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 recently launched feature, Rubee Tuesday is a recap of my week's adventures in dining and drinking in and around Phoenix.
Wednesday, June 1st. I was thrilled to find out I was Guest of the Week at one of my favorite spots (thanks Ross!), so of course a visit to Bitter and Twisted was in order. I worked my way through a trio of infused Negronis (rose, Earl Grey tea, and jasmine) and, as always, Chef Bob Tam's food was the perfect, delicious accompaniment.
Thursday, June 2nd. I also have a full-time job as a medical editor with a company called Integrity HD and my bosses and owners of the company were in Phoenix for their yearly trip. We had a great time catching up at La Bocca in North Scottsdale.
Thursday, June 2nd. One of my favorite PR industry professionals, Jan Brancamonte of J Lauren PR, celebrated five years with a rooftop party and cake and champagne at her office in Tempe.
Thursday, June 2nd. Afterwards, I attended a media preview for the opening of Stock and Stable, a fabulous new addition to midtown Phoenix. I loved the space, craft cocktails and the food, such as the double-cut pork chop with Noble bread, peaches and cipollini stuffing and the smoked corn manti with radishes, pepitas, feta cheese, and asparagus. In fact, I made plans to return next week for lunch with a friend. Photos below by Food & Lifestyles:
Saturday, June 4th. I spent a fun afternoon at The Gladly for the launch of Homeboy's Hot Sauce's new Verde, and a sneak peek at the The Gladly's Summer Cocktail list which debuts today (June 14). Click the picture below for a separate recap with details and photos by Chanelle Sinclair of iamchanelle photography.
Saturday, June 4. We FINALLY got to Tacos Chiwas, a place all my food-loving friends have been raving about. We got the namesake Tacos Chiwas (beef, ham and queso asadero), carne asada, and fried tripas tacos and rajas gorditas. Oh yes, we'll be back!
Sunday, June 5th. I joined friends (including Jenelle Bonifield of Food & Lifestyles and Sarah Mitchell of Eco Mama Green Clean) for dinner at a neighborhood favorite - Pomo. This time, I tried a new pasta and loved it. I'll be ordering it again - strozzapreti alla salsiccia with a creamy tomato sauce, ground sausage, rosemary, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
A recently launched weekly feature, Rubee Tuesday is a recap of my week's adventures in dining and drinking in and around Phoenix.
Bartender TJ and General Manager Kyle Mason of La Bocca
Tuesday, May 10, 2016, Lunch: After a media Arizona Restaurant Week preview where we were impressed with La Bocca Urban Pizzeria + Wine Bar, my friend Angel and I made plans to return for lunch. Cocktails were involved with a Vino Spritz for Angel, and a glass of Charles and Charles rosé and Corpse Reviver No. Blue for me. Note: La Bocca now uses a Coravin system to offer guests higher-end wines by the glass without committing to a bottle.
Angel ordered the Italian chicken salad sandwich, while my husband and I went with pizzas: The meat-heavy Bocca Trio for him and the brussels sprouts and pancetta pizza for me. After three visits to La Bocca in the last month, I can tell we'll be spending a lot of time here.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016, Lunch: After a meeting with the Scottsdale Convention and Visitor's Bureau (I'm excited to announce I will be a regular contributor!) I had to stop at Super Chunk Sweets and Treats in Old Town Scottsdale to pick up sandwiches. While this award-winning shop run by husband and wife team Country and Sergio Velador is stocked with delicious sweets, pastries, cookies,candy, ice cream, and fabulous popcorn, I'm also in love with the sandwiches on their addictive foccacia.
Housemade peanut butter with raspberry jam and cheddar
Wednesday, May 12, 2016, Dinner: If you're a regular reader (and I hope you are!), you'll know that Franco's Italian Caffe is one of our favorite restaurants in the Valley. I wrote my first article singing the praises of Franco's in 2013, and we've been back countless times since. This visit was with two other couples and, as always, it was a memorable night of delicious food, fine Italian wines, and great company.
Thursday, May 12, 2016, Dinner: Another highlight this past week was joining some wonderful friends, Chef Bob and Ross of Bitter and Twisted, AZ Republic Dining Critic Dom, and Margo and Grant, along with new friends, for a Cantonese feast at New Hong Kong.
Friday, May 13, 2016: After celebrating my friend Jenelle's photography award at LDV Wine Gallery, we stopped in for an old-school Italian meal at Uncle Sal's. I went with my usual order: Veal Fiorentina (pounded breaded veal cutlets with spinach and a pernod cream sauce).
Saturday, May 14: 2016: Acardia Premium. En route to dinner, I stopped by to pick up a package I had ordered at Arcadia Premium (along with these Arizona-made cocktail mixers). This gem of a store is stocked with an amazing selection of wine, beer, cheese, charcuterie, and other artisan items including some of my favorite Arizona products. And if you live in the area, there's another bonus - they deliver!
Saturday, May 14, 2016: Atlas Bistro is another favorite that has been mentioned more than once on this site. On this visit we were joined by our friends of Super Chunk (mentioned above) and AZ Bitters Lab. Thank you to our generous friends for the wine selection they brought to this BYOB restaurant. This place consistently impresses.
Foie gras with strawberries, pickled rhubarb, strawberry-rhubarb jam, and black pepper granola
Country, Sergio, Lill and Bill at our favorite table
Sunday, May 16, 2016: One of the Valley's best cocktail masters, Charlie Zeiler, is leaving the Mix Up Bar at the Royal Palms. See a prior interview here about this talented gent. We couldn't let that happen without saying goodbye. His amazing cocktail creations will be sorely missed. Congratulations Charlie and much success on your new adventure!
Kyle Mason of La Bocca with the refreshing Vino Spritz (watermelon, lemon, pinot grigio and vodka)
Arizona Restaurant Week returns for Spring 2016 on May 20th through the 29th. During this culinary event, over one hundred restaurants will offer special 3-course prix-fixe menus for $33 or $44. Recently, I was invited to three participating venues for a Restaurant Week media preview: White Chocolate Grill, La Bocca Urban Pizzeria + Wine Bar, and Tavern Americana. Here's a peek at what you can expect from their RW menus.
White Chocolate Grill is offering a menu for two people to share at $33 per person. My favorites were the salmon marinated with citrus, honey, and soy sauce served with Japanese cucumber salad, and the juicy sliced New York strip with creamy mushroom sauce.
La Bocca's menu include a choice from three starters, three main dishes, and three decadent desserts for $33 per person. Menu link here. It's hard to pass up pasta alfredo with prosciutto and garlic bread, and the pizza is always a winner.
For $33 per person, Tavern Americana menu offers these crowd-pleasing favorites. My favorites were chipotle shrimp to start, followed by baby back ribs, and finishing with the gooey and rich cookie dough skillet.
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.
