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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit this link to browse past Rubee Tuesdays.

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

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

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

Chefs Samantha Sanz and Manny Calderon

Chefs Samantha Sanz and Manny Calderon

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

Chefs Juan, Mel, and Honorio Mecinas

Chefs Juan, Mel, and Honorio Mecinas

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

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

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

To browse past Rubee Tuesday recaps, click this link

RUBEE TUESDAY, August 2-8: Marigold Maison, La Hacienda, El Chorro, Spotted Donkey, Crab & Mermaid, Craft 64

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

Photo by Food & Lifestyles at Crab & Mermaid

Tuesday, August 2.  I have a new favorite Indian restaurant and it's called Marigold Maison.  I love this cozy spot showcasing delicious dishes at the hands of Chef Sunil and his regional specialties.  Look for a detailed recap and more photos next week to learn more about this Paradise Valley gem and some exciting plans they have in store.

Wednesday, August 3rd. Reseaching margaritas for an upcoming writing assignment brings me, of course, to La Hacienda at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which has one of the largest tequila selections in Scottsdale, along with an acclaimed Mexican menu.  Click on the picture below for a link to a photo and video recap of our delicious evening.

The El Pina Diablo with serrano pepper and pineapple (photo by Food & Lifestyles)

The El Pina Diablo with serrano pepper and pineapple (photo by Food & Lifestyles)

Thursday, August 4.  Time for whisky! We visited El Chorro for an Edrington portfolio seminar led by Brian MacGregor.  Our tasting included Highland Park and Macallan, including the elusive Rare Cask. Look for a fall feature on The Macallan and my interview with Master Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno.  

Friday,  August 5th.  Breakfast: I picked up a complimentary media box of Chompie's new bagel flavors: Spinach and spinach everything, banana-chocolate chip, whole wheat everything, pretzel, and their breakfast bar - great additions to their 35+ varieties.  It's no surprise I think they're the best bagels in Arizona.  And they're not just for breakfast - check out my chicken salad bagel sandwich on Instagram.

 

Lunch: Another stop on my margarita tour was the Spotted Donkey at El Pedregal at the Boulders. Scott made us the signature margarita, the El Pedegral, with the Spotted Donkey's exclusive Herradura double-barrel reposado tequila. Photos by Food & Lifestyles:

Spotted Donkey also boasts barrel-aged cocktails and an all-day menu 11:30 am to 9 pm. 

Saturday, August 6:  More margaritas were in store and no list would be complete without Richie Moe's Riptide at Crab & Mermaid - a refreshing frozen margarita made with pomegranate, blackberry puree, and charred lime, rimmed with black salt.  It's a perfect sipper for washing down Chef Carter's fresh seafood.  Photos by Food & Lifestyles:

And I was joined by wonderful friends!  Jenelle Bonifield of Food & Lifestyles was shooting the photos, and, happily, I ran into one of my best friends, Rhonni Moffitt, former editor and owner of AZ Wine Lifestyle magazine, who just happened to be having lunch at the bar.  

The rest of the afternoon was spent at three of Scottsdale's wine tasting rooms for an upcoming Scottsdale Visitor Guide article.  

Dinner:  Our friend Matt Butson (bartender at the Last Drop) met us to end a great day at one of my favorite Old Town spots, Craft 64, for excellent pizza and R&D for a new Campari cocktail called the Right on Ruby!  Co-owner James Swann invited me to sample and choose local gins and bitters for my libation namesake, with the winning choices being Commerce gin and AZ Bitters Lab Sunshine Bitters.  Be sure to order a Right on Ruby and tell us what you think! 

Check back next week as I spend a staycation at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale celebrating Spanish Heritage weekend with a special Chef Mecinas Brothers dinner, and take a journey on a clipper ship at the new tiki bar Under Tow

Visit this link to browse past Rubee Tuesdays.