The Mint
The Mint was formerly a bank, remodeled into a restaurant/lounge/club. Photo credit: Dean Studios
Formerly a bank, The Mint (Get it? Bank, money, mint…) is part restaurant, part lounge. We were recently invited to visit The Mint to try some of the menu items and to check out the newly remodeled location.
If you’ve driven down Camelback just east of Scottsdale Road, you’ve probably noticed The Mint’s huge patio. What you can’t see from the road is how cool The Mint looks inside. Colorful lights, lounge seating and an eclectic mix of house music help The Mint straddle the divide between restaurant and lounge. One of the first things that I noticed when we were seated was that the music was at the perfect level to be enjoyed, and I could still carry a conversation with my fiancé during dinner.
Colorful lighting in The Mint. Photo credit: Dean Studios
Since we were invited guests, I let the waitress make recommendations for what we should drink and eat. I started with the Life Savings martini made with Ultimat Vodka, St. Germain, basil, fresh strawberries, lemon and ginger soda. Perfectly sweet, and I could tell that fresh strawberries were used by how fragrant the drink was.
The Life Savings martini. Photo credit: Dean Studios
While waiting for our food to come out, we were mesmerized by a fiber optics light show going on over the main bar. 3D images of fish swimming, people dancing and a globe spinning to the music was pretty entertaining. I also noticed a huge table in the middle of the restaurant that would be perfect for a group celebration.
We were mesmerized by the fiber optic display above the bar. Photo credit: Dean Studios
The menu at The Mint is crafted by Executive Chef Johnny Chu and consists of pan-Asian cuisine, presented on small plates as tapas. The menu items that we tried were the Soup Gyoza, House Dynamite Chicken, Sugar Cane Pork and Hong Kong Flat Rice. Soup Gyoza has always been one of my favorites so I was excited to try it at The Mint. The pork dumplings were just as delicious as I expected them to be with a hint of ginger. The House Dynamite Chicken made with bell peppers, pineapple, carrot and mushrooms in a sweet spicy sauce was large enough to be a meal. It was a little spicy for my fiancé, but perfect for me (I love spicy food). The Hong Kong Flat Rice is one of the vegetarian items on The Mint’s menu and was very fragrant with flat rice noodles in a brown garlic sauce with vegetables. I had never seen flat rice noodles before. They were like little quarters of pasta, on purpose perhaps (quarters, money, The Mint…)? The last item was probably our favorite. The Sugar Cane Pork is made with ground, seasoned pork, formed around a sugar cane stick then rolled in panko crumbs, baked, then flash fried. These sticks of porky goodness are served with a pineapple ginger sauce. Yum.
Hong Kong Flat Rice. Photo credit: Dean Studios
The Mint is the perfect place to go for a celebration dinner with friends, a pre-evening out dinner or if you’re in the mood for a dinner with someone special. We’ll be going back soon for that Sugar Cane Pork!
See you soon, Sugar Cane Pork! Photo credit: Dean Studios
The Mint is located at 7373 East Camelback Road in Scottsdale. See more photos from our dinner at The Mint on Flickr.
Deseo at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Our friends at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa were kind enough to invite us to visit Deseo for a fun event that included live Latin music and a painting exhibition by Cuban artist Nelson Garcia-Miranda.
It was a fun night. Deseo has a romantic, Latin feel and I can’t wait to go back soon for dinner.
Here are a few highlights from the event:
Fancy bartending with liquid nitrogen.
Delicious tropical smoothies with pineapple, guava and rum.
Lychee mojito with our favorite dish that night - shrimp with a mango salsa. Yum!
Deseo is located inside the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa at 6902 East Greenway Parkway in Scottsdale. See more photos from our visit to Deseo on Flickr.
Fourth of July Celebrations and Fireworks in Greater Phoenix
The Fourth of July just isn't complete without fireworks, BBQ's, watermelon and picnics. Plan your Fourth of July with our list of local celebrations below.
Fabulous Phoenix Fourth
The City of Phoenix is proud to bring you this fabulous event for the 25th straight year on Monday, July 4 from 6 to 10:00 p.m. at Steele Indian School Park. Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. This premier family event will feature great local entertainment, a giant misting area to cool off, inflatable rides, three stages of entertainment, a Classic Car exhibit and one of the biggest fireworks displays in the state! Festival goers also can enjoy food and beverage vendors. The Phoenix Fire Department will be cooling people down in the water spray zone.
Steele Indian School Park, 3rd Street and Indian School, Phoenix.
Details for the Fabulous Phoenix Fourth here.
Fourth of Zoo-ly at the Phoenix Zoo
For a night full of fun and festivities for all ages, come out and celebrate at the Phoenix Zoo this Fourth of July. With a catered BBQ dinner at the Lakeside Lawn, free carousel rides, face painters, bounce houses, special animal guests, music and other activities this will be a night to remember. Gather for a VIP view of the Tempe fireworks show at 9 p.m. Seating will be available in the back of the Zoo, guests do not need to bring their own chairs. Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the BBQ dinner and for the fireworks. Cool treats will be provided for everyone during the fireworks show.
Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway Papago Park, Phoenix.
Details for Fourth of Zoo-ly at the Phoenix Zoo here.
Tempe Town Lake Festival
Kiwanis Club of Tempe 60th Annual Fireworks Spectacular will present the best fireworks show in the Valley shot from the Mill Avenue bridge. The spectacular family night fireworks show will be choreographed to patriotic and classical music. Fantastic Family Fest will offer a free inflatable village for all ages with a variety of rides, rock climbing walls and more. Special kid's entertainment, featuring face painters, relay races and other specialty entertainment. A great food court to satisfy the entire families’ taste buds featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, Macayo’s Depot Cantina, BBQ, roasted corn, gyros, fry bread, snow cones, ice cream, lemonade and lots of cold bottled water, Pepsi products plus a variety of other food vendors will be available.
Tempe Beach Park, 620 North Mill Avenue, Tempe.
Details for the Tempe Town Lake Fourth of July Festival here.
Peoria’s All American Festival
Come out and enjoy great entertainment on multiple stages. The All American Festival will feature a kid zone, water zone, F-16 flyover, hot dog eating contest, plenty of family friendly activities and a spectacular fireworks display at approximately 9:15 pm. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enjoy some good old fashioned family time celebrating the Fourth of July.
Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria.
Details for Peoria's All American Festival here.
Chandler’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
Celebrate America and its heritage at this fun and festive Independence Day event for the entire family. Held at Tumbleweed Park, and presented by the Chandler Lions Club and the City of Chandler. Many activities surround the event including, live music, a free kids carnival, a bike parade and food and beverage vendors. Activities include, a 35-foot water slide, a rock-climbing wall, dunk tank, and assorted water games and interactive amusements for kids. The Cactus Bike's Push, Pull, Peddle Bike Parade will be held at 6 p.m., with each registrant receiving a free gift. The participant with the bike that is decorated best will win a Harro children’s bike.
Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Rd, Chandler.
Details for Chandler's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular here.
Grand Ol’ Fashioned Picnic in Scottsdale
For an old fashioned Fourth of July celebration to remember, the Scottsdale Stadium will be hosting their Grand Ol' Fashioned Picnic. Celebrate with old-fashioned games, patriotic arts and crafts, watermelon, chili and pie-eating contests. Bring your homemade chili to be judged and take home the blue ribbon.
Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale.
Details for Scottsdale's Grand Ol' Fashioned Picnic here.
Fourth of July Freedom Festival at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
This year, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is the place to be for the Fourth of July in Arizona. Celebrating the weekend with a bang, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is introducing its first-ever Fourth of July Freedom Festival. An all-new weekend event with private concerts, fireworks, all-American fare and poolside fun exclusively for resort guests, with a portion of the vacation packages benefiting charities. Activities will include exclusive patriotic holiday event for overnight resort guests only, one to three-night vacation packages, patriotic demonstrations and displays from organizations that protect and serve America. A flyover by the Deer Valley War Birds will take place along with nightly concerts on the resort's Lagoon Lawn with live remote broadcasts.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale.
Details for the Fourth of July Freedom Festival at the Faimont Scottsdale Princess here.
Fourth of July Fireworks in Apache Junction
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a nice evening outside with live entertainment by the One Minute Millionaires. There will be a bike, trike, and wagon decorating contest at 6:30pm, game booths from 6-9pm and free watermelon until it's gone. Fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. Come and join in on this family centered event to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Apache Junction High School, 2525 S. Ironwood Drive, Apache Junction.
Details for Fourth of July Fireworks in Apache Junction here.
Maricopa’s Great American BBQ
Americana games, multiple water zones with blow up slides, and a firework finale at dark - don't miss out this 4th of July for an All-American good time at this year’s 6th Annual Great American BBQ.
Pacana Park, 19000 S. Porter Road, Maricopa.
Details for Maricopa's Great American BBQ here.
Celebration of Freedom in Mesa
The popular Motorcycles on Main event and a ceremonial flag-raising will take place at Stage America. Live music all along Main Street can be enjoyed. Saturday night includes an American classic car show, musical performances, as well as a spectacular fireworks display at the end of the event.
Main Street Mesa, 1 East Main Street, Mesa.
Details for the Celebration of Freedom event in Mesa here.
Anthem's Independence Day Celebration
For musical entertainment, patriotic tattoos, dry rides, pony rides, inflatable water slides, a food court with Rotary Beer Garden, and strolling entertainers, look no further than Anthem's Independence Day Celebration. Also included in the festivities will be caricature artists, a Luke Air Force Base Color Guard presentation, singing of the National Anthem by the Anthem Idol winner, Anthem Community Park railroad rides, and the much anticipated Fireworks display. Don't be late and come on out and enjoy all that Anthem has to offer this Fourth of July.
Anthem Community Park Ball Fields, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem.
Details for Anthem's Independence Day Celebration here.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
The Waste Management Phoenix Open is known as the "Greatest Show on Grass" because of the amazing desert views, the mild "winter" weather, on top of the obviously talented golfers. It's set apart from the other stops on the PGA Tour because the fans cheer, boo and heckle like it's any other sport and most etiquette from the gallery is thrown out the window. Perhaps that's why it's generally the most well-attended stop on the Tour.
This year, fans are encouraged to wear green on Saturday, February 5th, to create the "Greenest Show on Grass." For everyone who wears green (including players, caddies, vendors and fans), the Thunderbirds will donate money to Arizona Clean & Beautiful.
The much-anticipated lineup for the concerts at the Birds Nest have also been announced. Here are the headliners:
Wednesday, February 2 - The Doobie Brothers
Thursday, February 3 - O.A.R.
Friday, February 4 - Slightly Stoopid
Saturday, February 5 - MetalHead
Check out the full schedule for each night.
No matter which day you go to the Open, if you want a good seat - especially on the famed 16th hole - be sure to get there early. If you want a chance to see your favorite player up close, head to the front nine, since most of the crowd stays at the end of the course. And if you need to wet your whistle after all the cheering, the Thundebirds food booth generally has the cheapest beer, best food (the famous Thunderdogs) and shortest lines.
See the official Waste Management Phoenix Open site for more details.
5th and Wine
I just recently discovered this little gem of a restaurant/wine lounge in Old Town Scottsdale. As luck would have it, a friend decided that this was the perfect spot for her birthday celebration. Since I'm not one to pass up a celebration or the chance to try a new restaurant, I grabbed my husband and we headed out to Old Town.
This is such a cool spot! The atmosphere inside just begs you to sit down, relax and enjoy the company of good friends, good food and good wine. The walls are adorned with the artwork of renowned animal artist Ron Burns. As an animal lover, I was excited to see his whimsical prints. For me, it just added a little something extra. They also have a great outdoor area that I plan to check out once we ease into our version of winter.
I was just as pleased with the food and wine as I was with the cozy atmosphere. In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm not a terribly picky wine drinker but I really enjoyed the Pino Grigio I tried (for the life of me, I don't recall the name). They have lots of food choices on the menu for sharing. We opted for the Crispy Calamari (with a delightful chile basil dipping sauce, but not too hot) and the "Choose 2" Bruschetta. We went for the Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Balsamic Reduction and Hummus, Chive, Saffron Oil - both were yummy.
If you're in the mood for some delicious eats, good drinks and a comfortable, laid back atmosphere, give this place a try.
7051 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale
www.5thandwine.com
Ice Cream Duel
When it's warm in the Phoenix summers, locals don't fret. Why? Pools are abundant (and all the local resorts are the places-to-be) and cool, sweet treats are all around. The pop-up of gelato and yogurt places can't be missed, but it's not a fad - they're taking a cue from two of the best spots around: Sugar Bowl and Mary Coyle. These are two of the most drool-worthy, diet-ditching parlors, who - in their "vintage" states - have become pillars of Phoenix, especially in the summer.
Sugar Bowl
So you're in Old Town Scottsdale, moseying along, and BAM you see the big pink corner, with the colorful letters that bring so much joy: Sugar Bowl. People who've grown up in Phoenix all have stories about when they were little and got to go to Sugar Bowl. It's a special place. They serve lunch and dinner, but let's be honest - you're going for the ice cream. It's smooth, creamy and in any of it's iterations - the sundaes, the parfaits, the cones - you can't get away from the parlor feel - not that you'd want to. (A certain blogger, by the way, recommends the Old Dutch Chocolate hot fudge.)
It's old-time dining at it's best, and the whole experience can't be missed.
But across town, Mary Coyle is the place to be for cool treats.
Similar to Sugar Bowl, Mary Coyle is a staple in Phoenix. They also serve food that you get, but it's not what you go for. Again, it's the ice cream. And they make no bones about the 16% butterfat content - it's on banners in the store - but when you taste it, you don't have a care in the world if it was 16 or 66% butterfat.
The biggest differentiator are the flavors Mary Coyle has. At any time, there are about 30 flavors, including some bright, fruity ones (black raspberry, fresh honey banana, burgundy cherry) that at least sound healthy, right? But then there are the indulgences (butter brittle, maple walnut, chocolate almond) that will send you flying. Their "standard" flavors like chocolate, peppermint chip and rocky road are done the way an Iron Chef does french fries - perfectly.
So when you need to cool down, head to Sugar Bowl or Mary Coyle - or better yet, go to both. Conduct your own taste test and see what you think of these treats.
Sugar Bowl
4005 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Mary Coyle
5521 North 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85013-1701
