Write On Rubee

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.

Filtering by Tag: Stock and Stable

RUBEE TUESDAY: December 7-11: Glenfiddich Dinner at Blue Hound, Fabio on Fire, The Boulders Resort, Stock and Stable

December 12, 2017  /  Christina Barrueta

A semi-weekly feature, Rubee Tuesday is a recap of my week's adventures in dining and drinking in the Phoenix area. 

The Boulders Resort and Spa

The Boulders Resort and Spa

Thursday, December 7: Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails at the Hotel Palomar Phoenix Kimpton is one of my favorite spots, so I accepted a media invitation with no hesitation. Last Thursday featured a special Glenfiddich event showcasing the Solera Reserve 15 year old (a personal favorite. aged in sherry casks) and two unique whiskies, part of their Experimental Series - the Glenfiddich IPA Experiment, finished in Speyside IPA barrels (with the IPA a collaboration between malt master Brian Kinsman and a local craft brewer) and Project XX, a blend by Kinsman of 20 malts chosen by 20 whisky experts from 16 countries.  Note: You can read my prior interview with Brian Kinsman here.

Glenfiddich Bue Hound Phoenix

Our educational evening was led by the knowledgeable and enthusiastic Michael Anderson, Luxury Spirits Specialist at Young's Market Company, and Chef de Cuisine Chris Neff made sure each pour was paired with a delicious dish. 

I started with an excellent Glenfiddich Blood and Sand by Phil Clark, head bartender, before a great dinner of: 

  • Course one: Pork belly with apple butter, pistachios, mustard greens, honey, and a wonderful beer vinegar made by Chef Neff. Paired with the Glenfiddich Solera Reserve.
  • Course two:  Diver scallops with fresh spinach tagliatelle, brown butter, butternut squash and fennel salad.  Paired with the Glenfiddich IPA.
  • Course three: Short rib with parsnip puree, smoked mushrooms, and cherry jus.  Paired with the Glenfiddich Project XX.

Friday, December 8: Back to Fabio on Fire, a neighborhood favorite (I've previously mentioned it here and here). This time I started with a special of mozzarella di bufala (Italian mozzarella made with buffalo milk) flown in from Naples with arugula, prosciutto di Parma, and a balsamic drizzle. For my main course, I ordered another special, a fantastic rack of lamb roasted in the wood-fired oven with rosemary and garlic potatoes. My husband had his regular order of an appetizer of meatballs and then the lobster ravioli with crabmeat sauce.  We ended with strawberry gelato and puff pastry diplomatico, and took home a dozen cookies, sfogliatelle, pandoro (a special holiday cake), and cannolis for my dad.  

Fabio on Fire

Saturday, December 9. I'm working on my next feature for Experience Scottsdale, an Aperol Spritz round-up.  I've chosen five great spots to enjoy this cocktail or its variations, including the Discovery Lounge at The Bouders Resort. Thanks to Culinary Director Chef Brian Archibald, I not only fell in love with their libation (made with a house barrel-aged Aperol), but spent the afternoon dining and imbibing. Look for details on those dishes and drinks on an upcoming recap here, and my Aperol Spritz list on ExperienceScottsdale.com.

Aperol Spritz Brian Archibald

One highlight was a new Boulders Flask cocktail for two, made with smoked ice cubes, the Boulders' exclusive Casa Noble Anejo, El Silencio mezcal, Aperol, Shrub & Co Blood Orange Shrub, lime, and honey water...and it needs a title! Want to win free cocktails and dinner? Enter the Facebook contest here by suggesting the name for this new drink. If yours is chosen, you'll win an etched Boulders glass flask containing cocktails for two, and two entrees from the Discovery Lounge menu at the Boulders Resort. Winner will be announced at 5 pm Monday, December 18, 2017 (UPDATE: Congratulations to Laura R on Facebook who won with El Corazón de Silencio, "The Heart of Silence") 

Dinner that night was a media invitation and return to a favorite, Stock and Stable (see past visits here and here, and a Rubee Tuesday visit here). I'm a big fan of Executive Chef Joe Absolor, so a special treat was having a chance to spend some time chatting with this talented chef. 

Joe Absolor

We grazed on kung pao cauliflower, corn dogs made with TenderBelly franks, and Philly cheesesteak rolls before diving into a double cheeseburger with garlic and rosemary frites and chef's spot-on suggestion of the Beer Butt Chicken (super juicy from a beer marinade and served with a lemony jus), ordered with a side of Brussels sprouts and Hasselback potato. Another great night at Stock & Stable, though too full for dessert! 

To browse past Rubee Tuesday recaps, visit this link. 

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categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Glenfiddich, corn dogs, Blue Hound, Palomar, Fabio on Fire, Stock and Stable, Boulders Resort, Joe Absolor, Brian Archibald

RUBEE TUESDAY, June 7-14: Stock & Stable, St. Francis, The Camby, Brickyard Downtown, U.S. Egg

June 14, 2016  /  Christina Barrueta

A recently launched feature, Rubee Tuesday is a recap of my week's adventures in dining and drinking in and around Phoenix.  

Achiote steelhead trout wrapped in banana leaves with sweet potato hash and mole at Artizen at The Camby (photo by Food & Lifestyles)

Monday, June 6.  I had already had plans with Angel of YayBabyBlog.com for lunch and after a great media introduction to Stock and Stable last week,  I had to return to explore more of the menu.  It didn't disappoint.  

Tuesday, June 7.  I had lunch at St. Francis with one of my favorite Valley chefs , super-talented culinary star Samantha Sanz of The Four Seasons Scottsdale (look for a future feature on what she is doing at Onyx).

Tuesday-Wednesday, June 7-8. I joined Food & Lifestyles for a staycation at one of my favorite hotels - The Camby.  It included interviews and photo shoots with Chef Dushyant Singh of Artizen and Libby Longlott of the Bee's Knees cocktail lounge.  They are both amazing talents introducing all-new menus this month.  Look for special features in the upcoming weeks. A preview of photos by Jenelle Bonifield of Food & Lifestyles:

Sunday, June 12. I've been wanting to get to Brickyard Downtown in Chandler and cocktails and appetizers before a Los Lonely Boys concert was the perfect excuse.  Verdict? Worth the 45-minute drive for us. I loved everything about it - the warm, inviting space with reclaimed elements, excellent craft cocktails from bartenders Henry and Tyler with mixologist Bobby Kramer, a delicious menu designed for grazing by Executive Chef Aaron Rickel (formerly of Elements), and friendly owner Gavin Jacobs. Bonus? YES! A bar with comfortable cushioned bar seats with backs which Gavin told me were custom-designed. 

Monday, June 13. I was invited to explore some of the gluten-free breakfast items at U.S. Egg, and my waffle, made with corn and rice flour, was a highlight.  Click on the picture below for more details of our visit. 

Check back next week when I attend a media preview of Honor Amongst Thieves, record another episode of Into the Soup with Michelle Jacoby of Bite Magazine and filmmaker Andrew Gooi, and head south to Tucson for the Tucson 23 and a staycation at JW Marriott Star Pass and then north to Sedona for an anniversary wine dinner at Mariposa and a stay at Sedona Rouge. 

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categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / The Camby, St. Francis, Brickyard Downtown, Stock and Stable

RUBEE TUESDAY, May 31-June 6: Bitter and Twisted, La Bocca, Stock & Stable, Tacos Chiwas, The Gladly

June 07, 2016  /  Christina Barrueta

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.

Tune in next week as I return to Stock and Stable and St. Francis, enjoy a staycation at The Camby, and visit Brickyard Downtown and U.S. Egg.

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categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / La Bocca, Bitter and Twisted, Stock and Stable, The Gladly