RUBEE TUESDAY: Festivin at Wrigley Mansion, Uchi Scottsdale, Pyro, Pretty Penny, Anhelo
I publish round-ups every Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.
Master sommelier Michael Jordan at Festivin at Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix
Thursday-Saturday, January 11-13: Festivin at Wrigley Mansion (Phoenix). One of my favorite Arizona events is Festivin, a four-day event at the historic Wrigley Mansion celebrating wine, food, and education with special dinners, seminars, chef demos, and tastings. I’ll be posting a comprehensive recap of the events I attended, but, in the meantime, click the photo below to see my video reel.
The first course of Chef vs Chef with Rochelle Danielle and David Brito at Festivin at Wrigley Mansion
Sunday, January 14: Uchi Scottsdale pop-up preview. Uchi Scottsdale opens next month and we were invited to a pop-up at the beautiful home of our host, Chef Christopher Gross, for a special media preview.
Hai Hospitality founder and executive chef Tyson Cole of Uchi
Austin-based Hai Hospitality opens its acclaimed flagship concept in Old Town on February 1, and we had a chance to drink, dine and mingle with James Beard award-winning executive chef and founder Tyson Cole, Scottsdale chef de cuisine Blake Luecke, and other members of the talented team.
I already have my reservations for opening week, and I’ll also be returning at the end of the month with Meridith May and Bill Brandel, owners and publishers of SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines.
To see more, click the photo below of chef de cuisine Blake Luecke for my video reel.
Uchi Scottsdale chef de cuisine Blake Luecke
Wednesday, January 17: Pyro (Phoenix). We enjoy meeting up with Meridith and Bill at least once a month, and this time we decided on Pyro. It was my second visit, and I was as equally impressed as I was during our first visit.
We ordered past favorites (Ibérico pork skewers, Pyro Caesar, Dungeness crab noodles), and new must-orders (beef tartare with tamarind aioli, short rib and kimchi fried rice with nori kizami, and roasted chicken with carrot-ginger puree and Tokyo turnips). Special thanks to GM Nisa for taking such good care of us with her excellent sake and wine suggestions!
Thursday, January 18: Pretty Penny (downtown Phoenix). The newest concept from Pour Bastards Hospitality (Disco Dragon, Killer Whale Sex Club, FYPM), Pretty Penny is a fantastic addition to the downtown culinary scene. We loved everything about it, from the welcoming glasses of prosecco and cozy vibe to the fantastic menu and craft cocktails. And did I mention the super-talented team that includes Hospitality Director Ivan Herrera and Executive Chef Marcellino Ramos? Click their photo for my video reel.
Cocktails: Charred Bloody Mary, Hot Topic, and Un-Pho-Gettable.
And we’ll be returning to work our way through the entire delicious-sounding menu (including caviar priced at cost!), but note down these three winners for your visit: Plum-infused duck breast carpaccio with umeboshi preserve and pickled myoga ginger; bluefin duo with akami toro, caramelized shallots, and guanciale; and steak tartare with Calabrian chili, cured duck egg yolk, and sangak (Persian flatbread).
Anhelo (downtown Phoenix). As I’ve mentioned in past Rubee Tuesdays, Anhelo is one of our favorites and after chatting with chef-owner Ivan earlier in the week, I made plans to stop by. My reward was this brand-new stunner of a dish that Ivan is working on - I hope it makes it on the menu!
Check back on next week’s Rubee Tuesday for visits to Bourbon and Bones Peoria, Otro, Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg, and a Las Vegas assignment for Tasting Panel magazine.