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 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.
Caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella, beets, and lemon herb vinaigrette paired with Ronco del Gnemiz Lozeta Sauvignon Blanc Colli Orientali del Friuli at Prime’s Italian wine dinner
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.
Thursday, April 7:Wren & Wolf, downtown Phoenix. Happy to be back after a long overdue visit! (Video Reel of our last dinner here).
Executive Chef Ivan Gonzalez of Wren & Wolf and Chico Malo in downtown Phoenix
Recommended dish(es): Ahi tuna tartare on crispy rice cake with black yuzu mole and WorldClass caviar; za’atar man’ouche with artichokes, Gouda and manchego; New England sea scallops with Cinco Jotas Ibérico ham, corn foam, fennel, smashed potatoes, and hazelnut vinaigrette; Argentine ribeye (with optional black truffle) and whipped potatoes.
Chef Ivan also spoiled us with a sneak peek of a new dish coming to the menu, and you’ll want to order this too - rich, fork-tender beef shank for two with creme fraiche bone marrow.
After dinner, we had drinks in the Trophy Room, a hidden cocktail lounge in Wren & Wolf, and one of our new favorites. You won’t see pictures of cocktails, however, because there’s a no-phone policy to encourage guests to disconnect. Check out the library card catalog charging drawers to store your phone.
Friday, April 7: Spice of Life dinner at Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen at Andaz Scottsdale. This incredible wine dinner paired two of AZ’s best, Executive Chef Dushyant Singh of Andaz and guest chef Subash Yadav of Mr. Momo, for a celebration of their Tibetan and Indian culture.
We began our evening on the beautiful patio with rosé and passed bites such as samosas and scallops with hummus and roe…
Tuesday, April 11: Prime at Gila River Resorts & Casino (Chandler). The latest wine dinner as part of their 2023 series celebrated Italy, and the team pulled out all the stops, including a limoncello welcome, poolside setting, and Italian musicians.
We already have our reservations for the next one, featuring South America. And stay tuned for more details in my upcoming article in SOMM Journal spotlighting this talented team and their superlative wine dinners.
Wednesday, April 12: Bluewater Grill (Phoenix). Our first time, but we’ll be back. A friend recommended it, and since I posted photos, others have shared their favorite dishes and that it also has a great Happy Hour. Recommended dish(es): Clam chowder and Cajun-spiced barramundi with jasmine rice, arugula and crab salad, and jalapeno-mango vinaigrette
And if you’re craving steak, try the juicy Argentine tenderloin with with scalloped potatoes and asparagus sauté.
Thursday, April 13: Osteria Mia (North Phoenix). When this chef-owned Italian restaurant opened 10 minutes from our home, it immediately became a neighborhood go-to. This time we had lunch after filming A Taste of AZ podcast with Luke Detraz and Justin Hege of Common Hospitality, one of Arizona’s best private chef teams. You can see my Reel of a special cocktail dinner Luke created for us last year below.
And I can’t believe I’ve never had the sandwiches at Osteria Mia! Loved the chicken parm on delicious housemade puccia, a traditional bread from Puglia, Italy.
Check back for my next Rubee Tuesday as I share photos of visits to Fabio on Fire, Sottise, Terra Tempe, Epicenter Agritopia, ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, The House Brasserie.
And follow along on my Instagram for next week’s visits to the Foodist Awards, Hearth ‘61, Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey, Arboleda, Mora Italian, and Rene in Sedona.
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.
Tuesday, March 14: Spanish wine dinner at Prime at Gila River Resort and Casinos. Last year, Prime launched what is one of the state’s premier wine dinner series and I was back for the kick-off to 2023 featuring Spanish wines. We were greeted on the rooftop patio with stunning views, sangria, and pinchos before moving to a private dining room where guest Master Carver Fernando Ortegawas carving acclaimed WorldClass Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico.
It was the perfect introduction to a fabulous Spanish tasting menu paired with spectacular Spanish wines. As always, the talented team here knocked it out of the park, and before we left, we had April’s Italian wine dinner booked. Watch more HERE on my video Reel.
Wednesday, March 15: The Gladly (Central Phoenix). For a visiting friend’s last meal before heading to the airport, we were off to The Gladly. A perfect lunch for me was a Negroni Sbagliato (where the gin is swapped out for prosecco) and chef-owner Bernie Kantak’s famous chopped salad. It’s a dish I often make for out-of-town guests too - I share the recipe I use here.
Dirty Dough, Scottsdale. I had been invited to check out the new Scottsdale location of Dirty Dough, so we swung by after lunch at The Gladly. One visit and you’ll be hooked on these cookies too! Pictured below is the Brookie (a brownie cookie stuffed with cookie dough and caramel), Chocolate Chip, Caramel Apple Pie (sugar cookie stuffed with apple pie filling and topped with caramel and cream cheese frosting), Reverse with Reeses (peanut butter cookie stuffed with fudge and garnished with crushed Reeses). I also posted an Instagram video Reel HERE.
Thursday, March 16: “First Date” for the Fairmont Phoenix Hotel and Residences opening in 2025 (downtown Phoenix). It’s always nice to catch up with world-renowned chef Alex Stratta who will lead the culinary program at Fairmont Phoenix. Learn more via this Press Release, and click HERE for a video Reel.
Alessandro “Alex” Stratta, a two-Michelin star and James Beard Award-winning chef, will lead the culinary program at Fairmont Phoenix.
STK Steakhouse (Old Town Scottsdale). Afterwards, we were off for the unveiling of STK Scottsdale’s beautiful new rooftop deck. They always know how to throw a party! Click the photo below for a full video.
Our last stop on this fun-filled day was Second Story in Old Town. If you haven’t been in a while (like me), it’s high time to revisit this gem. Chef Jordano Sessions is back and I’d recommend every delicious dish we tried. Our feast included crispy rice cakes with furikake, cured egg yolk, and gochujang; yellowtail crudo with lemon-chile ponzu; Korean pork belly roll with sake-soy glaze and pickled cucumber salad; trenne and jamón Ibérico pasta special; grouper with sake steamed rice and passionfruit sauce; jerk pressed chicken with charred pineapple fried rice and coconut rum jus. You can see more pictures and listen in on Chef Jordano describing some of the dishes on my Instagram here.
Rice cakes and yellowtail crudo at Second Story Restaurant and Bar in Old Town Scottsdale
Friday, March 17:Little Pickle at The Esplanade. We’ve been friends with MercBar owner Rick Philips, whom we first met when he was owner of Bootleggers, and over the years we’ve been treated to the killer pastrami and lox he has been perfecting. So it’s no surprise that the opening of Little Pickle has been met with resounding success. He has a gift for coaxing melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and flavor from meat and fish to create superlative renditions of Jewish deli favorites such as pastrami, corned beef, and lox. We’re fans of the whitefish, latkes, matzo ball soup, and egg salad too - can’t wait to try more! Pro tip: Order ahead on-line to avoid a wait.
NOTE: Get there now as Little Pickle will close temporarily on April 7th before they relocate to a more permanent location (stay tuned for updates!)
Friday night: ZD Wine Tasting at Trevor’s Liquor in North Scottsdale. For our first visit to the beautiful new location on Mayo Blvd, a fun ZD Wine Tasting ($30 pp) was the perfect excuse. We were greeted with bubbly, treated to charcuterie boards, and owner and winemaker Brett Deleuze led us through tastings of ZD 2021 Chardonnay, 2021 Pinot Noir, and a comparison of the 2019 and 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (insider’s scoop: Trevor's owns all of the 2012 Cabs in AZ).
And if you haven’t been, the newest location is spectacular! Watch my Reel below to see Beverage Director Jordan Chandler lead me on a tour of the 15,000 square-foot space offering retail space including champagne and whiskey rooms, a dog-friendly patio, pizzeria, humidor, cigar lounge, indoor golf simulator, and more.
Check back next week as I share photo recaps of visits to Vecina, ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, Pa’la Downtown, Eden Bar and Blue Hound Kitchen at Hotel Palomar, and Anhelo.
And follow along on my Instagram for this week’s visits to: Mariscos Playa Hermosa, Arboleda, Keeler’s Steakhouse, First & Last and Little Debbie’s.
