On a recent late Sunday morning, I was cruising south from Saguaro National Park East on Old Spanish Trail heading more or less toward Colossal Cave when I suddenly came upon The Settlement Smokehouse. Turning abruptly into the parking lot, this establishment seemed somehow familiar. Didn’t this use to be … let me think … [...]
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A couple of years ago, our dear Tucson friends, Dan & Wanda, moved to Austin, TX. On a rare visit back to the Old Pueblo, they stayed with Ms. Karen & me for several days recently. We had a lovely time together, as always. That was expected. What wasn’t expected was their “must go to” [...]
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Not too long ago I posted an article about our Behind The Scenes Tour of the new Warden Aquarium at the Desert Museum. In that piece I included a photograph of two young gentlemen, perhaps 5 and 7 years of age, with their hands in the Touch Tank learning about sea life up close and [...]
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April 2013 The ancient Roman poet we call Virgil (70 BC – 19 BC) taught us an important lesson when he wrote the epic Aeneid. “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.” I was reminded of that proverb recently. I had just been seated by the hostess at Opa! Greek Cuisine & Fun on N. Campbell when the “gift” was place on my table. It consisted of a rather large plate of sliced pita bread and two dips: one hummus and the other cucumber. Generally I don’t much care for hummus and I had all the cucumbers I’ll ever want when we were in Egypt. I inquired of the hostess as to why I was being served this “appetizer” since I had not ordered it. “Oh,” said she, “it’s complimentary. Try it. You’ll like it.” What was I to do? Since I was dining at Opa! to write a dining review, I … Continue reading
I have been searching for a steakhouse that serves a better ribeye than I can BBQ at home. I almost always purchase my ribeyes from Costco. They are ALWAYS better than any of the big-name grocery stores. If you know what you’re looking for, you can pick up a generous package of prime-cut ribeye’s for the cost of U.S.D.A. choice.
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Chef Massimo Tennino describes his Tavolino as “an inviting restaurant that feels like an Italian neighborhood trattoria. Tavolino specializes in simple, elegant food, including fresh salads, homemade pastas, succulent roast and grilled meats, rotisserie chicken and game, and luscious desserts. Tavolino brings Italy to life in Tucson.” Thus far, I have no argument with his self-description, but I will have to return a few more times and try some other dishes.
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February 2013 Last Labor Day, Ms. Karen & I had lunch at Old Pueblo Grille. If you read my review, you know our meal was disappointing, although the Rattlesnake Eggs were delicious (jalapeno peppers with cream cheese wrapped in bacon). When I write a negative review, I try to go back when management thinks I will have a good experience. So, this is a re-review. About once a month, my friend Jeff & I dine somewhere I can review a restaurant for the Dining Section. So it was back to the Old Pueblo Grille in the hope that I could write a positive review. I really wish I could. The place was packed, so obviously a lot of Tucsonans think it’s OK. But in all honesty, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend it to my friends & family – which is our base criterion for either a four or five saguaro rating. While waiting for Jeff … Continue reading
February 2013 Our search for the best hamburger continues. Last year we chose Zinburger #1 & Red Robin at the Tucson Mall #2. This year I’m going to expand that list because almost everyone loves a great burger. Moreover, there seems to be a considerable increase in competition for this category. Recently, and entirely by happenstance, I dined at the new The Lodge Sasquatch Kitchen. I was looking for a particular book at Barnes & Nobles in the Foothills Mall. As I came out with my prize, Jefferson: The Art of Power by John Meacham (highly recommended), and walked to my car, I realized that there is a new restaurant across the parking lot. As I recalled, this used to be a Greek restaurant. As I approached the front entry, it was abundantly clear that this place was no longer Greek. A couple of huge wooden Yeti statues greeted me. I soon learned that … Continue reading
If you’re looking for a different yet pleasant dining experience, Chef Alisah’s Restaurant is highly recommended. We will be adding Chef Alisah’s to our 2012 List of the Best Restaurants In Southern Arizona as we update for 2013.
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Marinara’s in Oro Valley. The restaurant’s tag line is “East Coast Italian Where The Sauce Sells Itself.” I like “East Coast” Italian. I have fond memories of Italian dining in New York City and Baltimore, MD, so I was looking forward to writing this review.
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There I was, in this quaint little bakery on North Oracle, munching on an open-face turkey sandwich on French bread with a side of potato salad – all gluten-free – and enjoying the meal immensely. This was unexpected. Like most people who have tried gluten-free bread and other gluten-free foods, my limited experience was that [...]
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First, right there on the Metro Restaurants website, it says they are partners with El Charro Café, one of the very few places (the original downtown) in all of Southern Arizona that has earned a 5-Saguaro rating from us. By association, Old Pueblo Grille was sure to be a great dining experience.
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Just about every time I have gone to Bisbee over the past year I have tried to dine at Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant. However, something always managed to spoil my plans…until last week.I had heard a lot of positive comments about Santiago’s as I wandered Old Bisbee taking photographs and talking with the natives. Now I know why. Just walking in the front door will put a smile on your face. The interior is light and colorful, even playful. Very Mexican in the best possible sense. Santiago’s is a happy place.
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There’s nothing about the general appearance of Liv Café & Bistro to suggest anything but ordinary. I mean, inside it sorta looks like just another Starbucks, only more sparse. The patio seating is OK, but it’s not like there’s a great view or anything. But…
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June 2012 To escape the oppressive June heat a few weeks ago, we drove up to Mt. Lemmon for the day. Traveling with Ms. Karen & me were her brother & our sister-in-law, Cliff & Lynne, visiting from Florida for the first time. Another reason I wanted to go was that I had heard there [...]
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Add the Santa Cruz Chili & Spice, Inc.to your Christmas Shopping List either by mail order or drive down to Tumacacori just for the wonderful smell of it. The Santa Cruz Chili Company should be on everyone’s list. There is something for everyone’s list here, Chili’s, sauces, herbs and spices, jams, jellies and lots more. Family owned for more than 60 years, these Southwestern products is famous for its unique items.
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Our review of Nimbus American Bistro & Brewery is #3 in our series on Southern Arizona craft breweries. Once again, my sampling partner, Michael Polletta, and I continued our arduous journey through Southern Arizona with the singular goal to sample all the beers brewed by our local microbreweries. We started several weeks ago at Thunder [...]
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It was brought to my attention recently that our Southern Arizona Guide website lacks a local brewery section. Stung by such criticism, I set out to rectify this regrettable oversight. But there was this little problem. Well, actually several. First, I didn’t know much about beers. Thus, I enlisted the able assistance of one Michael [...]
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Barrio Brewing Company: 2nd in my series on local breweries. In my first local brewery review, Thunder Canyon Brewery, I shared my general preferences and prejudices regarding beer. So, I don’t need to repeat them here. As we did at Thunder Canyon, Michael Polletta and I each ordered the sampler rack. We also ordered food [...]
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May 2012 I have discovered a second Asian restaurant that I can whole-heartedly recommend. The first was OM Modern Asian Kitchen with its delicious and eclectic choices of Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Malaysian. And unlike most Asian restaurants in Tucson, OM has a small, but well-chosen selection of wines. In my continuing quest to determine the three best Asian restaurants in Tucson, Ms. Stella and I headed over to Kazoku Sushi & Japanese Cuisine on East Speedway for lunch. As we walked in the front door, the chef, who was behind the sushi bar preparing the day’s meals, greeted us with a warm smile. The hostess, a slight, pleasant Asian woman, seated us promptly. While Ms. Stella chatted with her about certain particulars on the menu, I had a chance to look around. I could tell from the décor that I was in a Japanese establishment, but the … Continue reading
As noted several days ago with the Vivace Restaurant review, I occasionally post reviews by others I know well and trust their judgment in such matters. Scott Reed and his wife Sheryl are friends who visit us from Wisconsin in the fall or spring. This past April, they resided in our casita and enjoyed our [...]
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Scott & Sheryl Reed are friends from Wisconsin who have stayed with Ms. Karen and me several times. Last year they dined at Vivace and thought the experience so exceptional they wanted to go again and this time write a review. With those I know to have discriminating tastes, I will occasionally invite them to [...]
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Last week (April 2012) I had a most pleasant business lunch. My dining companion was Paul Hopman, a local artist whose specialty is scratchboard. If you have not had the pleasure of seeing Paul’s work, go to his website. He suggested the Tucson Tamale Company on Broadway. That worked for me ‘cause (1) I had [...]
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On the third and final day of our Southeastern Arizona adventure, we started early. Deborah Mendelsohn, our Simpson Hotel B&B innkeeper in Duncan, had prepared a delicious take-along breakfast for us the night before. Normally, we would have slept in and enjoyed breakfast with her and the other guests, but we had a lot of [...]
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This is a review of a Tucson Japanese restaurant. But first … Disclaimers: I have never been to Japan, so I have no idea what REALLY GOOD Japanese cuisine is suppose to taste like. Asian food is not my favorite. I have an aversion to the idea of eating seaweed and raw fish. Besides, [...]
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