March 30, 2019 - State 48 Lager House - Scottsdale, Arizona

Visited on March 30, 2019 after Jonah’s baseball game.  He plays for the Rockies and they were beat 8-6 by the Yankees.  After the game, Jody, Jonah, Jack, Judy and I went to State 48 by the new Harley Davidson dealership in Scottsdale for lunch. 

We sat outside on the patio..and the food was delicious…perfect day for patio dining.  We started with the Calamari – butter milk breaded calamari, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, lemon and a side of pomodoro sauce. It was delicious but what I liked the most was the artichokes pieces and the pepperoncini which was also fried…just very tasty.  The pomodor sauce tasted as if a mix of marinara sauce and a hot salsa.  I liked it better than just the taste of a marinara sauce.

Judy and I each had a Bloody Mary….and it was served with two large pimento-stuffed green olives…not too strong…just right.  (I am beginning to think that Judy and I should research and write a Bloody Mary tour of the Valley.)

Bloody Mary

 I ordered the Beer Cheese Burger…Jody ordered the Schnitzel Sandwich…Jonah the Cheeseburger without the cheese... off the kids menu…that kid is so funny.  Jack and Judy shared a Schnitzel Sandwich.

My burger was cooked perfectly for me…served with a bacon-balsamic jam…that just dripped from the burger…lettuce, tomato…and topped  with the buttermilk fried onions… all on this soft delicious brioche bun…and beer cheese served on the side.  It was delicious.

Beer Cheese Burger

The Schnitzel Sandwich – a breaded pork loin with pickles, dijonaise, swiss cheese, lettuce, onions and tomato…all served on one of those soft delicious brioche rolls.

We all chose the fries as the side – light beer battered herbed fries…crisp…delicious.

Schnitzel Sandwich

State 48 Lager House

15600 N. Hayden Road

Scottsdale, Arizona 85260

(480) 659-0048

State48lagerhouse@gmail.com

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

             Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

             Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.         

March 24, 2019 - Rustic Cafe - Phoenix, Arizona

I visited on March 24, 2019 with Joshua, Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes; Kristin and Zach Hammler.

My niece Kristin Hammler and her Zach were visiting for the weekend when Zach’s traveling soccer team, Rocky Mountain FC 01…came to play in the Phoenix Cup.  I was able to attend the Friday game which they won 3-0…missed the Saturday game which they won 2-0…but attended the Sunday morning game which they won 2-0..and then I stayed for the Championship game which they won 1-0.  The Hayes Family were able to attend the Sunday morning game but the had to leave because we were celebrating Jonah’s 9^th birthday that evening…Kristin and Zach were able to attend that dinner at the Hayes Residence.  Great Weekend!

After  the game on Sunday we all went to the Rustic Café for breakfast..interesting entrees..I ordered the Classic Two Egg Breakfast which came with hash browns and toast for $6.49…I chose marbled rye bread…Joshua’s looked interesting- Quesadilla – grilled, crisp tortilla with havarti cheese, mozzarella cheese, artichokes, spinach and roasted peppers..topped with balsamic reduction. Kristin’s also looked interesting – Rustic Burrito – two eggs, bacon, potatoes, avocado, roasted peppers and  havarti cheese rolled in a flour tortilla.  Served with jalapeno aioli…Jody’s also looked interesting – Greek Breakfast Casserole – zucchini, beef gyro meat and rustic potatoes topped with Feta cheese and baked.  Then topped with two eggs (Jody ordered over medium) with tomato, spinach and green onion and hollandaise.  Served with toasted pita bread. …Jonah had the Big Boy breakfast off the kids’ menu  which I would have liked….egg, bacon, potatoes and pancake…Judson had the Country Hash  - hash browns, onions, peppers and bacon topped with two eggs (Judson chose over easy) and smothered with peppered sausage gravy and toast….and Zach had the Grilled Cheese Sandwich – American Cheese with bacon and tomato.

Classic Two Egg Breakfast

Quesadilla

Rustic Burrito

Greek Breakfast Casserole

Country Hash

Rustic Café

20811 N.  Cave Creek Road #010

Phoenix, Arizona

(602) 404-4100

Hours:  Daily 6:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

March 22, 2019 - Blu Burger Grill - Scottsdale, Arizona

I visited with Carol Thompson after our appointment with Dr. Bruno.  I ordered the Blu Burger – Black Angue beef – carmelized onions, gorgonzola cheese, center cut applewood bacon on an onion bun…lots of points were scored with me because I ordered it with no pink…and it was perfect…the onion bun was toasted…and I love that.  The patty was a thick delicious hamburger...I really like everything on it…the onions…the gorgonzola cheese and the bacon.  I must say that I love the overall experience of eating a burger…when I take a bite I want to taste the bun, the burger, the onions, the cheese, the bacon…and this is exactly the experience I had today.  I do not like those huge burger where it is impossible to take a bite and have this experience.  My side choice was French Fries…and they were cut just right…fried to perfection.  I was very satisfied today!

Carol ordered the Built-Your-Burger…she choose the white bun…the grass fed Black Angus beef…Swiss cheese, lettuce tomato.  This was her first taste of grass fed beef…and she loved it…she also chose the French Fries…we both liked our fries…her bun was also toasted…and she liked that.

Blu Burger Grille

32409 N. Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale, Arizona

(480) 575-8040

bluburger.com

Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

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

Fare:  American/Burgers

$

We were told that it is now under new management.  This is the only location that now exists.

March 14, 2019 - Caldwell County BBQ - Gilbert, Arizona

I visited with my two nieces Mary Ellen and Sumer for dinner..and a nice long visit.

We ordered a pound of brisket but he gave us 1.25 pounds…the poop…1/ 4 lb of pulled pork…a pint of Mac ‘n Cheese, a pint of Lemon Poppy Seed Cole Slaw and a pint of Aunt Susan’s Corn Casserole.  There was lots to take home.

The meat was cooked so well…and tender…it just fell apart…all of the sides were very good.  The Corn Casserole was very creamy.  Mac n Cheese was perfect…not too creamy..just right. My favorite was the cole slaw.. I ate a lot…wow!  Plus the six slices of white bread and butter.

I tried all three BBQ sauces…my favorite was the House…next the Hot Sauce….last the Honey Mustard…it just seemed too runny for me.  Maybe…I needed to shake the bottle a little harder or longer.  Or maybe the meat was so good I didn’t need any sauce.

This is a new business started by the former owners of Waldo’s.  They have a lovely outdoor patio…but it was just too cold to sit out there tonight.

Mike Thompson and I both agree...this is the best BBQ that we have tasted so far in the Valley.

Caldwell County BBQ

18324 E. Nunneley Road

Gilbert, Arizona 85296

(480) 201-4891

caldwellcountybbq,com

Hours:  Daily 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

March 11, 2019 - Straight To The Table - catering company Mesa Arts Center Volunteer Dinner

I an a volunteer usher at the Mesa Arts Center.  Every year the Mesa Arts Center hosts a volunteer appreciation dinner at the Mesa Arts Center.  This year it was catered by Straight To The Table.

The tables were already set with our salad -  a spinach, raspberry, strawberry, slices of red, orange and green peppers, feta with a light dressing that our table thought was a raspberry vinaigrette….served with a roll and butter.

We were entertained through dinner by the Myron Summerville Orchestra…I just loved them…big band music…not loud…perfect dinner music.

My entrée was – Boneless Braised Short Ribs in Red Wine Sauce…served with a layered, creamy Scalloped Potatoes and the most delicious finely chopped…lightly steamed vegetables.  They were slightly covered by the wine sauce that was served with the Braised Ribs.  It was very tasty.  

I thought the whole meal was wonderful...the meat was so tender.  I have never eaten scalloped potatoes baked like this...but they were creamy and went well with the Braised Ribs.  

Dessert – pineapple upside down cake but it was pineapple along side cake…Pineapple Destructive Cake.   The cake was very light and buttery- topped with a cherry and whipped cream.  It wasn't too sweet.  Just right!

March 2, 2019 - Los Dos Molinas - Phoenix, Arizona

I visited on March 2, 2019 with Carol Richmond, Pat Stetler and Pat Erska.   We had just toured the Mystery Castle..and had driven clear to the top of South Mountain Park to the Dobbins Lookout. We were served chips with red salsa and green salsa.  The red was really hot but I loved it.  I have not been here since about 2009.  I ordered the two Garlic Roasted Pork tacos with beans and rice…so good.  The tacos were loaded with pork..delicious.  I also ordered a frozen house margarita…it will become a tradition for me with any visit here.  Dessert – Chocolate flan…my first time of tasting chocolate flan…this was a tall flan..very hearty..not custardy like…with a sauce which I thought was a dark cherry…dollops of whipping cream.  I really liked it.

Everyone else ordered a Tostado.

Ground Beef Tostado

Two Garlic Roasted Pork Tacos with beans and rice

Los Dos Molinos

8646 S. Central Avenue

Phoenix, Arizona

(602) 680-4040

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

               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.

losdosmolinosphoenix.com

New Mexican red and Hatch green chiles (Hatch Valley) are the foundations of the New Mexican-style Mexican food.  

History:  This restaurant is located in Tom Mix’s old house.

As of 2015 there were three locations

Voted Second Best Mas Picante by Phoenix Magazine in 2015

February 23, 2019 - Culinary Dropout - Phoenix, Arizona

I had lunch here with Carol and Mike Thompson and Pat Scarrow.  We came here after our Saturday visit to the Heard Museum.  We went to see the new exhibit - Josef Albers in Mexico.

I ordered my favorite - a  Bacon Bloody Mary plus Fish and Chips…once again a huge order.  I brought one piece of my lunch home…and one piece of Mike’s.  Carol ordered the Pretzel Buns with the Fondue appetizer which we all tried…and Yesterday’s Soup  - which was Chicken Noodle.  Pat ordered the butternut squash ravioli.  

Carol shared all of the Pretzel Buns with us...two-bite size for dipping in the fondue...very good.

Pretzel Rolls and Fondue

                        Fish and Chips

Culinary Dropout

5632 N. 7^th Street

Phoenix, Arizona 85014

(602) 680-4040

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

             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.