Write On Rubee

An Arizona-based food, beverage and travel writer since 2008, I launched this website in 2015 to document my culinary adventures, beverage escapades, gardening endeavors, and travel in the Phoenix area and beyond. Also find a comprehensive calendar of Phoenix-area food and drink-related events on my Events page.

Filtering by Category: Rubee Tuesday

RUBEE TUESDAY: The Americano, Toro at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess, Arboleda, Bourbon and Bones Peoria, Proof at the Four Seasons

August 01, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

The Zombie at Toro at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Friday, July 14: The Americano (North Scottsdale). Every summer, I work with one of my favorite organizations, Experience Scottsdale, on assignments for the Scottsdale Visitors Guide. A printed guidebook released annually, it can be downloaded or mailed to you.

Some of my current favorites: Happy Hour lobster salad with caviar and, on the regular menu, burrata with peach, speck, and pistachio crumble, roasted clams, and Fiore di Vitae cocktail.

Wednesday, July 19: Toro at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess was another stop on assignment.

Located on the Scottsdale’s TPC course, the menu showcases the diverse flavors of South and Central America and its Japanese and Chinese-Peruvian influences. Here are some must-orders:

WorldClass black cod with miso-chipotle glaze, kabayaki sauce, grilled asparagus, daikon radish, and togarashi aioli:

  • Danmari Negroni (Roku gin, Trakal, Japanese sweet sake vermouth, bitter liqueur, Banane du Bresil, and Sakura bitters)

  • Grilled avocado with corn pico de gallo

  • Fried rice with butter-poached lobster and chorizo

Grilled WorldClass Argentinian Devesa beef (picanha cut) with chimichurri, house BBQ sauce, potatoes, and shishitos:

Thursday, July 20: This was a busy day with three fun stops. First, was back to Arboleda for a special cocktail creation by Richie Moe, gambas pil pil, and smoked salmon on potato rösti with caviar and champagne cream.

Stop Two was the Grand Opening of Bourbon and Bones in Peoria. I’m pretty excited that the newest location of this upscale steakhouse is only a 10-minute drive.

A perfect ending to the day was an invitation to a fantastic mezcal dinner at Proof at Four Seasons Scottsdale Troon North. So glad Proof has brought back these cocktail dinners! We were all impressed with this menu by Chef Edgar, Pastry Chef Yudith, and cocktail pros Jackie and Autumn:

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Sugar Bowl, House Brasserie, Frasher’s Tavern, TEXAZ Grill, Course, and The Mick Brasserie.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / The Americano, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Toro, arboleda, Scottsdale Quarter, Bourbon and Bones, Four Seasons, Proof, Cocktail Dinner

RUBEE TUESDAY: D&Y Chinese, Arizona Biltmore, Course, and Chantico

July 25, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

Abel Arriaga of Compa Spirits at Arizona Biltmore

Thursday, July 6: D&Y Chinese (Glendale). For our final dinner with family visiting from New Hampshire, we headed to our favorite neighborhood Chinese spot (you can see more in past Rubee Tuesdays here). Another delicious feast, including a new favorite - tamarind crab with fresh crab from their seafood tanks.

D&Y Chinese Food Arizona

Sunday, July 9: Compa Spirits cocktail dinner at the Arizona Biltmore (Phoenix). Another fun educational experience with guest host Abel Arriaga, founder of Compa Spirits, this time at Renata’s Hearth! He’s been introducing Arizona to some fantastic artisanal spirits. Check out this fantastic menu by Chef Daniel Weber and cocktail pairings by lead bartender Tara.

You can see more on my video reel by clicking the photo below:

Chef Carlos Rodriguez Rios of ‘Hearth 61 and Course, Abel Arriaga of Compa Spirits, and Lisa Carrington of The Cocktail Maven

Abel will be hosting his next Compa Spirits’ cocktail dinner at Chilte on Sunday, August 6th, and I’ll be back for more! Details at THIS LINK.

Monday, July 10: Course (Scottsdale). I was thrilled to be invited to Course’s inaugural wine dinner. In celebration of the new summer tasting menu and the Sassicaia summer release, chef-owner Cory Oppold and GM Nick Padua paired dishes with wines from the Kobrand Imports European portfolio.

Nick and Cory introduced each course, and special guest Steve Schwartz of Kobrand shared the story behind the wines. What a spectacular dinner!

WorldClass caviar and creme fraiche sorbet cone

This is also the five-course dinner being served Tuesday and Wednesday nights (with different wine pairings), so make a reservation to experience it for yourself.

Thursday, July 13: Chantico (Phoenix). I had a great time joining fellow writers for a special evening with Sandra Felix, Director of the Baja California Sur Tourism Board, to learn more about this beautiful destination. Can’t wait to visit!

Four of my favorite Chantico dishes: Shrimp aguachile, halibut ceviche, grilled tiger shrimp with coconut rice, and cochinita pibil.

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to The Americano, Toror at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess, Arboleda, Bourbon and Bones Peoria, and Proof at the Four Seasons.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / D&Y Chinese, Arizona Biltmore, Renata's Hearth, Course, Course Scottsdale, Chantico

RUBEE TUESDAY: Sicilian Butcher, The Mexicano, Thirsty Camel at The Phoenician, Farm Provisions in Prescott, Pie Box at Rock Springs Cafe

July 18, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

Cocktails at Thirsty Camel at The Phoenician

Cocktails at Thirsty Camel Lounge at The Phoenician resort

Sunday, July 2: Sicilian Butcher (Phoenix). Joey Maggiore’s restaurants are always on our go-to list when family is in town and bonus. It also serves food until 10 pm, so was the perfect choice for my cousin’s first meal in AZ after picking him up at the airport Sunday night.

Some highlights: Octopus with ceci bean puree, rapini, celery and potaotes; Caesar salad with anchovies; chicken parmigiana meatballs with malfadine in cream sauce; carbonara with chicken parm.

For dessert? Italian pastries from Sicilian Baker next door.

Monday, July 3: The Mexicano (Phoenix). The rest of my family visiting from New Hampshire had arrived on Saturday so for our first meal out together, I picked The Mexicano. No surprise - it was a big hit!

Chicken tinga burrito requested as a chimichanga served enchilada style and red and green salsa.

Build-Your-Own Margarita Bar (video Reel here); frozen margrita sampler; queso fundido; guacamoles with elote and with pomegranate; ahi tacos; birria bao buns; tortilla salad with aji tuna; Sonoran molcajete; dessert board (churros, cream-stuffed conchas, flan):

Chef Fidencio Alatriste of The Mexicano

Tuesday, July 4: Thirsty Camel Lounge at The Phoenician (Scottsdale). My cousin requested a cocktail lounge at a resort with a beautiful view, and I knew just where to take him. Special thanks to Art for his off-menu creations!

Thirsty Camel at The Phoenician

Wednesday, July 5: Farm Provisions (Prescott in northern Arizona). A day trip to Prescott included one of our favorites. We love everything about this family-owned spot - great comfortable vibe, excellent craft cocktails and a delicious farm-fresh menu (read more in my Prescott article here in A Taste of AZ magazine).

Ranchers Reuben with house-made corned beef, Jarlsberg cheese, bacon 1000 island, and Granny Smith apple sauerkraut on rye

You can see more on my video Reel here.

We ended our a day with a stop at Rock Springs Cafe and Pie Box on the way home for some of their famous pies (cherry pie for dad, blueberry-cherry for us).

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to D&Y Chinese, Arizona Biltmore, Course, and Chantico.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Prescott, Farm Provisions, Sicilian Butcher, Sicilian Baker, The Mexicano, Thirsty Camel, The Phoenician

RUBEE TUESDAY: Cafe Monarch, Hotel Valley Ho, ZuZu

June 27, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

June’s Show Stopper Shake at Zuzu at Hotel Valley Ho is inspired by the classic Happy Meal - a chocolate shake with a macaron "burger" and cake pop "nuggets."

Thursday, June 15: Cafe Monarch (Old Town Scottsdale). It’s always nice to get together with John Bergman, co-founder of WorldClass, when he is in town, and on Thursday we were joined by Zane from his team and Eddie, GM at Prime at Gila River Casino Resort, for a spectacular dinner.

Golden Osetra caviar service

Some of the options from our four-course dinner with the Reserve wine pairing:

  • Shrimp ceviche with charred pineapple salpicon, avocado, and plantain chip

  • Sesame-crusted bigeye tuna with umeboshi tare sauce, compressed jicama, kimchi aioli, and crispy rice

  • Berkshire pork belly with Crow's Dairy sumac goat cheese, grilled peaches, spiced cashews, gooseberry, wild arugula, meyer lemon vin, and honeycomb

  • Surf and turf with Wagyu and sea bass, root vegetables, fingerling potatoes, manchego butter, wild mushroom, and Bordelaise

  • Frutti di mare with ‘nduja and lemon crema

Friday, June 16: Hotel Valley Ho (Old Town Scottsdale). We were invited for a hosted staycation at one of our favorite resorts along with a weekend of special events.

After checking in, it was off to the OH Pool to meet up with media friends at our reserved cabana.

As part of the Hotel Valley Ho’s monthly Sip + Shop market series, James Beard award nominee Lindsay Autry of THE REGIONAL in West Palm Beach and Honeybelle at PGA National Resort was the celebrity guest for the weekend. Our media group had a chance to chat with Lindsay, a finalist on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” over cocktails and appetizers at a special meet-and-greet.

Executive Chef Russell LaCasce of Hotel Valley Ho and chef-owner Lindsay Autry of THE REGIONAL

Afterwards, we dined at Zuzu on fantastic dishes such as steak frites with WorldClass Devesa ribeye from Argentina, chimichurri, peppercorn Foyot sauce, and garlic-parmesan fries; sugar snap pea pasta carbonara with pesto cream and toasted hazelnuts; lemon meringue pie.

WorldClass Argentine ribeye and frites

On Saturday morning, we slept in before heading over to the hotel’s monthly indoor farmer’s market. When our summer heat means the outdoor farmers markets go on hiatus, the Hotel Valley Ho opens their doors to invite guests to shop local purveyors, wines and spirits to a free indoor market with live music (for more information and to register for July’s event with special guest Robert Irvine, visit this link)

As guest chef, Lindsay served her amazing tea-brined fried chicken and kale and green apple slaw. I’m ready to make a trip to Florida just to eat this again!

Chef Lindsay Autry, guest chef at Sip and Shop at Hotel Valley Ho in Old Town Scottsdale

Wine and spirits were poured (I visited Tequila Corrido and DAOU Vineyards in between bites) and it was nice to see so many familiar faces, like MJ Coe and James Porter of Breadworks, Chris Schlattman of Better Events Management private chef service (soon to open a restaurant!), Brent Kille of Sonoran Pasta Co, Jason Raducha of Noble Bread, and Rachel Benkowski with Bone Haus Brewing.

I’ll be stocking my pantry and fridge with plenty of goodies from Sonoran Pasta Co, Wild Rye Baking, and Breadworks.

That night, we gathered at Hotel Valley Ho’s Sands venue for Chef Lindsay’s cooking demo and delicious three-course dinner paired with DAOU Vineyards. We began with a welcome cocktail with Tequila Corrido, and chimichurri salt rim paired with passed bites such as oysters and fried green tomatoes.

Our mouthwatering feast paired with DAOU wines included seafood gumbo with sausage and fried okra, WorldClass Devesa Argentine ribeye with shishito peppers, Swiss chard, and short rib raviolo, and Atlantic Beach pie with lemon curd and candied Honeybell oranges.

As one of the sponsors, John Bergman, founder of WorldClass, spoke to the crowd about its mission to “Discover Hidden Treasures” and introduce them to chefs and diners.

WorldClass Account Executive Zane Smith, Hotel Valley Ho Executive Chef Russell LaCasce, and John Bergman, co-founder of WorldClass

Before checking out the next day, we returned to Zuzu for brunch, which is offered daily from 10 am to 2 pm. For me, a Purple People Eater and strawberry cheesecake French toast, and for my husband the Hot Chicken sandwich. Thank you to the Hotel Valley Ho for another wonderful stay!

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for our Hermosa Inn staycation with Cool Dining in the Cellar and a visit to one of my favorite cocktail lounges, Little Rituals.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Hotel Valley Ho, Zuzu, Old Town Scottsdale

RUBEE TUESDAY: Rough Rider, The Mexicano, Arboleda, Fabio on Fire Panini and Gelato, Trevor's on Mayo, Buck & Rider

June 20, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

WorldClass Devesa ribeye topped with chiltepin butter, al pastor marinated bone marrow with elote, queso fresco and salsa macha, and tortillas at The Mexicano in Scottsdale

Monday, June 12: Rough Rider (downtown Phoenix). I was invited to join Frey Ranch Farm and Distillery co-founders Colby and Ashley Frey for a special farm-to-table dinner to celebrate the distribution of their award-winning whiskeys in Arizona. We learned that Colby’s family has been farming in northern Nevada since 1854 and their 1,500-acre farm east of the Sierra Nevada represents this legacy, with the grains for all of their bourbon and rye whiskeys sustainably grown on site. You can also see a video recap by clicking here.

Ashley and Colby Frey, founders of Frey Ranch Farm and Distillery

In collaboration with the bar team at Rough Rider, Beverage Director Alex Montoya introduced expertly-crafted cocktails that were inspired by his childhood flavors and nostalgic flavors. They incorporated not only Frey Ranch spirits, but also their honey and grains, as well as Arizona-grown ingredients.

Welcome Cocktail: Frey Ranch bourbon and rye, tropical tea, wildflower honey, lemon, and pineapple.

Chefs Ian Herschberg and Michael Swift, who had been invited to stay at the ranch, shared their experience, with executive chef Ian telling the crowd: “We had an amazing time at the ranch. It’s one of the best experiences I’ve had as a chef, being able to go out to the farm itself. Every single course features something from the farm to emphasize the ingredients.”

Chefs Ian Herschberg and Michael Swift of Rough Rider in downtown Phoenix

The menu:

Smoked trout rillettes with pickled celery on top of housemade rye cracker using Frey Ranch rye flour.
Cocktail: Oasis of Nevada with Frey Ranch bourbon, Frey Ranch honey, cinnamon, soda, and lemon.

Alfalfa sprout salad with greens, fennel, and blueberries tossed in a dressing made with Frey Ranch honey produced by bees which feed off of alfalfa flowers.
Cocktail: Dust Maker, my favorite cocktail of the night. It combined Frey Ranch Rye whiskey, Frey Ranch malted barley-infused Maraschino liqueur, lemon, orange bitters, and Alex’s fantastic amaro made with Arizona citrus, honey, and chamomile flowers (which some of us asked to try on its own - wow!).

Shrimp and grits (with Frey Ranch cornmeal) with chipotle cream sauce.
Cocktail: For The Land, made with Frey Ranch bourbon, herbal amaro, sweet vermouth, bitters, Frey Ranch toasted oat-piloncillo foam.

Risotto made with Frey Ranch wheat berries, bone marrow, and saffron topped with braised and pressed short rib drizzled with Bordelaise sauce.
Cocktail: Slow Grown, a clarified oat milk cocktail with Frey Ranch bourbon, vanilla, Frey Ranch cornmeal tejuino with piloncillo, blueberry oleo, and Nixta corn liqueur.

Chocolate cake with layers including malted barley cake and cream cheese-chocolate frosting,
Pairing: A pour of the exquisite Frey Ranch Cask Strength Single Barrel #1404, with notes of butterscotch, creme brulee, and caramel.

Tuesday, June 13: The Mexicano (North Scottsdale). I’m working on an assignment for The Tasting Panel magazine about a not-yet-released Spanish beverage called Spicy Wings. You can read all about it in the September issue, but until then, here are some behind-the-scenes shots of our fun afternoon. You can also watch the video reel by clicking here.

Chef Fidencio Alatriste of the Mexicano in Scottsdale

Chef Fidencio Alatriste of The Mexicano with a platter of WorldClass Devesa ribeye

Stop two for my Tasting Panel assignment was Arboleda.

Richie Moe at Arboleda in Scottsdale Quarter

That night, we stopped by for a sneak peek preview of Fabio on Fire Panini & Gelateria which officially opened the next day in Sunrise Promenade near Lake Pleasant Parkway and Happy Valley Rd in Peoria. I’ve been in love with Fabio Ceschetti’s Fabio on Fire Italian restaurant since it opened, and I’m just as excited about his second spot offering a deli for imported Italian ingredients, panini on wood-fired puccia, and the BEST gelato. You can see more on my video reel by clicking here.

Toscano panini: Wood-fired porchetta with Parmigiano cheese spread, provolone, and fried zucchini.

Chef Fabio Ceschetti of Fabio on Fire Panini and Gelato

Wednesday, June 14: Trevor’s on Mayo (North Scottsdale). This was a quick stop to visit Beverage Director Jordan Chandler for the final part of my Tasting Panel magazine feature. Thank you Jordan!

Afterwards, we had lunch across the street at Buck & Rider (North Scottsdale): The burger for my husband, and fish and chips for me.

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Cafe Monarch and a Hotel Valley Ho staycation with the 2023 kick-off Sip and Shop market and a celebrity chef dinner with Chef Lindsay Autry.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / downtown Phoenix, Arboleda, Rough Rider, The Mexicano, Fabio on Fire, Fabio on Fire Panini and Gelateria, Trevor's, Buck & Rider, Buck and Rider

RUBEE TUESDAY: Trevor's, Chilte, Course, Rice Paper, Il Capo Pizzeria, Mother Road Beer Dinner at the Arizona Biltmore

June 13, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

At Chilte in downtown Phoenix, diners can add on WorldClass caviar to a savory dish like the green chorizo vampiro (pictured below) or sweet such as the fabulous guava tart with white cheddar and shrimp dust here.

Tuesday, June 6: Trevor’s on Mayo Blvd (North Scottsdale). I had a fun time with my fellow judges for a blind seltzer tasting. Look for the results in an upcoming issue of Tasting Panel magazine.

Wednesday, June 7, 2023: Chilte (downtown Phoenix). In the July issue of A Taste of AZ magazine you’ll be able to read all about Chilte, one of Arizona’s most exciting new restaurants, and my interview with Chef Lawrence Smith. Since I wrote that feature, Lawrence introduced some new menu items, so here’s a peek at a fantastic feast where I was joined by my friends from WorldClass. You can also watch a video Reel HERE.

I wasn’t able to fit them in my article, but the craft cocktails created by Chef Lawrence are just as spectacular as his creative Mexican dishes. Clockwise from top left:

Green Chile Margarita with house-roasted green chiles
Por Siempre with sotol, piloncillo and mole bitters
El Verde Peligroso with gin, kiwi, epazote and celery bitters
Whiskey Sour
Sangre De Maize, a mezcal and corn Negroni

One of many signature dishes, Lawrence created Black Pink for his episode on Food Network Chopped where the secret ingredient was chocolate. It’s an amazing combination of WorldClass langoustine red shrimp in a chocolate-spiked agua chile with pink grapefruit, cucumber, and house tostadas.

Black Pink at Chilte with WorldClass langoustino red shrimp

Other must-orders:

Yuca fries with furikake, queso cincho, and Buddha’s Hand aioli.
Chicharrones with charred tomatillo guacamole, jamaica and chile de árbol salsa and Benny Blanco flour tortillas.
Chorizo verde vampiro with handmade tortillas, green chorizo, queso Chihuahua, and salsa macha.
Quesadilla with queso Chihuahua wrapped in a hoja santa leaf with salsa verde, goat cheese, chiltepin, salsa macha, and a sprinkle of chicatanas (Oaxacan roasted ants).
Birria with miso consommé and salsa tatemada
Marrow Burger with green chile, bone marrow, white cheddar, caramelized onions, lettuce, and Chimayo aioli on a Noble Bread bun served with Frites Street fries dusted in togarashi and cotija.

And tip: On Wednesdays, wine by the bottles are half-price, like the Mexican chardonnay below, Château Camou from Guadalupe Valley.

The Grilled Romaine with goat cheese and smoked corn was another new addition that debuted on June 7. Be sure to add the option of three juicy WorldClass Patagonian lamb chops to your salad (or a double order like we did!)

WorldClass Patagonian lamb chops can be added to the grilled Romaine salad

I had to order two of Chef Lawrence’s favorite cocktails as an after-dinner drink(s) and they were just as stellar as my first cocktail: Hada Madrina (absinthe, gin, and pineapple garnished with queso cincho and chiltepin) and the Carajilllo (local Provision espresso, Spanish 43, orange, and lavender).

The perfect ending? Guava tart with cheesecake and guava curd in a sablée crust with coconut tres leches and white cheddar and shrimp dust (don’t forget the option of caviar for $10; it was a brilliant combination!) and a round of sotol.

Thursday, June 8: Mother Road beer dinner at McArthur’s at the Arizona Biltmore resort. I became a fan of this craft brewery after visiting them on a Flagstaff press trip for Arizona Beer Week (check out my write-up here). I partnered with Mother Road Brewing for this event, so look for my detailed recap next week. For a preview, you can watch my video Reel by clicking HERE.

Friday, June 9: Course (Scottsdale). As I mentioned in this Rubee Tuesday, Course just opened last month and it’s a fantastic addition to our dining scene. I’m also featuring GM and sommelier Nick Padua and chef-owner Cory Oppold in my next Sonoran Scoop column in SOMM Journal, and stopped by for an interview. Look for it in the August issue.

Rice Paper is located in the same shopping center, so afterwards I picked up lunch to bring home (and enjoyed a Mexicanese Margarita while I waited for my order). Nick had recommended the Bruce Lee roll with pork, shrimp, crispy roll, jalapeño, Grandma’s hot sauce, Thai chile, and Ssiracha served with Asian pesto sauce, and it’s now my new favorite here.

Also in the shopping center is one of our favorite pizza spots, Il Capo Pizzeria, so dinner that night was a NY-style sausage pizza.

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Rough Rider, The Mexicano, Arboleda, and Trevor's on Mayo.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Trevor's, Chilte, Course, Course Scottsdale, Cory Oppold, Nick Padua, Il Capo Pizzeria, Rice paper, Mother Road, Arizona Biltmore

RUBEE TUESDAY: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, The Mexicano, D&Y Chinese, and Francine.

June 06, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Kokopelli’s Cabana Colada

Thursday, May 25: JW Marriott Desert Ridge. We had family visiting from Texas and one of our traditions (see last year) has been to spend a day poolside in a Canyon Creek Lazy River Day Suite. These luxurious cabanas offer a private half bathroom, air conditioning, misting system, indoor and outdoor seating, and more, and the kids love being steps from the lazy river (this year’s video HERE).

And the JW Marriott Desert Ridge pool amenities are actually going to get bigger and better with a current expansion into AquaRidge WaterPark. This $18 million pool transformation will include an enhanced lazy river, Havasu Playground with three new water slides, and an exclusive adults-only Sky Island. Click the photo below to get all the details.

Saturday, May 27: The Mexicano (North Scottsdale). This is one of our favorite spots with one of our favorite chefs - Fidencio Alatriste - and I knew the kids would love the fun menu and colorful vibe.

Chef Fidencio Alatriste of the Mexicano

And good timing! Our visit happened to be three days after the launch of new cocktails and menu items, and you’ll want to add these to your new favorites list:

  • Amor Amago with tequila repo, lime, agave, and chocolate bitters; Summer Fling Margarita with strawberry and kiwi

  • Ahi tacos with chipotle mayo and serrano ponzu

  • Watermelon ensalada fresca

  • Chicken tinga empanadas

  • The BEST chicharrones (my Mexican husband said he hasn't had chicharrones this good since he was a kid)

  • Chile relleno with salsa verde

And while the kids loved their options from the children’s menu (cheese enchiladas and a chicken burrito), the big hit was the surprise dessert board.

Conchas stuffed with vanilla cream, flan with roasted pineapple and vanilla whipped cream, pineapple empanadas with caramel sauce, and a churro cart with chocolate, caramel, and tres leches dipping sauces. Gracias, Fidencio!

Thursday. June 1: D&Y Chinese (Glendale). A family dinner at our favorite neighborhood Chinese spot included trying three new-to-us dishes from the menu - roast duck carved Peking style with steamed buns, beef chow fun, and honey walnut shrimp.

Peking duck at D&Y Chinese in Glendale, Arizona

Friday, June 2: Francine (Scottsdale Fashion Square). Though we’ve been long-time fans of Francine and have been many times, our last visit was more than a year ago so we were long overdue. When we were invited to check out the spring menu, I was excited to meet new Executive Chef Connor Harmon and try his dishes. What a talent! We loved both the savory dishes, and his dessert creations. Here’s our fabulous feast (and you can watch a video Reel HERE):

Grilled WorldClass Portuguese octopus with piperade, Niçoise olives and fennel.

Grilled WorldClass octopus at Francine

Pure Bliss (gin, Chartreuse, Lillet, Chareau) and vodka Martini with blue cheese-stuffed olives; frito mixto; pea soup en croute with crab; spinach risotto with pistachios and lobster add-on (now my favorite risotto in town!); chicken Milanese; Domaine Georges Lignier & Fils Clos des Ormes Premier Cru.

Herb-crusted WorldClass Patagonian lamb chops with baby vegetable sauté and rosemary olive oil, paired with 2017 Domaine Georges Lignier & Fils Clos des Ormes Premier Cru Burgundy.

WorldClass lamb chops at Francine

Chocolate pot de crème with hazelnut crumble and Grand Marnier chantilly; Espresso Martini; lemon curd tart with torched meringue; Scholar’s Folly (Whistlepig 10-year rye, Averna, Manzanilla sherry).

Olive oil cake with local Steadfast Farm honey, salted caramel sauce, lemon and honey mascarpone, olive oil powder and honeycomb tuile.

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Trevor’s for a Tasting Panel magazine feature, Chilte at The Egyptian Motor Lodge, a Mother Road Beer Dinner at Arizona Biltmore, Course for a SOMM Journal interview, Rice Paper, and Il Capo Pizzeria.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / JW Marriott Desert Ridge, JW Marriott, Fidencio Alatriste, The Mexicano, D&Y Chinese, Francine

RUBEE TUESDAY: Course, Arboleda, STK, Pa'La Downtown, The Cave at Quartz, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

May 23, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

Chef Cory Oppold of Course in Scottsdal, Arizona and food writer Christina Barrueta of Write On Rubee

Congratulations to Chef Cory!

Wednesday, May 10: Course (Scottsdale). We were invited to make reservations for the Soft Opening and I couldn’t have been more excited! I’ve known chef-owner Cory Oppold for almost a decade, first meeting him when he was executive chef at Atlas Bistro. I knew his dream of having his own restaurant was a long time coming, and, wow, it was absolutely worth the wait.

Menu at Course in Scottsdale

Cory’s signature creative art-on-a-plate dishes are offered as a 10-course tasting menu Thursday through Saturday, and a 5-course tasting menu on Tuesdays and Wednesdays What an incredible evening! You’ll want to make reservations right now for this special spot that I predict will be one of the region’s defining restaurants in the culinary landscape for years to come; I forgot to take photos of dessert and wine labels, but you can see more on my video Reel HERE.

And did I mention the outstanding team he has assembled, like GM Nick Padua, who leads the beverage program?

GM and Wine Director of Course, Nick Padua

Nicholas Padua of Course.

And it was so nice to see so many more familiar faces like Carlos, Joe, and Sheila. Course officially opened on May 11, and its “immature sibling” Morning Would started serving Sunday brunch on May 28. Look for my Course feature in the August issue of SOMM Journal!

Thursday, May 11: Arboleda (Scottsdale Quarter). To celebrate National Tourism Week, Visit Phoenix, the tourism board for Greater Phoenix, invited our group of writers and media pros for Happy Hour at Arboleda. You can see my video Reel below of a fun time at one of my favorite spots, with some of my favorite people!

And since master cocktail craftsman Richie Moe has joined the Arboleda team, we had to retire to the bar afterwards for some more libations.

That night, we headed to STK in Old Town Scottsdale, where we had been invited to a media preview of the Afternoon Tea they were offering for Mother’s Day the following Sunday. What a great idea! I loved the selection of tea sandwiches, scones and desserts, and champagne and cocktail options.

Afterwards, we were also treated to some more delicious bites from the Happy Hour menu, including tuna tartare tacos, falafel and tahini, calamari, short rib quesadillas, tater tots, calamari, and sliders.

Friday, May 12: Arboleda (Scottsdale Quarter). Back to Arboleda, this time with John Bergman, co-founder of WorldClass, who was visiting from Houston, and his team. I didn’t take many pictures as you can see photos from previous visits (including WorldClass jamón Ibérico, octopus, and Argentine ribeye) in past Rubee Tuesdays, but needless to say, it was another fantastic dinner.

Saturday, May 13: Pa’La Downtown (Phoenix). Since John was in town for the weeked, we happily took him up on another dinner invitation - Pa’La Downtown, one of my personal favorites (check out my column featuring Pa’La in the current ssue of SOMM Journal).

We were joined by chef Chris Brugman of Season Your Soul Hosptality (formerly of Mountain Shadows and Castle Hot Springs) and his wife Jill.

John had arranged a special omakase with chef-owner Jason Alford, including the pièce de résistance - whole suckling pig. The entire feast was spectacular! And special thanks to GM and beverage director Gilles Kolakowski for the excellent wine pairings.

Tagliatelle pasta with jamón dashi (made with WorldClass Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico leg, kombu, and bonito flakes) with spicy capicola, mushrooms, and Parmesan-Reggiano:

Tagliatelle pasta with WorldClass jamón Iberico dashi.

  • Oysters with tomato ponzu and smoked trout roe

  • Smoked mussel and cured mackerel hand rolls

  • Salmon crudo with sea scallop leche de tigre

  • Roasted carrots with Japanese curry, eggplant miso, and saffron honey

  • Arcadia Meat Market beef tartare with Japanese milk bread

  • Seared foie gras with black currant gastrique and duck fat financier

  • Wood-fire roasted suckling pig

Executive Chef Jason Alford, owner of Pa’La Downtow, and John Bergma, co-founder of WorldClass

Monday, May 15: The Cave at Quartz (Downtown Phoenix). A brand-new craft cocktail addition to downtown helmed by mixologist Maxwell Berlin (formerly of Glai Baan), Quartz offers two different cocktail experiences. The menu at Quartz, a more traditional bar, has specialty drinks based on birthstones, while the reservation-only Cave hidden behind it offers an exclusive menu of cocktails inspired by the deserts of the world.

Quartz in downtown Phoebix

Once you check into the host stand at the entrance to The Cave, you’ll be led down a beautiful rose gold mirrored hallway to your private booth and greeted with complimentary welcome cocktails, such as locally-owned Gran Ponche Mexicano passionfruit and sparkling blanc de blanc:

Complimentary welcome cocktails at The Cave in downtown Phoenix

Be sure to read the inspiration stories on each creative cocktail! Favorites included Dreamtime, The Dancing Herd, Tomb of the Fizzy Kitty, and Souk Sazerac.


Check out my video Reel HERE for more.

Souk Sazerac with overproof rye whiskey, Branca Menta, Moroccan green tea, camel fat, and lemon arrak sand

Conveniently right next door for post-cocktail eats is Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, which had been on my list for a while. You’ll want to add it to yours too. The crispy, juicy fried chicken lived up to the hype and I loved the fried green tomatoes and my sides of collard greens and fried okra too. Plus a shout-out for great service from Mary.

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Epicenter at Agritopia, Tomaso’s, Festivin wine festival at The Wrigley Mansion, and a staycation at Mountain Shadows resort.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Course, Course Scottsdale, Cory Oppold, Pa'La, Downtown Phoenix, The Cave, Quartz, Phoenix cocktails, Gus's Fried Chickeb

RUBEE TUESDAY: Renata's Hearth, Kentucky Derby at Mowry & Cotton, Wrigley Mansion Podcast, Prime

May 16, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

The Arizona Biltmore

Friday, May 5: Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix. At the Phoenix Open back in February, I ran into talented sous-chef Leo Kuang of Renata’s Hearth at the Arizona Biltmore, and had been trying to carve out time in my crazy schedule to see him ever since.

Serendipitously, we happened to book our reservation on Cinco de Mayo and enjoyed some Patron cocktails and chef bites in the courtyard before dinner.

We then headed to the dining room. Chef Leo and team guided us in our choices - what a spectacular meal! My last visit was over a year ago, and we had stayed away far too long. Our round of starters included tender-smoky WorldClass Octopus a la Veracruz with patatas bravas and Spanish chorizo.

And, of course, if I see luxurious WorldClass Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico de bellota on a menu, I have to order it.

More winners: Guacamole; Basque Sandwich Bites with jamón Ibérico, Manchego cheese, and truffle plus polenta fries (we order this every time); yellowtail ceviche with avocado mousse, charred tomatillo broth, cucumber, and crispy shallots; and stonefruit salad with winter greens, smoked requesón cheese, and honey vinaigrette made with WorldClass Argentine honey.

Somehow we saved room for entrees and sides, all of which are now also on my must-order list like roasted WorldClass seabass with mole verde and Peruvian rice.

And smoked Wagyu brisket with warm tortillas and rojo, verde, and cashew salsas; Caledonian prawn & scallop rossejat; patatas a la Huancaina (fingerling potatoes with aji amarillo and queso fresco); and warm fava beans with serrano-oregano butter and hen-of-the-wood mushrooms.

We packed up leftovers to-go because we had to squeeze in these decadent desserts (coconut tres leches cake with Bavarian cream, coconut Anglaise, and Chocotorta with caramel cream, champurrado sauce, and whiskey vanilla ice cream) and a Mezcal Carreño flight.

You can also watch our memorable night with our fab server Dani and Chef Leo in my video Reel HERE.

Saturday, May 6: Mowry & Cotton at The Phoenician resort for a Kentucky Derby Porch Party. We were invited to join the festivities at one of my favorite resorts and we are now going to make it a yearly tradition! Mowry & Cotton was a beautiful setting to sit indoors, or on the patio, to enjoy delicious food and excellent cocktails while watching the Derby. And it was so nice to run into Krista (aka @eatlovetravelplay).

You can also see my video Reel HERE.

And because we didn’t want the fun times to end, we headed upstairs with Krista and her husband Bill for a couple of rounds of cocktails at the Thirsty Camel bar.

Monday, May 8: Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix. Stay tuned for another A Taste of AZ podcast! This time I joined hosts Luke and Eric as we sat down with Executive Chef David Brito and Wine Director Jason Caballero of Wrigley Mansion.

And since it’s always a good time at The Wrigley, after the podcast, Jason took us on a tour of the wine cellar and we indulged in Montenegro shots, Fernet, and…a champagne gun.

Tuesday, May 9: Prime at Gila River Resorts & Casinos at Wild Horse Pass. As you’ve seen in past Rubee Tuesdays, we’re huge fans of the wine dinner series at Prime and have yet to miss one. On May 9, they invited guests to explore South America as the last in the spring series (but they’ll be back in the fall!).

Majdi Kayyali. Corporate Vice President of F&B for Gila River Resorts & Casinos, and Advanced Sommelier Troy Tranzow of Prime

We live about an hour away from the resort, so thank you to the team for hosting us for an overnight stay in one of their beautiful suites!

Linda welcoming us with Camille’s Maracuya con Mead with passionfruit and honey

As always, Prime Executive Chef Michael Dei Maggi had fun with the themed region, explaining his inspiration before serving each delicious dish.

And if you’re showcasing South America, it’s no surprise that WorldClass ingredients were on the menu - this night, it was their octopus, sea bass, Argentine beef ribeye and tenderloin, and dulce de leche (it was also a nice surprise to see WorldClass co-founder John Bergman, who joined his team for his first experience at one of Prime’s wine dinners).

Check out this incredible line-up curated by Advanced Sommelier Troy Tranzow, including the bonus addition of Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades rosé champagne!

And as always, we had to have a nightap at the bar with rockstar cocktail expert Camille, who created the welcome non-alcoholic refresher Maracuya con Mead and the Pisco cocktails for the dessert pairing. And we found out Camille has more hidden talents - such as the amazing boozy chocolates we were surprised with.

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Course, a Visit Phoenix tourism bureau Happy Hour, STK Scottsdale, Arboleda, Pa’La Downtown, The Cave at Quartz, and Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Arizona Biltmore, Arizona Resort, Kentucky Derby, Mowry & Cotton, Wrigley Mansio, Wrigley Mansion, A Taste of AZ podcast, Prime, Wine Dinner, Gila River Resort

RUBEE TUESDAY: Tia Carmen, Arizona Restaurant Week Preview, The Americano, D & Y Chinese, Arboleda, Pomo Pizzeria Biltmore, Giuseppe's On 28th

May 09, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

Mark Stone and Chef Angelo Sosa of Tia Carmen

Restaurateur Mark Stone and Executive Chef Angelo Sosa, co-owners of Tia Carmen at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge

Saturday, April 29: Tia Carmen, Scottsdale. We were invited to join the one-year celebration of Tia Carmen at JW Marriott Desert Ridge. As I’ve gotten to know co-owners Mark Stone and Chef Angelo Sosa in my interviews (for So Scottsdale magazine, SOMM Journal, and A Taste of AZ), I loved having the opportunity to celebrate their success with them!

I started with a Yuzu and Bergamot Paloma, before commemorating the occasion with a fantastic wine-paired tasting menu of Tia Carmen’s signature dishes (above), all of which have become personal favorites over the past year.

And thank you to Mark for introducing us to - and joining us in - a Don Abraham Extra Anejo Tequila nightcap. It was the perfect ending to a special night at Tia Carmen. For a video Reel of the Grand Opening in 2022, click HERE.

Monday, May 1: Arizona Restaurant Week Dine-Around Preview. The Spring Arizona Restaurant Week takes place May 19-28 this year and I joined a lively media group as we toured three of the 160 restaurants offering special menus: Arboleda for appetizers, Thompson 101 for entrees, and cocktails and dessert at Chauncey Social. Reel:

And since we ended at Chauncey Social which was next door to The Americano, I had to stop by to check out the new cocktails. In addition to an excellent Espresso Martini, I loved the new Live and Let Thai with tea-infused vodka, Velvet Falernum, Chocolate Spice bitters, pandan, blood orange and Prosecco, and the Fiore di Vitae with Salvadoreno coffee rum, Bacardi, pomegranate, lavender, Primitivo and Flores Bitters.

Tuesday, May 2: D & Y Chinese, Glendale. Back to our favorite Chinese restaurant! My mom actually discovered this gem when she was looking for a spot in the NW Valley that had roast duck, but now we’ve been here more often than they have. Not only do they have roast duck (which we usually get to-go), but they also have tanks with fresh lobster, crab, and fish. We try something different every time (the menu is much larger than that on the website), but my current favorite dishes are Westlake soup, salt and pepper pork chop, green beans with XO sauce, sugar pea shoots with garlic, salted fish and eggplant pot, salt and pepper lobster, and roast duck. TIP: Call ahead to reserve your duck order as they sometimes run out.

Some past feasts:

Wednesday, May 3: Arboleda, Scottsdale Quarter. If you’ve read my past Rubee Tuesdays, you already know that this is a favorite of mine. This time, we introduced Meridith May and her husband Bill Brandel, owners of The SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines, to this fantastic spot.

Worldclass Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico de bellota with sourdough tomato toast

I’ve already mentioned previous favorite dishes like hummus and WorldClass Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico de bellota with pan con tomate (above), but now I’m adding El Bulli olive spheres, foie gras cones, coffee and date-glazed duck breast, and Ibérico pluma to the list! Look for my Arboleda article in the next issue of A Taste of AZ magazine.

Baked Arizona with prickly pear sorbet and Chocolate Marshmallow Sundae paired with a Bonal divestivo at Arboleda

Thursday, May 4: Pomo Pizzeria, Biltmore. There’s a new location for your Neapolitan pizza fix! I’ve been a long time fan of Pomo and their fantastic pizza (and pasta) and featured them in my Phoenix Cooks cookbook. So of course we had to stop by for their Biltmore Grand Opening celebration and enjoy Aperol Spritzes, charcuterie, and a mini Neapolitan pizza.

We continued our ItalIan night with a first visit to Giuseppe's On 28th, a 20+ year Valley fixture. Cute, cozy neighborhood spot and friendly service, with my favorite dish being the lobster ravioli with sage butter special.

Check back next week for visits to Renata’s Hearth, The Phoenician Kentucky Derby Party, a Taste of AZ podcast at Wrigley Mansion, Prime at Gila River Resort & Casino at Wild Horse Pass

And you can follow along on my Instagram as I visit Course (new restaurant alert!), STK Steakhouse, Arboleda, Pa’La Downtown, and The Cave at Quartz Cocktail Bar.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Tia Carmen, Arizona Restaurant Week, The Americano, D&Y Chinese, Pomo Pizzeria Biltmore, Arboleda

RUBEE TUESDAY: Prime at Gila River Casino Resort, The Gladly, Dirty Dough, Second Story Liquor Bar, Fairmont Phoenix Hotel and Residences, STK, Little Pickle, Trevor’s Liquor

March 28, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

Tuesday, March 14: Spanish wine dinner at Prime at Gila River Resort and Casinos. Last year, Prime launched what is one of the state’s premier wine dinner series and I was back for the kick-off to 2023 featuring Spanish wines. We were greeted on the rooftop patio with stunning views, sangria, and pinchos before moving to a private dining room where guest Master Carver Fernando Ortega was carving acclaimed WorldClass Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico.

It was the perfect introduction to a fabulous Spanish tasting menu paired with spectacular Spanish wines. As always, the talented team here knocked it out of the park, and before we left, we had April’s Italian wine dinner booked. Watch more HERE on my video Reel.

Wednesday, March 15: The Gladly (Central Phoenix). For a visiting friend’s last meal before heading to the airport, we were off to The Gladly. A perfect lunch for me was a Negroni Sbagliato (where the gin is swapped out for prosecco) and chef-owner Bernie Kantak’s famous chopped salad. It’s a dish I often make for out-of-town guests too - I share the recipe I use here.

Dirty Dough, Scottsdale. I had been invited to check out the new Scottsdale location of Dirty Dough, so we swung by after lunch at The Gladly. One visit and you’ll be hooked on these cookies too! Pictured below is the Brookie (a brownie cookie stuffed with cookie dough and caramel), Chocolate Chip, Caramel Apple Pie (sugar cookie stuffed with apple pie filling and topped with caramel and cream cheese frosting), Reverse with Reeses (peanut butter cookie stuffed with fudge and garnished with crushed Reeses). I also posted an Instagram video Reel HERE.

Thursday, March 16: “First Date” for the Fairmont Phoenix Hotel and Residences opening in 2025 (downtown Phoenix). It’s always nice to catch up with world-renowned chef Alex Stratta who will lead the culinary program at Fairmont Phoenix. Learn more via this Press Release, and click HERE for a video Reel.

Chef Alex Stratta and Christina Barrueta for Fairmont Phoenix

Alessandro “Alex” Stratta, a two-Michelin star and James Beard Award-winning chef, will lead the culinary program at Fairmont Phoenix.

STK Steakhouse (Old Town Scottsdale). Afterwards, we were off for the unveiling of STK Scottsdale’s beautiful new rooftop deck. They always know how to throw a party! Click the photo below for a full video.

Our last stop on this fun-filled day was Second Story in Old Town. If you haven’t been in a while (like me), it’s high time to revisit this gem. Chef Jordano Sessions is back and I’d recommend every delicious dish we tried. Our feast included crispy rice cakes with furikake, cured egg yolk, and gochujang; yellowtail crudo with lemon-chile ponzu; Korean pork belly roll with sake-soy glaze and pickled cucumber salad; trenne and jamón Ibérico pasta special; grouper with sake steamed rice and passionfruit sauce; jerk pressed chicken with charred pineapple fried rice and coconut rum jus. You can see more pictures and listen in on Chef Jordano describing some of the dishes on my Instagram here.

Rice cakes and yellowtail crudo at Second Story Restaurant and Bar in Old Town Scottsdale

Rice cakes and yellowtail crudo at Second Story Restaurant and Bar in Old Town Scottsdale

Friday, March 17: Little Pickle at The Esplanade. We’ve been friends with MercBar owner Rick Philips, whom we first met when he was owner of Bootleggers, and over the years we’ve been treated to the killer pastrami and lox he has been perfecting. So it’s no surprise that the opening of Little Pickle has been met with resounding success. He has a gift for coaxing melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and flavor from meat and fish to create superlative renditions of Jewish deli favorites such as pastrami, corned beef, and lox. We’re fans of the whitefish, latkes, matzo ball soup, and egg salad too - can’t wait to try more! Pro tip: Order ahead on-line to avoid a wait.

NOTE: Get there now as Little Pickle will close temporarily on April 7th before they relocate to a more permanent location (stay tuned for updates!)

Friday night: ZD Wine Tasting at Trevor’s Liquor in North Scottsdale. For our first visit to the beautiful new location on Mayo Blvd, a fun ZD Wine Tasting ($30 pp) was the perfect excuse. We were greeted with bubbly, treated to charcuterie boards, and owner and winemaker Brett Deleuze led us through tastings of ZD 2021 Chardonnay, 2021 Pinot Noir, and a comparison of the 2019 and 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (insider’s scoop: Trevor's owns all of the 2012 Cabs in AZ).

And if you haven’t been, the newest location is spectacular! Watch my Reel below to see Beverage Director Jordan Chandler lead me on a tour of the 15,000 square-foot space offering retail space including champagne and whiskey rooms, a dog-friendly patio, pizzeria, humidor, cigar lounge, indoor golf simulator, and more.

Check back next week as I share photo recaps of visits to Vecina, ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, Pa’la Downtown, Eden Bar and Blue Hound Kitchen at Hotel Palomar, and Anhelo.

And follow along on my Instagram for this week’s visits to: Mariscos Playa Hermosa, Arboleda, Keeler’s Steakhouse, First & Last and Little Debbie’s.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Prime, Gila River Casino, Gila River Resort, The Gladly, Dirty Dough, Second Story Liquor Bar, Fairmont Phoenix, Alex Stratta, Wine dinner

RUBEE TUESDAY: Phoenix Dish Fest, Arboleda, Paso Robles Cab Camp, Arizona Cocktail Week

March 21, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

A weekly feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday on Tuesdays as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can see past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

The team at Weft & Warp is always a Dish Fest favorite (L-R: Beverage manager Sergio Campos, executive pastry chef Morgan Malzahn, and executive chef Dushyant Singh)

March 5: Another great year at PHOENIX magazine’s Phoenix Dish Fest, one of the city’s most popular food festivals. In fact, it has been so successful that Dish Fest will be expanding to two days in 2024. Click here for a video Reel.

March 6-9: The next day, I was off to Paso Robles, California to cover Paso Cab Camp for The SOMM Journal.

I’ll be sharing more photos under my Travel section and video Reels on Instagram (Here’s one of our beautiful hotel, the Allegretto Vineyard Resort).

EDITED 6/1/2023: Here’s the link to my seven-page spread in the June/July issue of SOMM Journal.

DAOU Family Estates in Paso Robles

March 9: Arboleda (Scottsdale Quarter). Upon landing in Phoenix at dinner time, my husband picked me up and we decided to check out a new restaurant I’ve been hearing so much about. Arboleda, which means grove in Spanish, celebrates Mediterranean dishes spanning the cuisines of Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Morocco. We not only loved the delicious hummus and lobster spaghetti, but check out the pan con tomate with WorldClass Cinco Jotas jamón Ibérico de bellota (the world-famous melt-in-your-mouth ham made from Iberian pigs fed on acorns and cured in centuries-old cellars in Jabugo, Spain). We already have plans to return before the end of the month to explore more of the menu.

March 12: The 11th annual Arizona Cocktail Weekend took place March 10-13, and I’ve attended the festivities since its debut. This year, I made Sunday my main day with two events. First, we kicked off our evening at Pa’La with a Roxx Vodka event featuring live music and a delicious signature cocktail called the Esmeralda, created by GM Gilles Kolakowski.

We were also treated to delicious bites such as hamachi topped with WorldClass caviar, shrimp with ginger-chile koshu and togarashi, and wood-grilled WorldClass octopus with saffron, Chimayo chile, artichokes, Controne beans and Steadfast Farm daikon radish salad. You can see more on my video Reel here.

Top Bars at The Croft: Once again, award-winning bars from around the country were gathered downtown, such as New York’s Clover Club and Double Chicken Please, NOLA’s Jewel of the South,Chicago’s Three Dots and a Dash and Portland’s Palomar, to name a few. International pop-ups included Amaro Bar and Coupette from London, Analogue from Singapore, Penicillin from Hong Kong, Handshake Bar from Mexico City, and more.

Executive chef Rochelle Daniel of Atria, Christina Barrueta, and Atria chef Maribel Silva

You can see more of Top Bars (my favorite AZ Cocktail Weekend event!) on my video Reel.

March 13: Tarbell’s (Central Phoenix). A friend was visiting from Massachusetts, so we had to bring him to one of our favorites! Pictures below: Mylk Punch (clarified punch with pineapple, aloe, black English tea, citrus and spice) and my decadent cacio e pepe with Perigord black truffles.

Check back next week as I share photo recaps of a Spanish wine dinner at Prime at Gila River Casino Resort, Dirty Dough cookie shop, Little Pickle, Second Story Liquor Bar, a First Date with Fairmont Phoenix Hotel and Residences, STK’s new rooftop deck, and a ZD wine tasting at Trevor’s Liquors.

And follow along on my Instagram for this week’s visits to: Vecina, ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, Pa’la Downtown, Eden Bar and Blue Hound Kitchen at Hotel Palomar, and Anhelo for a special scholarship wine dinner.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Dish Fest, Phoenix Dish Fest, Arboleda, Scottsdale Quarter, Hummus, Jamon Iberico, Paso Robles, Wine, California wine country, Arizona Cocktail Weeked, AZ Cocktail Weekend

RUBEE TUESDAY: Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey, Lincoln Steakhouse at JW Marriott Camelback Inn, Hillstone, Phoenix City Grille

March 14, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

Starting this month, I am relaunching Rubee Tuesday, a weekly photo recap of my recent adventures in dining and drinking. You can see past Rubee Tuesdays HERE

Lincoln Steakhouse at JW Marriott Camelback Inn

February 28: Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey, Melrose District. This was my second visit to the downtown Phoenix outpost of Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey (the original is in Palm Springs), and we loved it just as much as the the Friends and Family opening in December. You can see a video Reel of that visit HERE. This time, we joined our friend Peter McQuaid (executive chef at Cala Scottsdale) and his colleague Dominic. Our fantastic feast started with octopus carpaccio featuring thin slices of tender WorldClass octopus adorned with preserved lemon, citron oil, herb oil, microgreens and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Any time I know there is octopus sourced from WorldClass (known for seeking out the best ingredients all over the world) on a menu, I have to have it. Our group of four also quickly polished off the char-grilled octopus served with creamy edamame hummus and crispy pops of bubu arare (round rice crackers).


We chose to dine omakase (meaning "I leave it up to you” where the chef chooses the courses - highly recommend!), starting with spicy tuna tostadas and ending with matcha cheesecake. Some of our delicious dishes:

And did I mention killer drinks? Pro tip: Order the Omakase Cocktail and be prepared for Josh to make you a spectacular off-menu libation.

March 1: Lincoln Steakhouse at JW Marriott Camelback Inn, Paradise Valley. Last month, I returned to this beautiful steakhouse to check out the new menu curated by Senior Sous Chef John Fraser. My husband and I were joined by Meridith May, editor-in-chief and co-owner of The SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines, and her husband Bill, and the four of us were duly impressed! You can see my video Reel HERE. On this month’s visit, we returned with a party of five who were just as dazzled with previous favorites like tableside French 75s and mussels with a caramelized onion and chorizo Kiltlifter beer broth, and new-to-me dishes such as Dover sole flown in from Europe with a velvety citrus beurre blanc. I also made a video Reel of this visit HERE.

Although I tend to order one of the stellar seafood dishes, Lincoln is also known for its steaks grilled to juicy perfection in a Josper high-heat hardwood charcoal-fired oven. You can order optional toppings such as king crab Oscar or the blue cheese and bacon pictured below, and for one of my go-to sides, try the decadent potatoes au gratin presented in a pool of creamy sauce made with local Crow’s Dairy goat cheese.

March 2: Hillstone, Central Phoenix. So many of our chef friends have recommended this spot as a go-to, so we were long overdue for a first visit. The French dip is justly famous (great fries too!) and I was just as happy with my roast chicken and kale salad.

March 3: Phoenix City Grille, Central Phoenix. I’m such a huge fan of this spot led by talented chefs Micah Wyzlic and Uriel Telix, and I’m not the only one as evidenced by the DMs I received when I posted these pictures. Be sure to check their website for weekend specials like these winners: A Spring Smash with PCG Wilderness Trails Barrel bourbon, peppercorn-strawberry syrup, basil and mint topped with sparkling Topo Chico, and and an incredible Broccoli Saltrado with sesame-chile glaze, papas fritas, oyster mushrooms and aji amarillo aioli - - one of the best veggie dishes I have ever had anywhere.

It’s also home to one of Phoenix’s BEST ribeyes - juicy, smoky WorldClass Argentine ribeye with local Ramona Farms tepary beans, roasted tomato salsa, avocado and pickled onions.

And whiskey fans already know, but PCG also hosts sold-out pairing dinners such as this Garrison Brothers experience I attended in 2021, and at any given time has four or five Old Fashioned variations like the Espresso and Freaky Tiki Manhattans we loved on this month’s visit.

Check back next week as I share photo recaps of: Phoenix Dish Fest, Arboleda, Paso Robles Cab Camp, and Arizona Cocktail Week events.

And follow along on my Instagram for this week’s visits to: Prime Steakhouse at Gila Rivers Casino Resort, Dirty Dough cookie shop, Little Pickle, Second Story Liquor Bar, a First Date with Fairmont Phoenix Hotel and Residences, the Grand Opening of STK’s new rooftop deck, and a ZD wine tasting at Trevor’s Liquors.

Comment
categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey, Camelback Inn, Lincoln Steakhouse, Phoenix City Grille