Category Archives: Forking Restaurant Reviews

Honest unbiased reviews based on actual experiences

First Dining Out During The CoronaVirus Pandemic – Patio Dining at Confluence in Carefree AZ

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Nothing is for certain and there is always a risk of catching the coronavirus when you leave your house. I’m not a scientist but some scientist think that it is unlikely that you will catch the coronavirus outside with distancing. I’m not ready to do indoor dining yet but I thought I’d take a chance on the beautiful Confluence Patio and enjoy their amazing food they are known for.

I came early to try to beat the crowd and I was mostly successful. It stayed empty for most of my dining.

One side of the patio offers stunning mountain views. Tonight the weather was amazing here. It’s around 6 degrees cooler in Carefree than most oof Phoenix so with the cloud cover it was actually a cool temperature here.

Tried the four course tasting menu for the first time ($65. each).

They started us off with their amazing country loaf bread and a high quality olive oil accented with vinegar. The bread is so flavorful…….it’s impossible not to eat. I think it’s one of the most delicious breads I’ve ever ate.

Our first course were –

Aguachile – shrimp, radish, avocado, cilantro, onion ash, lime pickled red onions, cucumber, peptic and crisp yucca chips.

and

Mixed Greens Salad – chèvre, brioche croutons, sunflower seeds, pistachios and blackberry vinaigrette.

Both plates were really delicious but the aguachile had extra special fireworks going on with it and also secret ingredients not mentioned. It was explosive with flavors.

Second courses were-

Gnocchi – farm egg, pancetta, broccoli, pine nuts and pecorino

and

Wild Mushroom Soup

Wild Mushroom Soup – portobella dumplings, shallot, buttered leeks, leek oil and mushroom powder

Both plates were amazing. The soup was very silky and intense with flavors. I have no idea how each ingredient in the soup has so much flavor.

Our main plates were –

Iberico Pluma – stewed tomato, baby squash, crispy garlic, crispy caper, chick peas, pea sprouts and Calabrian Chili.

and

Arctic Char – mushrooms, English peas, fettuccini, herbs and preserved citrus butter

Both plates tasted amazing. The pork was caramelized and tender. The fish was mild and flaky. The chick peas had a special pop factor with the most contrast with flavors. The fettuccini was toothsome and had this amazing buttery taste and the peas popped with freshness.

The sweet endings.

White Macadamia Tart – caramelized white chocolate pudding, macadamia brittle, salted caramel sauce

and

Blueberry Crisp – black pepper oat crumbs, dried blueberries, lavender, creme fraiche semi freddo

WOW! Both desserts were magical.

The flavors in the macadamia were so intense and delicious.

The blueberry crisp was almost savory but also so delicious with different textures.

It was an amazing magical delicious dinner from Confluence in Carefree.

That was my first dining out during the CoronaVirus Pandemic.

Everything is subject to change and we hope these times change for the better.

www.RestaurantConfluence.com

The Forking Truth

Take Out During The Coronavirus in Metro Phoenix AZ – Fabio On Fire, Banh Mi Bistro & Cucina Tagliani

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We are supporting local restaurants during the coronavirus crisis. We did Fabio On Fire in Peoria and took out two pizzas.

They converted the restaurant to “CURB SIDE ONLY” and ordering and payment is online. They communicate with you by text messaging. Then you order is placed on an outside table. After you pick up your order the table is sanitized.

My husband enjoyed a sacciccia e funghi pizza $14.95. (sausage and mushrooms)

“Good Stuff!”

I enjoyed a bufalina pizza $15.95. (arugula, imported buffalo mozzarella, balsamic and extra virgin olive oil.

Another take out was Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in North Phoenix.

Everyone was doing take out from here because they ran out of rice, noodles and pork.

They are a PHO-FREE Vietnamese Eatery…Most of your usual Vietnamese favorites but no pho.

Eat a banh mi instead!

Today I took out a chicken banh mi ($7.00. I ate half today and will eat the other half tomorrow.

half the sandwich is pictured

I had some help from my furry friends.

My husband had a shaken beef banh mi ($8.00).

This is half

We always enjoy everything from Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery.

We also did take out from Cucina Tagliani in Glendale.

The dinners came with lots of garlic toast.

I had grilled salmon with asparagus and spaghetti squash in a lemon caper sauce ($23.99). My husband had shrimp diabolo ($21.99).

My husband surprised me with an added on mascarpone chocolate cake.

It’s a very big slice and feeds at least four people but it really is delicious!

That was my take out in Metro Phoenix during the coronavirus.

Fabio On Fire

Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery

Cucina Tagliani

It’s important during these times to support your local eateries!

The Forking Truth

Skewers Mediterranean Grill – Newly Opened – Glendale AZ – #UpperWestSide – Worth a Fork if you are in the area

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Skewers Mediterranean Grill recently opened in North Glendale in the area that is considered the upper west side of metro Phoenix Arizona. This is a fast casual Mediterranean restaurant. You order at the counter, pay and seat yourself.

They offer gyros and shawarmas cooked on vertical rotisseries. They also offer beef, chicken and kefta (seasoned ground beef) kabobs and falafels. You can have these items served to you in a pita, fry bowl, tortilla wrap or a salad. They also offer extra toppings, sauces and various salads.

Natural light comes in threw the glass front windows and door.

Hand painted figures of folklore and mythology accent the wall.

Today I went with the chicken kabob salad bowl with pomegranate vinaigrette ($7.50).

The chicken is moist developed with flavors and is nicely seasoned. It rest over a bed of fresh salad with feta cheese. it also came with pickled turnips, pickles and garlic sauce. No complaints here! It’s good!

My husband ordered the gyro salad with added garbanzo beans and lemon vinaigrette ($7.50).

The gyro meat (beef & lamb) was moist and nicely seasoned. This platter comes with tzatziki sauce.

We ordered a few extras that were good!

Four falafels that come with tahini sauce ($3.00).

The falafels were herby and seemed like they were free of oil.

Beet salad ($3.00).

It’s mixed with cucumber, garbanzo beans and fresh herbs. It’s light and refreshing.

Worth a Fork if you are in the area.

I haven’t found a website for Skewers Mediterranean Grill but you can find them on Facebook.

Phone# 602-607-5286

18589 N 59th Ave Glendale AZ 85308 and hours are Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm

The Forking Truth

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

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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!

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.

The Forking Truth

My Brunch at Sel Restaurant in Scottsdale AZ

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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)

Sel –

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.

The Forking Truth

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

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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.

Worth a Fork!

www.AbyssiniaRestaurantCafe.com

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

The Forking Truth

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

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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!

Worth a Fork!

www.RestaurantConfluence.com

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

The Forking Truth

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

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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.

Combo #1
carnitas
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.

Chile Relleno
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.

The Forking Truth

My Trip to Tacos Y Mariscos 7 Oceanos Glendale AZ

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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.

The Forking Truth

Greek Palace Peoria AZ – Greek Food and Flaming Cheese! OPA!

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Greek Palace is a full service Greek Restaurant located in Peoria Arizona. They opened around June 2019. Since my first visit they added two patios. The inside dining consist of a large bar, traditional tables and tables with benches. It’s bright and airy with some greek accents on the walls.

We ordered our dinners and two fresh Greek Salads come out shortly.

Then our appetizer comes out.

OPA! FLAMING CHEESE! Now THAT is an OPA!

It’s saganak flamed with brandy and lemon and it came with pita bread ($9.99). It’s really delicious!

For dinner I tried the chicken kefta because I never saw chicken kefta on a menu before ($15.99).

.It’s caramelized long logs of seasoned ground chicken that is tasty and a very large portion. It rest over yellow basmati rice and comes with charred zucchini, peppers, onions, carrots and tzatziki sauce.

My husband got the three meat platter called the supreme platter ($22.99).

He got a chicken kabob, a kefta (beef), gyro (beef & lamb), yellow basmati rice, mixed vegetable tzatziki and garlic sauce. All the meats are moist and seasoned. His favorite is the gyro. I like the garlic sauce but it is too much garlic for my husband’s taste.

Last time we had-

combo Appetizer plate $14.99

Lunch chicken kabob plate $10.99

The lunch firefighter plate $10.99

Greek Palace Peoria AZ – It’s Greek Food and they offer really delicious saganak (flaming cheese)

www.GreekPalace.net

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

The Forking Truth