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.

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.

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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.

Italian desserts at Sicilian Baker in Phoenix Arizona

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):

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!

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.

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

RUBEE TUESDAY: Prime at Gila River Resort and Casino at Wild Horse Pass, Tia Carmen, Tarbell’s and Vecina.

July 11, 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.

Seafood tower at Prime at Gila River Resort Casino — Elevated Seafood Tower at Prime at Gila River Resort & Casino - Wild Horse Pass

Wednesday, July 28: Prime, A Shula's Steak House Gila River Resorts & CasinosPrime, A Shula's Steak House Gila River Resorts & CasinosPrime, A Shula's Steak House at Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass (Chandler). While I’m usually here to attend one of their spectacular wine dinners, this time I was interviewing Chef Michael Dei Maggi, Advanced Sommelier Troy Tranzow, and Gila River Resort & Casinos Corporate VP of Food and Beverage Maj Kayyali for a SOMM Journal feature.

Chef Michael Dei Maggi, Sommelier Troy Tranzow, and Gila River Resort VP of Food and Beverage Maj Kayyali

After a great interview, we stayed for surf and turf that included the Elevated Seafood Tower, Potted King crab (a new favorite!), and Japanese A5 Wagyu (not pictured).

And, as alway, fantastic cocktails thanks to the skills of Camille Tixier.

Camille Tixier of Prime at Gila River Resort and Casino in Chandler, Arizona

Tamarindo Sour (Knob Creek rye, Alma Tepec Chile Pasilla liqueur, lime juice, Camille’s tamarind syrup, grapefruit bitters, and a rim of crushed Lucas tamarindo candy), Vieux Carré, and Sunshine Spritzer (Sloe gin, Italicus, Suze and club soda).

Writer Christina Barrueta of Write On Rubee with the team at Prime at Gila River Resort

Thursday, July 29: Tia Carmen at JWMarriott Desert Ridge (Phoenix). In August, The SOMM Journal is hosting a Gavi Master Class at Tia Carmen, providing a perfect opportunity to join Meridith May, the editor and owner of SOMM Journal, and event manager Dawn for lunch and a walkthrough at one of my favorite restaurants.

For dinner that night. we headed to another of our favorites, Tarbell’s, for a wine dinner highlighting mushrooms with special guest Brian Hedger, owner of local mushroom purveyor Hypha Foods.

Another fantastic experience at Tarbell’s!

Friday, June 30: Vecina (Phoenix). We ended our food-filled week at a Phoenix gem I wish I could get to more often, And this visit was extra-special as we were joined by Abel Arriaga, founder of Compa Spirits, and his family.

I fell in love with this taco árabe when it was a special, so I'm thrilled they added it to the menu! It features WorldClass Ibérico de Bellota pluma with chipotle crema, cashew dukkah, micro cilantro, and Fresno chiles on flatbread.

Taco árabe with WorldClass Iberico de bellotta pluma

Other must-orders include the Raiz Rioja cocktail with guacamole, chicken karaage with aji amarillo and togarashi, hiramasa ceviche with coconut leche de tigre, and skirt steak tacos with cascabel chile.

And this is still one of my favorite octopus dishes in town - WorldClass octopus with mole rojo, white beans, aji verde, and crispy potatoes.

Abel’s mission is to support small businesses across Mexico by curating beautiful artisanal spirits and boutique wines. Naturally, we had to sample some for ourselves, and wow, I was impressed! If you’re heading to Vecina (or see this on any other menus around town), be sure to order a bottle of Parvada Tinto from winemaker Lucía García Alonso in Valle de Parras in Coahuila de Zaragoza (the oldest wine region in America). It’s a rich and layered blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tempranillo with notes of cocoa, plum, and black fruit and especially delicious paired with my taco árabe.

And to pair with decadent mezcal banana bread and peanut butter mousse, I was introduced to Lechugilla, a lesser-known agave spirit. Both of these were beautiful expressions of Lechuguilla (two different species), and I can’t wait to explore this category more. Thank you, Abel, for the introduction!

Lechugilla Cumbrita de la Sierra is made by Maestro Destilador Dolores González and hails from Chihuahua. The agaves are cooked in an earthen oven covered with pine needle duff, milled by hand using an axe and wooden mallet, fermented in a stone and clay basin with spring water, and distilled in a unique hybrid still called a "tren."

Lamata Lechuguilla Sonora, crafted by Maestro Vinatero Martín Yépiz in Alamo, Sonora begins with cooking the agaves in an underground oven before mashing with an axe in a wooden canoe. Abel pointed out that with a lot size of only 150 liters, it’s a rare find and has become a collector’s item. Tip: I also spied this on the backbar at Arboleda on my last visit.

Looking to do some exploration yourself? Join me at next month’s Chilte and Compas Spirits cocktail collab! Get all the details by clicking the photo below.

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Sicilian Butcher, The Mexicano, Thirsty Camel at The Phoenician, and Farm Provisions in Prescott.

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tags / Vecina, Prime, Compa Spirits, Tia Carmen, JW Marriott Desert Ridge

RUBEE TUESDAY: Hermosa Inn Staycation, Cool Dining in the Wine Cellar, Little Rituals

July 04, 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.

Spanish Dagger and Watermelon Sundae cocktails at Little Rituals in downtown Phoenix

Saturday, June 24: Hermosa Inn (Paradise Valley). One of our favorite summer traditions is a staycation at this historic boutique resort which was originally the private hacienda of renowned artist Lon Megargee. You can see a full video reel of our hosted stay here.

The reception area at the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, Arizona — Hermosa Inn Lobby

After visiting the charming Hermosa Inn lobby where we helped ourselves to freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies and picked up our keys (and saw my Phoenix Cooks book in the gift shop!), we checked in to our luxurious Deluxe Casita. Each beautifully appointed casita features a king-size bed, marble bathroom with walk-in shower and clawfoot tub, fireplace, and a private patio.

We also loved the warm welcome - thank you to executive chef Alejandro Martinez for spoiling us with some amazing treats!

After snacks and cocktails, we headed to the pool and our reserved cabana.

Tip: Each cabana rental at Hermosa Inn comes with either a bucket of Arizona beers or a carafe of sangria served with a cheese and fruit platter or guacamole, chips and salsa.

You can read about all the summer specials, including cabanas and room discounts for Arizona residents, here.

One of the Hermosa Inn’s most romantic secrets is the Wine Cellar. Beneath the hacienda lies a subterranean sanctuary which once hosted clandestine poker games and illegal gatherings during Prohibition.

Usually reserved for private events, the wine cellar at Hermosa Inn is kept at a cool 57 degrees and in the summer is open to the public. From June to September, on Thursday through Sunday nights, guests can reserve a table to experience a spectacular five-course tasting menu that changes weekly. As the intimate space only seats 12 people, be sure to make reservations.

We were joined by our friends John Bergman, co-founder of WorldClass, and Zane Smith. A round of pre-dinner Negroni Sbagliatos and a Vieux Carré were ordered before we dived into this incredible wine-paired feast:

And if that wasn’t enough, Chef Alejandro spoiled us with a bonus course of WorldClass Spanish Carabineros prawns and New Zealand scampi which Bergman has recently introduced to the Arizona market. Wow! The flavor and sweetness of these world-renowned delicacies is incredible and I’m excited that they will be appearing on local menus.

WorldClass Spanish Carabineros Red Prawns — WorldClass Red Carabineros Prawns from Spain

WorldClass Argentine ribeye with duck fat potato puree, spinach, grilled onions and Malbec reduction at Lon’s at Hermosa Inn

The next day, we had planned brunch at Lon’s at the Hermosa for one last meal before check-out.

LON’s dining room at the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley

Brunch is served daily from 7:00 am to 1:30 pm, and I highly recommend a new addition to the menu - Lon's Quiche with citrus-radish salad, Baja crab, and WorldClass Patagonian shrimp.

My husband was just as happy with his Bloody Mary and huevos rancheros with local Schreiner’s chorizo, Anasazi beans, and tomatillo salsa.

Tuesday, June 27: Little Rituals (downtown Phoenix). This Phoenix gem is a personal favorite of mine, but I’m not the only fan. This cocktail lounge and restaurant has garnered various local “Best of” honors, has been nominated for a James Beard award, and, most recently, was named a Top Four Finalist for Best U.S. Hotel Bar by the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards.

We were invited to sample some of Little Ritual’s newest cocktails and Mr. Hollywood was one of my favorites of the night. An elegant combination of Remy Martin, Pineau de Charentes, sweet onion cordial, and Taittinger champagne, it was crowned with a house potato chip topped with caviar and creme fraiche.

I also had a chance to sit down with co-owner Aaron Defeo and will be sharing the details behind our cocktails in a separate feature - stay tuned!

More of the excellent cocktails that have won Little Rituals so many accolades:

Watermelon Sundae (Hendrick’s Gin, Bonal and fortified watermelon with a cucumber and watermelon granita garnish).
In Love with Cocoa (Abasolo Ancestral Corn Whisky, sonicated wild cacao, Damiana, vanilla, chocolate bitters, coconut, sea salt).
Swipe Right (Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey infused with green tea and cherry blossom, Stone Fruit Eau de Vie, raspberry honey, verjus).
Ballpark Highball (Suntory Toki whisky, Monkey Shoulder blended Malt, barley tea sherry, house club soda, and a side of Japanese-Style Peanuts).
Chaotic Good (Amrut Old Port Rum of India, Smith & Cross Jamaican Rum, Heirloom Pineapple Amaro, chai, sotol, Golden Milk Syrup, sour orange, guava).

And plan on dinner at Little Rituals too. Must-orders by talented Chef Nathaniel Cayer-Myette include his warm Parker House-style rolls with pandan-vanilla butter, Pho French dip with brisket, sambal aioli and house hoisin sauce, lamb chops with fingerling potatoes, cardamom yogurt and cumin chimichurri, grilled broccolini, and crispy Brussels sprouts with bacon jam.

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Prime at Gila River Resort and Casino at Wild Horse Pass, Tia Carmen, Tarbell’s and Vecina.

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tags / Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley, Little Rituals, Downtown Phoenix