RUBEE TUESDAY: The Vig Park West, Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion, Pho Tan Thanh, Casa Filipina
I publish round-ups every Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.
The Vig Park West in Peoria
Tuesday, January 2: The Vig Park West (Peoria). We were in the area running errands, so it was the perfect chance to finally visit this location, which opened in May (read more here). As we’ve experienced at other Vigs, we loved the casual, comfortable vibe, friendly service, and executive chef Jeremy Pacheco’s menu that highlights local ingredients. Our impromptu dinner included the Brussels sprouts salad with roasted squash, candied cashews, and bacon for me, and the French Dip for Ernesto:
Wednesday, January 3: Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion (Phoenix). It’s no secret that I think that James Beard award-winning Chef Christopher Gross helms one of the best restaurants in the country, and our latest visit was just another confirmation. This time, we had reservations to enjoy the three-course Classics menu served on Tuesday and Wednesday nights (a ten-course tasting menu is offered Thursday through Saturday - see a video of our anniversary dinner here).
Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix
Be sure to enjoy some craft cocktails, which are just as impressive as the food and the wine list.
Cocktail menu at Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion
I love savory components in my cocktails, so started with Foie Gras (foie gras-washed rum, aged lavender syrup, and bitters) and ended with Cep Mushroom (Del Bac whiskey, vermut blanc, Amer Picon, mushrom broth).
I’ll be sharing a video with more from our visit, but for my three courses, I chose Christopher’s signature foie gras terrine, an incredible Two Wash Ranch guinea hen (I added optional shaved white truffles), and cognac baba, a dessert created for last year’s Louis XIII Remy Martin dinner.
We were also spoiled with bonus desserts, including this luxurious Saint-André cheese and its clever look-alike dessert counterpart.
Thursday, January 4: Phở Tan Thanh (Peoria). We spent the afternoon with my parents shopping at Lee Lee’s market and then an early dinner at the Vietnamese restaurant inside the store.
Bánh Xèo at Phở Tan Thanh in Peoria
Our spread included three of my favorite Vietnamese dishes: chả giò (Vietnamese spring rolls), bánh xèo (a crispy rice flour crepe stuffed with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts), and bánh hỏi thịt heo quay (BBQ pork served with rice noodle squares, lettuce, herbs, and rice paper to make your own rolls).
Friday, January 5: Casa Filipina (Phoenix). I finally carved out time to return to my favorite Filipino spot, and it was so nice to see Tony and Tess again! In 2015, I wrote a comprehensive blog post which you can read here.
We ordered what have become four favorites: Lumpiang Shanghai (Filipino egg rolls), binagoongan (eggplant and pork belly with fermented shrimp paste), tortang talong (eggplant omelette), and chicken inasal (marinated chicken grilled and served with pancit and rice).
And because it had been so long since my last visit, I bought more than the usual treats to take home.
Chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies, ube cheesecake, baklava, macapuno/coconut tart, ensaymada (sweet bun), sapin-sapin (layered coconut and sticky rice cake), pan de sal (rolls), adobong mani (garlic fried peanuts), and atchara (pickled papaya relish):
Coincidentally, they happen to be featured in the current issue of PHOENIX magazine - “Dine Around the World” - so make sure you pick up a copy!
Check back on next week’s Rubee Tuesday for visits to Cucina Tagliani, Arboleda, EVO North Scottsdale, Citizen Public House, and Donabe.
Last week’s photo recap features Global Ambassador, Hermosa Inn, Ember at We-Ko-Pa Resort and Casino, Valentine, and Bar 1912.