RUBEE TUESDAY, May 3-9, 2016: Joe's Midnight Run, Herb Box, Ocotillo, Capital Grille, Counter Intuitive, La Bocca, Doglicious Hot Dogs, AVA, Andreoli's, Sweet Republic
This is my first installment of Rubee Tuesday, a weekly recap of my week's adventures in dining and drinking in and around Phoenix.
Tuesday, 5/3/2016: I'd been wanting to return to Joe's Midnight Run since attending a soft opening early last month, and lunch with my friend Angela was a perfect excuse.
Wednesday, 5/4/2016 (Part I): I joined the fabulous team of VisitPhoenix along with some of my favorite travel writers for a media luncheon to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week at the new Herb Box at the Colony (look for an upcoming dinner recap when I return next week).
Wednesday, 5/4/2016 (Part II): After the Herb Box, I met up with some fellow USBG Phoenix members at Ocotillo for brainstorming on a Moscow Mule fundraiser while I enjoyed some cocktails. It's always nice to spend time with Kim, Lillian, Kirti, and Cristen and I think we came up with a great game plan. A special treat was to run into friends filmmaker Andrew Gooi, Stephanie Sanstead with the Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass, and Chef de Cuisine Ryan Swanson of Kai. Be sure to check out the video below with Geoffrey Wilson's fabulous Write On Rubee cocktail (gin, chartreuse, Campari, egg white, and Serrano Spice) at Ocotillo.
Wednesday, 5/4/2016 (Part III): Due to car trouble, AAA and a car tow (with great service from Jesse!) we ended up with an impromptu Part III. We finished our day at The Capital Grille in North Scottsdale treating Ernie, Jr. to dinner as a thank-you for driving us home. One of our favorite steakhouses, it's always great to see manager Brian and bartender Matt (and order my favorite lobster mac 'n cheese in town).
Thursday, 5/5/2016: I had a fabulous time at the fun and festive Cinco de Mayo media preview of Counter Intuitive's 1929 Agua Caliente episode which debuted on May 6th to the public (click on photo for more pictures).
Friday, 5/6/2016: Write On Rubee celebrated a 2016 Favorite Local Food Website win at Arizona Foothills Magazine Best of Our Valley Bash at the SandBar (and nice to chat with Favorite Mixologist winner Jon Crone of Proof and Brian Leeds of Hopdoddy's!) We later retired to La Bocca to end the evening with our friends and fellow winners Tram Mai (Channel 12 winner of Favorite TV Personality) and her husband Steve Kraus (Favorite Valley Dad) and owner of Press Coffee Food and Wine (Best Sky Harbor Airport Dining).
Saturday, 5/7/2016: While doing errands, we stumbled upon Doglicious Hot Dogs, a family-owned gem in Glendale. Click on photo for details.
Monday, 5/9/2016: A highlight was attending the inaugural Tasting Panel for Arizona Vignerons Alliance certification at Vinum 55. Click here for an exclusive photo recap. Details on the AVA can be found at this link: Arizona Vignerons Alliance Launch.
Afterwards, photographer Jenelle Bonifeld and I lunched at Andreoli's, an Italian favorite in North Scottsdale which I've previously mentioned here and here.
And since we were close to Sweet Republic, I had to pick up a pint of ice cream to bring home - this time it was Rhubarb Crumble.
Check back for the next Rubee Tuesday recap as my plans include visits to Franco's Italian Caffe, New Hong Kong, LDV Wine Gallery, Atlas Bistro, and Miracle Mile Deli.