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.

Scottsdale "Secret" Specials

Everybody likes to be "in the know" for those off-menu items or hidden features. Check out some of these Scottsdale Secrets. 

Take a private distillery tour at OHSO

Outrageous Homebrewer's Social Outpost (O.H.S.O.) is a local and dog-friendly hangout in North Scottsdale that has  Scottsdale's best-kept secret, a private one-on-one distillery and tasting tour. In-house distillers, Greg Arias and Jeff Smith, offer tastings of O.H.S.O.'s spirit brands: #Vodka, #Rum and #Gin. Each private distillery tour and tasting is $25 and exclusively available at the North Scottsdale location.  

O.H.S.O. Eatery + Distillery is located at 15681 N. Hayden Road, #112, Scottsdale and can be reached at 480-948-3159.

Ceviche tostada at Social Tap Eatery

While the Mexican-American fusion menu at Social Tap Eatery created by Chef Keon Salehizadeh seems to have it all, these off-the-menu specialties will have your mouth watering. Start your meal off with a Ceviche Tostada ($4) that incorporates halibut with pico de gallo and cotija cheese. For a bit of a more indulgent option, Social Tap has their own take on Animal Fries ($5) with a special sauce, cheddar jack cheese and caramelized onions. And for those who love poke, the Ahi Poke Burrito ($12) is an interesting spin on the classic poke bowl, wrapped up with slaw, guacamole, cucumber wasabi, teriyaki, Sriracha and tuxedo sesame seeds.

Social Tap Eatery is located in the heart of Downtown Scottsdale at 4312 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale and hours of business are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. from Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant can be reached at (602) 432-6719 for reservations and more information. 

Lucky Charm French Toast at The Hash Kitchen

The creative brunch hotspot, The Hash Kitchen, known for their DIY Bloody Mary bar, has some delicious menu items that you must be “in-the-know” to order. Their Lucky Charm French Toast ($14) was created by Executive Chef Joey Maggiore for a St. Patrick’s Day special, but is still available to order for those who love the Lucky Charm encrusted French Toast served warm Maple reduction and vanilla cream. The savory breakfast lover will go wild over the Crazy Beni ($18), which combines Fried Chicken, Chicken Fried Steak, poached eggs, hot biscuits and Hollandaise for an unusual but tasty take on the classic Eggs Benedict dish.  With so many great pancake options on (and off) the menu at The Hash Kitchen, sometimes it’s hard to choose just one variety; that’s where the “Best of” Pancake Sampler ($14) comes in. This dish gives diners the taste of four delicious pancakes including: Buttermilk, Carrot Cake, Oreo, and Lemon & Ricotta.  

The Hash Kitchen is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is located at 8777 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale at The Shops at Gainey Village and can be reached at (480) 947-3214 for reservations and more information.

Kaleidoscope Juice (photo by Julianna Frushour)

Kaleidoscope Juice is Phoenix's coveted juice and coffee bar, restaurant, gluten-free bakery, and organic juice brand specializing in cold-pressed juices and high vibe food. The juice and coffee bar and restaurant offers over 20 grab-and-go cold-pressed juices and the menu extends to wellness smoothies, organic shots, coffees and “fuel” meals like protein teriyaki bowls and superfood snacks. With their large following, the juice bar has cultivated a few highly-coveted secret menu items like the Immortal Machine Smoothie with added espresso ($10), Salmon Veggie Bowl  ($15 to 16.20) with sweet potatoes, spinach  and an optional organic hardboiled egg with hot sauce and the Tumeric Lemonade Slushy ($6), blended with ice instead of poured over ice.

Kaleidoscope Juice has three locations in Scottsdale and one location in Downtown Phoenix. For more information, please visit KaleidoscopeJuice.com.