March 12, 2017 - Black Bear Diner - Goodyear, Arizona

I went to my first Spring Training game today at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona. I went with Jeanne and Willie Stecher.  We decided to leave early and have breakfast.  We chose the Black Bear Diner.

Jeanne ordered the Classic 2-Egg Combo – 2 eggs scrambled, ½ order of chicken Apple Sausage (a blend of smoked chicken, sweet apples and seasonings), country red potatoes and a housemade biscuit.  The biscuits were huge…and delicious…especially slathered with butter.

I ordered the Classic 2-Egg Combo – 2 eggs scrambled,  Patty Sausage (made in-house form arecipe passed down through generations of Italian families).  I ordered mine mild as I know how spicy Italian sausage can be.   Hash browns..crispy and a biscuit.  

These biscuits have that baking power taste…they are large but light and fluffy…no doughy taste with these wonderful delights, hot out of the oven.  Jeanne also added strawberry jam to hers but I just used butter.  I didn’t want to miss that baking powder biscuit taste.

Willie ordered The ScramBOWL – all in one bowl – ham, bacon, link sausages, eggs, bell pepper, onion and pickled jalapeno, scrambled of country red potatoes, then topped with cheddar cheese and country gravy.  Served with another of those “big” biscuits.

A closer look at Willie's ScramBOWL

The breakfast here are huge, tasty and not overly expensive.  This restaurant knows all about customer service because they we make your breakfast precisely as you want it.  Plus they are always there at the perfect moment to re-fill your coffee cup and your glass of cold water.

You can also order several of their regular menu items off the “Little Less”  menu.   I think that is the way it should be.

I will be returning to the Black Bear Diner closest to me because there are more menu items that I would like to try.

Black Bear Diner

980 N. Dysart Road

Goodyear, Arizona 85338

(623) 932-2968

Hours:  Daily 6:00 a.m.  – 10:00 p.m.

March 10, 2017 - Karsen's Grill - Scottsdale, Arizona

Cousin Jim Cowhey arrived in Phoenix from Chicago for annual Spring Training trek to the Valley of the Sun.  I picked him up at the airport.  We headed to Scottsdale because he wa staying close to Old Town Scottsdale.

It took us a while to find a parking spot but we did and then walked to the bar/grill.  It wasn’t what I was expecting.  It was small…but they had food…and it was quiet so it ended up being just perfect spot for an afternoon visit.

I ordered the special for the day Fish and Chips with fries…they were very tasty…the batter was a meal breaded batter not a thick batter.   It fried up very crisp…making it easy to dip the fish in the sauce.  I wasn't served tartar sauce.  Instead I was served a homemade avocado based aioli sauce.  It was delicious!

Jim ordered the Jalapeno Club – Hickory Smoked Turkey, Black Forest Ham, Candied Jalapeno Cream Cheese, House-Cured Jalapeno Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado and Green Chile Aioli Sauce.  It looked interesting.

I was disappointed because it is described as “a cozy neighborhood watering hole offering burgers, sandwiches and daily specials, plus sports on TV.”  Where’s the beef?  I never saw one burger on the menu we were handed.  Did we have to ask for the burger menu?  I had read about the Patty Melt.  That’s what I wanted to try.   So basically I walked away disappointed…very disappointed…and it wasn’t the food…it wasn’t the staff…they were very attentive.

Karsen’s Grill

7246 E. First Street

Scottsdale, AZ

(480) 990-7660

karsengrill.com

Hours:  Monday -  Wednesday  11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

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

             Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

March 6, 2017 - Creative Hands Cuisine - Mesa, Arizona

I am a volunteer usher at the Mesa Arts Center.  I attended the 2017 Mesa Arts Center Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Monday, March 6, 2017.  It was held in the complex…on the large stage of the Ikeda Theater.

The tables were draped in tablecloths.  The theme was “You Are Spring!”  As I sat down I noticed that at each place setting there was a pastel cloth napkin that was draped from under the salad plate to the top of the chair seat.  I thought that really looked neat.

A basket of fresh spring flowers was placed in the center of each table.  Fresh cut flowers!  Lovely!  I love fresh flowers for all occasions.

The dinner was the most delicious catered dinner I have ever eaten.  We started with a chopped salad accompanied with slices of baguette and this delicious fluffy herbed whipped butter. 

The main entrée was baked chicken breast.  The breast was baked so well...not dry…perfectly moist.  It had been marinated and crusted with herbs.

The mashed potatoes – the best I have ever eaten.  As far as I could tell they were Yukon potatoes whipped with butter, cream – and here’s the good part.  I think a salad dressing mix was added to the potatoes…most likely an Italian herb type of dressing…but no rosemary…I don’t like a lot of rosemary.  The potatoes were so tasty.

Green beans, with onions, garlic, almond slices and pimento finished the entrée.

A lovely orchid type flower on top of the meal completed the presentation.

Dessert was a Salted Caramel Brownie…yummo!   I loved this dinner.

We had a lovely quartet entertaining us through dinner.  Playing a lot of 40s music.  The female vocalist was very energetic.  She had a lovely voice accompanied by a piano, drums and bass.

Lots of prizes were given away after the dinner.  I should announce that I am still on my prizeless streak…well over one year long.  Every person at my table won something but me.

Creative Hands Cuisine

3035 N Maple St. #1
Mesa, AZ 85215

602-628-1534 office

480-588-8408 fax

Office Hours (Pending Events)
Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

The three of us from Las Palmas who usher  - Stella Summy, Lynda Patrick-Hayes and Irma Heasley.

March 4, 2017 - Revolu Modern Tacqueria and Bar - Peoria, Arizona

Loy Ann Chvilicek and I drove to Peoria to watch my grandson, Judson Hayes' hockey game.  It was against the Jr. Sun Devils Bantam AA team...and we won 2-1!

After the game Joshua, Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes, Jack and Judy Svendsen, Loy Ann Chvilicek and I ate dinner at the Revolu Modern Tacqueria and Bar.

I ordered three street tacos – The Del Mar – beer battered wild cod – shaved cabbage – red salsa – cilantro and lime crema; Carne Asada- skirt steak – red salsa – onion – cilantro and avo-crema;  and Al Pastor – spit fired pork – avo crema – red salsa-onion and cilantro.  They were just excellent.

I also had some bites of different dishes that the Hayes Family ordered – Crispy Brussel Sprouts – caramelized onion, bacon, lime zest, cotija and green salsa – what a great taste;  Elote – grilled corn on the cob, chipotle mayo, crumbled cotija – cilantro and lime. This is the best elote I have ever tasted.

I am definately coming back here for another visit.  I loved their food.  You can taste the freshness which I love.

Hats off to the manager and staff.  They were very accommading to this group of 8 who showed up without reservations.   They seated us without pause.  Took our orders and served us perfectly.  What a joy to experience customer service in this day and age.  I really appreciate it.

Revolu – Modern Tacqueria and Bar

15703 N. 83^rd Avenue

Peoria, Arizona 85382

(623) 878-0215

Hours :  Monday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

              Friday – Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

              Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

My grandson Jonah enjoying his cheese quesadilla - his usual choice  - the only item he will ever order.  I liked this wall in the restaurant.

February 21, 2017 - Singing Pandas Restaurant and Bar - Chandler, Arizona

I went on a Las Palmas and Las Palmas Grand trip to this Asian restaurant in Chandler.  It was my first visit.

I ordered the Mu Shu Pork - Chinese cabbage, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts & egg fried in the delicious hoisin sauce – served with flour tortillas.  Delicious!

The service was fast and efficient.  I can not say enough good comments about the wait staff.  The menu was huge with a varity of different dishes...lots of them for vegetarians.

Tuesdays the musical entertainment is The Legends  – Michael Russell – impersonated:  Elvis, Frank Sinatra, George Strait, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Blues Brothers,  etc.  He was excellent!

Also a young lady whose name I didn’t get… sang more earthy songs…and was very good.

Followed by the owner of the business – Sherry – who was a professional singer in China…she sang several songs…some in Chinese…some in English.  I enjoyed the whole performance. 

What a way to spend a lovely evening with dinner and entertainment.  I will be returning because I saw so many entrees that I am dying to try.  I will also bring out of town company to this restaurant because it just a little zing to an outing.

Singing Pandas Restaurant and Bar

757 E. Chandler Blvd.

Chandler, Arizona 85225

(480) 777-5050

Hours:  Tuesday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

             Saturday – Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

            Monday  - Closed

February 16, 2017 - Anita's Cocina - Wickenburg, Arizona

I visited  on February 16 and February 17, 2017 with Joan Bershok.  Joan ordered the Cheese Crisp.  I order 3 – Rolled Tacos.  We each had two margaritas.  I will start by saying the chips and salsa were marvelous.  The chips were served with two types of salsa…very hot…which I really liked…but the medium was superb.  The best tasting salsa I have tasted in a long time.  They do bottle it…so Joan brought two bottles home.

I loved my rolled tacos.  I even tried a couple pieces of Joan’s  Cheese Crisp…and it was perfect.  She loaded it down with guacamole and sour cream that she ordered on the side.

We were happy girls. 

I will say that it took a long time to be seated.  I think the mistake this business makes there is the hostess also runs the cash register because guests have to pay their bills at the cash register.  The problem is the guests paying bills line backs up and then no one is seated.  It always appears as if there is mass confusion.  I would have a person either be the cashier or have the wait staff handle the paying of the bills.  If the restaurant is slow go to a different mode if needed.  All I am saying is that the situation needs to be evaluated.

Anita’s Cocina

57 N. Valentine Street

Wickenburg, Arizona

(928) 684-5777

Hours:  Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

             Saturday- Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 8 p.m.

February 1, 2017 - Kitchen 56 - Phoenix, Arizona

I visited on January 17, 2019 with Carol Thompson.   I thought I was taking her to where I had dinner one evening with Kelli Jo Welk but it looked completely different…and yet I cannot find another restaurant in the area that looks like the one where we went…so I am thinking they have remodeled.

Anyway I liked this one.  Carol ordered the BLT with fries.  I ordered the special 1/ 2 Caesar Salad and a bowl of Creamy Potato, Bacon and Cheddar Soup….served with toasted Artisan bread.  I thought the soup was too thick but it tasted very good.  The salad looked and tasted as if it had been in the refrigerator for two days.  Carol’s BLT, now was delicious…and the fries were marvelous.

I plan to visit again.  I am thinking it was just a bad day for the Special.

Special - 1/ 2 Caesar Salad and a Bowl of Creamy Potato, Bacon and Cheddar Soup

BLT with Fries

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I visited with my friend, Kelli Jo Welk on F

ebruary 1, 2017.  It was our monthly dinner date.  Off the Happy Hour Menu we ordered the Tomato Basil Bruschetta which we liked.  The tomato and basil mixture was heaped on the slices of bread.  We also liked the bread which was crusty on the outside but soft in the middle.  I have to tell you that Kelli and I went to Italy in 2007.  We traveled through the entire country…eating bruschetta everywhere we went.

We shared the Pepperoni pizza from the wood fired oven (could have been oak…could have been pecan wood) – pepperoni, fresh mozzarella with San Marzano sauce.  We both liked the thin crust of the pizza.  We are not doughy crust pizza eaters.  The pizza had lots of cheese and pepperoni on the crust as well as sauce.  I like that…more ingredients than crust.

Kitchen 56

3433 56^th Street

Phoenix,  AZ 85018

(480) 994-5656

Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m.. – 9:00 p.m.

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

                Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00p.m.

               Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

This restaurant is set in an old gas station on the corner of 56^th Street and Indian School in the Arcadia District of Phoenix.  The owners were able “to reuse the main building even keeping the original bays to frame the artsy desert light that rolls down” from the “fisheye view of the iconic Camelback Mountain.”