Browsing Category Authors

I’m always one to extend birthdays so today I took Joanne out to lunch to extend her birthday. She made time in her hectic schedule as Director, Media and Public Relations, for U-Haul to a fabulous lunch at Crazy Jim’s. It was her choice. We both ordered Gyros. Had traditional humus as an appetizer. They know how to make humus! Joanne and I spent time gossiping about our parents over healthy gyros that spilled over into our plates. I couldn’t finish mine it way too much but very yummy. Joanne’s comment “They’re Great!”

You would think I was Italian with all this focus on Italian restaurants but I promise I love all types of Food! I have to admit this is a little surprise of a place in Gilbert, Arizona called Baci Bistro. Small Ma Pa restaurant which serves up traditional Italian. After a long day of moving from Chandler to Gilbert a nice hot meal of in store at Baci. If you love traditional Italian this is a great place. I enjoyed the Pasta Paisano mix of prosciutto, peas, and mushrooms sautéed in a vodka sauce over any type of pasta. I happen to like it on penne. Baci owned by Frank, Lisa, Michael and Anthony Greco have sweet beginnings in Illinois. Frank Greco married his sweetheart Lisa.

Yum, Yum, Yum! Famous Dave’s is very yummy. Not being a huge fan of getting down and dirty with my food but I loved this experience and love the fact they are aces in great marketing. To help me keep them top of mind in barbeque, Lauren, our lovely dining host gave us a bottle of Famous Dave’s Rich and Saucy BBQ sauce. I’ve been spreading the love on everything!

Mind you the portions are not for the faint of heart. My father indulged himself in a platter of baby back ribs. He delicately devoured in 15 minutes. My mother had the Sweet & Sassy Grilled Salmon platter. The salmon was bathed in a pineapple BBQ glaze. I couldn’t resist Dave’s Favorite 1/2 lb. burger with Jack cheese, bacon and slathered with Dave’s Rich and Sassy BBQ Sauce. Yummy! My parents give Famous Dave’s two “Not Bads”. I give Famous Dave’s a You Got To Try It!

You can’t fool a kid who grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut about pizza. To this day nothing compares to Dominic’s Pizza in Waterbury especially the sausage pizza. They made their own sausage and it fried in small round balls.

Though some pizza aficionados would argue that in New Haven’s Italian section of Wooster Square, Sally’s and/or Pepe’s serves the best pizza in the world. In my opinion New York City really only has a hand full of great pizza’s places. Don’t let anyone tell you the overly cheesy Ray’s is the best until they tried Arturo’s, Don Giovanni’s, or Grimaldi’s under the Brooklyn Bridge. Traveling the world over you can trust me deep-dish pizza can only be created in Chicago. But Nikki Buchanan was right when she wrote about Pizzeria Bianco and Chris Bianco should be fawned over. Located in Historic Heritage Square on Adams Street in Phoenix, Bianco Pizzeria serves up the pie to die for.

Wanting to have a special dining experience for extended celebration of Joanne Fried’s birthday. Without reservations it well worth the very long wait which we spent at the Wine Bar next door before our table was ready.

Digging into three pizzas between the four of us. White pizza with Schreiner’s fennel sausage and thick sweet onions sat on smoked mozzarella, any Wise Guy would be proud to sink his teeth. Arugula and cheese with lots of garlic no sauce was also very yummy. And the traditional basil and tomato with cheese was a favorite. It was all about the light airy piecrust, which doesn’t leave you feeling overstuffed and needing to do extra sit-ups at the gym.

I’ve been a close friend of Manos Magagiannis for over 10 years, he’s been like a brother to me. Manos’ mother comes to visit him from Greece and cooks up a feast for his dear friends when she’s in town. It makes it very hard for me to eat Greek Food without a certain bias. My Big Fat Greek Restaurant (M.B.F.G.R.) in the Chandler Fashion Center has a festive atmosphere and at times could be as loud as Greek restaurants in Astoria, NY. I especially enjoyed the platter of spreads including humus, eggplant, yogurt and cucumber, and caviar. The humus was a bit too sweet for my sensitive palette. Humus should be a perfect blend of chickpeas, garlic, lemon and a hint of parsley. This is how I make it.

Beware the portions are bigger than you think. My mother and I both had the lamb chops, which were nicely grilled. There were two starches served with our dinner rice and potatoes. I would recommend they serve a choice of rice or potatoes with more vegetables, so there is no waste. My father had the gyro with beef and lamb and he only finished half. That would be a first for him.

M.B.F.G.R. is great for large parties who want to party. I wouldn’t suggest this setting for the imitate dining experience unless of course this is your thing.

It was a wonderful slightly chilly evening for a stroll through Scottsdale’s finest galleries. Before strolling it dining before dining we had libations at Kazimierz, the wine bar. Though not drinking much at all these days I still couldn’t resist a place with atmosphere. Kazimierz is more than just a great list of wines it’s a romantic mysterious nook hidden off the beaten track in Old Town section of Scottdale. I took my parents out for the evening, which is always a challenge because of various dietary constraints, but this evening was full of surprises.

After Kazimierz we dined at Cowboy Ciao. Yes, that’s Cowboy Ciao u’all. They don’t mess around; the beginning of the menu starts you off right with the desserts. You work your way through to another menu with 2,300 wines from various parts of the world.

Cowboy Ciao doesn’t have servers that just wouldn’t be a proper dining experience. They have instigator and instigate is exactly what David Winstein did. This would be my first experience with an empathic Epicurean of gastronomy. He is blessed with understanding nutrient needs. When it came to the beverage decision my father, the most difficult to please couldn’t understand why there wasn’t any Budweiser on the menu. David quickly came to the rescue with a Polish beer, Okacim larger, OK for short. “Not bad”, was the comment from my father. When my parents rate something as “not bad” that is their seal of approval for really good.

Dinner began with Stetson Chopped Salad with smoked salmon, and Rock Shrimp Bruschetta. An amazing mixture of sensuous tastes! To my surprise they gave us the recipe for the salad! As Nancy came by to clear the table she was shocked at how quickly we finished “Did you breathe?” she asked. It was so good, why let it linger?

Main entrees were Stuffed Pork Rib Chop with Blue Cheese and Savory Bread Pudding and Slow Roasted Spare Ribs with Cherry Barbecue Sauce. David matched the Stuffed Pork Rib Chop perfectly with a white burgundy, Rully, Chartron et Trebuchet 2002. The dinner was very yummy and filling. I’m glad my mother and I split a plate. Dessert was a delightful Chocolate PotPie with Chili Gelato, and that certainly was the big finish!

After a thoroughly tasty artistic dining experience we truly needed a walk. We started out by jumping on the Trolley, which dropped us off at Main Street. Our first gallery hop was Chiaroscuro. The pieces were decorative and well defined. I especially liked Paula Roland’s work. As we walked along Main Street the next gallery I noted similarities in the fine art pieces. There is a limit on the risk taking in art scene in Scottsdale, which accounts for many clinging to old style masters or western genre. They have an understanding of their customer and know what will sell base.

I met Jeff Dippo’ at American Fine Art Editions. We had a very clever conversation about Salvador Dali. I enlightened him to a technique Dali used to know he entering dream-state. Balancing a shot glass on his palm and when the glass fell off his hand and broke on the floor Dali knew he was asleep and would begin painting. Learned this from my dear friend, Peter Weller. Jeff in return tied to persuade me to buy a Dali. I’ll think about that I thought to myself.

As we strolled up Main Street to Marshall there was music in the air with live bands playing. It was fun festive. We made our way to a few more galleries. Willow Gallery was the more romantic of each piece the flavored was lovely and beautiful. Subjects were with ballet dancers, nudes, and landscapes rich in color. That wasn’t a southwestern accent I heard coming from gallery owner, Shaun Alderman it is British. I had a lovely conversation with Shaun regarding Northern England and Pam Riding who lives there.

My overall experience was most enjoyable! I urge you to join me in my adventure in Phoenix. Next writings will consist of meeting local artists, Dr. Joe Dispenza from film “What the Bleep Do We Know”, the classic car show, and meeting Mary Lou Quinlan at her book signing in Phoenix. Stay clicked-in for the best of the desert. Yes, I have made Phoenix my new home. There are lots of opportunities here and I’ll be your guide.

After seeing “Meet the Fockers” we dined at Marcellino Ristorante on E. Northern Avenue in Phoenix. Andre Bormanis’ friends, Gary and Nary Sacks suggested the restaurant. Marcellino is wonderful! Delicious is every sense of the word!

Owned by Marcellino and Sima Verzino, interestingly enough had a restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen, a few streets from where I lived in Manhattan. I remember their restaurant well. But they out did themselves and spoiled Phoenix with exquisite recipes, which tantalize your tongue.

Friendly and cozy atmosphere, with knowledgeable food hosts (I really don’t like the term waiter especially in a restaurant like this)that make you feel extra special. If you’re in the mood for awesome Italian I encourage you to give them a try.