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.
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.
Check out the June/July 2023 issue of SOMM Journal for my latest Sonoran Scoop column featuring Pa’La in downtown Phoenix. You can find it on page 20 of the digital issue on the SOMM Journal website. TIP: Sign up for a free subscription if you are in the wine industry.
WorldClass wood-fired octopus with smoked sweet pepper emulsion, marinated artichokes, Controne beans, and Steadfast Farm pickled daikon, paired with Vignerons de Florensac Les Poissons Picpoul de Pinet at Pa’La Downtown
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.
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.
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?
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!
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
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.
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.
