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

Septembeer 27, 2023 - Big Nate's Family BBQ - Mesa, Arizona (on Main Street)

 

My bridge partner Kim and I did quite well at bridge in Tempe on September 27, 2023….1^st Flight A Overall, 1^st Flight B Overall, 1^st Flight C Overall, 1^st Flight A E-W, 1^st Flight B E-W and 1^st Flight C E-W with a 69% game….for 2.33 master points…yes!  We are back…….

 I decided to celebrate by myself and  Big Nate’s Family BBQ which just opened across the street from me where Allison’s BBQ used to be….it was delicious…I ordered the Brisket Sandwich…and we combined it….with two sides – cole slaw and BBQ baked beans and a drink.  I am stuffed.  It was a huge sandwich…I swear a pound of meat!  Very tasty also.  I tried all the sauces and picked the one I liked the most…but I will try the others when I visit in the future.

 Welcome to the ‘hood.

Big Nate’s Family BBQ
6750 E. Main Street
Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 525- 7291
Hours:  Monday – Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
             Sunday Closed

Septembdder 23, 2023 - Chicagoland Hot Dogs and More - Mesa, Arizona

I was hungry for a brat or polish sausage.  Rhona and I decided to try this place just up the street from my house.

I ordered the regular Polish Sauage and yes – I wanted Chicago style with the mustard, pieces of tomato, peppers, onions, cucumbers and relish…plus a large order of onion rings served with ranch dressing…and water to drink.  Rhona had the cheese dog and an order of  Fried Zucchini.  I loved mine…and I am not a big fan of relish but this seemed homemade…and it was fresh and delicious.

Chicagoland Hot Dogs and More
1152 N Power Road
Mesa, Arizona 85205
(480) 981-3647
Hours:  Monday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
             Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Note they are apparently having problems with finding help so call first and see if they are there…and it is usually weekends 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

September 22, 2023 - Uncle Bear's Bar & Tap - Greenfield - Mesa, Arizona

 

I was dying to have some Beer Cheese Soup..so I decided to try it at Uncle Bear’s.  I thought maybe I could get  a soft pretzel to go with it…guess what?  On the menu Baked Bavarian Pretzel with a side of Beer Cheese Soup and mustard…then I visited with my waitress who was wonderful…and she gave me a bigger cup of soup…and no mustard…but more cheese…yes!

I loved it…it was a thinner soup than The Hub’s…and I like my Beer Cheese soup not so thick…so I was a happy girl.

 

Uncle Bear’s Grill & Tap
1110 S. Greenfield Rd #101A
Mesa, Arizona 85206
(480) 256-1415
Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Friday – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
             Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
             Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

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.