Filtering by Category: Rubee Tuesday

RUBEE TUESDAY: Safe Food TLC, CRUjiente, Glai Baan, Il Capo Pizzeria, Fabio on Fire

March 31, 2020 / Christina Barrueta

Crunchy beef tacos on the to-go menu at CRUjiente

A semi-regular feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday on Tuesdays to recap my recent drinking and dining adventures in the Phoenix area.

In this time of COVID-19 and self-isolation, I’ve been doing a lot of home cooking but also endeavoring to support our friends in the hospitality industry. For my list of restaurants offering takeout and delivery, visit this link.

Safe Food TLC

Like many in the current culinary climate, Tom and Lin Baumbach of Tom and Lin Catering - Taste the TLC, have had to roll with the punches. They followed CDC safety codes to create SafeFoodTLC, offering sophisticated comfort dishes available in family portions or a la carte, along with homemade cookie dough and staples such as eggs, chicken, and beef. Meals serve six and are sealed in large cryovac bags - just reheat in hot water or freeze for a future dinner. They deliver in a North Phoenix 15-mile radius on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (call for out-of-area delivery options) and have set up a drive-thru during the week so you pick up without leaving your car.

I’ve been collaborating with SafeFoodTLC to share the word, and my first delivery was this bounty of deliciousness! We started with smoky BBQ pork with creamy mac 'n’ cheese- SO easy to heat up in a pot of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Leftover BBQ pork made great sandwiches and taquitos, and the mac ‘n cheese was just as tasty with homemade meatloaf.

Round two was a fabulous dinner with mom and dad. They enjoyed the sweet potato and chicken curry so much that they kept all the leftovers. The chicken tortilla soup is stored in the freezer for a Mexican fiesta meal next weekend (look for those pictures on my Instagram) and I’m still thinking of those chocolate chip cookies! The menu changes weekly and you can pre-order at this link.

It was such a hit with our family, that I have another delivery today - stay tuned for more pictures on next week’s Rubee Tuesday of teriyaki chicken and fried rice, tomato bisque, and fajitas. Tom and Lin Catering is located at 2534 E Greenway Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85032

CRUjiente

When our friends at CRUjiente invited us to try the new items on their list, we didn’t hesitate to say yes. I’ve been fan of Chef Richard Hinojosa since he was back at The Wigwam resort, and I know anything this talented chef creates is a guaranteed winner.

And I was right - his new Korean fried chicken sandwich with housemade kimchee and Sriricha aioli on Noble Bread buttermilk bun sold out before I had even left, and the smothered Frites Street fries above topped with pork belly confit is an instant fan-favorite. You can also order the famous namesake crunchy tacos, salsas, guacamole, Caesar salad, and posole.

I also took home the shrimp "taco kit", and am planning the Wagyu beef next time. The taco kits are complete with par-cooked proteins, fresh blue corn tortillas, sauces and cooking instructions, and take only 10 minutes from stove to table.

I also couldn’t leave without buying a batch of CRUjiente house margaritas, which can be ordered for 4 or for 8 (guess which one I bought?).

CRUjiente currently has curbside or window pick-up and free delivery within a 2-mile radius. Orders may be placed from 10:30 am to 6 pm with pickup/delivery available from 2-7 pm. They are also offering a FREE $25 gift card with purchase of $100 gift card. CRUjiente is located at 3961 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018

Glai Baan

I’m a huge fan of the Thai food at Glai Baan, and since we live 35 minutes away, I made sure to pick up enough for a couple of meals. They are also offering cocktails, wine and sake to go along with their full menu, so Arizona’s award-winning sake had to come home with me too.

Smoked mackerel fried rice with a Thai fried egg.

Our feast included many of my favorites, including crispy garlic chicken wings, smoked mackerel fried rice, larb, dumplings, eggplant salad, (look for the recipe in my cookbook Phoenix Cooks), and mango with coconut rice for dessert. Glai Baan is located at 2333 E Osborn Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

Il Capo Pizzeria

My husband was craving NY-style pizza, so that meant Il Capo Pizzeria for dinner one night. Check out my Scottsdale Visitors Bureau pizza round-up here, where I included Il Capo: “Owned by the Rana family, who hail from Queens and Staten Island, Il Capo treats its guests to three styles of pizza, and is one of the few pizza-by-the-slice spots in Scottsdale. In addition to their 12-inch Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven, you’ll find 18-inch New York-style pizzas baked in a Cuppone oven. And for a NY regional specialty, be sure to try Grandma’s Square, a thick pan pizza with a provolone-mozzarella blend topped with sauce.” www.experiencescottsdale.com/stories/post/pizza-pizza/

They also recently introduced $10 pizza kits which comes with dough, sauce, cheese, flour for dusting and stretching out your pizza, and one topping of your choice. What a great idea! And it resulted in the best pizza I’ve ever made in my kitchen.In addition to pizza, you’ll find soups, salads, pastas and entrees available for both pick-up and delivery. Il Capo Pizzeria is located 7366 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Fabio on Fire Italiana Pizzeria

We’re pretty fortunate to have a chef-owned Italian spot close to our house like Fabio on Fire. As I mentioned here, it’s worthy of a destination drive too. A no-contact delivery system means you order on-line, they will text you when you order is ready, you text back when you pull into the parking lot, and they will set it up on a sanitized outdoor table for you to pick up.

We ordered enough for two dinners. Butternut squash ravioli, lobster ravioli, and cannoli one night…

And trays of take-and-bake lasagna Bolognese and tiramisu.

Fabio on Fire is located at 8275 W Lake Pleasant Pkwy, Suite 101 and also offers wine, daily specials, and Italian pastries and cookies. To order, visit this link. For a past feature, go to: Fabio on Fire's Pizzeria Italiana Brings Italy to Peoria

For last week’s pre-COVID Rubee Tuesday with visits to Pita Jungle, FLINT by Baltaire, Tarbell's Wine Store Dinner with Royal Tokaji, Andaz Resort, Straight Up Whiskey Bar, Chula Seafood, and an Hermosa Inn Cocktail Dinner with Azunia Tequilia, visit this link.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday

RUBEE TUESDAY: Pita Jungle, FLINT by Baltaire, Tarbell's Wine Store Dinner with Royal Tokaji, Andaz Resort, Straight Up Whiskey Bar, Chula Seafood, Hermosa Inn Cocktail Dinner

March 24, 2020 / Christina Barrueta

A semi-regular feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday on Tuesdays as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures in the Phoenix area.

Monday, March 2:. Pita Jungle Norterra. This location of Pita Jungle is one of my go-to spots in the nearby Shops at Norterra complex (more pictures here). On Monday, I had a great lunch meeting with Luke Irvin and Eric Walters, the team behind Tap That AZ podcast and the authors of The Arizona Beer Book. And stay tuned! I’ll be working with them on an exciting new project called Taste That AZ celebrating our local food and beverage scene.

Wednesday, March 4: FLINT by Baltaire and Upstairs at Flint. I’ve been wanting to visit FLINT, which opened last fall, and even more so when my fellow judges and I awarded them a Gold Star at Devour. On Wednesday, we were invited to a media party for the preview of Upstairs at Flint, their beautiful new rooftop lounge.

Afterwards, we snagged a couple of seats downstairs at the main bar and stayed for dinner.

We had pro service from Jay at the bar and excellent cocktails (tip: Ask for Tanner's off-menu World Traveler made with tequila, chartreuse, Nonino, Cocchi vermouth). And we were just as impressed with the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-accented menu. Wow! Perfectly executed dishes - from the silky, flavorful avocado hummus to the oh-so-juicy fennel-crusted pork chop cooked over a wood-fired grill.

World Traveler

Tuna crudo with hearts of of palm and Persian dried lime

Moroccan fried chicken with harissa

Pork chop with fennel-apple salad

And save room for dessert, especially the dreamy cheesecake which sells out every night.

Thursday, March 5: Royal Tokaji wine dinner at Tarbell’s Wine Store (media invite). You’re always guaranteed a special evening when you attend one of Mark Tarbell’s wine events. On Thursday, we were joined by Charles Mount, Managing Director of Royal Tokaji, where we learned all about these highly-sought Hungarian varietals. From their website:

Royal Tokaji was founded in 1990 by well-known author Hugh Johnson and a small group of investors who were inspired to restore and preserve Hungary’s precious wine legacy after the fall of Communism. Tokaji is the world’s original sweet white wine – the “cult wine” of the 18th and 19th centuries – and the Tokaj wine region was the first to have classified vineyards. At the end of the 17th century, Prince Rakoczi classified the finest vineyards into: great first growths, first growths, second growths and third growths. Royal Tokaji owns five of those first and second growth vineyards, including one of Hungary’s two great first growths: Mézes Mály. The winery produces a range of exceptional wines from dry to sweet, including several single-vineyard aszú (botrytis-affected) wines and Essencia, the free-run juice of botrytised “raisins.” The wines’ distinct character results from the varied volcanic soils of the classified vineyards, indigenous grapes and yeast, traditional winemaking methods and barrel-aging in the winery’s 13th-century underground cellars. Richness with vibrant acidity is the hallmark of all the Royal Tokaji wines. -

We were spoiled by an array of Hungary’s finest, including a special bonus of 2008 Mézes Mály and the rich, concentrated liquid gold of Essencia. Tasting notes and details are linked below to each wine. Chef Adrian DeLeon deftly paired these luxurious wines with these wonderful dishes:

Grilled mussels with citrus beurre blanc - 2016 Oddity Dry Furmint
Scallop crudo with grapefruit consommé and avocado mousse - 2017 Late Harvest
Slow-roasted octopus with housemade chorizo, charred tomato sauce, roasted pineapple and cilantro pesto - 2013 Red Label 5 Puttonyos (BONUS wine: 2008 Mézes Mály 6 Puttonyos)
Honey-roasted pear with blue cheese and granola - 2013 Szt Tamas 6 Puttonyos First Growth
2008 Essencia - For our grand finale, we were served signature spoons of this elusive elixir to savor its golden layers of honey and citrus. Only 20 bottles were made (a magnum sells for $40,000) and it’s one of the most sought-after wines in the world. Lucky us!

Friday, March 6. I was wrapping up an assignment for Experience Scottsdale plus working on my next recipe for a Chula Seafood collab (posting this Friday) so had three stops planned. First up - Andaz Scottsdale and their Friday night Asado Hour. For $35, each guest can sip on local brews, wine and sangria as executive chef Nathan Lane cooks up a BBQ menu of the week.

Depending on chef’s whim, you can dine on dishes such as ribs and chorizo sausages, chicken and street corn, or the delicious fish and steak tacos on my visit.

Stop two was Hotel Adeline’s hidden bar, Straight Up, to chat with head bartender Efren Cimental. Tip: He’s a huge agave spirit fan and loves to make off-menu cocktails.

Enter through a phone booth, have a seat at the bar and ask Efren to make you something special (I highly suggest his creation made with Mezcal Carreño Espadin, Atavia Arrack, Heirloom Alchermes, orgeat, Zucca, lemon, and AZ Btters Lab Mi Casa and Orange Sunshine bitters).

My final stop was my favorite fishmonger, Chula Seafood! I had some tuna (which I seared and served with a Szechuan vinaigrette) and California Sheepshead (this recipe to come) set aside, and also bought the fish of the day (chicken-fried corvina collars), Kyle’s Candy glazed salmon, and clam chowder.

Always great to see manager Danielle, and extra-special to run into Abel Arriaga of Mezcal Carreño, who just won a slew of awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. I’ll link the press release when I receive it.

Wednesday, March 11: Lon’s and Last Drop at the Hermosa Inn (media invite). We had reservations to attend the Azuñia Tequila Dinner but arrived early to join our friends PR pro Keeley and managing director Steve Ast for an exploration of their new cocktails.

Autumn and GM Jon Dils with the Oink Old Fashioned made with Wistlepig 10 year, Whistlepig barrel aged maple syrup, and AZ Bitters Lab Orange Sunshine bitters

Try the fragrant Hidden Gem (a nod to the Hermosa Inn itself) with local AZ Distilling Co. Commerce gin, cucumber basil syrup, lemon juice, and Curaçao, or the delightful Bucket List made with Belvedere vodka, St Germain, Amaro Montenegro, lemon juice, and mint tea syrup. And, of course, you can never go wrong with the signature Last Drop made with local Del Bac whiskey, Luxardo Apricot, sweet vermouth, and blood orange. I was also introduced to their nonalcoholic refreshers using Seedslip, a range distilled non-alcholic spirits. I recommend the Watermelon Sour with tangy basil and watermelon shrub.

Hidden Gem, Bucket List, Last Drop

Last Drop

Hidden Gem

Watermelon Sour

And then it was on to the main event set in The Boardroom, one of the Inn’s charming private dining rooms.

The Hermosa Inn is one of my favorite destinations for creative cocktail dinners, and I’m always excited when cocktail master Travis Nass (formerly behind the bar here, and now Azunia Tequila ambassador) and exec chef Jeremy Pacheco team up. Look at this menu!

Thank you for another outstanding dinner Hermosa Inn!

COVID-19 UPDATE:
PIta Jungle is offering curbside pick-up and delivery. Details here.
FLINT by Baltaire is temporarily closed.
Tarbell’s, Tarbell’s Tavern and Tarbell’s Wine Store are offering food and wine specials for pick-up and delivery. Details here and on their daily mailing list.
Hotel Adeline is currently taking reservations although dining and bar areas are closed until further notice.
Hotel Andaz is temporarily closed.
Chula Seaood is offering pickup, delivery, and family meal specials. Details here.
Hermosa Inn is temporarily closed, but take advantage of their gift card special: They are offering an additional $20 for every $100 gift card purchase (NO expiration date!). Gift cards may be used for overnight stays or in LON's and LON's Last Drop. To purchase a gift card, visit the website: https://www.hermosainn.com/gift-cards

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday

RUBEE TUESDAY: Judging the Devour Culinary Classic, We-Somm Wine Dinner, Caesars Republic with Giada de Laurentiis, Tarbell’s Tavern, MercBar, The Americano, Il Bosco, Four Seasons Scottsdale

March 03, 2020 / Christina Barrueta

Chef Giada de Laurentiis at Caesars Republic ground-breaking

A semi-regular feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday on Tuesdays as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures in the Phoenix area.

Saturday, February 22: Devour Phoenix’s Culinary Classic at Desert Botanical Garden. This is always one of my favorite events (see a past recap here), and this year I was invited to be one of the judges. Though it was an unusual rainy day, it didn’t deter the crowds or the talented chefs.

L'Auberge de Sedona: Pastry Chef Morgan Gurney’s parfait with beet and berry coulis filling.

Our judging panel included former restaurant critic Howard Seftel, and visiting writers Astrid Taran (New York), Jillian Dara (Boston), and Carey Sweet (San Francisco). With so many creative bites, it was a tough - but delicious! - job. For the official results for both days of the festival (editor Craig Outhier of PHOENIX Magazine was the Phoenix judge on Sunday), visit this link: www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/the-judges-verdict-of-every-dish-at-devour-culinary-classic-2020

Exec Chef Jack Strong of Camelback Inn

Camelback Inn's Lincoln Steakhouse surf and turf with lobster "escargot" and lengua popover with cholla bud chimichurri

Gallo Blanco's carbrito taco

L'Auberge de Sedona: Morgan and Ardi

Josephine's Cajun spring roll

Dust Cutter at the Renaissance Phoenix

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale chefs

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale

Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey

Artizen at The Camby

Roka Akor

Arizona Wilderness

Marigold Maison

Cafe Lalibela

Aioli Burger - Chef Tommy

Sunday, February 23: We-Somm pop-up wine dinner at The House Brasserie. We were invited to attend the inaugural pop-up hosted by the talented team of Advanced Sommelier Wesam Kawa (Cafe Monarch) and Chef Abel Ley for a We-Somm multi-course dinner paired with fine wines from around the world.

We were greeted with a 2006 Salus chardonnay (a label that donates a portion of their sales to treating people with Alzheimer’s) as we mingled on the patio with the 40 people who had made their reservations. It was especially nice to see Wesam’s wife Sarah, who I know from cocktail competitions, and to meet Chef Abel’s wife Jennifer.

Wesam shared how We-Somm “began as a goal, a vision, a dream.” “I imagined you being in these seats long ago when I started this journey - people who love good food, good wine, and good hospitality - and it means the absolute world to us that you thought enough of tonight to be here.”

Wesam Kawa and photographer and sommelier Everardo Keeme

“You have no idea what this means to us,” agreed Chef Abel. It was an amazing experience with stellar pairings and fantastic dishes. I was told out they sold out so quickly that they had to add more seats. I can’t wait util the next one! To learn about future dinners, visit We-Somm at this link.

Wednesday, February 26: Groundbreaking for Caesars Republic - Caesars’ first non-gaming U.S. hotel is coming to Scottsdale at Fashion Square Mall and we celebrated at a groundbreaking ceremony with special guest celebrity chef and TV personality Giada De Laurentiis, who will be opening two new restaurants, Luna by Giada and Pronto by Giada, in the hotel.

The 11-story hotel will offer 265-rooms and dining options including Giada’s restaurants and a poolside lounge. Learn more about the plans for Caesars Republic Scottsdale at this link.

Afterwards, we stopped in at a favorite - Tarbell’s Tavern - to snack on chips and dip, order a bottle of wine, and share a lobster roll and patty melt (with great chips and fries by our friend Flip at Frites Street, who supplies many of the Valley’s finest restaurants).

And our final stop was MercBar. At an earlier media VIP party we attended, owner Rick Phillips had mentioned he has spent years perfecting his East Coast-style pastrami and smoked salmon. When he said he had a batch ready, we made a beeline. Wow! the pastrami was tender and juicy with a delicious spiced crust, while the smoked salmon was incredibly silky and buttery. While they’re not on the MercBar menu, hopefully Phoenicians will soon be able to order them for pick-up through an online store called Little Pickle.

And of course, the drinks with cocktail pro Gavin Pena at the helm are perfect. Look for more details when I catch up on the Rubee Tuesday recap of our media visit.

Thursday, February 27: The Americano - As I mentioned here, I am in love with this new modern Italian restaurant from the Pomo Restaurant Group. You can read all about it at this link. We stopped in shortly after it opened (which I will share on another Rubee Tuesday catch-up), and I joined fellow media pros last week for another visit. Our group of six were greeted with prosecco by general manager Paride Guerra and head sommelier Nick Padua on the patio.

We were treated to passed hors d'oeuvres including eggplant with whipped ricotta and herb crumble, tuna tartare on squid ink lavash, and venison meatballs with celeriac puree and agridolce, and signature drinks - the best-selling Versace On The Floor (chile-infused vodka with coconut and white balsamic, and basil ol foam) and Vespers topped with a show-stopper grapefruit smoke bubble.

Here assistant GM shows the cocktail in action. My Instagram DMs blew up when I posted this video!

Then it was time for dinner.

We were led to the Milano Room, one of two private dining rooms, where we were regaled with an incredible Italian feast expertly paired with wine chosen by somm Nick:

Catalana di Pesce with Rocky Point Shrimp, King Crab, Fennel, Celery, and Tomato Herb Vinaigrette
Octopus Fritto in a Squink Ink Tempura Batter with Pickled Fennel, Fennel Purée, and Salsa Peperoncino
Spaghetti Chitarra Verde with Pesto, Castelvetrano Olive, Pea Tendril, and Herb Crumble
Agnolotti del Plin with Spinach, Taleggio, Ricotta, Pepita, and Calabrian Chile
Wagyu 7x Farm Sirloin with Potato Puree and Grilled Broccolini
Stracciatella Pannacotta Four Textures of Beets, Stracciatella Gelato, Toasted Pistachios

And I may have been spoiled by a special off-menu after-dinner drink - a smoked mezcal Negroni. Thank you Christopher!

Another spectacular evening at The Americano, and we already have plans to return with four of our friends. Kudos to chefs Matt Taylor and CJ Kahley!

Friday, February 28: Il Bosco - I first discovered Il Bosco when I was researching this story on Experience Scottsdale about Scottsdale’s best pizzas, and it was the perfect spot to meet my friend Rebecca, a producer on the Emmy-winning PBS show Plate & Pour, for an al fresco dinner on the cozy patio.

I started with an Aperol Spritz, and then shared my favorite sausage-stuffed peppadew peppers and a trio of pizzas:

Joanna with spicy sausage and pepperoni
Mia with pancetta and a soft-cooked egg
Bella with porcini and cremini mushrooms and scamorza cheese

Thanks to owner Jeff for taking time to sit down and chat with us. What a perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon!

Saturday, February 29: Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale - If you are going to have an extra day in February, I can’t think of a better place to enjoy Leap Day than at one of my favorite properties.

Happy guests gathered to experience #FSTAkeYourTime with a special pop-up sunset lounge featuring Leap Through Time cocktails and tasty bites such as Moroccan-spiced cauliflower, shrimp ceviche and Kalbi beef kabobs.

And since we were just steps away from Proof Canteen, we ended our night with well-crafted cocktails, addictive pretzel knots, and, for me, two new favorites - reuben poutine (house-cut fries topped with smoked pastrami, stout gravy, AZ cheese curds, and turmeric sauerkraut) and a slice of phenomenal salted caramel and pretzel chocolate cake.

I’ll be catching up on past recaps, and stay tuned for the next installment featuring FLINT by Baltaire, a Tarbell’s Wine Store Royal Tokaji wine dinner, Asado Hour at Andaz Resort, Chula Seafood, and Straight Up Whiskey Bar.

Comment 1 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday

RUBEE TUESDAY: Chauncey Social, Josephine, Pomo, Toca Madera, Nobu Opening

January 28, 2020 / Christina Barrueta

Wednesday, January 22: Chauncey Social - We visited Chauncey Social for the first time before seeing The Gentlemen at the nearby Harkins Theatre Scottsdale 101. You can read an in-depth recap here at Dinner and a Show: Chauncey Social and The Gentlemen

Thursday, January 23: Josephine Media Launch Party - Josephine is a wonderful addition to the Roosevelt Row district. Set in a 1919 historic bungalow, it’s warm and welcoming with exposed brick walls inside and an inviting front patio where jazz band Zazu was playing.

We were greeted with wine and impressive craft cocktails, my two favorites being Noir with Rittenhouse Rye, Punt e Mes, blackberry, Ramazotti and creme de mure, and the Toulouse-Lautrec with Sipsmith gin, Alessio Bianco vermouth, Lxardo Bitter Bianco, Midori, and Green Chartreuese.

Creative passed bites weaving together global flavors featured chicken satay with Balinese marinade, lamb samosas, vegan dumplings with kecap manis glaze, rice paper rolls, and beignets with ube anglaise. I had a chance to chat with chef Ryan Pitt, whose enthusiasm and culinary passion was contagious. I can’t wait to return to explore more of his menu!

We were led on a tour of the space, including Coup de Grace, Josephine’s speakeasy-inspired lounge out back.

We mingled with fellow media and industry friends, and celebrated Josephine’s opening with a champagne saber and toast. Welcome to downtown Phoenix Josephine!

Afterwards, we stopped in at a favorite downtown Italian spot - Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana, where we ordered a bottle of our friend Lorenzo Mattoni’s latest vintage of Montefalco Sagrantino, and dined on lasagna and Rimini-style pizza with hot sopressata and Taggiasca olives. We ran into one of my favorite AZ chefs, Joe Rodger, who we last saw in Sedona. I’m excited to hear he’s now local, and we’re hoping to visit him at his new gig at the Dressing Room. And, as always, a bonus to see Francesco and Paola at Pomo!

Friday, January 24: Toca Madera - We had plans for the media party for the new Nobu opening so we decided to stop in for cocktails at Toca Madera next door for pre-event imbibing.

Always nice to see Chef Joseph Castillo! We need to return to have dinner to check out his latest menu.

Toca Madera Executive Chef Joseph Castillo

Afterwards, we walked over to the media party for Nobu Scottsdale, one of the most highly-anticipated openings of the year. Nobu is a renowned upscale Japanese eatery (and now hotels) with locations around the world, though this location in the luxury wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square is its first foray into Arizona. Look for upcoming details on the grand opening celebration and Sake Ceremony this spring - I’ve been told that owners celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert Dinero will be in attendance.

Head Sushi Chef Rex Kim, GM James Frazey, and Executive Chef Carl Murray

Stay tuned for the next installment featuring Vecina, Plate & Pour, Welcome Diner, Pitch with Few Spirits, UnderTow and Frasher’s Tavern.

My last Rubee Tuesday with visits to Gertrude's, Cafe Monarch, Taylor's Chowder House, Southern Rail, and Angry Crab Shack can be found here.

Comment 1 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday

Rubee Tuesday: Gertrude's, Cafe Monarch, Taylor's Chowder House, Southern Rail, Angry Crab Shack

January 21, 2020 / Christina Barrueta

A semi-regular feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday on Tuesdays to recap my recent drinking and dining adventures in the Phoenix area.

Thursday, January 16 - Gertrude’s: Located in the Desert Botanical Gardens, Gertrude’s is one of my favorite places to take out-of-town guests and last Thursday we were invited to a Media and Friends Cocktail Party to celebrate their seventh anniversary.

The entrance to the Desert Botanical Garden decorated in Cracking Art’s Frog Dome exhibit.

I loved seeing Arizona wine proudly displayed at the entrance. We were led through the dining room to a bountiful buffet underneath the covered patio including elote fritters, smoked salmon crostini, lamb tacos, deviled eggs, cheese and charcuterie. Live music and an outdoor bar in the courtyard set a festive mood.

Happy seven years Gertrude’s!

Cafe Monarch: Our next stop was another favorite, and one of Scottsdale’s hidden jewels. For a detailed recap of our visit, click the photo below.

Friday, January 17 - Taylor’s Chowder House: We’ve been going to Taylor’s since we moved from New England 12 years ago and it’s our go-to spot for a fried clam fix (when we’re not ordering from Woodman’s in Essex, MA and cooking at home).

On this visit, we were joined by mom and dad, New England transplants who like Taylor’s as much as we do. We started with clam chowder and homemade cheese sticks before digging into fried clams (my husband), baked Alaskan cod (mom), and for me and dad - the fried seafood platter for two with fried shrimp, scallops, clams, oysters, and cod with a choice of two sides (coleslaw and potato wedges for me, coleslaw and steak fries for dad).

Saturday, January 18 - Changing Hands Bookstore: We had a great turn-out for my most recent Arizona Wine book signing and panel discussion. Thank you to Changing Hands bookstore for hosting, and to special panel guests sommelier Scott Stephens (co-owner of Beckett’s Table and Southern Rail) and Peggy Fiandaca of LDV Winery.

Located next door, Southern Rail offers all bottles of Arizona wine at half price on Sundays and Monday nights, but, as a special, they extended the offer this past Saturday night for those who attended the book signing.

And we took full advantage - meeting friends both before and after. First, we had plans with our friends Bill and Lill of AZ Bitters Lab. Fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, deviled eggs, and fried okra with a bottle of D.A. Ranch Willow White Seyval Blanc was a perfect start to a night celebrating Arizona wine.

Afterwards, it was back to Southern Rail for dinner. This time we were joined by our friends Teresa, Keridwen, and Keridwen’s brother Kendrick for dirty rice balls with smoked onion cream, gumbo, Chef Beckett’s signature fried chicken with buttery mashed potatoes and collard greens, and a trio of Arizona wines: Bruzzi Vineyard, a high-elevation vineyard near the Mogollon Rimin and I believe the only vineyard growing Vidal Blanc grapes, Southwest Wine Center award-winning Big Red (the students of this enology program recently won Best in Show at this wine competition), and Four Tails Vineyard Petit Verdot, which won a Double Gold at the same competition. You can learn more about these vineyards in my book, Arizona Wine: A History of Perseverance & Passion.

Friday, January 20 -Angry Crab Shack (Phoenix location): I attended a VIP Media night for a special preview tasting of the upcoming 2020 Cajun Fest.

We were welcomed with Hurricanes as we learned more about this event, now in its fifth year, celebrating all things NOLA. This is the first year it is taking place in February instead of April, and it celebrates the heart and soul of New Orleans with activities, live bands, vendors serving Cajun fare, adult beverages such as Hurricanes and Louisiana-based Abita beer, a crawfish eating contest, kids’ zone and more. Pre-sale tickets range from $8 for general admission to $45 for the Big Easy Lounge (admission, four alcohol beverages, shaded seating, unlimited water and soft drinks, and private restrooms). Get all the details at this link.

And a Cajun feast was the ideal introduction! We indulged in oysters, lobster crostini, catfish po’boy, and their signature seafood boil (we had crawfish, shrimp, sausage, and corn on the cob). Seafood boils served in bags can be ordered with your choice of seafood such as crab, lobster and mussels, extras including potatoes and sausage, and sauces (I like the Trifecta, heat level #2 and a side of #3).

Check back for my next Rubee Tuesday, with visits to Chauncey Social, Josephine, Toca Madera, Vecina and a sneak peek at Nobu Scottsdale.

For my last Rubee Tuesday recapping visits that include Mezcal Carreño, Nook Kitchen, Taj Mahal, Oscar's Pier 83, Pigtails, Hula's Modern Tiki, Set Jet, Maple & Ash, click the photo below.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Gertrude's, Desert Botanical Garden

Rubee Tuesday: Sicilian Butcher Chandler, The Cambria Downtown Phoenix, The Brickyard Downtown, Fabio on Fire, Pita Jungle, George and Son's Asian Cuisine

December 31, 2019 / Christina Barrueta

Ginger stir-fry with shirataki noodles and kimchi at Pita Jungle

A semi-regular feature on Tuesdays, Rubee Tuesday is a photo recap of my recent adventures in dining and drinking in Phoenix. Here are my restaurant visits for the last two weeks.

Wednesday, December 18: We joined the Maggiore family at the Friends and Family soft opening and ribbon-cuttting ceremony of their newest Sicilian Butcher and Sicilian Baker locations at Chandler Fashion Mall.

We celebrated and ate and drank - signature cocktails, Monte Olimpo wines from the family-owned vineyard in Sicily, antipasti skewers, octopus salad, arancini, handmade pasta, spiedini, Italian pastries, and more. Look for the recipe for the spiedini below (a Sicilian specialty of pork stuffed with prosciutto cotto, salami, provolone and currants coated in breadcrumbs, skewered and grilled) in my cookbook, Phoenix Cooks, coming out this summer!

With chef Marco de Orta, Justin Piazza (chef/owner of La Piazza Al Forno and La Pizza Phx), Gino,Calabro and Chef Joey Maggiore.

Meanwhile, contributors Dedric Hendricks and Ana Velasquez were covering the Paint with a Brew grand opening event at Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix. You can check out that recap by clicking the photo below.

Friday, December 20: We had such a great book signing event last month at Sibley’s West, that I was invited to return to sign copies of my book Arizona Wine: A History of Perseverance and Passion (I have more signings scheduled next month, and you can order personalized copies here on the site).

Conveniently, it was located across the street from one of my favorite Chandler spots, Brickyard Downtown. A perfect excuse to visit for Happy Hour before my book signing. We dined on Loaded Potatoes with truffle cream, bacon and parmesan and honey-sriricha calamari.

And, thanks to Michael Carbajal and Matt Allen, we also got a sneak peek at two fantastic cocktails that will be launching with the next menu change. Michael’s Ruh Roh is a sophisticated tropical refresher made with Roku Japanese gin, Midori, coconut liqueur, pineapple amaro, and yuzu, topped with coconut whip and matcha:

And click the video below for all the details of Matt’s Not Tiki AF:

Tuesday, December 24: We picked up dinner from our favorite Italian neighborhood spot, Fabio on Fire.

Another fabulous feast included rosemary and garlic foccacia, three specials (seafood salad, veal Milanese, cotechino con lenticchie/sausage with lentils) and tiramisu. Grazie Fabio!

Friday, December 27: I was meeting mom and two of her friends at Norterra to see Little Women, and stopped in at Pita Jungle for a light lunch.

I had been craving the cauliflower hummus ever since a November visit where I was invited to explore seasonal dishes off their winter menu. Our delicious lunch that day included the cauliflower hummus, Ginger Stir Fry (shirataki noodles, kimchi, ginger, cilantro, mint, beef broth, pea sprouts), Wood-Fired Medchilada (garlic-cilantro chicken in enchilada sauce, cheddar, feta, turmeric cauliflower rice, cabbage-kale super greens, jalapenos, radish, pico de gallo, pine nuts), Bone Broth Ramen (beef broth, shirataki noodles, miso, kimchi, onion, garlic, ginger, shirataki noodles, spinach, and green onions) and chocolate-dipped walnut baklawa rolls.

The friendly GMs and co-owners Mike Kearns and Adan Cruz

After the movies, the four of us had dinner at George and Son’s Asian Cuisine. Three of my favorites here are George’s Seafood Pocket (a fried scallion pancake folded and stuffed with seafood), Beef Chow Fun and Crispy Spicy Pork.

No food photos this time, but here are a couple from a past visit.

For the last Rubee Tuesday with visits to Persepshen, Taco Guild, Schreiner's Sausage, Casa Filipina, Sel, Modern Oyster Bar and Chophouse, Four Seasons, and Atlas Bistro, click here.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday

Fabio on Fire's Pizzeria Italiana Brings Italy to Peoria

July 20, 2019 / Christina Barrueta

For the past two years, I’ve been working on two books (supporting our Arizona community of course! - Arizona Wine: A History of Perseverance and Passion which came out in September of 2019, and Phoenix Cooks launching in September 2020). I haven’t been able to get back to in-depth chef interviews and restaurant features, but when I do, Fabio on Fire - PIzzeria Italiana will be at the top of the list!

I first met Fabio Ceschetti a decade ago when he worked at Tutti Santi, and we’ve been friends ever since. Fabio, who has owned a successful catering company for years featuring a mobile wood-fired pizza oven (hence the “Fabio on Fire”), messaged me in the fall of 2016 with an idea. "I want to open a little spot,” he said. “I’m thinking our side of town, but I’m nervous. My wife thinks we can kill it this side of town, what do you think?” I agree! I responded. “I really hope you both are right,” he typed with a smiley face. In January of 2017, another message - “I have something to tell you but I’d like you to keep it a secret for now. I’m about to sign a lease for a new restaurant.”

Well, the rest is history.

Peoria welcomed this Italian chef and his wood-fired pizzas, fresh-baked bread, seasonal specials, handmade pastas and Italian desserts with open arms. The restaurant is so busy, he is about to expand for the second time, doubling his seating and adding a full bar.

Fall of 2019 UPDATE: Renovations complete!

And he has racked up the accolades:

"Fabio on Fire in Peoria could be one of the best new Italian restaurants" - 2017 (Dominic Amato; Arizona Republic)
Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat's Restaurant of the Month, Fabio On Fire (September/October 2017; Peoria Times)
USA Today's 10Best, Fabio On Fire (USA Today)
West Side Italian: Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante, Fabio On Fire Deliver Compelling Debuts (April 2018; Phoenix New Times)
The Best New Restaurants of 2017 (December 2017; Phoenix New Times)

One of these days, I’ll sit down with Fabio over a glass of wine and share some of his stories, but for now you’ll have to be content with a few snapshots of his delicious dishes on our many visits.

Amarone

Porchetta special

Meatballs (Fabio's nonna's recipe)

La Vegetariana pizza

Short rib ravioli with porcini cream sauce (a special)

Paccheri seafood special

Lobster ravioli with crabmeat sauce (a special)

Veal and beef ravioli with marinara (a special)

Seafood risotto

Italian pastries

Diplomatico

Strawberry gelato

Fabio on Fire is located at 8275 W Lake Pleasant Pkwy #101, Peoria, AZ 85382 and is closed on Mondays. It is open 3 to 9 pm Tuesday through Thursday, and 11 am to 9 pm Friday through Sunday. TIP: This place is BUSY, but there is a handy Waitlist app on the website where you can put your name in to reserve your space in line. We do it a few minutes before we leave the house and usually are seated when we arrive: http://www.fabioonfire.com/

6 Comments 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Second Story Liquor Bar, Fabio on Fire, Crudo

RUBEE TUESDAY: January 9-16: Rott n' Grapes, Kawaii, CRUjiente Tacos, Mowry and Cotton, Tomaso's

January 16, 2018 / Christina Barrueta

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

Tuesday, January 9: Rott n' Grapes Wine and Beer Bar. On Tuesday night, I attended a media introduction for Rott n’ Grapes, a wine and craft beer bar in Uptown Phoenix. It's a gem of a bar tucked away below Landmark Towers on N. Central Avenue offering bar snacks and 80 craft beers and 95 wines by the glass. Husband and wife owners Patty Gii and Keith Shanks chose the name to represent their love for both their pet Rottweilers and wine. Wine flights are $15 (more for those on the reserve list) and feature three 3-oz pours you can choose from 95 options. They also have a grazing menu with charcuterie and cheese, meatballs, hummus, mini pizzas, and other bites.

Settle in at the intimate bar, outdoor patio, or cozy lounge, and Patty and her team will help you choose wine and beer flights from the extensive list. Stop by for Happy Hour all day until 8 pm, and special events such as Bubbly Bliss Sundays, Wednesday Board & Bottle Night, live music, and wine classes. In fact, they are so popular, look for a second location - Rott n' Grapes Bistro - to open downtown on Roosevelt Street this summer.

Patty Gii

Charcuterie board

Reserve wines

Beer flight

Wednesday, January 10: Kawaii Sushi and Asian Cuisine. Kawaii is a busy spot in our NW Phoenix neighborhood for sushi and Chinese dishes, but we hadn't visited since it changed ownership a couple of years ago. Conveniently located just minutes from our house, we stopped in on Wednesday night, ordering crab puffs, chicken tempura, and rocky shrimp off the Happy Hour menu. For dinner, my husband enjoyed his shrimp and lobster sauce with pork fried rice, while my salt and pepper shrimp, a special, was my favorite of the night. Owner Kelly says they are introducing more authentic dishes to the menu, and suggested I try their Shui Zhu Beef (a Sichuan dish that is a personal favorite) when I return. Will do!

Thursday, January 11: CRUjiente Tacos. Back to Cru for a media night to sample new menu items and cocktails (I love this restaurant; see some prior visits here and here).

CRUjiente never disappoints, and this visit was no exception. Delicious dishes included:

Crunchy pork chicharrón with house hot sauce, guajillo aioli, and cotija, and served with a roasted poblano pepper salpicon
Mixed green salad with fig-balsamic vinaigrette, jicama, spiced pecans, and local Crow’s Dairy goat feta
Mexican Caesar salad with roasted poblano Caesar dressing, romaine, cotija, spiced pepitas, escabeche, and croutons
Charred ejotes (green beans) with Hatch chile salsa, a slow-poached egg, pickled jalapeño and red onion, cotija, and cilantro
Green chile chicken taco on blue corn tortillas with mole verde, charred red onion, jalapeños and micro cilantro
The Taco de la Semana (taco of the week) was grilled Colorado lamb with Crow's Dairy goat cheese feta, golden potato puree, pickled red onions, and chimichurri

Chicharrónes

Mixed greens

Mexican Caesar

Charred ejotes

Green chile chicken taco

Grilled lamb taco

Great cocktails are also crafted for your sipping pleasure at Cru, which has an extensive list of hard-to-find and boutique spirits. Currently, my go-to is the JapaKnees, a riff on the classic Bee's Knees, combining Suntory Toki Japanese whisky, lemon, and hopped honey syrup. Other must-orders are the new Cru Paloma with smoky mezcal and pink grapefruit, and the Cherry Sour (the crowd favorite) shaken up with Traverse City Whiskey Co. American Cherry Edition, a bourbon infused with Montmorency cherries.

Friday, January 12: Mowry & Cotton at The Phoenician Resort. I've been wanting to visit Mowry & Cotton, part of the multimillion dollar renovations at The Phoenician, and lunch with my friend Stephanie was the perfect excuse. Its name is a homage to two Phoenix pioneers, George Mowry and James Cotton. With the powerhouse team of Chef de Cuisine Tandy Peterson and Executive Sous Chef Rebecca Tillman (who I first met here), this restaurant is serving an impressive menu of fantastic dishes packed with flavor. I would order each and every one again, which will make it hard to explore more of the menu on my next visit! Look for a future in-depth feature when I return for dinner. Excellent cocktails are poured here too, thanks to Phoenician Beverage Director Jared Sowinski. If you're visiting with fellow libation lovers, be sure to share a carafe of rum punch - perfect for an al fresco lunch on a sunny day.

Rum punch

Brussels sprouts with soy glaze, kimchi and bonito

BBQ beets with mustard greens, chickpeas, smoked onion yogurt

Brisket "zoup" with burrata toast

Wild mushroom flatbread with apricot and fresh horseradish

Za'atar chicken with farro, barley, feta, carrots, and asparagus

Harissa lamb tacos with quark and pickled cabbage

Smoked brisket with Carolina mustard

Mowry & Cotton serves breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner, and after a discussion about their brunch menu and a recommendation from Chef Becky for their Bloody Mary, I had to try that too. Another winner! Made with smoked tomato juice and garinished with brisket and house pickles.

No time spent at The Phoenician is complete without visiting one of my favorite craft bartenders, Robert Porter (you can find my prior interview here). Since I wrote that, he has gone on to win the title of Arizona’s Star Bartender in 2016 and was tapped by Cocktail Artist to create his own Manhattan syrup for their line of all-natural premium bar ingredients.

The new Thirsty Camel bar and lounge with its stunning floor to ceiling views is the perfect setting for Robert's cocktails, including his Sandia Martini with Hangar One vodka, Cointreau, tomato and watermelon shrub and basil oil, or the Cortez with Partida Blanco tequila, Sombra mezcal, and hibiscus syrup.

Sunday, January 14: Tomaso's. Sunday night dinner with friends found us at Tomaso's, a Phoenix institution which opened its doors 40 years ago (read my feature on chef/owner Tomaso Maggiore here in last month's Phoenix Home and Garden magazine). This upscale restaurant is the place to enjoy traditional Italian dishes, and the five of us feasted on fritto misto, escargot, beef carpaccio, veal piccata, veal marsala, and pistachio cheesecake. TIP: Ask about the off-menu pasta combination sampler, which on this visit was stuffed sacchetti, filet mignon ravioli, and gnocchi showcasing Tomaso's handmade pastas.

To browse past Rubee Tuesday recaps, visit this link.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday

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.

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.

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.

Michael Anderson

Chris Neff and Executive Chef Sean Currid

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.

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.

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.

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.

Comment 0 Likes

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

RUBEE TUESDAY: November 27-December 5: Drip Coffee Truck, Coconut's Fish Cafe, Jade Bar, L'Amore, Sicilian Butcher, Pita Jungle, Market Street Kitchen, Brunch Club, Crujiente Tacos

December 05, 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.

Monday, November 27: Phoenix's newest mobile coffee truck, Drip Coffee and Espresso, debuted on October 10th and I attended a media introduction last Monday. We met the friendly owner, Jeff Rorvig, at his beautiful new mobile station as I sipped on a nitro dark coffee and my husband enjoyed his espresso Bananas Fosters frappe. Jeff serves locally roasted coffee and tea from CULT Coffee Roaster and offers dripped, iced and nitrogen-infused coffee, espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, frappes, teas, Italian sodas, energy drinks (on tap!), pastries, and more. You can check out his weekly routes on Facebook, Instagram, or azdripcoffee.com.

Afterwards, we joined friends Susie and Eric for dinner at Coconuts Fish Cafe. The original, famous for its fish tacos, was founded on Maui and opened its first mainland location in North Scottsdale, with currently three AZ locations. I had heard good things about this fast-casual spot and it didn't disappoint - fresh, flavorful seafood dishes at a friendly price point.

Coconut shrimp

Mahi-mahi taco mountain

Shrimp skewers

Ahi poke with taro chips

Tuesday, November 28: I met the team of Nirvana Food and Wine at Jade Bar at the Sanctuary resort. Nirvana, a culinary festival hosted by Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa, debuted last year and returns in April, 2018, and I will be working with the organizers to spread the word. Last year featured culinary and beverage luminaries for a series of special events, dinners, a cocktail competition, and a celebrity golf tournament. Renowned guest chefs included Robert Irvine, Todd English, and Scott Conant. Check out the video below for a peek at last year's events (and stay tuned for 2018 details).

Of course, as we chatted, we also enjoyed cocktails (a Negroni for me) and delicious small plates - thank you Chef Andrade!

On the way home, we made a first-time visit to L'Amore Italian Restaurant. We've passed it countless times over the years, so this time instead of driving by, we pulled in. What a great spot! Cozy atmosphere, Italian classics, friendly owner, and excellent service (ask for Sal).

Chalkboard specials

Veal cutlets and fettucine alfredo

Eggplant parmesan

Tiramisu

Wednesday, November 29: The eagerly-anticipated Sicilian Butcher held their friends and family soft opening last Wednesday, and officially opened on Friday. I'm a big supporter of the Maggiore family (read my feature on Tomaso Maggiore here in this month's Phoenix Home and Garden magazine), and their newest venture is another winner.

Chef-owner Joey Maggiore and his wife Cristina

Dining room

Vastedda con ricotta and Milan Margarita

Antipasti

Tomaso's Sicilian meatball and paccheri pasta

Pastry Chef Cassie Weisz

Sicilian Cassata

Thursday, November 30: I'm a fan of Pita Jungle (as I've mentioned here and here), and when I received a media invitation to try their fall Seasonal Kitchen Crafts Menu, I knew who I would be bringing. My parents moved here from Massachusetts last year and I had been wanting to introduce mom to Pita Jungle. I was sure she would love their healthful and fresh dishes, and she did. "This so good! I could eat here every day," she said, so I know we'll be coming back often.

In October, Pita Jungle introduced eight new dishes rooted in Levantine cuisine. I tried three delicious items: Baked Kibbeh made with ground turkey, potatoes, and quinoa topped with a walnut, onion and golden raisin compote and served with a beet and greens dressing tossed with a tahini-beet dressing, Mujaddara with beluga lentils and brown rice topped with a kohlrabi, cucumber, tomato, and jalapeno salad with a mint-sumac-apple cider vinaigrette, and the Avocado Beef Asada Shawarma Lavash Pizza with Arizona grass-fed beef (it was a nice bonus to meet the employee whose family ranch supplies the beef) with cheddar, and cilantro-avocado crema, cumin yogurt sauce. I thought the kibbeh would be my favorite, but it was actually the mujaddara that we couldn't stop eating. Look for the winter Seasonal Kitchen Crafts Menu to introduce eight new dishes in January.

Mujaddarah

Turkey kibbeh

Friday, December 1: The Henry. After a meeting with the vivacious Sarah Benken regarding her KNOW Tribe Phoenix project, I enjoyed a quick lunch at The Henry: An Italian Mezcal Sour, and smoked Norwegeian salmon with potato hash browns, crème fraîche, and arugula.

Later that evening, we had dinner at Market Street Kitchen. When we heard that it would be the last night behind the bar for one of our favorite cocktail talents (who recently won the 2017 Top Mixologist Foodist Award), we immediately made plans to head over. Garrit Guthrie had made his mark at Market Street Kitchen, but now he's moving on to a new position at Young's Market. Congratulations Garrit!

Complimentary punch

Garrit's wife and son

Tally Me Banana

Firecracker shrimp

Saturday, December 2: Hosted by The Scottsdale League for the Arts, the inaugural Brunch Club took place on the lawn terrace at Mountain Shadows resort and featured some of the Valley's best chefs along with beer, Chandon champagne cocktails and Tito's vodka mules and Bloody Marys.

Hearth '61

Hawaiian tuna

Mowry and Cotton

Monkey bread

Vanilla bean scone

French toast churros

Foie gras and french toast

Pancake lasagna

Monday, December 4: I attended a Belvedere Single Estate Rye Launch Party at the MercBar. Belvedere recently unveiled two new vodkas, Smogóry Forest and Lake Bartężek. I've previously posted how impressed I was with Smogóry Forest, and now I'm also a fan of Lake Bartężek, very different but no less remarkable. Industry guests were invited to sample tastes of both and enjoy them in cocktails. My favorite of the evening was the The Vespężek, a Vesper with Belvedere Lake Bartężek, Lillet Blanc and Nolet's gin. I also learned that Belvedere has chosen only three states to release this signature vodka this month - Phoenix, DC, and Denver.

Both unique and richly-nuanced vodkas draw their names and terroir characteristics from single estate regions, Smogóry Forest made with rye grown in a village in rural western Poland, and Lake Bartężek and its rye grown on a farm in a lakeside village in northeastern Poland.

Dinner that night was at Crujiente Tacos, an award-winning restaurant and one of our go-to spots. It's always a special treat if owner Jason Morris is working as he always introduces us to new spirits. We also met Laura, a new cocktail star at Crujiente, and be sure to order the special taco of the week - fried Kumai oysters with remoulade, romaine lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, and house pickles. We ordered two rounds.

I also tried a couple new-to-me cocktails last night and highly recommend the JapaKnees, a riff on the Bee's Knees with Japanese whisky and hopped honey.

JapaKnees

Mezcal margarita with cucumber and cilantro

Grilled street corn

Crunchy beef taco

Shrimp taco with green curry

Boulevardier

To browse past Rubee Tuesday recaps, visit this link.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday

RUBEE TUESDAY: August 22-28: Cartwright's, 5th Floor Pop-Ups, Fabio on Fire, EVO, Avanti

August 29, 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.

Chef Matthew Eck's yellowfin tuna with mango, avocado, yuzu, Fresno chile, and microgreens on forbidden black rice cracker at Fifth Floor Pop-Ups

Wednesday, August 23: Two of my favorite chefs joined forces at Cartwright's Modern Cuisine for a "Food Without Borders" collaboration dinner. Cartwright's chef/owner Brett Vibber invited Chef Fidencio Alatriste of Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess for a special dinner showcasing his Mexican roots. Look for a detailed recap, but here's a sneak peek, including a fabulous Niman Ranch NY strip with cilantro gorditas, mole poblano and pipian verde.

Chegfs Fidencio Alatriste and Brett Vibber

Thursday, August 24: Chef Matthew Eck, sous chef at The Mission Kierland, invited a group of media and fellow food-lovers to the launch of his new concept, Fifth Floor Pop-Ups. We gathered at sunset on the the Fifth Floor Skyview Lounge at The View at Cascade and were greeted with Arizona Sunset cocktails before diving into a wonderful dinner featuring Chula Seafood and Twisted Infusions Farm. This is just the type of spirit and passion that I feel makes our city such a great food mecca. Look for a full recap here on the website next week and follow along 5th_floor_pop_ups for future events.

Friday, August 25: We were back at Fabio on Fire, which I first visited last week (see that here). Once again, Fabio wowed us with his food and I think his rosemary foccacia with burrata, arugula, pacchino tomatoes, and olives might be my new favorite dish. A round of puffy, chewy, charred pizza dough was brushed with fragrant olive oil and rosemary and then topped with peppery argula and creamy burrata imported from Italy. I also loved the porcini mushroom ravioli special, so be sure to order that too if it's on the menu!

Monday, August 28: Would I like to spend my Monday night sampling cocktails at EVO (a favorite Old Town spot I've mentioned before). Why, of course! Six of us gathered at the bar for a media tasting as Jake Russell introduced us to his cocktail creations, along with Chef Steven Fowler's fantastic polpettini with grana padano and roasted mushroom pizzas.

La Paz: As Jake shared with us, this is his version of a margarita. He told us how he tried 30 tequilas before deciding to barrel age one himself to get the right amount of oak. For this, he ages Corazón tequila and shakes it with Aperol and lime before finishing with an aromatic elderflower foam (nitrous oxide-whipped elderflower cordial, egg white, and lemon juice).
Limoncello Rosa. Jake starts with his housemade limoncello, fresh lemon juice, and gin. But there is also "pomegranate syrup on the bottom and soda water on top, so you want to make sure you give that drink a good swirl to mix it. It tastes light and refreshing but is also something you can drink dangerously." My kind of of drink.
Barrel Roll: This barrel-aged cocktail was started in February and inspired by a barrel-aged Manhattan. The addition of a Campari sphere makes this cocktail uniquely evolve - "it starts as a Manhattan, essentially, but as the Campari melts, it transforms into a Boulevardier."
Calling for Clarification: I had my first, and only (until now), clarified milk punch at Bitter and Twisted last year, so was impressed to see Jake serving this labor-intensive cocktail. Yes, milk is an ingredient but it undergoes a process where it becomes clarified or clear. Fascinating, right? You can read more about this centuries-old libation technique here. At EVO, Jake uses three kinds of rum - white, spiced, and overproof.
Bronze Boar: We finished our cocktail adventure with this spirit-forward cocktail made by mixing up Pig's Nose blended scotch with Luxardo Sangue Morlacco and a dash of Angostura bitters before pouring into an absinthe-rinsed glass.

EVO serves an Italian-inspired menu with a popular happy hour (4-7 pm). Night owls like me and industry pros love the late-night hours with Chef Fowler's full menu served until 1:30 am. EVO is located at 4175 N Goldwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Menu: evoscottsdale.com

Limoncello Rosa

Barrel Roll

Calling for Clarification

Bronze Boar

Polpettini with grilled bread and Grana Padano

Funghi pizza

On the way home, my husband had to look at a property which happened to be right next door to Avanti, one of Phoenix' iconic Italian restaurants (it has been open for 43 years). He suddenly had a craving for carbonara, so in we went. I started with a Negroni, of course. My plan was for a light second dinner of carpaccio, but when I noticed the $27.95 lobster special, how could I say no? This summer special is a delicious bargain - a perfectly-cooked one-pound lobster cut in half and claws cracked for easy access, with soup or salad, garlic bread, pasta, and sauteed vegetables. Take advantage of this deal through the end of September. We also had great service - thank you Jerry!

To browse past Rubee Tuesday recaps, visit this link.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Cartwright's, Cave Creek, Toro, Fifth Floor Pop-Ups, Matthew Eck, Brett Vibber, Fidencio Alatriste, Fabio on Fire, EVO, Avanti

RUBEE TUESDAY: August 16-21: Second Story Liquor Bar, Crudo, Char, Fabio on Fire, Hearth '61, AZRW Fall Preview

August 22, 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.

Wednesday, August 16: I'm working on my next assignment for Experience Scottsdale and spent the afternoon with Executive Chef Jordano Sessions of Second Story Liquor Bar. This talented young chef has a background in botany nutrition and sustainable agriculture, and I can't wait to share his story and food philosophy.

SSLB will be rolling out a new menu of global small plates and I had a sneak peek at some of the delicious dishes, such as his carrot and turmeric arancini with gochujang aioli and tomato jam. Tip: Pair it with Andrew's "Local Roots" cocktail with turmeric-infused gin, chamomile grappa, lemon, and watermelon syrup.

Afterwards, we joined our friends Margo and Norman at Crudo. A Wednesday night special encourages you to gather with your friends and family to share a refillable Polenta Board. Dinner includes a market salad, platter of polenta (local Hayden Mills) topped with a weekly sugo, garnishes, and a bottle of wine for four people. All this at only $20 per person. We feasted on polenta topped with pork belly, brisket, and shishito peppers, and rounded out our dinner with excellent cocktails such as Brenon's "Just a Snip" pictured below and small plates like a wonderful yellowtail collar.

Thursday, August 17: I attended a special media sampling of new fall dishes at Char Kitchen + Bar. More photos and details can be found by clicking the photo of their Mediterranean Chef's Board below.

Friday, August 18: My friend chef Fabio Ceschetti and his wife have long had a dream of opening their own restaurant, and it has come true with the opening of Fabio on Fire! Although Fabio just opened in June, he's already received great reviews (such as this one) and a busy restaurant every night. In fact, plans are already in the works to add a 30-seat patio. I finally had a chance to visit with my parents and wow, we loved it! And the best part? It's on my side of the valley in Peoria. You'll find Italian pastries, pizzas, pastas, and salads, and Fabio also bakes his own bread and makes gelato. Look for a future feature, but for now, here's a glimpse of some of the fantastic dishes we enjoyed.

Farro salad with shrimp, golden raisins, roasted pinenuts, arugula and shaved Parmesan cheese

Amarone

Meatballs (Fabio's nonna's recipe)

La Vegetariana pizza

Short rib ravioli with porcini cream sauce (a special)

Lobster ravioli with crabmeat sauce (a special)

Veal and beef ravioli with marinara (a special)

Italian pastries

Dessert!

Fabio's strawberry gelato

Sunday, August 20. I was invited for the third installment of the monthly Sunday Supper series at Hearth '61, the signature restaurant at Mountain Shadows Resort. Special guest Jason Raducha of Noble Bread joined Executive Chef Charles Wiley for a four-course wine dinner ($74 per person). It was my first time at Sunday Supper, but not my last! The next one is scheduled for September 17. Look for a detailed recap of my experience to post next week.

Jason Raducha and Chef Chuck Wiley

Ora king salmon, Noble millet gremolata, and golden pepper beurre blanc

Monday, August 21: Arizona Restaurant Week kicks off next month and I joined fellow media for a progressive dine-around to preview the menus at The Herb Box in DC Ranch, Market Street Kitchen, and Fleming's Steakhouse. Here are some of the great choices you can expect.

We started with appetizers at The Herb Box.

Restaurant Week menu

Rioja Rosé

Kale and corn pakora

Korean fried cauliflower

Next was Market Street Kitchen for the main course

Rotisserie fried chicken with cheddar mashed potatoes and cream gravy

Restaurant Week menu

Punch with flower ice cubes

Ling cod with ratatouille

Rotisserie pork chop with apple bread pudding

Our last stop was Fleming's for decadent desserts

Sampler platter

Cheesecake

Turtle pie

Carrot cake

We ended our stroll around DC Ranch back at Market Street Kitchen for a Garrit Guthrie nightcap.

Garrit Guthrie Cocktail Market Street Kitchen

To browse past Rubee Tuesday recaps, visit this link.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Second Story Liquor Bar, Fabio on Fire, Crudo

RUBEE TUESDAY: May 31-June 6: Crujiente Tacos, Pita Jungle, Market Street Kitchen

June 07, 2017 / Christina Barrueta

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

On Thursday, June 1st, I met with my friend David for an upcoming feature involving Glenfiddich in Modern Luxury Scottsdale. I'm usually conducting the interviews so it was nice to be on the other side this time, and it's always a fun time with David! Chef Hinojosa sent out some fabulous dishes he has just added to the menu as we sipped on his limited-edition Blood Orange Gose-style beer, a collaboration with Pedal Haus Brewery, and shared some Yuu Baal Pechuga mezcal.

Hallmarks of Chef Richard Hinojosa's cooking are rich flavors in even the simplest dish. His street corn starts with ears of corn poached in "corn tea" for double the punch, and his fantastic gazpacho (my new favorite in town) requires multiple steps of pureeing and straining to concentrate the flavor.

Yellow heirloom tomato gazpacho

Grilled street corn with tomatillo and chimayo aioli

Pechuga mezcal

36-hour short rib taco with radish and escabeche

Seared shrimp with coconut curry

Wagyu cap steak taco, karashi mustard, horseradish crema, pickled shimeji mushrooms.

Afterwards, I joined my husband at the bar, where he ordered the taco of the week - marinated chicken with beans and pico de gallo. In fact, he liked it so much, he ordered...four more! Wise man. As usual, Chef Hinojosa packs so much flavor into a simple bite that it was the best chicken taco I've ever had.

We ended another great night at one of my favorite restaurants being schooled in some new-to-us spirits by co-owner Jason Morris.

On Sunday, June 4th, we stopped in at Pita Jungle for a quick dinner while running errands. We shared baba ganoush and hummus topped with grilled marinated chicken and pine nuts.

On Monday, June 5th, I returned to Market Street Kitchen for a media summer menu preview. If you're a regular reader of this website, it's no secret that I'm a huge fan. In fact, I was just there last week. Look for an upcoming photo recap, but here's a sneak peek.

Dungeness crab salad with lemon vinaigrette

Prime rib from the rotisserie grill

To browse past Rubee Tuesday recaps, visit this link.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday

RUBEE TUESDAY: May 24-30: Gertrude's, Christopher's, Rock Springs Cafe, Mariposa in Sedona, Proof, Market Street Kitchen, Different Pointe of View

May 30, 2017 / Christina Barrueta

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

Wednesday, May 23. My aunt and uncle from New Hampshire were visiting Arizona for the first time and we had a fun week of exploring Arizona, including a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden.

Temperatures at 105+ were a little too warm for me, my husband, and my dad, so we relaxed at Gertrude's, the on-site restaurant, where we enjoyed snacks and cocktails.

Local Dos Cabezas rosé

Hummus with quark and mustard oil

I also spent some time in the Garden Shop.

That night I joined photographer Jenelle Bonifield and Janet Gordon of The Gordon Group who introduced me to one of her clients, Kazzit, a brilliant new winery resource. We met at Christopher's and Crush Lounge, where I interviewed co-founder Babak Motamedi and Master Sommelier Laura Williamson. After learning about this application, I'm excited to share this indispensable tool for travelers and wine lovers. Look for an upcoming interview and feature in June.

Babak Motamedi, Chef Christopher Gross, Laura Williamson, MS

As described on the website: "Kazzit was founded by long time friends Babak Motamedi, a wine-lover and entrepreneur, and Peter Kasperski, the proprietor of Scottsdale’s Kazimierz World Wine Bar and owner of one of the largest collections of fine wine in the United States. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive source of information for all things wine, Kazzit was created to bridge the information gap between wine producers and consumers. Still in its first year of operation, Kazzit is helping select vineyards and wineries tell their stories to an international audience of consumers". You can find out more at http://kazzit.com

We chatted over cocktails and charcuterie as we learned the Kazzit story. My husband and I also stayed for dinner at Christopher's to take advantage of Restaurant Week with a three-course meal at the chef's counter, starting with foie gras torchon paired with a glass of Domaine Bru-Bache Jurancon.

On Thursday, May 25th, we began our Sedona road trip with breakfast at Rock Springs Cafe. They're known for their pies but my stack of dinner-plate-size pancakes was so good, I was too full to order a piece. Next time!

We then headed to Jerome to show our visitors this unique historic mining town founded in 1876. Located on Cleopatra Hill, its winding roads offers beautiful views of Arizona.

We spent a couple hours in Jerome wine tasting at the Echo Canyon Winery tasting room with my friend Cody, aka The Wine Monk, visiting galleries and shops such as Rickeldoris Candy & Popcorn Company, and ending with a stop at the Grand Jerome Hotel. I came home with wine purchases from Echo Canyon and Caduceus Cellars.

Next was the beautiful drive to Sedona with stops at photo op viewing sites. Once there, the men relaxed with beers at Oak Street Brewery & Grill while I spent the afternoon shopping with my mom and aunt at Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village.

Courthouse Butte

Tlaquepaque

To end our family day, I had planned dinner and sunset at one of my favorite Sedona restaurants - Mariposa Latin Grill - and it couldn't have been more perfect.

We were seated on the covered patio and greeted with complimentary appetizers from gracious chef and owner Lisa Dahl - flaky corn and queso empanadas with pineapple criolla, addictive Aguacate Frito (fried avocado) with pimentón aioli, and smoky grilled housemade chorizo (a must-order!) We rounded out our delicious feast with dishes such as grilled rack of lamb accompanied by a roasted yellow pepper coulis and cilantro-mint pesto, a juicy veal chop with zesty house chimichurri, decadent mashed potatoes scented with lemon and draped with lobster in a buttery garlic sauce, and sweet finales of key lime pie and chocolate and pistachio gelato.

As sunset approached, the restaurant and patio quickly filled with people gathered to celebrate the stunning view (video below). It was a glorious ending to a beautiful day in Arizona. I'll be back at the end of the month to join Mariposa as they celebrate two years with a festive party. You can register to join in on the festivities here.

On Friday, May 26th, at Proof at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, I met friends Rich and Shayleen of Campari America. Shayleen, Regional Manager, was visiting from her home state of Texas, so this was a special treat. I sipped on a Boulevardier (bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth) as Chef Del Morris treated us to his fabulous smoked prime rib special.

We ended the night at Market Street Kitchen for, as usual, excellent cocktails by Garrit Guthrie and Chef Hunn's winning menu, including fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade, burrata with heirloom tomatoes, pasta alla vodka with lobster, and a fantastic special of fresh littleneck clams tossed with sauteed leeks and nduja.

On Saturday, May 27th, we celebrated my aunt's and uncle's (17th) and my parents' (53rd) anniversaries at one of Arizona's gems - Different Pointe of View. Sommelier Ian spoiled us with a round of bubbly and Chef Anthony sent out fabulous oysters and scallops that had mom and dad exclaiming they were the best they ever had. This special occasion also happened to fall on Arizona Restaurant Week. DPOV is one of the best deals in town where the special three-course prix-fixe includes full-size dishes from the regular menu with choices in red.

Seared scallop on polenta cake topped with herb-artichoke tapenade

A memorable dinner and gorgeous sunset, what a grand finale to the weekend! (video below):

For last week's Rubee Tuesday recap of visits to Desert Mountain Club for the Arizona Foothills Magazine Best of Valley Party, Cafe ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, Arrowhead Grill, and The Mix Up Bar and T. Cook's at Royal Palms Resort, see photos at this link

To browse past Rubee Tuesday recaps, visit this link.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Rubee Tuesday, Sedona, Gertrude's, Desert Botanical Garden, Rock Springs Cafe, Sedona Road Trip, Mariposa, Market Street Kitchen, Different Pointe of View, Proof, Four Seasons, Jerome AZ, Christopher's, Kazzit

RUBEE TUESDAY: May 17-23: Arizona Foothills Best of Valley Party, New Menu at Cafe ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, Arrowhead Grill, Mix Up Bar and T. Cook's at Royal Palms

May 23, 2017 / Christina Barrueta

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

Cafe ZuZu: Chef LaCasce's Hokkaido scallops with shellfish butter, asparagus, fried meyer lemon, and toasted pearl couscous

On Wednesday, March 17th, I was honored to celebrate two wins at Arizona Foothills Best of Our Valley party - Write on Rubee as Favorite Local Food Website, and my Instagram as Best Food Feed! I am so grateful for the support. The cocktail party was held at the beautiful Desert Mountain private golf club.

We couldn't be in the area without stopping at a favorite for a nightcap on the way home - Liberty Station. Thanks to Kyla who chose two excellent cocktails for me: A Gimlet (lime-infused vodka and housemade lime cordial) and the Spaghetti Western (Altos Reposado tequila, mezcal, Aperol, orgeat, lime juice).

On Thursday, May 18th, I joined fellow media at the Hotel Valley Ho for a delicious introduction to Executive Chef Russell LaCasce's new dishes and Executive Pastry Chef Audrey Enriquez' latest dessert creations. Chef Russell debuted a wonderful menu which offered his sophisticated take on familiar and approachable ingredients. Think scallops draped in shellfish butter and complemented with Meyer lemon slices cured and then fried in tempura batter, or burrata partnered with pickled green strawberries and mint pistou. Loved our sampling, and I'm already making plans for a return visit to explore more of the new menu. Bravo chefs!

Here are some of the fantastic dishes, desserts, and cocktails we tried:

Hawaiian tuna tartare with avocado mousse, Fresno chiles, chicharrones

Burrata with pickled green strawberries, toasted pistachio, mint pistou, thai basil, strawberry vinegar, smoked sea salt

Mini lobster rolls with tarragon and celery

Hudson Valley foie gras with honey poached rhubarb, ginger, five spice brioche french toast + caramelized milk crumb

Hokkaido scallops with shellfish butter, asparagus, fried meyer lemon, toasted couscous

Baker's Bacon Chop cured, smoked + honey lacquered, served with green harissa, burnt orange, fresh herbs, pickled chiles

PJ and his barrel-aged cocktail with Johnny Walker Red, roasted dandelion root, blood orange peel, rosemary, Carpano Antica, Cherry Heering.

Milk and Honey: almond Madeira cake, honey roasted apricots, honeycomb pieces, milk crumble, burnt honey cremeux and toasted almond milk ice cream

Lemon meringue posset: Meyer lemon posset with chamomile shortbread, fresh berries, Meyer lemon curd and dehydrated meringues

The signature Showstopper Shake! Currently it is a Banoffee Cream Pie shake featuring roasted banana ice cream, a banana cream pie, banana bread, caramel-dipped banana, vanilla wafers, candied walnuts, dulcet ganache, toffee crumbles and toffee sauce...all made by Audrey in-house.

On Friday, May 19th I joined my parents for one of our favorite neighborhood happy hours at Arrowhead Grill. We shared filet mignon sliders, lamb chops with goat cheese fondue, and BLT deviled eggs (our usual Happy Hour order).

On Saturday, May 20th, we met friends for cocktails at the Mix Up Bar before dining on the new summer menu at T. Cook's at the gorgeous Royal Palms. Look for an upcoming detailed recap, but below is one of my favorites - lamb with fava beans, morel mushrooms, green garlic and leeks.

Stay tuned next week as I visit Gertrude's at the Desert Botanical Garden, Jamie's Wine Bar, take a trip to Sedona, and celebrate my parents' and my aunt's and uncle's anniversaries at Different Pointe of View.

For past Rubee Tuesday recaps, visit this link.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / hotel valley ho, Cafe ZuZu, Downtown Scottsdale, T. Cook's, Arrowhead Grill, AZ Foothills Magazine

RUBEE TUESDAY: May 10-16: Il Capo Pizzeria, Hearth '61, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, The House Brasserie,Tacos Chiwas

May 16, 2017 / Christina Barrueta

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

On Wednesday, May 10th, I was invited to attend an advance screening of the culinary film "Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent". Wow, loved it! It's a powerful documentary about fascinating legendary chef Jeremiah Tower. Produced by Anthony Bourdain, it opens Friday, May 19th. Here's the trailer:

Afterwards, we walked over to Il Capo Pizzeria, owned by the Rana family, whom we got to know when they owned Cuoco Pazzo in Old Town Scottsdale. James Rana told us about their brewery, State 48, in Surprise, with a second location soon to open in downtown Phoenix. Thanks to James, we sampled their Blueberry ale (my husband's favorite), Belgium blonde, blood orange Belgium blonde, brown ale (my favorite) and oatmeal stout. We each had a slice of pizza - for me, Grandma's Square. Great service from Maryann at the bar, and a treat to chat with Jack Blanton who left the kitchen to say hello.

On Thursday afternoon, May 11th, I filmed with news anchor Olivia Fierro of AZFamily Channel 3 for her segment on her dream job as a food writer. We spent an afternoon at the newly opened Hearth '61 at Mountain Shadows Resort with Chef Christopher Brugman and had so much fun! You can watch the segment by clicking the photo below.

That evening, we were invited by our dear friend Kirti Dwivedi to a fundraiser and cocktail dinner, with 100% of the proceeeds going to LLS. She has been nominated as Woman of the Year for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and this special event as part of her campaign was held at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale. Chef Brian Contreras of the Hyatt Gainey property joined Cullen Campbell of Crudo, Keenan Bosworth of Pig & Pickle, andAaron James-wayne Ward of Brat Haus, with cocktails created by master mixologist Luke Detraz.

Sea Monkeys

Culture Shock

24 Carrots

Dessert paired with Tito's Euro Trip

On Monday, May 15, I joined fellow media as we sipped and savored our way through Billy Bessinger's new cocktails at The House Brasserie. I've been missing out! His well-balanced creations have made The House one of my top spots for craft cocktails in Old Town Scottsdale. We sampled his addictive Tequila Funrise combining Don Julio Blanco tequila, and Galliano complemented by lime juice, lavender honey, and blueberry; the crowd-pleasing Smoked Manhattan capturing the essence of alderwood and stirred with cherry Coke reduction, Carpano Antica vermouth, and black walnut bitters; the refreshing Pimm's Mule with Pimm's, Amaro Nonino, lime, demerara simple syrup, and ginger beer; Snowbird, a tropical sipper perfect for our Arizona summers with Żubrówka (a Polish bison grass-infused vodka), dry curacao, lime juice, Coco Real, orgeat, and bordeaux syrup; and Pour Decisions with warm caramel/butterscotch notes from a combination of Brugal rum, St. George pear brandy, amontillado sherry, and housemade root beer shrub. Which one should you order? All of them!

Smoked Manhattan

Pimm's Mule

Snowbird

Pour Decisions

You can watch a video of Billy making his Smoked Manhattan here:

Afterwards, we hit one of our favorite casual taco spots - Tacos Chiwas (past link here). We feasted on favorites such as deshebrada verde and raja gorditas, tripas tacos, and picadillo burritos.

Next week's plans include visits to Desert Mountain Club, Hotel Valley Ho, Arrowhead Grill, and the Mix-Up Bar and T. Cook's at the Royal Palms Resort

For last week's Rubee Tuesday, visit this link.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Hearth '61, Il Capo Pizzeria, The House Brasserie, tacos chiwas

RUBEE TUESDAY: May 1-9: Bitter and Twisted, Mora, Casa Anejo, Proof and Onyx at the Four Seasons, Artizen at The Camby, Kentucky Derby Brunch at Bourbon Steak, North, and CRUjiente Tacos

May 09, 2017 / Christina Barrueta

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

On Monday, May 1st, I attended a special media preview of Bitter and Twisted Cocktail Parlour's fourth annual Book o' Cocktails along with a sampling of some of Chef Bob Tam's delicious new dishes. Loved it! You can read my photo recap by clicking the picture below.

Afterwards, our friend Kirti joined us for a nightap at Mora Italian, where we shared the foie gras and chicken liver pate with cippolini agro dolce. And a special treat was chatting with one of the valley's best chefs - chef de cuisine Matt Taylor.

On Tuesday, May 2nd, I joined fellow media at Casa Añejo Tacos and Tequila, the newest addition to The Colony. It's a winning trifecta, with a beautiful space designed by HGTV and DIY Network's Kitchen Crashers star Alison Victoria, Riley Jones in charge of cocktails, and Chef Joe Absolor helming the kitchen. Look for a full recap later this month.

Beautiful patio

Berry Hibiscus Margarita

Rajas relleno tacos

Ribeye al carbon

On Thursday, May 4th, I was on assignment for Phoenix Home and Garden at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale. Pick up the July issue for a feature on Executive Chef Chuck Kazmer and his special summer recipes. I was also treated to a dish on Talavera's "Spring in France" tasting menu running through May 17. The rabbit paté with caper berries and pistachios, preserved Meyer lemon aioli, and fava beanss is amazing!

Afterwards, I joined my fellow food writer friend Lauren Topor for Proof's Thursday-only Tiki Pop-Up.

We sipped our way through tropical tiki drinks such as the Flaming Zombie Bite (my favorite - with Plantation overproof rum, gin, pineapple, orange, and orgeat), Pimm's Plunder (Pimm's, Wild Tonic's Tropical Turmeric kombucha, ginger beer, raspberry, lime, and cucumber) and Piña Luau (ixa reposado tequila, amaro, demerara simple syrup, pineapple, lime). Chef Dell also shared his delicious housemade kombucha - thank you Dell!

Don't miss out on Chef Del's rotating selection of Ono Grindz such as this Hawaaian Fried Rice with pineapple, U-5 shrimp and hoisin-glazed scallops, and the bacon bao with turmeric preserved cabbage, chicharrones, charred shallot, and garlic blossoms. Chef Dell cures the bacon for 8 days and then smokes it over black walnut. For more information about this weekly event, click this link.

And we couldn't leave without enjoying the sunset on the picturesque patio of Onyx.

On Friday, May 5th, we received a media invitation to explore Chef Dushyant Singh's new dshes at a personal favorite - Artizen at The Camby. Chef not only surprised us with a custom tasting menu but WOW this is one of my best meals of 2017. I was already a huge fan, but now I'm an even bigger one. These are just a few of the fantastic highlights. Some are currently on the menu, and some are still being finalized. Look for a detailed feature later this month.

Purple potato gnocchi with saffron-poached mussels, charred leeks, asparagus, and a saffron beurre blanc

Aji amarillo tater tots with Osetra caviar and creme fraiche

Tuna crudo with avocado, macadmia nuts, pickled pineapple, Oaxacan chile shoyu and Szechuan peppercorn chile oil

Confit sunchokes with sherry and amaretto beurre blanc and Marcona almonds

Sea bass with cannellini bean ragout, chermoula, turnips, and pancetta

Saturday was the Kentucky Derby. This was my first time joining the Kentucky Derby Brunch at Bourbon Steak at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, but not my last! Festivities included Bulleit mint juleps, live blues music, and a Southern brunch featuring pickled shrimp, filet mignon with Henry Bain sauce, hush puppies and fried oysters, Kentucky burgoo, shrimp and grits, hot browns, fried chicken, Derby pie, red velvet cupcakes, and more. My friend Kirti and I also left as winners! Each guest drew a horse name as they entered and since Always Dreaming won, so did we - a free overnight stay at this gorgeous resort.

On Monday, May 8th, I joined fellow travel writers and local tourism representatives to kick off National Travel and Tourism Week. We were hosted by Visit Phoenix at North Italia in Arcadia and feasted on new favorites like zucca chips, Seasonal Vegetable salad, chicken pesto with gigli pasta, and tiramisu.

Across the street is one of my favorites, CRUjiente Tacos. Since they had just launched their new brew collaboration with Pedal Haus Brewery, I had to stop in after lunch, especially as they were promoting a one-day-only taco pairing. Crujiente's award-winning Executive Chef Richard Hinojosa and co-owner Jason Morris worked with Julian Wright and Derek “Doc” Osborne of Pedal Haus to create a blood orange Gose-style beer. I loved it! But get it while you can as it is very limited. Chef paired it with an incredible roasted pork belly taco with orange-habanero glaze, tomatoes, and cilantro mojo.

For past Rubee Tuesday recaps, visit this link. Stay tuned next week as I visit Il Capo Pizzeria, attend a private culinary film movie screening, support my friend Kirti at an LLS fundraising cocktail dinner at Hyatt Gainey Ranch (she's been nominated for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year), explore the new cocktail menu at House Brasserie...and film a segment as a guest on Good Morning Arizona!

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Mora, Bitter and Twisted, Casa Anejo, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Bourbon Steak, Four Sesaons Scottsdale, Proof

RUBEE TUESDAY, August 16-22: Celler de Can Roca Tour, Salty Sow, Cucina Tagliani, Biscuits Cafe, ZuZu, T. Cook's, Coup des Tartes

August 24, 2016 / Christina Barrueta

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

With the Roca brothers of Spain's El Celler de Can Roca - Executive Chef Joan, Pastry Chef Jordi, and Sommelier Josep

Tuesday, August 16 and Wednesday, August 18: Every August, renowned El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain closes for a month to travel the world, and this time the tour stopped in Phoenix. The restaurant boasts three Michelin stars and other accolades such as 'Best Restaurant in the World', and I was thrilled to be included in the invitation-only special events. While I was unable to make the Master Class, I did attend an exclusive wine tasting with Sommelier Josep, and a spectacular nine-course dinner held at the Four Seasons.

Click on each photo below for details of these special evenings.

El Celler de Can Roca wine tasting led by Sommelier Josep Roca

Green Chromaticism at the El Celler de Can Roca dinner (photo by Debby Wolvos)

Wednesday, August 17th. I attended a media dinner for Salty Sow and it was a nice reminder that I need to get back to this casual, comfortable spot (their honey-rosemary glazed fried chicken is a past favorite). We were introduced to some of their most popular dishes such as truffled deviled eggs, crispy chicken thighs with gravy and smashed potatoes, and a comfort dish of braised beef with root vegetables and a fried egg. Check back next week for full details of our feast!

Saturday, August 20th. On their Arizona visits, we introduced my parents to a favorite casual Italian spot in our neighborhood - Cucina Tagliani - and it quickly became a favorite of theirs too. Now that they've moved here, Dad was in the mood for lasagna, so he invited us out for dinner and knew just where he wanted to go. Mom had her first-ever stromboli, and I went with one of my favorites, the spaghetti squash lasagna, subbing out marinara for Cucina Tagliani's spicy pepperoncini sauce.

Sunday, August 20th. After a busy morning getting my parents' AZ house ready for them to move in after new paint and tile, we stopped for breakfast at Biscuits Cafe. The verdict? According to dad: "This place is great!". And mom? "Let's meet here once a month." Dad had pancakes and mom a chicken sandwich, while Ernesto ordered cinnamon roll French toast and I loved my Country Benedict with biscuits, sausage, and gravy.

Monday, August 22nd. It's approaching fall in Arizona and that means Arizona Restaurant Week is just around the corner. This year it takes place September 16-25 and I joined fellow media professionals for a preview "dine-around." We started at ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, stopped for main courses at T. Cook's at the Royal Palms, and finished with dessert at Coup des Tartes. I'll be posting a recap next week with more photos, but for now you can check out their delicious menu options here.

ZuZu: Roasted acorn squash soup with housemade marshmallows

ZuZu: Oro King salmon, jasmine rice, bok choy, shiso, tomato-lemongrass broth

T. Cook's: Garlic roasted prawns, cannellini bean puree, picholine olive tapenade

T. Cook's: Branzino with shishito peppers, tomato jam, fingerling potatoes, Kalamata olive aioli

Coup des Tartes: Filet with Roquefort fondue and horseradish mashed potatoes

Coup des Tartes: Banana Brulee with coconut pastry cream, banana, chocolate crust

Check back next week as I visit Market Street Kitchen, Chengdu, FnB for a Chef's Roundtable, Craft 64, Pig & Pickle, brunch at Artizen at The Camby, and Bar Brawl at jade bar at the Sanctuary Resort.

Visit this link to browse past Rubee Tuesdays.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday

RUBEE TUESDAY, August 9-15: Four Seasons Scottsdale Hispanic Heritage Weekend and UnderTow

August 17, 2016 / Christina Barrueta

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

Saturday, August 13th. The Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North celebrated Hispanic Heritage Weekend with a schedule of special events. Saturday afternoon featured Chefs Samantha and Manny demonstrating some of their regional specialities along with Azunia cocktail pairings. Click on photo below for detailed recap.

That evening in Talavera, Executive Chef Mel Mecinas was joined by his brothers Chef Honorio (Gordon Ramsay Pub and Vodoo Steak in Las Vegas) and Pastry Chef Juan (La Patisserie in Los Angeles) for a four-course Oaxacan-inspired dinner. It was the first time the three talented Mecinas brothers joined forces in the Talavera kitchen. What a spectacular meal! Click on photo below for a detailed recap:

Sunday, August 14th. A wonderful weekend ended with a Flavors of Oaxaca brunch celebrating local talent in the media, food, and beverage industries. Click on photo below for more.

Monday, August 15th. The highly anticipated UnderTow opened its doors this weekend and it didn't disappoint. On Monday night I attended a private event as a member of our local Tiki AZ group. Not only were the drinks fantastic, but the decor and its attentiont to detail is amazing. And they're not done yet! Bartender Sean told me that what we see now is only part of what they have planned, including a tiki mug launch and light and sound effects. For more information, check out my friend Josh's comprehensive writeup on ABC15.com

Check back next week as I return to the Four Seasons for special Celler de Can Roca events, a beer dinner at Salty Sow, and an Arizona Restaurant Week Dine-Around preview.

To browse past Rubee Tuesday recaps, click this link.

Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday

RUBEE TUESDAY, July 26-August 1: Citizen Public House, Wasted Grain, Deseo at the Westin Kierland, Craft 64, The Mission, Eddie's House, and Bitter and Twisted

August 02, 2016 / Christina Barrueta

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

The Original Chopped Salad at Citizen Public House

Wednesday, July 27. As part of an assignment for an upcoming Scottsdale Visitors Bureau article, I visited Citizen Public House, sampling craft cocktails and some of their signature dishes. Look for that in the printed issue of the fall Vistor Guide. Special thanks to General Manager Steve Faulkner who chose some delicious dishes including grilled octopus with spicy watermelon gazpacho, fennel, and chorizo; hummus and tzatziki plate with house pickles; scallops with roasted corn grits, wilted snow pea greens and cola gastrique; and of course the Original Chopped Salad. Craft cocktails were a Stiggins Fancy Colada (Plantation pineapple rum, Hamilton rum, pineapple syrup, lemon, lime, cream), a Manhattan (Elijah Craig small batch bourbon, sweet vermouth, maple syrup, tobacco bitters), and the Clover Club (Nolet's gin, raspberry simple syrup, lemon, aquafaba, pickled raspberries).

Our next stop in Old Town was to help judge a bartending competition at Wasted Grain between two of my favorite people, acclaimed cocktail master Richie Moe and his talented girlfriend Tara Thorpe. Congratulations to Richie for his winning Smoked Maple Manhattan, which is now on the cocktail menu at Wasted Grain. For a detailed recap, follow this link.

Our final stop heading home was Orange Sky for prickly pear martini research (the best kind!) for an assignment. A bonus was enjoying the beautiful sunset view with live music by Stan Sykes.

Thursday, July 28. Twelve of us were invited for a media dinner to meet E xecutive Chef Derek Biazo of Deseo at the Westin Kierland for an introduction to his new menu items. What a fantastic dinner! Look for a recap and more pictures by Jenelle Bonifield of Food & Lifestyles in an upcoming feature.

Ceviche trio with nitro popcorn at Deseo

Friday, July 29. We spent the afternoon in downtown Scottsdale, hitting some places on assignment and some old favorites. Look for details and more photos in a future post on the places we visited:

I've been wanting to get back to Craft 64, and this visit just solidified what a gem this place is. Their focus is on artisan pizzas, salads, and sandwiches (including a fabulous BLT with mozzarella on house-baked foccacia), sourcing local, and an expansive beverage menu with cocktails, 36 AZ brews, and a 100+ wine list.

Next we visited Old Town's newest AZ wine tasting room, Carlson Creek Vineyard, and had a chance to chat with owner Robert Carlson - always a pleasure! Learn more about their recent grand opening here.

Our friend George Altatriste is the talented chef at The Mission and he's always enticing me with photos and descriptions of his nightly specials, like this amazing filet with chimichurri mashed potatoes, roasted romesco cauliflower, trumpet mushrooms, and a mezcal-manzano pepper glaze.

I'm a native New Englander so when I received the Eddie's House email newsletter mentioning a fried Ipswich clam special for the weekend, that was a must. I've been a longtime fan (see my Happy Hour 2012 article in AZ Wine Lifestyle here), and it was great to be back. We not only ordered the fried clam roll, but the clam chowder was so good, we had two! We also had a chance to talk to Chef Eddie and explore more of the dinner menu, including the best Yankee pot roast in town. Look for a detailed recap on Eddie's House, and the other downtown spots we visited, next week.

Sunday, July 31. Bitter and Twisted hosted a "Chiwas Chino" collaboration dinner with Tacos Chiwas. Click on the photo below for a full recap.

Monday, August 8. I wound up a great week recording Into the Soup at my house with host Heidi Lee and some of my favorite people in the industry such as Phoenix Bites, Joanie Simon, Food & Lifestyles and Debby Wolvos Photography. Food and cocktails were involved, of course. I made Fog Cutters and served Hawaiian Plate Lunch with teriyaki chicken, mac, and rice and Phoenix Bites' husband's delicious kalua pork. Jenelle contributed Arizona wine and Joanie brought a wonderful cheese plate and a decadent chocolate-chile dessert. Thanks ladies, and thank you Heidi Lee for having me on the show! Listen in at noon on Saturday on KWSS 93.9.

Check back next week with my plans for Marigold Maison, La Hacienda, El Chorro, The Spotted Donkey, Crab & Mermaid and three more Scottsdale wine tasting rooms - LDV Wine Gallery, Aridus, and Salvatore.

To browse past Rubee Tuesdays, click this link.

1 Comment 0 Likes

categories / Rubee Tuesday