RUBEE TUESDAY: Course, Arboleda, STK, Pa'La Downtown, The Cave at Quartz, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
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.
Congratulations to Chef Cory!
Wednesday, May 10: Course (Scottsdale). We were invited to make reservations for the Soft Opening and I couldn’t have been more excited! I’ve known chef-owner Cory Oppold for almost a decade, first meeting him when he was executive chef at Atlas Bistro. I knew his dream of having his own restaurant was a long time coming, and, wow, it was absolutely worth the wait.
Cory’s signature creative art-on-a-plate dishes are offered as a 10-course tasting menu Thursday through Saturday, and a 5-course tasting menu on Tuesdays and Wednesdays What an incredible evening! You’ll want to make reservations right now for this special spot that I predict will be one of the region’s defining restaurants in the culinary landscape for years to come; I forgot to take photos of dessert and wine labels, but you can see more on my video Reel HERE.
And did I mention the outstanding team he has assembled, like GM Nick Padua, who leads the beverage program?
Nicholas Padua of Course.
And it was so nice to see so many more familiar faces like Carlos, Joe, and Sheila. Course officially opened on May 11, and its “immature sibling” Morning Would started serving Sunday brunch on May 28. Look for my Course feature in the August issue of SOMM Journal!
Thursday, May 11: Arboleda (Scottsdale Quarter). To celebrate National Tourism Week, Visit Phoenix, the tourism board for Greater Phoenix, invited our group of writers and media pros for Happy Hour at Arboleda. You can see my video Reel below of a fun time at one of my favorite spots, with some of my favorite people!
And since master cocktail craftsman Richie Moe has joined the Arboleda team, we had to retire to the bar afterwards for some more libations.
That night, we headed to STK in Old Town Scottsdale, where we had been invited to a media preview of the Afternoon Tea they were offering for Mother’s Day the following Sunday. What a great idea! I loved the selection of tea sandwiches, scones and desserts, and champagne and cocktail options.
Afterwards, we were also treated to some more delicious bites from the Happy Hour menu, including tuna tartare tacos, falafel and tahini, calamari, short rib quesadillas, tater tots, calamari, and sliders.
Friday, May 12: Arboleda (Scottsdale Quarter). Back to Arboleda, this time with John Bergman, co-founder of WorldClass, who was visiting from Houston, and his team. I didn’t take many pictures as you can see photos from previous visits (including WorldClass jamón Ibérico, octopus, and Argentine ribeye) in past Rubee Tuesdays, but needless to say, it was another fantastic dinner.
Saturday, May 13: Pa’La Downtown (Phoenix). Since John was in town for the weeked, we happily took him up on another dinner invitation - Pa’La Downtown, one of my personal favorites (check out my column featuring Pa’La in the current ssue of SOMM Journal).
We were joined by chef Chris Brugman of Season Your Soul Hosptality (formerly of Mountain Shadows and Castle Hot Springs) and his wife Jill.
John had arranged a special omakase with chef-owner Jason Alford, including the pièce de résistance - whole suckling pig. The entire feast was spectacular! And special thanks to GM and beverage director Gilles Kolakowski for the excellent wine pairings.
Tagliatelle pasta with jamón dashi (made with WorldClass Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico leg, kombu, and bonito flakes) with spicy capicola, mushrooms, and Parmesan-Reggiano:
Tagliatelle pasta with WorldClass jamón Iberico dashi.
Oysters with tomato ponzu and smoked trout roe
Smoked mussel and cured mackerel hand rolls
Salmon crudo with sea scallop leche de tigre
Roasted carrots with Japanese curry, eggplant miso, and saffron honey
Arcadia Meat Market beef tartare with Japanese milk bread
Seared foie gras with black currant gastrique and duck fat financier
Wood-fire roasted suckling pig
Executive Chef Jason Alford, owner of Pa’La Downtow, and John Bergma, co-founder of WorldClass
Monday, May 15: The Cave at Quartz (Downtown Phoenix). A brand-new craft cocktail addition to downtown helmed by mixologist Maxwell Berlin (formerly of Glai Baan), Quartz offers two different cocktail experiences. The menu at Quartz, a more traditional bar, has specialty drinks based on birthstones, while the reservation-only Cave hidden behind it offers an exclusive menu of cocktails inspired by the deserts of the world.
Quartz in downtown Phoebix
Once you check into the host stand at the entrance to The Cave, you’ll be led down a beautiful rose gold mirrored hallway to your private booth and greeted with complimentary welcome cocktails, such as locally-owned Gran Ponche Mexicano passionfruit and sparkling blanc de blanc:
Complimentary welcome cocktails at The Cave in downtown Phoenix
Be sure to read the inspiration stories on each creative cocktail! Favorites included Dreamtime, The Dancing Herd, Tomb of the Fizzy Kitty, and Souk Sazerac.
Check out my video Reel HERE for more.
Souk Sazerac with overproof rye whiskey, Branca Menta, Moroccan green tea, camel fat, and lemon arrak sand
Conveniently right next door for post-cocktail eats is Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, which had been on my list for a while. You’ll want to add it to yours too. The crispy, juicy fried chicken lived up to the hype and I loved the fried green tomatoes and my sides of collard greens and fried okra too. Plus a shout-out for great service from Mary.
Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Epicenter at Agritopia, Tomaso’s, Festivin wine festival at The Wrigley Mansion, and a staycation at Mountain Shadows resort.