contemporaryscarlett's Profile
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Phoenix Spring Restaurant Week - Where will you be eating? We went to the Stockyards last night. Interesting note- the $30 price includes a drink. But you can choose not to get the drink, and that reduces the price to $25. We didn't- I had the house Chardonnay and DH had a good Alaskan Amber draft beer. The service was quality. They had no problem with substituting the chili (listed on the website as an option but not on the tableside card), or with letting me have the delicious and creamy Parmesan potato stack with my trout instead of the rice. Water refills were a bit slow, but the personable waiter made up for it. Come hungry, because all dinners start with a veggie basket and dip, as well as rolls and cornbread with raspberry butter. I could only manage a few bites of the chili to start but it was very good. I ate all my entrée, though the trout could have used additional sauce for flavor. DH enjoyed his prime rib as well, it was marbled well and fork tender. For dessert, which again I could only muster a few bites of, I had the pecan pie with bourbon whipped cream. I'm from the Deep South, so to me this version was too heavy on pecans without enough Caro syrup, and it was served warm, which I know is classy but isn't my preference. My husband had the chocolate mousse, which was good. Overall, you get a huge amount of quality food for a low price, served with kindness and accommodation in a historic and comfortable setting. Nothing on the RW menu would thrill an adventurous foodie, but certainly a great opportunity for introducing higher-end dining to those who normally can't/won't try something new. ----- |
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Los Dos Molinos is just north of Chandler and meets your requirements, though the bar area isn't large. Its New Mexican style, which means uber-spicy, but you can either order one of the dishes that isn't as hot (all marked on the menu) or just get the hot elements on the side. Pair the good food with pitchers of the "Kick-Ass" margaritas, and all should be right with the world. ----- |
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4 days in North Scottsdale - take advantage of Restaurant Week or just eat the best??? If I were trying to convince someone to move here,first I'd take them to Matt's Big Breakfast, and then for a drive up South Mountain to overlook the Valley. After a tour around Ahwatukee, we'd have lunch at Quiessence. To see various neighborhoods, we'd hit Los Dos Molinos for cheap fiery New Mexican food in Mesa, to one of the Asian gems on Dobson & Alma School's Asian Corridor in Chandler, Joe's Farm Grill in Gilbert for American classics in suburbia, Over Easy for breakfast in Arcadia or Scottsdale, America's Tacos for fabulous carne asada in Central Phx, and J&G Steakhouse on Camelback for drinks, Restaurant Week or just to enjoy the view of the setting sun over the valley from another perspective. We moved here 5 years ago from Jacksonville, Florida and it's taken us quite a bit of time to find "our places" here, so if I can help, send me a message and I'm happy to chat and assist if I can. We usually go for cheaper options though, so someone else might need to help on the high-end, unless I've gotten lucky and been there on the corporate dime or through a Restaurant Week special. And these are fabulous deals, so I'd also recommend you take advantage if you can. ----- Los Dos Molinos Over Easy Quiessence Joe's Farm Grill America's Taco Shop J&G Steakhouse Matt's Big Breakfast |
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+1, I wouldn't go back to Donovan's either. Nothing memorable. |
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Brunch in Scottsdale/East Phoenix? We love Matt's enough to sometimes make the drive, but when that's too daunting, we've had good breakfasts at The Farm House in Gilbert, Over Easy and Crackers (Mesa or Tempe). Sorry I can't help with anything brunch specific. ----- Over Easy Crackers and Co. |
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Went to Modern Steak Saturday night (hubby's choice from the options above). The "scene" was in full force, which I find alternately amusing/disgusting/depressing. Sat in the raised seats right on the mall walkway, and they really should have put more thought into the comfort of those seats. No back support, and you can't push all the way in because of a bar on the table. The waitress actually warned us to watch our legs. Services was good, and so was the food. Interesting baked potato bread, very filling. I had the appetizer pizza, heavy on prosciutto, light on asparagus. DH had the shrimp, which were the most mediocre dish of the night, I've had better popcorn shrimp elsewhere. For the main course, I had the maple glazed salmon served with sugar snap peas and sweet potato medallions. Nice size, cooked well. He had the filet, which was tender and he liked immensely. My favorite was dessert, I had the peanut butter cup which was a creamy pb and chocolate dessert served in a canning jar, with peanut butter cookie strips for dipping. He had the flourless chocolate cake, which came with cocoa krispie treats and ice cream, and he loved that as well. Overall, a better meal than I expected, though nothing especially exciting. And certainly not an atmosphere I'd seek out. ----- |
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Places we're considering: Fuego Bistro Trying to stay with the $29 options. And also have to have something that is "accessible" to my husband, who actually tried to convince me this week that trying a Chicago dog was adventurous. A good man, but raised in the "Tues is Hamburger Helper, Wed is spaghetti" tradition, and old habits die hard. Thoughts on our choices? Last year we had J&G Steakhouse, which was delicious and memorable for the view as well. And Ruth's Chris, because we'd never had it and its the pinnacle of fine dining where we come from. Well, now we can say we had it, and we weren't that impressed. ----- Fuego Bistro J&G Steakhouse Modern Steak |
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Re: your question on the beat deal- Point in Thyme is allowing selections of any one app/entree/dessert from their standard menu, so it appears to be a smoking deal, as some of the main courses are $29 alone. Like your friend, I'm on the hunt for value, but I'm also limited by my husband's dietary boundaries. |
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It's not too early to start planning, is it? I enjoy hearing others thoughts on where they are going to dine and why, so please share. |
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Best Food Finds at Costco Part 2 6/10 I love these- I eat a lot of salads for one, and being able to have variety without waste is appealing. Plus, those little lettuces are cute. :) |
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Actually Mrs. White's does take credit cards these days, though there is a small service charge. |
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You could take the light rail or a cab to Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe. Dynamite soul food, and they advertise that the veggies are cooked without meat (though you might want to confirm this). Its $13 and change for a meal, and I can pretty much guarantee you will be full. ----- |
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The best laid plans.... Grandma insisted that she make us dinner the first night. And we'll have to keep this our little secret, but in anticipation of her inadequate portions of sub-par food, we did stop at a Bojangles. It was really good, especially considering it was 3:30 in the afternoon which is a dead-zone for meals. Chicken was nicely spiced and the biscuit was soft and delicious. On the way up, we had to get the rental car back and so we didn't have time to stop. Nonetheless, thank you for the recommendations. |
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Recs for Camden Yards & Harbor Area 7/12-7/13? Update: We arrived tired during a huge thunderstorm, so we simply ate at The Yard, the restaurant inside our hotel the first night, and it was nothing special. The next day my plans were ruined by a tour of Camden Yards that ran too long (and was boring to boot), so we ate at Luna del Sea near the park, which was forgettable at best. The place was nearly empty, and the waitress tried to fill the space by chatting it up with us, but by that point I was not good company. So thank you for the recommendations, I'm just sorry I didn't get to use them. |
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We are flying into BWI on July 7, heading to Tappahannock to visit family, and then going back up to DCA. Looks like we will be taking the 301 to 17 on the way down, and then the 17 to 95 on the way back up. On Tuesday July 7, (301 to 17), we will be looking for an early dinner. Nothing fancy, as we will have spent most of the day on a plane (and will subsequently be casual), but fantastic seafood or down home Southern cooking would be awesome. We'd also be happy with BBQ, burgers or something similar, but no ethnic. On Friday July 9, (17 to 95) we want breakfast or lunch. Same requirements for the food. Any suggestions? I'd love to report back on a fantastic meal at a place I never would have known to stop but for the good hounds in this area, rather than take the generic Cracker Barrell route. Thanks from a Phoenix hound! |
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Recs for Camden Yards & Harbor Area 7/12-7/13? We are coming into Baltimore Mon night July 12, arriving via public transit and staying at the Marriot right by Camden Yards. We would like somewhere to go to dinner that night, as well as a recommendation for breakfast and/or lunch the next day. We will not have a car, so it needs to be easily accessible by public transit. Our plans include a Camden Yards tour at 11am on Tues, and I know its touristy, but I'd like to visit Inner Harbor, either Mon night or Tues day. My husband is not an adventurous eater, so no ethnic places please. We like burgers, BBQ, Southern food, seafood, steaks and the like. We aren't looking for five star fancy, just a great local spot where you can get quality food. Thank you from a Phoenix hound! |
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Kincaids hours are now as follows: Lunch Menu (Dining Room): Mon-Fri 11am-2:30pm and Lounge: Mon-Fri 11am-4pm. I was trying to find an upscale option for visiting clients tonight before the Dbacks game and this is a dissapointment. |
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Starbucks new customizable frappacinos I would imagine the price will change dependant on the change you make. For example, non-fat milk costs Starbucks the same as 2% milk, while soy milk costs more. So if you want yours with soy, you will pay more just like they do. I'm not commenting on the markup, which we all know exists, just the logic. And of course, we all know this is the real world, so if you subtract an ingredient (whipped cream, less shots of syrup), you are likely not going to get a discount, just like Wendy's wouldn't credit you for a burger with no tomatoes. Starbucks empire is built on the idea of customization (see Table Manners this week) and until now, the Frappuccinos were one of the few items that couldn't be customized entirely. They have now corrected this. |
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Tried Chino Bandido last night for the first time. The cookie was very good- moist and almost fluffy. But I wouldn't go back, because the cookie was the only thing I liked. Partially my fault, I'm super-picky about the pieces of meat I eat, and their chicken and pork had too many pieces of skin/fat/gristle/? for me. Also, the pork fried rice was sweet, which was not appealing. ----- |
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Mrs. White's Golden Rule cafe offers soul food- my favorite is the fried chicken with greens and sweet potatoes, husband loves the fried pork chops with rice and gravy. Matt's Big Breakfast is very good, but keep in mind its only open for breakfast and lunch. ----- Matt's Big Breakfast |
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Adding link. ----- |
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Starbuck's fabulous Dark Cherry Mocha .... admit it... you want it. The cherry syrup and chocolate sprinkles are not featured in other drinks, so that's an immediate increase in inventory costs. And of course, those costs get passed on to you. :) |
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Question for Starbucks experts Since you asked for drinks, in my experience those looking to maximize caffeine usually order a "red eye" which is a brewed coffee with two shots of espresso. You can size the coffee and/or increase the number of shots as your nervous system dictates. |
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We use Red Dragon Chinese Food on Alma School just north of Warner in Chandler. I like the egg rolls, my husband likes their fried rice. The sweet and sour chicken is all white meat and no weird parts but the sauce could use some serious flavor help- I add soy sauce to mine. ----- |
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Glad I could help you, and glad I could send some business to a local family. |
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La Famiglia Pizza & Pasta at Alma School and Warner is literally a mom&pop operation. WIth gramps and lots of the kids mixed in as well. www.lafamigliapizzanpasta.net The menu is the basic italian you seem to be searching for- spaghetti, baked ziti, calzones, pizza, etc with reasonable prices. Two caveats, though. First, its not quiet or romantic- there is quite a bit of to-go traffic, its in a strip mall, and the atmosphere is more family friendly than date night. Second, the service is erratic. I've alwalys gotten it to go, and sometimes they make my night with the care, and sometimes its just food to go. |
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What changed in your kitchen when you moved to Phoenix? I moved here 5 years ago from my native Florida. The biggest adjustment for me was learning to prevent items from drying out rather than getting moldy. I'm still shocked at how quickly something will shrivel and become dessicated. Also, I learned not to keep anything within reach of the sun that comes streaming in the kitchen window- it melts candles, flattens soda, steams hot dog buns in their bag and generally ruins all in its path. |
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PHX Los Betos, Filibertos, et al. - What's Good, Not? Had my first experience with Filberto's today (after 5 years in Phoenix) because of lunch hour desperation. I wouldn't do it again. The beef taco was just okay and at least a teaspoon's worth of oil dripped out while I was eating it. And the chicken taco had a huge piece of gristle, plus the chicken was pink. That might have just been from cooking it in the red sauce, but I couldn't eat it. |
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Just wanted to let you know that I've had success keeping my celery this way. I wrapped it in foil AND put it in the drawer, and it stays fresh much longer than it was previously. Thanks to all of you for your help! |
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The stovetop sear and into the oven method was introduced to me by Alton Brown, you can watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiQ0VO... I would highly recommend trying different types of steak, as everyone seems to have a personal preference. |
