RUBEE TUESDAY: Elliott Steakhouse, Anhelo, Fat Ox, La Famiglia, Pa’La, Atlas Wines, Cala, Sel

September 26, 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.

Foie gras torchon topped with papaya and pomegranate arils at Anhelo in downtown Phoenix

Michael Regan, Director of Operations of Elliott’s Steakhouse, The Hidden House, and Brickyard Downtown in Chandler

Thursday, August 31: Elliott’s Steakhouse (downtown Chandler). This swanky steakhouse set in a 1912 theater is the newest addition to the team who introduced The Brickyard Downtown and The Hidden House to Chandler. It’s all the buzz and I can see why - we had a fabulous first-time experience with Meridith May and her husband Bill Brandel, owners and publishers of SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines. Look for my interview with Director of Operations Michael Regan in the February issue of SOMM Journal.

Friday, September 1: Anhelo (downtown Phoenix). As you can see from past recaps, Anhelo is a personal favorite. This time we joined WorldClass owner John Bergman and his team for another fantastic evening.

Lobster and tomato risotto at Anhelo in downtown Phoenix

Wednesday, September 6: Fat Ox (Scottsdale). We were overdue for a visit to this modern Italian steakhouse, and an interview with Beverage Director Christiaan Röllich was a perfect excuse. Look for my feature in the January issue of Tasting Panel magazine.

Friday, September 8: Famiglia (Scottsdale). When I saw Famiglia’s Arizona Restaurant Week menu on our last visit, I had to book a reservation.

My delicious feast included the Vesper Martini and wine pairings with Bangs Island mussels, slow-roasted porchetta, and pumpkin cannolo, while my husband opted for the prosciutto and melon appetizer with cacio pepe off the regular menu.

Saturday, September 9: Pa’La Downtown (downtown Phoenix). Our second stop for Arizona Restaurant Week was another favorite.

My husband ordered off the regular menu (hummus and WorldClass presa, a special cut of Iberico pork), while I chose the warm cabbage Caesar salad and the WorldClass Iberico ribs above with Japanese sweet potatoes (along with GM Gilles’ wine pairings). We were also spoiled with a dessert sampler. Thank you Pa’La!

Wood-grilled Worldclass Iberico presa with I'itoi onion salsa verde at Pa’La Downtown Phoenix

Tuesday, September 12: Atlas Wines (Scottsdale). We spent the afternoon hitting a few spots in Old Town Scottsdale. First up: A wine tasting featuring The Hilt Estate, Jonata, and The Paring.

Rounding out the day, assignments for Experience Scottsdale brought me next to Cala at The Senna House hotel and Sel.

Roasted Cauliflower with za’atar, romesco, lemon aioli, and feta at Cala in The Senna House Hotel in Scottsdale

Beet gazpacho with peach sorbet, tomato salad, Crow’s Dairy goat cheese and Kalamata olives at Sel in Old Town Scottsdale

Check back on next week’s Rubee Tuesday for visits to Canal Club, Sedona, Virtu, The Market by Jennifer’s, Persian Room, Rose Garden, Franco’s Italian Caffe, Over Easy, and Christopher’s at the Wrigley.

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categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Elliott's Steakhouse, Anhelo, Fat Ox, La Famiglia, Pa'La, Cala, Atlas Wines, Sel

RUBEE TUESDAY: Merkin Old Town Scottsdale, Jade Palace, Osteria Mia, Tia Carmen, The Rose Garden, Lauren Allen Culinary Events, Anhelo

September 19, 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.

Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room in Old Town Scottsdale

Friday, August 25: Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room (Old Town Scottsdale). A Scottsdale City Lifestyle assignment on dishes using local honey brought me to one of my favorite chefs - Steve Zimmerman.

Kofta (lamb meatballs with harissa-spiced honey, zhug, toum, and ezme) at Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room in Old Town Scottsdale

We were treated to an array of delicious dishes from this talented culinary star - some of which you can read about in the digital issue at this link (page 25), and others that were chalkboard specials.

And I was thrilled to be one of the first to try the new line of naturally-flavored Queen B sparkling meads (lavender, rose petal, jasmine, and bergamot)!

For dinner that night, we were off to Jade Palace (North Scottsdale). Locally-owned Tequila Corrido was the guest of honor at their first cocktail dinner featuring GM Roman Kettler’s excellent cocktails.

Sunday, August 27: Osteria Mia (North Phoenix). We had family visiting from Vegas, so we treated them to dinner at one of our neighborhood favorites.

Monday, August 28: Tia Carmen (JW Marriott Desert Ridge). The SOMM Journal gathered some of Arizona's finest wine and beverage professionals at Tia Carmen for a Gavi Masterclass. The first stop on the Gavi World Tour, it was a delicious deep dive into this Italian white varietal. Click on the photo below for a video, including the delicious spread that the chefs at Tia Carmen created.

Tuesday, August 29: The Rose Garden (Downtown Phoenix). We had a media sneak peek of the new Sur La Bar mixology class that officially launches September 20. For all the details, check out my video by clicking the photo of Trey Biven below:

Afterwards, we were off to celebrate Lauren Allen Culinary Events at their rebrand launch party at The Royal View House, a luxurious 8,600-square-foot home on a 1-acre estate. Coincidentally, I had been to this beautiful property before as it is the home of one of the co-founders of WorldClass, who now rents it out as a stunning venue.

Lauren Allen Culinary Events cocktail welcome

Lauren Allen is known for her exceptional private dinners and events, and her launch party was another fabulous example. Congratulations Lauren!

Wednesday, August 30: Anhelo (downtown Phoenix). We’ve been back to Anhelo recently, but not for a full tasting menu experience. In fact, the last time we had made a reservation to do so, it was our anniversary last November and we had to cancel. We were blown away when we walked in and chef-owner Ivan had closed the restaurant just for us and created a special re-do Anniversary Dinner with this spectacular custom menu.

Custom tasting menu at Anhelo in downtown Phoenix

Needless to say, Anhelo, which has been a long-time favorite, now holds a special place in our hearts. Thank you to Ivan and his team for spoiling us with a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Check back next week for visits to Elliott Steakhouse. Anhelo, Fat Ox, La Famiglia, Pa’La, Atlas Wines, Cala, and Sel.

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categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Merkin Old Town Scottsdale, Old Town Scottsdale, Jade Palace, Tequila Corrido, Tequila dinner, Osteria Mia, Tia Carmen, Anhelo, The Rose Garden

RUBEE TUESDAY: Arboleda, Cafe Monarch, Ember at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, The Mission Kierland, and La Famiglia

September 12, 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.

Cappelletti pasta at La Famiglia in Scottsdale

Monday, August 21: Arboleda (Scottsdale Quarter). Back to one of our favorites! This time, we stopped by for sherry and an array of tapas, including gambas píl píl, and of course, WorldClass

Tapas and sherry at Arboleda in Scottsdale Quarter

Wednesday, August 23: Cafe Monarch (Old Town Scottsdale). I had made special arrangements with Ben Wald, Executive Chef of both Cafe Monarch and Reserve, for a Scottsdale City Lifestyle Magazine assignment. Keep an eye out for the Food issue to see what he created!

That night, we had reservations at Ember at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort (Fountain Hills). I was already a fan of sommelier Dennis Payne, Chef Richard Pelz, and the team when we recorded this Taste of AZ podcast, but during our chat, I learned about their sold-out wine dinners. Since then, we’ve tried to attend every one.

Executive Chef Richard Pelz and team at Ember at We-ko-pa

Ember recently received Wine Spectator Magazine’s Best of Award of Excellence for the third year in a row, so it’s no surprise that their wine dinners are outstanding. This time, they welcomed Frias Family Vineyard of Napa Valley and special guest Fernando Frias for an unforgettable evening celebrating these exceptional Napa wines.

You can also watch my video reel here.

Frias Family Vineyard wine dinner at Ember at We-ko-pa

Thursday, August 24: The Mission Kierland (North Scottsdale). Acclaimed mixologist Christian Röllich is another podcast guest we’ve had on A Taste of AZ, where he told us about his new position as Beverage Director for Matt Carter’s stable of restaurants.

Röllich’s first menu overhaul was for Fat Ox, and now he’s done the same at The Mission, where we had a chance to sample some of his stellar cocktails, including: A welcome mamajuana (rum infused with herbs, roots, and spices, red wine, and honey); Rio Naranja (tequila, coconut, ginger, lemongrass and yuzu), Diosa Verde (tequila, arugula and cucumber); Little Tree (vodka, passion fruit, sarsparilla and turmeric); Chicha Sour (Pisco and chicha morada, a Peruvian purple corn drink), Mission Martini (Panamanian rum, honey, cinnamon and espresso); and Archbishop (bourbon and mole orgeat).

Stay tuned for my Christiaan Röllich feature in the next issue of Tasting Panel magazine!

Christiaan Röllich’s cocktail book, Bar Chef

Since we were so close to Famiglia, we wrapped up our evening at this hidden secret. This Italian gem owned by the talented duo of Sommelier Broc Chavez and Executive Chef Richard Rangel is one of my top restaurant recommendations. While it might fly under the radar, Famiglia is the kind of place that deserves more buzz and popularity, thanks to its warm, comfortable vibe and sophisticated Italian menu.

Yet another fantastic meal - this time, beet salad with gorgonzola, candied pecans, apples, and citrus, Calabrian cappelletti with ricotta, eggplant, and brown butter, and garganelli with braised chicken, peas, mascarpone, and lemon sauce. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we made reservations to return in two weeks for Arizona Restaurant Week.

Check back on next week’s Rubee Tuesday for visits to Merkin, Jade Palace for a Tequila Corrido dinner, Sweet Republic, Anhelo, The Rose Garden, Tia Carmen, Osteria Mia, and a rebrand launch party for Lauren Allen Culinary Events.

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categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Arboleda, Ember, We-Ko-Pa, The Mission, Mission Kierland, La Famiglia, Merkin Old Town Scottsdale, Old Town Scottsdale, North Scottsdale

RUBEE TUESDAY: Las Vegas and Hotel Valley Ho

September 05, 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.

Sunday, August 13 - Thursday, August 17: Las Vegas. For a SOMM Journal assignment, I headed to Vegas to cover a Roco Winery dinner at Chinglish. Look for my recap in the December issue!

We decided to add on some extra days, checking into the Park MGM for the first time. I’ll be posting more photos and details in the Travel section, but our dining highlights included La La Noodle, Eataly, and Ferrarro’s Ristorante….

…Primrose, Momofuku, and Bavette’s Steakhouse…

..and we always stop at Lindo Michoacan in Henderson before the drive back to Phoenix for lunch (and fresh tortillas to take home).

Friday, August 18: Celebrity Chef Dinner at Hotel Valley Ho. The finale of the resort’s summer Sip + Shop market series was a special dinner featuring James Beard award-nominated chefs Rene “Chito” Andrade and Beau MacMillan.

Hotel Valley Ho executive chef Russell LaCasce, writer Chistina Barrueta, Chef Beau MacMillan, Chef Rene Andrade, and Zane Smith of WorldClass

We dined with the team from WorldClass, one of the sponsors, whose beautiful Ibérico pork belly was used in Beau’s cooking demo for the first course…..

…and award-winning Devesa Argentine ribeye on the parillada platter with oxtail, papas sucias, nopales, frijoles con queso, tortillas, and salsa.

Chef Rene Andrade of Bacanora in Phoenix and Espiritu in Mesa

Check back on next week’s Rubee Tuesday for visits to Arboleda, Ember at We-Ko-Pa resort, The Mission, La Famiglia, and Merkin Old Town Scottsdale.

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categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Hotel Valley Ho, Rene Andrade, Beau MacMillan, Las Vegas