Sunday, May 27, 2018

May 23, 2018 - Osaka Japanese Steakhouse, Sushi and Bar - Mesa, Arizona

Sandy Wilts, Sheila Lagrimanta and I went to this restaurant to celebrate Sheila's birthday.  She is here visiting her Mother from Kersey, Colorado.


It was Happy Hour so we started with drinks…wine for Sandy…Peach Martini for Sheila and I ordered a Cucumber Cooler…now that’s the drink for those hot summer days…refreshing…and not a strong liquor taste.

We ordered Sushi with our drinks…California Roll…Crunchy Roll…Calamari…delicious.
Then a second round…Alaska Roll…Shrimp Tempura Roll…Garlic and Sesame Green Beans (I absolutely loved these)…then we ordered a Shrimp Tempura Entrée which came with Miso Soup and a house salad…delicious…and Japanese Fried Rice…which I loved…it just tasted better than any fried rice I have ever eaten.  Good Dinner!


Fried Calamari

Crunchy Roll (in back) - California Roll ( in front_


Alaska Roll (left) and Shrimp Tempura Roll (right)



Green Beans with Garlic and Seasame


Miso Soup and Salad


Japanese Fried Rice and Tempura
You can also see Sheila's Peach Martini


Osaka
6730 E. Superstition Springs Blvd.
Mesa, Arizona
(480) 830-8884
Hours:  Lunch:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
             Dinner: Monday – Thursday 4:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
                          Friday 4:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
                          Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
                          Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

May 20, 2018 - Wright's at the Biltmore - Phoenix, Arizona


We were celebrating my Judson’s 16th birthday.  I sat down and was served coffee and a menu…so I ordered the Waffle with Dried Cherries topped with whipped goat cheese, toasted almonds, and maple syrup…it was delicious. The goat cheese was smooth...and delicious...slightly sweet. They served these one quarter of a waffle at a time…but I liked that because I wanted to try so many different items..and this way…one wasn’t stuffed.

I walked to the one area and  chose Calabrese salami (one of my favorite salamis…large thin slices...perfect tasting....Black Forest salami…a savory sage cheese…thin slices of toasted baguette…olives…Schreiner’s homemade turkey sausage…my first time trying any of the Schreiner's products.  Now I want to go visit the store.  Acutally I wonder if they give tours of sausage production.

My next plate adventure:
Jumbo shrimp…crab claws…cocktail sauce…a chunk of pita bread.  The shrimp were very large and tasty.  The crab claws were my favorite...just give them a little twist and you are able to pick out a large chunk as well as small pieces...I love cocktail sauce and this was went well with the shrimp and the crab meat.  Yesty but not too sharp.

Third trip:
More of the shrimb…crab claws…more Schreiner’s sausage…cheddar cheese…drunken goat cheese…I loved the drunken goat cheese...a very smooth and mild tasting cheese...it was served with pistachios on top.

Desert trip:
Vanilla Bean Mousse…Orange brulee in a spoon, boysenberry cheesecake…banana mousse…yummy.  My favorite was the orange brulee served in Chinese spoon that I would use for eating soup. This was my first orange brulee ever...and I am sure that the slice of what looked like a tiny ornage came from one of the trees off the patio...but I can't remember the name of the fruit.

The service was excellent.

Our brunch was expensive...$48.95...but I thought well worth it for the selection of food and the quality.


Wright’s at the Biltmore
Arizona Biltmore
2400 E. Missouri Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
(602) 955-6600
Hours:  3:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

             Our Sunday Brunch Reservations were at 12:30 p.m.

May 19, 2018 - Sugar Jam Bake Shop and Bistro - Scottsdale, Arizona

After a morning spent at the Scottsdale Museum of the West with Mike and Carol Thompson we went to lunch at the Sugar Jam Bake Shop and Bistro in Scottsdale.


I ordered the Parisian Style French Toast – Big, thick slices of French Bread marinated in Grand Marnier, grilled with Saigon cinnamon and served with run pecan maple syrup – applewood bacon (crisp) and two scrambled eggs.  I liked my breakfast…especially the great tasting syrup.  My meal was very filling.  What made me unhappy was that I ordered a cup of coffee with my meal and it was cold..not tepid..cold…had I wanted cold coffee I would have ordered iced coffee…but I didn’t complain.  Our server finally got around to asking us if we needed anything else..and I asked for a re-fill…that was also cold…not acceptable.  I was not happy with her service.   My food was fabulous…the service not so fabulous!



Parisian Style French Toast with Scrambled Eggs and Applewood Bacon


Mike ordered the Applewood Smoked Pulled Pork with Cowboys Beans (which he really liked) but he thought his sandwich was good but that it did not reach the excellent status.

Carol ordered which amounted to a BLT…and it looked fresh.  It was served with chips and a pickle…and she had to ask where her chips and pickle were.

So even though I was happy with my food…they fall very short on service.

Sugar Jam Bake Shop and Bistro

7950 E. Redfield Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
(480) 948-6210
Hours:  Tuesday -  Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
                               Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

May 13, 2018 - Brio Tuscan Grille - Scottdale Quarter - Scottsdale, Arizona


I visited with Joshua, Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes – Jack and Judy Svendsen.  We were there for the Mother’s Day Brunch.  It was nice to sit and have a family meal. I  wasn’t impressed with the food at all.  It was okay…but nothing special.

Judy ordered the Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli with spicy tomato Parmesan cream sauce…and she liked it.  Judson ordered his usual when eating pasta…any pasta…this one was tortellini..Alla Vodka, ricotta-filled pasta, crispy pancetta, basil, spicy tomato Parmesan cream sauce..

Joshua ordered the Sicilian Omelet – ham, bacon, sausage, caramelized onions, roated tomatoes, Mozzarella, cubed potatoes.  Jody and Jonah ordered the Berries & Cream French Toast – cream cheese stuffed – served with bacon.  Jonah and I shared.

I really think when any type of stuffed French Toast is served the bread should be a thick slice and not just a regular piece of sliced bread.  It is difficult to stuff a thin piece of bread.

Jody and I each ordered a Peach Bellini..and Judy ordered a Mimosa.

I was really disappointed as I really enjoyed my visit to Brio Tuscan Grille at San Tan Village.  I was looking forward to this visit.



Brio Tuscan Grille
15301 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(480) 607-1100
Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

May 4, 2018 - Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery


I visited  with Sandy Wilts.  We were on our way to watch the D-Backs vs. Astros. 

Sandy ordered the 1/ 2 Sandwich and Choice of One Side Combo – Philly Steak and Fries – thinly slice beef sirloin, grilled peppers, sautéed onions and melted provolone cheese served on  hoagie roll.

I ordered the Shepherd’s Pie. – seasoned ground beef, carrots,  peas and mushroom gravy with parmesan mashed red potatoes and garlic bread.

My entrée was served in a small cast iron skillet…topped with the mashed potatoes.  It was fully covered as usual but there was also a bottom layer of mashed potatoes.  I liked the fine hint of thyme in the entrée.

We both decided that the food was good…nothing special.  My Shepherd’s Pie was definitely not as good as that at Board & Batten as well as The Harp – both in Mesa.

Sandy ordered a glass of wine…and I ordered a Shock Top beer.  We were finished eating by about 2:30 p.m….so we sat there longer and visited while watching sports highlights on one of the many TVs found throughout the eatery.

We were served by a Kilt Girl.  She was absolutely wonderful…and her service was great.

Later we ordered Pub-Fried Pickles…hand-breaded and deep-fried pickle…served with cayenne ranch dipping sauce.  I love fried pickles but this sauce was just too, too hot..left one’s tongue stinging.



Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery
2 E.  Jefferson Street
#22-217
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
(602) 293-3888
Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
$-$$