November 11, 2023 - The Collins Small Bite Kitchen - Phoenix, Arizona

 My friend, Kelli Jo Welk, treated me to lunch at this very nice restaurant because I take her to the airport when she flies home...and let her park her car in my patio driveway. Kelli is pretty darn wonderful.

This was my first visit.  I loved ambience.  The service was great.

 I ordered the Bistro Burger - havarti . vine tomatoes . red onion . dressed arugula . dijon . mayo served on a Noble brioche bun and I chose the Collins Cashew Coleslaw…and asked for little cup of the truffle aioli to put on my burger.  Delicious!

 The coleslaw was creamy and it was served with what looked with roasted cashews.  I liked it.

 Kelli ordered the Chicken and Brie Sandwich -  dressed arugula . truffle aioli . spicy tomato jam . Noble seeded baguette and chose the shoestring potatoes served with truffle aioli for dipping.  Kelli insisted that I try the shoestring potatoes and the aioli…yummy.  If I ever came back to this restaurant I would order the shoestring potatoes.  They were very good. 

 Dessert:  Coconut Cream Pie…was it ever tasty…forks around. A graham cracker crust and a very thick coconut cream filling…with whipped cream on top.  I should have taken pictures…but I was busy eating…and visiting with Kelli Jo.

The Collins Small Bite Kitchen
Biltmore Plaza
3160 E. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 730-3533
Hours:  Monday – Wednesday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Thursday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
              Sunday - Closed 

October 27, 2023 - Birrieria Don Jose - Mesa, Arizona

 This is a new restaurant in the 'hood...so I thought I would give it a try.  

I ordered the 5 Taco Plate – a carne asada; a pastor; a barbacoa and 2 – birria – there were a lot of salsas to try as well as creamy avocado .  I think the young lady made a mistake and charged me for 5 separate tacos…so very expensive…but that is okay.  The street tacos were loaded with meat and cilantro…I will be returning….and I will see how I do the second time around.

Birrieria Don Jose
6339 E. Main Street
Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 912-1292
Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

November 14, 2023 - Gertrude's Restaurant - Phoenix, Arizona

 This will be the third time that I have written about this restaurant.  The other two were December 10, 2015...and March 8, 2022...I love the food here...and the ongoing changing of the menu.

Today Peg Hartman and I went to the Desert Botanical Garden to see the Ferando Botero Exhibtion within the gardens...and it was lovely.  He is one of my favorites because he draws, paints and creates bronzes of chubby people.

Peg and I always have lunch at Gertrude's when we visit the Botanical Garden.

Peg and I started with drinks: Diet Coke for me.  Pinot Grigio Ramato, Sun Goddess, Italy for Peg…she gave me a sip…excellent…the best pinot grigio ever...Peg is on the hunt now.

 Starter – Elote Fritters – roasted corn, fermented chilis, cilantro-lime aioli, cortjja and achiote. These were just absolutely the best.  I could have just eaten these for my meal and had been perfectly happy.

Elote Fritters

 
I ordered the Lentil Chop Bowl – lentil medley, red onions, grape tomatoes, herbs, achiote roasted carrots, Sonoran nopales, crisp garbanzo, orange- sumac vinaigrette.  It came just like a very fancy chop salad with lines of ingredients.  My favorites were the carrots and the crisp garbanzo beans. Lots of lentils - served cold and highlighted by the great orange-surmac vinaigrette which brough out the flavor of everything on the plate.

Lentil Chopped Bowl

 Peg ordered the Root Salad – mesciun, root veggies, dried fruit, sunflower kernel, sunflower-Thai vinaigrette. I tasted the dressing and it was marvelous.

 Plus our added bonus was Michael our waiter…who answered every question and gave all types of information…he is a keeper.  He made our lunch that more enjoyable.

Gertrude’s Restaurant
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Pkwy
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 719-8600
Hours:  Monday  - Friday 10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
             Saturday  - Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m