PHOENIX HOT SPOTS - Bruce and Marla's Dining Guide

Switched on to Switch

2010-08-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

Wow do I like the French Neuvo restaurant Switch! This hot spot is tucked in next to Durant's on Central (2603 N Central Ave. 602.264.2295) and it is good. Marla and I have been there twice and love it. The atmosphere has a dark and lounge-like feel with a sophisticated urban flair. There is also a great patio that I am sure we will inhabit during the cooler months.

Head chef Nathan Arguello has taken his classical French training, put his own twist on it, and come up with some savory dishes. I wish I could tell you more about the menu, but both times I ordered the same thing, the Provence Chicken (16.95). This is 8 oz. of oven roasted chicken breast with sundried tomatoes, pine nuts and a rosemary broth. It sits on a bed of risotto and comes with seasonal veggies- I had it with asparagus. It is heaven! I can't remember what Marla ate, or really much at all after the first bite of chicken. I think I went into some kind of food bliss coma. I promise, next time I will try something else and see if it is all as good as the chicken. Oh, and I should probably also pay more attention to Marla.

The owner is Tom Jetland, and he is on a role (or should I say a roll). He is also the owner of FEZ and Ticoz, two other great Phoenix hot spots. Tom, if you read this, we love you! Lets be best friends.

Postino Brunch

2010-04-21T11:56:00.002-07:00

Last Sunday we went to Postino's (5144 N. Central Ave.)for brunch with Liam and our friends Jenny and Gabe (Jenny's new finance!). Jenny and Bruce have known each other forever and it was great to catch up and just hang out.

Postino's brunch was terrific. The weather was perfect, and we sat on the patio enjoying the music, belinis, and mimosas. There was a great band playing some acoustic guitar rhythms. In fact, we liked them so much, we got their CD and are going to try to book them for our wedding. Liam and Bruce split the french toast and eggs and they were delicious. Marla got an egg panini that was also tasty.

It was a halcyon day spent with good friends, wine, and food. We lingered, luxuriating in the company and sunshine. What a great day. Try Postino's for brunch, while the patio is still comfortably cool.

Bomberos Café and Wine Bar

2010-04-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

Marla and I tried a new wine bar called Bomberos (8801 North Central Avenue). This is a great neighborhood spot on Central, just south of Dunlap, and it has brought a touch of sophistication to the Sunnyslope area. Bomberos is Spanish for firemen and refers to the fact that the restaurant was formerly a firehouse. The best aspect of this place is its back patio. There are couches and patio furniture spread around and shaded by mesquite trees as well as a fire pit. When we were there last, a fountain was being installed on the North wall. They are also dog friendly and the whole atmosphere is relaxing and unpretentious.

Bomberos specializes in South American wines and Latin American Beers as well as specialty coffees. The food is good, but the menu is quite limited. We split a Panini last time and it was wonderful. I tried their Malbec on the server's recommendation, but was disappointed. Fortunately, the server brought me a different wine, free of charge, and that shows class. Marla has discovered a new wine here that she now loves. It is the La Playa Camaneres. We have had other La Playa wines before, but had never tried the Camaneres. It is now a new favorite!

Bomberos has made our list of hot spots and we will be back.

The Bario Cafe

2010-04-18T17:16:00.002-07:00

Wow, it has been a long time since I have had the time to write a post. Life sure has a way of getting a hold of you and spinning you around. Marla and I have gotten engaged are now planning a wedding as well as trying to figure out what to do with our two houses. These are exciting times indeed.

I wanted to take a moment and tell you about a terrific Mexican restaurant. In fact, I would call it Phoenix’s best Mexican restaurant. I know, I know, that is a bold claim, but there it is.

The Bario Café is located in the heart of Phoenix at 2814 North 16th Street. This unpretentious, but quaint eatery serves traditional Southern Mexican fare. Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza creates her own unique dishes that tantalize the palate with a savory mix of traditional Mexican spices. The food has a light quality about it and is definitely not your standard bean burrito with chips.

The atmosphere is cozy and low key. It feels like you are in someone’s house at a big party. I especially like the cozy little bar, what a great place to wait for your table and have a drink! They have more variety of tequilas that you can count and great margaritas. Also, don’t miss the painting of the Mexican wrestler with his mask on.

The bottom line, if you want to have a great evening and enjoy some delicious and unique Mexican food, then you must try to The Bario Café.

Sierra Bonita Grill

2010-02-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

I went to Sierra Bonita Grill (http://www.sierrabonitagrill.com) earlier this week with my two oldest friends, Janice and Sharla. Wait a minute... I should rephrase that. Janice and Sharla are my two friends I have known the longest! We grew up together (elementary school all the way through high school), and we were long overdue for a get together. While we did discuss the fact that we are all turning 40 this year, I would never call us old! Sierra Bonita is a great central hot spot for us to meet and is located at 6933 N. 7th Street (just south of Glendale). Bruce and I have eaten here several times, but it was the first visit for my friends.

Sierra Bonita is a southwestern style restaurant. There are many booths and tables, and the decor is decorated with southwestern and cowboy style accents. There is also a great patio if you want to sit outside when the weather is nice.

The menu is full of choices, and I have never had a bad meal here. The guacamole and chips is a great starter if you are in the mood. It goes great with one of my favorite drinks here which is the fresh squeezed margarita. A great way to have this margarita is to order it served "up" in a martini glass. You do have to pace yourself on these as they are tasty and strong.

There are several other appetizers that I sometimes order as my meal. A favorite is the Mini Quesadillas, and Sharla had this dish on our visit. They also have tacos, and Janice had the Carne Asada Tacos. Bruce often orders the Grilled Mahi Fish Tacos. I had the Sierra Bonita Salad with chicken, and this is one of my favorite salads out there. In addition to the salads, there are several sandwich dishes to choose from.

It doesn't stop there. Sierra Bonita has various entree dishes including different pork dishes, pasta, chicken, carne asada, beef tenderloin and salmon. They also have different specials everyday and those are definitely worth checking out.

We had a great girls night dinner at Sierra Bonita. It was a lot of fun to catch up with my friends, and Janice and Sharla both liked Sierra Bonita! I also often recommend Sierra Bonita when we have people from work visiting from out of town. This is a great restaurant, and you must try it!

Sam's Cafe ... a Southwest Experience not to be Missed

2010-02-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

We met Marla's mom at Sam's Cafe (www.canyoncafe.com) for lunch today. We aren't really sure why we haven't written a blog about it before now, since we have been here several times since we started our blog. Today seemed like a good day to update everyone about one of Phoenix's great Southwest restaurant experiences.

Sam's Cafe has a location at Biltmore Fashion Park and another location at Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix. We always laugh a little, because we definitely go to Sam's at the Biltmore most of the time, but the Arizona Center location is closer to Bruce's house. At the Biltmore, Sam's is located upstairs on the east side of the mall. It is a large restaurant with a Southwestern decor. They have outside seating as well when the weather is nice. There is also a bar area so you can sit at the bar if you like. They have the space to handle large parties of people, so that is good to keep in mind if you have a large group.

Sam's has been around for quite a while. It is tough to remember a time when we had anything that we didn't like. One of the best things about Sam's is the chips and salsa. They have a mixture of chips including your standard tortilla chip, another one that is almost like a sweet churro, and one that is a sweet potato chip. It is an interesting mixture and you just can't wait to dig into these. We find ourselves digging through the chips to find the churro-type and also the sweet potato. I wouldn't say that we fight over finding the good chips, but it is pretty close to that! The chips and salsa can often set the tone of a Mexican or Southwestern style restaurant and these chips almost melt in your mouth! The salsa also has great flavor and his just spicy enough to have a little kick.

If you are still hungry after indulging on some of the best chips in Phoenix, there are lots of great dishes to choose from including salads, sandwiches, soup, pastas, tacos, enchiladas, fish and other dishes. Some of our favorites include the Grilled Chicken Salad, Vegetable Tacos, Fish Tacos, Tortilla Soup, Grilled Chicken Quesadilla and Fajitas.

I guess we haven't even mentioned anything about the drinks, more specifically, the margaritas! Sam's has some great margaritas. Some of them are so good and so strong that they have a two drink limit! We recently tried the Rico Rita -- it will remind you of a Pina Colada (which always reminds me of our trip to Puerto Vallarta and the swim up bar where we ordered lots of Pina Coladas) and it also has Captain Morgan, Coconut Rum and Pineapple Juice. These margaritas are so good, they make the trip worth it by themselves.

We could not finish this blog posting without telling you about what you will get when they bring you the check. You will receive a little piece of white chocolate heaven. We both have a bit of a sweet tooth, so this is a sweet indulgence. They bring you some cold white chocolate wrapped in a corn husk. It is a great way to finish off a tasty, Southwestern meal when you need something sweet. If for some reason they don't bring you the chocolate (sometimes that happens), make sure you ask for it!

When you are at the Biltmore or in downtown Phoenix, make sure you give Sam's a try. It is a great restaurant and you will not be disappointed!

Cheuvront.... a Downtown Phoenix hot spot

2010-02-06T18:52:00.001-07:00

We went to Cheuvront (www.cheuvronts.com) last night for dinner. Cheuvront is located at 1326 N. Central Avenue (just south of McDowell and across the street from the Phoenix Public Library). It is on the main floor of a building that has condos (one of those new urban living spaces that have popped up downtown over the last several years). This restaurant is a modern looking place with a nice bar and a wall length wine rack. It is also fun to watch the light rail go zipping down Central.

On this evening, we were on our way to see Actor's Theater's play Shipwrecked and chose Cheuvront for its close proximity to the theater. Unfortunately, we forgot it was also First Friday, so the restaurant was busy. We wound up sitting at the bar for dinner, which is always a good spot for people watching. They have one of our favorite wines there, Byron Pinot Noir, so we both had a glass. They have a nice wine menu and there are also wine recommendations on the menu paired with the different entrees.

We have been to Cheuvront several times and the food has always been very good. We ordered the salmon dish and the chicken and both of us were well pleased with our selections. They have several entree dishes, salads, pasta and other selections. Bruce's son Liam, also loves their macaroni and cheese and we agree! In addition they have a full cheese menu and that gives this restaurant a unique niche in the downtown restaurant arena. You can choose from many different cheeses to create a cheese plate. We haven't had this, but I might have to try it someday.

We have always enjoyed out visits to Cheuvront, but we were a little surprised this time with the service. The restaurant was busy, and there was a wait for the table (understandable since it was First Friday). A space opened up at the bar and so we decided to eat at the bar instead. However, we were told that we would still have to wait 20 minutes before we could order any food, even if we sat at the bar. It seems that maybe the kitchen was backed up and that was their way of not making it worse. It just came across as offering poor service. Knowing that it is First Friday, and the restaurant would be busy, it just seemed like they should have been better prepared to handle the rush. We got our food timely so it all seemed to work out okay, but it was all kind of strange. On our previous visits to Cheuvront we have also experienced slow service, and the place was almost empty!

Overall, we like Cheuvront. It is in a great location, the atmosphere is trendy and nice and the food is very good. If they could speed up the kitchen a bit, it would go a long way. Cheuvront is definitely worth trying when you are in the area.

Ticoz Resto-Bar

2010-01-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

We went to Ticoz www.ticozofarizona.com last weekend. Ticoz is located at 5114 N. 7th Street just north of Camelback. I had been there previously and had always wanted Bruce to check it out. We were looking for some dinner before we headed to see a movie, so we decided to stop in.

The atmosphere in Ticoz is casual but nice. The restaurant has a lot of seating, but there is also a nice bar with additional tables. When the weather is nice, they have a great outdoor patio to hang out on and have a few drinks or get some food. We decided to sit at the bar. They have lots of great drinks to choose from, and it is always fun to watch the bartenders make all the drinks and interact with everyone. I had a margarita which was very tasty and hit the spot! Before we get into the food, I will share a fun observation we made. The restaurant is decorated with themes of red and orange colors both with the lighting and other accessories. From where we were sitting at the bar, there were several wine bottles on display. I was thinking to myself how neatly aligned and organized they all looked and it created a nice display. Bruce then turned to me and was noticing how all of the wine bottles had some sort of orange coloring on them (either the label or even the wrap around the cork). We wondered if their wine list was chosen based on the colors on the bottles and how fitting that would be for this restaurant. I also thought it was funny as Bruce noticed the colors and I noticed how organized they looked which is fitting for our personalities and how we compliment each other :)

Ok, back to the food. Ticoz has a variety of items to choose from and their website lists it as burgers, tacos and cocktails. You can take a look at the menu but there are different appetizers, salads, soups, burgers, chicken sandwiches, pork sandwiches and several mexican dishes. We weren't too hungry so we had some chips and salsa and chicken tacos. The food was great!

If you are in the mood for some good food, cocktails (they have happy hour prices too) and a fun atmosphere, you should really check it out. We will be back!

The Orange Table

2010-01-13T19:04:00.000-07:00

Recently we visited The Orange Table restaurant, located at: 7373 East Scottsdale Mall in Scottsdale. This is certainly a diner for a new generation. Diner does not even adequately describe this delectable hot spot nestled in the Scottsdale Civic Center plaza. It is somewhere between a coffee shop and a wine bar. Unlike many Scottsdale spots, this one has an unpretentious air about it. The crowd is a young, hip and artsy group, and the overall scene is casual and comfy. Depending upon the weather, you can sit either on the patio or inside. You can also enjoy a drink at the small bar and enjoy either wine or a glass of beer.

The Orange Table's food is Diner-like only in that it serves the basics such as bagels, sandwiches, eggs and bacon etc. On the other hand the bread is homemade and delicious. Everything is fresh and the coffee is rich. You can visit The Orange Table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner although, we have only been for breakfast and lunch. This is a place where you feel right at home, and if you are in Old Town Scottsdale looking for a bite or a drink, we highly recommend it!

The Parlor ...... a New Hot Spot for Pizza

2009-12-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

It has been a few weeks since we have posted a new entry. We have been busy enjoying the holidays and haven't had as much time to keep everyone informed on our hot spots. We had a great holiday together so now we have some catching up to do!

We visited The Parlor (http://theparlor.us/) located at 1916 E. Camelback. This is a new restaurant that opened up earlier this year that we have been meaning to try out. It is located in a building that used to be a "beauty parlor," and they have now transformed it into a "pizza parlor." Several years ago, Marla had her hair done in this former location so she was curious to see how they had transformed the space. The restaurant is very open with high ceilings. It has a casual vibe to it with different seating areas including a nice patio, a bar area separate from the main restaurant, the main floor and then a seating area close to the kitchen that has the old beauty parlor chairs that crank up and down that you can sit in.

We decided to share a pizza and a salad for our lunch. They have a build your own pizza menu where you can choose different cheeses, vegetables or meats. We picked our toppings and the pizza was good! We also shared the Parlor Insalata salad which was a good Italian salad and great for sharing. There are other items on the menu to choose from including specialty pizzas, salads, sandwiches, pasta and other anitpasi dishes. They also have a wine menu and serve beer as well.

We still like Cibo better, but we will definitely come back to The Parlor. We plan to bring Bruce's son for a visit as he really enjoys pizza these days. It was great to see a newer restaurant bustling with people on a Saturday afternoon!

The Mission - One Romantic and Succulent Hot Spot!!!

2009-12-06T18:42:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday, we journeyed to Old Town Scottsdale to one of our very favorite restaurants - the Mission (http://www.themissionaz.com/). The Mission is located at 3815 N. Brown Avenue. This was our third trip to the Mission, our first being last Valentine's Day. We absolutely love this place! Glimmering candles are everywhere, and crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling adding to the romantic setting. There is a wall made of salt bricks mined from the Himalayas. These beautiful bricks are lit from behind and give off a warm amber glow. The overall feeling of the restaurant is of a sophisticated old world setting.

Then there is the food! The food is a combination of southwestern and Latin styles and flavors. We began by sharing a Chipotle Caesar Salad. This salad had a little bit of a zing to it and was topped with strings of crispy tortilla chips. The salad was delicious and we ate every last morsel. For dinner we shared the pork shoulder tacos. The pork melts in your mouth like honey and when combined with the corn tortillas, that are served on a warm salt block, the result is something amazing and not easily duplicated. The flavors are both complex and inviting and somehow familiar. They also blend perfectly with a good margarita.

The margaritas at the Mission are truly delicious. Marla had a Primarita and Bruce had a Coconut Margarita. These drinks are strong and refreshing. The Mission was also the first place that we were introduced to Agaverro. This is a tequila liquor that has all the wonderful flovor of tequila without the bite.

Finally for dessert, we shared the Pumpkin Bread Pudding. If you usually go to a restaurant and skip the dessert, don't do that here. The bread pudding sits in a plate of caramel, sunflower seeds and pomegranate seeds. This dessert was written up in Phoenix Magazine and is truly not to be missed. Bruce is addicted to it!

The one draw back of the Mission is that it is a little more costly than our other favorite Hot Spots, and that means we can't go as often as we would like. A dinner for two with a couple of drinks will cost you around $100. It is worth it for the experience and food, but for us it is a special occasion place. Chef Matt Carter has created a wonderful restaurant. You might be familiar with his other restaurants, Zinc Bistro and 905. The Mission is our favorite of these restaurants so when you are in Old Town Scottsdale, check it out.

Postino Update ...... Serving Brunch on Saturday and Sunday

2009-11-14T14:19:00.002-07:00

Postino is one of our favorite hot spots and we have blogged about it before. We stopped in today for a quick lunch after hiking this morning in the Dreamy Draw area of Squaw Peak. The bartender told us that starting next weekend, they will be serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. He gave us a sample menu and it looks like a great brunch....very Postino. A few samplings include Country Toast, Grilled Foccacia, Ciabatta French Toast, Frittata and other items. It reminded us of the menu at Palette which closed earlier this year and was our favorite breakfast spot.

We will check out brunch at Postino and will blog about it too. Don't forget.... all glasses of wine are $5 before 5 pm everyday!

Hana Japanese Eatery.......Sushi like you've never had it before!

2009-11-14T14:12:00.002-07:00

We went to Hana Japanese Eatery (http://hanajapaneseeatery.com/) located at 5524 N. 7th Avenue (7th Ave. and Missouri) last night for dinner. We had heard about this restaurant from a couple of people, read about it in the best sushi write ups in the newspaper and have seen it as we drive up and down 7th Avenue all the time. A craving for sushi and something not too far from home led us to Hana's.

This is a neighborhood restaurant that is easy to miss if you aren't looking for it. We were seated right away but the restaurant was full. Our first and only misfire of the night was that we did not know that they did not serve any alcohol. We were both hoping for a glass of wine but then learned it was BYOB or should I say, BYOW (bring your own wine). As we looked around, there were several tables where the patrons had brought their own wine and beer. We forged ahead and checked out the menu and realized we would be more prepared next time (especially when we had a nice bottle of Byron Pinot Noir sitting on the counter at home).

We sat at the sushi bar and put in our sushi order. The sushi chefs called out the orders which was fun and helped to create a family, neighborhood vibe in the restaurant. Our sushi arrived quickly and with each dish, our taste buds were increasingly happy! We ordered the California Roll, the Shrimp Tempura Roll and the Baked Salmon Roll. I must disclose at this point that we are not your usual, "slimy, raw" sushi fans. We happen to prefer the rolls and "cooked" items on the sushi menu. We have friends and family that love the raw stuff so maybe we will bring them next time to give us their reviews! Back to our order... it was all fabulous. We both thought this was some of the best sushi we have ever had and it is right up the street! The Baked Salmon roll was quite impressive and like nothing we had tasted before.

We had a great dinner here and there are many other items on the menu to try besides sushi (see their website for a menu) If you are looking for the loud music and scene that you find at Ra Sushi, Hana Japanese Eatery is probably not for you. However, for a neighborhood place not too far from home, this is certainly a place to try for some outstanding sushi. We will be back and next time, we will bring our own wine!

Local Breeze………Not quite a hot spot yet.

2009-11-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

Local Breeze (www.localbreeze.com) is located at 606 N. Fourth Avenue in Downtown Phoenix. It is in the space previously occupied by Palette which closed recently. We were big fan’s of Palette and we have been slow to warm up to trying this restaurant as we weren’t sure it would measure up. After a short hike on Sunday, we decided to give Local Breeze a try for breakfast.

They do have a great outdoor patio and it seems they have made some improvements on it. We were able to get a table outside which is the best way to enjoy this restaurant and ordered the basics for breakfast (eggs, sausage, toast, English muffin). The food was good and all the bread was homemade. The service staff was friendly but there was a little bit of a wait. The owner kept saying that the kitchen was backed up because of the big crowds. I took a walk through the restaurant and there was no one sitting inside. If the restaurant would have been full, I am not sure how long the wait would have been so they might still be working out some kinks in the kitchen!

They are also open for lunch and dinner but it might be a while before we try that. We will head back there for breakfast again and might ride our bike’s next time as they give a 10% discount on your bill if you ride your bikes. Fun!

Bambino Bistro…….quirky but homey.

2009-11-08T18:34:00.001-07:00

Bambino Bistro is located at 214 W. Roosevelt Street in Downtown Phoenix in the Roosevelt District. We had seen this quaint little spot with a nice patio a few times as we were driving down Roosevelt and kept saying, we really need to check it out! First Friday rolled around so we decided to give it a try and invited our friend’s Christen and Mark. It turned out to be quite an adventure!

This restaurant is a lot like having dinner at someone’s house. It comes complete with a dog that greats you as you come in and a mother and son to be your hosts. Of course, like with all family dinners, one can’t expect perfection, but the warmth and personalities of our hosts more than made up for that fact. We sat outside on the small patio since it was such a beautiful night and arranged our own tables together as there didn’t seem to be anyone that was taking charge of figuring out where our party of five would sit. We did have to go inside to talk to the chef/owner to figure out if there were menus, drinks, etc. and then ordered some sangria and proceeded to look at the menu. The menu had a wide variety of items including wood-fired pizza, ravioli, other pasta dishes, mussels, salads and paninis.

The chef came out to take our order in between rolling out pizza dough. We probed him a bit for some recommendations, especially considering he was the chef. He didn’t really want to give us any but then finally said that one of the mussel dishes was outstanding and that he won $10,000 on the Food Network for that dish! Ok, well now we have something to go on! We also figured out that the chef seems to be running the show with not only just cooking but taking orders, dealing with the check, etc.

Our food arrived and it was all good. The wood-fired pizzas had thin crispy crusts and the sauce was tasty. Christen and Mark enjoyed the Mussels and Liam, Bruce’s son, even gave them a try! The pumpkin ravioli was a little rich and heavy, but good.

It was an interesting night at Bambino Bistro. It wasn’t as good as we thought it might be, but it was nice to talk to the chef about his restaurant. All in all we liked this charming, but quirky bistro and will go back and try it for lunch. If you are looking for something fancy with a large wine list, this is probably not the right spot. However, if you are looking for a casual, neighborhood place that is kind of kooky with some good food, check it out. The experience was very fitting considering it was First Friday. The strange thing is that Marla ran into the owner at Safeway the next day… he said that he is also going to open up a wine bar next door with trattoria style food which sounds interesting. He also said Lola’s Coffee and Pita Jungle were also going to open up on that block. (We always get the scoop for you!) Should make for a great spot for local hot spots!

Rokerij……..A must visit Hot Spot. GO NOW!

2009-11-08T18:32:00.001-07:00

If you have never been to the Rokerij, (http://www.burningembersphoenix.com/) this is definitely a hot spot you need to check out. The Rokerij is located at 6335 N. 16th Street just south of Maryland. We went to the Rokerij on our second date so we like to frequent this hot spot when we can. Rokerij is owned by the same owner as Richardson’s, another famous restaurant in Phoenix. There is a restaurant with a bar, but the best thing about the Rokerij is the hideaway located downstairs in the basement. This small and cozy room has fresh flowers, candles and a fireplace to help set the romantic mood. A long copper bar takes up most of the room and plank panels on the ceiling finish the setting.

Once you find a place to get cozy, it is time to order a drink. They have a nice wine list with some interesting choices you don’t see all of the time. When we were there on Wednesday night last week, we had a Cabernet/Merlot blend from Italy called Prima Voce. They also have ½ price bottles of wine on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday which is a great deal!

Now on to the food….we ordered the Small Plates which is our favorite thing to get at the Rokerij, in fact we have never ordered anything else! We had the Crab Tostados, Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp and the Chicken Tacos. They have many small plates to choose from so give them a try and you won’t be disappointed! There are also several Richardson’s inspired dishes and fish and steak entrees. Check the big chalkboards for the specials.

Grab your sweetie and head to the Rokerij, one of our favorite hot spots. We also found out about an update on Richardson’s from the bartender. The owner owns the property next to the Rokerij and is planning to rebuild Richardson’s there instead of the spot that burned down on Bethany Home. Remember you heard it hear first! Dick’s Hideaway will stay open!

St. Francis – Central Phoenix’s Newest Hot Spot

2009-11-01T17:42:00.007-07:00

A couple of weeks ago when we were on our way to dinner, we were driving down Camelback Road and I caught a flash of what looked like a cool restaurant and maybe something new. After some checking, I figured out that it was a new restaurant called St. Francis (www.stfrancisaz.com) that just opened in September. It is located at 111 E. Camelback Road in the heart of the Central Corridor.

My friend Christen just turned 40 and I was planning a girl’s night so we could celebrate this important event. I thought we should check out St. Francis, especially considering it seems to be Central Phoenix’s latest hot spot.

Christen and I met up with our friends Sunshine and Erin on Friday night. They had secured a spot at the bar outside while we waited for our table. This place was hopping! They have a great indoor/outdoor bar area which I always love where you can sit outside at the bar and face the inside of the restaurant. A fun people watching spot and a way to ease into the evening. We enjoyed some wine and an appetizer (goat cheese and toast) which helped tide us over until dinner since there was a long wait for a table (Friday night at a new hot spot).

As we headed inside once our table was ready, you could really start to see the work that they did on this space to create a modern looking restaurant with small touches to create a unique atmosphere. There was a small bar type table in front of the kitchen as you come in where you can sit and watch them prepare the food. There were small vases on the tables with just a touch of fresh flowers and candles which I always love. There was also an upstairs area for seating.

We were hungry and ready so we were ready to sit down and see what this new hot spot had to offer on the menu. We asked our waitress for some recommendations since none of us had been there before. I was somewhat disappointed that she was very non-committal with providing any recommendations. She just kept saying everything is great. We forged ahead and made our orders. I had the Pan-Seared Halibut, and I must say, it was delicious! Christen and Sunshine both had the Seafood Soup and they very much enjoyed this – especially the bread that was in the soup. Erin also was a fan of the Ahi Tuna Sandwich. Everything we ordered was very good and we were all pleased with our meals. The portions were reasonable and we all left very happy.

St. Francis is a great new hot spot. I plan to take Bruce here soon and we also have some other friends that want to try it out. When you are in the Central and Camelback area, you must check it out!

I also have to add that we had a great night celebrating Christen’s 40th! Lots of fun with friends and a couple of after dinner drinks at a local dive bar called Pomeroy’s at 7th St. and Missouri (see picture). There is nothing fancy about this place, but a divey place to hang out with friends and play some songs on the jukebox!

One crazy week..... U2, 905, Camelback Inn, Hob Nob's, Kincaid's, Boom, The District and Postino

2009-10-25T17:22:00.006-07:00

We have had a crazy week, but a great one for Phoenix Hot Spots. It began with the U2 concert at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Tuesday night. This was an amazing concert. The set looked like a futuristic spaceship and had many lighting looks throughout the show. There was a huge circular video screen so you were able to see much of the show along with lots of great video graphics. U2 started with three songs from their new album, but then began to mix in the old favorites and rocked the house. The show opened with the Black Eyed Peas and they stood on their own as a great band and were very entertaining. We thought the stage would be in the center, so we were a bit disappointed that we spent a lot of money for seats that turned out to be 100 yards away from the stage. Good thing the set and video made up for it. All in all, we had a great time!

Friday night, we tried a new restaurant that has been receiving great reviews – 905 located in downtown Phoenix at 905 4th Street just south of Roosevelt. It is located in Fate’s old location and is owned by Matt Carter who is also the owner of The Mission and Zinc Bistro. We loved the ambience of the beautiful patio and the redecorated interior with recycled redwood paneling. They have stepped it up from the cozy but ramshackle décor of Fate. We enjoyed the live growing bamboo as well as the water caddies anchored to the side of the table (kind of funky!). The menu is considered Asian Fusion and has an eclectic array of curries, pork, chicken, and noodle dishes with distinctive Asian influences. We loved our rock shrimp lettuce wrap appetizer, and it had a spicy kick. That is where our love affair of this restaurant unfortunately came to an end. Bruce had the Mussels which came highly recommended from the waitress. They were tasty and well cooked but Bruce would not order them again. Marla had the Voodoo Chicken and it had great presentation. She did not really enjoy the flavor and in the end it was just chicken. Ultimately, considering how much we love The Mission (there will be a future blog about one of our ultimate hot spots), our Asian Fusion excursion in our beloved downtown Phoenix left us unsatisfied. We have heard from friends that the lunch menu is good so we might try that, however, we won’t be back anytime soon for dinner.

Saturday morning, we got up and walked down to Hob Nobs Coffee House on the corner of 5th Avenue and McDowell (located in the former Willo House space). This is one of our favorite, local coffee shops. They have great coffee (for Bruce), pastries, salads and sandwiches. It has the feel of an old house with several rooms to hang out in. It is cozy and quaint – a great spot to stop in or plug in.

Next we headed to The Spa at Camelback Inn (http://www.camelbackinn.com) for an afternoon of relaxation to cash in on Marla’s gift to Bruce for his birthday back in August. We both had the Native Hot Stone Massage which consists of warm stones being rubbed on the body along with oil and is completely relaxing. We had lunch outside and lounged for a couple of hours. What can you say about this spa? It is decadent, wonderful, relaxing and amazing. As Ferris Bueller once said, “If you have the means, I highly recommend it.”

The day did not end with the spa. In the evening, we met Bruce’s brother Paul, along with his wife Erica and other friends for dinner at Kincaid’s (http://www.kincaids.com) located in the Collier Center in downtown Phoenix. This fish, steak and chop house has great service, a large menu as well as an extensive drink and wine menu. It took us a while to decide on which wines we should order. Ultimately we order the Byron Pinot Noir at the waiter’s recommendation (Santa Maria, CA). It was full flavored Pinot with all of the earthy, oaky flavors that one comes to expect from that great vintage. For dinner, Marla had one of her favorites – cedar plan Salmon. It was delicious! Bruce had the crab stuffed mahi mahi which was on special. It was to die for and Bruce cleaned his plate. All the other members at our table loved their meals, even the vegetarians among us! The portions were appropriate. We had a timeline to get to the theater and had a large party, and our server was very accommodating.

From Kincaid’s we walked to the Herberger and enjoyed the opening night of Boom by Actor’s Theatre (http://www.actorstheatrephx.org). Bruce’s brother Paul designed the lights and his wife Erica is the General Manager for Actor’s Theatre. This play was riotously funny, quirky and we loved it. It is about two young people facing the end of the world together and the choice of whether to procreate and save the race despite their sexual differences or just call it quits. Lots of unexpected twists and turns and funny all the way through. We headed to the opening night after party at The District at the Sheraton downtown and caught up with friends and family. A great night!

You would think that it would end here and that would be enough excitement for the weekend. We headed out on Sunday to run some errands and shop. While out, we stopped at Postino (http://www.postinowinecafe.com), a great wine bar on Central just north of Camelback. There we had our usual Rasberry Chicken Salad but passed on the wine in favor of a cola. We have visited this hot spot several times and count it as one of the greats. The bartenders are friendly and wine savvy. We like to take advantage of the $5 glasses of wine before 5pm everyday. They change their wine menu regularly. The food at Postino is light, fresh and very tasty. They are known for their various bruschettas and they all go very well with a great glass of wine. If you haven’t been to Postino, drop everything and go now. The patio is wonderful and they open up all the windows during the nice weather.

Aiello’s – East Coast Italian

2009-10-18T14:26:00.002-07:00

Bruce’s brother Paul had a birthday this weekend so we joined family and friends for a celebration dinner at Aiello’s (http://www.aiellositalianrestaurant.com). Aiello’s is an Italian restaurant located at 5202 N. Central Avenue (north of Camelback). We had never been there before but were curious as we have seen it many times when we have been to Postino across the street (special note: there will be a future blog on Postino which is one of our favorite hot spots!). The restaurant was open and had a great feel to it for a family owned restaurant. There was plenty of space to accommodate our large party. There was also a bar you could sit at and eat dinner which is always a nice option as well.

The owner, Joe, was there and he came around to check on us. Joe and his wife moved to Phoenix from New York (where they also owned a restaurant). He was very friendly and it is the type of restaurant where you would expect the owner to be talking to the customers and chatting it up with people.

They have a large menu that includes many antipasti dishes, all kinds of pasta and several entrees including chicken, veal, pork, filet mignon, salmon, halibut and the fish of the day. There were a variety of items ordered by everyone at our table and everyone seemed to really like their food. I had the salmon which I really enjoyed and Bruce had the fish of the day – Trout – which was also very good. Many people at the table also had some of the pasta dishes – Gnocchi Pesto, Lasagna, Ravioli, Rigatoni with Wild Mushrooms and it goes on from there. Portions for all the dishes were sizeable so you definitely felt like you were having a full meal. Bruce’s son also enjoyed his cheese Ravioli! There was also great bread served which is sometimes a judge of a good Italian restaurant.

Aiello’s is now also cooking New York pizza but only to go and out the back door. We haven’t tried it yet but definitely plan too.

We had a good time at Aiello’s. It was great to finally try it out and it was a tasty Italian dinner! Give it a try when you are in Central Phoenix.

Lola Tapas - A Touch of Spain in Central Phoenix

2009-10-15T18:38:00.004-07:00

We went to Lola (www.lolatapas.com) last night, and once again, we had a wonderful dinner. Lola is a quaint little restaurant located in Central Phoenix on 8th Street and Camelback. Bruce knows the owner, Felicia. They went to high school together and so we enjoy seeing her when we come in for dinner.

Lola is a quaint little hot spot. The dining space is small but there are big tables with community seating. It creates a fun, friendly vibe in the restaurant. You never know who you might strike up a conversation with. There are candles and funky music playing in the background to help set the mood. There is also a nice patio outside, and now that it is finally cooling off here in Phoenix, sitting outside is an option again.

Now on to the food and drinks! Lola serves Spanish tapas. These are small plates with a variety of items to choose from. We usually order a few items and share them. Felicia changes the menu, so there are often new things to try. One of our favorite dishes is a spinach and garbanzo beans dish that is full of flavor and spices. We also had a shrimp dish, a spicy chicken dish and a wonderful vegetable dish. It is so fun to try different dishes and pick your favorites. We are also always amazed at how full we are. You will love the eclectic, spicy flavors in all of the dishes. We were just commenting to Felicia about the spice flavors in the dishes last night and how some of them had an extra kick!

Lola also has a nice wine listing with different varieties of wines to choose from. You will see wines that you don't normally come across at other restaurants, so it is fun to try out some different wines. Lola also specializes in Sangria. This is especially refreshing in the summer and the Sangria is colorful and tasty. We saw a couple order a pitcher of Sangria last night that they offered to "share" with their new table neighbors sitting next to them. Again, sitting next to strangers can lead to fun things!

There is always also a dessert or two being served so ask about the specials. Last night they had Pumpkin Bread Pudding and Chocolate Cake. Bruce loves (and I mean loves!) bread pudding, so we had to try it. It was warm and delicious.

Give Lola a try. It is a great hot spot and you will want to come back again and again. They have recently opened for lunch from 11-2. I believe they are also closed on Sundays and Mondays, and the address is 800 E. Camelback. Enjoy!

Where do we begin -- Cibo, of course!

2009-10-03T12:43:00.007-07:00

We have been talking about writing a blog about our favorite restaurants in Phoenix for awhile. When we first started dating, Bruce had been living in the downtown Phoenix area in one of the historic neighborhoods. We began exploring different restaurants in the area on our dates. As we got to know each other better, we found out that we both enjoyed finding unique restaurants that were more than just your average chain. It became an adventure to find somewhere new to go that had great food, good wine and had a unique ambience.

Somewhere along the way, we started referring to these establishments as our “hot spots.” Not just any old place would make it to our hot spot list. We would share our latest finds with our friends and family and talk up our “hot spots.” Eventually, we thought, we should really write a blog about our “hot spots.” We thought it would be something fun to do and would be a way for us to share our favorites with the virtual world out there.

Well, here we are….. we are ready to get this thing started! When we thought about what should be our first blog entry and how we would begin our blog, it was so very easy. We must start with Cibo(www.cibophoenix.com)which is really our favorite restaurant in Phoenix.

If we think back to our first visit to Cibo together, it wasn’t long after we had met. Marla had been there before with friends but Bruce had not. It was close to Bruce’s neighborhood so it seemed like the perfect choice. Cibo is in the Roosevelt District in downtown Phoenix and is located in an old Phoenix bungalow that was built in the early 1900’s. It is very much a neighborhood restaurant that fits with the historic homes in the area. You can sit inside the house in one of the rooms to enjoy your meal. When we sit inside, I often wonder about who used to live in this house in the early days in Phoenix and what their lives must have been like. The other option is to sit outside on the fabulous patio in the front of the house. When the weather is nice in Phoenix, it is lovely to sit outside on the patio under the big tree with decorative lights. It is charming, inviting and romantic! We have had many wonderful nights sitting on this patio enjoying everything about Cibo.

Cibo is an urban wine café and pizzeria. When it comes to the pizza, there really is no other like it. The ingredients are fresh, and the thin-style crust is hard to resist. There are many different pizzas to choose from, but a few of our favorites are the Margherita, Vegetariana and Salsiccia. These are all pizzas with red sauce, but they also have others without the red sauce. You must try the pizza at Cibo as it is really their specialty.

Cibo also has several Antipasti dishes that can also act as a meal. Sometimes we will order one of these dishes to share and then share a pizza. The Pesto Salad is one of the best salads in Phoenix and includes roasted potatoes and shaved parmigiano with other vegetables. The Pear Salad is also a favorite. Cibo also sometimes serves homemade pasta dishes as a special, so make sure you ask about what the nightly specials are.

A wonderful restaurant like this would not be the same without a good glass of wine (or two!) to go with your meal. The wine list is full of Italian wines to choose from that come by the glass or the bottle. If you are not used to ordering Italian wines, ask your server for a recommendation. It is definitely fun to try some different types of wines and so fitting for the ambience at Cibo. One of our favorites is the Nero D’ Avalo which is a red wine.

If you aren’t too full from the salads, pizza and wine, Cibo also serves crepes for dessert. There are many to choose from, and they are unbelievable. Get one to share and have a few bites. Many of the crepes have Nutella which might keep you from only having a few bites.

Our “hot spot” would not be complete without commenting about the wonderful service you will receive at Cibo. This is a family-owned business and you can tell they have put their heart into making this such a wonderful place to eat. You feel like you are stopping by an old friend’s house for dinner when you are there. Our favorite waiter is Tom. He has always been so friendly to us (and to Bruce’s son when we have brought him along), and we look forward to trying to sit in his section when we are there. He has also given us some of the great wine recommendations along the way.

A few other notes on Cibo: They are open for lunch (salads and sandwiches), but the pizza is served at dinner. They are located at 603 N. 5th Avenue (5th Ave. & Filmore). They are closed on Sundays

We hope you will give Cibo a try. It is truly one of Phoenix’s best restaurants and is most certainly our #1 “hot spot”!