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.
September 22-24: Nogales and Tucson. Stay tuned for a recap of my press trip to Nogales, Arizona (and a stop at Charro Steakhouse in Tucson) on the Travel section. What a great introduction to this city and the warm, friendly people.
Monday, September 25:Gallo Blanco (downtown Phoenix). We were invited to attend an exclusive IZO Spirits pairing dinner at one of our favorite Mexican spots. Our night began with an IZO tasting in the bar, before joining Luke and Paige Irvin of A Taste of AZ for this wonderful dinner:
And: Glazed glazed pork belly with cannellini beans and escarole Pasta al pomodoro Meatballs with fregola, pesto, and ricotta salata WorldClass Argentine NY strip steak Crispy eggplant with Calabrian chile marmalade Asparagus with confit garlic aioli
Thursday, September 28: Federal American Grille (North Scottsdale). We were invited to attend this fun (and delicious) Basil-Hayden cocktail dinner, a perfect excuse to check out the first location of Houston’s Federal American Grill outside of Texas.
As Basil-Hayden has been named the official American whiskey of the U.S. Michelin Guide, we were treated to excellent cocktails paired with exclusive Michelin chef recipes.
It was also a pleasure to meet our friendly host, Federal American Grill Operating Partner Steve Parker. We’ll be back to explore the menu!
Friday, September 29:Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria (Cottonwood). We joined fellow guests for a private ribbon-cutting and after-party to celebrate the opening of Maynard James Keenan’s newest, and most beautiful, tasting room. I’ll be sharing more on my weekend in Cottonwood in a future Travel feature, but for now, click the photo below to watch my video reel.
Monday, October 2: J.T. Prime (Old Town Scottsdale). We were overdue for a visit to this Old Town gem, so when GM Marcos told me we had to check out the secret Happy Hour menu, we made plans for a visit. We happened to be the first to order off of the October menu (Black Widow for me and Nightmare on Bourbon Street for my husband). The menu changes monthly but you’ll have to visit between 3-5 pm and ask for the secret menu.
Of course, we also stayed for dinner for some of our favorites dishes including beef carpaccio, Del Mar Duo with octopus and jumbo tiger shrimp, short rib ravioli with gorgonzola cream sauce, Prime New York strip, and sea bass.
Tuesday, October 3:The Herb Box (North Scottsdale). We were invited to the Herb Box and chose this location as I had never been. What a great spot to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon. And bonus! I had a chance to check out two brand-new fall cocktails - Pumpkin Pie Martini and Apple Crisp Cider.
Wednesday, October 4:Omni Tempe at ASU (downtown Tempe). It was our first time at this beautiful Tempe hotel and it was impressive! We had been invited to stay and experience its amenities, including the lobby Neighborhood Services Bar + Restaurant and rooftop Lucero, along with a hotel tour. This will be another special spot I will feature in my Travel section, but for now, you can watch my video reel by clicking the rooftop photo below:
Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Heritage at Sportsman’s Park, Bourbon & Bones, JW Marriott Camelback Inn, a podcast at Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey, and Gallo Blanco Cafe.
In early April, the third location of The Herb Box opened at The Colony, a new mixed-used development at Seventh Street and Missouri Avenue in midtown Phoenix. I first frequented The Herb Box at DC Ranch in Scottsdale and, after it opened in 2011, the The Herb Box at Southbridge in Old Town. In fact, I listed their smoked salmon hash as part of my Perfect Food Day in the Phoenix New Times that same year. Through its expansion, The Herb Box has always drawn crowds with its hallmark of fresh, seasonal dishes and inviting, airy spaces, and the newest location is in keeping with this philosophy. Outside, a pretty patio is lined with blooming planters and trellises intertwined with fragrant jasmine. Inside, it is light and bright with floor-to-ceiling windows and soaring ceilings warmed by reclaimed wood and accented with pops of orange and cobalt blue. I had recently enjoyed lunch (favorites included the Korean fried cauliflower, crab dip with plantain chips, and signature butternut squash and corn enchiladas), but this would be our first visit for dinner.
We began with pre-dinner cocktails: "The Martinez" (Bombay Sapphire Gin, sweet vermouth, Luxardo cherry liqueur and angostura bitters) and a "Twisted Manhattan" (Woodford Reserve, Disaronno and luxardo cherry juice).
Our dining choices were guided by the welcoming and knowledgeable Katia Breunig (Private Dining Coordinator at The Herb Box), and her recommendation for the brussels sprouts chips was a winner. I can see why these are a best-seller. Light and crunchy, they were fried to salted crisps, spiked with a hint of chile heat, and plated with a creamy vegan aioli studded with roasted yellow pepper. This self-professed chips and dip addict has a new favorite, healthier option.
My "I'm not big on vegetables" husband was likewise converted, commenting more than once how much he liked his edamame hummus. Flecked with jalapeño and cilantro, at The Herb Box, an ordinarily humble hummus was further elevated by the textural contrasts of candied pumpkin seeds, edamame beans, sliced radishes, and pea sprouts.
He was just as happy with his main course - a juicy filet embellished with ancho-bourbon demi-glace, gorgonzola cream, and a salad of warm green beans and smashed fingerling potatoes with fennel, blistered tomatoes, and Rogue Creamery’s Smokey Blue cheese..
More often than not, I order seafood and am always happy to see trout on a menu. Here it was deliciously butterflied and char-grilled with watercress butter, topped with a colorful array of pickled baby lima beans and beets, and served with a skillet corn and leek gratin.
We were told the desserts would be changing, so if this is gone, you'll have missed out on the Espresso Bomb with layers of rich brownie and decadent coffee mousse.
With a menu of fresh veggie-focused dishes, vegan options, gluten-free choices, heartier fare, and sweet treats, The Herb Box offers something for everyone.
The Herb Box at the Colony is located at 5538 N 7th St #100, Phoenix, AZ 85014, Phone:(602) 635-4965.
El Chiquito (Fernet Branca, Contratto Rosso vermouth, soda, lime
Cauliflower with currants and almonds
Pulpo/grilled octopus with potatoes and paprika
Beef milanesa sandwich topped with a fried egg
Wednesday, 5/4/2016 (Part I): I joined the fabulous team of VisitPhoenix along with some of my favorite travel writers for a media luncheon to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week at the new Herb Box at the Colony (look for an upcoming dinner recap when I return next week).
Wednesday, 5/4/2016 (Part II): After the Herb Box, I met up with some fellow USBG Phoenix members at Ocotillo for brainstorming on a Moscow Mule fundraiser while I enjoyed some cocktails. It's always nice to spend time with Kim, Lillian, Kirti, and Cristen and I think we came up with a great game plan. A special treat was to run into friends filmmaker Andrew Gooi, Stephanie Sanstead with the Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass, and Chef de CuisineRyan Swansonof Kai. Be sure to check out the video below with Geoffrey Wilson's fabulous Write On Rubee cocktail (gin, chartreuse, Campari, egg white, and Serrano Spice) at Ocotillo.
Andrew Gooi, Stephanie Sanstead and Chef Ryan Swanson
Wednesday, 5/4/2016 (Part III): Due to car trouble, AAA and a car tow (with great service from Jesse!) we ended up with an impromptu Part III. We finished our day at The Capital Grille in North Scottsdale treating Ernie, Jr. to dinner as a thank-you for driving us home. One of our favorite steakhouses, it's always great to see manager Brian and bartender Matt (and order my favorite lobster mac 'n cheese in town).
Thursday, 5/5/2016: I had a fabulous time at the fun and festive Cinco de Mayo media preview of Counter Intuitive's 1929 Agua Caliente episode which debuted on May 6th to the public (click on photo for more pictures).
Friday, 5/6/2016: Write On Rubee celebrated a 2016 Favorite Local Food Website win at Arizona Foothills Magazine Best of Our Valley Bash at the SandBar (and nice to chat with Favorite Mixologist winner Jon Crone of Proof and Brian Leeds of Hopdoddy's!) We later retired to La Bocca to end the evening with our friends and fellow winners Tram Mai (Channel 12 winner of Favorite TV Personality) and her husband Steve Kraus (Favorite Valley Dad) and owner of Press Coffee Food and Wine (Best Sky Harbor Airport Dining).
Afterwards, photographer Jenelle Bonifeld and I lunched at Andreoli's, an Italian favorite in North Scottsdale which I've previously mentioned here and here.