May 29, 2021 - Daily Dose - Scottsdale, Arizona

 

Jim Cowhey and Ray Willis…cousins-in-laws stopped  over in the Phoenix area on their way to the Grand Canyon.   We met at this restaurant for lunch and had a nice long visit.
 
Jim ordered the Red Chili Reuben – shredded corned beef topped with red chili slaw, Swiss cheese and roasted green chili, Russian dressing on marbled rye…and he chose Fries as his side.
 
Ray ordered the Southwest Club Wrap – Applewood smoked ham, roasted turkey, peppered bacon, guacamole and problano in a Southwest tortilla.  He chose the Fried Polenta as his side.
 
I ordered the Peppered BLT – 1/ 2 pound peppered bacon, shredded lettuce, tomato and harrisa ailio on sourdough.  I choose it served with Fries.  It was delicious.  In fact everyone’s meal looked delicious.  I look forward to returning some day for breakfast.

Daily Dose
4040 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite #101
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
(480) 994-3673
Hours:  Daily 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (they may have changed this during the pandemic to 6:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

May 25, 2021 - Rodizio Grill - Mesa, Arizona

Vera Jenkins, Cathy Lindholm and I went to the Rodizio Grill for dinner.  It is Restaurant Week in the Valley…this happens twice a year.  A lot of restaurants in the Valley participate.  The meals served as either $33 or $44…and you usually save about $20 or more on the meals…this one wasn’t that great because if you went there and ordered it would be $39.99…but our meal included two bottomless drinks and dessert..so we were able to try some things for free.

Cathy ordered a drink…and Vera ordered wine…I ordered one of the drinks….Brazilian Limeade with Raspberry juice.  I really liked it.

Then we went through the salad bar…I had some Caesar Salad, cucumbers, Toasted Coconut Cole Slaw, olives…and I tried the Pao de Queijo – Brazilian Cheese Bread...(I should have taken a couple slices of this) and the Polenta – lightly fried cornmeal dusted with Parmesan cheese (which I liked).

Once we returned to our table there was the wooden block by the salt and pepper, etc. one end had a square painted green..and the other end had a square painted red.  We put the block on our table with the green block up…the Gauchos (Meat Servers) would come around with skewer of meat..and tell us what it was…and we could have them cut us a piece.  Our cutlery also included a small tong….that’s what we would use to  grab onto the meat…and the Gaucho would finish cutting it for us.

 I tried:

Picanha – top sirloin – lean, juicy cut of beef with a mild flavor
Bife Com Alho – tender steak based in garlic seasonings
Maminha – seasoned tri tip sirloin….this was one cut that I really liked.
Bife com Parmesao – steak grilled in Parmesan cheese…this was my favorite piece of beef

Frango Com Bacon – lean, juicy chicken breast wrapped in bacon
Sobre Coxa – marinated and seasoned chicken – a special Rodizio recipe

Linugica – a very mild and flavorful Brazilian sausage
Lombo Com Queijo – a tender cut of pork, served with parmesan cheese and bacon
Presunto – a lean cut of ham grilled to perfection – my favorite of the pork choices

Abacaxi – fresh glazed and grilled pineapple – we had many slices of this…especially with the Presunto…

Dessert:  Rabanda or chocolate Brigadeiro Cake…I really liked the Robanda.  It was like an oval shaped fried dough infused with this wonderful tasting custard with a whipped cream consistency…and the dough rolled in sugar and cinnamon.  Those pieces of shaped fried dough are really Brazilian or Portuguese  French Toast.

What a fun experience.  If I ever went there again I would eat my salad bar as I was eating the different meats… we tried some of the whipped mashed potatoes…

Rodizio Grill
1840 S. Val Vista Dr
Mesa, Arizona 85204
(480) 813-5400
Hours:  Monday – Thursday  5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Friday – Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

May 18, 2021 - Zugoi - Mesa, Arizona

My partner, Vera Jenkins and I ate a late lunch here after our bridge game at Leisure World.  We weren't celebrating a victory because we didn't have the best game, but we were hungry.  Plus we wanted to try this new neighborhood restaurant.

Vera ordered the Tempura Udon – Japanese thick noodle soup with two pieces of Shrimp Tempura, two pieces of Veggie Tempura…it was served with Miso soup and salad.

 I ordered the Mongolian Beef …it because it was still time for the luncheon menu, mine came with Miso soup, salad, rice, an egg roll and fruit – my fruit was quartered oranges and grapes.

  

Everything tasted wonderful...and they serve one lots of food.  They service was fast and efficient..  Great lunch!

Zugoi
6813 E. Main Street
Mesa, Arizona 85207
(480) 654- 1306
Hours:  Monday  - Thursday 11:00 am.  – 9:00p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:00a.m – 10:00 p.m.
             Sunday 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Happy Hour – Open – 6:30 p.m.
             Lunch Menu and prices – Monday – Saturday 11;00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

May 9, 2021 - Spiga Cucina Italiana - Scottsdale, Arizona

I celebrated Mother's Day  with Judson, Jonah, Joshua and Jody Hayes...and Jody's parents - Jack and Judy Svendsen.

We started with drinks.  Baskets of sliced baguettes were placed on the table with bean and garlic spread.  It tasted delicious.  I should have asked but I believe it was blended garbanzo beans and garlic.

We ordered starters.  Joshua ordered the Affettato – selection of meats (prosciutto, coppa or pancetta, pepperoni or Calabrese salme), cheeses,  (blue, Parmesan, sharp Provolone) and served with grilled eggplant, squash and zucchini, olives (Castelvetvano and marinated Greek black) and oil bread..and there was a cup of nuts in the middle of the board.  I loved the taste of grilled vegetables.  Since I wasn’t able to taste everything on the board I am guessing at the meats, cheeses and olives.

He also ordered two Polpette – veal, pork, beef, Pecorino with creamy polenta.  I loved these even though they were cooked in a Marinara sauce.  My Grandma used to make them but she used Romano instead of Pecorino so hers were a little sharper tasting.  She also knew that I didn’t care for red sauce so she never put mine in the sauce to stew.  She would heap grated Romano sauce on top of mine…mmmmm….but I loved these.  It was the first time that Judson has ever eaten them and I think he liked them…so I will have to show him how to make them.

This is also the first time that I have ever seen them on a menu even in Italy.

 Entrées:

Judy and Joshua ordered the Risotto Tutto Mare – Arbous rice, mussels, baby clams, calamari, sea scallops, sauteed shrimp in tomato, white wine and saffron brodette.

Jody ordered the Raviolo di ‘Sorala’ – stuffed with short rib and roasted garlic herb goat cheese, asparagus, wild mushrooms. Carrots, short rib jus.

Judson order Rigatoni alla Vodka – sauteed pancetta, garlic, vodka tomato cream sauce. 

Jonah and I ordered the Pappdela Bolognese – veal, beef, pork, black pepper-crusted ricotta.  My pasta was tender and fresh tasting…but not over cooked.

Jack ordered the Brasato di Manzo – slow braised short rib, polenta, sauteed seasonal vegetables.

I wished that I would have taken pictures, but not on Mother’s Day.  It would be like the bride taking pictures during the wedding.

Dessert – Judson and Jonah shared Bouchon – warm chocolate cake made with Vahlronachocolate, vanilla bean gelato.

Jody – Chocolate Truffle Tartufo – Zabmbione cream center surrounded by chocolate gelato – light and smooth…also with nuts..yummy!

I ordered the Limoncello Truffle Tartufo – lemon gelato with a heart of limoncello covered in meringue – delicious and smooth with a nice calm sweet and tart taste.

 I researched Vahlrona Chocolate:

 “Every bite of chocolate becomes a sensory experience when you choose Valrhona chocolate. This premium chocolate has been produced in the small village of Tain L’Hermitage, France since 1922. Albéric Guironnet, a pastry chef, founded the company with a commitment to creating beautifully complex yet balanced artisan chocolates. Much like the renowned wines of the Rhone Valley, the cocoa beans used to make Valrhona chocolates have been carefully selected from the unique terroir in which they are grown in for crafting their premium couverture blends. In fact, Valrhona is one of the few chocolatiers who have established their own plantations for growing cocoa beans. As a result, even the most discerning chocolate lovers can appreciate the expert care that goes into making every piece of Valrhona chocolate.”

 Spiga Cucina Italiana
7500 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
(480) 513-9000
Hours:  Daily 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

May 4, 2021 - Chilleen's on 17 - Black Canyon City, Arizona

 I visited with my friend Cindi on our way to Crown King.

I ordered the Old Fashioned Patty Melt with grilled onions and Swiss Cheese on rye bread.  It was served with French Fries….which were seasoned and crisp. 

Patty Melt

Cindi ordered the Sliced BBB Brisket Sandwich – slow smoked, sliced and pile high on a fresh bun served with French Fries.  They happily substituted coleslaw for Cindi.  We were expecting pieces of beef brisket but it was shredded beef brisket.  Cindi thought it was delicious…and she remarked about how good the bun tasted..plus she said they toasted the bun…always a good touch.

 

BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich

We both ordered Raspberry Ice Tea with our meal.

Chilleen’s on 17 

33150 S. Coldwater Road

Black Canyon City, Arizona 85324

North 1-17 at Exit 244

(623) 374-5552

Hours: Daily 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

May 3, 2021 - Manuel's - Phoenix , Arizona

I viisted with friends.  The chips were tasty…they came with three different sauces…mild…medium and hot.

We started with a Cheese Crisp- large toasted flour tortilla covered with melted cheese.  We asked for ours to be crispy.  It was perfect.  It could be a meal on its own.  I ordered the Luncheon Special – Chimichanga served with rice, beans, sour cream and guacamole.  I also chose shredded beef. It was very good and loaded with shredded beef. Everyone else ordered an ala carte enchiladas.

Their Luncheon Specials and Senior Prices are the same...but the Senior Prices are good all day long.

Manuel’s 
2820 E. Indian School Road 
Phoenix, Arizona 85016 
(602) 957-7540 
 Hours:  Sunday – Thursday  11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
              Friday – Saturday 11:0 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

May 2, 2021 - Gold Canyon Cafe - Gold Canyon, Arizona

I visited yesterday with Jeanne and Willie Stecher after picking them up at the airport.

Willie ordered the Meat Platter (a breakfast item) – bacon, ham, sausage, cheese and potatoes plus two eggs with a choice of toast, English muffin or muffin.  Willie chose the double chocolate chip muffin.

 Jeanne ordered the BLT – layers of bacon, tomatoes and lettuce on choice of bread.  This looked delicious.

 I ordered the Patty melt – 6 oz. patty, grilled onions and Swiss cheese on rye…it was perfect …just as I like them…will have to add this high on my list.  This was a great Patty Melt...it was added very high on my Best Patty Melts Ever Ordered List.  The meat was cooked perfectly…juicy but not greasy…the onions grilled…Swiss Cheese…and the bread was grilled perfectly.  I would order that item again…not only that…I would go out there for a meal just to order that item.

Gold Canyon Café
5301 S. Superstition Mountain Drive, Suite 109 A
Gold Canyon, Arizona
(480) 983-1933
Hours:  Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 
Saturday – Sunday 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.