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 weekly feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.
The Honey-Do List cocktal at Poppy's Office in Scottsdale
Wednesday, October 11:The Mick Brasserie. The Mick is known for its fun and lively wine events, and a Taste of Argentina dinner sponsored by WorldClass was no exception.
This time, we traveled to South America with Catena Zapata wines and Chef de Cuisine Michael Winneker, who included award-winning WorldClass partners such as Devesa Argentine beef and FermínIberico pork. You can see more on my video reel by clicking the menu photo above.
The Mick Brasserie Chef de Cuisine Michael Winneker and chef-owner Brent Menke
Friday, October 13: Poppy’s Office (North Scottsdale). We were invited to a Friends & Family preview of Poppy's Office, a speakeasy ode to late hospitality entrepreneur Paul Keeler. What a loving tribute to this special man - concealed behind a bookcase, this cozy bar pays homage to Paul's private office, displaying personal mementos and his quotable "Poppyisms.” Click the photo below for my video Reel.
Saturday, October 14: Feeney’s (Phoenix). A family favorite with mom and dad for some of the best prime rib in town, old-school classics including Beef Wellington, and owner Maria’s Greek touches like flaming saganaki.
Monday, October 16: Back to Poppy’s Office to try more cocktails, this time for media night. For all the details of this hidden cocktail lounge next to Liberty Station Terravita, check out this press release.
Tuesday, October 17: JT Prime (Old Town Scottsdale). When our friend Chef Fidencio Alatriste of The Mexicano told me to pick a restaurant for our double date with his girlfriend Paulina, I knew just the spot. I’ve mentioned this hidden gem in previous Rubee Tuesdays, and it never disappoints.
In fact, we had such a fun time that we made plans to visit Fidencio at The Mexicano on Friday with Paulina and JT Prime GM Marcos and his wife.
Wednesday, October 18:Anhelo (downtown Phoenix). Anhelo is a favorite that I’ve written about in SOMM Journal, and featured as a guest host on A Taste of AZ podcast. On this visit, we were joined by Meridith May and Bill Brandel, owners and publishers of SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines, who were just as impressed as we always are.
Mushroom risotto with white truffles at Anhelo in downtown Phoenix
Thursday, October 19:CALA Alliance at Heritage Park in dowtown Phoenix. Thank you to our friend Gonzalo for inviting us to join him and his lovely wife for Sabor, CALA Alliance's annual benefit dinner and culinary event. It was a wonderful evening enjoying a Peruvian-inspired dining experience by Cloth & Flame.
Friday, October 20: The Mexicano (North Phoenix). As mentioned above, while at JT Prime, we made plans to gather once more, this time at The Mexicano where Fidencio chose some of his favorites, including killer new dishes:
Short rib con mole at The Mexicano in Phoenix
Guacamole with crabmeat, crispy honey-chipotle chicken wings, chicken tinga and street corn empanadas, Sonoran Dog, chicken a la brasa, carnitas “osso buco style” and short rib con mole.
A weekly feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.
WorldClass Polanco caviar service at The Mick Brasserie
Friday, July 21: Sugar Bowl (Old Town Scottsdale). One of my assignments brought us to this historic ice cream parlor and restaurant that opened in 1958. Loved the vibe (and strawberry malt and ice cream sundae). Our first visit, but we’ll be back!
Another assignment for the Scottsdale Visitors Guide was a great excuse to visit Richard Allison, beverage director at The House Brasserie (Old Town Scottsdale).
Wrapping up my Friday, we had a fun time (as always!) at Frasher’s Tavern. Thank you to chef-owner George Frasher, who had invited us to a special wine dinner where he cooked up some Rao-inspired dishes that he learned when they took over the Tavern for Super Bowl 2023.
Tuesday, July 25: TEXAZ Grill (Phoenix). We love this Phoenix institution, famous for its chicken fried steak, and need to come back more often. I also always order the fried okra, crispy jumbo shrimp, catfish, and peach pie a la mode.
Wednesday, July 26: I love when assignments bring to me see some of my favorite talents, like sommelier Nick Padua at Course (Scottsdale). You can also read about Course in my SOMM Journal column.
Our last stop was The Mick Brasserie, one of our favorite Scottsdale spots, not only for the fantastic food, but for the wine program (be sure to ask beverage director Jeff to suggest pairings). We also picked up the wines we had purchased at their Argentina wine dinner.
Recommended dishes from their new summer menu: Chef’s Caviar Preparation of the Day with WorldClass Polanco Siberian Reserve caviar, creme fraiche with gribiche (hard-boiled eggs, cornichons, chives, and capers) with pickled shallots and grilled brioche.
36-hour foccacia, chilled crab salad, and shrimp toast:
Check back on next week’s Rubee Tuesday as I visit Renata’s Hearth at Arizona Biltmore resort, Tia Carmen at JW Marriott Desert Ridge, Bitter & Twisted, Italian Daugher, and CRUjiente Tacos.
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.
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:
