At the end of last year and despite the down turn in the economy, my co-worker Angelica decided to abandon us at my place of employment and go to nursing school. The nerve. And it is so in line with her personality as well. I mean, she is a tree-hugging vegetarian, for God’s sake, and she just can never join us for red meat and helping to increase global warming. It makes me sick.
But for some reason, I like Angelica. She is a sweet woman who has a heart of gold and a passion for good, meat-free food. Since I hadn’t seen her since she left us stranded, we decided to meet up for lunch at a place that I had heard about a few times, but never really got to visit. It was in Tempe and served Mediterranean food. Since I am always up for that cuisine, we made plans to meet.
I pulled into the parking lot at Byblos and waited for Angelica to arrive. There were only four or five spots in front of the place, but a big sign encouraged people to park in the back. Angelica didn’t get premium parking and did end up parking in the back and I met her half way, escorting her to the front of the restaurant and telling how she could have had premium parking if only she would have a steak once in a while.
We entered into Byblos and it was charming. The place looked very comfortable with plenty of tables and booths and we waited a moment before a very pleasant woman showed us to one of the booths next to the front windows. We were handed menus and were very surprised by the offerings. The lunch menu was packed full of choices, but we were both stunned by the pricing. It was dirt cheap. We struggled to find anything above the $10.00 range, finally seeing some things in the “Byblos Entrees” section.
Our server came over to take our drink order and we had two sodas ($1.95 each). We also ordered a side of hummus as an appetizer ($2.45). Our server said she would return with our drinks shortly while we reviewed the menu.
Angelica and I took our time deciding and she opted for the Falafel Plate ($5.95) and I went with the Gyro Platter ($5.95). We sat back and chatted about how our lives were going as we waited for our hummus to arrive.
The hummus was a perfect size to start our luncheon. It came with a basket of hot, fresh pita bread and we feasted on both parts. The bread was soft and somewhat chewy and had a touch of a buttery aftertaste. It even had occasional bits of char on the bottom which I loved but I know it pretty frowned upon by pita purists.
The hummus itself was rich and creamy and we both were happy with the fact that it had a good garlic taste, but the garlic didn’t overwhelm the entire dish. I loved the texture and the balance between the chickpeas and the tahini. The olive oil on top was sufficient and the pickles and tomatoes also complimented the dip. We gobbled down the delicious paste in minutes.
We waited about 10 minutes before our entrees arrived. Angelica’s Falafel plate was covered with plenty of food and was pretty appetizing. The fluffy balls of chickpea flour and spices looked really good from my vantage point. Angelica gave them a thumbs up. She said they weren’t the best falafel she had ever had, but were pretty good. She loved the salad and accouterments that came with the falafel and was very happy with the entire dish. The portion was quite large and Angelica couldn’t finish her meal.
My Gyro Platter was excellent all the way around. The gyro meat was tender, moist, flavorful and not greasy, which can easily distinguish a good gyro from a bad one. The meat was thinly sliced and the strips of meat were stacked on my plate. I smeared on some of the tzatziki sauce that came with the gyro and it was a match made in heaven. The onions added a sweet and bitter dimension. The side of rice was light and fluffy with a subtle nutty taste. All in all it was a great presentation.
We had another round of refills and chatted for a long time before deciding it was time to leave. We requested our bill and the total was a scant $19.76 including tax. We were somewhat dumbfounded. The quality and quantity of food along with the comfortable atmosphere really made this place a standout. It wasn’t the best Mediterranean restaurant I have eaten at, but the entire experience was very good. And in these horrible economic times, the final total on the bill was exceptionally easy on the wallet. We also enjoyed the friendly and somewhat motherly service from our server.
We paid the bill and departed and I walked Angelica back to her car. I said my goodbyes and headed for my own car and kept thinking along the way what type of nurse Angelica would be.
After a lot of thought, I realized that behind that sweet exterior is either a Nurse Ratchet or a Nurse Diesel.
The money bet is on Nurse Diesel.
Byblos Restaurant
3332 South Mill Avenue
Tempe, AZ 85282
Dress: Casual
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday - 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM; Sunday - 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM; Closed Monday.
Notes: Limited parking in front, but plenty of parking behind the restaurant.
Alcohol: Full bar.
Website: www.byblostempe.com
When J. is in town, there are two things he always reminds me of regarding food: he wants Indian food and he wants to try Nogales Hot Dogs from the cart at 20th Street and Indian School Road. As much as I like Indian food, I always have to be in a mood for it, but J. has informed me that Indian food is his favorite cuisine. This leads to some compromises, and I think J. was thrilled that I finally said I had a craving for some samosas and mango chutney.
After doing some research, I found a place in Glendale that seemed to fit the bill for our meal. So, J. and I headed over to Maharaja Palace and looked forward to a flavorful meal. Pulling into the strip mall parking lot, we noticed that a large chunk of it was under construction and the security lights were disconnected. All we had to light our way was the moon and the faint glow from the signs along the top of the strip mall. We parked and entered Maharaja to discover a quite large restaurant with a full bar and a long buffet steam table in the back.
We were immediately seated at a table and given menus. I noticed how quiet the vibe was at the restaurant, even with other patrons and Indian music wafting from the speakers. A reserved woman offered to get us our drinks and we each ordered a Diet Coke ($1.99 each). She left and we reviewed the menu which was quite substantial in choices. We were debating getting a family-style meal as we each wanted to try various dishes, but ended up settling with the individual dinners. We each chose the Non-Vegetarian Indian Dinner ($19.99) which featured five items and a dessert choice. Since we were quite hungry, we also selected the Sampler Plate ($7.99) as an appetizer. For good measure, we also ordered a side of Garlic Naan ($2.99).
When our server returned with our drinks, we placed our order and she gave us a faint smile and retreated to the kitchen. Moments later, a member of the staff brought a basket of pampadums to our table along with three dipping sauces including mango chutney. The typical cilantro and mint dip was present, but so was a sort of Indian salsa that was rich in flavor and included a nice bit of heat. I was thrilled with the mango chutney and it was perfect for countering the heat of the bread and the salsa.
About 10 minutes passed and our Appetizer Sampler arrived. The oval plate was filled with such treats as lamb sausage, pakoras, pieces of Chicken Tikka and a huge samosa that was filled with seasoned lentils. A side of tamarind dipping sauce accompanied the dish. I thought the sausage was decent, but could have used a bit more seasoning. The pakoras were excellent with a crunchy batter coating and lots of fresh vegetables inside. The stand out was the Chicken Tikka pieces with a wonderful smoky taste and a tiny bit of sweetness from the marinade. We also liked the flavor of the lentil samosa although I wish the temperature of the samosa had been much hotter. It was slightly warm which I felt gave it a somewhat greasy texture.
While we waited for our entrees, one of the staff was kind enough to bring over a carafe of Diet Coke which was greatly appreciated. In my book, everyone is a winner with this practice as we get plenty of beverages and the staff doesn’t have to make as many trips.
When our Non-Vegetarian Indian Dinners were brought out, I had some regrets that we had splurged on the appetizers. The amount of food on the plate was enormous and certainly would satiate J. and me. I immediately liked the set up of the plate. The large metal plate held cups containing our various tidbits with the Tandoori Chicken lying quietly amongst the cups. Along with our meal, we were served a hefty portion of Garlic Naan. J. and I meticulously began our assault on our meals.
Grabbing a piece of the naan, we first tried the vindaloo with its kick of heat and plentiful chunks of lamb. It was wonderfully spicy and the meat was very tender. Next was the lentil stew that was robust and flavorful. I liked the fact that the lentils had a bit of body to them and were not cooked down to a mush. The Chicken Tikka Masala was quite good with its buttery sauce and strong tomato flavor. The Basmati Rice was an excellent accompaniment and the two large pieces of Tandoori Chicken were delicious. All of this was rounded out by a serving of Raita, the yogurt-based condiment mixed with mint and coriander. Everything was very good to excellent on the plate and we were very pleased with our choice of the platter.
The Garlic Naan itself was spot on. The bread was slightly doughy, crispy, charred in spots and loaded with garlic and lots of flavor. We were big fans of the bread and could have had another serving.
At the end of our meal, we were pretty much stuffed and then realized we still had dessert to encounter. Our server asked us our choices and I selected the Gulab Jamun while J. had the Kheer. They were brought to our table in minutes.
My Gulab Jamun was the traditional small spheres of dough and cheese in a honey sauce. The serving size was perfect and I loved the taste of the tender bites. The sauce was not overly heavy. My only preference would have been that the dessert was warmed. Now, this isn’t a big deal because it is personal preference and the heating or chilling of Gulab seems to be a great debate, but I tend to lean toward a warmer version. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed them.
J.’s Kheer was a the standard preparation of rice pudding with hints of cardamom and a few slivered almonds sprinkled in for texture. I liked the thin rendition of the pudding and J. said it was a perfect way to end a heavy meal.
We requested our bill and the total was $57.44 which included tax. Service was polite and friendly and won points with us for the carafe of sodas. Also the friendliness of the owner who checked on us during our meal and thanked us for our patronage when we left made an impression.
After muddling back to the car in the dark parking lot, J. and I were happy with our trek from Arcadia to Maharaja Palace in Glendale. Other than a few personal preferences in the meal such as the temperature of the samosa and my dessert, we both felt our trip was successful and we would return again.
On the way home, we passed by the Nogales Hot Dog cart and J. made it a point to say that the next time he was in the Valley, we would be going there.
Yes, dear.
Maharaja Palace
5775 West Bell Road
Suite 5
Glendale, AZ 85308
Dress: Casual
Hours: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM - Sunday through Saturday; 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Sunday through Saturday.
Notes: Behind Tokyo Lobby. Plenty of Parking. Lunch buffet available.
Alcohol: Full Bar.
[Note from Seth: I apologize in advance for the quality of the photos on this review. We tried one photo with the flash and due to the mirrored walls at Noca, it was like a brilliant lightning strike, so we took the photos sans the flash and hoped for the best.]
J. and I are definitely lovers of food. Our waistlines and stacks of cookbooks reveal our inner souls as that of two people who savor the food we consume. Unfortunately, there are times when we discover that what is promised on the menu is not what is delivered, and the money from our daily labors are wasted.
Knowing that walking into a new restaurant is a complete risk, J. and I drove to the hottest dining scene in Phoenix and found ourselves sitting at a table for two inside Noca. Located on the northwest corner of 32nd Street and Camelback, this dining spot replaced the old Eleve that went through a series of falls only to close its doors.
The place was quite busy even though our reservation was at 9 PM. The boisterous crowd were laughing and chatting away while drinking wine and beer and devouring the food on the plates delivered to their tables. We were immediately brought water and I mentioned to our server that our table was a bit wobbly and I asked if the feet turned to level the table out.
Little did I know that my request would bring such a flurry of activity. Suddenly, we had our server, a member of the bus staff, and the owner all profusely apologizing for the table and promises to fix the situation, which they did. I felt bad for bringing it up, but was happy it was rectified before we had sloshed water all over the place.
We reviewed the menu and J. and I were particularly impressed with the options. We each decided to start with a beer. J. got the Hitachino White Ale ($7.00) and I got the Mirror Pond Ale ($5.50) as well as a Diet Coke ($2.50).
Our server left to place our drink order and a member of the staff appeared with a plate of bread and a small ramekin of olive oil. The bread was soft and fresh with a chewy crust and a flavorful taste. The olive oil was silky smooth and had a wonderfully fruity flavor that paired well with the salty bread.
When our server returned with our drinks, we were ready to order. To begin, J. ordered the Duck Confit with Huckleberry Waffles ($15.00). I went with the Simple Salad ($12.00). This would be followed by the Steak Frites ($25.00) for J. and the Duo of Pork ($34.00) for myself. We struggled to make our choices because we really wanted a taste of everything on the menu.
Shortly after placing our order, we were presented and amuse bouche of a Crispy Fingerling Potato Chip in Avocado Puree. The quick bite to entice the palate was beautiful in the Asian soup spoon that kept everything together. Alas, I was unable to partake in the morsel as my avocado allergy rested squarely in the front of my mind. J., however, was quick to take my serving. After downing both, he said they were quite good, but did say he thought the avocado slightly overpowered the flavor of the potato. Still, he said it was a wonderful way to start the meal.
With the amuse bouche devoured and only crumbs of the bread left, our table was reset and more bread was brought. Unfortunately, our server brought bad news from the kitchen. One of the parts of the Duo of Pork had run its course and was unavailable, so I was asked if I could select a new menu item. I decided to go with the Duck Breast ($28.00). Our server was quite apologetic, but I didn’t give it a second thought. Dishes run out and it is a minor inconvenience.
Shortly thereafter, our first course arrived. J.’s Duck Confit with Huckleberry Waffles was on an elongated plate and was complemented with a tangy frisee salad and was drizzled with a Vanilla Sauce. One bite of the confit and J. was in heaven. “Truly outstanding,” he said, as he offered me a bite. Oh, it was much more than outstanding. It was sublime. It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
My Simple Salad was anything but. A mixture of various veggies and lettuces were tossed with Brioche croutons, dates, candied walnuts, Pecorino cheese, and a Cabernet Vinaigrette. The production was quite good with everything melding together and hitting just about every note on the palate. The standout, however, were the Brioche croutons. Crispy, but still soft and buttery, these were outstanding.
After we had finished our appetizers, our server arrived with two plates of Seared Scallops in a Cauliflower Reduction with Lobster Butter. We were told this was provided to make up for the issue with the table and having to reorder. We were extremely pleased with the customer service. We were even more pleased with the treat. This dish was a total knockout. A seared scallop had been quartered and set atop a small puddle of a cauliflower reduction mixed with lobster butter. It was incredible. The scallops were perfectly cooked and not rubbery at all. The reduction still had bits of chopped cauliflower that gave some texture to the dish. The lobster butter was completely addictive. This was a stupendous dish and won accolades from us both. We were so enamored with the dish we requested another round of bread just to mop up the sauce.
A brief pause ensued as we waited for our entrees. The first plate to hit the table was J.’s Steak Frites. The Flat Iron Steak had been slices and placed atop melted leeks and then drizzled with a red wine sauce. J. was thrilled with the dish and said the steak and melted leeks were a perfect match. I completely agreed. The sweetness of the leeks and the savory nature of the steak were wonderful. I had never seen steak paired with leeks before, but this was knocked out of the ballpark and truly inspired. The steak fries that were served with the dish were also stellar. The starchy and delicious potatoes were crispy shells holding a light and fluffy interior. This was a superb dish all the way around.
My Duck Breast was without a doubt the best production I have had in some time. A meaty breast was incredibly tender and served with sauteed arugula, red turnips and a rich, thick duck jus. And while the duck knocked my socks off, the Alsatian tart could easily be something I could eat daily. The tart was a small puff pastry tart filled with Brie and bits of pork belly. This was truly pure inspiration. Where Brie is normally served with fruit or bread, it was a risk to pair the rich cheese with something even richer like pork belly, but it worked and was phenomenal.
We continued to mop up sauces and flavors with the bread. But we weren’t done and decided to indulge with dessert. We didn’t want something over the top, so we settled on the Gelato Trio for J. ($9.00) and the Malted Vanilla Milkshake ($5.00) for myself.
As we waited for our desserts, we were brought a bowl of Cotton Candy. Looking like Marge Simpson’s hairdo, we giggled at the sight of the dish, but dove in and had a wonderful time tearing through the cloud of sugar and talking about how we hadn’t had cotton candy since we were kids. Was it an odd item to put on a table at Noca? Sure thing. But I loved it as J. did. It was unique, fun and a nice way to tide us over until we got our desserts.
When our desserts did arrive, they were spot on as far as portion size. My Malted Vanilla Milkshake was in a squat glass and ice cold. The milkshake was frothy, smooth, thick, rich and had plenty of subtle overtones from the vanilla and the malt. It really was a nice cap to the meal.
J.’s Gelato Trio had three flavors: Salted Butter, Malted Vanilla, and Cherry Lambic. Each was fantastic in their own way, but the highlight was the Cherry Lambic with its explosion of flavor and a tart sweetness that had our taste buds doing somersaults.
As we finished our drinks and paid our bill, we were brought two small cellophane satchels of Pecan Shortbread to take home to munch on for later. The total was $118.00 including tax. This was a bona fine steal. The quality and freshness of the ingredients along with the creativity of the chef and the eye on customer service made Noca the best deal going in town. The service, as expected, was spot on and we also loved the eclectic mix of music from blues to pop to rock.
As we left, we were personally thanked by owner Eliot Wexler for spending the evening at Noca. We chatted for a bit and then headed out into the cold air and to the car.
The next few days were spent gushing over our meal at Noca. It was just phenomenal. It was exquisite. The restaurant experience was the best we had in 2008 and had us talking about going back at our earliest convenience.
Noca is the best new restaurant in the Valley and deserves all the accolades it is getting.
I am already counting down the minutes until my next visit.
Noca
3118 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Dress: Smart Casual on up.
Hours: Sunday through Saturday - 5:30 PM to 10 PM
Notes: Extensive wine list; plenty of parking; just north of Keegan’s.
Alcohol: Mostly wine and beer
Website: www.restaurantnoca.com
The wedding was a success. The reception was a lot of fun. The honeymoon was amazing (Montreal food reviews coming soon!). And I returned to Phoenix a married man with a ton of thank you notes to write and a bazillion photos to edit.
But I couldn’t forget the other important things. Amidst the revelry of my marriage, I remembered that it had been ages since Dad and I ventured out for some Thai food. But, I also noticed that the new James Bond film “Quantum of Solace” was out, so I knew that James Bond and Thai food would give Dad a great evening out.
We headed up to the remake of the Cine Capri theater at Scottsdale Road and the 101 and spent a good two hours with Diet Cokes and golden delicious topping-flavored popcorn watching Daniel Craig run around a lot with his shirt off. However, we both enjoyed the movie.
Since we were in that neck of the woods, I reminded Dad that Thai House was nearby and we made our way through the construction on Scottsdale Road and took Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard over toward the 101 before pulling into the Best Buy strip mall that housed the small restaurant.
We parked and entered the restaurant which was packed. We were asked to wait a moment while the cleared on of the booths and then motioned for us to take a seat. We were handed menus and warmly greeted.
As we reviewed the menu, we discussed the movie and the wedding. Oddly, they were both fast paced and I admitted to Dad that I remember very little about the wedding itself except how handsome J. looked. “Probably the stress of it all,” Dad said.
Our server arrived and asked if she could take our drink order. Dad had a Diet Pepsi ($1.50) and I had an Iced Tea ($1.50). She said she would return with the drinks momentarily and headed for the kitchen. Dad and I returned to our conversation.
Moments later she returned with our drinks and then asked if we were ready to order. Dad told me to select the appetizers and I did so, choosing the Chicken Satay ($6.95) and the Egg Rolls ($4.95). For the entrée, I wanted the Red Curry with Beef ($9.95) and Dad was craving the Pra-Ram ($9.95), a dish made with chicken and, of course, peanut sauce.
As we sipped our drinks and talked, I was happy to be there with Dad and just talk. The space was very comfortable. The decorations were minimal, but the interior was bright and cheery. I did think they kept the temperature a bit on the cold side and I could see other patrons putting on their light jackets or sweaters to keep the chill at bay.
About five minutes or so had passed when our Egg Rolls arrived. Four crispy rolls arrived on a square plate with a tiny bowl of sweet and sour sauce. The rolls were searing hot and we cut into them to release the steam. The filling was a mix of cabbage and carrots with a few onions here and there and plenty of garlic. It was a basic filling, but I thought a nice beginning to the meal. I also liked the dipping sauce. It was unique in that it was more like a syrup than a thick sauce so it readily clung to the egg roll. Dad and I were satisfied with them.
There was a short break between the egg rolls and the Chicken Satay, but there was also some snafu in the kitchen. When our server returned she sported the plate of Satay along with another plate of Egg Rolls. We indicated we had already received our egg rolls so she set the plate of satay down and returned to the kitchen.
The Chicken Satay contained five skewers of tender, moist chicken which had been marinaded and then grilled. The chicken was excellent and had a slightly smoky aftertaste. The accompanying peanut sauce was rich and thick with bits of peanuts and an overall creamy texture. The combination of the chicken and the peanut sauce was quite the treat and Dad was grinning from ear to ear.
After finishing the appetizers, we began the wait for our entrees. At one point, our server returned and asked if anyone had been by to deliver our meal. We indicated that no one had and there was a flurry of activity and apologies. Honestly, the wait seemed a bit on the longish side, but considering there wasn’t an empty seat in the place, it wasn’t tragic. Still, the apologies and rush to get us our food was charming.
The Red Curry Beef was the first dish to hit the table and the scent of fresh basil hit my nostrils immediately. The medium-sized bowl was filled with slices of beef, sliced peppers, onions, basil, carrots and bamboo shoots all in a coconut milk broth. We mounded our plates with white rice and ladled on the red curry beef. The taste was outstanding with a very powerful punch to the palate and an overall freshness that made the dish shine. Dad was very happy with this dish and I was covering every grain of rice I had on my plate with the delicious broth.
Our second entree was the Pra-Ram, a dish that was crafted by the deity of your choice for my Dad. Slices of chicken were tossed with a delightful peanut sauce, poured onto a bed of cabbage and served with steamed carrots and broccoli. One bite had Dad hooked. I had to admit that the dish was very alluring. The peanut sauce was, to my surprise, not overpowering. The savory nature of the chicken and the slightly sweet flair of the peanuts really knocked this dish out of the park. The chicken was excellent and Dad and I made sure that every scrap on the plate was gone before we left. I think the best part of the dish was how well it paired with the Red Beef Curry.
We polished off everything on the table except a few scraps of rice and then requested our bill. The total damage was $37.57 which included tax. We thought this was quite the deal. We had no complaints about our meal. The service was attentive and pleasant even when the place was filled to the rafters.
We paid our bill, got in the car and took the 101 down to Indian School Road before heading home. As we drove, Dad said that he and Mom had a wonderful time at the wedding and that I did a great job of planning it. He also said that J. was a wonderful addition to the family.
I couldn’t agree more. J. is wonderful.
I really miss him.
Thai House
15576 North Pima Road
Suite A-5
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Dress: Casual
Hours: Monday through Friday - 11:00 AM to 3 PM and 4:30 PM to 9 PM; Satuday - 11:30 AM to 9 PM; Sunday - Closed.
Notes: A few doors down from the Best Buy. A second location is in Mesa.
Alcohol: None.
Website: www.thaihouse-az.com
One of the more interesting sides of the bad economy is that lots of construction in the Valley has ground to a halt. Much of the debate over the redevelopment of the heart of Arcadia at 44th Street and Camelback seems to have quelled a bit as people focus more on whether or not the economy will from bad to worse.
I am not privy to the development plans of the area around 44th Street, but I know that the little strip of businesses on the south side of Camelback just west of 44th Street is slated to be added to the dust bin of architectural history in the very near future. The current monetary woes may or may not have pushed those plans back.
In the meantime, Eric over at Eric Eats Out suggested we check out Havana Café and since I had never been to the place (despite its relative close proximity to my home) I figured I should try it before it disappears. So, we made plans to meet at 6 PM sharp and I arrived to find Eric directing me to a table he had already secured.
The place wasn’t particularly busy, but the interior was cozy and inviting. We took our seats and had water on the table in a matter of moments. We were handed menus by either a floor manager or the owner and were told he would be with us shortly. After Eric and I had chatted for a while, we finally turned our attention to the menus and decided to start with a couple of appetizers to share, followed by our entrees.
We had come to the conclusion that the Frituras de Camarones ($9.50) would be a good start, followed by the Papa Rellena ($6.50). We were ready to pick our entrees when I mentioned the Peruvian prix fixe menu on the inside of the cover for the menu. For $19.99, we would get a choice of soup or salad, choice of entrée and cake for dessert. Although we were in a Cuban restaurant, we decided that anything on the menu was fair game and both decided to have the prix fixe Peruvian menu. I decided to have the soup, the chicken with vegetables and rice and the cake. Eric went with the soup as well, the veal stew with rice and the cake.
Our server took our orders and returned with our drinks of a Diet Coke and an Iced Tea ($2.00 each). We were first presented with a basket of fresh bread and foil-wrapped pats of butter. The bread was quite good with a slightly chewy exterior and a soft and salty interior. The only thing I didn’t like was the rock hard butter that was served with the bread.
Within about 10 minutes, our appetizers arrived. The Frituras de Camarones were three golden pancakes of shrimp and vegetables surrounding a small ramekin of a chutney made of almonds, sherry and pimentos. The patties were hot and crispy. Shrimp had been diced and then mixed with various vegetable in a batter before being cooked in oil. I was a bit caught off guard by how lacking in flavor the appetizer was. I couldn’t detect the briny nature of the shrimp and the patties themselves were a tad oily. Even the chutney didn’t add much of a dimension to the patties. I know that Cuban food is not the spiciest on the planet, but this just seemed to lack any particular nuance that would want me to order it again.
Our second appetizer – the Papa Rellenas – arrived and two potato balls were presented in a small boat topped with a creamy lime and cilantro sauce. These were much better than the shrimp appetizer. Beef picadillo in a potato crust was a winner for me.. I liked the somewhat crisp shell and was pleased with the dish all the way around. This made up for what the shrimp lacked.
Next up was the Peruvian Soup. This was excellent. It was hearty, chocked full of vegetables, pork and bursting with flavor. I was so happy with this small cup of soup and had a passing thought that a big bowl of this soup with a hunk of baguette would be a wonderful lunch. I did wish it had been a tad hotter, but it didn’t mar the final product.
Our entrees arrived and I was very happy with the portion size of my chicken dish. The dish itself consisted of chicken, various vegetables and some chiles in a mild glaze and a smattering of peanuts. My first taste had distinct Asian overtones and then I was reminded that Peru has a very sizable Asian community (as did Cuba at one time for that matter) and so I wasn’t surprised. The dish, however, was much richer in scope than a lot of Asian food. The chicken was tender and moist and the vegetables were tender-crisp which gave the dish a nice crunch throughout. I also liked the fact that the dish had a nice kick to it on the palate. The rice was excellent and plentiful. All in all, this was a very pleasant and solid dish. There was nothing spectacular about it, but it had a good flavor and substantial.
Eric had requested that we refrain from discussing our food during the meal to see our reactions after-the-fact. Although the picture above is a shot of his meal, he wanted to wait until I finished my review before adding his thoughts. (Please check out his blog over at Eric Eats Out for his take on the meal, which will be posted on 9/24/08.)
After our entrees were finished we ran into a bit of trouble. After an inordinate wait, we were presented with dessert menus which we found odd since the prix fixe menu only had one dessert on it which was the Peruvian Cake. After another long wait we finally flagged down one of the floor staff and mentioned that we had the Peruvian menu so we weren’t sure if there had been a miscommunication.
A few minutes later, our server arrived with two pieces of cake. Actually, they were quite large pieces. The large slice was sitting in a puddle of a vanilla creme and topped with whipped cream. Eric and I both dove in and I did not like the cake at all. It wasn’t horrible, but it was incredibly dense and exceptionally dry. I was following each bite with a gulp of water or soda. I will admit that I liked the taste of the cake with its light vanilla flavor and a lightly sweet taste. However, I just couldn’t get past the density and dryness. I left a little less than half on my plate. I notice that Eric didn’t finish his either, but we didn’t discuss why.
With the meal finished, we requested our bill. As for the service, it was all over the place. While our drinks were kept filled, the long stretches between entrees and ordering dessert and then ordering to getting dessert were uncomfortable. Additionally, our server seemed to either be surly or having a bad night. We split the bill and said our good nights.
Overall, I would sum up the evening as “uneven.” The conversation and company were better than the soup which was better than the entrees which were better than the appetizer which were better than the dessert. There were enough items on the menu at Havana Café that I would be tempted to go back. I did wonder if the impending demise of the place was affecting the tone of the kitchen and staff. Who knows?
It is always great spending time with a fellow food blogger and discussing the latest food finds in the Valley. I only wish our overall food and service experience had been a bit better.
Havana Cafe
4225 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Dress: Resort casual - although they do not allow tank tops and cutoffs.
Hours: Monday through Thursday - 11 AM to 9:30 PM; Friday and Saturday - 11 AM to 10 PM; Sunday - 4 PM to 9:30 PM.
Notes: Parking is limited. Additional locations in Scottsdale and Ahwahtukee.
Alcohol: Full bar and lots of Cuban drink specials.
Website: www.havanacafe-az.com
When I was a student at Arizona State, one of my favorite treats was to head to the Dash Inn, a greasy spoon serving nominal Mexican food. However, it was dirt cheap and, for a struggling student, I was happy to have it just a 15 minute walk from the center of campus. (I also won a contest there, but those details need only be discussed after several beers.)
One of my other favorite places to go for very little pocket money was Ted’s Hot Dogs on the corner of Broadway and McClintock in Tempe. It was a simple enough set up in a rather large stand alone building. One would enter the door, stand in line, and then tell the first person behind the counter what he or she wanted and then would watch as the dog or burger was placed on the hot charcoal grill and cooked until it was done. Then, the next worker would slather on the condiments and ring up the order.
I hadn’t been to Ted’s in quite some time. Well, that isn’t true. Madge and I tried to get into Ted’s one time, but the line was long and they only accepted cash (and we had only plastic). But, I vowed to return.
Since it was the Labor Day weekend, I couldn’t help but think that an excellent hot dog would be a great treat for a holiday weekend. So, after a quick car wash and stop at the ATM for cash, I headed to Tempe.
Pulling into the parking lot, I was not surprised to see the place fairly full, but luck would smile on me and I found a spot right up front. When I entered, I was immediately hit with the smell of smoke from the coal-fired grill. I took my place in line and waited only a few minutes before I was asked what I would like.
I already had my choices in mind: a White Hot Dog ($3.35), a Jumbo All-Beef Hot Dog ($3.20), an order of Onion Rings ($2.65), and a large Diet Dr. Pepper ($1.59). Like lightning, the cook skewered a white and an all-beef dog with the long cooking fork and got my franks on the grill. I watched as she methodically rolled them back and forth and pierced them all over.
Five minutes later, she stashed both dogs in buns and put them on a tray holding my onion rings and my drink. Before I could head to the register, I was asked what I wanted on my dogs. I am a simple guy when it comes to that and just asked for chopped onions, mustard and pickle relish. I then moved over a few feet and paid my bill. The total, with tax, was $11.66. (Oh, they now accept Visa and Mastercard.)
I stopped by the final station and secured a few mini-cups of ketchup, a straw, some napkins and a fork. I ventured into the large dining room and took a table in the back and set out my meal to enjoy.
My first bite went to the White Hot Dog. The menu indicated that this dog was a mixture of pork and veal. It was pasty white when it came out of the holding bin, but the cooking had given it a blackened char that was appealing and added depth to the visual aspect of the dog. I took my first bite and was, unfortunately, somewhat disappointed. The dog wasn’t bad. In fact, it was good. But it was missing something and that something was seasoning. The pork and veal combination desperately needed, perhaps, pepper or an herbal treatment that would perk up the flavor of both of those cuts of meat. The only thing I could really taste was the char and the condiments. It was thoroughly cooked and was substantial, but I could only wonder if the product wouldn’t have been much better with just a sprinkling of something in the meat mixture before it was packed into a casing.
The second dog, the Jumbo All-Beef Hot Dog, was exactly what I was hoping for. The frank had a great beef flavor that resonated through the condiments and the char on the outside. The mixture of all of the flavors gave me a big smile on my face. It was a great hot dog. I liked that it was actually hot on the inside (instead of the normal warmish temperature) and that it had been perfectly cooked just enough to toast the outside but keep the inside moist and juicy. I loved every bite of this dog and wish I would have gone with two of them instead of the white dog.
The Onion Rings were also a true highlight. A large, paper satchel was stuffed with plenty of onion rings that were hand breaded. The onion rings themselves were about a quarter-inch wide and were treated with a batter that had a stellar crunch and a flakiness that made these rings stand out. The serving portion was generous and the rings were not greasy. I did find it difficult to maneuver the rings into the mini-cups of ketchup, but it was a minor inconvenience. This was an outstanding side dish to get to accompany my dogs.
I polished off the food on the tray and deposited all of the empty wrappers on into the trash before heading back to my car. I walked to the doors facing Broadway and got one last whiff of the smoke from the grill. A quick smirk passed my lips and I pushed the door open heading out into the hot Tempe air.
Getting into the car, I turned on the radio and listened to my XM radio as I pulled out of the lot and headed for the 202 Loop and then back to Phoenix. It was a great holiday weekend with plenty of relaxation, lots of sunshine and a delicious lunch.
I need to make sure my next trip to Ted’s happens in the very near future.
Ted’s Hot Dogs
1755 East Broadway Road
Tempe, AZ 85282
Dress: Casual
Hours: Sunday through Thursday - 10 AM to 9 PM; Friday and Saturday - 10 AM to 10 PM.
Notes: On the southwest corner of Broadway and McClintock. Plenty of parking.
Alcohol: None.
Website: www.tedsonline.com
When J. and I had a rather wonderful meal at Trente-Cinq 35 in Central Phoenix last year, we were curious as to the small converted house across the parking lot sporting the name “Lisa G.” Just who was this Lisa G and why does she have a wine bar?
Unfortunately, the place was closed for a vacation period so we couldn’t get our questions answered, but I made a mental note to get over to Lisa G’s someday.
As fate would have it, Winedubar was dying to get back to Lisa G for a seafood salad and a nice meal out. So, we set up plans to meet at Lisa G. Winedubar was waiting for me at the wine bar when I entered and we were quickly seated at a two-top table. They place was very full and the noise level was high, but we settled in and I showed her my favors for the wedding which garnered a hearty approval.
We ordered two Green Ice Teas ($2.75 each) and reviewed the menus. After some discussion, Winedubar decided to go with her beloved Fruitti Di Mare ($11.00) and I wanted the Mini Sandwiches ($9.00). We also decided to split some appetizers and agreed to try three things: the Brie ($9.00), the Mixed Bruschetta ($9.00) and the Bowl of Balls ($9.00).
When our server returned with our drinks, we placed our order. Our server warned us that the portion size was fairly large so we would have plenty to eat and, perhaps, take home. That was fine with us.
We were in the midst of discussing Wine’s trip to Paris and London and I was seething with envy. That was when our Prosciutto Bruschetta arrived. The elongated plate held three ample bruschetta rounds piled high with prosciutto, greens and an olive tepenade. While it looked beautiful, we noticed that all the rounds were the same and not the mixed platter as we had requested.. We brought this to the attention of the server and it seemed that the noise level in the restaurant caused a miscommunication. Our server was apologetic and offered to fix the order, but we were fine.
Although the bruschetta was good, it just seemed rather boring. The various components each looked like they could make a wonderful mix, but the final product was simply underwhelming. We wish we could have put our finger on what made this miss the mark, but there it was, so we moved on.
Next up was Lisa’s Bowl of Balls. This small bowl was packed with several dense, tender and sinfully delicious meatballs made of veal, beef, eggs and parsley. They were soaking in a rich tomato sauce and served with a nice, thin slice of Parmesan and a wedge of focaccia. The meatballs were absolutely wonderful. It was a fantastic appetizer and the addition of the cheese and bread were excellent sides to help cut some of the richness of the meatballs. Just outstanding.
The final appetizer was the Brie. The visual feast of this dish was the first thing that told me that this was going to be a success. Rustic Italian bread was layered with slices of brie and topped with sliced green apples and dried cranberries. The entire top was drizzled with honey and the whole thing was caramelized. Simple, substantial and the best thing on the table. This was a killer dish. Winedubar and I were battling over the crumbs. It just worked on so many levels and I think what changed the dish from good to stellar was the fact that the top had been caramelized. That just sealed everything into a flavor explosion. This more than made up for the lackluster bruschetta.
Wine’s Fruitti Di Mare was incredible. The plate was littered with an ocean of calamari, shrimp, scallops and crab, all in very generous portions. The seafood was piled up on bright green leaves of bibb lettuce and dressed in a light but tangy lemon thyme vinaigrette. Winedubar was in heaven and raved about the dish. “I live for this, you know,” she said. Although I am not a big seafood eater, I was impressed with the salad. It was an absolute steal for $11.00 and I thought the presentation was very pretty with the glistening seafood and the strong scent of lemon wafting from the dish.
My Mini Sandwiches were served on a long rectangular plate and evenly spaced over the dish. Three mini round ciabattas were piled with three different fillings: the beef tenderloin, the sliced peppered turkey and the chicken salad. The beef tenderloin sandwich contained sliced beef and a garlicky mayo with a few greens. The turkey was similarly dressed. The chicken salad was a nice mix of chicken chunks, celery and hazelnuts in a mayo base. All of them were very good, but the stand out was the chicken salad. I wouldn’t hesitate having these again.
By the time we finished, we had polished off just about everything, although we did have one of the bruschettas left to take home. We were stuffed to the gills and couldn’t even be talked into sharing a dessert. Then, we were surprised when our server indicated that due to the miscommunication over the bruschetta, she was deducting a few bucks off the bill. Completely unnecessary but a wonderful act of customer service.
Our bill was $52.53 including tax (minus the $4.00 comp). Winedubar and I thought this was a complete steal. I still can’t see how they are making any money off of the Fruitti Di Mare, but all I cared about was seeing a smile on Winedubar’s face as she munched on that salad, even though I was loathing her for going to Europe without me.
We paid the bill, said our goodnights and I headed home.
I so wish I hadn’t waited so long to get to Lisa G.
Lisa G Cafe and Wine Bar
2337 North 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Dress: Resort Casual
Hours: Monday - 11 AM to 2 PM; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 11 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 10 PM; Friday - 11 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 12 AM; Saturday - 5 PM to 12 AM; Closed Sundays.
Notes: Parking can be scarce.
Alcohol: Full bar.
Website: www.lisagwinebar.com
There are so many bad things going on in the world that it is hard to list them all. Of course, the various wars around the globe are sobering news and one would think that being isolated in Phoenix would at least make those wars seem abstract.
After all, Phoenix wasn’t a focal point of some war. Well, not war in the conventional sense.
Phoenix became a hotbed of warring factions in 2006 when our own Valley of the Sun experienced the brief, but harrowing, Great Gelato War. Luckily, casualties were light and the cease fire seems to have been holding strong for two years now, but it seems like yesterday that broken plastic spoons and shredded paper cups littered the battleground where the forces of Lombardi’s, Arlecchino’s, Angel Sweet and a host of others gathered to duke it out.
The final results weren’t pretty and you can find a taste of the propaganda and “shots across the bow” at this link. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and the battles stopped, the smoke cleared and there was peace across the land.
I was expecting the cease fire to fall apart when I heard of a new place in Scottsdale serving frozen desserts and worried that this would be another gelato business adding its name to the growing list of other places. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that this place didn’t serve gelato. It served ice cream and sorbet.
J. and I wandered into Sweet Republic near 92nd Street and Shea Boulevard in North Scottsdale and found a bright, clean and cheery ice cream parlor with a decent-sized selection of ice creams and sorbets along with other concoctions made from the same. What did surprise us, however, were some of the flavors.
There was the jarring Cheese Course Duo featuring ice cream made with gorgonzola and figs. J. tried a bit and found it worked as a flavor but was more on the savory side of things. I took a nibble of the Bananas Foster and was very pleased. We studied the various flavors and felt there was a great mix of traditional and radical flavors.
In the end, we decided to go just for one scoop each ($2.95 each) and share some bites. J. went with the Pear and Ginger Sorbet while I couldn’t pass up the Mayan Chocolate Ice Cream.
Our server grabbed her scoop and two small cups and went to work sliding the scoop through the milky layers of ice cream goodness that would soon take the edge off of the Valley summer heat. When the scoops landed in the cups, they were flawless. Almost perfectly round and plentiful.
J.’s Pear Ginger Sorbet was luscious. The combination of tart pear and spicy ginger were perfectly married together and had everything you could want from a scoop of ice cream. I liked the fact that the heat of the ginger was subtle but the tartness of the pear was shining through. J. seems to thoroughly enjoy it and was still talking about the Cheese Course Duo tasting.
My Mayan Chocolate was thick, rich and had just the right amount of cinnamon to enhance the deep chocolate taste of the frozen treat. I was also pleased the chocolate was dense and slightly bitter. The flavor combination was outstanding and I was rather disappointed that I only had one scoop, but the richness of the chocolate created a satisfying serving.
We mulled over the prospects of having additional scoops, but decided to keep it on the simple side. We did, however, linger a few minutes and take in the various flavors listed on the pamphlet next to the cash register: Salted Butter Caramel and Fuzzy Navel and Honey Blue Cheese.
Our total expenditure for the two scoops of ice cream was $6.38. We thought it was a bargain considering the quality of the dessert. Service was friendly, prompt and helpful. We had no regrets in what we ordered and pledged we would return to Sweet Republic soon, just to try some of the unique flavors.
We headed out to do some errands and I remind J. of the civility of our trip to Sweet Republic. It was a pleasant experience with great results.
And not a drop of gelato in sight.
Sweet Republic
9160 East Shea Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Dress: Casual
Hours: Monday through Thursday - 11 AM to 9 PM; Friday and Saturday - 11 AM to 10 PM; Sunday - 11 AM to 8 PM.
Notes: Flavors vary from week to week.
Website: www.sweetrepublic.com
After our fast-food experience at the Spotted Donkey Cantina, J. and I were up to trying another new restaurant in Scottsdale. Initially, J. had a craving for seafood and after getting some input on good seafood places in landlocked Arizona over at Chowhound, we decided to have … pizza. However, we wanted something new and, perhaps, a positive experience.
Thumbing through a few Google searches and some posts on Chowhound, we narrowed down our choices and then decided to head to one of the Pizza Picasso, a small, Arizona group of pizza places focusing on what they call “gourmet pizza.” We hopped into the car and headed north until we found the restaurant which was on the outer ring of the large shopping plaza on the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard. When we arrived, we had a bit of trouble finding the place until we consulted one of the directories stationed throughout the mall area. Parking in a spot just steps away from the entrance, we headed in and found the place about half full of patrons.
We were taken to a comfortable table near the back of the restaurant and were handed menus by a very amiable man who would be our server. He said he had some pizzas to deliver, but would be back shortly to take our order. We actually hoped he wouldn’t come back too fast as the menu was home to 45 different pizzas, not including the make-your-own section. We were a bit overwhelmed.
Our server returned and I ordered an Iced Tea ($2.25) while J. just had ice water. We asked our server about various aspects of the menu including the size of the pizzas, the difference between the small and medium salads and the various crusts used. He was very helpful and then retreated to the kitchen to deliver more pizzas and get our drinks. I mentioned to J. that the place was nicely decorated with a large bar along one wall with a railing separating it from the dining room.
After a long discussion, we decided to each get a small pizza to our individual liking and then split the Caesar salad. When are server came back, we decided to get the medium Caesar Salad, but our waiter waived us off on the medium and suggested we start with the small Caesar ($8.25) noting that it would be plenty for two. However, if we wanted more, he would bring a second small Caesar and just charge us for one medium. That was really quite nice of him. For our pizzas, I went with the Meatball Pie ($16.50) on the regular thick crust and the addition of fresh garlic (free). J. decided on the Leaning Tower Pizza ($15.00) also on the thick crust with fresh garlic.
I kept one of the menus and reviewed it while we waited. Pizza Picazzo offered four types of crust: original thick, thin, cracker thin and gluten free. Our waiter informed us that all were good, but the cracker thin crust would often be overly charred on the bottom and not thoroughly cooked on top. Honestly, he was a very good server who was informative without being overbearing. We were also caught off guard by how extensive the menu was regarding the pizza. There were just so many specialty pizzas and a laundry list of items to pick from if you wanted to creative yourself.
When our Caesar Salad arrived, I was so happy our server kept us from going with the medium. The large, oval plate contained enough Caesar salad for 3-4 people completed with lots of lemon wedges to give the salad an extra tang. The salad itself was a simple preparation of Romaine lettuce, a housemade creamy Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese and croutons. I mixed the salad together and served it up on the two plates provided. The lettuce was cold and crisp and the dressing was very flavorful. Thankfully, the kitchen hadn’t drowned the salad in the dressing, but they also didn’t skimp on the Parmesan cheese either, so J. and I were very happy. We both commented that if this was the small, we couldn’t even begin to imagine how much salad would have been brought out on the medium or, even, the large.
Our salad plates had just been cleaned when our server returned with two pizza stands and a notification that our pizzas were on the way. He cleared our salad plates and headed back to the kitchen. Moments later he returned to refill our glasses before heading back again to get our pizzas.
My Meatball Pie was still bubbling on the sides when it reached the table. The pizza was a nice mix of some wonderful ingredients and the scent had me salivating in no time. I allowed it to cool for just a few moments as I surveyed the pie. There were numerous meatballs, blobs of ricotta, crushed garlic, slivers of fresh basil, plenty of mozzarella and a smattering of grated Parmesan all sitting on a thin layer of tomato sauce. I took my first piece and put it on my plate, steam still flowing out. I took a bite and I was very pleased with my pizza. The one thing I suddenly noticed was that there was something crunchy on the pie and discovered that it had some pinenuts sprinkled on top that were hidden by the basil, garlic and Parmesan cheese. Everything was quite flavorful and I did like the fact that the crust wasn’t falling apart or soggy, although I did find the crust to be just a tad too doughy. Still, I really enjoyed the pizza. I did mention to J. that I thought it was on the verge of being too salty, but it wasn’t enough to mar the pizza.
J.’s Leaning Tower Pizza was a mixture of mozzarella, chevre, fresh spinach, mushroom, Roma tomatoes and Italian sausage all on a thick crust that had been covered with a creamy Alfredo sauce. The result had J. smiling. It really was a nice mixture of various tastes and J. thought it was good that the Alfredo sauce didn’t overpower the taste of the other ingredients. I liked the combination of the sausage and spinach which I thought was a nice way to balance out each of those two components because they both had the potential to take over the dish. But the various ingredients played well together and I think we were both surprised at how good the pizzas were. J. also liked the crust, but, like me, thought it could have been a bit more “light.” Perhaps a longer proofing time or a bit less working of the dough would have helped.
By the time we each finished half of our pizzas, we were asking for a to-go box to take a full pizza back home. The serving size for a small pizza was quite generous and we were happy with our selections. As we sat nursing our drinks and waiting for our food to settle a bit, our server offered dessert, but we had other plans and declined. We did request our bill and our server left to grab a box and our bill.
When he returned the damage was $45.34 which included tax. J. and I thought the value was okay. We had a small discussion about the price point because we thought that $15 - $18 for a small pizza was slightly high. Yes, it was specialty pizza and it was quite good, but we just felt if the range was a dollar or so less, that would have been in line with an average pizza base. Still, we did enjoy our food very much and the salad was quite a generous serving for what we paid.
Service was impeccable with plenty of information and a friendly waiter who was patient, helpful and attentive.
We had a wonderful time at Pizza Picazzo and we enjoyed our pizzas. It certainly was a nice surprise after our disappointing meal the previous outing.
And with that, we got into the car and headed out for some ice cream at Scottsdale’s newest ice cream spot: Sweet Republic.
Pizza Picazzo
7235 East Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Dress: Casual
Hours: Sunday through Thursday - 11 AM to 9 PM; Friday and Saturday - 11 AM to 10 PM
Notes: Other locations in Tempe, Sedona, Flagstaff, Glendale, Peoria and Goodyear.
Alcohol: Full bar.
Website: www.picazzos.com
The wedding plans are well underway and I have found that every time I do something to scratch off the list of “to dos” for the wedding, another three need to be done. It is like a never ending Whack-A-Mole.
Thankfully, J. was in town to help select the stock we needed for our invitations. Due to the expensive costs of having them done by a printer, we opted to make our own. So, we zipped off to various stores finally settling on a very nice heavy stock of paper complete with a beveled edge and fancy envelopes. We were happy.
After some other shopping for the wedding, we decided to take some time for ourselves and I suggested we head to North Scottsdale. Although it was a bit of a hike and cost a considerable sum in gasoline, we made our way up to the Spotted Donkey Cantina at El Pedregal hoping for a nice Mexican or Southwestern meal. We parked on the wrong side of the plaza, but since we were early for our 8 PM reservation, we strolled along the area and enjoyed each others company talking about the wedding and the honeymoon (in Montreal, by the way).
We found the entrance to the Spotted Donkey and entered. We gave our names and noted that we were a few minutes early. Our hostess indicated that our table would be ready momentarily. So, we waited a few moments and then were taken to a table in the back of the restaurant near a smoked glass window. The back of the restaurant was rather dark, but we made due with the lighting and reviewed the menu hoping to find some great delights.
Our struggle through the appetizers was due to everything sounding so good. I was a bit surprised to see that some chips and a couple of salsas would have set us back a whopping $6.50, so I passed that up. Instead, J. and I decided to split an order of the Chile Fried Sweet Onions ($7.50) and a bowl of the Red Chile Tortilla Soup ($8.50). Our server arrived and took our drink order. With both decided to have an Iced Tea ($2.00 each) and ice water. Our server retreated from the table and returned a few minutes later with our drinks. We then place our appetizer order and then onto the main course.
For our entrees, I opted for the Pulled Pork Challupas ($15.00) and J. was intrigued by the New Mexican Green Chile Meatloaf ($14.50). At this point, I asked the waiter to withhold any avocado from the Challupas as the menu indicated that challupas came with guacamole. He nodded and left the table.
We had barely gotten through half a glass of tea before our Chile Fried Sweet Onions arrived. The large mass of thinly sliced onions were coated in a thin batter and flash fried. They were mounted on the plate, all intertwined and served with a “Green Goddess” Buttermilk dipping sauce. We both dove in and to say I was disappointed would be an understatement. The rings were incredibly greasy and just heavy due to the residual oil. Blech. Not even the dipping sauce could help them, but I wasn’t sure if that was due to the grease or the fact that the dipping sauce was watery, thin and almost devoid of anything resembling flavor. This was a very bad way to start our meal.
As we were picking at the onion rings, our Red Chile Tortilla Soup arrived. The wide, shallow bowl contained a promising deep, red broth in which a mound of crispy tortilla strips floated in the center and topped with a sprig of cilantro. We each grabbed a spoon and dipped them in for a taste. I really wanted to enjoy this bowl of soup, but I nearly had a panic attack when I could see a large chunk of avocado floating in the soup in my spoon. J. immediately knew there was a problem and said, “Well, that spoils the soup for you.” Yeah, it did. I did a little exploratory surgery and discovered more avocado was hidden under the mound of tortilla strips. The description most certainly did not contain the word “avocado” or “guacamole” but said something about Mexican crema and a chimi churi sauce. Sadly, our server didn’t make the connection between my comment about having an allergy to avocados and the soup which contained them. I did manage to get some of the taste of the soup from the outer edge. The taste was okay. Smoky, somewhat sweet and rich, I did like the taste, but wondered why it was served lukewarm.
While the soup issue was problematic, even more troubling was the runner who arrived with our entrees during the second spoonful of our soup. Instead of asking if we wanted our entrees to be held until we finished our soup, he took the lip of one of the entree plates and pushed the soup toward the center of the table and then set our plates in front of us without so much as saying a word, although he did grunt a little. Charming. Honestly, is it really that difficult for restaurants in this Valley to train food runners to check to see if a table is ready for their entrees? Additionally, the time factor was beginning to bother me as we went from ordering to entrees in less than 10 minutes.
J.’s New Mexican Green Chile Meatloaf was … interesting. I found the look to be unappetizing and I don’t think J. was thrilled with the appearance either. The meatloaf was a mixture of beef, pork and veal, cooked, sliced and then piled upon a mount of cheddar mashed potatoes and covered with a chorizo gravy. The meatloaf was then dotted with strips of grilled zucchini and served with some very long broccoli spears. J. took a bite and then paused. “There’s no spice.” My brain couldn’t really put that together with the name of the dish. Hatch green chiles and chorizo gravy should have given this dish a nice, healthy kick. So, I took a bite and sure enough, the restaurant had managed to removed anything resembling spice from this dish. Bland, bland, bland, bland and bland. Adding to the bizarre nature of this dish was a very odd texture that was a cross between wet sandpaper and paste. J. abandoned the dish pretty early on.
My Pulled Pork Challupas weren’t much better. Three challupas were on a long, narrow plate and piled high with meat and accompaniments. I don’t know how, but the Spotted Donkey managed to make pulled pork tasteless. There was no seasoning at all to the meat. I don’t understand how that is possible unless the pork was slow roasted with nothing but itself for flavor. The meat was moist and tender, but I was bored senseless by this dish. Even the chile rojo, salsa fresca and sour cream couldn’t save this dish from putting my tastebuds to sleep. I gave up after 1.5 challupas.
At this point, I wanted to get our bill and leave. Of course, that was nearly impossible as our server was too involved with the pretty people next to us to even refill our drinks once, much less get us our bill. He finally passed by and I was finally able to flag him down. He returned with our bill and said nothing. Not a word. Not thank you. Not goodbye. Just dead air. (For the record, J. and I are not “pretty people” and thank the Great Maker daily than we aren’t.)
The damage was $53.76 including tax and was a complete waste of time and money. We paid our bill and got up to leave. I looked at my watch and from seating to bill, we were just over the 30 minute mark. And it had taken us 40 minutes to get there.
As we passed by the hostess station, our server was there and I turned to him. “You might want to tell your food runners and kitchen to slow down. We were here less than 35 minutes.” He just vacantly looked at me.
“Yeah, you weren’t here very long. Thanks for coming.” Then he turned and walked away. The deer in the headlights look from the hostess summed up my thoughts exactly. We got into the car and made the 40 minute trek back to East Phoenix.
A few days later I called the Spotted Donkey and told the person who answered the phone that I had a customer service issue from the weekend and would like to speak to a manager. “The manager isn’t here right now. Can you call back later?”
Well, I could have, but decided to simply chalk up my losses and reminding myself that if I am going to travel that far again, I am just going to go to Binkley’s.
The Spotted Donkey Cantina
34505 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85266
Dress: Resort casual
Hours: None posted on website
Notes: On the east side of El Pedregal.
Alcohol: Full bar.
Website: www.spotteddonkeycantina.com
