An Arizona-based food, beverage and travel writer since 2008, I launched this website in 2015 to document my culinary adventures, beverage escapades, gardening endeavors, and travel in the Phoenix area and beyond. Also find a comprehensive calendar of Phoenix-area food and drink-related events on my Events page.
A weekly feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.
Heritage at Sportsman’s Park
Thursday, October 5: Heritage at Sportsman’s Park (Glendale). We were invited to the Heritage Showcase as an introduction to this three-floor event venue next to State Farm Stadium. The first floor offers a beer garden, patio and adjacent Great Lawn, while the third floor is perfect for rooftop events.
The second floor at Heritage at Sportsman’s Park event venue in Glendale, Arizona
Our gathering on the second floor treated us to an al fresco affair featuring cocktails and bites by local producers and chefs, curated by Insignia Event Services.
The Great Lawn is also home to Heritage Night Market, which takes place on the first and third Thursdays of the month. I checked it out on my way out and fell in love with Hoyo’s East African Cuisine, with a fantastic beef sambosa, chicken curry and rice, and Somalian hot sauce.
Friday, October 6: Bourbon & Bones Chophouse (Peoria). We were thrilled when this location of Bourbon & Bones opened in July less than 10 minutes from our house.
Bone-in ribeye Oscar-style with WorldClass king crab at Bourbon & Bones Chophouse in Peoria, Arizona
Our first experience was just as stellar as our visits to the original in Scottsdale, and before we left, we had made another reservation for next month.
Sunday, October 8:JW Marriott Camelback Inn (Paradise Valley). We were invited to the inaugural Cocktail Confidential class at Lincoln Steakhouse - what a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Click on the photo below for my video Reel of mixologist Ricky and his cocktails, and check out my Event Calendar for November and December dates.
Monday, October 9: Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey (Melrose District). For my latest A Taste of AZ podcast as guest host with co-host Luke Irvin, we joined executive chef Chris Wolfe and beverage manager Joshua Martinez of Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey.
Stay tuned for for its airing, along with my A Taste of AZ magazine interview with chef-owner Engin Onural.
Executive chef Chris Wolfe of Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey in Phoenix
Afterwards. we headed to Gallo Blanco Cafe in downtown Phoenix for two dishes that we order every time - Envuelto (al pastor folded inside of melted asadero with fresh pineapple) for me and Huevos Rancheros for my husband Ernesto.
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.
Hearth ‘61 at Mountain Shadows resort
Tuesday, May 16:Epicenter at Agritopia (Gilbert - first visit is HERE). I’m working on a feature on founder Joe Johnston and some of the F&B offerings at Epicenter, including Source, Belly, and Undertow Gilbert, so returned with Meridith May and Bill Brandel, owners of SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines. Special thanks to Joe and Cindy Johnston who kindly made time to join us at Source!
Joe and Cindy Johnston chat with Meridith May, editor-in-chief and owner of SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines.
Pre-dinner drinks at Undertow Gilbert: We’re big fans of Undertow in Phoenix, but this was our first time visiting the Gilbert location. And congratulations! Undertow Gilbert was just announced as a Top 10 Nominee for “Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar” in the 17th annual Spirited Awards®
Fireside at Undertow Gilbert (Plantation O.F.T.D Overproof Rum, Germana Umburana cachaça, Jägermeister, pumpkin, pineapple, lemon, lime, condensed milk, and cinnamon).
Dinner at Belly: Grilled oysters with dashi butter & scallions, wok-fried green beans with bonito, orange chicken, chicken skewers, Vietnamese crab crepe (bánh xèo), and fried chicken.
Wednesday, May 17: The Mission Kierland(North Scottsdale). Christiaan Röllich was recently announced as the Bar Director for all of Chef Matt Carter’s restaurants (Fat Ox, The Mission and Zinc Bistro). To learn more about this superstar talent and author of Bar Chef – Handcrafted Cocktails, look out for our A Taste of AZ podcast.
A Taste of AZ podcast with Christiaan Röllich at the Mission Kierland (photo credit: Paige Irvin)
Later that night, we joined my parents for dinner at Tomaso’s in Phoenix. As I shared in this press release, The Maggiore Group closed Tomaso’s after 46 years with plans for a new restaurant honoring Tomaso Maggiore’s legacy.
During its last week of restaurant service, the Maggiores brought back 1977 menu items and prices. It was a special night and I’m so glad I was able to share one last meal here with my mom and dad.
Thursday, May 18:Wrigley Mansion (Phoenix). To kick off Festivin, their third annual wine festival, the Wrigley Mansion hosted a series of special dinners, including the Club Tresors Champagne dinner with Christine Mercnick of Grace Under Pressure. Click on the photo below for my separate Festivin Event Recap with more photos and videos.
Friday, May 19: Mountain Shadows resort (Paradise Valley). I joined a group of fellow writers for a Sneak Peek of Summer media staycation, and we were spoiled with an itinerary exploring all this beautiful property has to offer.
After checking in, we toured The Gallery with Curator Cece Cole. Be sure to check out the exhibits of local artists that rotate every two months.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious family-style lunch with a cocktail class with Beverage Director Jim Gallen, before spending the afternoon in our poolside private cabanas.
Soon it was time for sunset champagne sabering with Hearth ‘61 GM Jimmy (you can see him in action in my video Reel HERE).
Our dinner at Hearth ‘61 just happened to coincide with Arizona Restaurant Week. I loved my selections of sweet corn soup, striped bass, and berry layer cake. You’ll want to add this to your list the next Restaurant Week in the fall! My husband was just as happy with his appetizer of meatballs with artichokes and polenta, and THE BEST pork chop in the Valley - an incredibly juicy black pepper-glazed Duroc pork chop sliced and served with heirloom carrots and Jacob’s beans ragout.
Saturday, May 20. Before checking out, we headed back to Hearth ‘61 for brunch. My plans were for a healthy start to the day with a Green Machine smoothie with spinach, kale, parsley, pineapple, mango, and almond milk and maybe a yogurt parfait…until I saw Chef Carlos Rodriguez Rios’ fantastic specials. There were no regrets!
Then it was time to head back to Wrigley Mansion for more wine festival festivities, starting with a wine luncheon and cooking class with Geordie’s Executive Chef David Brito. Click David’s photo below to see more.
Monday, May 22: The Mick Brasserie (Scottsdale). I always love the wine dinners at the Mick, and this one celebrating Argentina with WorldClass ingredients like langoustines, octopus, Argentine beef, and dulce de leche paired with Siete Fincas wines from owner Edgardo Stallocca was my favorite one yet! Video:
A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can readpast Rubee Tuesdays HERE.
The Arizona Biltmore
Friday, May 5:Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix. At the Phoenix Open back in February, I ran into talented sous-chef Leo Kuang of Renata’s Hearth at the Arizona Biltmore, and had been trying to carve out time in my crazy schedule to see him ever since.
Serendipitously, we happened to book our reservation on Cinco de Mayo and enjoyed some Patron cocktails and chef bites in the courtyard before dinner.
We then headed to the dining room. Chef Leo and team guided us in our choices - what a spectacular meal! My last visit was over a year ago, and we had stayed away far too long. Our round of starters included tender-smoky WorldClass Octopus a la Veracruz with patatas bravas and Spanish chorizo.
And, of course, if I see luxurious WorldClass Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico de bellota on a menu, I have to order it.
More winners: Guacamole; Basque Sandwich Bites with jamón Ibérico, Manchego cheese, and truffle plus polenta fries (we order this every time);yellowtail ceviche with avocado mousse, charred tomatillo broth, cucumber, and crispy shallots; and stonefruit salad with winter greens, smoked requesón cheese, and honey vinaigrette made with WorldClass Argentine honey.
Somehow we saved room for entrees and sides, all of which are now also on my must-order list like roasted WorldClass seabass with mole verde and Peruvian rice.
And smoked Wagyu brisket with warm tortillas and rojo, verde, and cashew salsas; Caledonian prawn & scallop rossejat; patatas a la Huancaina (fingerling potatoes with aji amarillo and queso fresco); and warm fava beans with serrano-oregano butter and hen-of-the-wood mushrooms.
We packed up leftovers to-go because we had to squeeze in these decadent desserts (coconut tres leches cake with Bavarian cream, coconut Anglaise, and Chocotorta with caramel cream, champurrado sauce, and whiskey vanilla ice cream) and a Mezcal Carreño flight.
You can also watch our memorable night with our fab server Dani and Chef Leo in my video Reel HERE.
Saturday, May 6: Mowry & Cotton at The Phoenician resort for a Kentucky Derby Porch Party. We were invited to join the festivities at one of my favorite resorts and we are now going to make it a yearly tradition! Mowry & Cotton was a beautiful setting to sit indoors, or on the patio, to enjoy delicious food and excellent cocktails while watching the Derby. And it was so nice to run into Krista (aka @eatlovetravelplay).
And because we didn’t want the fun times to end, we headed upstairs with Krista and her husband Bill for a couple of rounds of cocktails at the Thirsty Camel bar.
Monday, May 8: Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix. Stay tuned for another A Taste of AZ podcast! This time I joined hosts Luke and Eric as we sat down with Executive Chef David Brito and Wine Director Jason Caballero of Wrigley Mansion.
And since it’s always a good time at The Wrigley, after the podcast, Jason took us on a tour of the wine cellar and we indulged in Montenegro shots, Fernet, and…a champagne gun.
Tuesday, May 9:Prime at Gila River Resorts & Casinos at Wild Horse Pass. As you’ve seen in past Rubee Tuesdays, we’re huge fans of the wine dinner series at Prime and have yet to miss one. On May 9, they invited guests to explore South America as the last in the spring series (but they’ll be back in the fall!).
Majdi Kayyali. Corporate Vice President of F&B for Gila River Resorts & Casinos, and Advanced Sommelier Troy Tranzow of Prime
We live about an hour away from the resort, so thank you to the team for hosting us for an overnight stay in one of their beautiful suites!
Linda welcoming us with Camille’s Maracuya con Mead with passionfruit and honey
As always, Prime Executive Chef Michael Dei Maggi had fun with the themed region, explaining his inspiration before serving each delicious dish.
And if you’re showcasing South America, it’s no surprise that WorldClass ingredients were on the menu - this night, it was their octopus, sea bass, Argentine beef ribeye and tenderloin, and dulce de leche (it was also a nice surprise to see WorldClass co-founder John Bergman, who joined his team for his first experience at one of Prime’s wine dinners).
Check out this incredible line-up curated by Advanced Sommelier Troy Tranzow, including the bonus addition of Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades rosé champagne!
And as always, we had to have a nightap at the bar with rockstar cocktail expert Camille, who created the welcome non-alcoholic refresher Maracuya con Mead and the Pisco cocktails for the dessert pairing. And we found out Camille has more hidden talents - such as the amazing boozy chocolates we were surprised with.
Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Course, a Visit Phoenix tourism bureau Happy Hour, STK Scottsdale, Arboleda, Pa’La Downtown, The Cave at Quartz, and Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken.
