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.
Executive Chef Charles Kassel of El Chorro
In the new spring issue of A Taste of AZ magazine, I sit down with executive chef and culinary icon Charles Kassel at historic El Chorro. You can read that here at THIS LINK.
A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.
Thursday, April 13: Fabio on Fire, Peoria. Katie Roe is the founder of Upper West Side PHX, so when we decided to get together for a double date, this mutual favorite on our side of the valley was an easy choice. We started with an off-menu special of the BEST calzone I’ve ever had, stuffed with cheese, onion, and porchetta (thank you Fabio!).
Recommended dish(es): Pasta special with sausage and porcini mushrooms, lobster ravioli, affogato, and homemade gelato.
The perfect ending was cream limoncello. Grazie Fabio!
Friday, April 14: Sottise, downtown Phoenix. Sottise had been on my must-visit list for quite a while, and I’m in love! Fantastic food, wonderful cocktails, friendly service, and a great wine list. Plus fabulous company with our friends TJ and Jenna.
I can’t think of a prettier downtown spot than its location in the historic Knipe House, built in 1901.
Recommended dish(es): Sottise Tower (Moondancer oysters, plain and with steak tartare, shrimp, boquerones, trout roe, creme fraiche, truffle potato chips, caviar, hiramasa, crab salad and octopus conserva); onion soup; cacio e pepe pasta with escargot, a “secret” menu item not listed, but always available; apple tart. And we were just as impressed with Lucas’ craft cocktails - I loved my Évasion, a clarified cocktail with tequila reposado, toasted buckwheat, and persimmon.
Tuesday, April 18: Staycation at Westin Tempe. We kicked off another great stay at our favorite Tempe hotel recording a Taste of AZ podcast with executive chef Mario Ventura and mixologist Nicole Robinson-Sanchez.
Thank you to Chef Mario and the team who upgraded us to this gorgeous Penthouse Suite, and for the wonderful welcome treats and cocktails!
Of course, we had to head upstairs for sunset cockails on the Valley's highest open-air rooftop bar - Skysill. You can see more of this beautiful lounge and our stay in my video Reel.
Pancho's Ponche (Roku gin, rosemary, yuzu and locally-owned Gran Ponche Mexicano).
We ended a perfect day with dinner at Terra Tempe to explore the newest menu from Chef Mario. Recommended dish(es): Charred baby corn with chipotle aioli and cotija cheese; Potato Frito Misto with potato bravas croquettes, calamari, chorizo, and chipotle aioli; Terra's Hot Stone with Westholme Wagyu beef, cherry vinaigrette, cranberry pistachio biscotti, and tart cherry gelee; Sonoran Chicken Tortilla Soup; pea and ricotta ravioli with asparagus; filet with purple pomme purée, king mushrooms, and guajillo demi-glace; Arroz Negro with forbidden rice, maine lobster, jumbo shrimp, mussels, calamari, crab, chorizo, and saffron aioli.
Wednesday, April 19: Media Tour at Epicenter at Agritopia, Gilbert. Epicenter is a new vertical mixed-use community with 320 apartments, popular Arizona bars, restaurants and retail spots. I will be spotlighting Epicenter’s food and beverage offerings and founder Joe Johnston in a four-page feature for SOMM Journal, but you can see a Reel of our fun-filled day HERE.
CEO Will Johnston and Agritopia Founder Joe Johnston (photo courtesy of Epicenter)
We started off at Chef Claudio Urcioli’s Source, a restaurant (soups, salads, pizzas, sandwiches, grain bowls) and shop (wine, bread, olive oils, and pantry items).
Then it was off to tour some of the many things Epicenter offers: Vintage Home, Peixoto Coffee Roasters, Wylde Salon, Barre3, The Tyler apartments, Beer Barn, UrbAna, and Bunky Boutique.
Thursday, April 20: Argentina wine dinner at ZuZu at the Hotel Valley Ho. I’ve attended many of the special dinners hosted by Executive Chef Russell LaCasce, and this one ranked as one of my favorites, celebrating the culture of Chef de Cuisine Alejo Candia and Pastry Chef Maria Arenas, who met in Argentina. The main event was asado, tri-tip and Argentine ribeye and skirt steak grilled on a beautiful parilla that was donated by WorldClass.
We were greeted with Argentina’s national drink, Fernet con Coca, before being spoiled with this delicous menu.
Executive Chef Russell LaCasce, Pastry Chef Maria Arenas, and Chef de Cuisine Alejo Candia
A short walk to The House Brasserie to visit Bar Director Richard Allison for a nightcap(s) was a perfect finale.
Check back for next week’s Rubee Tuesday for photos of Angry Crab, Foodist Awards, and Hearth ‘61 at Mountain Shadows resort.
And follow along on my Instagram for this week’s visits to Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey, Arboleda for a podcast, Mora Italian, and Tia Carmen for a special one year anniversary menu.
Caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella, beets, and lemon herb vinaigrette paired with Ronco del Gnemiz Lozeta Sauvignon Blanc Colli Orientali del Friuli at Prime’s Italian wine dinner
A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.
Thursday, April 7: Wren & Wolf, downtown Phoenix. Happy to be back after a long overdue visit! (Video Reel of our last dinner here).
Executive Chef Ivan Gonzalez of Wren & Wolf and Chico Malo in downtown Phoenix
Recommended dish(es): Ahi tuna tartare on crispy rice cake with black yuzu mole and WorldClass caviar; za’atar man’ouche with artichokes, Gouda and manchego; New England sea scallops with Cinco Jotas Ibérico ham, corn foam, fennel, smashed potatoes, and hazelnut vinaigrette; Argentine ribeye (with optional black truffle) and whipped potatoes.
Chef Ivan also spoiled us with a sneak peek of a new dish coming to the menu, and you’ll want to order this too - rich, fork-tender beef shank for two with creme fraiche bone marrow.
After dinner, we had drinks in the Trophy Room, a hidden cocktail lounge in Wren & Wolf, and one of our new favorites. You won’t see pictures of cocktails, however, because there’s a no-phone policy to encourage guests to disconnect. Check out the library card catalog charging drawers to store your phone.
Friday, April 7: Spice of Life dinner at Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen at Andaz Scottsdale. This incredible wine dinner paired two of AZ’s best, Executive Chef Dushyant Singh of Andaz and guest chef Subash Yadav of Mr. Momo, for a celebration of their Tibetan and Indian culture.
We began our evening on the beautiful patio with rosé and passed bites such as samosas and scallops with hummus and roe…
…before sitting down in the dining room to savor this wonderful menu.
Tuesday, April 11: Prime at Gila River Resorts & Casino (Chandler). The latest wine dinner as part of their 2023 series celebrated Italy, and the team pulled out all the stops, including a limoncello welcome, poolside setting, and Italian musicians.
We already have our reservations for the next one, featuring South America. And stay tuned for more details in my upcoming article in SOMM Journal spotlighting this talented team and their superlative wine dinners.
Wednesday, April 12: Bluewater Grill (Phoenix). Our first time, but we’ll be back. A friend recommended it, and since I posted photos, others have shared their favorite dishes and that it also has a great Happy Hour. Recommended dish(es): Clam chowder and Cajun-spiced barramundi with jasmine rice, arugula and crab salad, and jalapeno-mango vinaigrette
And if you’re craving steak, try the juicy Argentine tenderloin with with scalloped potatoes and asparagus sauté.
Thursday, April 13: Osteria Mia (North Phoenix). When this chef-owned Italian restaurant opened 10 minutes from our home, it immediately became a neighborhood go-to. This time we had lunch after filming A Taste of AZ podcast with Luke Detraz and Justin Hege of Common Hospitality, one of Arizona’s best private chef teams. You can see my Reel of a special cocktail dinner Luke created for us last year below.
And I can’t believe I’ve never had the sandwiches at Osteria Mia! Loved the chicken parm on delicious housemade puccia, a traditional bread from Puglia, Italy.
Check back for my next Rubee Tuesday as I share photos of visits to Fabio on Fire, Sottise, Terra Tempe, Epicenter Agritopia, ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, The House Brasserie.
And follow along on my Instagram for next week’s visits to the Foodist Awards, Hearth ‘61, Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey, Arboleda, Mora Italian, and Rene in Sedona.
I always have a fun time joining the A Taste of AZ team as a guest host, especially when the chef is one of my favorites! Join in as Luke Irvin and I sit down at Weft & Warp with Dushyant Singh, Executive Chef of Andaz Resort. We also get to enjoy a few of Beverage Director Sergio Campos’ amazing cocktails. You can listen in to the podcast on Apple Podcasts.
And if you enjoy our stories about Arizona’s food and beverage scene, you can nominate A Taste of AZ for best podcast at THIS LINK on PHOENIX magazine’s Best of the Valley.
Gambas píl píl and patatas bravas at Arboleda in Scottsdale Quarter
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.
Monday, March 27: Mariscos Playa Hermosa (Phoenix). After a fun time as a guest on In the Green Room chatting about food and wine, we visited this local favorite for Mexican seafood (they just celebrated 21 years). Recommended dish(s): If you can handle some habanero heat, order the agua chile tostada trio with black red, and mango-habanero salsas.
Wednesday, March 29: Back to Arboleda (first recap HERE). This time we returned as a hosted media visit (look for my upcoming A Taste of AZ podcast and article) and had even more fun chatting with executive chef Evan and chef Scott, owners Mitch and Bjorn, and beverage director Brandi - thank you for the excellent wine pairings! You can see more on my video Reel HERE.
Recommended dish(s): WorldClass octopus with cucumber and salsa macha, hummus and baba ganoush, hamachi with carrot purée and chili garlic crunch, patatas bravas with smoked pimentón espuma, gambas píl píl, and Argentine ribeye with Calabrian chili butter.
Argentine ribeye with Calabrian chile butter, aligot truffled potato purée and fire-roasted mushrooms at Arboleda
Friday, March 31: Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse (Carefree). We were celebrating my parents’ 59th wedding anniversary and when dad requested prime rib, I knew exactly where we would take them! I’m a huge fan of the Keelers and their restaurants (they also own Liberty Station Tavern), and Keeler’s has been on my “bring mom and dad” list for far too long.
Thank you to Chef Anthony and Christian, Matt, Ryan, Michael and Steve for spoiling us. My parents loved it, as we knew they would - dad said “this is my kind of place” and mom has requested that we go once a month! Recommended dish(s): New England clam chowder, ahi poke, shrimp scampi, and, of course, prime rib.
Saturday, March 31: First & Last (downtown Phoenix). I was long overdue for a visit to one of my favorite downtown spots. You can learn more about First & Last in my A Taste of AZ interview with owners Robb and Ashley Hammond.
Recommended dish(s): Butter braised leeks with Bearnaise sauce, oysters with Bloody Mary mignonette, crab with brown butter and fermented garlic, grilled Thai carrots with fermented cucumber and ginger-lime vinaigrette, cacio e pepe with Sonoran Pasta bucatini, and rotisserie porchetta with spoonbread.
TIP: They have a great wine and cocktail list too - our drinks pictured below were an Old Fashioned and Vicar in a Tutu (Laird’s apple brandy, tequila, Amaro Nonino, tawny port, lemon and lavender). You can also see a video Reel HERE.
And don’t miss their new Italian-inspired amari bar downstairs, called Little Debbie’s. As old Italian movies play in the background, you can enjoy amari samplers, cocktails and snacks - I loved the lavender Marcona almonds and the buttery clam conserva served with crackers. Recommended cocktails: La Vie en Rose (Braulio, Forthaven Red aperitivo, cava and lime), Heavy Petting (Ford’s gin, cassis, Carpano Antica vermouth, Fernet Branca and lemon), and Culture Club (Rucolino, Montenegro, St. George spiced pear and pineapple rum).
Espresso Martini and La Vie en Rose at Little Debbie’s
Little Debbie’s is open 6 pm to midnight Thursday through Saturday, and be sure to ask John for his cocktail and amaro suggestions!
Check back next week as I share photos of visits to Wren & Wolf, Weft & Warp, and Prime at Gila River Resorts and Casinos,
And follow along on my Instagram for this week’s visits to Blue Water Grill, Fabio on Fire, and Sottise.
WorldClass grilled Spanish octopus with mole rojo at Vecina in Phoenix
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 21: Vecina (Phoenix). If we lived closer, we would be regulars at Vecina. I’m always so impressed with the uniquely creative dishes here (not to mention the excellent craft cocktails). On Tuesday, we stopped in for drinks and a quick bite, but couldn’t say no to guacamole, chicken karaage with aji amarillo, citrus gastrique, and togarashi, and what is now one of my favorite octopus dishes in town - WorldClass grilled Spanish octopus and mole rojo with white beans and aji verde.
I was also treated to a preview of one of the best dishes I have ever had at Vecina! Tacos Árabes are now being served daily as a limited special, so get there while you can for this fantastic WorldClass Cinco Jotas acorn-fed Ibérico pork and chipotle crema on flatbread garnished with pickled onions, almond dukkah and micro cilantro.
Our next stop was ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho in Old Town Scottsdale. I love introducing Meridith May (editor and owner of SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines) to my favorite spots since her move from LA. After a feast that included potato pavé topped with Argentine steak tartare and WorldClass caviar, roasted garlic hummus, lobster mac and cheese, glazed Japanese eggplant, and Argentine steak (filet and ribeye), what was her verdict? “The best meal! Chef Lacasce is a genius.”
Duck fat potato pavé topped with Argentine steak tartare and WorldClass caviar.
And speaking of Argentine beef, I have my reservations to a special Argentina Dinner at ZuZu on April 20. Get alll the details, including menu, at THIS LINK.
To learn more about executive chef Russell LaCasce, listen in on our A Taste of AZ podcast on Apple Podcasts, or watch it on YouTube by clicking the photo below.
Wednesday, March 22: I had another double-header the next day, first stopping at Pa’La Downtown for a great interview with chef-owner Jason Alford and general manager Gilles Kolakowski. Look for my column in the June issue of SOMM Journal.
Afterwards, I took advantage of the beautiful weather to finally check out Eden Bar, the rooftop lounge at Kimpton Hotel Palomar, and experience beverage director Clint Spotleson’s fantastic craft cocktails (like the Phoenix Rising below). Read all about it HERE, and see more on my video Reel.
Phoenix Rising at Eden Bar (hibiscus and orange infused Tito's vodka, lemon, pomegranate green tea syrup, and La Poema sparkling rose)
Dinner downstairs at Blue Hound Kitchen and Bar: I first met executive chef Alex Robinson at Royal Palms, and executive sous chef Michael Press at Tanzy, and I have been fans of both talents ever since.
Chefs Alex Robinson and Michael Press
Needless, to say, we enjoyed another stellar visit (here is my last one), with highlights including pao de queijo cheese rolls and espelette butter, crab and yellow tomato chowder, Wagyu with house chili crisp and WorldClass caviar, cilantro-crusted WorldClass sea bass with smoked tomato romesco, and Argentine ribeye. I also made a video Reel here.
Thursday, March 23: Anhelo Scholarship Fundraiser Dinner. Chef-owner Ivan Jacobo has always made giving back to the community a priority (look for a future website interview!). On Thursday, he launched the Anhelo Restaurant Scholarship Foundation by hosting a wine dinner to raise funds for scholarships to the Culinary Arts program at Estrella Mountain Community College. Check out my Reel here for a recap of our amazing seven-course dinner.
You can learn more about Anhelo in my December 2022 column for SOMM Journal.
Check back next week as I share photos of Mariscos Playa Hermosa, Arboleda, Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse, First & Last, and Little Debbie’s.
And follow along on my Instagram for this week’s visits to Wren & Wolf and Weft & Warp at Andaz Resort.
In the April/May issue of SOMM Journal I have two articles. My latest Sonoran Scoop column sings the praises of chef-owners Alex and Sunny Martin of Lom Wong in downtown Phoenix, 2023 James Beard nominees for Best Chef: Southwest. I also share four of my favorite resorts and the talents who helm their food and beverage programs in Savoring Sedona. You can read both in the current issue on the SOMM Journal website (page 22 and pages 84-87). TIP: Sign up for a free subscription if you are in the wine industry.
