By Lizbeth Conguisti, the Sassy Sommelier

On most days in the greater Phoenix/Scottsdale area one can find anywhere from 25 – 50 wine tasting events available for your enjoyment.  Often times the events will offer a tasting of many different red and white wine varieties from all over the world. 

What do you do with sooooo many wines to taste?

The type of mood you’re in will determine how to go about tasting the many wine selections offered. 

Out to enjoy the evening and taste some wine?  Grab your glass and get started in any direction that makes you happy.  You can spend the time tasting your old favorites, “the usual suspects” you enjoy — Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.  There are only four things you need to know about wine; red, white, what you like and what you don’t like.

If you’re tasting for a learning experience, taking a systematic approach is helpful. 

Starting with Champagne or sparkling wine is a great way to open your palette and prepare your taste buds for the many other wines to come. 

Continue by following the rules of serving wine.  Taste whites before reds and begin with light bodied before full bodied wines.  

Visit the regions or appellations of the world you are most interested in experiencing.  Take the time to taste the wines of the same variety from each different region/appellation before moving on to the next grape variety that interests you.  For example, if tasting Chenin Blanc, taste all the Chenin Blanc’s offered from different producers and regions/applications before moving on to Sauvignon Blanc.  

It is very difficult to go back and forth between tasting white and then red wines.  If you do this, you may only truly enjoy the first two wines you taste. 

When approaching the tasting table, ask the winemaker or representative to educate you on their wine.  You’ll find everyone loves to talk about the wines they make or represent. It’s a great way to get them talking.

Take notes on color, aroma, mouth feel, taste and finish.  Note the grape variety/blend, vintage, appellation, winery/producer, vineyard/estate and your first impression.  If you find a wine you particularly like, take a picture of the label.  It will make it easier for you to remember the wine after all the tasting you are doing.  Pick up a copy of Sip, Swirl, Savor; A Wine Tasting Guide and Journal available at Amazon.com and follow the “My Notes” page to keep track of the wines you taste. 

At first you may feel you are not taking advantage of all the wines offered.  You may only taste whites at one tasting and reds at the next tasting event.  We suggest you give this system a try; you’ll find you will enjoy more wines at each and every tasting you attend as you learn more about the wines and regions you have tasted. 

Whatever approach you take, drink responsibly, enjoy the wines and leave with a list you’ll want to drink at home.

By Christa Oyer, Foodies Like Us

I’ve always been a big fan of Asian food. Even as a child it was one of my favorites. Perhaps I have positive associations from my childhood of our weekly family dinners at one of the local Asian restaurants. Needless to say, Susie and Jay didn’t need to twist my arm to join them for a lunch meeting at Ling and Louie’s in Scottsdale, so we could catch up while trying their new menu items.

I admit that I was expecting just another Asian joint, with the typical fare you can get just about anywhere. Wow, was I mistaken. I can truly say that Ling and Louie’s is a unique Asian experience. Ling and Louie’s GM John Banquil calls it “Modern Asian meets American comfort”. That statement couldn’t be more accurate (and it’s not often that I find a restaurant to live up to its slogan). The atmosphere is casual with contemporary Asian décor, in a very open space. And they’ve personified their cuisine with the love story of Louie, the baseball player from Ohio with mad bartending skills, and Ling, the bombshell chef from Shanghai.  They opened a restaurant at 94^th and Shea and the sparks that flew between the two of them have translated to magic in the kitchen. To see the full story and even join in the conversations happening between Ling and Louie, check out their website or find them on twitter!

We started our lunch with the Black Orchid Ahi Tuna appetizer. It was lightly blackened sashimi-grade ahi, Asian slaw, and spicy soy mustard. I’ve never had much of a taste for ahi, especially when it’s undercooked, so I left that to Chief Foodies Jay and Susie. They both agreed the mustard sauce with the ahi tuna was super fresh and flavorful, and the ahi melted in their mouth with its nice texture. It was seared to perfection.

Next we tried the Thai Mussel Bowl (Ling’s family recipe): black Mussels simmered in a green curry-coconut broth with fresh vegetables and Asian spices, served with garlic-parmesan flatbread. The flatbread alone was worth going back for. We loved how crispy and crunchy the flatbread was, and it tasted amazing dipped in the Mussel broth. We had raves all around for the broth and flatbread combo.

Then we tried the Drunken Chicken: crispy chicken wok’d in a sweet-and-spicy chili sauce, served with pineapple, peppers, onions, and broccoli. This dish had wonderful spice but it wasn’t overpowering. It’s a nice combo of sweet and savory, and the pineapple complements it perfectly.

Moving on to Louie’s Favorites, we tried the Meatloaf Sliders: sliced meatloaf, crispy shoestring onions, tomato, and spicy aioli, served with Asian gravy dipping sauce and garlic-parmesan fries. We were all pleasantly surprised by this entrée. It didn’t really taste like meatloaf, but was juicy, tender, and very delicious! The buns were perfectly toasted and yet super soft at the same time. And of course the thick cut parmesan fries were an added touch of comfort.

Next up was the Mongolian Flatbread. This was a unique and brilliant dish that will be permanently etched in my memory. The freshly baked flatbread is topped with sliced filet, roasted red peppers, red onions, cheddar-jack cheese, and spicy aioli. It has a great mix of ingredients, and the spicy aioli sauce complements it wonderfully. It was really a superb fusion of flavors.

Susie said she would order any of these items again, and Jay and I had to agree (and considering all the food we tried, that’s a pretty bold statement!). They also have a very inviting bar, with happy hour daily from 11am to 6:30. It just gets better and better….

http://www.lingandlouies.com

By Susie Timm, Chief Operating Foodie

A long time ago, in a land far, far away, I visited Oklahoma City to teach a sales training class at a bank I used to work for.

What makes this a riveting tale, is the fact that this particular bank branch is located in the Stockyards in Oklahoma City, which incidentally, is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year!

It’s like stepping into another universe. A really beefy one.

My good friend Lewis Jones is the manager of the bank. He gave me the lowdown. The bank branch is over 40,000 square feet, opened in 1924 and the interior is decorated in a pretty sweet 60’s western motif.  It has over 10 drive-thru lanes. The parking lot can hold hundreds of cars. The tour of the property took over an hour to show me every nook and cranny. It really is a sight to behold.

It stands out in my mind as one of the coolest experiences I had ever had in banking. The people who attended my class had a warm hospitality and kindness that has scarcely been replicated.

Having lived in Phoenix for almost 19 years, I had certainly heard of the Stockyards restaurant located near Sky Harbor. However, I had never an opportunity to try it, and had no expectations upon my arrival.

I pulled into the parking lot, and was instantly transported back to that day in the Oklahoma City Stockyards. Granted, I am comparing one building in Phoenix to a gigantic section of the city in OKC. But bear with me—I’m a nostalgic one.

The Stockyards Restaurant opened in 1947 and it was located in the center of the Tovrea Stockyards, which was the world’s largest cattle pen feeding operation with over 300,000 head of cattle per year! That’s a whole lot of beef!

The owners restored this Phoenix institution in 2005 and it’s now listed on the City of Phoenix’s Historical Register!

Jay and I had a drink at the infamous 1889 Saloon, and then we were seated in the main dining room.

I enjoyed the authentic interior that has been updated with new ceilings and carpet and paint. It really helped me stay in my OKC daydream.

We perused the menu and noted some interesting items—while there is an abundance of standard steakhouse fare—there was also interesting items like Buffalo Meatloaf, Wild Boar and Venison Sausage and of course their signature appetizer, the Calf Fries with Cocktail Sauce.

As I have mentioned in MANY of my reviews, I am nearly as fond of “other meat” than your basic fish, chicken, beef and pork. Jay is however, a fan of all things edible.

I was willing to try the meatloaf and sausage, but I drew the line at Calf Fries (I will let the reader Google that term to determine why). Call me a wuss. Tell me I am not adventurous enough. I’ll take all the ribbing. But there’s not a chance in hell I was going to try a calf fry.

Just thinking about it now makes me shudder.

I have heard however, that as calf fries go, The Stockyards does a fantastic rendition. I’ll take their word for it.

We sampled shrimp scampi that was tender and perfectly cooked in a buttery garlic sauce that highlighted all the flavors of this classic dish.

I did enjoy the boar/venison sausage and thought it had a delectable flavor and texture.

The blue crab cakes had a spicy remoulade sauce and some cheese on top of them—we desired they be cooked a tad bit crunchier, but we liked the overall composition.

We tasted both the iceberg wedge and Caesar salads. Both were creamy and very fresh.

Our server Kathy showcased more of that OKC hospitality I was yearning for. Perhaps it’s just a Stockyards thing? I wonder if anywhere there are stockyards, exist kind and delightful people? I digress.

Jay and I continued thru samples of salmon, walleye, elk and a filet done Oscar style. We enjoyed the varied tastes and seasonings on each preparation.

The true homerun of the night however, were the two desserts we were presented with.

The strawberry shortcake was second to none! It was bright and spongy and truly outstanding.

The chocolate mint parfait had a slightly crunchy texture but the notes of mint and chocolate were pronounced.

Next time I visit, I look forward to a large heaping pile of steak, or perhaps their prime rib dinner with all the fixings for only $24.95 all summer long!

I enjoyed my nostalgic adventure to The Stockyards restaurant immensely. It is a Phoenix relic and must-visit dining spot. Next time I am jonesing for a truly authentic meat-filled trip down memory lane, I know just where to go!

http://www.stockyardsrestaurant.com/

By Molly Cerreta Smith, Guest Blogger, Foodies Like Us

Tucked into a strip center on the corner of 7th Street and Mountain View lies Scramble, a quick casual breakfast joint that is mixing things up in this Sunnyslope neighborhood that is a mixed bag of old, ramshackle homes and luxury condos. Though the location is a bit precarious, Scramble is in good company; it sits adjacent to the popular Il Posto/Lounge and across from the Burger Studio.

We dined on Memorial Day Monday and, though when we walked in we pretty much had the place to ourselves, by the time we were stuffing forkfuls of scrumptiousness into our faces, the place was packed and there was a line out the door.

Scramble is a hip, sunny little spot – hues of green, bright orange and brown fill the modern, open space. Clocks tell the time of cities across the country from San Francisco to New York, large flat screens cover every corner, cute egg and breakfast quotes adorn the walls and a giant word scramble (no pun intended) keeps diners busy searching for egg varieties during the short wait for their plates.

Armed with recommendations from General Manager Cameron Froment, we decided to try both a savory and a sweet dish. He suggested the French French Toast and one of the Brizzas. What’s a brizza, you ask? It’s a breakfast pizza, and while for me those two things would have never gone together unless it was actually pizza for breakfast, I was pleasantly surprised!

Ok, so let’s start with the sweet. The French French Toast is super-thick slices of French baguette dipped in vanilla custard and served with cherrywood bacon. It was crispy on the outside and ooey gooey on the inside. I am a true French toast lover, and this goes down as one of my favorite French toast experiences. You know it’s good when the butter and the syrup are the only things that remain on the plate when you’re done. With French toast this good, you don’t need anything to cover it up.

The accompanying bacon was thick and chewy, not crispy and curly like the kind of bacon I make at home. The cherrywood flavor really came through not only in taste but in color – it was quite beautiful bacon! But truth be told, I slid most of it over to my carnivorous hubby in exchange for another slice of his Brizza!

There are four Brizza choices on the menu, but we chose the Toluca, following Cameron’s sage advice – plus it had a little fire icon next to it, signifying it as a spicy dish. We were sold. In case you aren’t into spicy, especially as the sun is still rising, the Gouda is another very popular Brizza choice.

The Brizza is made with hand-tossed dough that is reminiscent of a breakfast biscuit, then it’s covered with hollandaise sauce, scrambled eggs, and in the case of the Toluca, chorizo, bell pepper, Monterey jack cheese and a jalapeno cream cheese drizzle. The chorizo packed a powerful spicy punch, but the creamy cheeses and hollandaise sauce cooled things down. It was an exercise in delicious complexity, and left me wanting more. I’m a convert and am intrigued to try other Brizzas!

Classics such as eggs benedict, omelettes, pancakes and oatmeal round out the breakfast menu. Scramble serves lunch after 11:00 a.m., and offers a variety of sandwich, pizza and salad options.

Scramble is no ordinary breakfast joint, however. Despite its quick casual atmosphere, this restaurant is truly dedicated to its craft – and that starts with the ingredients. Scramble uses only fresh ingredients from local markets, farmers and vendors and maintains relationships with local favorites such as Hickman’s Family Farms, Schreiner’s Fine Sausage and Sun Orchard.

My only disappointment here was that I did not have enough room to sample all the items that I would have loved to try. But I’m not too sad about it — I’m planning my next trek to Scramble very soon. I hope to see you there!

http://www.azscramble.com

By Susie Timm, Chief Operating Foodie

After working in corporate America for the first 10 years of my career, the past 12 months of self-employment have been a walk in the park. Mostly.

Some days, people and situations frustrate me. Especially when I remember, as the business owner, that I am indeed the one who has to handle these problems (or I pass the buck to Jay…).

Jay and I were set to eat at Bourbon Steak last week and I was in a killer mood. And I had a headache. Double whammy.

I showed up grumbling and I decided not to valet so I hoofed it across the property in painful shoes.

It was one of “those” days for certain.

I arrived at Bourbon Steak inside the Scottsdale Princess in a less-than-perfect mind set.

Jay and I settled into a bottle of wine (1/2 price on Tuesdays!) and reviewed the events of the day.

After telling him my woes—we both started getting fired up. “Uh-oh. This dinner is not going to be very good,” I was thinking in my head.

I am pleased to report, I was wrong. Very, very wrong.

Our server Andrew had a very pleasant demeanor and easily brushed aside the death-ray glances we were shooting around the room.

We decided to sample various tastes from the menu and therefore passed the buck to the Chef to make decisions for us that evening.

The first dishes that arrived were a salad course. First we tried the silky heirloom and burrata salad with pickled onion. It was a bright medley of flavors and colors.

Next, the bibb lettuce wedge with avocado puree and smoky blue cheese was salty and tangy with the right amount of crunch.

My lactose-intolerant dining companion tried the spiced, poached prawns. He said they had a warming general heat and a firm texture.

My mood started to change. Slowly but surely.

Next they brought over what we deemed as the stars of the evening.

Tableside beef and tuna tartare.

I have never been a huge fan of tuna tartare, however, this version has changed my entire way of thinking about it. Both Jay and I agreed it was the best we had ever tasted.

It was spicy, salty little piece of tuna heaven on a toast point. I think I used the word “yowza” multiple times in a sentence. The tuna is mixed with pears, ancho chili and pine nuts.

This little dish brought my mood from a 4 to an 8 almost immediately.

Next, we tasted the Kobe beef tartare.  Also mixed tableside, this dish literally melted in our mouths. It was served with traditional garnish and grilled pita bread. It was also one of the best interpretations of beef tartare I have ever tasted.

Mood meter: 8.5

Next they served us Tapioca Crusted Snapper with basmati rice. The fish was crunchy outside, creamy inside and cooked to the perfect tenderness. The combination of flavors between the seasoned fish and the rice was intensely satisfying. I really enjoyed the light and summery flavors as well as the garlic, aromatics and sesame vinaigrette. It was a very memorable piece of fish that I will return for. Very soon!

Andrew then told us all about the meat preparation for the restaurant’s specialty: steak.

The meat is slow poached at 110 degree heated butter and aromatics for 4-6 hours. Then it sizzles on the mesquite grill for a turn and is finally finished in a 600-700 degree oven. The butter hydrates the steak and keeps it from shrinking when cooked.

Since I am a beef fan beyond words, I was nearly giddy at this point in sheer anticipation of buttery meat delights.

I was not disappointed. We sampled Organic Free-Range NY Strip, the rib cap of the Rib Eye cut and an American Kobe Filet.

All had a rich, butter (go figure) flavor and mesquite char. I found each cut to be incredibly tender and well cooked to my desired medium temp.

They served the beef with three different sample size versions of their side dishes. I tried the mac and cheese, creamed spinach and horseradish potatoes. All were delicious and nutritious. Well, at the least delicious.

At this point I was 100% over my crankiness and ready for something sweet to finish off my delicious meal!

We tasted frozen Fage yogurt with peaches, a trio of sorbets and a banana tarte tatin.

I had to tear myself away from the banana tarte and found the other desserts to be light and satisfying. I am a gigantic Fage yogurt fan (meaning I eat about $20/week of it) so it was awesome to try it frozen.

I will admit I was not sure what my opinion on Bourbon Steak would be. I went there in a bad mood with no real expectations of the meal.

I left with a huge smile on my face and some of the most delicious food I have had in Arizona in my tummy.

Bourbon Steak offers food for carnivores and non-carnivores alike. The prices are in the mid-high range and the setting is upscale and classy. This is indeed a special occasion destination.

Three cheers for Bourbon Steak—they turned my frown upside down! I will return and recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a first rate food adventure.

http://www.fairmont.com/scottsdale/GuestServices/Restaurants/BOURBONSTEAK.htm

By Chris Schirm, Guest Blogger, Foodies Like Us

Amarone Ristorante Italiano‎, located at 91st St and Via Linda, has been open for about a year and is named after Amarone della Valpolicella. According to owner Henry Benjamin, Amarone is one the most expensive and full bodied Italian wines on the market. The rich blend of full-bodied Italian flavors was something that I hoped would soon grace my palate, not just from the wine but the food as well.

I was joined by two of my favorite people in all of Arizona, Kelle and Aunt Louanne. As we walked into Amarone, the first thing we saw was a beautiful 360 degree bar made of white onyx, carefully backlit with a shining subtle white light. The dining room is completely open save the wine library, (used for parties of 10 or more) and the cabanas that decorate a complete side of the restaurant.

We were greeted by one of the owners Henry Benjamin, who showed us to one of the cabana tables and brought us a plate of fresh bread and butter with mint. The bread was incredibly fresh and flaky and the freshness of the mint was a unique and delicious start to the meal. Coupled with a splendid 2002m Brunello Di Montelcino Col D’orica wine that had the entire flavor I was hoping when I walked in the door.

The first dish was an antipasti medley presented on a white dish. Our antipasti dish included a salt grilled bruschetta with roma tomatoes, garlic, and fresh mozzarella cheese; a mozzarella caprese salad with basil; fresh honeydew melon wrapped in perfectly sliced prosciutto, and pickled escabeche and mushrooms. The Caprese salad had sand dollar sized slices of mozzarella with fresh Roma tomatoes and delightful basil pesto. The prosciutto was the freshest that I have seen in any Italian restaurant in Scottsdale, no fat and thinly sliced to perfection. If Henry hasn’t hugged his butcher recently, he certainly should now. The mushrooms, olives and brushcetta were fresh but nothing to write home to mom about.

For entrees we were presented with a Shrimp Pasta, Pork Chop Millanese with Roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and dusted with basil, and a Halibut Amarone which is a fresh fillet of halibut, sautéed with bell peppers, sliced potatoes, onion in a garlic white wine lemon butter sauce topped with caramelized onions.

The shrimp pasta with a light tomato sauce reminded me of that one beautiful dinner by Lake Yerevan in Armenia four years ago. There was the delicate touch of the waves, a cloudy sunset and two great traveling partners. We had just finished 14 days straight of almost straight travel through busses, rusted out ferries, rickshaws, and hell bent taxis. The dust, exhaustion and perils of our journey seemed to melt away into that beautifully simple tomato sauce and shrimp just grabbed from the Mediterranean the day before. There were no premonitions, no lagging doubts or worries, just simple culinary enjoyment. Amarone Shrimp Pasta brought back that same feeling of nirvana.

On the other hand, the Pork Chop Millanese did little more than satiate my hunger. The pork chop was a tad overcooked and tried to compensate by more sauce and fresh mozzarella with roasted rosemary potatoes. The halibut, which a recent press release calls their staple of the new lunch menu, was perfectly cooked, but I think had a bit of an identity crisis. The caramelized onions slathered on top had no flavor and the thinly sliced potatoes and peppers seemed to take away flavor rather than add it to the fish. While many may appreciate the creativity of this new lunch item, I was far from blown away.

For dessert, we were presented with chocolate filled cannelloni, a chocolate fudge cake, and tiramisu coupled with espresso. The cannelloni had a good balance of a crunch and chocolate, the tiramisu was fresh and a good balance of flavors, but the chocolate cake was definitely a favorite around our table.

As we sipped on our espressos we had a chance to sit down and talk more to Benjamin. “Throughout my childhood, growing up in West London, I always was told follow your heart,” said Benjamin. “This is where all of my success has come from….following my heart.” Hearing of his success, even in this economy, is definitely refreshing to hear. So perhaps when we begin to choose our destinations for lunch, dinner, or even dessert we look for those places with heart, not just our hunger…I certainly hope that many find their hearts at Amarone.

Amarone is now open for lunch with a menu. Their happy hour includes a multitude of wines by the glass and food offered for $5 each, plus 50 percent off bottles over $150. Their new location in Gilbert, located just off Main St. is scheduled to open the first half of June.

By J.E. Pizarro, Chief Executive Foodie

Susie and I recently decided to revisit a local food institution after a long hiatus. T. Cook’s at the Royal Palms resort.

I remember that the very first time I visited T. Cook’s, so many years ago, it felt like I was in my Great Aunt’s fantastic garden.  With arches, green grass, bougainvilleas, and the sweet smell of a variety of flowers it brought back memories of childhood forgotten.

Beyond its ability to take me back to my youth, dining out at T. Cook’s is an incredible experience!

From the engaging bar with live music on most nights to the rich Tuscan paintings that adorn the restaurant, T. Cook’s brings richness to Phoenix/Scottsdale dining that is rarely seen.

The main factor in the unique richness that is T. Cook’s happens to be Executive Chef Lee Hillson.

Hillson is down to earth, funny, talented and literally not afraid to get naked for a good cause.  (Check out the naked chefs calendar that raises money for multiple organizations).

My business partner Susie was able to gaze upon his “good nature” every day for the month of April!

Lee is not only a charismatic feature at T. Cook’s, he has also created a menu that is sublime. Lee really let his hair down during the crafting of this menu. (If you’ve met him you understand how much).

When Susie and I dine out, we enjoy when we have the chance to dine on small tastes of larger starters, entrees and desserts.

This way we get to taste a larger variety of items while not filling up-or gaining 20 lbs per meal!

Hillson prepared a six course tasting menu for us on this particularly fortuitous evening.

It’s said that we eat first with our eyes before our mouths. Hillson’s 6-course menu was printed and waiting for us on the table when we arrived for our reservation. We knew immediately that we were in for quite a treat!

T. Cook’s has a warm, disarming atmosphere that allows all worries and cares to melt into the background. The focal point becomes simply the plate in front of you.

The first course was wild burgundy escargot with roasted red onion and roasted garlic and crisp (and I mean crisp) house-made pancetta, presented in a puff pastry bun. The mix of flavors and textures was remarkable.

Sometimes escargot is “chewy” or “rubbery”, however in this case it seemed to dissolve in my mouth with rumors of the garlic and onion flavors.  The presentation of it was equally inviting.  I’ll certainly be back to have it at the bar with a nice glass of wine while I write my next foodie adventure.

We are always up for a great antipasto platter and the second course didn’t disappoint.

House cured meat, vegetables and artisan cheeses all served in a caramelized onion puff pastry were complimented by a crisp Pinot Grigio. The puff pastry was light and buttery.

The next course is where Susie and I normally would be worlds apart in our assessments. Susie typically remarks that beets “taste like dirt.”

In this presentation however, she agreed that Roasted Beet Carpaccio Salad was “the bomb.”

The artichokes with the lemon vinaigrette that formed base flavors made a light and favorable course that tickled our taste buds and were portioned small enough to wet our appetites for the next course.

Beets are our friends, and regardless what a certain “blond” says, they are a delicious, earthy root that if well prepared (such as this one) will become a fast favorite.

Next on the lineup was one of the best pasta dishes I’ve had in a few years.

Carbonara with garlic cream, prosciutto, house-cured Pancetta and egg yolk. It was a combination of several of my favorite ingredients that together, created an incredibly memorable dish.

Rarely do I take leftovers home, but in this case I had to take an extra serving home (I ended up giving it to Susie to take home to her husband Eric).

I wish I had kept it for myself because it was that damn good.  The pasta was tender but it was really the sauce. Oh my, the sauce. Salty, creamy and mouth-watering.

This life-changing entrée is worth the trip to T. Cook’s.

Next on the docket, seared curry-dusted scallops with potato spinach cake & golden raisin-caper emulsion.

In this case Susie gave rave reviews.  I’ve never turned down a scallop, but I don’t typically go out of my way to order them. Susie remarked the curry spice mixture was just enough spice to give a unique flavor layer that offset the sweetness from the raisin-caper emulsion. She enjoyed it tremendously.

At this point we were getting very full! Hillson came out to greet us and we joked, “Is that it??” He said, “No, I’ve got a lot more in store.” Uh oh. We gripped our full bellies.

The second to last course was a tasting of three of their main entrees.  Paella, boursin and spinach stuffed chicken breast and their 21-day dry aged prime rib-eye. We enjoyed the chicken the most. We found the paella to be fairly flavorless and the rib-eye was a bit too fatty for our liking. The chicken was moist and the tangy boursin cheese complimented the dish tremendously.

The final two courses (wow) were dessert and cheese. The cheese was the surprise from Hillson as he had us sample multiple different kinds, all that he purchased thru Petit Fromage. There were various textures and tastes involved but overall it was a truly amazing cheese plate.

T. Cook’s is a Valley restaurant with incredible staying power and consistency. We were swooning over our delicious meal and cursing ourselves at the same time for letting years lapse between visits. Guaranteed, that will never happen again.

http://www.royalpalmshotel.com/phoenix-arizona-dining.php

By Susie Timm, Chief Operating Foodie

I’ve been coming to Scottsdale on vacation since 1980 (and I’ve lived here since 1992) and I’ve seen Sphinx Ranch and their alluring “Famous Date Shakes” sign so many times that I became desensitized.

However, after Ron Vance, their director of marketing was kind enough to invite me in for a date (ha!) my ice cream endeavors will never be the same again.

Christa Oyer and I dropped in on Vance a couple of weeks ago to get the inside scoop (what’s with my puns today?) on date shakes.

Ancient folklore (ok Wikipedia) said date shakes came from California in the late ‘20s.

The folks at Sphinx Ranch have been cranking them out for decades as well.

Sphinx ranch opened in 1951 and their location on Scottsdale Rd just south of Oak has been there since the early 1990’s.

They have a Medjool date grove outside of Yuma and another one near Gila Bend. They also source the rare “black sphinx” dates from a grove in the Arcadia district.

Vance came on a little over a year ago to help the owner revamp Sphinx’s image as just another place for dates and to help promote the massive amounts of delicious dried fruits, nuts and other treats they sell.

Sphinx has a very impressive collection of local Arizona Wines as well as honey, salsa and lots of other specialty treats. They can put together fabulous wine and gourmet food gift baskets.

They have a modest walk-in business and a mail order following.

Sphinx has been actively marketing their date shakes in Old Town Scottsdale during the height of tourist season. I like to think they’re “pushing” shakes sort of like cocaine. Well, that might be a bit overdramatic, but these shakes are highly addictive!

During the high season, Sphinx has been known to churn 40+ shakes/ day. Vance said he has customers who come in multiple times/week to get their fix.

At this point Christa and I were thinking, “Ok man, bring on these shakes! Less talk more action!”

Vance scooped out some low fat vanilla and paired it with fresh dates and milk. He whipped it into a frenzy in their blender and voila! The date shake.

Vance said, “Dates work really well in shakes; they are perfect for the summer heat!”

Upon trying the date shake, Christa was very exuberant in her amazement at how yummy it was!

She’s normally a “chocolate only” person, but Sphinx has made a believer out of her.

Her reaction to a date sans shake was “meh,” but in the milkshake it was AWESOME.

I was also a big fan. The texture reminded me of an Oreo shake and it was sweet, but not overpowering.

Good thing Sphinx Ranch is located about 5 minutes south of my office.

A few other date factoids you may not be aware of:

• Dates are a great source of dietary fiber.
• They have the highest concentration of polyphenols (antioxidants) among dried fruits.
• Dates are a perfect energy boosting snack.
• Dates are one of the best natural sources of potassium.

So the moral of this yummy tale is that date shakes are nutritious and that Christa and I are capable of rationalizing any behavior as healthy.

Get over to Sphinx, get yourself a shake. You’ll thank us later.

http://www.sphinxdateranch.com/

By Lizbeth Conguisti, the Sassy Sommelier

The month of April seemed to fly by with lots of wine tasting and a segment on Arizona Midday 12 News on Wednesday April 7^th.  For this segment I focused on Arizona wines and what a nice surprise they turned out to be. 

I reached out to the Arizona Wine Growers who were very anxious to have us taste their wines.  At the Tempe Wine Festival in late March I had the opportunity to meet the wine makers and taste a lot of incredible wine from Arizona.  Our friend and associate Tim Hilcove of www.WeeklyWineJournal.com  filmed a few segments for his blog.  

On Saturday I visited the Sphinx Date Ranch on Scottsdale road just south of Earll Drive to taste Dos Cabezas Wines.  The date ranch is a great resource for tasting and purchasing Arizona grown and made wines.  They feature ONLY Arizona wines in their location.

Don’t shy away from Arizona Wines. The wine growers and makers are really starting to understand the soil and with that, the needs of the vines in this very unique growing area.  I believe I will continue to taste more good wines coming from our Arizona wineries.

Following the 5 S’s (see, swirl, sniff, sip and savor), I enjoyed the following wines and believe you will too. 

Page Spring Cellars Vino de la Familia Blanca 2008: 100% Arizona Malvasia Bianca

I agree totally with the wine maker on this wine; loved the fruit and will definitely drink it again.  

White wine for the Family! This is a wine to be shared with ones close to you. Its fragrant, tropical aromas jump from your wine glass, stimulating both the senses and conversation. With historical viticulture origins in southeastern Turkey, this liquid landscape is ancient and new — simple but complex. Enjoy the waves of pineapple, mandarin, muskmelon, lemon and honeysuckle with an open mind and thoughts of the high elevation Arizona desert. Enjoy this wine young.  (Wine Maker Notes)

Dos Cabezas Wine Works “El Norte” 2008: Grenach 55%, Mourvedre 25%, Syrah20%

This is a small production winery; they produce limited quantities of all of their wines. So when you find a wine from them you like you’ll need to stock up!  

This blend of three red grapes is full bodied with great deep dark color hints of dried fruit, with a touch of acidity on the finish.  I suggest enjoying this wine with grilled Italian sausages on a warm summer day.

Pillsbury Wine Company “Roan Red” 2008: Grenache 68%, Mourvedre 14%, Syrah 16%, Petite Syrah 2%

Another of Arizona’s small producers has changed the spelling of the grape from “Rhone” to “Roan”. In either case this is a wine you will want to sample when you get the opportunity.  I tasted this wine twice over the past few weeks and found it best after decanting. 

This medium-bodied dry wine is made from hand-picked single vineyard grapes they planted in a high desert valley, and matured in neutral American Oak for 12 months.  Delicate and fragrant, it has a nose of white flower and spice, a fresh, clean palate with red cherry, sandalwood, nutmeg and cinnamon, finishing with soft tannins and a hint of toasty oak. (wine maker notes)

Keeling-Schaffer Vineyards “Three Sisters Syrah” 2008

This husband and wife team is dedicated wine makers and offer this enjoyable dark red for your sipping pleasure.

Very ripe, dense and lush in the mouth, their “Three Sisters”, planted at their home ranch high in the foothills of Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains, reflects a fruit-forward style and a floral nose. (wine maker notes)

Arizona wines now offer another great opportunity to shop local, even for the most discriminating wine connoisseur.

By Molly Cerreta Smith, Guest Blogger, Foodies Like Us

If you read my previous article on PastaBAR, you’ll remember that my husband and I dined there the night of the Fresh event, therefore we wanted to try the specially prepared three-course meal that Chef Wade Moises created in collaboration with the movie’s farm to table theme.

It was dynamic. However, the regular menu was far too enticing to pass up entirely, so we decided to order a few additional items to sample.

We started with the fritto misto – a delightful selection of fried garden vegetables including green beans, cauliflower, fennel bulbs, turnips and baby carrots – and the buffalo mozzarella, basil pesto, and heirloom tomatoes with anchovies. Each dish was clean and simple, letting the food really speak for itself. The freshness revealed itself in each delicious bite.

While I enjoyed the second course of the Fresh event tasting menu, my husband dove into the fettuccini tagliatta with charred rib-eye, arugula, cherry tomatoes, roasted garlic, and Parmigiano. This dish was to die for, and I found myself stealing forkfuls from his bowl more often than I care to admit. So yummy.

We also had to sample the slow roasted pork shoulder, which was juicy and flavorful. This also happened to be the spark that ignited Chef Wade on this night.

When he came to our table to say hello, I didn’t know quite what to expect. Some chefs are shy; some are arrogant. Chef Wade was a bit reserved… that is until we complimented him on his pork and my husband mentioned that he is a competitive barbequer. Suddenly something was unleashed within him, and he was talking a mile-a-minute. Smoking meat happens to be his second favorite way to cook, so the next thing you know he and my husband were talking meat, sharing vendor selections and trading cards. He revealed his busy schedule – maintaining the Downtown Phoenix Public Market, and owning and operating PastaBAR. I’m not sure the man had gotten a full night sleep in weeks, and it seemed clear that he was running on adrenaline – and possibly a lot of caffeine.

He also shared with us his inspiration for the PastaBAR menu: the small towns in Italy where he lived and worked. “They call it ‘townie’ food,” he shared. The idea of preparing fresh food from local vendors isn’t an anomaly in Italy as it is here, however. “It’s just the way it is there,” he explained.

In addition to the cultural tutelage he received while cooking in Italy, Chef Wade also worked in New York City with famed Chef Mario Batali. He served as sous-chef/chef di cuisine at Batali’s Lupa Osteria Romana, and, of course, you’ll remember that he served as executive chef of north Scottsdale’s Sassi prior to opening PastaBAR, so it’s no coincidence that pasta is his passion. And that passion is evident in every dish presented at PastaBAR, and in Chef Moises himself!

 www.pastabaraz.com