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.

Filtering by Tag: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

RUBEE TUESDAY: VAI Resort, Kembara, Global Ambassador, La Hacienda, Rosticceria, Arizona Biltmore, Bar Cena, Campo Italian

December 12, 2023  /  Christina Barrueta

I publish these round-ups every Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.

Le Âme at The Global Ambassador

Thursday, November 30: VAI Resort (Glendale). In 2022 when construction began, I was invited to take a hard-hat tour of VAI resort, a 60-acre project that will become Arizona's largest daylife, nightlife, and entertainment destination (click the photo below for more details).

A rendering of VAI Resort, including Konos Island, and VAI Amphitheater.

On Thursday, I was invited to see the latest progress on VAI Amphitheater, a $40 million world-class venue offering the ultimate concert experience - you’ll actually be able to watch the show from special tables at its signature restaurant, your room balcony, and VIP skyboxes. I’ll be posting any news I receive here on the website, so be sure to check back for updates!

That night, we attended the Grand Opening Media Event for Kembara at at JW Marriott Desert Ridge resort, Chef Angelo Sosa’s highly-anticipated Asian restaurant. This is Sosa’s second Arizona restauant, with his first being Southwestern-inspired Tia Carmen (you can read my SOMM Journal feature here).

Executive chef and restaurateur Angelo Sosa of Kembara and Tia Carmen at JW Marriott Desert Ridge

Kembara is an ode to Chef Sosa’s love of Asian cuisine and extensive time spent in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Get all the details at THIS LINK (and check back for more when I return next week for dinner!).

Friday, December 1: The Global Ambassador Hotel (Phoenix). It was big news in 2021 when it was announced that renowned restaurateur Sam Fox was entering the luxury hotelier arena, and, to no one’s surprise, the property is stunning. We were invited to experience Le Âme, the hotel’s sophisticated Parisian steakhouse, and after-dinner drinks in the beautiful lobby bar - click the photo below to see a video reel of our first visit.

Writer Christina Barrueta and Dushyant Singh, Director of Food & Beverage at The Global Ambassador Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona

You can read all the details about this beautiful hotel here. I’ll also be returning to Le Âme at the end of the month for lunch with Meridith, my SOMM Journal editor, so stay tuned for more photos.

Friday, December 8: La Hacienda (Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort). We try to get together with Meridith May and her husband Bill Brandel, owners of SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines, at least once a month, and this time our destination was La Hacienda at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Thank you to the team for making their first visit so special!

Afterwards, we stopped in at the VIP Preview Party for La Rosticceria, which was opening the following week. Read all about Joey Maggiore’s newest restaurant concept here, and click the photo below for my video reel of the night’s festivities.

Monday, December 11: Arizona Biltmore resort (Phoenix). I fell in love with this gorgeous property and its historic legacy on my first visit, and it still remains one of my favorite resorts.

The Champagne and Caviar Lounge at the Arizona Biltmore

Helmed by executive chef Daniel Weber, their culinary program is also noteworthy (see my recent DAOU wine dinner experience here), and I LOVE the Champagne and Caviar “pop-up” lounge they’ve created for the holidays. Through January 2, guests can enjoy Petrossian caviar and their favorite champagne (or vodka) every day from 11:30 am to 9 pm (10 pm on weekends), with a lunch menu available 11:30 to 2 pm. Click the photo above for a video reel of our wonderful afternoon.

Wednesday, December 13: Bar Cena (Scottsdale). We were invited to attend a media dinner to explore chef-owner Dom Ruggiero’s menu and I couldn’t have been more excited as I’m a big fan of both Hush, his inaugural restaurant, and Dom's talents (you can find two of his recipes in my Phoenix Cooks cookbook). To watch my Instagram Reel, click the photo below.

Muffuletta croquettes with finocchiona and provolone and steak tartare with beef fat aioli and bottarga at Bar Cena in Scottsdale

Bar Cena is now on my list of “Best Restaurants I Visited in 2023” (a work in progress!), and these are some of my must-orders: Popovers with cacio pepe butter, muffuletta croquettes, steak tartare, cucumber salad with whipped tofu and chili crunch, frisée salad, crispy potato pave with rouille, pate en croute, wild mushroom Bolognese, scallops with bacon and creamed corn, and veal osso buco. And bonus - excellent craft cocktails too.

Afterwards, I stopped by Campo Italian to snap some photos for an Experience Scottsdale assignment, like this margarita with Chelly, a locally-made lemon liqueur, and semolina-dusted crispy WorldClass Argentine calamari.

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Sel, Etta, Kembara, Morning Would, Krazy Cajun, and Marcellino’s Ristorante.

Last week’s Rubee Tuesday featured Andaz Scottsdale, CRUjiente Tacos, Grey Hen at Century Grand, Sunny’s Lounge/Say Less, and Turquoise Wine Bar.

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categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Kembara, VAI resort, The Global Ambassador, Global Ambassador, La Hacienda, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, The Rosticceria, Bar Cena, Campo Italian

RUBEE TUESDAY: The Americano, Toro at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess, Arboleda, Bourbon and Bones Peoria, Proof at the Four Seasons

August 01, 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.

The Zombie at Toro at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Friday, July 14: The Americano (North Scottsdale). Every summer, I work with one of my favorite organizations, Experience Scottsdale, on assignments for the Scottsdale Visitors Guide. A printed guidebook released annually, it can be downloaded or mailed to you.

Some of my current favorites: Happy Hour lobster salad with caviar and, on the regular menu, burrata with peach, speck, and pistachio crumble, roasted clams, and Fiore di Vitae cocktail.

Wednesday, July 19: Toro at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess was another stop on assignment.

Located on the Scottsdale’s TPC course, the menu showcases the diverse flavors of South and Central America and its Japanese and Chinese-Peruvian influences. Here are some must-orders:

WorldClass black cod with miso-chipotle glaze, kabayaki sauce, grilled asparagus, daikon radish, and togarashi aioli:

  • Danmari Negroni (Roku gin, Trakal, Japanese sweet sake vermouth, bitter liqueur, Banane du Bresil, and Sakura bitters)

  • Grilled avocado with corn pico de gallo

  • Fried rice with butter-poached lobster and chorizo

Grilled WorldClass Argentinian Devesa beef (picanha cut) with chimichurri, house BBQ sauce, potatoes, and shishitos:

Thursday, July 20: This was a busy day with three fun stops. First, was back to Arboleda for a special cocktail creation by Richie Moe, gambas pil pil, and smoked salmon on potato rösti with caviar and champagne cream.

Stop Two was the Grand Opening of Bourbon and Bones in Peoria. I’m pretty excited that the newest location of this upscale steakhouse is only a 10-minute drive.

A perfect ending to the day was an invitation to a fantastic mezcal dinner at Proof at Four Seasons Scottsdale Troon North. So glad Proof has brought back these cocktail dinners! We were all impressed with this menu by Chef Edgar, Pastry Chef Yudith, and cocktail pros Jackie and Autumn:

Check back on my next Rubee Tuesday for visits to Sugar Bowl, House Brasserie, Frasher’s Tavern, TEXAZ Grill, Course, and The Mick Brasserie.

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categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / The Americano, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Toro, arboleda, Scottsdale Quarter, Bourbon and Bones, Four Seasons, Proof, Cocktail Dinner

RUBEE TUESDAY: May 1-9: Bitter and Twisted, Mora, Casa Anejo, Proof and Onyx at the Four Seasons, Artizen at The Camby, Kentucky Derby Brunch at Bourbon Steak, North, and CRUjiente Tacos

May 09, 2017  /  Christina Barrueta

A semi-regular feature, Rubee Tuesday is a recap of my week's adventures in dining and drinking in the Phoenix area.

On Monday, May 1st, I attended a special media preview of Bitter and Twisted Cocktail Parlour's fourth annual Book o' Cocktails along with a sampling of some of Chef Bob Tam's delicious new dishes.  Loved it! You can read my photo recap by clicking the picture below.  

Afterwards, our friend Kirti joined us for a nightap at Mora Italian, where we shared the foie gras and chicken liver pate with cippolini agro dolce.  And a special treat was chatting with one of the valley's best chefs - chef de cuisine Matt Taylor. 

On Tuesday, May 2nd, I joined fellow media at Casa Añejo Tacos and Tequila, the newest addition to The Colony.  It's a winning trifecta, with a beautiful space designed by HGTV and DIY Network's Kitchen Crashers star Alison Victoria, Riley Jones in charge of cocktails, and Chef Joe Absolor helming the kitchen. Look for a full recap later this month.  

Designer Alison Victoria

Designer Alison Victoria

On Thursday, May 4th, I was on assignment for Phoenix Home and Garden at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale.  Pick up the July issue for a feature on Executive Chef Chuck Kazmer and his special summer recipes. I was also treated to a dish on Talavera's "Spring in France" tasting menu running through May 17.  The rabbit paté with caper berries and pistachios, preserved Meyer lemon aioli, and fava beanss is amazing! 

Afterwards, I joined my fellow food writer friend Lauren Topor for Proof's Thursday-only Tiki Pop-Up.  

We sipped our way through tropical tiki drinks such as the Flaming Zombie Bite (my favorite - with Plantation overproof rum, gin, pineapple, orange, and orgeat), Pimm's Plunder (Pimm's, Wild Tonic's Tropical Turmeric kombucha, ginger beer, raspberry, lime, and cucumber) and Piña Luau (ixa reposado tequila, amaro, demerara simple syrup, pineapple, lime).  Chef Dell also shared his delicious housemade kombucha  - thank you Dell!

Don't miss out on Chef Del's rotating selection of Ono Grindz such as this Hawaaian Fried Rice with pineapple, U-5 shrimp and hoisin-glazed scallops, and the bacon bao with turmeric preserved cabbage, chicharrones, charred shallot, and garlic blossoms. Chef Dell cures the bacon for 8 days and then smokes it over black walnut. For more information about this weekly event, click this link. 

And we couldn't leave without enjoying the sunset on the picturesque patio of Onyx.  

On Friday, May 5th, we received a media invitation to explore Chef Dushyant Singh's new dshes at a personal favorite - Artizen at The Camby. Chef not only surprised us with a custom tasting menu but WOW this is one of my best meals of 2017. I was already a huge fan, but now I'm an even bigger one. These are just a few of the fantastic highlights. Some are currently on the menu, and some are still being finalized. Look for a detailed feature later this month.  

Purple potato gnocchi with saffron-poached mussels, charred leeks, asparagus, and a saffron beurre blanc

Purple potato gnocchi with saffron-poached mussels, charred leeks, asparagus, and a saffron beurre blanc

Saturday was the Kentucky Derby. This was my first time joining the Kentucky Derby Brunch at Bourbon Steak at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, but not my last! Festivities included Bulleit mint juleps, live blues music, and a Southern brunch featuring pickled shrimp, filet mignon with Henry Bain sauce, hush puppies and fried oysters, Kentucky burgoo, shrimp and grits, hot browns, fried chicken, Derby pie, red velvet cupcakes, and more. My friend Kirti and I also left as winners! Each guest drew a horse name as they entered and since Always Dreaming won, so did we - a free overnight stay at this gorgeous resort. 

On Monday, May 8th, I joined fellow travel writers and local tourism representatives to kick off National Travel and Tourism Week. We were hosted by Visit Phoenix at North Italia in Arcadia and feasted on new favorites like zucca chips, Seasonal Vegetable salad, chicken pesto with gigli pasta, and tiramisu.

Across the street is one of my favorites, CRUjiente Tacos. Since they had just launched their new brew collaboration with Pedal Haus Brewery, I had to stop in after lunch, especially as they were promoting a one-day-only taco pairing. Crujiente's award-winning Executive Chef Richard Hinojosa and co-owner Jason Morris worked with Julian Wright and Derek “Doc” Osborne of Pedal Haus to create a blood orange Gose-style beer. I loved it! But get it while you can as it is very limited. Chef paired it with an incredible roasted pork belly taco with orange-habanero glaze, tomatoes, and cilantro mojo.  

For past Rubee Tuesday recaps, visit this link.  Stay tuned next week as I visit Il Capo Pizzeria, attend a private culinary film movie screening, support my friend Kirti at an LLS fundraising cocktail dinner at Hyatt Gainey Ranch (she's been nominated for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year), explore the new cocktail menu at House Brasserie...and film a segment as a guest on Good Morning Arizona!

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categories / Rubee Tuesday
tags / Mora, Bitter and Twisted, Casa Anejo, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Bourbon Steak, Four Sesaons Scottsdale, Proof