tara17's Profile
Arizona Biltmore
Although, it should be noted that if you're going to be here in the summer, walking may not exactly be pleasant, given the heat.
MSP - Grand Avenue
Unfortunately, I'm not a huge fan of pizza. Yes, there are those who think I should be flogged for making such a statement. I have been to Pizzeria Bianco here in Phoenix (mentioned below) and thought it was quite good....for pizza. Saji Ya sounds interesting, as does Shish (do you have the full name of the restaurant, or a website?) and Nook.
MSP - Grand Avenue
Hi, all! Minnesota native here, but been living in Phoenix for seven years. I will be in St. Paul the first weekend in March to visit my grandparents. I'm having lunch with a friend one of the days and he has suggested Grand Avenue. I didn't become a foodie until I moved to Phoenix, so I have no idea where to eat! Do you have any recommendations for Grand Ave. on a weekday for lunch? I did a search of this board, but it's possible I don't know what to look for. Thanks in advance!
Amarone (Scottsdale)
Now that I think about it, I had similar dishes at Pizza a Metro and Amarone. At PaM, I had gnocchi with vodka sauce, and at Amarone, I had penne alla vodka. Hmmm, maybe I need to branch out. Anyway, I remember telling firenza that the gnocchi with vodka sauce at PaM was one of the best I'd had. When I got penne alla vodka at Amarone, I felt like I was eating a plate of salty salt with salt sprinkled on top. And a quick word about service - while it was okay, there was one tiny incident. Right after our main courses were put down, the waiter went to sprinkle parmesan cheese on my pasta and ended spilling his entire spoonful on my arm and on the table. He didn't even acknowledge it, much less apologize. He just sprinkled the tiny bit left on his spoon on my plate. I thought that was weird. I know people spill all the time - I'm the spill queen. However, wouldn't most servers at least have brushed the cheese off the table and even my arm?
Chatham's Chocolates To Close (PHX)
It really is a shame. We were there once and I felt that he was very helpful and very patient about answering questions and suggesting options for our tastes. That said, I can understand why he is closing his doors - in a world where people are worried about putting dinner on the table, keeping gas in their cars and a roof over their heads, an expensive chocolate bar is nowhere near the top of the list. Too bad, though - it's always sad to see a local business like that close their doors.
Urban Campfire finally biting the dust? -PHX
A couple of things to add: While they were cooking his second burger, they brought out a brisket slider for him. I thought that was a very nice touch. I enjoyed my pulled pork and brisket sliders and yam chips. However, there's better barbecue to be had elsewhere. And now that I've perfected the art of sweet potato fries at home, that isn't a big pull either. I didn't mind my lunch at all.
AZ Restaurant Week - Sep 20-26: Where to go?
I should also mention we both thought the food was very, very good. The Stetson salad was simply terrific. I had the pistachio-crusted salmon for my main course and Tim had the crispy tiger shrimp, which were both very good. I had the chocolate/peanut butter pot pie with a "milkshake" for dessert and he had the bread pudding, both of which were also good. We both really enjoyed the food. It was the service that left something to be desired.
AZ Restaurant Week - Sep 20-26: Where to go?
What I can add to this is that at the top of the Restaurant Week menu, it states "$58 per couple, plus tax and gratuity". It wasn't clearly stated that it was going to be added automatically. The waitress just couldn't be bothered with us the entire night. She spent the majority of her time running away from us. My water sat empty for a long time, which is a huge pet peeve.
phx - best use of bacon
I enjoyed the taste I had. It was vanilla ice cream with bacon. It wasn't quite "bacony" enough for me, though. I would have enjoyed a stronger bacon flavor, but since it was their first time experimenting with it, I'm hoping it will get better and better.
Where to find Vosges Chocolate in the Valley?
What did you think of the bacon bar? The first one I tried, I thought "eh", but I've had two since then and I'm in love!
Sweet Potato Fries - Phoenix
There was a time when I would have agreed with you about Delux. There have been times when they've been soggy, but the last time we went (couple of months ago), they were PERFECT. Crispy and wonderful.
Pita Jungle - Arrowhead Area (PHX)
I went to the new Pita Jungle (opened about a month ago) today for lunch. It's in the Arrowhead area (7530 W. Bell Rd, Suite 106) in Glendale. It was a nice space - very open and airy with lots of light. We got there around noon and they were about 3/4 full. We had very good service, too, which was a big deal. The other Pita Jungle locations we've tried have had hit-or-miss service, but today's service was great. I didn't even know they were opening one in the area, but it seems like they've definitely been welcomed.
Pizzeria Bianco - Obnoxious!
That's a really good point, waitress, and definitely food for thought. Everything I've heard about Chris Bianco (never having met him) is that you're right- he would be pretty upset to know that an employee is acting that way. He may not know who it was specifically at that time on that day, but he can keep an eye out for it.
Thai House in Scottsdale? (FLW/Pima)
Very, very true. I've never been to Thai House, so I can't speak to their Tom Ka Gai, but there are so many places with a great version. Our favorite is at Osha Thai. Everything we've gotten there has been amazing. They really have mastered the art of making food flavorful and spicy, but without the heat that masks the flavors. Their version of the soup is perfect - flavorful without the heat.
N. Scottsdale inexpensive dining recommendations
Forgot to add places
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Blue Saguaro Cafe
15115 N Hayden Rd # 150, Scottsdale, AZ
Fitness Cafe
13610 N Scottsdale Rd # 3, Scottsdale, AZ
N. Scottsdale inexpensive dining recommendations
I really like Fitness Cafe at Scottsdale & Thunderbird, same plaza as Jack in the Box and Croque (mentioned above). The salads are out of this world, and my favorite thing on the menu is the Olympian Pita. If you go, you must try the pasta salad - it's incredible!
Another favorite is Blue Saguaro, which is a small sandwich shop. Their breakfast sandwiches are great.
Both of these places are lunch only, I believe.
Kizake Sushi opening? (Chandler, AZ)
I thought it was Seftel of the AZ Republic that screwed up Urban Campfire's closure announcement.
Salads - Phoenix and Vicinity
I agree - the turkey salad at Shogun is terrific. It is refreshing and delicious. And yes, HUGE!
Review: Acacia Cafe - Phoenix (w/ photos!)
I have a temp job on 32nd St & Osborn this week and next and I stopped here for lunch today. I had a chicken salad sandwich on a croissant and their "side of the day" was a pasta salad. Both were terrific. I did consider getting the soup of the day since it has been getting so many raves here, but it was 114 today and hot soup didn't exactly sound refreshing. In all, a very successful lunch. I'll go back at least once more before my temp assignment ends.
Suggestion for Dinner Tonight - PHX
Trader Vics did fit within my budget - the check came to just over $100 before tax and tip. Sorry you were fired - seems like it's going around!
Will be in PHX for 4 nights in July, where to eat?
We've been to Hana many, many times (to the point where if it's been a while, they all harass us and ask where the heck we've been) and I've never heard anything like that. The quality of the fish there is absolutely amazing and I'd be very surpised if that were true. I hope it's just a matter of whomever being misinformed. I'm not even a huge sushi fan and I've been blown away by the fish.
Last minute Pork Shop news
As a fellow lover of VonHanson's bacon, I think you'll definitely find the bacon from The Pork Shop to be a very solid second. It didn't surpass VonHanson's for us, but wow, it was terrific. You're going to love it.
Suggestion for Dinner Tonight - PHX
Thanks for the recommendations! We ended up going to Trader Vic's fora very nice meal. If only I drank, some of their specialty cocktails looked great. I had the macadamia-crusted mahi-mahi and Firenza had the seared ahi. We also tried the panko onion rings and I had a Caesar salad to start and he had the egg roll. For dessert, it was Bananas Foster for him and the Polynesian Snowball for me. In all, a very good meal, and a great way to chase away the blues for at least an hour or two.
Suggestion for Dinner Tonight - PHX
I got fired this week (with a 4-sentence email) and Firenza and I are going out tonight to have a nice dinner. Neither of us drink, and we're looking for something maybe around $80-$100 for the two of us. Literally anywhere in the valley is fine. Nothing Mexican. Let's hear your suggestions!
Need Input On Best Burger In PHX Area
Possibly. When they first opened, though, they were also using Nieman (sp) Ranch beef and now they're using something else (Harris Ranch? I can't seem to remember). I also wonder if that has something to do with it.
Need Input On Best Burger In PHX Area
We ate there just this past weekend. We both had the Delux Burger. I wish mine had had more Maytag flavor - all I really got was the sweetness from the caramelized onions. I made a comment to Firenza that the burgers aren't as good in real life as they are in my head. I still remember the first time we went there. *Insert drooling*
That said, we RAVED about the fries all weekend. The sweet potato fries were absolutely perfect. Nice and crispy, sweet, and with just the right amount of salt. The plain fries were good, too. Great, even, but they paled in comparison to the perfect sweet potato fries.
Review: Urban Campfire - Tempe, AZ (w/ photos!)
You're absolutely right, and I honestly didn't mean to imply that Hunt made any negative comment on Urban Campfire. However, I agree with nyomi that it's about the food, and not the "chain" stigma. I'm just not sure judging people who prefer the "adult McDonalds" is productive. I think every one of us has a "guilty pleasure", which is guilty simply because it's a chain. I'll admit that I love the food at Benihana. Firenza and I ate dinner at Chili's last week because we're watching our pennies right now. So I guess my point was exactly what you said - "to each his own".
Review: Urban Campfire - Tempe, AZ (w/ photos!)
It should also be mentioned that as we were leaving, the owner (or who I believe was the owner) told us thanks for coming, and to be sure to come back in the next few weeks because they were going to be making some subtle changes. He didn't get into details, but I'm guessing it's going to be good stuff. The meal was definitely great.
I also have to say that there are a lot of people in the world who don't have an adventurous palate or the money to spend on a "chef-driven" restaurant. I am related to lots of these people. I grew up in Podunk, Minnesota, where "exotic" to us meant the grocery store started stocking cilantro. I was about 18 before I learned garlic was grown in the garden, not at the McCormick spice plant. Some people never have the opportunity or the inclination to try other places, and are comfortable in their zone of chain restaurants. I am proud to know both Chowhounds and non-adventurous eaters who think Olive Garden and Cheesecake Factory are for special occasions. They aren't my first choices, but I can understand why they work for some people.
Aiello's Phoenix, Has anyone tried it yet?
Ninetta's is at 8th St. and Union Hills, in a strip mall.
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Ninetta's
814 E Union Hills Dr, Phoenix, AZ
Aiello's Phoenix, Has anyone tried it yet?
If you try Ninetta's, be sure to get the lobster ravioli. I had it the first time we went there and I was swooning! Subsequent visits proved to be "eh", but I'm still dreaming about that lobster ravioli.
