Date Night at Trattoria del Piero
The patio at Trattoria del Piero at UNION.
After a long week my husband and I decided that we needed a date night. We headed over to Trattoria del Piero at the Biltmore Fashion Park to enjoy some refreshing drinks and appetizers on the patio. Later that evening on the main lawn of the Biltmore Fashion Park one of my husband’s favorite movies, Caddyshack, was being shown as part of the Movies in the Park series. A perfect date night.
Trattoria del Piero is the second location of the Queen Creek Olive Mill’s Tuscan themed restaurants and is a part of the new UNION shops at the Biltmore Fashion Park. The menu consists of appetizers, bruschetta, soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts made from local and organic ingredients. You can sit inside or outside on the patio. Or, if you prefer, you can belly up to the bar. Since it was such a lovely spring evening, my husband and I opted to sit on the patio. (Tip: If you want to sit on the patio to eat, let someone inside know first so they’ll come out to take your order. The patio is shared with other businesses in UNION so they may not know you are waiting for service.)
You can find Lisa G.'s famous meatballs at Trattoria del Piero
A little known fact is that Trattoria del Piero serves the famous meatballs made by Lisa G. All of those that mourned Lisa G.’s closing can now enjoy her famous meatballs anytime at Trattoria del Piero. Upon the confirmation of this rumor, my husband promptly ordered a bowl. I decided on the bruschetta board and a hot pink Prickly Pear lemonade.
Prickly Pear lemonade
Now, I’m going to be honest with you, while perusing the menu I noticed the cupcake sampler right away. I wanted to order it as an appetizer but held off until the end of our meal. The wait was well worth it. The cupcakes are made with olive oil from the Queen Creek Olive Mill and are delicious. My personal favorite was the Mexican chocolate cupcake. I had to stop myself from going inside and buying a full sized Mexican chocolate cupcake to go.
The cupcake sampler
Trattoria del Piero is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (I’m ready to go back soon for their famous Vanilla Bean Olive Oil waffles). Take note that the dinner portions are more like appetizer portions. Trattoria del Piero also serves wine and beer.
If you want to make a date night out of it like my husband and I did, check out the Movies in the Park spring schedule.
Trattoria del Piero is located at the Biltmore Fashion Park at 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix.
Bonjour Vietnam
A co-worker and I have a thing for Pho. It’s our comfort food, so we were pretty bummed when Viet Kitchen closed it’s downtown location. Recently, a new place to get our Pho fix opened just down the street from our offices, so we decided to give it a try.
Bonjour Vietnam is from the team that runs Rice Paper in Central Phoenix. The Bonjour Vietnam menu consists of Vietnamese favorites; spring rolls, Pho, Bun, Bahn Mi and a few dish variations to cater to the downtown lunch crowd.
Cool ceiling decor at Bonjour Vietnam
The day we went my co-worker ordered the Pho Tai and a Vietnamese coffee.
I went with one of their lunch specials, the vegetable bento box that came with crispy spring rolls, stir-fried vegetables, rice and a salad.
Vegetarian Bento Box
My co-worker enjoyed the Pho and especially enjoyed her coffee. My bento box was the perfect size for lunch and didn’t leave me in a food coma upon returning to my desk.
I’ll be back for my bowl of Pho soon.
Bonjour Vietnam is located inside the Hotel San Carlos at 202 N. Central Avenue in downtown Phoenix.
Jamburrittos Cajun Grille Express Food Truck
Jamburritos Cajun Grille Express chef, Michael Brown, took the Cajun food that he knew and loved and put a tortilla on it – making it Cajun food Phoenix style.
This popular Phoenix food truck brings New Orleans style food and turns it into a portable burrito, hence the Jamburritos name (get it, the popular Cajun jambalaya + burrito = jamburrito).
Catfish Jamburrito with hushpuppies
The Jamburritos Cajun Grille Express menu includes items like the Chicken Jamburrito made with chicken etouffee, jambalaya rice with smoked andouille sausage, Creole sauce, shredded Monterey jack cheese and shredded lettuce, a Catfish Jamburrito made with catfish, jambalaya rice with smoked andouille sausage, Cajun tartar, black bean salsa, shredded Monterey jack cheese and shredded lettuce, hungry yet? Make sure to keep an eye out for special menu items like crawfish etouffee, fried oysters and hushpuppies.
Vegetarian Breakfast Jamburrito
If you catch Jamburritos Cajun Grille Express at the Phoenix Public Market on Saturday mornings you can get one of their delicious breakfast Jamburritos with scrambled eggs and bacon.
You can find Jamburritos Cajun Grille Express regularly Monday – Thursday on Roosevelt between 4th and 5th streets from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wednesday evenings at the Phoenix Public Market from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Fridays at Food Truck Friday at the Phoenix Public Market from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., and Saturday mornings at the Phoenix Public Market from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Make sure to follow Jamburritos Cajun Grille Express on Facebook and Twitter to find additional locations and times.
The food truck craze has exploded in Phoenix with many opportunities to eat from these rolling gourmet “restaurants." We’ve eaten from many of the food trucks throughout Phoenix and wanted to highlight them individually for you. You can find the food trucks on a regular basis at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market on Wednesday evenings from 5-8 p.m, Fridays from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. At the North Central Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., and the Third Thursday of the Month at the Whole Foods Raintree location from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. There are always many more opportunities that you can find by following your favorite truck individually or by following the Phoenix Street Coalition. Bon Appétit!
Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Phoenix
(Photo credit: Hot Air Expeditions)
Don't be caught without plans for your special someone on Valentine's Day. We've put together a list of 10 ways to celebrate Valentine's Day in Phoenix.
1. Romantic dinner out
Probably the most popular way to spend Valentine’s Day is a romantic dinner out with that special someone. Plenty of Phoenix area restaurants have special menus planned for Valentine’s Day with bonus like live romantic music and flowers that come with dinner.
Phoenix area restaurants offering Valentine’s Day dinners
2. Romantic getaway
Phoenix area resorts have put together special Valentine’s Day packages which include special perks like champagne, chocolates, spa treatments and more.
3. Chocolate
Flowers, chocolate and champagne have become synonymous with Valentine’s Day, so we put together a handy list of the best places in Phoenix to get chocolate.
Best Places in Phoenix to get Chocolate
4. Baked goods
So maybe your Valentine isn’t a chocolate fan - try satisfying their non-chocolate-loving-sweet-tooth with Valentine themed baked goods from local bakers like Urban Cookies, Barb’s Bakery, or Tammy Coe Cakes (they have chocolate dipped strawberries!)
5. Anti-Valentine’s Day
Don’t want to celebrate Valentine’s Day? The Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs is having a Singles Valentine’s Ball, Hula’s Modern Tiki is throwing an Anti-Valentine’s Day Celebration and Changing Hands Bookstore is hosting an “I Hate Valentine’s Day” party.
6. Mix up a romantic cocktail
The Amore Smooch from Sassi Restaurant is sure to make your Valentine smile.
7. Local love
Remember when you were a kid and exchanged actual Valentines -like, the cards? We’ve seen some super cute Valentine options at local boutiques, Frances and Bunky.
8. Arizona wine
Did you know that Arizona’s birthday is on Valentine’s Day? Celebrate with a bottle of Arizona wine. We’ve heard that a sharing a bottle of Sparkles Peach from Sonoita Vineyards with your sweetheart is a perfect way to celebrate. (You can find Sparkles Peach at Sphinx Date Ranch).
9. Desert by air
What’s more romantic than a sunrise hot-air balloon ride with champagne? Or a sunset helicopter ride with sweeping views of the desert? This Valentine’s Day, explore the desert by air with your special someone.
10. Watch a sunset together
Grab a bottle of something sparkling (see above) and catch one of our spectacular sunsets, which paint the desert sky on a nightly basis. We know the best places to see a Phoenix sunset and are happy to let you in on the secret.
Best places to see watch a sunset in Phoenix
Zagat’s 10 Best Restaurants in Greater Phoenix
Quiessence
Need a checklist of places to eat in Phoenix? Zagat has compiled a list of the ten best restaurants in the Greater Phoenix area based on a survey of consumer-based ratings and reviews.
Have you eaten at any of these restaurants?
1. Kai
3. Quiessence Restaurant and Wine Bar
4. Noca
5. Barrio Café
6. Tarbell’s
Union at Biltmore Fashion Park
Finding local treasures can often be like a scavenger hunt. Local favorites are often tucked away in little corners and alleys only known by uber-hip residents who whisper their secrets to those deemed worthy. But now with the opening of Union at Biltmore Fashion Park you don't have to search or wait for a tip from those holding the secrets of Phoenix’s local treasures .
Union is a new concept that houses an eclectic mix of 18 small, distinct boutiques – many of which already have a loyal following of those in-the-know Phoenicians. There’s also a casual eatery, Trattoria del Piero brought to Central Phoenix by the Queen Creek Olive Mill that operates the same concept at in Queen Creek.
Right now at Union you’ll find:
Bonafide Goods brought to Union by the folks behind The Clotherie. Bonafide Goods offers a modern interpretation of classic American men’s clothing, hats and accessories, and will also house Phoenix’s first micro-haberdashery.
Citrine Natural Beauty Bar offers discerning beauty and makeup buffs all-natural, organic skincare, beauty products and custom fragrances for those who love to pamper their skin naturally without harsh chemicals or parabens.
Customatic.com brings together years of experience designing and building great architecture, furniture and interior items to create custom pieces for the modern home.
Oils and Olives by Queen Creek Olive Mill is the Central Phoenix outlet of its popular branded products. Customers can explore the vast selection of signature extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, stuffed olives, and tapenades along with bath and body products made with extra virgin olive oil, daily fresh baked breads and a unique selection of other local treasures.
For the People is a modern gift and home accessories store with a focus on functional design. Featuring brands such as Alessi, the store gives customers access to great lifestyle design products and gives talented local designers an exciting venue to show and sell their work.
Frances, owned by local entrepreneur Georganne Bryant, is the second location of the popular boutique that carries women’s clothing, shoes, accessories, books, paper goods, novelty items and art.
Frances & Charlie Newsstand has hand-selected gifts including jewelry, candles, paper goods and books, as well as a variety of magazines, newspapers and specialty publications featuring fashion, design, art, living and global news.
Lilly is a vintage-inspired women's boutique offering the latest fashion apparel, celebrity jewelry lines, chic and unique housewares, distinctive gifts, handbags, accessories and much more.
British Bicycle Company carries a wide assortment beautiful, unique high-quality bicycles and accessories from England.
Me Myself & Eye, a sunglass boutique pushes the boundaries of expectation, self expression and individuality by offering the highest quality of fashion-forward sunglasses, readers and accessories. Operated by the owners of Sassy Glasses Optical Boutique, Me Myself & Eye offers the same superior customer service as its parent store with a focus on unique sunglasses and readers.
Paris Envy relocated their 7th Avenue shop to Union at the Biltmore. They offer a collection of handcrafted vintage-inspired home furnishings and home decor along with jewelry, candles, gifts and exclusive lines for baby and child. French industrial chic may best describe pieces such as zinc-topped dining tables and hand-strung crystal chandeliers.
R & R Surplus carries women's active wear that can be worn on the street or in the studio. These relaxed yet fashionable clothes are from the creators of Fitigues.
Royal Coffee opened their second location at Union at the Biltmore, brewing their popular roasts alongside a selection of fresh pastries.
Smeeks relocated to Union and brought along their assortment of sweet treats and toys, offering the best old-time favorites – from handcrafted lollipops, toffee, caramels and marshmallows to yo-yos and shrinky-dinks.
Trattoria del Piero brings the dedication and passion for good food found at del Piero at the Mill in Queen Creek. Featuring all new simple and delicious sandwiches and salads, the menu will include the famous Kalamata sandwich as well as signature cocktails. Using family recipes, handcrafted extra virgin olive oils and the best local and seasonal ingredients, del Piero has garnered both local and national acclaim and was featured on the Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate” in 2010. The menu exemplifies a dedication to delicious, healthy and uncomplicated food. Trattoria del Piero serves breakfast, lunch and has a full service restaurant for the evenings complimented by a full bar.
White House Flowers is an appealing, one-of-a-kind florist offering home accessories, gifts and repurposed and renewed treasures with a casual urban look, as well as traditional European-style furnishings.
Whoopie Baking Company brings their signature whoopie pies in assorted flavors such as Spicy Pumpkin, Mimosa, Sweet & Salty and Peanut Butter Cup to Union, as well as sell the specialty ingredients related to the sweet treats including salted caramel and marshmallow fluff. Dog lovers can pick up a special treat – woofie pies for their beloved canine companions.
The Willows Home and Garden offers simple yet sophisticated home décor items along with apparel and in-home design services. They carry antique objects and a beautiful selection of exclusive lines including: Bella Notte Linens, Italian Vietri table top dishes, Michael Stars t-shirts, CP Shade apparel and a variety of unusual jewelry.
Union is located at the Arizona Biltmore Fashion Park at 2502 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix.
