Posts Tagged ‘phoenix food blog’
A little project I’ve been working on lately…
Monday, March 21st, 2011Alright bitches, the blogger is back.
Monday, November 8th, 2010Yeah, yeah . . . I’ve been busy with work, but that’s no excuse for leave you hanging. Professional note: if there are any clients that get annoyed with this post, you know I love you and these are things I’ve already said to you in person, so there.
On with the show!
Loving it:
Quiessence's barrel-aged cocktails.
Killer cocktails at Quiessence. Why do I love them so much? Maybe because helped put them together. Kick-ass cocktail consultant Bill Degroot made my dreams come true with his Farmhouse Cocktails and his 90-day aged Manhattans.
Yep. Barrel-aged cocktails are the shit. Huge thanks to Bill!
New restaurant openings: A few new spots that pique my interest: Jimmy Woo’s, Amaro Pizzeria & Vino Lounge and Vitamin T.
Nobuo-san, making my dreams come true with his omakase.
The return of adventurous dining: Thank god we’re getting over the “safety food” phase. Don’t get me wrong, “comfort food” will always have a place in our regular rotation (for obvious reasons), but dumbed down eats are just plain boring and over. Thanks to the food gods for bringing back spots like Nobuo At Teeter House and his omakase experience that made me quiver during my back-to-back visits within 7 days (reviewed here by local food blog god Dominic).
I’ve had the pork sweats before, but never the seafood sweats. ‘Nough said.
Luke warm about it:
Food trucks. Yep, I’m that asshole. Yet . . . I’m the biggest fan of the concept. So since I want to see this grow to greatness, I won’t name names. But event the ones I do like, I know you’ll keep getting better (I hope)!
My POV: Either do great food truck-y street eats, or do something chef driven and gourmet. No middle road. Drop the gimmicky menus and deliver, or simply feed me.
Let it die:
Bruschetta. I understand the market for it. You wanna feed the bottom feeders and hungry masses. (which often includes me too!!!) Let’s all just own that truth and live with the shame. I sounded like Dr. Phil there for a moment.
Burger bonanza. Shut up with your crazy gourmet burgers made with wine, truffles and fired by coal, junk yard tires or cosmic nuclear energy. Quit it.
Annoying advertisers. Completely unrelated to this post, but god dammit quit calling me with every “hot new restaurant directory.”
Always end on a happy note:
Recent things/people I love: You make my life so awesome. I raise my glass of cheap wine (from Tops Liquor) to you! @olllllo, Luxardo, @TheWildLavender, “That waving-paper-thin-fish-pie thingy” (Okonomiyaki, as described by Lisa Polacheck), @StacyPearson, Carlyn Mumm, Rivers Cuomo Fancy Pants III, The Grits at @BeckettsTable, Crystal Light and of course . . .
Judge Judy. May your justice continue to lord over us all.
I pledge allegiance to the grits. And justice.
Moment of honesty: Quiessence and Nobuo are clients of mine, but c’mon . . . But you already know they rock and everything I say about them is totally blog worthy. That’s why I work with them.
The big “mystery” builds…
Saturday, July 31st, 2010I try to keep this personal blog separate from work stuff, but there will always be overlap! As a publicist for the state’s finest restaurants and a champion for our dining scene, work inevitably crosses into personal life everyday.
That said, if you follow my live food adventures on Twitter, you’ve probably seen “the countdown” for Rivers & Leaves Media (my marketing/pr firm).
On 8/9/10 at 11am, I’ll be announcing a major shift in my career, personal life and an ambitious venture that will hopefully impact our food scene. Be the first to get the announcement by visiting the website and drop your email address! Everyone is welcome to get the scoop!
Who has signed up?
Many members of the media, PR firms, food nerds, friends, restaurants, industry folks and tweeps from all over the country. Hundreds. It’s exciting and motivating to see the interest in what’s next.
Of course, there are many rumors trying to crack the news including a new food festival, firm mergers, journalism offers from national publications, partnerships, my own TV show, opening a restaurant and many more. My only comment is, what makes you think it’s just one of these things?
What do you think?
Marcellino Ristorante arrives.
Saturday, May 1st, 2010Although I didn’t make it in to the preview dinner event *ahem*, I did stop in for a quick bite Friday evening. Read about the restaurant’s relocation here.
Marcellino and Sima Verzino have earned “Valley favorite” status thanks to their hands-on hospitality and fresh pastas so it was no surprise to see the place packed on opening night.
A few times throughout the evening, Sima clanged the wine glass to announce the in-house performance by two members of the Phoenix Opera.
The duo paced throughout the restaurant, singing crowd -pleasing opera standards. A little stuffy and old-school for my taste, but certainly a sincere performance and well received by most guests. Enjoy the performances every Friday and Saturday night.
Still a work in progress (I was told), the interior is a dramatic detour from Digestif’s old bones that Tutto never bothered to touch. Diners now enter through the East side of the building where buttery paint color and heavy doses of dark wood replace grey concrete and metal decor, taking the restaurant to an more mature Italian romantic place.
Pastas never disappoint and I’m looking forward to going back again soon. I’d be a regular if they relaxed on the prices.
I’m confident that Marcellino’s will shake off the bad joojoo of rotating Italian attempts in this space. Third-time’s a charm!
Cheers M & S, welcome to the ‘hood.
REVIEW: True Food Kitchen – FRESH Dinner Series
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010On April 16th and 17th, director Sofia Joanes’ indie film, FRESH hits Tempe’s Madcap Theaters for limited screenings. The trailer states that “FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system.”
The folks behind the film enlisted bloggers (ahem) as part of a neat rootsy campaign to spread the word about the movie. My task? I attended the True Food Kitchen FRESH dinner where $29 scored a 3-course meal + a voucher to see the flick. (Don’t worry, I’ll break down the everyday menu prices below) TFK was selected by FRESH for its “sincere care for the sourcing of ingredients.”
On with the show!
Consider yourself a devout heath nut? Is your preferred shopping companion a shi-poodle, schnoodle or labradoodle? Sam Fox and Dr. Andrew Weil have built you a beautiful place of worship inside the Biltmore Fashion Park. (Rumors say a chain of the restaurants will soon satisfy coastal California lettuce eaters)
We began with two “green” apps. I loved the simple Tuscan kale salad ($6) topped with parmesan, olive oil and toasted bread crumbs. It was crisp and lemony with a warming amount red pepper flakes. The green herby hummus ($8) had a sour smack (in a good way) while the accompanying pita bread was tasty but powdered with a little too much loose flour.
Next up, the diver scallops ($22) were the highlight of the night. Five well-seared sea creatures on a mix of black rice, lotus chips and peas were bathed in sweet ponzu. I will be back for this.
My friend’s wild ahi sliders ($13) were alright, but this typically wouldn’t be my pick on a menu anyway. Not worth writing about.
Finally, desserts were easy winners. He scored a flourless chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel. My lemon olive oil cake shined with an easily delish combo of strawberries and mint dolloped with tangy yogurt.
Sit on the patio and you might just see the wild schnoodle roaming the sidewalks.
Yes. I really do enjoy TFK for a light meal and glass of wine at a reasonable price. Appetizers and salads are always pleasing. In fact, could order the Tuscan kale salad and a cocktail and instantly feel California chic-y. The restaurant itself is spacious with a patio perfect for dog/people watching.
Editor’s note: Go see FRESH.
Ty’s note: I have no editor. Just go see it.
Moment of honesty: Nope… none of my meal was compensated by True Food Kitchen or FRESH. This was simply a topic and campaign I was interested in. Keeping it kosher!
-Your food pal, JxP
True Food Kitchen
http://www.foxrc.com
P: 602.774.3488
