RUBEE TUESDAY: Mariscos Playa Hermosa, Arboleda, Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse, First & Last, Little Debbie’s
Gambas píl píl and patatas bravas at Arboleda in Scottsdale Quarter
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.
Monday, March 27: Mariscos Playa Hermosa (Phoenix). After a fun time as a guest on In the Green Room chatting about food and wine, we visited this local favorite for Mexican seafood (they just celebrated 21 years). Recommended dish(s): If you can handle some habanero heat, order the agua chile tostada trio with black red, and mango-habanero salsas.
Wednesday, March 29: Back to Arboleda (first recap HERE). This time we returned as a hosted media visit (look for my upcoming A Taste of AZ podcast and article) and had even more fun chatting with executive chef Evan and chef Scott, owners Mitch and Bjorn, and beverage director Brandi - thank you for the excellent wine pairings! You can see more on my video Reel HERE.
Recommended dish(s): WorldClass octopus with cucumber and salsa macha, hummus and baba ganoush, hamachi with carrot purée and chili garlic crunch, patatas bravas with smoked pimentón espuma, gambas píl píl, and Argentine ribeye with Calabrian chili butter.
Argentine ribeye with Calabrian chile butter, aligot truffled potato purée and fire-roasted mushrooms at Arboleda
Friday, March 31: Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse (Carefree). We were celebrating my parents’ 59th wedding anniversary and when dad requested prime rib, I knew exactly where we would take them! I’m a huge fan of the Keelers and their restaurants (they also own Liberty Station Tavern), and Keeler’s has been on my “bring mom and dad” list for far too long.
Thank you to Chef Anthony and Christian, Matt, Ryan, Michael and Steve for spoiling us. My parents loved it, as we knew they would - dad said “this is my kind of place” and mom has requested that we go once a month! Recommended dish(s): New England clam chowder, ahi poke, shrimp scampi, and, of course, prime rib.
Saturday, March 31: First & Last (downtown Phoenix). I was long overdue for a visit to one of my favorite downtown spots. You can learn more about First & Last in my A Taste of AZ interview with owners Robb and Ashley Hammond.
Recommended dish(s): Butter braised leeks with Bearnaise sauce, oysters with Bloody Mary mignonette, crab with brown butter and fermented garlic, grilled Thai carrots with fermented cucumber and ginger-lime vinaigrette, cacio e pepe with Sonoran Pasta bucatini, and rotisserie porchetta with spoonbread.
TIP: They have a great wine and cocktail list too - our drinks pictured below were an Old Fashioned and Vicar in a Tutu (Laird’s apple brandy, tequila, Amaro Nonino, tawny port, lemon and lavender). You can also see a video Reel HERE.
And don’t miss their new Italian-inspired amari bar downstairs, called Little Debbie’s. As old Italian movies play in the background, you can enjoy amari samplers, cocktails and snacks - I loved the lavender Marcona almonds and the buttery clam conserva served with crackers. Recommended cocktails: La Vie en Rose (Braulio, Forthaven Red aperitivo, cava and lime), Heavy Petting (Ford’s gin, cassis, Carpano Antica vermouth, Fernet Branca and lemon), and Culture Club (Rucolino, Montenegro, St. George spiced pear and pineapple rum).
Espresso Martini and La Vie en Rose at Little Debbie’s
Little Debbie’s is open 6 pm to midnight Thursday through Saturday, and be sure to ask John for his cocktail and amaro suggestions!
Check back next week as I share photos of visits to Wren & Wolf, Weft & Warp, and Prime at Gila River Resorts and Casinos,
And follow along on my Instagram for this week’s visits to Blue Water Grill, Fabio on Fire, and Sottise.