Lux Coffeebar
We're writing this blog to tell you our favorite things in Phoenix. Lux Coffeebar is on my favorite-of-favorites list, which is why I was actually stunned to see that I haven't written about it before. I swore I had -I would have bet money (the fake monopoly kind, but still) that I had not missed the eclectic coffeeshop, a real gem in Downtown Phoenix.
So let me not continue this disservice any longer. Introducing......Lux Coffeebar to The Hot Sheet.
What's so great about Lux? The unpretentiousness, the freedom, the vibe (the same vibe that makes me want to set up a home office inside Lux), the mindfulness. It is the grand mother of all my favorite coffee spots - Lola's, LGO, Luci's - and included in the group because of the awesomely superior beans and blend (they use a small coffee bean roaster so the beans are roasted fresh daily), but what makes all these places so unique is the setting. And even within the Lovely 'L's of coffee, Lux is unreplicated. Uncopied. Original.
The art space on the wall, the tables for open internet usage, the loungey chairs, and the fab location of being right next to Pane Bianco in central Phoenix, all make it so indie, so cool. It inspires their patrons to be philosophical, even asking questions -
"What is ambition? Do you have any?"
One particular day, that very question nearly stopped me in my tracks when placing my usual latte order, and I stared dumb at the cashier who had to repeat to me, "What can I get you from the coffee bar today?" As if I didn't know what I wanted. But I did - that day, a vanilla latte with a shot of ambition, apparently. It's a good thing they weren't asking about self control because I also stuttered over which delightful pastry to order, settling on a gooey brownie, that topped off my caprese sandwich from their neighbor. Since it's right off the light rail stop at Campbell and Central Avenue, that brownie/latte combo is drop-in accessible.
Lux is the kind of place that I want to yell about from the mountaintops, as even Phoenix loyalists have sometimes not heard about it. Not because it's not wonderful, but because it's humble. Like me, I'm sure many dedicated Lux patrons would like to keep it a secret, but no-can-do for a place that has realized its own ambitions so well.
The Farm at South Mountain
I have found the perfect place to escape from the city and actually, it's not that far from the city. In fact, it's pretty much right in the center of things, only it certainly doesn't seem like it. If you feel the need to "get back to nature," then The Farm is the place to go. We decided to check it out for Easter Brunch and loved it.
The food was delicious and, of course, about as fresh as you can get considering much of it is grown on property. They served up everything from eggs and waffles to fruit and pasta. And don't even get me started on the desserts - yum!
Since we were a bit stuffed after brunch, we decided to roam the grounds for a little excercise. Plus it was just too gorgeous of a day not to spend as much time as possible outside. During our stroll, we stumbled upon "The Cottage," a fabulous little artist studio with local jewelry, soaps, note cards and more. Well, I was in heaven. Eating and shopping happen to be two of my favorite things and to be able to do them both in one spot is a bonus.
You should check out The Farm. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Bunky Boutique
When I hear "boutique," I'm not really sure what to expect. Are we talking super lux store with alarming price tags? Or are we talking a garage sale with four walls and a roof? I'm so conditioned, that when I walk into a store that's cute but modern, organized and looks just-enough-fancy with just-enough-fresh, I assume I will pay for all this loveliness through the nose when I go to buy that cute t-shirt.
So when I walked into Bunky Boutique downtown and saw this:
...I knew it was too good to be true. I flipped through the racks and noticed tons of different local designers as well as hard-to-find national brands, and all priced extremely fairly, I might add. There is a great room stocked with men's clothes, including some fab graphic tees. There were a few gals' skirts that I am swooning over too - but the day I was there, I fell madly in love with their jewelry collection. Everything from wire-wrapped flowers, to SJP/Madonna-esque pearl/bead multi-strands, it's finally a great gift (or gift-for-me) collection that's unique.
It's a unique setting, too. A house built in the early 1900s, half a gallery (Red Dog Gallery) and half is Bunky. A porch swing and old wooden stairs make this converted house comfortable and casual. It's right next to Roosevelt Tavern, another antique-house-conversion.
Located in downtown Phoenix, it's open for lunch break shopping fix, or a stop during a boutique-ing day downtown, or a must-do during First Fridays.
Say "hi" to Rachel, the owner of Bunky Boutique
Mark Tarbell's Dream Day in Phoenix
Mark Tarbell. Who can help themselves from loving him? Not I. Maybe it's his energy, his crazy sense of humor, or the care and overall deliciousness he puts into every dish at his restaurant, Tarbell's. But it was his love of Phoenix, and his knowledge of all-things-hip to do here, that inspired this "Dream Day" video.
Mark gave us a list of all his favorite places, and we filmed the cream of the crop - places he returns to again and again. We think you'll find something to suit your fancy as well. Even if you're a local, I guarantee you haven't been everywhere Mark takes you!
Click Mark's pic at Camelback Mountain above, or go to www.visitphoenix.com/dreamday to see a few minutes of Mark. And just try not to fall in love with him. I dare you.
Luci's Healthy Marketplace
There's a new "place to be" in town. And I like it a whole, whole bunch. On the corner of 16th Street and Bethany Home Road, Luci's Healthy Marketplace brings Phoenix what it is lacking - hip healthfood. Not expensive, just cool.
Immediately upon entering from either the front doors or the raised garage door for a patio (a la Postino), you are greeted with a retro welcome. Neighborly, clean, and unintimidating. The products on the shelves range from natural toiletries, to every kind of tasty multigrain cracker, chip and cookie. The real gem is the wine/beer/cheese/appetizer fridge, that has an eclectic variety that I will definitely turn to for my next party. All the organic biz makes it look so fancy.
I first went on Friday, then again on Saturday, because as you know, I love my lattes. With my carefully calibrated palate (thanks to Lola's, Lux, LGO), I apprehensively tasted the latte. And holy moly it's delicious. Just the basic latte tasted like caramel, and as smooth as the goods at Lola's. I love it. It's unpretentious and delicious.
On the opposite side of Luci's Coffee Bar is the Kitchen, where cooking demonstrations, classes and prep of the daily to-go eats happens. They're finalizing the schedule, but I need all the help I can get, so plan on seeing me there soon.
I talked to the owner, Ken (who I immediately knew I would like when he introduced himself as, "Ken. As in Barbie and Ken.") who mentioned he named Luci's after his wife, Luciana. He's a great guy. Makes shopping local so much better.
So grab a latte, welcome Ken to the neighborhood, and take a gander at the new marketplace in town.
http://www.lucishealthymarketplace.com/
Luci's doesn't even have a sign up yet
WEEKENDER 4/3-4/5
There is so much going on this weekend - holy music mania, Batman! You don't want to miss out, do you? No, I didn't think so. Consider this your bat signal.
Tempe Music Festival
The largest music festival in Arizona in it's 7th year is here again. Kid Rock, Roger Clyne & The Peacemaker, The Outlaws, Cowboy Mouth and Pop Evil performing on Friday, April 3 and 3 Doors Down, All American Rejects, Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman (of Rage Against the Machine), MUTEMATH, Shiny Toy Guns, Vayden, Tongue Dried Sun, Wensday, Red Letter Drive performing on Saturday, April 4. First, the Metro Light Rail will extend service until 12:30 a.m. both days of the event. In addition, Jose Cuervo will distribute 500 free Metro Light Rail ride passes both days of the event, Budweiser’s Family of Beers will be distributing free taxi ride coupons both days of the event, and Hensley & Co. will be conducting a designated driver incentive program that will provide free non-alcoholic beer, soda and water for those who pledge not to drink and drive from the event. O’Doul’s, Dr. Pepper and Icelandic Glacial Water will provide the incentive beverages.
Other events at Tempe Music Festival:
The Red Bull Wake Lab on Tempe Town Lake, the biggest and most innovative wakeboarding event ever created and executed in the state of Arizona. Some of the nation’s best riders along with several Arizona athletes will wakeboard in this revolutionary competition on a course that includes a complex mix of handrails and transfer rails, along with an elevated pool and wall ride built on Tempe Town Lake;
The Red Bull Air Force, a 12-man team assembled from the most accomplished and experienced skydivers, BASE jumpers and Para gliders on the planet. The team combines for over 130,000 skydives and 5,000 BASE jumps. Throughout the year, they perform more than 60 demos including air shows, NFL football games, NASCAR races, motocross races as well as skydiving and BASE jumping competitions. These all-out wild men have kayaked out of airplanes, ski BASE jumped off a 30-story casino and developed a form of “free flying” that allows the skydiver to fly at speeds close to 340 miles an hour and will do doing demos all weekend long;
A fully-operational Circle K store on-site, with all proceeds from the store going to the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation;
The SRP Lil’ Rockers Area with hands-on interactive instruments and music-related arts and crafts;
The SRP Music Shack Stage & Garage Band Competition where the SRP Garage Band Competition finalists will battle it out to see who will open for major 3 Doors Down and All American Rejects at the festival;
Corona Cove, a traditional beach-themed area between the Historic Mill Avenue Bridges at the waterfront that will have sand volleyball, and Tempe’s own Big Bang dueling pianos as well. The area, presented by Corona, will also allow event-goers a close-up view of the Red Bull Wake Lab Competition;
B Lounge presented by the Budweiser Family of Beers, which will act as the official VIP area of the event and will include free food and drink and giveaways from Budweiser;
TMF TV, an all-access “behind the scenes” interview program occurring live during the festival; and
Bud Light Sports Lounge, which will have plenty of flat screen televisions so festival attendees won’t miss a minute of NCAA March Madness action. More than 40 food, beverage and retail vendors will also be on-site offering product samplings, giveaways and other promotions all weekend long. Tickets for the 2009 Circle K Tempe Music Festival are available at www.livenation.com, Dodge Theatre Box Office, Tempe Market Place Guest Services or by phone at 1-800-594-TIXX. Two day passes are currently available for $60.00. Advance tickets are available $35.00 and will increase to $45.00 the week of the festival. Special VIP tickets are available for $100 each day, for complete information go to www.livenation.com. All dates, acts, attractions and ticket prices are subject to change without notice.
Country Thunder
Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Blake Shelton, Montgomery Gentry and so many more at the four-day music festival in Florence. Camping, partying, country food and southern beverages - what's not to love. Located in Florence, just a little over an hour drive away, becomes Country Music Heaven this weekend.
First Friday
The ASU Downtown Phoenix campus presents 'Action, Advocacy and Arts' at the 4th Annual Urban Gallery Exhibition at the University Center at 411 N. Central Ave this First Friday. This free exhibit features four new art collections, with more than 500 pieces on display. The campus will be filled with two stages of ASU graduate dance students performing with urban youth, live art demonstrations, kids' crafts and live music with steel drummers, tap dancers and local bands including Try Me Bicycle, Grupo Liberdade and Ten Dollar Outfit. 6 to 10pm.
Make sure to swing through the First Fridays Block Party in the Row. With 150 vendors, musicians and street performers are promising marvels, surprises, and great food galore, this is a necessary stop on your First Friday perusing. Look for Red Ducky Visual, a Block Party staple, on Garfield St where artist and designer Ryan Lowry offers live portrait and caricature drawings, all original artwork, T-shirts, prints and illustrations - and rubber duckys of course. monOrchid has partnered with the Archie Bray Foundation to present the 2009 National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The Archie Bray Foundation supports ceramic arts by providing a creative environment for ceramic artists to come together to share ideas. Sculptural and functional ceramic art created by artists from around the world will be shown so don't miss out. 6pm-9pm.
The fun continues Uptown on Saturday, April 4th from 4pm-8pm with a Street Party hosted by Martha + Mary to Benefit the ASU Art Museum. Don't miss art installations, new work and crafts by local artists, local bands including The Hooves, Subterranean Jazz, What Laura Says and Wizards of Time, a Four Peaks Beer Garden and a backyard BBQ by the Welcome Diner. There will also be a Screen-O-Rama to get custom screen prints on your favorite t-shirt and a Kids hands-on Art Zone. The event takes place at 4400 North Central Avenue, just south of Lux Coffeebar and Pane Bianco. Street and lot parking available or take the light rail to Campbell Ave. $5 entry at the door, kids under 12 get in free!
Phoenix Film Festival, April 2-9
In it’s ninth year , the biggest film festival in Arizona just keeps getting better. This week-long event shows hundreds of local and national films, and this year includes tons of celebrity power behind it. Located at the Harkins Theatres on the 101 and Scottsdale Road, there are tons of ticket options. Virginia Madsen, Bill Engvall, Morgan Spurlock, Amy Smart, Yeardley Smith and Johnathon Schaech will all attend various events, and event tickets are also available. Pass Level General Student/Senior VIP Patron Pass $425 $350 Festival Pass $150 $120 Opening Night Event $40 $30 Flex Pass $30 $20 Individual Screening $10 $10
Copperstate 1000
April 4
10am – 4:30pm
West Parking Lot of Tempe Diablo Stadium
$30 per advanced registration/$35 day of
FREE to the public
The Bell Lexus Copperstate 1000 is the preeminent vintage car road rally in North America. Created in 1990 by the Men’s Arts Council, the Copperstate 1000 is Phoenix Art Museum’s most unique fund raising event.
Copperstate 1000 celebrates the cultural legacy of the automobile by featuring over 70 of the finest vintage, sports, racing, classic and grand touring automobiles manufactured before 1974. In past years, the field has included Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Maserati, Corvette, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo and more.
The annual rally traverses 1,000 miles of the most diverse scenery in the American Southwest – desert terrain, verdant river valleys and alpine landscapes.
Before they leave these 70 vehicles are joined by more than 400 cars from local car enthusiasts. Everything from street rods, classics, muscle cars, exotics and everything in between will converge at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
There will be door prizes, raffles, awards and tons of automotive eye-candy!
