Tag Archives: #Scottsdale

My Trip to Agave del Scottsdale in Scottsdale Arizona

Agave del Scottsdale recently opened in the Mercado de Largo Plaza in Scottsdale Arizona. It’s difficult but not impossible to locate the entrance from the parking lot because the only sign is the one pictured above from the other side of the street. (at the moment subject to change) Agave del Scottsdale serves Mexican Cuisine. Everything is fresh made to order. They serve lunch and dinner and Mexican Breakfast on the weekend.

This is the entrance.

A few steps in here is what you see.

The main dining room features beautiful crystal chandeliers. Curio cabinets housing tequila, exposed brick, wooden tables and bright pinkish velvety looking benches.

A few steps latter you come across a tequila serving cart and a wall embellished with stone.

Around the corner is the bar, dining area and beautiful large patio with a nearby water fountain.

This is my view from my seat.

They started us off with three sauces and chips.

Theres tomatillo based salsa, in the middle is a warm bean sauce and on the end is a spicier sauce that’s made with Serrano peppers, habanero and chili de arbol peppers. The sauces seem like they have a slight creaminess or richness to them.

We started out by sharing the Tlacoyos (elongated masa ) de Huitacoche (corn smut also known as corn truffle).

How easy to share! They served us two!

We received TWO blue corn masa that was topped with beans, huitacoche, quest fresco, onions and cilantro. This is very flavorful and tasty. This huitacoche is the same as what I tried in Mexico. This is the real stuff. I think most places use bottled or canned….This is real. The blue corn is special…it’s a little sweeter than yellow..This really is a treat! This is excellent! All the flavors are marvelous. It’s better than how I ate huitacoche in Mexico…There most people just eat it in a tortilla…

For my main I had the Pescado Al Pastor.

I received three double shelled street sized tacos. The seasonal fish today was red snapper. It was marinated and served with pineapple, cilantro and onions. The tacos are well packed with food. The tortillas seemed like fresh made and ran sort of thicker than Mexican tortillas so I only used one tortilla. The tacos weren’t spicy but were tasty.

My husband tried the Huarache Con Carne Asada (elongated open faced masa tortilla).

It’s grilled beef on top of a masa tortilla with a little bit of beans, salsa verde, salsa roja, sour cream (left off at my husband’s request) and quest fresco. This is mildly seasoned. I think the beef would be more flavorful if it had a sear. This plate is for someone with a lighter appetite.

Our server was welcoming and friendly. She spoke English well and seemed well trained on the menu.

That was my trip to Agave Del Scottsdale in Scottsdale AZ.

www.AgaveDelScottsdale.com

Every THING is subject to change and your experience may indeed differ.

The Forking Truth

Hotel Valley Ho Scottsdale AZ – Chefs and Famers Market Series 2019 Saturdays 9am – 1pm July 6th + 13th FREE Admission

The Hotel Valley Ho is hosting a Chefs and Farmers Market Series on Saturdays 9am – 1pm July 6th and 13th. The admission is FREE but you are suppose to register on the Hotel Valley Ho Website. www.HotelValleyHo.com

June 29th the theme was Italian and called Bada Boom

It was crowded like the first week.

There was some mighty delicious foods to sample.

Chef Greg Otero of the Hotel Valley Ho prepared Pork and Fennel Cavatelli Pasta with Parmigiano Reggiano and Chili Flake.

Chef Matthew Taylor of Mora Italian prepared Smoked Eggplant Panna Cotta with Summer Squash Conserva, Basil, La Peral (cheese)

Chef Rochelle Daniel of The Fat Ox prepared Crab Culurgiones with smoked potato leek summer corn

Sadly my photo came out blurry and this picture doesn’t do this absolutely STUNNING stuffed pasta justice.

Can’t see all the beautiful folds this pasta had.

There was a milkshake competition where you can sample and vote for your favorite.

Live music


Complimentary Rose to try

Smoked Fish Dip from Chula Seafood…..(This was really delicious!)

Noble Bread

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Local Chocolates

From Bly Sky Farms

There was all this and much more!

My purchases

Smoked Fish Dip with house made bagel chips
Sweet Frying Peppers
Unusual Pink Oyster Mushrooms
Squash Blossoms
One stunning Tomato

July 6th will be themed Grilling and Chilling. The last of the series is called Sweet Treats July 13th.

Parking might be challenging because the lot is small and the street parking might already be taken.

That was Chefs and Famers Market Series at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale AZ June 29th 2019.

www.HotelValleyHo.com

The Forking Truth

Boondocks Patio and Grill Scottsdale AZ – Worth a Fork! – BIG Patio – Lots of Games – Better Bar Food

Boondocks Patio and Grill is located in Scottsdale by Old Town. This restaurant serves better or maybe just more creative more interesting and detailed bar food like duck fat fries, roasted corn on cob with Mexican tahini sauce, salads, half pound burgers, sandwiches and some entrees. When we arrived the atmosphere was energetic with classic rock and roll. Boondocks also offers an indoor-outdoor bar, inside dining and a massive patio that I wasn’t able to photo because the entrance to the patio was clogged with people today.

I noticed that most of the people arrived via several of The Arizona Party Bikes.

Boondocks offers community high top tables and booths in the dining room. There are several big screen TVs and Digital Darts inside. They also offer pool tables, bag toss, ping pong and more.

I ordered the Grilled Tacos Pescado.

I received three full sized tacos stuffed with grilled blackened (spicy) seasonal whitefish, lime shredded cabbage, tomato, big creamy wedges of avocado and these really tasty pickled onions on well made tortillas (I picked corn). I was pleasantly surprised….these tacos are actually better than most I eat out. The fish is meaty and very flavorful and spicy. Then combined with lime cabbage, pickled onions and creamy avocado they are very good! A large amount of very crisp corn chips and tomatillo salsa finish the plate.

My husband got the Sin Burger.

It’s a half pound of American raised beef, jalapeño marmalade, pickled cabbage, lots of avocado, a thick blanket of good pepper jack cheese, cilantro mayo (left off by my husband’s request), and a big roasted jalapeño on a big soft eggy bun. WOW! a perfect medium rare! (that rarely happens) My husband said that this is another of his favorite burgers. He picked potato tots as his side. They seemed free of oil and had crisp exteriors and were chunky and potato-ee inside.

Our meals last time were Worth a Fork! (same burger and another that was discontinued)

Our meals this time were also Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

www.BoondocksAZ.com

Boondocks Patio Bar and Grill Scottsdale AZ – Worth a Fork! BIG Patio -Lots of Games – Better Bar Food

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

The Forking Truth

Hotel Valley Ho Scottsdale AZ- Chefs and Farmers Market Series Saturdays 9am-1pm June 22 – July 13 2019 FREE Admission

At the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale Arizona there is a Chefs and Farmers Market Series on Saturdays June 22 – July 13 2019 from 9am-1pm. This is a FREE event but you do need to R.S.V.P. on the Hotel Valley Ho Website. Each week is a different theme. The first week was South of the Border.

There were several delicious things to try today.

Chef Rene Andrade and his team from Ghost Ranch prepared Pork Chiaquiles.

Chef Samantha Sanz of Talavera prepared Ajo Blanco, Basil Honey Sorbeto with Marcona Almond Gremolata.

Chef Greg Otero prepared Citrus Marinated Carne Asada Tacos with Roast Poblano Crema, Pickled Red Onions, Cabbage and Cotija Cheese.

There also was a milkshake competition. You could try all three and vote for your favorite.

It was very crowded. There was a complimentary champagne taste that I passed by.

Edibles for sale. (all this and more)

A little bit of produce too!

Next week June 29th the theme is Bada Boom, July 6th will be Grilling and Chilling and July 13th will be Sweet Treats.

Parking may be challenging. The lot is very small and street parking was mostly filled.

Good Luck!

www.HotelValleyHo.com for all the details.

The Forking Truth

The HOT Chick Restaurant of Scottsdale AZ – Poultry in Motion – Worth a Fork!***Was CLOSED and now OPEN AGAIN!

********UPDATE was CLOSED FOR BUSINESS during pandemic and is NOW OPEN AGAIN*****The HOT Chick Restaurant recently opened in Scottsdale by Old Town. This is a FUN casual chicken restaurant that offers a bar, games, videos to watch and of course food with a retro 70s vibe.

The bar

They also offer all kinds of seating. You can be by the video games.

One of the patios

You get full service only if you sit at the bar.

For all other seating you order yourself at the trailer that is located behind the bar.

The trailer is the counter where you order and pay if you are not sitting at the bar.

Here’s the menu. All the chicken is organic, free range, antibiotic and hormone free.

They offer Fried Chicken in half or whole in original or Hot Chick, 2 kinds of wings, chicken nubs, snacks and sides, salads, seven varieties of chicken sandwiches but ONLY ONE is HOT Chick. They also offer a brunch menu limited to the weekend and two desserts.

We walked up to the trailer and ordered and paid. Took a pager with us and sat at a booth. We checked out the cocktail menu while waiting. In reasonable time our pager was blinking and buzzing.

I got the HOT Chick sandwich.

It’s a crispy hot chicken breast with house slaw and house pickle on a rich eggy bun. (they also had a condiment area and we picked up deviled egg sauce and some sort of Thai sauce)

First I taste a small amount of chicken by it’s self……WOW is THAT FORKING CRISPY and MIGHTY Flavorful……it’s also moist! It is HOT but VERY Flavorful. I think around a number 4 Thai Hot out of 5. I can taste a lot of flavors like cayenne, but there is something in there that makes the cayenne taste very delicious, there’s something very sweet but it’s balanced, not too sweet…..not sure but I think a taste some secret crushed potato chips…? Well whatever all this is …….This is Forking AWESOME with well made slaw and well crafted pickles. It’s getting very messy with sauce or and juices squirting out everywhere…….It’s a DELICIOUS HOT MESS! It’s also a Forking hum YUM Dinger! (only $9.00…..WHAT THE CLUCK!…..is that a misprint?………..only $9.00…… ((price is subject to change..))

Mu husband ordered the 1/2 hot chicken…..but it was cut into 6 pieces. It came with house made biscuit and house made pickles. I think it was suppose to come with maple butter?

He got a wing (cut in two), thigh, breast (cut in two) and a leg. I took a small bite out of the thigh. NO FOWL PLAY HERE! The Thigh is Forking awesome……Crunchy succulent flavorful…….really Really Great…..Not sure but seemed hotter than the HOT Chick sandwich…maybe because it didn’t have the slaw, bun and pickles to cool things down…? . (only $12.00) subject to change

We shared two of the sides The pimento macaroni and cheese and the green goddess green beans. ($5.00 each and subject to change)

pimento macaroni and cheese and the green goddess green beans

The pimento macaroni and cheese was topped with crunchy chicken skin. I taste the macaroni……..This is smoky……to me it doesn’t taste like pimento because the smoke taste over powers everything else. My husband taste it and agrees that it is smoky. The green goddess green beans are more of a cold salad with a lot of arugula and smoked almonds.

I’ll say find that HOT Chick and buy a sandwich and all the day you will have good Cluck!

Hot Chick is Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

www.TheHotChick.com

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

The Forking Truth

Tap and Bowl Restaurant of Scottsdale – Worth a Fork! DELICIOUS Variety Bowls, Handcrafted Beverages and MORE!

Tap and Bowl is a unique little restaurant located in Old Town Scottsdale on the end by the waterfront. They offer about a dozen different varieties of fresh made to order artisan bowls that are seasonal and some that are globally inspired. They also offer craft beers, cider, hand crafted artisan sodas, appetizers and more!

They offer lush patio seating.

Seating at the bar, traditional tables, a sofa and high tops.

We were given water and at the time it seemed like the best water I’ve had in a long time. The waitress said that it was filtered with their Italian soda machine. So we tried a hand crafted cucumber/watermelon soda made with real cane sugar.

WOW! It was so light and refreshing! I never had a soda like this before. It was delicious and not too sweet either. It was perfect.

I went with the Atlantic Salmon and Cali Rice Bowl.

My bowl was packed full of delicious vegetables and perfectly prepared salmon that was enhanced with a delicious slightly Asian sauce. The salmon had crisp tasty edges and was towards medium rare in the center…it was really great! The bowl included cauliflower rice, edamame, carrots, avocado, onions, peppers, mushrooms, snap peas, cilantro, sesame and ponzu sauce. I’d love to eat this every week! It had so many great textures and flavors!

My husband tried the Fried Chicken Mac and Cheese Bowl.

The Chicken seemed free of oil and had a very crispy tasty exterior and was juicy inside. The pasta was prepared well and was in a tasty cheddar sauce. The bowl also included broccoli, corn, tomatoes, cotija cheese, scallions and pickled onions added some interest.

We both enjoyed our meals very much at Tap and Bowl in Scottsdale.

I have to say Tap and Bowl is Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

www.TapandBowl.com

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

The Forking Truth

Veneto Trattoria of Scottsdale AZ – Italian Food that might make you Fish for compliments – Worth a Fork!

Veneto Trattoria is an Italian Restaurant located in Scottsdale Arizona. They are a full service restaurant that specializes in serving Northern Italian Regional Foods and also several fresh seafood dishes.

The decor is very homey and classic. The tables are linen topped neat with polished silverware and wine glasses. All kinds of Italian souvenirs are decorations for the walls. It’s like you are in an Italian Grandma’s house. They offer some bar seating, patio seating.

There is also seating in the main dining room and the room off the main dining room.

They start you off with a basket of crusty breads, butter and oil and balsamic in adorable Italian made pottery.

One specialty of the house is the Venetian Style Cod that is very popular in Italy but seldom found in Italian Restaurants in Metro Phoenix.

Baccala Mantecato (Venetian Style Cod)

The Dried Cod (baccala) is rinsed in water for two days (or more) and then gets blended with olive oil, maybe some dairy till it turns into a mousse-like consistency and is served over grilled polenta.

But tonight we started with salads…They were fresh made and large enough to share. I started to eat mine and Forking forgot to photo it. I thought the Venetian Style Cod I just showed you from a previous visit was by far more interesting anyway.

I was pleasantly surprised with all the seafood specials they offered this evening. They offer six seafood items on the menu and tonight they offered an additional THREE More seafood dinners and one was a special branzino that was roasted in a salt crust and prepared table side.

I went with the Sea Bream Special because I don’t come across that one very often. It just so happens that one of the finest and most expensive fish dishes I ever had in my life was the Sea Bream from Bartolotta in Las Vegas. With the memory I had of that dish I had to go with the sea bream.

It’s very fresh…I don’t think it’s more or much more than a day old. It’s extremely mild and moist with unusually delicious grill marks served with some simple mixed vegetables and chunks of potatoes that taste like they were simmered in something tasty …..maybe a broth and lightly fried. The fish head is split for slurping if you care to suck out all you can….This is a really fine plate of fish for 28.95.

Someone else at our table had the Birodetto di Pesce Alla Veneta (Cioppino – fish stew)

In a fish infused tomato broth are shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari, scallops and sea bass…..To be finished off with garlic toast.

My husband got the Scaloppini di Vitello Pizzaiola. Sautéed veal with marinara and mozzarella cheese and a side of house made spaghetti.

I was told all was good!

Two of us shared the Pistachio Semi Freddo.

It’s a slice of semi frozen delicate pistachio flavored ice cream that’s lighter. It’s almost like frozen mousse.

I’d say a visit to Veneto Trattoria might make you “Fish” for compliments!

Veneto Trattoria – Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

www.VenetoTrattoria.com

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

The Forking Truth

FnB Restaurant of Scottsdale AZ – Worth a Fork – Forking Amazing!

FnB Restaurant is a contemporary restaurant located in the arts district of Scottsdale Arizona. They serve an ever changing innovative menu of farm focused, globally inspired cuisine that also showcases the most amazing vegetable dishes. FnB is not a vegetarian restaurant as meat dishes are offered. The atmosphere is formal but also casual. They offer a small patio and have linen topped tables and bar seating.

You might find things on the menu that you are not familiar with such as Farcous….(French Chard Fritters) or Caltuce…….(Obscure vegetable also called stem lettuce), Babna Cauda (warm hot Italian dip) and many more. No fear the menu will be explained to you.

It’s always difficult to decide on what to order because there are so many interesting plates that you would want to try. The menu is usually broken down to cold sharing plates, warm sharing plates and entrees. It’s best to share as much as you can. They start you off with locally made Noble bread and high quality olive that is so delicious it’s impossible to pass up.

We started out with the salad of crunchy radishes, dates, pumpkin seeds with caper anchovy dressing.

It’s looks beautiful and taste light and delicious. The radishes are not strong tasting like the ones from the store. Instead the radishes have more of a sweet flavor. What a great starter!

The next sharing plate is Salmon Gefilte Fish with Pickled Beets, Beet Horse Radish, Pickled Eggs and Buttered Matzo.

WOW! If all Gefilte Fish did taste like this everyone would like them. These are mild with a light texture and enhanced with fresh herbs, eggs are great, beet horseradish is delicious….the pickled betts are also really special…..They have a predominant flavor that I’m not familiar with that goes so well with beets……I think the flavor is a sort of liquor and question my waiter on what it is…..He doesn’t tell me so it’s secret. Love the beets.

Dinners arrives with our additional sharing plate of Corona Beans with Grilled Radicchio, Salsa Verde, Provolone.

Dang I just got full but I must at least try a little of both. The Beans are not like any beans I had before…..Think of Gigante Beans….they are like anorexic beans compared to the sweet extra plump Corona Beans….Each bean is almost delicious meal. They are in a broth with all kinds of fresh flavors with provolone….They are just amazing. The Mexican Grouper Fish is Stunning…..It taste as fresh as can be and is prepared to perfect it really does melt in the mouth with these delicious flavors brushed on. Really one of the best fish dishes I’ve ever tasted. The plate is also served with heirloom cauliflower, snap peas, and sunflower seeds. Really an incredible beautiful and better than amazing plates.

We didn’t share a dinner because my husband wanted the Lamb Loin with Arizona Grains, Tepary Beans, Green Beans, Chermoula and Mint.

I won’t eat lamb but my husband says that I wouldn’t know the difference between this lamb and beef. He says it’s very good and also loves all the grains, beans and vegetables with this plate.

I want to do dessert but I can’t because the food was so FORKING AMAZING I couldn’t stop eating the sharing plates. I have a large box and a small box to bring home.

Here is what I could have tried if I paced myself better.

Every Thing was FnB was Forking Amazing!

Worth a Fork! You would drive across town to dine here!

www.FnBRestaurant.com

Below are only a few of the past plates we enjoyed at FnB.

Langos Hungarian Fried (potato) Bread Salad
Butterkin Squash
This is 1/2 of the Pink Grouper
Apple Sharlotka
House Cured Salmon
Melon Salad
Halabut
Duck
Berry Shortcake
Broccoli with Tangerine aioli and pistachios
Trout Riliette
Soft Shell Crab

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

The Forking Truth

My first taste of Grandma Pizza at Crisp in Scottsdale AZ

Grandma Style Pizza from Crisp in Scottsdale AZ

Grandma pizza is very rarely found outside of New York and is suppose to be similar to the kind of pizza that Italian Grandmothers make in their home ovens.

We happen to have a little pizza parlor called Crisp in Scottsdale AZ.

See it really is little.

The owner is friendly and says he will bring out our pizza in about four minutes. I pick a seat on the patio.

The Pizza looks like a toasted sandwich and is a five inch square that’s cut on a diagonal. I can see it’s topped with a rich thick tomato sauce, some melted cheese, a fine grated hard cheese and it’s generous with fresh basil leaves.

I take a bite.

Wow….it’s not really like any pizza I ever had before…….it is different.

The crust is so crisp….no wonder why this pizza place is named crisp. The crust is completely crisp and reminds me of toast. It’s light but a very sturdy crisp like an airy crouton. The sauce is very similar to most east coast pizzas that I have enjoyed. From what I remember east coast pizzas always are made with a delicious sauce. This sauce on this pizza is similar to east coast tomato pies……..The sauce is thick, rich, sweet …..but not sugary….sweet as in sweet tomato…. with a really good rich DELICIOUS tomato flavor. There’s a little melty cheese, fine grated hard cheese and a good amount of fresh basil.

This pizza is almost like a cousin of the Roman Style Pizza…..They are both are generously topped, both have sturdy crisp crusts but the texture and taste of the crusts differ. The grandma has a fine network of bubbles in the crust. The Roman has bigger bubbles in the crust. Both the grandma style and the Roman style are not doughy …….both have a sturdy but light airy crust with generous high quality toppings. Both the grandma and Roman style pizzas seem lighter and not as heavy as doughier pizzas because they both have lots of air in the crust.

That was my first taste of grandma style pizza at Crisp in Scottsdale AZ.

www.Crisp-Pizza.com

Try Crisp Pizza and see what you think! Give the grandma style pizza a try!

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

The Forking Truth

My Trip to The 2019 Persian New Year Festival in Scottsdale AZ

The 2019 Persian New Year Festival took place on the Scottsdale Waterfront in Scottsdale Arizona March 9th. Around forty venders participated. What you could find here was food, music, dancing, Persian Tea, jewelry, crafts, Persian Rugs, clothing, fortune telling and more. This was a free event with proceeds that benefit brain tumor research.

ZK Grill
ZK Grill Combo Plate
White Orchid Persian Pastry
1001 Nights
1001 Nights Chicken Kabab Plate
Live Music
Readings and Custom Spells
Persian Tea
Saffron Jak and Killer BurgersFood Food Trucks

A few food trucks participated.

Mobile Asian Fusion Food Truck

Parking was free and close.

www.PersianNewYearFestival.com

The Forking Truth