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.
Starting this month, I am relaunching Rubee Tuesday, a weekly photo recap of my recent adventures in dining and drinking. You can see past Rubee Tuesdays HERE
Lincoln Steakhouse at JW Marriott Camelback Inn
February 28:Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey, Melrose District. This was my second visit to the downtown Phoenix outpost of Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey (the original is in Palm Springs), and we loved it just as much as the the Friends and Family opening in December. You can see a video Reel of that visit HERE. This time, we joined our friend Peter McQuaid (executive chef at Cala Scottsdale) and his colleague Dominic. Our fantastic feast started with octopus carpaccio featuring thin slices of tender WorldClass octopus adorned with preserved lemon, citron oil, herb oil, microgreens and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Any time I know there is octopus sourced from WorldClass (known for seeking out the best ingredients all over the world) on a menu, I have to have it. Our group of four also quickly polished off the char-grilled octopus served with creamy edamame hummus and crispy pops of bubu arare (round rice crackers).
We chose to dine omakase (meaning "I leave it up to you” where the chef chooses the courses - highly recommend!), starting with spicy tuna tostadas and ending with matcha cheesecake. Some of our delicious dishes:
And did I mention killer drinks? Pro tip: Order the Omakase Cocktail and be prepared for Josh to make you a spectacular off-menu libation.
March 1: Lincoln Steakhouse at JW Marriott Camelback Inn, Paradise Valley. Last month, I returned to this beautiful steakhouse to check out the new menu curated by Senior Sous Chef John Fraser. My husband and I were joined by Meridith May, editor-in-chief and co-owner of The SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines, and her husband Bill, and the four of us were duly impressed! You can see my video Reel HERE. On this month’s visit, we returned with a party of five who were just as dazzled with previous favorites like tableside French 75s and mussels with a caramelized onion and chorizo Kiltlifter beer broth, and new-to-me dishes such as Dover sole flown in from Europe with a velvety citrus beurre blanc. I also made a video Reel of this visit HERE.
Although I tend to order one of the stellar seafood dishes, Lincoln is also known for its steaks grilled to juicy perfection in a Josper high-heat hardwood charcoal-fired oven. You can order optional toppings such as king crab Oscar or the blue cheese and bacon pictured below, and for one of my go-to sides, try the decadent potatoes au gratin presented in a pool of creamy sauce made with local Crow’s Dairy goat cheese.
March 2: Hillstone, Central Phoenix. So many of our chef friends have recommended this spot as a go-to, so we were long overdue for a first visit. The French dip is justly famous (great fries too!) and I was just as happy with my roast chicken and kale salad.
March 3: Phoenix City Grille, Central Phoenix. I’m such a huge fan of this spot led by talented chefs Micah Wyzlic and Uriel Telix, and I’m not the only one as evidenced by the DMs I received when I posted these pictures. Be sure to check their website for weekend specials like these winners: A Spring Smash with PCG Wilderness Trails Barrel bourbon, peppercorn-strawberry syrup, basil and mint topped with sparkling Topo Chico, and and an incredible Broccoli Saltrado with sesame-chile glaze, papas fritas, oyster mushrooms and aji amarillo aioli - - one of the best veggie dishes I have ever had anywhere.
It’s also home to one of Phoenix’s BEST ribeyes - juicy, smoky WorldClassArgentine ribeye with local Ramona Farms tepary beans, roasted tomato salsa, avocado and pickled onions.
And whiskey fans already know, but PCG also hosts sold-out pairing dinners such as this Garrison Brothers experience I attended in 2021, and at any given time has four or five Old Fashioned variations like the Espresso and Freaky Tiki Manhattans we loved on this month’s visit.
Check back next week as I share photo recaps of: Phoenix Dish Fest, Arboleda, Paso Robles Cab Camp, and Arizona Cocktail Week events.
And follow along on my Instagram for this week’s visits to: Prime Steakhouse at Gila Rivers Casino Resort, Dirty Dough cookie shop, Little Pickle, Second Story Liquor Bar, a First Date with Fairmont Phoenix Hotel and Residences, the Grand Opening of STK’s new rooftop deck, and a ZD wine tasting at Trevor’s Liquors.
