North Tucson Dining
Chef Alisah’s Restaurant: A Review of Bosnian Dining in Tucson
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.
Continue readingJ. Marinara’s Casual East Coast Italian Dining: A Review
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.
Continue readingGarden Bistro at Tohono Chul Park: A Review
September 2012 Many months ago I dined at Tohono Chul Park’s Tea Room for lunch and chronicled my experience in a fairly negative review. I’m pleased to tell you that things have changed there and entirely for the better. Tohono Chul Park, near Ina & Oracle, is one of our family’s favorite Tucson places. We [...]
Continue readingThunder Canyon Brewery: A Review
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 [...]
Continue readingWildflower has Many Mysteries
December, 2011 We two had completed our errands and were trying to decide where to eat lunch. I used my mobile device to consult tripadvisor.com. Their customer reviews rate Wildflower highly. I checked their website. According to their menu, Wildflower says they continue “to set the standard for innovative, yet classic, American cuisine with European and Asian influences.” Hummm. Sounds intriguingly vague, not to mention contradictory, all at the same time. Just as their public relations specialists intended. But, if the food is good, I can forgive their circuitous propaganda. As we approached the front of Wildflower, we observed a very nice patio area with a walkway down through the center to the main entrance. At the door, the young, beautiful, and half-naked hostess asked if we would like to be seated on the patio or inside. Generally, if the weather is nice, we prefer outside seating, but this was … Continue reading
The Bar @ Ritz Carlton Resort – Dove Mountain
Recently, Neighbor Roy and I took off in search of the most expensive lunch in Tucson. We wanted to do our part to contribute to the under-performing Tucson economy. I am delighted to report that we found it. Or, to put it another way, they saw us coming. The Ritz Carlton is new to this area. I’ve stayed at a few over the years, and particularly enjoy the Ritz just south of Laguna Beach, CA. It sits magnificently on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a view of Santa Catalina Island 26 miles off shore. So I knew lunch at their new resort at Dove Mountain north of Tucson was not going to be cheap. After a 40 minute drive from Downtown Tucson, we approached the lodge and both of us exclaimed almost in unison; “That’s the ugliest building in Tucson.” I’m sure whoever designed the exterior tried to … Continue reading
Blanco Tacos + Tequila. La Encantada Mall – Tucson.
September, 2011 BLANCO Tacos + Tequila says they offer “modern Mexican fare in a casual-chic setting. Updated classics like tacos, enchiladas, and queso crisps are reinterpreted with fresh, flavorful, and unique ingredients.” That they do and they said it better than I could. Blanco is not ‘authentic’ Tucson. It’s very new and in theory could be anywhere USA. But you can sit on the patio overlooking the city and have yourself a fine Mexican meal. Like North just around the corner, it’s on the upper level of La Encantada. 2905 E Skyline Drive; Tucson AZ 85718 520-232-1007 Hours: Sun – Thu 11am to 10pm; Fri – Sat 11am to 11pm; Happy Hour Daily 4pm to 6pm. … Continue reading
North
Generally, my criteria for dining recommendations includes ‘authenticity’, as in authentically Tucson. I’m gonna make an exception, ’cause North is that good. I almost never go to a shopping mall, but North is located at the far end of La Encantada, Tucson’s attempt to recreate Rodeo Drive.
Continue readingThe Grill at Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch – Tucson
July, 2011 Is the Grill at Hacienda del Sol the best non-Mexican restaurant in Tucson? I’m trying to think of where I have had a better dining experience and nothing comes to mind. But then, I haven’t dined at every Tucson restaurant yet. We’ll see… Executive Chef Evan Philips is a master. The veggies are picked fresh every day from the Andrew Weil Garden behind the kitchen. Dinner is accompanied by pleasant live piano music. Service is great. And the view of the mountains is specular. … Continue reading
