September 9, 2023 - Elysian Fields Artisan Bakery & Dainties - Mesa, Arizona

 

Thee is a new bakery in the ‘hood…and it is delicious…first Gabriel asked me if I liked vanilla or orange…and I said, “Orange.”  He gave me a free orange short bread cookie.  It was a thick cookie…but what amazed me is how long the taste of orange stayed in my mouth.  Delicious!  They have at least 20 different flavors of short bread...and I am going to try all of them.

I decided to try a Carrot Cake Loaf - and bought a Vanilla Cream Tart (they have both large and small)...I chose the large...it was delicious - so soft and velvety smooth.

Pecan - Caramel - Chocolate Bon Bon - they make their own candies....and this was delicious.

German Chocolate Cake - Chocolate Bon Bon  - this one, though was my favorite.  I love German Chocolate Cake...and when I took my first tiny bite...it was heaven.

Almond Croissant - delicious - this was fresh with lots of layers...and the inside had this creamy almond type paste.  I really liked.  I would go back for more.

 

Elysian Fields Artisan Bakery & Dainties
6727 E. McDowell Road
Mesa, Arizona
(480) 590-0646

I took my friend Rhona there on September 15, 2023.  They gave her a free short bread cookie...and she chose the pineapple flavor...and loved it.

We also had a chocolate au pain...I had mine with hot coffee.  We sat outside on their patio...at the tables with cloth tablecloths...and on each table was a vase of fresh flowers.  The atmosphere is just splendid.

July 27, 2023 - Early Bird Cafe - Pine, Arizona

 My friend Rhona and I took a road trip to Pine-Strawberry...where we had a wonderful time...and saw much.  We ate breakfast in this cafe before heading over to the Lavender Farm in Pine.

Rhona ordered the French Toast…and I ordered the Pancake Combo – two eggs over medium, 2 pancakes and 2 crispy pieces of bacon.  It was very good.  My kind of breafast.

Early Bird Café
3618 AZ-87
Pine, Arizona 85544
(928) 476-4092
Hours:  Wednesday – Sunday 6:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
              Monday – 6:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
              Tuesday  - Closed

July 9, 2023 Casa Ramos - Mesa, Arizona

 My neighbor Sandy and I used to go to Casa Ramos on a regular basis before the light rail estension to Gilbert Road.

The restaurant closed.  We had lost hope of it ever returning but it did this summer.  They remodeled the whole resturant and the frontage of the restaurant.  It is beautiful.  We went to celebrat the return...plus I wanted to thank her for all the nice things she does for me.

We started with margaritas to drink with the chips and salsa…but soon the salsa was too hot for Sandy.  I love it though.  We shared a Shrimp ala crema meal served with rice and beans…and it was delicious…five huge shrimp…delicious.  I even took one shrimp and some rice and beans home with me.

Casa Ramos
1526 E. Main Street
Mesa, Arizona 85203
(480) 272-7220
Hours:  Wednesday - Friday 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
              Saturday - 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
              Sunday - 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
              Monday - 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
              Tuesday - Closed

June 14, 2023 - Safire Restaurant & Lounge - Springerville, Arizona

 My friend  Rhona and I were on a road trip.  We stopped for the night in Springerville.  After good reviews from some of the town people we chose Safire Restaurant and Lounge for dinner.

We both ordered the chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy plus a trip through the salad bar. The steak was hand cut daily.  It was delicious.  I also ordered a house margarita.  The service was perfect.  The meal was very reasonable.

Safire Restaurant & Lounge
411 E. Main Street
Springerville, AZ 85938
(928) 333-4512
Hours:  Daily 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

June 2, 2023 - Montana Rib & Chop House - Billings, Montana

 

Jeanne (my sister) and Willie Stecher took me to dinner here on June 2, 2023 to celebrate my 75^th birthday when I was in Billings for Zach Hammler’s wedding.  I wanted to go to the first one in Livingston all those years that I lived in Montana...and never did get that done.  I was so excited.

 We started with Fried Green Tomatoes – sliced green tomatoes with blue cheese, lump crab and balsamic reduction…so we had five pieces of two sliced green tomatoes with the lump crab  between the two slices drizzled with blue cheese…the plate was decorated with the balsamic reduction…delicious!

Fried Green Tomatoes

 Jeanne and I shared a Hand Cut Rib Eye Steak which had been dry aged for 30 days…a very fresh salad with blue cheese dressing and a huge baked potato…loaded.  It was a delicious meal and to be remembered.

 They took my picture and gave me a card…and I had them take a couple with my phone that came out perfect….

 They gave me a huge piece of the Pecan Meltaway – a chocolate crust with a layer of homemade caramel, French vanilla ice cream topped with pecans…drizzled with Hershey’s syrup and shipped cream.  Spoons Around!

Montana Rib & Chop House
1849 Majestic Lane
Billings, Montana 59102
(406) 839-9200
Hours:  Daily 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

June 1, 2023 - Divide Bar and Grill - Billings, Montana

 

I visited  after my niece Kristin Hammler picked me up at the airport.  I flew to Billings for the weekend to attend her oldest son's wedding.

Kristin ordered the Divide Bacon Ale Cheddar Soup – creamy cheddar soup, made with bacon ale, bacon and jalapenos.

 I ordered the French Onion Soup – topped with croutons and melted Swiss cheese…It was just as I like it.  Perfect!

Spinach and Artichoke Dip – flatbread chips and the dip…which was whipped and delicious.

 I drank two Bloody Marys and Kristin had two beers.

 We sat out on the patio…and a light breeze was blowing…loved it.  It felt good to stand on soil in the 406 once again.

Divide Bar and Grill
4020 Montana Sapphire Drive
Billings, Montana 59106
(406) 894 – 2206
Hours:  Daily 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.