Archive for the ‘My Favorites’ Category

Quick 5: Spots I can ride the ‘ol bike to without melting.

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

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Whether I need to bike to burn the upcoming consumed calories OR bike to avoid driving while zonked out, here are my favorite nearby spots in my hood. Enjoy!

Essence Bakery Cafe – Heaven on Earth

Hands down, the best restaurant in Tempe. Period. Well, not period, there’s ton’s to say about the fresh pastries, breakfast and lunch menus. According to my personal trainer I’m “dangerously close to this restaurant.” -disclaimer, yes they are a client, but that just proves that 1.) I have good taste 2.) Only the best spots make it to my client roster.
Website | 480-966-2745

El Pollo Supremo – Grilled goodness

You can feed 50 people with 20 bucks. The menu is as basic as it gets, charbroiled chicken or beef. Don’t forget the beans, tortillas and vinegary onions.
No Website | 480-966-3713

Caffe Boa – My watering hole

This is my drinkin spot. Ian the bartender will take care of you! He makes my Negroni’s just the way I like em. Happy hours is a great way to sneak in some munchies with your wine or spirits.
Website | 480-968-9112

Boulders on Broadway – Bar & Grill

Skip the food and come for the beer specials. Odell draft is on the cheaps here! Comfy alternative to the sometimes too-sceney Casey Moores. (full of costume hipsters)
Website | 480-921-9431

Cafe Lalibela – Ethiopian

Tempe is great for ethnic gems, this may be the best. I don’t care if it’s 130 degrees in mid summer, I can always go for the wintry slow cooked, stewed dishes included beef, veg, and my favorite… lamb.
Website | 480-829-1939

-Your food pal, JxP

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I want this book: “Edible: A Celebration of Local Foods”

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

In the not too distant past, many AZ peeps and chefs have talked about “eating & sourcing locally,” but few every really committed to it. Want proof? Just ask our farmers… they know exactly who is walking the walk. And who is not.

Nowadays, it seems like more and more chefs are getting back to the roots of good cooking and paying attention to the source of their ingredients.  Love it.

Edbile Communities, parent brand to our own Edible Phoenix magazine, is set to release their new book highlighting America’s locally-centric food heros, farmers and products along with 80 seasonal recipes.  If it’s anything like our local Edible publication, this book will be a must-have in every foodnik’s library.

It will be available April 26th.

Lucky for me, Pamela Hamilton, Editor of Edible Phoenix magazine is giving me a sneak peek of the book tonight at Quiessence’s Earth Day dinner. (Chef Greg LaPrad of Quiessence is featured in the book).

Pre-order copies right here.

Hopefully, Chef Gwen will blog a review of the book and give us her take!

Moment of Honesty: I proudly work with LaPrad and although he is mentioned in the book, he receives no bling from any purchases. He’s just happy to be included. Very cool.

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My love affair with a 63 year old Italian woman.

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Lidia

Dear Lidia, second only to Judge Judy, you fill my heart (and TiVo) with joy everyday.

Readers, if you aren’t watching Lidia’s Italy on public television you’re missing out on one of the few, great food shows out there. We’re not talking Food Network glitz and glam with “cocktail time” or “tablescapes” or “yummo.” Even typing those phrases made me shutter.

Lidia is genuinely charming and adores food and family. My favorite episodes include guest spots with her mother, Nonna Mima. Describing their on camera appeal as “on-air chemistry” is simply too cold to portray a sincere mom-daughter relationship.

The show cuts back and forth between cooking segments in her kitchen and tours of Italy where she describes the regions, ingredients, wines, history and culture.

Book

Lucky me… my awesome-town room mate bought me the “Lidia’s Family Table” cookbook for Christmas!

Lucky you… episodes are available online with added behind the scenes info! “Tutti a tavola a mangiare!”

What are your favorite food shows?

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