Beckett’s Table
Everyone has that “special occasion” restaurant - your go to place to celebrate promotions, new jobs, birthdays, homecomings etc. That restaurant for me is Beckett’s Table.
Located in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood, Beckett’s Table has delicious, upscale comfort food at affordable prices. I’ve had the chance to taste almost every menu item at Beckett’s from the many celebrations with family and friends, and I've been consistently impressed with each bite. My favorite dish is the Pork Oso Bucco Confit - it’s close your eyes and savor each bite good. The pork literally melts in your mouth. Tip, save room for dessert or perhaps order it first. Beckett’s has fantastic desserts with my personal favorite being the death by chocolate, or maybe the nutella chocolate puddin’, or maybe the chocolate dipped bacon s’mores, oh my. Okay, so maybe just bring a whole group so you can “share” a few desserts.
Beckett's desserts from right (clockwise); nutella chocolate puddin', chocolate dipped bacon s'mores, fig and pecan pie.
A sampling of Beckett's delicious appetizers from top right (clockwise); super creamy grits and schreiner's sausage trio, noshing board, organic brussels sprouts, roasted red pepper and tomato soup with sweet corn cream.
Beckett's main courses from right (clockwise); beef strogonoff (not on the regular menu), fire roasted green chile pork stew, wood oven roasted mussels, steamed white bass.
Beckett’s Table also has a carefully crafted wine and beer list, with a great selection of local Arizona wine and beer. You also must check out their cocktails like the Pain Killer, the Palmaire or the Four Peaches Beer Cocktail (only available in the summer).
Beckett’s Table is located at 3717 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix
More photos from our visit to Beckett's Table can be found on Flickr.
Sierra Bonita Grill
I’ve lived down the street from Sierra Bonita Grill for four years and every time I drove by I would tell myself that I really needed to try that place. My fiancé and I finally stopped in last month. Now, it’s on our regular happy hour and dinner rotation. I should have stopped in earlier.
Located in Central Phoenix, Sierra Bonita Grill serves what can be described best as Southwestern cuisine. They take influences from many of the cultures of the Southwest and turn them into delectable dishes like the "Original" Cowboy Stew or fun happy hour snacks like the Sonoran hot dog. I’ve also heard that they have a fantastic brunch. I won’t be waiting four years to try it.
The “Orignal” Cowboy Stew made with braised beef, hominy, carrots, onions and chiles in a rich hearty broth. Garnsihed with crispy sweet potato strips and served with a warmed flour tortilla. Add a fried egg if you’re feeling like a real cowboy.
During happy hour you can snack on the Sonoran hot dog for $6. For those of you that don’t know, a Sonoran hot dog is a bacon wrapped hot dog topped with mayo, refried beans, cotija cheese, and Indian salsa served on a fresh bolillo roll.
Sierra Bonita has happy hour from 3-6pm (bar only) with $6 snack specials, $6 signature cocktails and $4 well drinks and draft beers.
Sierra Bonita is located at 6933 North 7th Street, in Phoenix.
Queen Creek Olive Mill
I really love discovering local treasures. I'm just sorry it took me so long to make it out to the Queen Creek Olive Mill. Since I'm such a sucker for breakfast, we opted to try theirs out. I had to go for the vanilla bean olive oil waffle with bananas and pecans (hint: waffles are served all day). And, as luck would have it, we arrived before 10:30 and got a discount on breakfast by checking in via FourSquare. To describe the waffle as delicious would be an understatement. Other waffle options include the Classic and Berries & Cream. The rest of the menu looked equally fantastic, but I'd be hard pressed not to get the waffle again.
Vanilla Bean Olive Oil Waffle with Bananas, Pecans & Fresh Made Whipped Cream
After eating, we wandered through the retail area (and made purchases, of course) and then took the tour. The retail store includes more olive oil options than I ever thought possible, a variety of tapenades, an olive bar, cupcakes, lotions, etc. If you can put olives or olive oil in it, I think they have it. They also offer a nice selection of wines including many from local wineries. And be sure to take advantage the olive oil and tapenades samplings.
I highly recommend making the tour part of your visit to QCOM. It's only $5 per person, and you really get the low down on how they produce their extra virgin olive oil using sustainable farming practices.
The olive oil magic happens here
Outdoor picnic tables for enjoying our warm, sunny weather
Oh, don't forget to grab some gelato on your way out. I can vouch for the chocolate olive oil flavor (yum), and a little QCOM birdie told us that the raspberry gelato drizzled with chocolate olive oil is a must. They do mix it up with their gelato flavors so who knows what they might have when you visit.
To see more photos of my visit to Queen Creek Olive Mill, check out our Flickr stream.
Queen Creek Olive Mill
25062 S. Meridian Road
Queen Creek, AZ 85242
queencreekolivemill.com
The Garage Wine and Tap
Our marketing intern extraordinaire, Michelle, is at it again. Here's her take on a recent visit to the Garage Wine and Tap.
What used to be an auto repair shop in North Central Phoenix, has now become home to the Garage Wine and Tap. The two car bays now hold tables and chairs rather than oil pits and parts, but the repair shop theme has been carried over to the restaurants décor. The brick walls hold vintage tires and a giant wooden propeller, while gas pumps can be found in the bathrooms. Concrete and dark woods make up the u-shaped bar.
But don’t let the name fool you, this hangout offers up gourmet bar items such as flatbreads, lamb chops, specialty salads, shrimp and burgers. You can also find over 20 wines and champagnes and 20 beers, including local microbrews.
For my lunchtime trip I settled in at the bar with the Caprese Salad and the flatbread simply named Meat. The salad consisted of a large slice of an heirloom tomato topped with a very thick and dense piece of buffalo mozzarella, then drizzled with an aged balsamic. Not quite a salad in the terms of a pile of leafy greens, but still delicious.
The Caprese Salad
I followed this up with the appropriately named Meat flatbread which was a thin crust pizza covered with fennel sausage, prosciutto, pepperoni and apple wood smoked bacon which had a great smoky flavor and a perfectly crisp crust.
The 'Meat' flatbread
This neighborhood pit-stop has live music every Tuesday night, weekend brunch, and weekday happy hour specials.
The Garage Wine and Tap is located at 1534 E. Bethany Home Road in Phoenix.
Thanksgiving in Phoenix
If you find yourself too busy to make turkey dinner this year, or just need a place to take your weekend guests, there are many restaurants here in Phoenix offering up special Thanksgiving feasts.
Thanksgiving at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar
Enjoy a three course dinner that includes items such as harvest soup, roasted turkey and gravy with andouille stuffing, orange-scented green beans and a chocolate pumpkin chiffon tart.
Details: District American Kitchen and Wine Bar at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown 320 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix. $31 for adults, $15.50 for kids, and $15 for the 6oz wine pairing. 602-817-5400
Enjoy a True Thanksgiving Dinner at the Wigwam
From traditional favorites to awe-inspiring desserts and carving stations to expertly prepared food displays, bring your family and friends together to enjoy the true Thanksgiving Dinner experience at The Wigwam.
With two fabulous options for you to choose from, Red’s Bar and Grill Dinner Buffet or Litchfield’s Three Course Dinner your holiday will be complete.
Details: The Wigwam 300 E. Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park. Red's Bar and Grill 11am -7pm, Litchfield's 3pm -8pm. Adults $33 Kids $17. 623-856-1094 for Red's Bar and Grill or 623-856-1053 for Litchfield's.
Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort Thanksgiving Day Buffet
Enjoy a full thanksgiving day buffet at the with featured items such as a full breakfast buffet, appetizer buffet, salmon, traditional turkey, prime rib and gourmet desert bar.
Complimentary glass of champagne or cider is included with every purchase.
Details: Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort 1 San Marcos Place, Chandler. 11am - 3pm. $38.95 per adult/ $18.95 per child (age 4-12). 480- 812-0900
Celebrate all you are grateful for with your friends and family this Thanksgiving in a setting like no other. Savor inspired cuisine created by Chef Beau MacMillan while taking in the breathtaking views of Paradise Valley.
Guests can enjoy a special four-course prix-fixe menu with items such as pumpkin risotto, local autumn greens, a traditional turkey dinner and duck.
Details: Elements at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa 5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. 12pm - 9pm. $65 per guest. $18 per child, 12 years and under. 480-948-2100
Celebrate Thanksgiving three ways at the Arizona Biltmore with a Gourmet Feast, Family Style Dinner or Lavish Buffet.
Thanksgiving Buffet in the Gold Room
Adults $80, $40 for children 12 and under
Noon-5:30pm
Five-Course Holiday Menu in Wright’s at The Biltmore
$80 for adults, $40 for children 12 and under
1:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Family Style Dinner in Frank & Albert’s
$45 per person
11:00am - 10:00pm
Details: The Arizona Biltmore 2400 E. Missouri Avenue, Phoenix. 602-955-6600
Thanksgiving at the Farm at South Mountain
Spend Thanksgiving at one of the Valley’s hidden gems, where the chef is preparing quite a feast. The menu includes creamy foraged mushroom and roasted chestnut soup, slow roasted heritage turkey, baked stuffed New England lobster, and all the typical Thanksgiving fixings. As for dessert there will be house-baked pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream, or warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.
Details: Quiessence Restaurant at the Farm at South Mountain 6106 S. 32nd Street, Phoenix. Three Seatings: 12:00pm, 2:30pm, 5:00pm. $65.00 per person. $29.00 Children (Under 12). Reservations required. 602-243-9081.
Avanti will be offering a special four-course prix-fixe meal for their Thanksgiving dinner guests.
The First course: choice of Curried Pumpkin Soup or Pumpkin Ravioli; second course: choice of Waldorf Salad or Avanti Caesar Salad; third course: choice of oven-roasted Turkey with Gravy or Turkey Breast Rollatini (both served with Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes, Sautéed Candied Yams, Green Beans, Fresh Cranberry /Orange Relish); fourth course: Pumpkin Pie with ice cream, Pecan Pie with ice cream or Pumpkin Cheesecake.
Details: Avanti Restaurant. 2728 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. $34.50 per person, $12.95 per child 10 and under. 602-956-0900.
Scottsdale’s downtown resort, the Hotel Valley Ho, makes this holiday a little happier with special dinner offerings. Specials will include butternut squash soup, slow-roasted Red Bird Farms Turkey, and pecan and pumpkin pie.
Details: Café ZuZu at the Hotel Valley Ho 6850 E. Main Street, Scottsdale. 5:30-10:00pm. A la carte pricing. 480-421-7997.
Thanksgiving Day Buffet at McCormick Ranch Golf Club
Take in the panoramic views of the Palm Course and Camelback Mountain while at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club’s Thanksgiving Day Buffet. They will have featured menu offerings such as slow roasted turkey with traditional stuffing, shrimp cocktail, candied yams, green bean casserole, carved herb-crusted prime rib, mashed potatoes, fall harvest vegetable medley, assorted pies and cheesecake.
Details: McCormick Ranch Golf Club 7505 McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale. Noon - 6pm. Adults $25.95 Children Ages 6-12 $12.95. Reservations 480-948-7010 x 21.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Timo Wine Bar
Our marketing intern extraordinaire, Michelle, seems to have caught the blogging bug. Here's her second contribution to The Hot Sheet.
Adding to the list of great restaurants along Central Avenue is the latest addition, Timo. This wood fire oven restaurant and wine bar opened by the talent behind Brick Urban Kitchen, features a full menu with tapas, pizzas, bruschetta and sandwiches during weekday lunch and dinner, and a brunch menu on the weekends.
I dropped in during their Sunday brunch, and found the patio already packed - I could see why. Their patio, much larger than other wine bars, was very inviting with a center placed fire pit surrounded by leather couches and tables.
Being too hungry to wait, I chose to be seated inside where I had a great spot right in front of the custom built wood fire oven.
After a recommendation by the waiter, I tried their bruschetta. With choices of smoked salmon, apple and brie, and my favorite the roasted eggplant and goat cheese, I was not disappointed! The flavors were well paired and had a great smoky flavor brought out by the wood oven. I paired this with the mimosa flight, which is three glasses of champagne with fresh squeezed grapefruit, cranberry and orange juices.
When I was looking over the menu I had noticed they had foie gras with fig jam, and feeling a little adventurous, I decided to give it a try. For those not familiar with foie gras, it’s a pate like substance made from duck liver. I tried it and as instructed, treated the items as if they were butter and jam by spreading it on the provided crostini. Well, I can say this may not be my new favorite meal, but it was interesting to say the least, with a very rich, bitter like taste.
If you miss their weekend brunch, you can stop in on Mondays they offer flatbread and a bottle of wine for only $19 from 5:30-9:30pm.
Timo is located at 8801 N. Central Ave.
