Note: All photos in this post were taken with my iPhone 3GS
2010 marked my first full year as a Phoenix, Arizona resident. I moved to Phoenix from the San Francisco Bay Area and many people wonder why I'd leave an area so rich in culture, food, and diversity to a place that is perceived as a poster child for your basic land of suburban chain restaurants. What kind of bounty in fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood could one have in the desert versus the lushness of the California coast and farm land?
Well actually, there are plenty of wonderful things to eat out here, and yeah, Phoenix is no Bay Area, so I won't even compare the two, but Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the US, and the food scene here is still growing.
I was thrilled to learn that there are some well known Bay Area chefs who have places out here in the Valley of the Sun. Oh yes! Michael Minna has Bourbon Steak in the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, and owners Amy and Kevin Binkley have Binkley's Restaurant and Cafe Bink to delight noshers with their very creative flair. Chef Kevin worked under Thomas Keller, chef/owner of The French Laundry.
I haven't eaten at Bourbon Steak, Binkley's, or Bink Cafe yet, but they are definitely on the "must do" for 2011.
Some of the best artisan ice cream you will find anywhere is Sweet Republic. These two ladies left the Bay Area for Phoenix metro as well for better opportunities, and they most certainly found it here! If I whip out my magic ball, I see Sweet Republic going national one day. Yes, their ice cream is that good, and can not only be found in their shop, and mobile ice cream truck, but at all the local Whole Foods markets. In 2009, Bon Appetit named Sweet Republic as one of the 10 best ice cream shops in the US.
So, in 2010, in no particular order, here are the 10 best things I ate here in Phoenix. Note: This list is not a "Best of Phoenix" just the best things I ate in 2010 at places I visited this year. I haven't been to every restaurant in Phoenix yet...pacing myself here! There are plenty more awesome foods and in 2011, I plan on venturing to even more new spots.
Rice Pudding at Calistro Bistro: What is amazing about this dessert is that it is dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free and tastes amazing! Because of my dairy & egg allergies, desserts at restaurants for me are usually a choice of sorbet or sorbet. I was thrilled to find this rice pudding!
BBQ Pit Beans at Joe's Real BBQ: I have driven all the way from NorDale where I live down to Gilbert (about 35 miles) just to get these beans. What I find fascinating about these beans is that there are lima beans in there along with your usual suspect beans and nice chunks of ham. I also dig that the sauce is on the sweet side. These are magical beans I tell you.
Gnocchi in lobster sauce with sun-dried tomato, basil, and garlic shrimp at Talavera at Four Seasons Scottsdale: I voted this dish as the best at the food show, "Phoenix Cooks." Technically, I shouldn't be eating this dish because it has dairy in it, but I was so intrigued by the ingredients, that I took one bite and ended up eating a small bowl of it. Luckily, I didn't feel too sick afterward which I take as a good sign.
I recommended Talavera during Arizona Restaurant Week 2010, and besides the fabulous food, Executive Chef Mel and his team are just the nicest people. This Gnocchi is not a regular on the menu, but if you ask for it specifically, they will make it. Just mention, "It's the gnocchi you made at Phoenix Cooks."
Pernil Asado at Fuego Bistro: Fuego is a hidden gem in Phoenix. When you pull up to the place, you almost think you're in the wrong area, but this spot is a must! I was blown away by their pork dish because it tastes like how they make shredded pork in Hawaii. To be honest, mainlanders have a rough time doing pork Hawaiian style, but Fuego does a pretty darn awesome job of it. Their Pernil Asado is marinated for 24 hours and slow roasted for 7 hours. And the people there, again, some of the nicest folks I've met in town.
Ceviche at Deseo at The Westin Kierland: If you have Westin points you want to use, definitely come to Phoenix for a relaxing weekend and stay at the Westin Kierland just so you can eat at Deseo and feast on their ceviche. At dinner, you have six ceviche dishes to choose from, and in their muddle bar, you can enjoy some of the most fabulous mojitos I've ever had. I'm telling you, you will be a very pleased. I'm that confident!
For the most part, seafood was pretty underwhelming to me here in Phoenix, but again, I have a really high bar as I'm used to seafood in the Bay Area, but Deseo blows that underwhelm out of the water....literally. I never knew fish could taste like this. Chef Douglas Rodriquez who appeared on Top Chef Masters and has a cookbook just about ceviche, "The Great Ceviche Book
Red Quinoa Salad at St. Francis: Quinoa and Kale are two of my favorite power foods, and you don't see these ingredients that often in restaurants. So, you can imagine how thrilled I was to see Quinoa on a menu, and this Quinoa dish is a smash hit. The St. Francis Quinoa is also a great intro for those who have never tried Quinoa before and are curious to try it.
Tie - Bison Chili and Chocolate Pudding at True Food Kitchen: If I had to pick just one restaurant I love in Phoenix it would be True Food Kitchen based on Dr. Andrew Weil's anti-inflammation diet. I consider TFK my 3rd home, and a model for a restaurant I'd like to open one day. Two dishes that are beyond belief are the bison chili, and the chocolate pudding which is vegan and soy-free. The pudding is basically just almond milk and cocoa, and is thick and creamy, and every time I have recommended it, people give me that OMG look. Yeah, it's that fabulous.
The bison chili is not a regular menu item and it currently only appears as a soup of the day on occasion. I would seriously start a campaign to get this bison chili as a regular lunch item because it NEEDS to be. The bison chili coupled with the TFK signature kale salad is unbelievable.
Gambas Al Ajillo at Tapas Papa Frita: I wish I had a better photo of these shrimp because they deserve the spotlight. Now, this dish is just basically garlic, shrimp, and white wine but they must have some other magical ingredient in there because after taking one bite of this shrimp, my mouth was in heaven. In fact, I was in heaven. Coupled with a champagne Sangria, you cannot go wrong at Tapas Papa Frita which features Spanish tapas. They have outdoor seating which I highly recommend if you go when the sun is setting. It's very romantic.
Sweet Potato Tater Tots at West Addison Tavern in DC Ranch: Two of my favorite things in food sweet potato and tater tots in one. Touchdown! Yes, my inner 3rd grader still cannot get enough of the tater tots and luckily Whole Foods makes organic tots. I have never in my life seen a sweet potato tater tot and so yes, I was doing the cabbage patch upon finding these SP tots.
Butternut Squash Enchiladas at Whole Foods Chandler: I found these enchiladas in the hot food bar at the Whole Foods in Chandler and holey cow! What I loved most was that there was practically no cheese in this enchilada which frankly wasn't missed, and the use of all kinds of vibrant veggies. I give the chef kudos for creativity and amazing flavor. I have only seen the enchiladas a few times, but being that it's Whole Foods who loves to please their customers, I have no doubt that if asked, they would make these enchiladas.
And there you have the 10 best noshiest things I ate in Phoenix in 2010, my first year as a resident. If you have any recommendations, please do let me know. Happy New Year!
