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.
Friday, August 4:Bobby-Q BBQ (Phoenix). I couldn't recall my most recent visit to this place (the last time I went to a Bobby-Q was at the Biltmore location), but it’s one of my dad's favorite spots, and I’ll be bringing my parents back pronto! (You can also watch my video reel here).
While the picturesque brick-walled patio with its corner fountain is as inviting as ever, the interior has almost doubled in size. The side bar has been converted to a second dining room, making it an ideal location for large parties and private events.
Of course, there’s award-winning BBQ, but I also discovered a great new cocktail list (like my Passion Fruit Mai Tai to wash down smoked chicken wings), daily specials like Fish Fry Friday, and creamy caramel pecan cheesecake.
I’m already planning to return on a Sunday afternoon with mom and dad.
Saturday, August 5:PHOENIX magazine Best Fest. This is the second year for this fun food festival hosted by PHOENIX magazineto celebrate the people and businesses in the magazine's annual Best of Valley issue. Click the photo below to watch my video reel.
Afterwards, we stopped by Anhelo (downtown Phoenix) for a cocktail. Loved the Diega Bonita with Mexican Diega Rosa gin, Belle de Brillet, lavender honey, and cava.
Chef-owner Ivan Jacobo also spoiled us with some new dishes from that night’s tasting menu (one of Arizona’s best dining experiences - I’ll be sharing photos from our upcoming dinner reservation): Spot prawn tart, pasta carbonara with mascarpone, crispy prosciutto, and egg yolks whipped with bacon fat, and his silky chawanmushi with lemon bubbles and caviar (which has since become a signature dish).
Wren & Wolf (downtown Phoenix). Earlier in the week, we had made reservations when WorldClass had let me know that they had flown in gorgeous Argentine truffles. Executive chef Ivan Gonzalez always creates something spectacular with their ingredients, and he hit it out of the park once again. We put our dinner choices in his hands and were spoiled with roasted bone marrow topped with A5 Wagyu and WorldClass caviar and black truffles, and Za’atar man’ouche stuffed with gouda and showered with more truffles.
For our main: His famous Beef Wellington (with WorldClass Devesa beef tenderloin) for two with whipped Parmesan potatoes and rich demi-glace. What a feast!
Sunday, August 6: Chilte (downtown Phoenix). I had been wanting to return to Chilte ever since this first visit, and the Compa Spirits dinner was the perfect excuse.
And what a dinner it was with a power team of three innovative talents - executive chef Lawrence Smith, guest mixologist Arlene Bean (MercBar, Highball), and Abel Arriaga, founder of Compa Spirits.
Compa Spirits seeks out boutique distillers and wineries throughout Mexico, and Arlene’s cocktail creations made with these artisanal spirits and paired with Lawrence’s creative dishes was an outstanding experience.
Check back on next week’s Rubee Tuesday for visits to Paradise Valley Burger Company, a truffle dinner in the wine cellar at Lon’s at The Hermosa, and Last Course at Andaz.
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.
Thursday, April 7:Wren & Wolf, downtown Phoenix. Happy to be back after a long overdue visit! (Video Reel of our last dinner here).
Recommended dish(es): Ahi tuna tartare on crispy rice cake with black yuzu mole and WorldClass caviar; za’atar man’ouche with artichokes, Gouda and manchego; New England sea scallops with Cinco Jotas Ibérico ham, corn foam, fennel, smashed potatoes, and hazelnut vinaigrette; Argentine ribeye (with optional black truffle) and whipped potatoes.
Chef Ivan also spoiled us with a sneak peek of a new dish coming to the menu, and you’ll want to order this too - rich, fork-tender beef shank for two with creme fraiche bone marrow.
After dinner, we had drinks in the Trophy Room, a hidden cocktail lounge in Wren & Wolf, and one of our new favorites. You won’t see pictures of cocktails, however, because there’s a no-phone policy to encourage guests to disconnect. Check out the library card catalog charging drawers to store your phone.
Friday, April 7: Spice of Life dinner at Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen at Andaz Scottsdale. This incredible wine dinner paired two of AZ’s best, Executive Chef Dushyant Singh of Andaz and guest chef Subash Yadav of Mr. Momo, for a celebration of their Tibetan and Indian culture.
We began our evening on the beautiful patio with rosé and passed bites such as samosas and scallops with hummus and roe…
Tuesday, April 11: Prime at Gila River Resorts & Casino (Chandler). The latest wine dinner as part of their 2023 series celebrated Italy, and the team pulled out all the stops, including a limoncello welcome, poolside setting, and Italian musicians.
We already have our reservations for the next one, featuring South America. And stay tuned for more details in my upcoming article in SOMM Journal spotlighting this talented team and their superlative wine dinners.
Wednesday, April 12: Bluewater Grill (Phoenix). Our first time, but we’ll be back. A friend recommended it, and since I posted photos, others have shared their favorite dishes and that it also has a great Happy Hour. Recommended dish(es): Clam chowder and Cajun-spiced barramundi with jasmine rice, arugula and crab salad, and jalapeno-mango vinaigrette
And if you’re craving steak, try the juicy Argentine tenderloin with with scalloped potatoes and asparagus sauté.
Thursday, April 13: Osteria Mia (North Phoenix). When this chef-owned Italian restaurant opened 10 minutes from our home, it immediately became a neighborhood go-to. This time we had lunch after filming A Taste of AZ podcast with Luke Detraz and Justin Hege of Common Hospitality, one of Arizona’s best private chef teams. You can see my Reel of a special cocktail dinner Luke created for us last year below.
And I can’t believe I’ve never had the sandwiches at Osteria Mia! Loved the chicken parm on delicious housemade puccia, a traditional bread from Puglia, Italy.
Check back for my next Rubee Tuesday as I share photos of visits to Fabio on Fire, Sottise, Terra Tempe, Epicenter Agritopia, ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, The House Brasserie.
And follow along on my Instagram for next week’s visits to the Foodist Awards, Hearth ‘61, Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey, Arboleda, Mora Italian, and Rene in Sedona.