Tag Archives: #PhoenixFood

Las 15 Salsas Mexican Restaurant Phoenix AZ – Outstanding Mole – Oaxaca Food – Worth a Fork!

Las 15 Salsas is a small Mexican Restaurant that specializes in serving Oaxaca Foods. They are located in the Sunny Slope area of Phoenix Arizona. English is the second language here so if you don’t know your memelnitas from your enmoladas then ordering might be challenging but not impossible. There is some English on the menu and the people working there speak some English. A few years back they’ve moved across the street to a slightly larger location and have expanded the menu. Some of the things they serve are Oaxcoa appetizers such as los peques (II haven’t found a translation for this) mini memelnitas (stuffed fried masa cakes) and chapulines (grasshoppers). They also offer sharing platters, tamales in banana leaves, tlayudas (large Oaxaca tortillas with lard and pork, plate sized hand made empanadas, combination plates, seafood, stews, several mole sauces and more. I didn’t notice a bar here but my husband said he noticed that they sell tequila shots. This isn’t a fancy place but looks very authentic.

Inside is very bright and colorful. There are Mexican relics on the walls with Mexican TV and music filling the air.

They also offer patio dining.

We asked a few questions about items on the menu. Our server today didn’t seem to understand and asked us if we wanted to order more food.

Anywho-

They started us off with three kinds of salsas and a basket of chips.

Today we have a creamy green sauce, a smoky salsa and a creamy very delicious but extremely hot scorching sauce.

We started out by sharing an appetizer off the Empanada Section made with quesillo (an Oaxaca cheese) and huitlacoche (Mexican Corn Truffle). ($10.)

I didn’t know that an empanada could look like this……

It’s made with a handmade corn tortilia that is absolutely delicious. The cheese is melty and flavorful. I like the mushroomy huitlacoche. If you like mushrooms then you probably would like this.

We shared a chicken enchilada trio ($14.) and a filete empanizado ($13.) (a fish dish).

WOW! What a great sampling. You can get this plate with just cheese filling and you also have the option to add on Mexican Tasajo (dried beef) and or Cesina (cured meat like ham) for $3.50.

On the left is coloradito mole, in the middle is green sauce and on the right is black mole with rice and beans on the plate. Everything is delicious. My favorite is the black mole. It’s more flavorful to me.

I was all excited when I saw fish (filete and pescado) on the menu. I accidentally thought I knew what I was reading but was slightly off………I accidentally ordered plain breaded fish….But it was still good!

The fish is nice and moist. It seems free of oil. It’s a very large portion even for dinner. It’s like it comes with a lunch for the next day. I add some sauces to it for a little interest. It also comes with hot steamy tortillas.

Here are some of the previous dishes we enjoyed from Las 15 Y Salsas.

Chicken quarter with black mole and rice

white meat chicken stuffed tortilias with black mole

memelnitas with with anise leaf black sauce and house made beef jerky

chicken stuffed chile relleno

Mimi Quesadillas Fritas

La 15 Y Salsas – Phoenix AZ – Combo De Chile Relleno $9.00 (price might have changed)

Chicken Emmolladas

I’d have to say Las 15 Salsas is Outstanding Oaxaca Food and is Worth a Fork!

They used to have a website but it appears to have been taken down. but you can find them on Facebook in Spanish.

They are located at 722 W Hatcher Road in Phoenix 85021

602-870-2056 I believe their hours to be 9am-8pm every day but you should call incase the hours have changed.

Everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale AZ is Worth a Fork! Italian Food, Pizza and Different Seasonal Specials

Leave a reply

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante is located in Citadel Plaza in North Glendale Arizona. Over the past ten years this spot has always been occupied by an Italian restaurant. When I moved here this spot was known as Tutti Santi. It closed for renovations and then in Spring 2015 it reopened as Pomo Pizzeria and Toscana Osteria. Spring 2017 this spot became the Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante that it is today. They serve Neapolitan Pizzas, hand made pastas, Italian food, brunch, seasonal specials and more. They have seating indoors-

and at a inside outside bar

and also on the dog friendly patio with a nice view.

It’s certainly one of the nicest restaurants on the metro Phoenix upper west side.

“OH MY GOSH! WE LOVE THE FOOD WE EAT AT Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante”

fresh baked bread and focaccia served with butter and oils

$8.00 Happy Hour Vegetable Plate from Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante

They offer very good bread, pizzas and pastas. The menu offers a lot of variety and the seasonal specials are usually interesting.

farro salad with pesto mozzarella avocado and chicken

pizza Milano Special – extra thin with Calabrian Chile Oil

Here was pizza al taggio at only $5.00…..

1/2 Italian dried beef panino with pasta fagoli

Here is speck and pistachio pizza special.

Piccante panino imported prosciutto crudo, soppressata, Florida di latte, house sauce, house made ciabatta

The mushrooms stuffed mushroom special in polenta.

Trofie pasta in pesto

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale is Worth a Fork!

www.BottegaRistorante.com

Everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

My Brunch at Sel Restaurant in Scottsdale AZ

2 Replies

Sel is a small upscale fine dining restaurant located in Old Town Scottsdale Arizona. I’ve always wanted to try this restaurant and it always was among choices for a special occasion for me. It got moved up the list real fast when I found out that I could try it for brunch. It was a very nice day today so we sat on the patio.

We started with an appetizer of black truffle deviled eggs ($16.).

They came out looking pretty like a painting. They are very different to me. The whites have a very soft texture maybe from a water oven. The yolks are usually creamy. I don’t get the black truffle. They are flavored with dijon vinaigrette and tarragon aioli and are garnished with crisp chicken skin, some micro greens. They are strong….but not too strong…with acid and salt….. Then I remind myself of where I am.

Sel. (means salt in French)

My main course is the Piri Piri Chicken ($18.) Our waiter explained that my plate would be different than described because the waffle iron broke and instead of the waffle I’d be getting a lemon-blueberry ricotta Dutch Baby pancake instead. I never ate a Dutch Baby pancake before and it did sound intriguing so I said ok.

The Dutch Baby Pancake is studded with blueberries and seems rich like a custardy quiche from the ricotta cheese. I’m not really sure if the spicy maple syrup really goes with either the Dutch Baby or the Chicken but it’s good with the plainer ends of the Dutch Baby. The Chicken is very moist and tasty. Not real spicy like Piri Piri Peppers but very tasty.

My husband had the crispy Iberico pork skirt steak ($28.).

It’s made of perfectly poached eggs, crisp grated patty of potatoes, arugula-preserved lemon slaw and creole hollandaise.

I decide that I can splurge for dessert and try the flourless chocolate tiramisu ($14.).

It’s very soft and also very smooth ….. It’s softer than lady fingers and cream. It has a little just right crunch from the hazelnut praline. The house made dulce deleche gelato is flavored nicely. I am extra sensitive to coffee flavors. To me the chocolate taste more like coffee than chocolate. I guess most people like it better that way but it’s still a good dessert.

Chances are you might visit a restroom during your stay. Both restrooms are accented with salt shakers.

The main dining room is pictured below.

The magic happens here.

That was my brunch at Sel Restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale AZ.

www.SelRestaurant.com

Everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

Dining out with DOGS in Metro Phoenix February 2020

Leave a reply

Dining out with dogs is just a “Fluff” story about taking my dogs out to eat. It all sort of started when my dog Louie came down with aggressive cancer. He was also old and couldn’t enjoy a lot of things but he always enjoyed going out to eat so I took him out to eat as often as possible. Instead of his 3-6 month diagnosis Louie made it another 17 months. Today my current dogs enjoy going out to eat.

There are several things that you need to know before you dine out with dogs. Many restaurants here in Phoenix have patios but not all patios are dog friendly. It’s ALWAYS BEST to call any restaurant and ask if it’s ok to dine there on the patio with your dog. It is also ALWAYS BEST to dine at off times to avoid other diners and other dogs. Many people don’t share your love for dogs and some people are allergic. It is also best to avoid other dogs because dogs enjoy barking at each other and if your dog barks you might be asked to leave.

There are a few rules for dining out with dogs. One is your dog must be close to you and be by your side at all times. Also dogs are not to sit on restaurant furniture or eat off restaurant plates. It is also a good idea to bring your own water bowl for your dog.

You need to be educated on safe and non-safe foods for your dog to eat. Most food and drink that you consume can be harmful or even toxic to your dog. You must get these dog safe and non safe food lists from your veterinarian. Usually a small piece of lean meat without sauce is a safe bet. You also need to be aware that your dog is not as heat tolerant as you. All people and all dogs have different tolerances for heat. For not all but for many younger healthier maybe only up to 90 degrees F BUT WITH FULL SHADE. Hopefully you are able to judge what your dog can tolerate but its always best to leave your furry friend home when there is any doubt.

It looks like we are ready to dine out with dogs so I’m turning over The Forking Truth to my dogs to tell their story about dining out.

“We are on our way to Pita Kitchen in Glendale for casual Greek Food.”

“This is what our folks got.” “Up top is a Greek salad with gyro meat and fresh baked pita bread and under it is a Greek salad with chicken kabab and fresh baked pita bread.”

“They are both very good but we get to eat mostly the juicy flavorful chicken.” “This is the best chicken kabob around!”

“We enjoyed everything we had at Pita Kitchen.”

www.PitaKitchen.net

“We are on our way to Cucina Tagliani in north Glendale.” “They are an American Italian Restaurant that offers American Italian favorites and also offers many vegetables and also healthy eating options like spaghetti squash and noodle cut zucchini.”

“They served us water and a basket of hot garlic bread to start with.”

“Our female companion had the strawberry goat cheese salad.” “It comes with grilled chicken and toasted almonds.” “We just ate most of the chicken and it was moist and good today!”

“Our male human companion is having the steak gorgonzola.” “That’s a really great choice for us!”

“We FORKING LOVE steak and gorgonzola!”

“We were LUCKY DOGS TODAY at Cucina Tagliani!” “We enjoyed everything!”

www.CucinaTagliani.com

“We are on our way to Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in Phoenix today!” They serve most of your Vietnamese favorites except for pho because they are a Pho Free Eatery.” “They even have a sign there that says,”Eat a banh mi instead.”

“Look at all this amazing delicious food we get to eat!”

“We get to eat shaken beef from a shaken beef banh mi and curry chicken with the sauce sucked off for us.”

“We always Forking enjoy everything we eat from Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in Phoenix.

www.BanhMiBistroAZ.com

“WTFork!” “We’re at Burger King”

“Our folks went to a food festival today so they are stuffed and purchased us a burger from Burger King just to take us out.” The Burger King doesn’t have outdoor seating so we are seated at Safeway.”

“It’s sure not the best burger but we are dogs so we enjoy all burgers.” “But Louie was different from us.” “He was picky about everything.” “He even refused to eat ground beef burgers made from Costco ground beef but he would eat a Burger King Burger.”

“That was Dining out with DOGS in Metro Phoenix for February 2020.”

“We hope you enjoyed and we hope to see you next month!”

Abyssinia Restaurant and Cafe Phoenix AZ – Ethiopian Cuisine – Worth a Fork

Leave a reply

Abyssinia Restaurant and Cafe is a small Ethiopian Restaurant located in Phoenix Arizona. As you walk in the door there is the aroma of. incense. The atmosphere is slightly disco-like with some colorful lights and it almost loud with energetic music. They offer traditional tables, booths, bar seats and what appears to be Ethiopian Style seating.

We enjoyed the food they served at the Devour The World Festival in Peoria recently.

So we thought we try some more things.

We ordered the #3 Doro Wat ($15.99) Ethiopian National Dish of Chicken with an egg in a berbera based stew and the #9 Ageleel $19.99 described as a veggie sampler plate with 3 meats. They came all together on one plater that was lined with injera bread and plenty of rolled injera breads on the side.

You don’t get silverware here. You pull off a piece of injera bread and help yourself that way. I will start at around 5:00 on the plate. I think we got a curried cabbage with carrots, red lentils, green lentils and yellow lentils, collards, lamb stew, beef stew and a chewier beef with onions. In the middle of the plate is the doro wat. All the food is delicious. My favorite is the doro wat. The chicken is cooked to perfection (moist juicy tasty) and the spicy sauce to me is the most delicious. This one is the hardest to eat and share without silverware. My only complaint is that it is a very small portion of chicken for $15.99 The lentils are interesting. They all taste different and they all have a different texture.

The 2 entree platter was more than we could eat. Maybe she accidentally served us extra food? We got the leftovers packed up. She asked if it was ok if she wrapped them and I said yes. Then they got rolled up like a carpet with the injera bread that lines the platter. (Next time I will wrap myself)

The food was very good and the service was warm and informative.

www.AbyssiniaRestaurantCafe.com

Every THING is subject to change and YOUR experience may or may NOT differ.

Confluence Restaurant Carefree AZ – Astonishing Masterfully Crafted Foods – ALWAYS Worth a Fork!

Leave a reply

Confluence is a small but upscale restaurant located in beautiful Carefree Arizona.

They serve painstakingly detailed farm to table modern cuisine.

The atmosphere is traditional and cozy with mountain views.

There is seating at the bar, dining room and the patio.

Today they started us off with fresh baked brioche buns with whipped foie gras butter.

The bun is amazing. First thing you taste is fresh crushed salt. It’s so light and melts in the mouth with so much flavor. I don’t eat foie gras but my husband said it was really delicious butter. They were nice enough to serve me a very good tasting high quality butter that I enjoyed.

My first course (I shared) was smoked arctic char ($16).

This was a delightful delicious combination of brioche toast, endive, pickled red onion, grapes, whole grain mustard GLACIER LETTUCE and spiced walnuts. The mix los ight smoke, sweet, bitter, savory with the interesting watery crisp glacier lettuce really POPS!

My main was the Halibut ($45)

The fish is cooked and seasoned to perfection. But the magic is the way everything goes together on the plate. Somehow the silky sweet potatoes, red quinoa parsnips, sweet peas and pomegranate really do something special in the mouth. It’s Forking MAGICAL.

My husband enjoyed the 4 course tasting $65 (one cold appetizer, hot appetizer, entree and dessert.

Achiote marinated baby beets with arugula, spiced pepitas, blood orange, chicos, crema and arbor chile salsa.

Veal cheek and red wine braised shoulder ravioli with red pepper egg, sweet pepper and brussels sprout. I don’t know what he did to the egg but it was the best tasting egg I ever tried.

Guinea hen breast, ballotine, polenta, salsify, chard baby fennel and pecorino jus.

We shared the dessert.

Aged gouda cheese red grape, pickled apricot, bee pollen, whole wheat fruit crostini, macadamia nuts, honey comb and this magical fluffy, airy, milky cloud.

Oh my gosh beyond words.

Then it was a beautiful ride home.

Confluence in Care Free AZ is always Worth a Fork!

www.RestaurantConfluence.com

Everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

Memories from past Devour Culinary Classics Phoenix AZ

Leave a reply

The Devour Culinary Classic is considered to be the most grand food festival that Arizona has to offer. It is hosted by Local First Arizona and the Devour Phoenix Restaurant coalition. This is where chefs and restaurants do their best to razzle and dazzle you.

I started attending DCC in 2012. Back in 2012 you could get a great deal on tickets. If you purchased your tickets in advance general admission was only $45 a day. They used to offer the general admission a very nice reception before the actual culinary event. here are some pictures of a few of the past general admission receptions. My photos show mostly sweets but I do remember enjoying many savory items too.

They also used to have some other things like a live band and some other things like foodie T shirts and a photo opportunity.

As the years went by the general admission price climbed from $45 in 2012 to $105 a day without any discounts in 2018.

In 2018 the food part of the general admission reception was discontinued and replaced with a one man band.

Prior to 2018 one of the wines I enjoyed with my general admission ticket was Merry Edwards (actually 3 varieties) and the others were more expensive).

In 2018 the wine choices differed greatly and I drank this instead.

In 2018 was the first year that a section of food tents was reserved for VIPS only. These were many of the restaurants that I was expecting to try like Kai. I was ok with the discontinued food reception and the lower end wines. But the selective restaurants were the reason why I would attendant this event every year since 2012. VIP tickets were the only way to be entitled to everything. (today in 2020 VIP tickets are $205) One day would cost over $400 for me and my husband. That is not a bad price for such an event……but it is a lot to me. I don’t get invited to attend and have to pay my own way. I would love to attend as I always did but for $400 I will enjoy two really nice dinners out instead. For me the general admission 2018 was so disappointing…….. Lower end wines, discontinued reception, less food offerings (first year that I didn’t get stuffed). I saw all the restaurant line ups but had no idea at the time that some of the restaurants listed were only for VIPS. Felt deflated…..sort of bamboozled.

2018 was the last Devour Culinary Classic that I attended. I don’t expect to return to the Devoured Culinary Classic.

I enjoyed Devour The World this year (2020) in Peoria. That festival is a new favorite for me.

Those were some of my memories from Devour Culinary Classic.

www.DevourPhoenix.com

Everything is subject to change and your experience may indeed differ.

Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol Glendale AZ – Maybe the Busiest Restaurant on the Upper West Side in Metro Phoenix AZ

Leave a reply

Popo’s is the busiest restaurant that I know of on the upper west side in Glendale Arizona. I don’t know of any other restaurant that is often on an hour wait at 4:30 pm. They are a Mexican Restaurant that offers appetizers, soups, salads, fajitas, chimichangas, combo plates, specialty plates, sides, American plates, eggs, lunch specials, a children’s menu and happy hour.

Even the bar is packed at 4:30

Two tables just left and another is getting seated.

I should note that this is an older former Garcias Restaurant and it is very large with multiple dining rooms and a large bar area with lots of tables. The place is packed. I can’t believe we had to wait to get seated at 4:30. I thought we’d get lucky and beat the crowd.

That means that Popo’s is doing something right.

Popo’s serves very good hot chips and the very best salsa in town.

Popo’s offers the STRONGEST CHEAPEST Margarita….in town…actually more like the strongest cheapest margarita in the FORKING UNIVERSE……I don’t know what that drink is made of. I know the drink is around $5.75 on the menu but we seem to hit the happy hour and get it for $4.00 lately….It is so STRONG it can FORKING DO PUSHUPS……..IT”S IMPOSSIBLE to drink more than two…..actually it’s hard to drink more than one. It’s like they seem stronger than straight booze…..

My husband ate his way threw maybe half the menu and tried many of the plates. (sorry I haven’t kept all the photos) His favorites are the carnitas, fajitas, and the beef picadillo.

I’ve tried the fajitas, fish taco and the chile relleno. But after trying them I usually only order the Chicken Fajita salad with the cheese on the side no dressing because I use the delicious spicy salsa instead.

Inside Chile Relleno…..it’s egg battered……this day the pepper tastes like tin can so I never ordered it again.

Usually the chicken fajita salad looks like this when I order cheese on the side…..

This day they gave me tons of avocado…..and I got my husband’s side of guacamole

Today they forgot the avocado and I didn’t say anything because the last time they forgot the avocado they brought me a big bowl of avocado that was more than I could possibly eat.

Today the chicken was seasoned much better than the last few times. it’s not very moist today but I glad it isn’t real dry like the last time. (I find it differs greatly……so you just get happy when it’s good.)

Went back a couple months latter and got the chicken fajita salad again ($12.11).

Today it is moist (Whoo Hoo!) and nicely seasoned. They gave me a whole half of avocado today!

I have never been able to finish a Popo’s Fajita salad as it’s the most filling salad in the the Forking world.

I get about halfway and my stomach locks up

It’s like this salad cast a spell on those who eat it……and you get painfully full just half way threw. Since I’ve never been able to finish a Popo’s fajita salad sadly I’ve never tried a Popo’s dessert.

My husband had the 1/2 pound carnitas tonight ($16.42). He enjoyed them and had a little extra to bring home.

Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol in Glendale AZ might be the busiest restaurant in town. It’s often on an hour wait starting at 4:30 and longer after that.

www.PoposMexicanFood.com

Every THING is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

My Trip to Tacos Y Mariscos 7 Oceanos Glendale AZ

Leave a reply

Tacos Y Mariscos 7 Oceanos is a Mexican Restaurant and Bar located in Glendale on the Phoenix Boarder. English is the second language here but the menu is pretty easy with the pictures to figure out. This isn’t a fancy place but is colorful and seems clean.

Apon arriving we were greeted with menus and a complimentary basket of chips and tangy salsa with just the right amount of fresh cilantro.

Our server apologized to us for not specking much English but she did alright. We ordered and in reasonable time our platters arriving with steaming hot tortillas.

I got the pescado a la diablo ($12.99). They gave me a good portion of mild white fish that was covered in a tangy spicy sauce. There was also refried beans, rice and a little vegetable and pico garnish.

My husband had the same plate with shrimp (camarones a la diablo $13.99)

Here is most of the menu. (I forgot the shellfish menu)

You pay at the register when you are ready.

Worth a try if you are in the area.

They are on Facebook and the do have a website that matches name and address but the menu is different….maybe not set up correctly as of yet.

www.elmejortacosymariscos.com

Every THING is subject to change and your experience may or may NOT differ.

DEVOUR The WORLD – Peoria AZ 2020

Leave a reply

Devour the World is a food and libation festival. In 2020 DTW was held in Peoria AZ at the Peoria City Hall Complex. This festival celebrates international foods. Other features are cultural music and dance performances and also live artist demonstrations. The festival took place Saturday February 15th. 2020 from 11am-3pm. Tickets were $55.00.

It’s different from the Devour Classic. No long lines. No waits and close easy parking. Just go and get what you want and sit at a table or stand at a high top. There was so much to try that I couldn’t try everything but I tried A LOT. My husband tried even more!

The first thing I tried was a very tasty garlic mochiko chicken and rice from Red Ginger.

Here are pork and cheese pupusasa with rice and beans from Salvadoreno Restaurant.

There was a coconut bao milk bread to share from Happy Buns.

Carolina’s Chocolates were FORKING Amazing and complex…full of flavors. Some of the chocolates we tried were Spicy Sonoran Chocolate, Jalisco Jalapeño and Hole Mole Chocolate.

Really delicious Ethiopian Food from Abyssinian Restaurant and Cafe. They offered cabbage, lentils and spicy beef on home made bread.

They were overly generous with the bread

Paz cantina offered barbacoa tacos and pork belly tacos

Some of the artwork

Kawaii offered California rolls with lots of cream cheese in them.

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante offered a mini buffet of bruschetta, pasta with meat sauce, really Forking Great meatballs and cannoli. They are so nice….the owner even asked about my dogs.