Archive for April, 2009
April 30th, 2009, 3:18 pm by Jess Harter
Just five more days to go until Cinco de Mayo, although some restaurants and bars already have begun celebrating. Here are five of the biggest parties in the south East Valley to enjoy a Mexican meal and drink Tuesday:
Salty Señorita: The Mesa location stages its annual “Señoritaville” - more than 10,000 square feet of party space, island bars, stages and outdoor grills. Capital Down, Rock Lobster and DJ Hazardous will entertain. Specials include $5 bottles of Dos Equis, $7 Pepe Lopez margaritas and $9 Herraduras, as well as spins of a shot wheel. 1860 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa, (480) 632-8226, plus other Valley locations.
Dos Gringos: The grassy area in front of the Chandler location will host a big, all-day party with lots of games like beer pong, Wii and Cornhole (bean-bag tooss). A DJ will spin music. Food specials include $4 appetizers, such as nachos and tacos. Drink specials include $3 domestic bottles and $4 Dos Equis. $5 cover starts at 6 p.m. 1361 N. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 855-3303, plus other Valley locations.
Cantina Laredo: This casual yet elegant San Tan Village restaurant extends its patio into the street for a party from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. featuring a DJ, prize giveaways, the Corona party bus, Sheila Tequila, Salsa and Midori girls and tequila shots served via ice luge. Drink specials include $3 Coronas, Negro Modelas and Pacificos and $4 margaritas. No cover. 2150 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert, (480) 782-6777.
Macayo’s: You can get Cinco de Mayo specials anytime between now and closing Tuesday at the Mesa location, including $5.55 one-item combo meals, $2 Coors Light drafts, $2.50 Coronas and Pacficos, $5 Corona bombers and $5 16-ounce house margaritas. A mariachi band provides music, and there’s face-painting and a balloon lady for the kids. No cover. 1920 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, (480) 820-0237, plus other Valley locations.
Valle Luna: If you’re 50 or older, you qualify for Valle Luna’s regular Tuesday senior special – buy one entrée, get one free. The band Devotion will perform 6 to 10 p.m. on the lakefront patio, and a DJ will spin 8 p.m. to close in the cantina. Drink specials include $4 domestic drafts and bottles, $5 imports, $6 well drinks and Cuevo margaritas and $8 top-shelf drinks. No cover. 1949 W Ray Rd, Chandler, (480) 786-3100.
Posted in: Chandler • Gilbert • Mesa • Cantina Laredo • Dos Gringos • Macayo's • Salty Senorita • Valle Luna | Post a Comment »
April 29th, 2009, 12:47 pm by Jess Harter
 Sam Calagione (pictured), founder of Dogfish Head Brewing, will discuss and sign his book, “Brewing Up a Business,” from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Tempe bar Boulders on Broadway, 530 W. Broadway Road.
Delaware-based Dogfish Head is best-known for its popular line of IPAs, but the microbrewery also produces a number of unusual or “experimental” beers.
Admission to the Thursday event is $35 per person, which includes the book and two beers, or $50 per couple, for the book and two beers each.
Registration and pre-payment is required; call Changing Hands bookstore at (480) 730-0205.
Calagione also will host a sold-out beer dinner Thursday at Chandler’s Whole Foods, as well as a huge Intergalactic Bocce Tournament Friday and Saturday at Scottsdale’s Millennium Resort.
Also, Gary Taubes will discuss and sign his bestselling book “Good Calories, Bad Calories” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Doctor’s Fitness Center, 2394 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix.
The acclaimed science writer, who attended Harvard and Stanford, has become famous for questioning the health benefits of a low-fat diet and physical exercise.
Taubes’ 2007 book will be available for $27.95 for hardback and $16.95 for paperback.
Posted in: Chandler • Phoenix • Scottsdale • Tempe | Post a Comment »
April 28th, 2009, 8:29 pm by Jess Harter
East Valley communities have a number of official sister cities, but there’s apparently one city to which we relate above all others: Chicago.
How else can you explain our disproportionate number of Windy City-style restaurants?
One of the most recent to join our ranks is Jimmy’s of Chicago, which opened a few months ago on the northeast corner of Gilbert and Pecos roads in Gilbert.
The casual Italian restaurant is owned by Kerry (pictured above) and Zalena Kersting. Zalena’s brother and brother-in-law opened the original Jimmy’s Place (actually in Forest Park, Ill.) a decade ago.
As first-time restaurateurs, the Kerstings have borrowed the family recipes from their Midwest relatives.
Delicious thin-crust pizzas — maybe not the type you’d associate with Chicago — are one of the menu highlights. The pies ($11.50 for 12-inch, $15.50 for 16-inch, plus toppings) have a nice layer of gooey cheese and lots of toppings.
I also love the lasagna ($12.95, pictured below), which comes in a huge portion (enough for dinner and some for lunch the next day) with no shortage of meat, ricotta and mozzarella.
Other pastas include three homemade varieties — gnocchi, ravioli and cavatelli. One tip, though: Jimmy’s standard red sauce is fairly bland so if you want something with more zing ask for the spicy red sauce.
The same goes for the nicely breaded veal parmigiana with mostaccioli ($15.95). With the regular sauce, it’s merely OK. With the spicy sauce, it’s very good.
In fact, Jimmy’s consistently plays it overly safe with most dishes. Spicy Linguini Luigi ($13.25) has nice, fresh artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes but, dressed in oil and garlic, almost no discernible kick.
Chicken Vesuvio ($14.50), two perfect chicken breasts cooked in oil, and a good-sized Italian beef sandwich ($5.95, plus toppings, pictured below) also could benefit from a heavier hand with the Italian seasonings.
And, please, something has to be done about tasteless bread before meals and the dreadful French fries that come with sandwiches. Those should be easy fixes.
It’s obvious Jimmy’s has potential but is still on a learning curve. The staff occasionally shows its inexperience, but more than makes up for it with friendliness and an eager-to-please attitude.
One weekday mid-afternoon, a customer in the mostly empty dining room asks Kerry Kersting to switch the TV to the Cubs game. The owner discovers the game isn’t on WGN, so he picks up the phone and subscribes to the baseball season package.
Moments later, the customer is enjoying the game.
Jimmy’s may be a rookie in the East Valley restaurant scene, but it shows it has the potential to knock it out of the park.
Jimmy’s of Chicago
Where: 3107 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert (northeast corner of Gilbert and Pecos roads)
Open: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday
Prices: Appetizers $4.95-$11.95, salads $3-$7.95, sandwiches $5.95-$6.95, pizzas $11.50-$15.50, pastas $10.50-$14.95, entrees $12.95-$20.95.
Info: (480) 963-6363
Posted in: Gilbert | 9 Comments »
April 27th, 2009, 3:55 pm by Jess Harter
SanTan Brewing’s popular Tuesday Night Tasting is moving to the first Tuesday of every month, meaning the next one falls on Cinco de Mayo. For the occasion, owner Anthony Canecchia has brewed up a special habanero-flavored ale to cap a Baja-inspired menu.
For $20, you get four small-plate courses, each paired with a different beer:
• Popocatépetl (“El Popo”) shredded pork and habanero spring roll with baby carrot, sweet Vidalia onion relish and a pepper-infused honey glaze. Paired with Fullsail Brewing’s Session Premium Lager
• SanTan firecracker shrimp with a mojito lime reduction. Paired with SanTan Brewing’s Sunspot Gold.
• Applewood bacon-wrapped scallops with a Bosc pear and apple chutney. Paired with SanTan Brewing’s Sun Devil Pale Ale.
• Passion fruit margarita sorbet from downtown Chandler’s Simply Unique Gelato with a crispy lemon tuile. Paired with SanTan Brewing’s Habanero Gold.
The monthly TNTs, which start at 6:30 p.m., are limited to 50 people and fill up fast. Make your reservation by calling the downtown Chandler brew pub at (480) 917-8700.
Posted in: Uncategorized | Post a Comment »
April 27th, 2009, 3:35 pm by Jess Harter
Sliced beef brisket sandwich with extra-spicy habanero barbecue sauce, barbecue beans, off-menu special cornbread with whipped honey butter and Fanta red soda. In my opinion, the best barbecue in Arizona. You can eat free at Joe’s next Wednesday (May 6) on its annual Customer Appreciation Day. (More on that coming soon.)
Posted in: Gilbert • Joe's Real BBQ | Post a Comment »
April 27th, 2009, 12:52 pm by Jess Harter
Savor Scottsdale, the group of indie restaurants behind the creation of last October’s impressive Eats3 culinary festival, kicked off the countdown to this fall’s fest - now dubbed Crave Arizona - with a “Notorious P.I.G.” dinner Sunday night at Digestif.
More than 80 people packed Digestif for a five-course dinner prepared from a single pig by five different Savor Scottsdale chefs. The evening began with a reception of passed appetizers and wines from southern Arizona’s Dos Cabezas WineWorks.
Digestif chef Payton Curry was first up for the dinner with a stuffed trotter (pig’s feet) salad with Maya’s Farm arugula, sorrel, pecorino and Queen Creek Olive Mill olive oil.
Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar owner/chef James Porter followed with red wine braised leg with roasted fennel puree and cured jowl.
The third course, courtesy of Atlas Bistro chef Brandon Crouser, featured slow-roasted carnitas on a blini with a fried quail egg and shiitake maple syrup.
Before the next course, all five chefs - (from left) Crouser, Aaron May, Tracy Dempsey, Porter and Curry - came out for the kitchen for a wide-ranging Q&A session with the guests.
Porter (left) and Curry share a laugh while bragging about their drinking skills and Porter’s love of Swanson pot pies.
Dempsey looks on as May explains the genesis of his infamous Sasquatch Burger at The Lodge.
May, whose other restaurants include Sol y Sombra, Autostrada and Over Easy, provided the fourth course: standing rib roast stuffed with morcilla sausage and bomba rice served with green garlic calcot onions and salbitxada sauce.
Before the final course, Peter Kasperski (right), owner of Digestif, Cowboy Ciao, Sea Saw and Kazimierz World Wine Bar, introduced Dos Cabezas winemaker Todd Bostock (left), who provided all six wines for the dinner.
Dempsey, executive pastry chef for Digestif, Cowboy Ciao and Kazimierz, capped the meal with a trio of desserts: “Pig in the Orchard” (bacon and apple) bread pudding, bacon-flavored ice cream and bacon pecan brittle.
Every guest even received a small bag of Dempsey’s bacon pecan brittle to take home as a reminder of a delicious, informative and fun evening. Only 178 days until Crave Arizona!
Posted in: Scottsdale • Crave Arizona • Digestif | Post a Comment »
April 26th, 2009, 11:08 pm by Jess Harter
The Valley has a new pizza-eating champion: Chiun “Jimmy” Peng of Scottsdale wolfed down a record 13 slices in 15 minutes Sunday to win Flancer’s ninth annual charity pizza-eating contest. That’s the equivalent of more than one and a half 18-inch pies and breaks the previous record of 12 and a half slices set by 2008 champion Tray Mead.
Sunday’sevent drew a large crowd to the Gilbert restaurant’s patio. The contestants paid $30 to enter, which included a free t-shirt. The contest was part of Flancer’s week-long fund-raising efforts for the Wounded Warrior Project.
Owner Jeff Flancer (pictured on left) introduced an official from the Wounded Warrior Project, which offers sports programs for wounded U.S. soldiers. In addition to the pizza contest, Flancer’s hosted two cigar and port events and several raffles and silent auctions to raise more than $20,000 this year.
Each competitor received his own 18-inch cheese pizza cut into eight slices. Several of them doubled over the slices while they were waiting to begin.
Flancer’s Myke Jones introduced the 23 competitors to the crowd. Then the 15-minute clock started. This year’s field was:
Matt Heistandt, the 2004 champ, of Scottsdale (left); John Dadelow of Gilbert (center); Jay Elliot from Canada;
Russell Blackwell of Tempe (left); Nick Catona of Phoenix;
Juan Lopez of Mesa (left); Tim Stutz of Chandler (center); Ryan Binder of Phoenix;
Daniel Cathcart of Gilbert (left), who’s Jeff Flancer’s trainer; Justin Finkerstein of Tempe;
Jimmy May of Orange County, Calif. (left); Will Veras of Mesa (center); Matt Jones of Tempe;
Steve Korn of Chandler (left); Paul McCurtain of Gilbert;
Brett Palmer of Gilbert (left); Tom Pullins of Gilbert (center); Will Kerwin of Gilbert;
Cody Morain of Gilbert (left); Steven Ditzel of Casa Grande;
Paul Rysavy of Apache Junction (left); Jason Perkins of Gilbert (center) and Peng.
When the buzzer sounded, Peng had eaten 13 slices (including the crust). He was crowned by Miss Arizona Erin Nurss. Palmer finished a close second with 12 slices, and Blackwell was third with 10 slices.
For his victory, Peng received a $500 check. Asked his strategy, the first-time eating-contest entrant said, “Just to keep going.” Amazingly, Peng was still hungry so he and his family stayed for lunch at Flancer’s.
Posted in: Gilbert • Flancer's | 1 Comment »
April 26th, 2009, 2:29 pm by Jess Harter
Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek hosted its final orchard dinner of the season Saturday. The guest of honor? Peaches, which were featured in all four courses prepared by Arizona Biltmore chef Todd Sicolo.
The popular event, which cost $80 per person, was supposed to be capped at 100 people, but the final count was stretched to 131 (with about 70 more on a waiting list). The evening began with a 6 p.m. cocktail hour, during which guests could take a hayride …
… during which Mark Schnepf explained his farm grows six varities of peaches (along with lots of other produce). Because of the Valley’s sandy-loamy soil, the Schnepf Farms peaches are the first available in the entire country every year.
The hayride took guests to another orchard, where they got a paper bag and could walk along and pick their own peaches right off the trees.
The weekend also marked the opening of the two-month “U Pick ‘Em” season at Schnepf Farms. Peach picking is open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Every weekend, a different variety of peach is scheduled to ripen.
After another hayride back to the dinner area, guests were seated at a long table running down a row of peach trees in another orchard.
The first course was a frozen gazpacho made with candied peaches topped with vanilla cream and a mint leaf. Grapes were served on the side.
The second course was a peach and smoked almond salad with lavender honey.
By this time, it was beginning to get dark, lending an intimate atmosphere to the dinner.
The main course was a peach barbecued pork chop with cheddar potatoes, creamed corn and grilled asparagus.
Between courses, Schnepf introduced Sicolo and his Biltmore staff to the guests.
The dinner ended with a dish of peach cobbler topped with caramel white chocolate gelato and a cookie and garnished with a rock candy stick.
Posted in: Queen Creek • Schnepf Farms | 2 Comments »
April 26th, 2009, 1:24 pm by Jess Harter
My Nana’s Salsa Challenge celebrated its 25th anniversary Saturday at Tempe Beach Park, drawing approximately 20,000 people. Temperatures in the mid-80s were kept in check by a nice breeze, which made for an almost perfect afternoon.
One of the cool things about the Salsa Challenge are the colorfully decorated booths, such as this one from Spicy Mamasita, which displayed paintings by Tawny Gamboa.
This boy got a birds-eye view of the fest.
One of the longest lines was at Phat Boys Salsa, which won the festival’s overall crown in 2007 and ‘08.
Phat Boys chef Jeff Coronado waves to someone in the crowd.
My Baby Got Back apparently was targeting a young demographic.
Speaking of kids, they had plenty to do, such as this mini foosball game.
For some reason, people in Hawaiian shirts seemed to gravitate toward the Arizona Parrot Head Club booth, which is always a fan favorite.
This was one of my favorite salsas. It may look like a typical salsa but …
… it’s made with honey and cinnamon. Very sweet and very hot, at least the spicy version. Edwardo’s also was handing out a mild version.
As always, many Valley restaurants participated. Here, a young critic reviews Someburros’ salsa.
If things got too hot, a small army of margarita makers stood at the ready.
Perhaps my favorite name of the festival. The Gilbert group also makes a good salsa: They were crowned the 2009 grand champion. The full list of winners:
Grand champion: Drunken Jalapenos
Margarita champion: Clint Spotleso, Cadillac Ranch
Individual (hot): 1. Drunken Jalapenos, 2. Clyde Gaston, 3. Justin Early
Individual (mild): 1. Eric Gherra, Senor Zeiks; 2. Drunken Jalepenos; 3. Elisa Cazares
Business (hot): 1. Accredo Health Services, 2. Casino Arizona, 3. Factor Health Management
Business (mild): 1. Walgreens, 2. Bridgewater Realty, 3. Gage the Heat
Restaurant (hot): 1. Macayo’s, 2. Barrio Cantina, 3. Cadillac Ranch
Restaurant (mild): 1. Someburros, 2. Dos Gringos, 3. El Penasco.
Best of show: Drunken Jalepenos
Best booth: Arizona Parrot Heads
Peoples choice: Tyler Whentton
Posted in: Tempe • Salsa Challenge | 3 Comments »
April 23rd, 2009, 4:53 pm by Jess Harter
Flavors from around the world — Italian, Japanese, Mexican, French, Spanish, South American and others — will be in the spotlight Sunday at Taste 2009.
The annual event, now in its 35th year, is expected to draw 6,000 people to Kierland Commons in north Scottsdale. All proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix.
For $150, guests can stroll the grounds and taste samples from nearly 50 Valley restaurants, such as Zinc Bistro, Prado, The Mission, Asia de Cuba, Metro Brasserie and Geisha a Go Go.
 Alliance Beverage will provide an international selection of wines and spirits.
Live music will be performed by Instant Classics and the Chris Parker Project.
Taste 2009 will preceded by a new event, a noon party dubbed The Edge of Taste, at nearby Barcelona featuring musical performances by Everclear and Live. Tickets are $35.
After the Taste 2009, a wrap-up party called Post-Taste will be held at Barcelona, featuring music from David Hernandez of “American Idol.” Tickets are $250.
Taste offers a $400 VIP ticket, which includes admission to Taste 2009, access to VIP areas during the event and entrance to the Post-Taste party.
Taste 2009 is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Kierland Commons, 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale. Tickets are $150. Info: (602) 954-8182 or taste2009.com.
Posted in: Scottsdale • Taste | Post a Comment »
April 23rd, 2009, 1:30 pm by Jess Harter
Rodeo competitors have trained on various types of mechanical bulls since at least the 1960s, but it was the 1980 movie “Urban Cowboy” that introduced the bionic buckers to the beer-drinking masses. Here are five East Valley restaurants and bars where you can unleash your inner John Travolta:
Saddle Ranch Chophouse: This barn-like Hollywood import (pictured above) in Old Town Scottsdale offers an all-day menu and holds a bull-riding contest every Sunday when riders are judged on speed and audience applause. 4321 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, (480) 429-2263.
Cadillac Ranch: Framed Rolling Stone covers, license plates and guitars decorate this roadhouse-style hangout, where a balcony patio overlooks Tempe Marketplace’s entertainment area. 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, (480) 894-1111.
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill: The famous country singer just opened this 20,000-square-foot Mesa Riverview restaurant, which boasts an 85-foot, guitar-shaped bar, named after his 2003 hit, “I Love This Bar.” 1065 N. Dobson Road, Mesa, (480) 844-8629.
Graham Central Station: This south Tempe establishment is actually four bars – Rockin Rodeo, Alley Cats, South Beach and Confetti’s - under one roof. You probably can guess which one has the bull. 7850 S Priest Drive, Tempe, (480) 496-0799.
Rawhide: The Gila River Indian Community is home to thos family-friendly western frontier town. Besides staged gunfights and stagecoach rides, there’s a mechanical bull named “The Widowmaker.” 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, (480) 502-5600.
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Scottsdale • Tempe • 5 to Try | Post a Comment »
April 22nd, 2009, 5:10 pm by Jess Harter
The Flancer’s pizza-eating title is up for grabs this year: Two-time defending champion Tray Mead (pictured below) won’t be trying for a three-peat at the Gilbert restaurant Sunday.
“He won’t be competing this year,” says Flancer’s assistant general manager Myke Jones, adding with a laugh, “but he says if someone breaks his record, he’ll come out of retirement next year.”
 The 59-year-
old Gilbert sci-fi artist’s record stands at 12 and a half cheese slices — the equivalent of one and a half 18-inch pizzas — all eaten in just 15 minutes (see last year’s recap).
This year’s field again is limited to 25 competitors, and there’s a waiting list in case there are any last-minute dropouts.
“We have last year’s third-place finisher back again this year,” Jones says. “There’s also a former champion from a few years ago.”
The contest, which costs $30 to enter, started nine years ago with just five contestants. The winner gets $500 and will be crowned by Miss Arizona.
 Nearly 100 people showed up to watch last year’s patio contest. All proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project, which runs sports programs for wounded U.S. soldiers.
Restaurant owner Jeff Flancer hopes to raise $20,000 for the project this year. In addition to the pizza contest, the restaurant hosted a pair of cigar and port events last week.
Several businesses have donated $1,000 raffle packages ranging from a trip to Las Vegas to a 50/50 raffle matched by Meridian Bank. Raffle tickets are $5 apiece or five for $20.
There also are several prizes available through silent auctions, including Diamondbacks baseball tickets, golf packages and gift baskets.
People can buy raffle tickets or bid on auction items anytime until the restaurant closes Sunday evening. Winners will be announced Monday.
“Our goal is $20,000,” Jones says. “We’re feeling pretty confident we’re going to get it.”
Flancer’s, 610 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, will hold its ninth annual pizza-eating contest at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Free to watch. Info: (480) 926-9077 or flancers.com.
Posted in: Gilbert • Flancer's | Post a Comment »
April 22nd, 2009, 3:08 pm by Jess Harter
 More than 20,000 people are expected to sample nearly 75 salsas at the 25th annual My Nana’s Salsa Challenge, a fund-raiser for the Arizona Hemophilia Association, Saturday at Tempe Beach Park.
The festival requires chefs, both amateur and professional, to create salsas on-site. The competiton has three categories – individual, restaurant and business – with hot and mild classes in each.
Two-time grand champion Jeff Coronado returns to seek his third straight title. The Surprise resident also won last year’s individual mild category. Other 2008 winners include Macayo’s in the restaurant mild category and Dos Gringos in restaurant hot.
The challenge also features a margarita mix-off with local bartenders from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be margaritas and beer for sale, as well as grilled burgers and hot dogs.
Champagne Tap, The Chadwicks and Jody & Shining Star will provide live music. A children’s zone will offer bounce houses, an obstacle course and a rock climbing wall.
My Nana’s Salsa Challenge runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Tempe Beach Park, Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway. Tickets are $10 (free for children 12 and younger). Info: (602) 955-3947 or salsachallenge.com
Posted in: Tempe • Salsa Challenge | Post a Comment »
April 22nd, 2009, 2:50 pm by Jess Harter
 Queen Creek’s Schnepf Farms, the largest peach grower in Arizona, will conclude its third season of orchard dinners with a peach-themed menu Saturday.
This month’s four-course dinner will be prepared by Todd Sicolo, executive chef at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, and includes:
• Frozen peach gazpacho made with candied peach, sweet bread croutons, vanilla cream and minted simple syrup.
• Peach and smoked almond salad with charred chorizo crisps, lavender honey and fresh lime.
• Peach barbecued pork T-bones with cheddar potatoes, creamed corn, grilled asparagus and peach preserves
• Peach cobbler with caramel white chocolate gelato and candied peaches.
Guests will get to pick peaches at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30. About 36 spots remain for the 100-person event.
The cost of the dinner is $80, which includes wine, tax and tip. Info: (480) 987-3100 or schnepffarms.com.
Posted in: Queen Creek • Schnepf Farms | Post a Comment »
April 21st, 2009, 9:46 pm by Jess Harter
The first couple of times I tried pho, the noodle soup that’s Vietnam’s signature dish, I thought it was just OK. Maybe a little bland for my taste.
Then someone explained the bowl of broth, rice noodles and sliced meat was just a foundation, the equivalent of a hamburger patty on a bun.
How plain would that burger be without ketchup, mustard, pickles, onions, etc.?
I was shown how the pho (pictured below) could change with the addition of the various garnishes served on the side. How green onions, cilantro and Thai basil broaden the flavor.
 How a few spoonfuls of hot Sriracha sauce bring up the spice level and change the flavor profile yet again. Then how squeezing in some fresh lime juice tames it just a bit while building even more complexity.
By the time my pho was fully prepped, it was amazing. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to introduce my friends and family to Vietnamese food.
Fortunately, the East Valley is home to a number of good Vietnamese restaurants. Topping my list is Cyclo Vietnamese Cuisine in Chandler.
Located on the southeast corner of Dobson Road and Chandler Boulevard, this strip-mall eatery is part family-owned restaurant, part hip hangout.
It’s a small place, with just a dozen tiny white tables, but the recently remodeled interior sizzles with color and attitude, the latter provided in great part by charismatic owner Justina Duong.
 Always stylishly dressed, the 30-ish Duong (pictured at right) moves from table to table, chatting with guests or, just as often, good-naturedly giving them a hard time. All seem to enjoy it.
Cyclo’s menu is a full roster of authentic Vietnamese favorites, none more than $10. (I won’t bother with the Vietnamese names; the menu also includes the names in English.)
Appetizers range from spring rolls filled with pork and shrimp ($3.50) to tamarind-glazed pork short ribs ($5). My favorite, though, are the spicy green beans ($6), coated with sweet soy sauce and sprinkled with chili pepper flakes.
The beans are listed under the vegetable dishes, but I find they make a perfect starter.
In my pre-pho days, the crispy lemongrass chicken ($8) was my standard order. There’s no table prep needed, but the small pieces require a basic proficiency with chopsticks since I’ve never seen a fork at Cyclo.
 There are four kinds of noodle soup. Duong will tell you the beef ($7) is the best, and I have to agree. The braised brisket is tender yet flavorful.
The soups come with chopsticks and a flat spoon. Use the chopsticks to lift the noodles into the spoon, then top the noodles with meat. Dunk the whole mixture into the broth and enjoy.
If there’s an entree that has the potential to replace the beef noodle soup as my favorite, it’s the Hanoi rice vermicelli ($10, pictured above). It arrives in two bowls — one of broth with grilled pork and sausage, the other for the thin pasta — with a third to mix portions of each together.
If you’re making your first foray into Vietnamese food, it all can be a little confusing. Learning the ins and outs takes some time.
But it’s an enjoyable journey, and Cyclo is a great place to start.
Cyclo Vietnamese Cuisine
Where: 1919 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler (southeast corner of Chandler Boulevard and Dobson Road)
Open: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday for lunch; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday for dinner.
Prices: Appetizers $3.50-$6, salads $5-$6, meat dishes $8-$10, noodle soups $7-$10, noodle dishes $8-$10, vegetable dishes $5-$9.
Info: (480) 963-4490 or cycloaz.com.
Posted in: Chandler • Cyclo | 3 Comments »
April 21st, 2009, 9:35 am by Jess Harter
The good news: Ben & Jerry’s is doing its annual Free Cone Day from noon to 8 p.m. today. The bad news: Only one of the two B&Js in the East Valley is participating. It’s the one at 9301 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale.
If that’s not convenient for you, you can wait until April 29 for Baskin-Robbins’ annual 31-cent scoop day from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. You can find your nearest B-R location here.
In non-ice-cream deals, Dunkin’ Donuts is selling 16-ounce iced coffees today for 50 cents.
Posted in: Valleywide • Baskin-Robbins • Ben & Jerry's | Post a Comment »
April 21st, 2009, 6:36 am by Jess Harter
Fried bologna sandwich, anyone?
Country music star Toby Keith, who scored a 2003 hit with “I Love This Bar,” has opened his long-awaited Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill at Mesa Riverview.
The restaurant, which was announced more than a year ago, is huge — 20,000 square feet of rough wood, corrugated steel and polished concrete. The centerpiece is an 85-foot island bar shaped like a guitar.
There’s also a glass-enclosed VIP lounge with private bar, two private dining rooms that look like sheds (pictured), a dance floor, a store selling Keith’s CDs and clothing and, of course, a mechanical bull.
 The country-themed menu, backed by embroidered saddle leather, offers burgers ($7.99-$12.99), sandwiches ($8.99-$10.99) and entrees ($10.99-
$22.99), including:
• A fried bologna sandwich with Miracle Whip dressing on garlic toast ($9.99);
• A “4×4” bacon cheeseburger, with four strips of bacon and four slices of cheese ($8.99);
• Deep-fried Twinkies with whipped cream and strawberries (two for $4.99, pictured below); and
• Draft beer served in 32-ounce Mason jars ($6.25).
 Of course, all these pale in comparison to the “Arizona 100-Ounce Challenge,” a 32-ounce beef patty, 4 ounces of cheese and 6 ounces of “fixin’s” on a 10-ounce bun, along with 16 ounces of “Freedom fries” and a 32-ounce beverage.
The challenge, which costs $29.99, already has been attempted twice in the restaurant’s first few days. Both were unsuccessful.
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, 1065 N. Dobson Road, Mesa, is open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. weekends. Info: (480) 844-8629 or tobykeithusa.com.
Posted in: Mesa • Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill | 37 Comments »
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