A semi-regular feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday on Tuesdays as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures in the Phoenix area.

In this time of COVID-19 and self-isolation, I’ve been doing a lot of home cooking but also endeavoring to support our friends in the hospitality industry. For my list of restaurants offering takeout and delivery, visit this link.

Banh Mi Bistro

I had some errands to run for my parents, and decided to tie in a visit to Banh Mi Bistro to feed both us and them. It’s been too long since I was last here! Dad had the #1 Classic bánh mì with Vietnamese ham and homemade pâté, mom the #5 with BBQ pork, my husband and I the #7 with ribeye (bò lúc lắc or “shaking beef”), and I also ordered bún thịt nướng (rice noodles with grilled pork) to have leftovers for lunch the next day. Banh Mi Bistro is offering their full menu for take-out. They’re open Wednesday – Saturday 11 am – 5 pm, and located at 2340 W Bell Rd #110, Phoenix, AZ 85023.

Sonoran Pasta Co

Sonoran Pasta Co was co-founded by Brent Kille and his business partner Jasmine Brown, and I love their pasta made with Hayden Flour Mills Arizona stone-ground heritage grains. They’re offering pasta and sauces by pre-order for pick-up at local farmers markets or delivery, with Friday delivery offering the addition of Hope’s Artisan Bread.

Every week, Sonoran Pasta invites a guest chef to create a sauce, and I made sure to order two of Donnie Hawk’s (of The Gladly) Southern Amatriciana before it sold out.

Bucatini all'amatriciana the Arizona style was the perfect way to support all things local!

Safe Food TLC

I’ve been working with Safe Food TLC by Tom and Lin Baumbach of Tom and Lin Catering (see here) to get the word out and they are keeping us well fed! Their hearty family meals serve six, and I’ve been sharing with mom and dad. In fact, mom was raving about their food today, saying she wished she could throw a wedding just to have them cater. This week we dined on juicy chicken sausages with grilled peppers and onions plus creamy potato salad.

The four of us also enjoyed this mouth-watering platter of beef yaki udon at my parents’ house, with plenty of leftovers.

And I love their snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies, but the oatmeal raisin might be my favorite. You can buy single cookies or keep your freezer stocked with a ready-to-bake dozen for $10. Tom and Lin Catering is located at 2534 E Greenway Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85032. They offer delivery in the North Phoenix area, and curbside pick-up.

Pigtails Desert Ridge

Kyla Hein, an award-winning mixologist, runs the cocktail program at Pigtails Desert Ridge (see this past Rubee Tuesday) and I’m a huge fan. She’s currently stirring and shaking up cocktails and offering bottled spirits to-go or for delivery.

The cocktail selection changes every week and you won’t be disappointed - every single one is a creative blend of wonderfully balanced spirits, fresh juices and liqueurs. I’d be hard pressed tp pick a favorite.

Follow Pigtails Desert Ridge’s Instagram for the weekly menu; here is this week’s (tip: get your order in as the ready-to-enjoy cocktails always sell out). They offer pick-up and delivery and are located at 21001 N Tatum Blvd Suite 46-1405, Phoenix, AZ 85050

Tratto

We had planned a special dinner to mark a milestone, and take-out from Tratto was the perfect choice. Chef Cassie Shortino received a James Beard award nomination this year as Rising Chef of The Year and her dishes are pretty spectacular - deceptively simple in appearance, but so much flavor and finesse. We poured a sparkling Arizona rosé - Callaghan Vineyard’s Barrett’s - to pair.

The $60 dinner for two included Little Gem salad with roasted shallot vinaigrette, a loaf of Bianco bread, spaghetti alla chitarra with tomato and bell pepper sugo, creamed garbanzo beans and the famous lemon and bay leaf Two Wash Ranch roast chicken. We also added carrot and amaro-coffee cakes to our order for a sweet finale. Tratto offers a to-go menu (pick-up is next door at Pizzeria Bianco) and is located at 4743 N. 20th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Taco Guild

Taco Guild recently welcomed a new chef and I was invited to get a sneak peek at one of the inventive tacos coming to the menu. And it’s a winner! Look for Chef Rica Rances’ brilliant Mongolian beef tacos with soy-ginger-tamarind glaze, scallions and crispy shallots on green onion-rice flour tortillas.

Sneak peek number two was something created by beverage director Luke Detraz just for next month’s Cinco de Mayo - the Holy Grail margarita kit. I find ordering margaritas tricky - often they can be too tart, too sweet, too diluted. or light on tequila’s robust flavor. Not these! If you’re looking for the perfect margarita, this is it. And it’s no surprise as Luke is one of the best cocktail stars in town (stay tuned as I share two more cocktails next week). Be sure to reserve some tacos and your margarita kit for Cinco de Mayo!

Taco Guild currently offers a to-go food menu along with beer, wine and 16-oz margaritas. They also just added the options of a taco bar and entree plates. Follow their Instagram to keep up to date. Taco Guild is located at 546 E Osborn Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85012.

For the last installment of Rubee Tuesday with delivery and take-out from Safe Food TLC, Glai Baan, and Miracle Mile Deli, visit this link.

RUBEE TUESDAY: Banh Mi Bistro, Sonoran Pasta, Pigtails Desert Ridge, Safe Food TLC, Tratto, Taco Guild