August 31, 2014 - Pita Jungle - Scottsdale, Arizona

After another day of hockey playing we decided to try the Pita Jungle for dinner.  We were once again celebrating Joshua's 42nd birthday.

I ordered the Greek Salad – mixed greens topped with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, Kalamata olives and feta cheese.  Served with lemon vinaigrette.   Jody ordered the Falafel Salad – crispy chickpea croquettes on a bed of greens, with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, pickles, sumac and tahini sauce.  Served with two pitas.  Joshua ordered the Coucous Salad.  Judson ordered the Blue Corn Nachos – blue corn tortilla chips covered with mixed beans and melted cheese, topped with diced tomatoes, onions and cilantro with a side of Pico de Gallo and tzatziki.

They have other Mediterranean food on the menu that I would like to try.  I will be returning.

Pita Jungle

14858 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.

Scottsdale, AR 85260

(480) 949-7482

August 30, 2015 - Fiiberto's - Scottsdale, Arizona

My grandson, Judson played in a hockey Labor Day Tournament at the Arcadia Ice Rink in downtown Phoenix.  After the Saturday afternoon game we decided to celebrate my son Joshua's 42nd birthday by stopping at Filiberto's.

The dinner party included Joshua, Jody, Judson, Jonah Hayes as well as Gabe Guidie....one of Judson's teammates who was spending part of the weekend at Judson's house.

I ordered the Carnitas…came complete with a huge floor tortilla, beans, rice, guacamole and lettuce. 

                                                                         Carnitas

  Jody ordered the Green Chile Verde..and it was good…just a little too salty. 

                                                             Green Chile Verde

Judson and Gabe ordered a Carne Asada Burrito…another one of those 2-3 pound burritos with lots of guacamole and pico de gallo.  

Joshua ordered the Cerviche Tostada (and since it was only $3) he ordered two fish tacos…thinking that the tostada would be small.  Well, it wasn’t.  It was huge.  It could have been a meal all in its own. I had a bite and it was delicious…with a traditional Mexican after taste of lime.  Jonah – his usual Cheese Quesada.   Everyone left with a smile on their faces….full tummies…and some of us carrying take home boxes.

                                                                           Fish Tacos

                                                                          Cerviche Tostada

Filiberto’s

7111 E. Thomas

Scottsdale, AZ 

August 15, 2014 - Roma Cafe - Mesa, Arizona

Today I was invited to have lunch with the ladies from 7th Street in the Las Palmos community.  They had chosen the Roma Cafe as the site.

I was given a choice between soup and salad with my entree.  I chose the soup because it was a bean soup.  The soup was quite hearty with lots of skinny…skinny pasta…and it wasn’t angel hair....vegetables and beans.

For my main entree  I ordered the Pasta Primavera...choosing the white sauce over the red sauce.

My main entrée was loaded with all types of vegetables….lots of pasta. There are a few things that I can be critical about, however…..the food tasted so bland…no pepper flakes….no grated cheese was offered to us or could be found on the table…they served us rolls…it would have been more conducive to serve us hard crusted bread like a baguette.

Carol Richmond ordered the lasagna.

Marty Nelson tried the manicotti:

The portions were huge.  I don’t think that I would ever return to this restaurant for another meal.  The best part of the whole experience was after the meal when our server told us in broken English. You-a come up to the front-a to py-a your-a bill.  I no-a make-a many trips back and a forth-a.  It just sounded so female Italian to me…and believe me since I am one…I can laugh at it.

Roma Café

7210 E. Main Street

Mesa, AZ 85207

(480) 654-0558

August 13, 2014 - Queen Creek Olive Mill - Queen Creek, Arizona

My first visit was today with my niece, Mary Ellen.  We arrived in time to eat lunch and then take the tour of the olive tree groves and the manufacturing and pressing area.

For lunch we started with the Olive Mill Antipasto Plate – thinly sliced Genoa Salami, Calabrese Salami with port wine grapes, Chardonnay Herb Mascarpone, fontina cheese, Country Olive Mix, and Mediterra bread.

The roasted garlic served on this tray was perfect and added a great taste.  We were served three different types of cheese - fontina, fresh mozzarella and provolone.   Each cheese went well with the bread and the salami...then add some roasted garlic on the bread..or on the cheese...and it was heavenly.  I would have been satisfied with just this for lunch.

We split a Manzi Panini – olive brined boneless chicken breast, fontina cheese, garden basil, Sun Dried Tomato and Parmesan Tapenade, White Balsamic Herb Crème, rosemary focaccia. Served with homemade chips (I didn't ask but I am sure by the taste...they were fried in olive oil.) Our choice of drink was the Prickly Pear Lemonade….and we split a huge slice of brownie for dessert…did I say slice?  The piece was about half the pan.  (And, yes, they make a Chocolate flavored olive oil.)

Mary Ellen doesn't like olives...just olive oil...so guess who was able to try all the different types of olives that were served with the panini?

We took the tour...ours was given by the General Manager...starting in the new tree olive grove.  Then we moved inside and listened to how the olives were pressed for oil...and then processed.  One thing I didn't know was that everything is crushed including the pit.  Extra virgin oil means that there was no heat in the processing and no chemicals.  It is the highest grade of olive oil obtained only from the olive, using solely mechanical means which do not alter the oil in any way.

I have always used only extra virgin oil....but did not know the true meaning behind extra virgin oil.

We also spent time in the product room where we tasted several of the products.  I bought the

Asiago Parmesan Tapenade.  (Sorry my picture turned out terrible.  I just couldn't seem to get a good picture of this product.  I love tapenades...and I know this will always be one of my favorite.)

and the Garlic Parmesan Crema.  Because olives contain no bad cholesterol this can be used as a substitute for mayonnaise...I am going to try this on my next ham and swiss cheese sandwich.  There were so many products that I could have purchased but decided to limit myself to one or two for each visit.  

The Queen Creek Olive Mill

25062 S Meridian Rd,

Queen Creek, AZ 85142
(480) 888-9290

Hours

Monday - Thursday

8:00am-5:00pm

Friday - Saturday

8:00am-9:00pm

Sunday

8:00am-5:00pm

July 24, 2014 - Sparky's Garage - Dillon, Montana

I visited with Joshua, Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes.  I ordered the 1/ 3 Rack of Sparky’s Ribs with corn-on-the-cob and cole slaw.  Judson ordered the 1/ 2 Rack of Sparky’s Ribs with baked beans and a baked  potato.  Jody ordered the BBQ Chicken Sandwich.  Joshua ordered the Smoked Chicken Salad – romaine topped with candied pecans, bleu cheese crumbles, craisins and red onion.  Judson ordered his usual wherever he goes – a hamburger.

Our ribs were delicious – slow cooked pork ribs.  Judson and I choose the homemade “Original Sauce” while Joshua tried the homemade “Hot and Sassy” BBQ sauce as his dressing on his salad.  He said there was quite a bite to it.  I thought our Original sauce was a perfect taste for any type of barbecue.

The restaurant had a wonderful décor – lots of tins signs from days gone by.

Joshua, Jody and I started our evening with a micro brew – Salmon Fly Honey Rye (Madison River Brewery in Belgrade, Montana). It was really good.

I thought a cute touch were our napkins – shop rags.  Our silverware came rolled in a shop rag.  Great creativity.

Sparky’s Garage

420 E.  Poindexter Street

Dillon, Montana 59725

(406) 683-2828

July 20, 2014 - Mooyah Burgers and Fries - Billings, Montana

The Hammlers - Bob, Kristin, Zach, Kaleb and Madison - went to Mooyah Burgers and Fries with me  for dinner after my arriving in Billings for some medical tests tomorrow.

The fare was several different choices of fresh, handmade burgers - served on fresh hot buns - cheese if you prefer - many choices of toppings.   I ordered a burger with Swiss cheese on a white bun with mayo, grilled onions, mustard, pickles and lettuce.  The meat was tasty.  The problem was the staff put the lettuce on the bottom of the burger with the curved side up....this cause the burger to slide out of the bun.

The staff forgot to put the grilled onions on my burger.

My bun, as were others, was not hot...in fact...the top of bun was cold.  Here I was looking forward to a nice warm butter grilled bun.  Those are my favorite buns with burgers.

The burger was served with a generous order of fries...they were hot and good.

The meal was served in a small sized type of jelly roll pan.  Quite unique!

They are known for their milk shakes..but when we ordered we were told that the milk shake machine was not working.

All and all it was not a good dining experience.  I don't think that I would return for another meal.

Mooyah Burgers and Fries
2695 King Avenue. Suite D
Billings, Montana 59102
(406) 294-3797

June 6, 2014 - New menu item at Nona's Coffee House - Havre, Montana

I met Linda Hoover and Larry Saski at Nona's Coffee House in Havre, Montana for breakfast this morning.
Linda and I ordered the Breakfast Cristo.  This morning was the first time that Leann has offered this item on her menu.

Three slices of Italian bread liberally layered with eggs, bacon, ham...then dipped and cooked in a maple butter.  You will need a knife and fork to even begin to eat this breakfast sandwich.  I have never seen a breakfast sandwich quite like this.  And, it is served with a slice of cantaloupe.

It's a keeper.  You must try this breakfast sandwich.  If you bring a friend...ask if you can share it.  Very filling.