - Mastro's - Scottsdale, Arizona

I visited on January 8, 2017 with Sandy Wilts and Heinz Baumgaertner.  We were celebrating Sandy’s birthday.  Heinz ordered a Dungeness Crab Cocktail.  I did taste a couple pieces.  I loved the cocktail sauce. It had a little bite to it. I also tried the tartar sauce but my favorite was the cocktail sauce.

Sandy and I each ordered the Petite Filet – 8 oz.  of 28-day aged filet mignon …both of us like it grilled medium well…just a little pink. It was so tender..and the taste was so full…I like to describe the whole filet experience as “smooth”.  Sandy ordered Grilled Asparagus as her side..and I ordered the Caesar Salad.  Heinz ordered the Bone-In Rib Eye – Kansas City Style.  He gave me a piece…a large piece to taste.  Delicious…and this steak was “hearty” but ever so tender and “smooth”.  His side was Mushrooms…OMG!...dripping in butter and sautéed to perfection.  What an absolutely filling and delicious meal.

They server brought out a birthday dessert for Sandy….Mastro’s Signature Warm Butter Cake.  I could have sworn that it was soaked in rum but the server told us that it wasn’t but was often mistaken as such.  There was a huge scoop of ice cream and on top the cake along with strawberries …plus this silver dish of wonderful whipped cream.  “Happy Birthday” was written in chocolate sauce script on the plate.

Heinz handed me the knife to cut and serve the cake.  I decided that as long as I was the “Mom” serving the tea the other day at the tea room I should also be called the “Mom” since I was the cake cutter and cake server.  It was delicious..and of course buttery with a sugary crust. 

The service was perfect.  I can’t complement that enough.  But what I really liked was the dining room was separated from the bar with glass. Lovely!  The dining room was quiet…made dinner visiting very relaxed and easy.

Mastro’s City Hall

Camelback Executive Park

6991 E. Camelback Road

Scottsdale, Arizona  85251

(480) 941-4700

Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

             Friday – Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. 

January 7, 2017 - Culinary Dropout - Tempe, Arizona

I visited on January 7, 2017 with Loy Chvilicek, Jeanne Stecher, Mike and Carol Thompson, Jack and Judy Svendsen, Jody Hayes, and Sandy Wilts.  All of us had just toured the Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights.

We started off with Bacon Bloody Marys…our server

 Bacon Bloody Mary

told us that the bacon is infused with vodka overnight…were they ever good!  I did, however, limit myself to only one.  Then the baskets of homemade potato chips arrived with the most delicious homemade onion dip.  I liked them.

Homemade Potato Chips with Onion Dip

Jack ordered the Paperbag Special…we call it Beer in the Bag.  They served him an IceHouse Beer in a brown bag.  You just never know what you are going to get in the bag.

Sandy Wilts and I shared a Beer Battered Fish and Chips…yummo!  It was served with cole slaw…and that was fantastic…had a very delightful apple taste to it…but I feel that the dressing was most likely made with an apple cider vinegar…or a few drops of apple juice but I think that would have been too sweet.   The fries were perfect…crispy and coated.  I also thought the tartar sauce that was served with the entrée was delicious and fresh.

Beer Battered Fish and Chips

Jody, Jack, Judy, Jeanne and Loy Ann had the Fried Chicken served with a homemade buttermilk biscuit. 

Most of the group ordered the Fried Chicken.  It was served with a buttermilk biscuit, mashed potatoes and gravy and cole slaw.

Mike and Carol Thompson split a Shaved Prime Rib Deep with fontina cheese…and au jus.  Carol also ordered Yesterday’s Soup. She loved it.  So good that she ordered a container to take home…Chicken and Gnocchi…

Yesterday's Soup - Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

I will be returning here soon.  I also loved the atmosphere of the college town.  Go Sun Devils!  We could take the light rail here…and stroll the streets…eat…drink and be merry!

The building is huge…the décor is very industrial commercial.  I really liked it because people weren’t crowded together…plus we could visit.  They did, though, have live music.  That at times overpowered the table conversation.  “Cool, British Pub gastro-pub chain with quirky décor serving inventive cocktails and comfort food.”

Culinary Dropout

149 S. Farmer

Tempe, Arizona 85281

(480) 240-1601

Hours:  Monday – Wednesday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

             Thursday and Friday 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

            Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

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

January 6, 2017 - English Rose Tea Room - Carefree, Arizona

I visited on January 6, 2017 with my cousin Loy Ann Patrick Chvilicek and my sister, Jeanne Rae Patrick Stecher.  This was my first visit because from the first time I ever saw the tea room I wanted to make sure my cousin would visit with me and have tea.  My cousin operated Lady Loy Ann’s Tea Parties for years in Montana.  She is one of these people who loves all things Victorian.  She lives in an Victorian home in Helena, Montana.

We were seated out on the patio…and it was cold but we were served a tea pot of Chocolate Rose Tea…the first offering of the Valentine’s Day season.  I really liked the taste of it.  Loy Ann told us that at a tea party the person who serves the tea is call “Mom”.  Guess who was Mom?  Just call me Mom from now on.  It was steeped tea and we used the lovely silver strainers to grab all of the loose tea.  I love drinking steeped loose tea.

Loy Ann ordered the Baker’s Jacket – a baked potato…and she could choose one of five fillings for the potato.  She chose the Cottage Cheese and pineapple. It was served with a side salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, celery and cucumber.  She chose the raspberry vinaigrette dressing. 

Baker's Jacket with a Cottage Cheese and Pineapple Filling

 Jeanne ordered the Soup & Scone.  The soup of the day was Creamy Chicken and Dumpling.  It was served with a homemade cheddar and dill scone.  It was large and looked so yummy. 

Soup and Scone - Creamy Chicken Dumping Soup with a Cheddar Cheese and Dill Scone

I decided to try the Cottage Pie – tasty lean ground beef, mixed with veggies and rich gravy, topped with a mashed potato crust.  It was served with a side salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, celery and cucumber.  I also chose the vinaigrette dressing.

Cottage Pie

We also ordered dessert – Loy Ann – the Christmas English Pudding with a custard sauce and clotted cream…it was a dark rich cake – it tasted so English.  I loved it.  Jeanne ordered the Petit Fours – lemon tart, carrot cake, chocolate dipped strawberry, chocolate truffle stuffed with a delightful strawberry cream, the cutest pink macaroon and a lavender shortbread cut out cookie dusted with confectioners’ sugar.

 Christmas English Pudding

Petit Fours - Chocolate Dipped Strawbery, Carrot Cake, Lavendar Shortbread Cookie, Macaroon and the Chocolate Truffle infused with Strawberry Cream.

The Lemon Tart is missing because Jeanne had already sampled it before I could take the picture. She is truly my sister.

English Rose Tea Room

201 Easy Street #103

Carefree, Arizona 85377

(480) 488-4812

www.carfreetea.com

Hours:  Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

             Sunday 11:00 – 4:00 p.m.

            Call for reservations

“The first cup moistens my lips”

“The second cup breaks my loneliness”

“The third cup searches my barren entrails”

“The fourth cup raises a slight perspiration”

“The fifth cup purifies me”

“The sixth cup calls me to the realm of the immortals”

“The seventh…I can take no more”

-          Unknown Chinese Poet from Teas from Around the World

January 2, 2017 - Copper Bistro - Globe, Arizona

I visited on January 2, 2017 with Joan Bershok. Both of us ordered The Jake – 1/ 4 pound all beef dog sliced down the center…stuffed with mozzarella cheese then wrapped in bacon and deep fried.  It was served on a bun.  The bun had been buttered and toasted on the grill.  I like that.   I ordered mine with fries…Joan ordered hers with sweet potato fries.  Very good!   I just wished that they had put more mozzarella cheese inside the dog.   That would have made The Jake perfect.

The Jake with Fries

Joan and The Jake with Sweet Potato Fried

Copper Bistro

2118 E. Hwy 60

Globe, Arizona 85501

(928) 473-4442

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

            Saturday and Sunday – Closed