Tag Archives: #PhoenixFood

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!

Worth a Fork!

www.RestaurantConfluence.com

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

The Forking Truth

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.

The Forking Truth

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.

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

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.

The Forking Truth

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.

“We are big fan of Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante.” “We are regulars.”

Casa Corazon Restaurant brought chicken mole, red beet sauced cheese and enchiladas and cochinta.

Rodger Cline Moonshine (soon a name change…..) Served pairing with the tastings….This. was really good!

More art

Scallop Aguachili from Mochilero Kitchen (soon to open end of March in Peoria by Christ Church of the Valley)

OMG…this was soo Forking Good! The eggplant tabouli hummus nachos with shrug sauce….so fresh, herby, spicy tasty delicious!

The arroz con pollo and cabbage slaw was another that was among my favorites.

Checking out some of the art again.

This was unexpected.

This was also unexpected.

Pachamama served coconut ceviche and potato tacos.

Everest Momo and Sherpa Kitchen offered butternut squash tikka, chicken tikka and raita naan.

The Breadfruit and Run Bar gave out Spicy escowitch oyster shooters.

That wasn’t everything and there was a lot of booze to try but I ate instead and was ready to bust.

Devour the World was really great in Peoria 2020. I hope it’s here next year!

The Forking Truth

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

Leave a reply

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

My Trip to True Food Kitchen Phoenix AZ – Healthy Delicious Food

Leave a reply

True Food Kitchen is a full service casual restaurant located in Phoenix Arizona at the Biltmore Fashion Plaza. There is another True Food Kitchen in Scottsdale and somewhere around forty other locations and many new locations to open in the United States. True Food Kitchen offers foods that are based on the science that to maintain your best health by choosing foods that don’t contribute to chronic inflammation by alternative medicine celebrity doctor Dr. Weil. True Food Kitchen offers vegetarian, non vegetarian, vegan and gluten free foods. They are happy to customize a meal for you. A few locations offer yoga brunches.

The Phoenix location offers a foliage lined patio.

Inside is bright, woody with green accents and modern light fixtures.

Today I went with the winter immunity bowl $14.00 (470 calories V) and added chicken $4.00 (160-180 calories)

This bowl was filled with mushrooms (That is why I wanted to try this…..OR THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO BE lion’s mane mushrooms????????), farro, quinoa, carrots, broccolini, garbanzo beans, bean sprouts, edamame, organic kale, garlic broth and added chicken. I’ve recently had lion’s main mushrooms a few times and these did differ in texture and taste and seemed very similar to shiitake mushrooms(???????????????). The bowl was tasty. The chicken was abundant and moist and tender. It was filling but didn’t weigh you down. I am sorry now that I didn’t pull out the mushrooms to photo…I can see one mushroom floating near the top. This does not look like a lion’s mane mushroom. It’s the wrong color, wrong taste and wrong texture. It’s the piece above the chicken and below the kale. But someone from the restaurant claimed it was lion’s mane mushrooms…………????????????? so I can’t say it wasn’t but I have my doubts. Most of the mushrooms in this dish seemed similar to shiitakes.

Here are raw lion’s mane mushrooms. They have a lacy texture and look like tribbles from Star Trek. Mine that I cooked were very very tender.

Here are the same lion’s mane mushrooms cooked

I did question my server about the mushrooms and she thought that my dish was made with lion’s mane mushrooms. I know that I did get one small piece of lion’s mane mushroom in my dish but most of the other mushrooms did seem different. A week after I contacted the restaurant management from True Food Kitchen contacted me back and said that I got lion’s mane mushrooms in my dish. They said that the texture might have changed because they soak the mushrooms. (???????????)

ANYWHO- the dish was still very good tasting and seemed very healthy. I really did like the dish. I apologies for doubting the mushrooms. I could be wrong but I don’t think I am. (That’s The FORKING TRUTH)

My husband had the grilled fish tacos $19.50 (570 calories GF).

We got two grilled red fish tacos with pickled jicama, avocado salsa, coconut crema, dried corn, radish slices and cold grilled lime with anasazi beans on the side. I tried a bite and I have to say this was very flavorful. Even the beans had very good flavors going on. This is enough food for a woman but most men might still be hungry after this.

Last time I tried the limited summer red fish ($26.00 480 calories). (this one was really delicious!)

My husband had the limited summer spinach and mushroom pizza $15.00 970 calories. (this one was made with vegan cheese)

The food we tried seemed to be flavored well and all of it seemed healthy.

www.TrueFoodKitchen.com

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

The Forking Truth

Vino & Panino Cave Creek AZ – Groovy Sandwiches

Leave a reply

Vino & Panino is a little sandwich and wine restaurant in beautiful Cave Creek Arizona. They are in the spot where the original Binkley’s was. Vino & Panino is soon to expand to a full service Italian restaurant and pizzeria and take up all of this small strip mall eventually.

It’s small but friendly, cozy and fun. Psychedelic colors, Young Frankenstein on TV, disco balls, Sputnik light fixtures, flowers, a rainbow whisk, twister and so much more crammed in this little place.

Today’s menu

You order at the counter, pay and seat yourself.

I went with the angry turkey sandwich ($14.00) Fries ($2.00).

The bread is good quality bread and is nicely toasted. The menu reads roasted turkey but it taste like lunch meat turkey…to me…anywho ….I LOVE the giardiniera! It’s a BOMB of flavor and heat….It wakes everything up! The provolone cheese is delicious and it sticks to one side of the bread. You can fold it and make two sandwich treats. A tasty grilled cheese and a tasty turkey sandwich. The fries came out hot and are fluffy, a little crisp and seem free of oil. There is also a condiment bar behind me with very good pickles and Chicago peppers.

My husband went with the Castellano sandwich ($14.00).

It was made of hot gabagool, soppressata, 24 month aged prosciutto, pistachio mortadella and aged provolone.

I only ate half the bread so I’d have room for dessert and we tried pistachio and hazelnut gelato.

The gelato was $4.00 a cup. The texture was a little off with the pistachio…….it seemed a little dried out but the flavor of both gelatos was very good.

Vino & Panino – Groovy!

www.VinoandPanino.com

Every Thing is subject to CHANGE and your experience may or may NOT differ.

The Forking Truth

Dining out with DOGS in Metro Phoenix January 2020

Leave a reply

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 was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. He was already old and couldn’t do much but enjoyed going out to eat. I took him out as often as I could and instead of the 3-6 months the vet gave him he made it another 17 months. Today my current dogs enjoy going out to eat.

There are many things to know before dining out with dogs. Many restaurants in Phoenix do have patios but not all patios are dog friendly. It’s ALWAYS BEST to call the restaurant the day of your visit and ask if it’s ok to dine there with your dog. It is also ALWAYS BEST to dine at off times. It’s best to avoid people with allergies. It’s best to avoid people that don’t share your love of dogs. It is also BEST to avoid other people with dogs because dogs tend to bark at each other and you might get asked to leave. Call restaurant first and dine at off times

There are some rules for dining out with dogs. Your dog(s) must be close and by your side at all times. Dogs are NOT permitted to sit on restaurant furniture or EAT off of restaurant plates. You also must get a list of what foods to avoid from your veterinarian. Most food and drink that you consume can be harmful or TOXIC to your dog. Usually a small lean piece of sauce free meat is usually a safe bet. It’s VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW that your dog is not as heat tolerant as you. All dogs like people have a different tolerance for heat. Not all but most younger healthy dogs can tolerate up to 90 degrees BUT ONLY IN SHADE. OVER 90 DEGREES F IS TOO HOT TO DINE OUT WITH DOGS.

Now I will turn The Forking Truth over to my dogs to tell about their dining experience.

“We are on our way to The Twisted Italian in Peoria.” “They are an Italian Restaurant that actually does offer some twisted different things like an Italian Chili Relleno and Pierogis.”

“Ummm I’m going to do well today!” “She got a strawberry and goat cheese salad with added chicken.” “There’s a Forking lot of chicken and it’s juicy and warm!” “SCORE!”

“We did alright with the chicken parmigiana”……….”but we did even better with the strawberry goat cheese salad because we got to eat more chicken and more chicken is always better than less chicken.”

“We enjoyed everything we ate at The Twisted Italian!”

www.EatTwisted.com

“We are on our way to Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale.”

“Today we got to try a little bit of speck and cheese from a brie and speck pizza made with imported speck, brie and mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce and extra virgin olive oil .”

“OMG that was delicious!”

“We also ate mostly grilled chicken from panarea panino that was a half sandwich and small soup.

“I enjoyed the chicken very much!” “The NICE waiter also brought us a beverage of water today!”

“We always enjoy everything we try from Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante.”

www.BoteggaRistorante.com

“Fill my belly Phila Deli!” “We are on our way to Phila Deli in Glendale.”

“Phila Deli might be the most dog friendly restaurant in all of metro Phoenix.” “As soon as they saw us coming one person runs out with a BIG bowl of fresh water for us.” “Then another person runs out and ask if we would like some ham or turkey scraps (we went for turkey).”

“WOW!” “Look at all that delicious turkey!” “I FORKING LOVE Phila Deli!” “They are the best!”

“Our male human likes the cheese steaks here.” “We love the meat and cheese too!” “Sorry for the blurry picture.”

“Our female companion is trying a turkey wrap today.”

“Ummmmm it’s all delicious!” “I can’t wait for my next bite.”

“We enjoyed everything we had at Phila Deli.”

www.PhilaDeliAZ.com

“We missed one week of Dining Out With DOGS in Metro Phoenix because one dog (guess who) had something growing on her leg that got cut off.” “We’ve been told that it wasn’t cancer so we are all so happy now!”

“We hope that you’ve enjoyed Dining Out With DOGS in Metro Phoenix.” “We hope to see you next month!”

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

Desert Island Eatery Phoenix AZ – Forking SCRUMPTIOUS Caribbean & Vegan Food

Leave a reply

Desert Island Eatery is a small Caribbean and Vegan Take Out Restaurant located in North Phoenix Arizona. You can dine in if you are lucky enough to get one of the three small tables the restaurant has.

Desert Island Eatery has limited hours. They are open for dinner from 5pm-9pm Tuesday-Saturday. They are located in an older strip mall on Bell Road behind a Taco Bell so you will not be able to see them from the road. The inside is very small but is decorated with homey things.

The mother and her youthful son will wait on you.

I look at the menu. What will I get this time?

Maybe next time I might change things up? I’m getting my favorites from last time again.

We start again with the lentil balls ($5.00).

I have been told that the recipe was changed. The lentil balls are now gluten free and do have a different texture. They are noticeably more lentil like and less falafel like. Still delicious and covered with a bit of jerk mayo and guava drizzle.

Last time I had the tri-plate with three kinds of chicken (jerk, curry and bbq). They all were delicious but for my taste the most special flavors were the curry and jerk so I had to get a combo plate of curry and jerk chicken ($16.00).

Both chickens are incredibly moist, flavorful and are falling off the bone. The curry is just as delicious as I remember from last time. Today the jerk is also delicious but maybe one notch spicier. I do believe this jerk chicken is the best jerk chicken I’ve ever had anywhere. The yellow rice is very flavorful (and abundant) and the cabbage is delicious. This is a very large portion and is two dinners for me (SCORE! WHOO HOO!). ((I love bringing home leftovers when the food is delicious))

My husband asked for a special combo of jerk chicken with jerk shrimp with rice and peas ($18.00).

Everything was prepared well and everything was delicious.

We expressed interest in the vegan Mac and cheese. We were told it was made with cashew milk, potatoes and carrots. That doesn’t sound so tasty to me but a small sample did come out and I have to I was wrong…It actually was delicious. It looked just like macaroni and cheese. It didn’t taste really cheesy but had a very good flavor and it felt like macaroni and cheese in your mouth. I think it might have been laced with vegetable soup flavor. I might order some next time.

The desserts do differ depending on the day.

Today they had Johnny Cakes with spiced apples ($5.00).

They weren’t what I was expecting….I thought they’d be yellow pancakes but we got balls that were sort of doughnut-like with a tasty not too sweet apple topping.

Last time we had-

Tri Plate Combo curry chicken, jerk chicken yellow rice with cabbage ($18.00).

Jerk Seafood Combo (Jamaican Jerk Style) Shrimp Swai, rice and peas ($20.00)

Desert Island Eatery is Forking SCRUMPTIOUS Caribbean and Vegan Food.

Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

www.DesertIslandTucson.com

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

The Forking Truth