Although I haven’t bought anything form Gilt Taste yet, I visit the site every day. You should too. Lust-worthy photos, carefully curated products and smart writing (overseen by Ruth herself), inspires my inner cook and foodnik soul. Read the stories, they may be the best part.

GILT TASTE: www.gilttaste.com

The iconic “M” emblem from her posts clutters my Facebook feed daily. But it’s a good kind of clutter, full of juicy local food news, thoughtful reflections on AZ culture and saucy spy secrets. After all, she’s the “Agent of Secrets.” Duh.

MICHELE LAUDIG: www.michelelaudig.com

The branding queens at See Saw Designs just plain rule. Their kingdom extends far beyond a typical, boring company website to a dreamy land of daily inspirations where a mishmash of fashion, interior design, graphic design, etcetera always bring a smile and a sigh.

SEE SAW DESIGNS BLOG: www.seesawdesigns.blogspot.com

I’m sharing my top picks plus menu highlights via the food blog. If you do check them out, write a comment below and let me know how much you loved ‘em. TIP: Make your reservations quick… before the broadcast media informs the general public!

Yes, I’ll be out and about. Catch me on twitter at @JuxtaPalate.

Citizen Public House
Chef Bernie Kantak simply isn’t capable of making a bad dish. He’s my current culinary crush. His eclectic fare helped put Cowboy Ciao on the map and now his own restaurant has caused quite a buzz in the foodnik community.

• 1^st: Original Chopped Salad
• 2^nd: Pork sirloin w/ sweet potato puree, chevre, braised figs, apple jus
• 3^rd: Anything really. They’re all terrific.

7111 E. 5th Ave., Suite # E
Scottsdale, AZ 85251, 480-398-4208
Menu | Website

Zinc Bistro
With the closing of Metro Brasserie, Zinc Bistro has reclaimed the top spot for French in the East Valley. Oui, the drive from Tempe is a pain, but necessary for great Frenchy eats.

• 1^st: Smoked Salmon Pissaladiere
• 2^nd: Porkloin, Cauliflower “Risotto”, Cherry Brussel Spouts
• 3^rd: Beignets, Blackberry Coulis, Milk jam, Vanilla whip Cream

15034 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85254, 480.603.0922
Menu | Website

Beckett’s Table
Easily the most talked about restaurant in 2010/11, Beckett’s Table is a must-go if you haven’t been. This month, Phoenix Magazine called it “…one blockbuster of a restaurant.” Nuff said.

• 1^st: Super creamy grits n schreiner’s sausage trio: whole grain mustard, arugula, smoked onions
• 2^nd: Roasted red pepper “cannelloni”: ratatouille, almond puree
• 3^rd: Award winning fig and pecan pie: cream cheese citrus zest ice cream
• 4^th: (YES an addition!) Each SpringARW guest will leave with a signature bag of Beckett’s Table Pumpkin Seed Brittle and a voucher good for a free dessert on their next visit

3717 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018, 602-954-1700
Menu | Website

NOCA
Shame on me for not eating here more frequently. Shame on you if you’ve never been. They’re in the limited company of Valley restaurants with near flawless service and extraordinary fare.

• 1^st: Crispy Squid: Cannellini Bean Salad, Preserved Lemon, Parsley, Caper Berries, Chili Oil
• 2^nd: Rotin: White Wine Braised Pork Sugo, Fennel Pollen, Stagionato
• 3^rd: Passion Fruit & Coconut: Almond Dacquoise, Passion Fruit Anglaise, Coconut Sorbet, Meringue Sheets

3118 E Camelback Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85016, 602.956.6622
Menu | Website

Atlas Bistro BYOB
Quite possible the best restaurant you’ve never been to. Hidden inside the AZ Wine shop on Scottsdale Road, Atlas rewards true foodniks with a daily changing menu. Yup, its OK to geek out here.

No menu available, but just make that rezzo. Trust me.

2515 N Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85257, 480-990-2433
Menu | Website

–Moment of honestly: I work with Citizen Public House. Beckett’s Table and Arizona Restaurant Week. They rock, but you already knew that.

It is here. Toss out the skinny jeans and dust off the eatin’ dress. (Sorry Gwen, the gourmand garb is JxP territory! HAHA!)

Before we get started here’s a big tip: TIP! Please tip appropriately. During Restaurant Week, the food is discounted, but the appreciation for service shouldn’t be. If you’re second guessing, just double the tip.

Atlas Bistro — This is a wickedly under-appreciated gem in our city. It tops my Arizona Restaurant Week list, but should also be in the rotation of best restaurants in Arizona. BYOB is made easy with an epic wine shop next door. Make your reservations NOW. Last year, we had to pull some strings to get in during restaurant week.

WEBSITE: http://www.atlasbistro.wordpress.com/
MENU: http://arizonarestaurantweek.com/phoenix_detail.php?id=135

Iruna* –The unstoppable indie restaurateur, Chef Aaron May (watch out Sam Fox) is flexing his culinary muscles as confidently as ever, serving destination-dining worthy Spanish tapas at an already affordable price point. Restaurant Week only sweetens the deal. Don’t miss the Pollo Colonial, Fliet Mingon, and one of my new favorite obsessions — the Marcona Almond Turron (Frozen almond souffle that takes like cereal and milk)!

WEBSITE: http://www.irunaaz.com/
MENU: http://arizonarestaurantweek.com/phoenix_detail.php?id=275

Vincent’s – Cauliflower Soup with Chipotle Brioche Croutons. Lobster Omelette. Need I say more? With long history in the Valley, Vincent is still a prized chef and his charm-oozing spot on Camelback should regular repeat on your list of fave restaurants. PS — A weekend morning at his outdoor food market is culinary paradise.

WEBSITE: http://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/
MENU: http://arizonarestaurantweek.com/phoenix_detail.php?id=142

Talavera at Four Seasons Resort — So much for keeping resorts off the list. Foodie pal EricEatsOut treated me to an amazing dinner here recently and I’ve been dreaming of it ever since. The AZRW menu doesn’t hold back with starters like Corn Bisque-Snow Crab, Bell Pepper and Fennel Pollen!

WEBSITE: http://www.talaverarestaurant.com/
MENU: http://arizonarestaurantweek.com/phoenix_detail.php?id=97

Forgive the “local rant,” but please, for the love of god, skip the chain-y spots. This is AZ Restaurant Week! Go for uniquely AZ spots!

(And no, I’m not one of those local everything in the universe people… Just this week.)

Oh and click over to Pen & Fork for even better-ly written strategies for AZRW. Gwen is great!

-JxP
*The honest truth! Iruna is a client of mine, but as you know, I only work with the BEST! I hand pick who I work with and this place has the goods!

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

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.

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.

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?