RUBEE TUESDAY: Tia Carmen, Arizona Restaurant Week Preview, The Americano, D & Y Chinese, Arboleda, Pomo Pizzeria Biltmore, Giuseppe's On 28th
A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.
Restaurateur Mark Stone and Executive Chef Angelo Sosa, co-owners of Tia Carmen at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge
Saturday, April 29: Tia Carmen, Scottsdale. We were invited to join the one-year celebration of Tia Carmen at JW Marriott Desert Ridge. As I’ve gotten to know co-owners Mark Stone and Chef Angelo Sosa in my interviews (for So Scottsdale magazine, SOMM Journal, and A Taste of AZ), I loved having the opportunity to celebrate their success with them!
I started with a Yuzu and Bergamot Paloma, before commemorating the occasion with a fantastic wine-paired tasting menu of Tia Carmen’s signature dishes (above), all of which have become personal favorites over the past year.
And thank you to Mark for introducing us to - and joining us in - a Don Abraham Extra Anejo Tequila nightcap. It was the perfect ending to a special night at Tia Carmen. For a video Reel of the Grand Opening in 2022, click HERE.
Monday, May 1: Arizona Restaurant Week Dine-Around Preview. The Spring Arizona Restaurant Week takes place May 19-28 this year and I joined a lively media group as we toured three of the 160 restaurants offering special menus: Arboleda for appetizers, Thompson 101 for entrees, and cocktails and dessert at Chauncey Social. Reel:
And since we ended at Chauncey Social which was next door to The Americano, I had to stop by to check out the new cocktails. In addition to an excellent Espresso Martini, I loved the new Live and Let Thai with tea-infused vodka, Velvet Falernum, Chocolate Spice bitters, pandan, blood orange and Prosecco, and the Fiore di Vitae with Salvadoreno coffee rum, Bacardi, pomegranate, lavender, Primitivo and Flores Bitters.
Tuesday, May 2: D & Y Chinese, Glendale. Back to our favorite Chinese restaurant! My mom actually discovered this gem when she was looking for a spot in the NW Valley that had roast duck, but now we’ve been here more often than they have. Not only do they have roast duck (which we usually get to-go), but they also have tanks with fresh lobster, crab, and fish. We try something different every time (the menu is much larger than that on the website), but my current favorite dishes are Westlake soup, salt and pepper pork chop, green beans with XO sauce, sugar pea shoots with garlic, salted fish and eggplant pot, salt and pepper lobster, and roast duck. TIP: Call ahead to reserve your duck order as they sometimes run out.
Some past feasts:
Wednesday, May 3: Arboleda, Scottsdale Quarter. If you’ve read my past Rubee Tuesdays, you already know that this is a favorite of mine. This time, we introduced Meridith May and her husband Bill Brandel, owners of The SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines, to this fantastic spot.
Worldclass Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico de bellota with sourdough tomato toast
I’ve already mentioned previous favorite dishes like hummus and WorldClass Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico de bellota with pan con tomate (above), but now I’m adding El Bulli olive spheres, foie gras cones, coffee and date-glazed duck breast, and Ibérico pluma to the list! Look for my Arboleda article in the next issue of A Taste of AZ magazine.
Baked Arizona with prickly pear sorbet and Chocolate Marshmallow Sundae paired with a Bonal divestivo at Arboleda
Thursday, May 4: Pomo Pizzeria, Biltmore. There’s a new location for your Neapolitan pizza fix! I’ve been a long time fan of Pomo and their fantastic pizza (and pasta) and featured them in my Phoenix Cooks cookbook. So of course we had to stop by for their Biltmore Grand Opening celebration and enjoy Aperol Spritzes, charcuterie, and a mini Neapolitan pizza.
We continued our ItalIan night with a first visit to Giuseppe's On 28th, a 20+ year Valley fixture. Cute, cozy neighborhood spot and friendly service, with my favorite dish being the lobster ravioli with sage butter special.
Check back next week for visits to Renata’s Hearth, The Phoenician Kentucky Derby Party, a Taste of AZ podcast at Wrigley Mansion, Prime at Gila River Resort & Casino at Wild Horse Pass
And you can follow along on my Instagram as I visit Course (new restaurant alert!), STK Steakhouse, Arboleda, Pa’La Downtown, and The Cave at Quartz Cocktail Bar.