October 27, 2017 - Cafe Bink - Carefree, Arizona

I visited on October 27, 2017 with Jeanne and Willie Stecher.  We were in Carefree to see the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden.

Willie ordered the Sloppy Joe served on a challah roll with homemade vinegar and salt chips.

Jeanne ordered the Calamari – battered with a cornmeal crust, Italian spices, pickled fennel, pepperoncini and sun-dried tomato aioli…this was delicious. 

She also ordered the Pull to Order Mozzarella served with garlic Crostini, pesto, marinated sun-dried tomatoes…I had many bites of this..loved it.  The sun-dried tomatoes sun fresh sweet. The pesto was thick…with a fresh delicate herbal flavor from the basil.

I ordered the Pork Mac and Cheese –smoked pork, bacon bread crumbs and Mornay sauce.  I am not a big mac and cheese person…but the Mornay sauce drenched pasta was out of this world.  I loved it!  Great taste.

Dessert:  we shared a Chocolate cake with ice cream, salted caramel sauce and topped with pecans…delicious!

Café Bink

36889 N. Tom Darlington Drive

Carefree , AZ

(4870) 488-9796

cafebink.com

Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Lunch

            Tuesday – Saturday 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Happy Hour

            Tuesday – Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Dinner

            Sunday – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Brunch

            Sunday – 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Dinner

October 26, 2017 - Joyride Taco House East - Gilbert, Arizona

After bridge Janet Hastings and I went to Joyride Taco House East for dinner.  We both ordered street tacos…Janet:  Baja Fish, The Original (chicken)  and the Carnitas…I ordered:  Baja Fish, (wish I would have ordered the Crispy), the Carnitas and the Carne Asada…which I thought was the best.  If you buy three street tacos you are able to order a side for $1. Both of us tried the Orange Cucumber Salad…which both of us really liked.  I could have eaten just a big bowl of the salad with a steaming tortilla.

I thought the Baja Fish Taco was too fishy tasting.  

 Our wait staff was very nice.

I don’t think I would ever return to this restaurant…not because the food was bad but because it was so loud and so dark.  I had to get out my phone and use the flashlight to read the menu…now that is bad.  Maybe I am getting just too darn old!

Hats off to the Board of Visitors with their annual Care Card Fundraiser.  We used my card and received 20% our entire meal.  Thanks, to Joyride Taco House East for participating in the program.

October 21, 2017 - The Farm at South Mountain - Phoenix, Arizona

I visited  with Carol Thompson.  We ate at the Farm Kitchen where lunch was being served…cafeteria style.  Carol ordered the Old Fashioned  Turkey on potato bread…slow roasted pulled turkey, organic field greens… a big hearty sandwich...homemade cranberry relish with chipotle mayo.  It was a mixture of white and dark meat…which I would not have liked.  I eat only chicken and turkey white meat.  She also ordered the Shangri La iced tea…green tea…and completed her meal with a bag of sweet potato chips…dessert:  brownie.

Old Fashioned Turkey Sandwich

I ordered the Egg Salad Sandwich on potato bread…Hickman’s Farm eggs, green onions, celery mayo and organic field greens…yummy!  I love egg salad sandwiches but you rarely find them on a menu…so I always take advantage of having one when I do…and I knew this one would be good because the actual farm produces so much of the fresh ingredients for the meals.  You just know these eggs were picked this morning…but most likely the day before today.  It was delicious. 

Egg Salad Sandwich

I ordered the Raspberry Cooler Ice Tea..and loved it..not sweetened at all.  Dessert:  Pecan Shortbread cookie.   It was difficult passing up the Peanut Butter Cookie but…another time.

Pecan Shortbread Cookie

We sat outside in the picnic area under the trees…and ate our lunch.  We were quite happy with everything.  The staff was very friendly and helpful with everything.

And because it 'tis the Season...

October 19, 2017 - Flancer's - Gilbert, Arizona

I visited on October 19, 2017 with Janet Hastings.  We had just finished playing bridge at Sun Lakes.  We never expected to win.  We were celebrating.

Janet ordered Steak it to the Limit Philly Cheese Steak - Grilled steak, sautéed onions and Swiss American Cheese. She chose the roasted vegetables as her side…and they looked delicious. She said that she liked it. 

I ordered  Let it BLT - 5 Thick bacon strips, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and New Mexican green chile aioli. I ordered Green Chile Mac and Cheese. Plus I couldn’t pass up a cup of Ham and Navy Bean Soup.  Who could resist that?  I loved it.   I really liked my sandwich.  The buns is baked onsite daily.   My only negative comment is that the Green Chile Mac and Cheese was just too hot…and I don’t mean temperature…I mean spicy.  I should mention that I like really spicy food.

The service was very nice.  The food was served rapidly.

I am looking forward to return because there are still several items on the menu that I would like to try.  

Flancer’s

610 N. Gilbert Road

Gilbert, Arizona

(480) 926-9077

flancers.com

Hours:  Daily 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Owner:  Jeff Flancer - graduated from the Culinary Institute of America

October 14, 2017 - Butterfield's Pancake House - Scottsdale, Arizona

I visited on October 14, 2017after attending my grandson, Jonah's soccer game. Yes, the Silver Bullets are still undefeated...for two seasons and four games.  They won 6-0...and my grandson scored one of the goals.

Enough...and let's talk about breakfast.  I love breakfast.  It is my favorite meal of the day.  I have wanted to try another breakfast spot in Scottsdale so I visited this morning. 

I ordered the Pecan Cakes…four light, fluffy pancakes stuffed with pecans…and my cakes were loaded…and topped with pecans.  It was wonderful.  I also ordered a side of Bacon…Thick-Cut Applewood Smoked bacon…and I ordered it very crisp of course.  It was delicious.  Now those are my kind of stuffed pancakes.  They were served with soft butter and Buttefield’s maple syrup.

The service was friendly, fast and efficient.  Especially at breakfast I like to have my coffee re-filled frequently…and they did.  The coffee by the way tasted marvelous.  My idea of a perfect breakfast.

October 12, 2017 - Blue 32 Sports Grill - Gilbert, Arizona

I visited on October 12, 2017 after playing bridge at Sun Lakes with Janet Hastings. I ordered the Patty Melt…and I haven’t had such a good one in a long time….marble rye…great tasting meat…grilled onions…Swiss Cheese…and  1000 island…with a pickle and a yummy side of fries.  It wasn’t greasy.  I would come here again..and again.

I keep a list of my 10 top Patty Melts...this one is definately making my current list.

Janet ordered Mushroom Swiss Burger…topped with lettuce, tomato and onion…she said it was good…and it looked wonderful…especially those large mushrooms. She also like her fries.

Blue 32 Sports Grill

1524 E.  Williams Field Road

Gilbert, Arizona 85295

(480) 963-0032

Hours;  Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Three locations:  2 in Gilbert and 1 in Chandler

Fare:  American Pub food – most made from scratch