Tag Archives: #UpperWestSide

The FANTABULOUS Dish – The Goat Cheese Creme Brûlée from Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale AZ – Worth a Fork!

The Fantabulous Dish means – Top of the line, marvelously good, peachy keen and dynamite.

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante is an Italian Restaurant that also specializes in serving Neapolitan pizzas, They serve other pizzas. They also offer hand made pastas, seasonal specials, a Sunday Brunch and more.

The goat cheese creme brûlée is not really an Italian Dish but originally was served on the brunch menu and became so popular that it was requested by many to be added to the main menu so it was. I’ve been here often but I haven’t tried this dish until recently.

The Goat Cheese Brûlée is described as spiced goat cheese with fig compote and crostini. You crack the shattering crisp sugar surface –

and then inside It’s sublimely spreadable.

You have caramelized sweet crunch from the brûlée surface. Then you get velvety creamy delicious from the spiced goat cheese and more savory from the crostini with the added special flavor from the fig compote……It pops even a little more if you add a few drops of the Calabrian Oil that we always ask for when we dine here. It all comes together as a FANTABULOUS Dish.

It’s so unique and delicious. I think this dish is suitable as an appetizer or even a not too sweet dessert that would go well with wine.

The Goat Cheese Brûlée from Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale is a Fantabulous Dish and is Worth a Fork!

Worth A Fork!

www.BottegaRistorante.com

The Forking Truth

The Fantabulous Dish – The Bufalina Pizza from Fabio On Fire Peoria AZ – Worth a Fork!

The Fantabulous Dish means……top of the line, marvelously good, peachy keen and dynamite.

There are many fantabulous pizza restaurants out there in metro Phoenix. But each one is unique and many of them do a particular pizza better than from other restaurants.

Burrata or bufala cheese is the most exquisite mozzarella cheese that you can imagine. It’s the top of the line of mozzarella.

Most bufalina pizzas (margherita pizzas but made with Italian Buffalo milk cheese) look something like this……and this is GOOD but …….

Fabio On Fire elevates the bufalina pizza. His Bufalina Pizza is special.

Fabio On Fire in Peoria AZ makes his Bufalina Pizzas like this one below.

This Bufalina Pizza starts with San Marzano Tomato sauce, Imported bufalina cheese, oregano, garlic, arugula, reduced balsamic vinegar, farm fresh sweet tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil.

Sometimes they spread out the cheese.

The heat of the pizza warms the creamy imported bufala cheese without cooking it. You get the most exquisite mozzarella the way it was meant to be.

It’s FORKING DELICIOUS! It got all kinds of flavors going on. The BEST bufala cheese, San Marzano tomato sauce (the BEST), farm fresh sweet tomatoes (the BEST), peppery arugula, sweet but tang from the balsamic, flavors from the garlic and oregano….It’s going on here.

The Bufalina Pizza from Fabio On Fire is an official Fantabulous Dish!

Worth a Fork!

Worth A Fork!

www.FabioOnFire.com

The Forking Truth

Dining Out With DOGS In Metro Phoenix AZ – March 2021- Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery, Phila-Deli, Culvers, Bruster’s Ice Cream

Dining out with dogs in metro Phoenix 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. We were told that he only had three months or maybe up to six months to live. Louie was already elderly and couldn’t do a lot but he always enjoyed eating and also always enjoyed going out to eat. I took Louie out to eat as much as possible and Louie made it another 17 months. Today I take my current dogs out to eat.

There are some things that you need to know about dining out with dogs. One thing is that not all patios are dog friendly. It’s always best to call a restaurant and ask if it is ok to bring your dog (even if it is dog friendly because the patio could be booked). It is also best to dine out with dogs at off times. It’s always best to avoid as many people and other dogs as possible. Many people don’t share your love for dogs and other people might be allergic. It is also best to avoid other dogs because dogs enjoy barking at each other and you could be asked to leave.

You also need to be aware of safe and non-safe food for dogs. Most people food can be dangerous or even toxic to dogs. You need to get a food safe list and foods to avoid list from your veterinarian. Usually a small lean sauce free piece of meat is safe for your dog. Here in Arizona weather is an issue for dining out with dogs. All dogs are less heat tolerant than people. Dogs wear fur coats and absorb heat up their paws. They also can’t sweat. Usually 90 degrees and over is too hot to dine out with dogs. Leave your dog home if unsure.

There also are some rules to dining out with dogs. Dogs must be by your side at all times. Dogs are not to sit on restaurant furniture or to eat off restaurant plates.

Our first dining trip out was Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in North Phoenix. They offer around a dozen different Banh Mi Baguette sandwiches and many of your usual Vietnamese favorites EXCEPT FOR PHO.

Today I had the lotus root salad (It’s only $5.00) and potstickers ($4.00).

I don’t eat shrimp so I give it all to my dogs and small parts of the tasty potstickers.

My husband got a grilled pork Banh Mi today.

We all always enjoy Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery.

www.BanhMiBistroAZ.com

Next trip out with the digs was at Phila-Deli in Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide. Phila-Deli is a small sandwich shop. They offer a variety of cheesesteaks, sandwiches, wraps and more. The salad they offer is one of the best deals in town. It’s only $7.49 (avocado is 75cents extra) I have no idea on how they can make money serving this great big salad. The owners are extra nice. They usually run out water to our dogs and make a big deal about them.

I have plenty of chicken to share with the dogs.

My husband always likes to get the cheesesteak with extra American cheese.

I think my dog is smiling from the food from Phila-Deli.

www.PhilaDeliAZ.com

During lent Culver’s (a national fast food chain with a nice patio) offers hand battered walleye that I enjoy. We came just for that the first week walleye was on the menu and already missed the walley special.

The patio is usually empty

Since they were out of walleye already early I got the hand battered cod that they always offer with steamed broccoli and cheese sauce. I thought one side would be broccoli and I thought my other side would be cheese sauce?????

The cod is actually pretty good. Even my dogs love the cod. They also liked steamed broccoli with cheese sauce.

They also got to eat some of my husbands butter cheese burger. He surprised me by getting a spicy chicken sandwich….I tried a few bites. It contains spices that are not dog friendly. I wouldn’t come back for this particular hot chicken sandwich but I would come back for the cod.

The dogs enjoyed everything they tried.

www.Culvers.com

Bruster’s Ice Cream was nice enough to treat our dogs to free Pup Cups.

Look how happy the dogs are anticipating the pup cups.

I got a blueberry cobbler for myself. My husband got something I think was called coffee cake.

www.Brusters.com

“Don’t worry we are in this thing together and are here to help you eat all this delicious food”

That was Dining Out With Dogs in Metro Phoenix for March 2021. We hope that you’ve enjoyed and we hope to see you next month.

The Forking Truth
In Memory of Louie 5-5-2001 – 3-3-2017

My Trip to Barrio Queen Glendale AZ**With Surprising UPDATE****

Barrio Queen is an Arizona Chain of around a half dozen Southern Mexican Restaurants. The website list only Gilbert, Scottsdale and Phoenix but I also noticed locations in Queen Creek, Tempe, Glendale and possibly one coming soon to Avondale? James Beard Nominated Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza is no longer working for this group of restaurants but she did work for them until some time in 2014 and added her famous guacamole, cohinita pibil, chile en nogada and possibly other items to the menu. She also started up Barrio Queen with some of her closest employees.

I went to the Glendale location that is located in Arrowhead Town Center around 75th Avenue and Bell Road. This location is very busy. I arrived around four o’clock and was hoping to beat the crowd but didn’t. The whole front patio at the moment is being used for a waiting area for waiting for your table. At 4 o’clock they were on a twenty five minute wait so we grabbed some margaritas to pass the time.

front bar (currently the seating here is closed due to covid)

I have to say that the El Don Margarita with Don Julio Anejo Tequila, lime, agave and Grand Mariner is really great and very strong….I tried my husbands house margarita and it seems very flat after the El Don I’m enjoying.

Twenty five minutes goes by and we walk threw the restaurant on the way to get seated on the patio.

We walk by a gift shop.

Here’s part of one of the dining rooms.

Here’s another dining room.

Here is a second bar that is also an indoor/outdoor bar.

Here is half of the patio.

I noticed someone nearby getting the table side guacamole.

The first thing they do is start you off with complimentary chips and salsa.

Our chips arrived fresh and hot. We also got fresh lime and a crock of extra mild but flavorful salsa.

I order the pescado del Barrio (Mexican sea bass)

One side of my fish is over cooked and dry but the other side is good. My fish was topped with chopped onions some garlic and cilantro….It all kind of dry and I squirt it with lemon. The grilled zucchini is good. The Mexican style rice is very plain.. I notice that I didn’t get my hand made corn tortillas that I was looking forward to trying. Someone walks by who might be a manager and ask how things are? My husband quickly tells him that I didn’t get my tortillas. I guess before the man can say anything I say that I have enough food and don’t need the tortillas and then he leaves. It isn’t until I start getting into the plate that the dryness of the fish bothers me. I’m half crocked from the strong margarita and I forgot that the fish is suppose to be in a garlic cilantro white wine butter sauce. That means my server didn’t know (or maybe care?) that she served me a plate missing the tortillas and my fish missing the sauce. I guess that it isn’t her fault if she wasn’t trained to learn the menu on the food that she serves.

My husband was much luckier than me and got the Sonoran Style Carne Asada Entree.

His plate was much better. He got medium rare, tender and tasty arrachera (marinated and grilled skirt steak) onions, Oaxaca cheese stuffed Anaheim chile, a chorizo quesadilla, chorizo refried beans, Mexican style rice and flour tortillas.

And I got a dry fish.

That was my trip to Barrio Queen at Glendale AZ.

As a slight update someone from Barrio Queen contacted me and said that this isn’t how Barrio Queen does things…They also apologized for…(their words) “Dropping the ball a few times on my visit and not taking my concerns seriously when I was there when my concerns could have been fixed immediately. The General Manager said that he would like to email me a gift card so I would come back. He said that he was emailing me the gift card March 8th 2021 and wanted me to let him know when I was coming. As of yet I haven’t received the gift card.

He sounded very sincere…? Did he forget? Or was this just talk?

www.BarrioQueen.com

Your experience may indeed differ.

The Forking Truth

A Great BIG Taste of Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale Arizona – Worth a Fork!

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante is an Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria located in North Glendale Arizona (Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide). This spot has been homes to Italian restaurants for over a decade. Over ten years back this spot was home to Tutti Santi. Around spring of 2015 this was Pomo Pizzeria and Toscana Osterio. Then around spring of 2017 it became the Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante that it is today. They offer Neapolitan Pizzas, Hand made pastas, Italian Foods, Brunch Foods, Seasonal Specials and MORE!

The patio is in a park-like setting and is equipped with shades, misters and heaters. Recently the patio has been extended.

They start you off with fresh baked breads.

The rest is up to you!

Seasonal soup – butternut squash

Goat Cheese Brûlée – spiced goat cheese, fig compote and crostini

Happy hour grilled vegetable plate with spicy seasoned oil

Lunch panini

Trofie al pesto

chicken pizzaioli

Seasonal chicken piccata special with side salad

Bottega pizza

Seasonal butternut squash pizza with sage

salsccia

1/2 Italian dried beef panino with pasta fagoli (lunch)

Special – Speck, and pistachio pesto pizza

Bolognese

Farro Salad

calzone

Lasagna-Red – Housemade pasta, bolognese sauce, bechamel sauce, parmigiano reggiano

pollo and avocado salad

Panini plate (lunch)

Special Milano extra thin with Calabrian Chili

Gnocchi

Speck and Brie Pizza

Sicilian Tuna salad

Mushroom Stuffed Mushroom Polenta special

salmon and saffron pasta special

Semifreddo

Nutella torte

semifreddo

special – Limoncello Tiramisu

Cannoli

Orecchiette in pistachio sundried tomato sauce with olive tapenade with shrimp

sausage and choice of pasta special

strawberry chicken salad

chicken cacciatore special that was laced with Calabrian chillies and served over cheesy polenta

Well that was a great big taste of Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante

Worth a Fork!

Worth A Fork!

www.BottegaRestaurante.com

Everything is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Dining Out With DOGS in Metro Phoenix AZ February 2021- Phila-Deli, Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery, The Bourbon Cellar, Cucina Tagliani

Dining out with dogs in metro Phoenix is just a “FLUFF” story about taking my dogs out to eat. It sort of started when my dog Louie was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. We were told that he probably only had 3 months or up to 6 month to live. He already was elderly and couldn’t do a lot but he always enjoyed eating and also going out to eat. I took Louie out to eat as often as I could and Louie made it another SEVENTEEN months. Today I take my current dogs out to eat when I can.

There are many things you need to know about taking dogs out to eat.

Not all restaurants with patios are dog friendly. They are either certified dog friendly or they are not. Regardless it is always best to call a restaurant and ask if it is ok to bring your furry friend. You never know if the patio is booked for a party.

It is always BEST to dine out with dogs at off times to avoid other people and other dogs. Not all people like dogs and some are allergic to dogs. Other dogs enjoy barking at each other and you could be asked to leave. Avoid problems and dine at off times.

Do you know that most food and drink that you consume could be harmful and even toxic to your dog? Educate yourself and get a list of foods to avoid from your veterinarian. Usually a small piece of lean sauce free meat can be a safe bet. Bring a water bowl for your furry friend.

Here in Arizona we have to be aware that our dogs are not as heat tolerant as us. They can’t sweat and are always wearing a fur coat. They also absorb heat up their paws…. Just like people all dogs do have different levels of tolerance for heat. Not always but usually 90 degrees F and up is too hot to dine out with dogs. Keep it 90 or below in shade. When there is any doubt leave your best friend home.

There are some rules for dining out with dogs. Dogs must be by your side at all times. Dogs are NOT to sit on restaurant furniture. Dog are not to eat off restaurant plates.

Our first stop was Phila-Deli in Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide. They are a casual sandwich shop that offers cheesesteaks, hoagies, salads and more. The nice people there offered my dogs water and some meat scraps. I said we didn’t need them today but they were extra nice and set a BIG bowl of water down for my dogs.

My husband got a large cheesesteak today with extra cheese and tomato sauce on the side.

I got a salad and already removed a lot of chicken for my dogs.

Chicken makes dogs happy. I think it’s a pretty nice salad for only $7.50 (+.75cents for avocado)

www.PhilaDeliAZ.com

We regularly go to Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in North Phoenix. They are a Pho -Free Vietnamese Restaurant that offers most of your Vietnamese favorites except for pho. They are called Banh Mi Bistro V. E. because they offer around a dozen different Banh Mi baguette sandwiches. All the food is always delicious. They also give out very large portions and everything is $10 and mostly LESS! They used to offer out door tables but were told to remove the tables because they are not zoned for outdoor dining. We use a folding table here.

Today my husband got the grilled pork rice plate.

You can also see how it taste.

I got the curry chicken with rice today.

We always enjoy going to Banh Mi Bistro in North Phoenix.

www.BanhMiBistroAZ.com

The Bourbon Cellar is located in North Scottsdale. They are a small steak and seafood house but also offer some of the most amazing ground in house burgers ever! They offer seating indoors but have a unique lush water feature lined dog friendly patio.

Our server was very nice to our dogs and brought each dog a bowl of water.

We decided to start out by sharing the macaroni and cheese appetizer.

It’s very cheesy with lots of sauce. It took a little while but it was worth waiting for. My dogs also enjoyed some.

We took most of it home so we’d have room for the amazing burgers.

Here’s my husband’s fresh ground filet mignon burger with bacon, cheese and onions and a side of onion rings.

I got mine with a side of fresh made to order crunchy cole slaw and my burger was topped with onion rings and bourbon pickles.

It’s a really delicious burger. I think it’s the best one that I have tasted anywhere. It’s also very large so I cut mine in half and my dogs ate the other half.

The Bourbon Cellar was a really great choice today.

www.TheBourbonCellar.com

Next we were off to Cucina Tagliani in Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide.

Cucina Tagliani is an American-Italian Restaurant that is also offering some steak and rib specials lately.

Today I got my usual strawberry chicken salad. The strawberries are always extra good and the dressing is delicious.

My husband got a Stromboli.

My dogs always enjoy all the visits to Cucina Tagliani.

www.CucinaTagliani.com

That was dining out with dogs in metro Phoenix. We hope that you’ve enjoyed and we hope to see you next month.

The Forking Truth
In Memory of Louie 5-5-2001 – 3-3-2017

Over 60 Metro Phoenix AZ Restaurants with Patio Seating Phoenix Scottsdale Glendale Peoria Tempe Carefree Buckeye Cave Creek

Spring Time comes early in the Valley of the Sun. Here are some of the restaurants with patios that I have dined from in no particular order.

Up above is Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide. They have a stunning patio. They have misters for cooling and heaters for chilly days. Part of the patio has shades with an indoor-outdoor bar. They also have a beautiful park-like setting and the patio is dog friendly.

Geordie’s at the Wriggly Mansion in Phoenix has out door seating that was expanded after this photo was taken.

Tacos Chiwas in Phoenix has a patio.

Singh Medows in Tempe offers multiple choices for outdoor seating. They offer a patio and outside tables. They also offer blankets to use so you can seat yourself by a pond or in the meadow.

But you do need to call Singh Meadows to check on when they are open. They are a farmers market with limited weekend hours only.

Virtu Honest Craft – Scottsdale

Fellow Osteria – Scottsdale

Pane Bianco in Phoenix

The Sicilian Butcher in Phoenix

The Rec (Detroit Style) Pizzeria and Wings in Peoria offers a few tables outside.

The Larry – Phoenix

Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue in Cave Creek also offers patio dining.

The Vic Bar and Kitchen in Buckeye AZ

The Vic Bar and Kitchen in Buckeye

The Copper Mule in North Scottsdale has a patio with heaters that is also dog friendly.

The Perfect Pear Bistro in Tempe offers outdoor seating.

Pomo Cucina and Pizzeria in Scottsdale has a patio and so does their Gelato Restaurant Luna next door.

Elements at the Sanctuary in Paradise Valley Scottsdale offers Patio Seating.

Mrs Chicken in Phoenix does have a patio.

Oscar’s Pier 83 in Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide offers patio dining. They are also dog friendly.

Tonto Bar & Grill in Cave Creek

Pizzeria Bianco at Town and Country in Phoenix offers Patio Dining. They have portable heaters.

Bandolero Cocina de Mexico in Scottsdale offers two patios with heaters. The back patio is also dog friendly.

Desi Fusion offers a shaded small patio.

Prado at the Omni Resort in Paradise Valley Scottsdale.

Ocotillo in Phoenix offers multiple patios with portable heaters with a beautiful park-like setting.

The Twisted Italian in Peoria offers a two table patio in front of the restaurant and is dog friendly.

Lon’s at the Hermosa in Paradise Valley Scottsdale.

Ofrenda in Cave Creek offers a two story wrap around patio.

Fabio On Fire in Peoria/#UpperWestSide offers TWO patios with portable heaters.

Parma Italian Roots in North Scottsdale offers patio dining with portable heaters and an indoor-outdoor bar.

The Bourbon Cellar in North Scottsdale offers dog friendly patio seating.

Veneto Trattoria in Scottsdale

Lure Fish House in Scottsdale offers two heated patios

FnB in the arts district of Scottsdale (during pandemic) is patio seating only with portable heaters.

Phila-Deli in Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide offers dog friendly Patio Seating.

Confluence in Carefree offers stunning mountain views and patio dining with heaters and a fireplace.

Tacos Calafia in Peoria offers a few patio tables.

The Craftsman in North Scottsdale offers a wrap around dog friendly patio with large door wall of windows that sort of extend the patio space.

Cucina Tagliani in Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide offers old fashioned Italian music, misters and heaters on an officially licensed dog friendly patio.

Jalapeno Inferno in Peoria offers patio dining with misters. The North Scottsdale location also has some patio dining. The North Scottsdale location also has patio seating.

Twist Bistro and Gallery in North Scottsdale offers patio tables with umbrellas.

Stratta Kitchen in Scottsdale offers a patio.

Starlight BBQ in Scottsdale offers some patio seating on long benches.

Wally’s American Gastropub in Scottsdale offers a patio.

La Piazza Al Forno in Old Town Glendale does have a small patio.

The Collins in Phoenix has a small patio.

Angelina’s Pho & Grill in Glendale does have a patio that was useable on my last visit. (It has been closed for a long time)

Doda’s Pizza in Glendale does have a few patio tables.

Sel in Old Town Scottsdale offers patio seating.

Las 15 Salsas in Phoenix has a small patio.

Greek Palace in Peoria does have two patios. They have at least one open patio.

True Food Kitchen – Biltmore Fusion Park in Phoenix

Chauncey Social – Scottsdale

Zinque at the Scottsdale Fusion Square in Scottsdale.

The Farish House in Phoenix.

Proof in North Scottsdale.

Mowry and Cotton at the Phoenician in Phoenix.

Pizziacatta in Cave Creek

Persepshen in Phoenix.

The Farm in Phoenix.

Little Cay in Phoenix.

JB Steakhouse at the Phoenician in Phoenix.

Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol in Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide

English Rose Tea Room – Cave Creek

Vincent Market Bistro in Phoenix has a few outdoor tables but you better get them before 5pm…(It’s an extra early crowd here).

Tarbell’s The Tavern (I did hear the patio got extended since this photo was taken)

Cafe Monarch has an outdoor patio (out back).

Little Miss BBQ – Sunny Slope Phoenix.

That was over 60 patios in Metro Phoenix.

These days every FORKING thing is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Dining Out With DOGS in Metro Phoenix AZ January 2021 – Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante, Oscar’s Pier 83, Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery

Dining out with dogs in metro Phoenix Arizona is just a “Fluff” story about taking my dogs out to eat. It all sort of started when my dog Louie was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. They told us that he was only expected to live three more months and up to 6 at the most. Louie already was old and couldn’t do a lot but he always enjoyed eating and going out to eat so I took him out as often as I could and instead of the 3-6 months Louie made it another 17 months. Today I take my current dogs out to eat when I can.

There are some things that you need to know if you dine out with dogs. Not all restaurant patios are dog friendly. You need to see a sign or license posted that the restaurant is dog friendly….

If you don’t see a sign then you need to call and ask the restaurant if you can bring your furry friend.

From experience I highly recommend that you dine out with your dog at off times to avoid possible problems. Some people just don’t like dogs and other people are allergic. It’s best to avoid other dogs too because dogs enjoy barking at each other and that might be considered to be a disturbance and you could be asked to leave.

You need to know that dogs must be by your side at all times. Dogs are NOT to sit on restaurant furniture and dogs are NOT to eat off restaurant plates.

Did you know that most food and drink that you consume can be harmful or even TOXIC to your dog? You must get a list of safe foods and foods to avoid from your veterinarian. You also need to be aware that your dog is NOT as heat tolerant as you are. Dogs wear a fur coat all the time and absorb heat up their paws. They also can’t sweat. All dogs do differ just like people but in general 90 degrees F is too hot to dine out with dogs. Maybe some dogs can take 90 degrees or less but only in shade.

Our first destination this month is Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante. They are an Italian restaurant that specializes in serving Neapolitan Pizzas, House made pastas, Italian foods, seasonal specials and more. They also have a comfortable all weather dog friendly patio with misters and shades for cooling. They also have portable heaters for those few chilly days and an indoor outdoor bar with a TV for other people.

The patio has a nice park-like atmosphere.

Our nice server brings water for the dogs.

Then we get some fresh baked breads.

I get the seasonal special of Chicken piccata. I had a small side salad with it that I forgot to photo.

The chicken is intense with lemon. It really doesn’t taste like other chicken piccata dishes that I have had. They tell me that the food here is authentic Italian and the chef and pizza maker are both from Italy.

My husband gets the Bottega Pizza (sausage and pepperoni).

My dogs are pretty happy to be getting lots of chicken.

www.BottegaRistorante.com

Next we went to Oscar’s Pier 83 in Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide.

They have a nice comfortable patio that is nicely spaced with large comfortable tables. They also have some new outside shades too.

My husband got fried cod, oysters and shrimp.

I got the cajun catfish with added vegetables.

To my surprise the dogs enjoyed squash and zucchini very much. They also got to eat fish but I had to be extra careful on what I fed them because there was a lot of cajun seasoning on the fish that contains onion and garlic that is very bad for dogs. I cut both sides of seasoning off the fish so the dogs could have some. The fish was very crispy…much crispier than it normally is here. With all the seasoning it was hard to tell that it was catfish but it seemed fresh.

www.OP83.com

We love going to Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in North Phoenix. They offer most of your favorite Vietnamese dishes except for pho.

Today my husband had a shaken beef Banh Mi baguette sandwich. (the beef is always REALLY great here….to me it is like filet mignon but I know that it is rib eye)

I got a noodle bowl….

It’s BIG and everything here is delicious! I got a BIG bowl of rice noodles topped with minty herby salad, marinated seasoned chicken with crushed peanut and fried shallots, (my husband accidentally got me tofu too that is very tasty) a crispy egg roll, fish sauce for dipping and chili paste. Both meals could be two meals for some people. I got plenty to share.

www.BanhMiBistroAZ.com

My lucky dogs got to revisit Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale again.

We all got to see the NEW expanded patio.

Today they started us off with a complimentary basket of fresh baked focaccia and a bowl of water for my VIPS ( Very Important Pups) My husband got the sausage special with a choice of fresh hand made pasta (he picked trofie)

I got the strawberry chicken salad.

We all enjoyed our visit to Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante!

That was dining out with Dogs in Metro Phoenix for January 2021.

This month we visited –

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante – Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide

Oscar’s Pier 83 – Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide

Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery – North Phoenix

We hope to see you next month!

The Forking Truth
In Memory of Louie 5-5-2001 – 3-3-2017

Newly Opened Tom Yum Thai in Peoria AZ #UpperWestSide

A NEW Thai restaurant just opened in North Peoria called Tom Yum Thai. At this time (Dec/2020) there is another location of Tom Yum Thai in Surprise Arizona. The Peoria location is very tiny with less than ten indoor tables. But it seems clean and is bright and cozy inside. It’s tiny restaurant but they offer a very large menu. of many appetizers, soups, salads, chef’s specials, wok entrees, curries, noodles, pho and more.

They differ from some of the other Thai Restaurants by offering made in house hand rolled and other appetizers. One of the unique appetizers that I haven’t tried (yet) is the Thai Style Fried Sweet Potato dipped in coconut milk then tempura fried and served with tangy peanut sauce.

They offer NINE different salads that they say are packed with flavor and are not ordinary (It says that on the menu). They are filled with an abundance of herbs and spices.

There are many choices of seafood here. They offer a fresh catch of the day, mixed seafood with crispy noodles, scrambled egg with mixed seafood, a plate with one fried fish and one steamed with spicy lime dressing, a deep fried whole fish with spicy chili, and a few shrimp dishes.

Tom Yum Thai offers a bigger variety of protein for your wok entrees, curry and noodle dishes. They offer tofu or vegetables, tofu and vegetables, chicken, pork, bbq pork, beef, vegan shrimp, vegan chicken, shrimp, calamari, combination (chicken, pork, beef), duck, salmon, mixed seafood (calamari, shrimp, mussels, fish)

Wow that’s a lot!

Tonight we tried the green curry with salmon….We were told our choices were hot and Thai Hot. I picked hot.

The first thing I notice is that the curry isn’t green……Usually different peppers are used in the different curries and that is part of why the color of the curries differ. But it is different and does have delicious exotic spices and herby basil in it…There is eggplant green beans and bamboo in the creamy, slightly sweet coconut based sauce and then it builds quick with heat…..It is pretty darn hot. It close to the edge of nuclear in heat. The salmon is over cooked but I thought it would be. I’ll get chicken here next time for this sort of dish.

My husband got the spicy basil with chicken at Thai Hot with an added on fried egg.

It’s hot….and is a different hot than the green curry. We both think the green curry is hotter??????? We like the spicy Thai Basil….It’s hand chopped with lots of surface space for all the flavors to cling on to. There’s vegetables. It’s a big portion…..I think it could use a tad more basil but it really is pretty good.

That was my first visit to Tom Yum in Peoria AZ.

www.TomyumThaiAZ.com

Everything is subject to change these days.

The Forking Truth

Fabio On Fire Restaurant in Peoria AZ is Always Worth a Fork!

Fabio On Fire is an Italian Restaurant, Bakery and Pizzeria located in North Peoria Arizona. Fabio On Fire is also well known for selling his delicious baked goods and fresh baked pizzas via his mobile pizza oven at food festivals, farmers markets and catering.

I did mention that Fabio On Fire is well known for his delicious Italian Food. Don’t hesitate making a reservation because usually by 4:30 the restaurant is already on a wait and you might not be able to get in.

(This photo was taken before the pandemic…many tables have been removed for distancing)

Fabio is often seen making pizzas….He also chats with guest when he can.

A year or so back the restaurant was expanded with a second dining room behind the pizza oven. Fabio’s portrait is painted on the back dining room wall.

Fabio’s fresh baked goods are featured in a case

The restaurant has a NEW out front patio in addition to the side patio that they already have.

Below is the side patio.

No matter where you are seated they also start you out with Fabio’s amazing crusty bread and olive oil dotted with balsamic.

I don’t really like to eat bread when I’m ordering pizza but it would be a horrible mistake not to eat Fabio’s delicious bread. We have to eat one piece and take the rest home for breakfast tomorrow.

Tonight I’m having the bufalina pizza.

It’s made of San Marzano tomato sauce, imported buffalo mozzarella, oregano, garlic, arugula, balsamic reduction and extra virgin olive oil. It’s a mix of all kinds of wonderful flavors. The buffalo cheese here isn’t watery and is firm like the way I prefer.

The crust is nice and thin…This kind of pizza is light and easy to eat. Mine is very crisp today.

My husband got the salciccia (San Marzano Tomato sauce, mozzarella, sausage, mushrooms and extra virgin olive oil).

If we get dessert usually but not all the time we often get the house made gelato because it is truly FABULOUS and possibly might be the best gelato in the country. Fabio should bring his gelato to Shark Tank and have them invest in him. So today we took a leap of faith and went with the cannoli.

It’s a good cannoli. I am usually disappointed with cannoli that I get out at restaurants because I make my own from scratch. I even make the cheese. If I say that this is good then it is good!

Here are some of the food items we tried previously from Fabio On Fire.

pear salad
strawberry spinach salad
beet goat cheese and arugula salad
gnocchi pesto
veal tortelloni special
spinach ravioli with walnut sauce special. This one was really amazing!!!! Both me and my husband loved this one…This one is extra special.
eggplant parm special
short rib ravioli special
sausage ravioli special
napoletano (anchovy) pizza
take out- halibut special, meatballs, orecchiette
takeout – funghi porcini ravioli special, strawberry gorgonzola salad, gnocchi sorrentina
limoncello tiramisu
blood orange gelato (we’ve also had passionfruit, chocolate and the strawberry. They are all amazing.

Fabio On Fire is certainly Worth a Fork!

Worth A Fork!

www.FabioOnFire.com

Everything is subject to change.

The Forking Truth