RUBEE TUESDAY: Epicenter at Agritopia, Podcast at The Mission, Tomaso’s, Festivin at The Wrigley Mansion, Mountain Shadows Resort, The Mick Brasserie
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.
Hearth ‘61 at Mountain Shadows resort
Tuesday, May 16: Epicenter at Agritopia (Gilbert - first visit is HERE). I’m working on a feature on founder Joe Johnston and some of the F&B offerings at Epicenter, including Source, Belly, and Undertow Gilbert, so returned with Meridith May and Bill Brandel, owners of SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines. Special thanks to Joe and Cindy Johnston who kindly made time to join us at Source!
Joe and Cindy Johnston chat with Meridith May, editor-in-chief and owner of SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines.
Chef Trevor Routman of Source
Pre-dinner drinks at Undertow Gilbert: We’re big fans of Undertow in Phoenix, but this was our first time visiting the Gilbert location. And congratulations! Undertow Gilbert was just announced as a Top 10 Nominee for “Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar” in the 17th annual Spirited Awards®
Fireside at Undertow Gilbert (Plantation O.F.T.D Overproof Rum, Germana Umburana cachaça, Jägermeister, pumpkin, pineapple, lemon, lime, condensed milk, and cinnamon).
Dinner at Belly: Grilled oysters with dashi butter & scallions, wok-fried green beans with bonito, orange chicken, chicken skewers, Vietnamese crab crepe (bánh xèo), and fried chicken.
Wednesday, May 17: The Mission Kierland (North Scottsdale). Christiaan Röllich was recently announced as the Bar Director for all of Chef Matt Carter’s restaurants (Fat Ox, The Mission and Zinc Bistro). To learn more about this superstar talent and author of Bar Chef – Handcrafted Cocktails, look out for our A Taste of AZ podcast.
A Taste of AZ podcast with Christiaan Röllich at the Mission Kierland (photo credit: Paige Irvin)
Later that night, we joined my parents for dinner at Tomaso’s in Phoenix. As I shared in this press release, The Maggiore Group closed Tomaso’s after 46 years with plans for a new restaurant honoring Tomaso Maggiore’s legacy.
During its last week of restaurant service, the Maggiores brought back 1977 menu items and prices. It was a special night and I’m so glad I was able to share one last meal here with my mom and dad.
Thursday, May 18: Wrigley Mansion (Phoenix). To kick off Festivin, their third annual wine festival, the Wrigley Mansion hosted a series of special dinners, including the Club Tresors Champagne dinner with Christine Mercnick of Grace Under Pressure. Click on the photo below for my separate Festivin Event Recap with more photos and videos.
Friday, May 19: Mountain Shadows resort (Paradise Valley). I joined a group of fellow writers for a Sneak Peek of Summer media staycation, and we were spoiled with an itinerary exploring all this beautiful property has to offer.
After checking in, we toured The Gallery with Curator Cece Cole. Be sure to check out the exhibits of local artists that rotate every two months.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious family-style lunch with a cocktail class with Beverage Director Jim Gallen, before spending the afternoon in our poolside private cabanas.
Soon it was time for sunset champagne sabering with Hearth ‘61 GM Jimmy (you can see him in action in my video Reel HERE).
Our dinner at Hearth ‘61 just happened to coincide with Arizona Restaurant Week. I loved my selections of sweet corn soup, striped bass, and berry layer cake. You’ll want to add this to your list the next Restaurant Week in the fall! My husband was just as happy with his appetizer of meatballs with artichokes and polenta, and THE BEST pork chop in the Valley - an incredibly juicy black pepper-glazed Duroc pork chop sliced and served with heirloom carrots and Jacob’s beans ragout.
Saturday, May 20. Before checking out, we headed back to Hearth ‘61 for brunch. My plans were for a healthy start to the day with a Green Machine smoothie with spinach, kale, parsley, pineapple, mango, and almond milk and maybe a yogurt parfait…until I saw Chef Carlos Rodriguez Rios’ fantastic specials. There were no regrets!
Then it was time to head back to Wrigley Mansion for more wine festival festivities, starting with a wine luncheon and cooking class with Geordie’s Executive Chef David Brito. Click David’s photo below to see more.
Monday, May 22: The Mick Brasserie (Scottsdale). I always love the wine dinners at the Mick, and this one celebrating Argentina with WorldClass ingredients like langoustines, octopus, Argentine beef, and dulce de leche paired with Siete Fincas wines from owner Edgardo Stallocca was my favorite one yet! Video:
A first course of grilled WorldClass langoustines with salsa criolla, lemon confit, garlic butter, and parsley foam
WorldClass Argentine dulce de leche mousse with chocolae ganache, port-compressed strawberries, and pailleté feuilletine
Edgardo Stallocca, founder of Siete Fincas wines
Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to JW Marriott Desert Ridge resort, The Mexicano, D&Y Chinese, and Francine.