Chicken Paillard at Calistro California Bistro

I was driving down Scottsdale Road a few months back and this restaurant caught my eye. It just opened recently and I wanted to try something new.
I was hoping they were serving brunch since it was the weekend, unfortunately, they only serve lunch & dinner. Since I was already there, I figured I might as well dine.
My server recommended this herb-marinated chicken breast and instead of the fingerling potatoes, I opted for the sweet potato croquettes.
The food is as good as this picture. According to their website, they buy from local farms and prepare everything in-house from scratch. My food was prepared wonderfully, I can't wait to try their other dishes.


Chicken Paillard - Reasonably Priced

Wood-Oven Baked Eggs at St. Francis

I have been to St. Francis a few times, it's one of my favorite spots in Downtown Phoenix. I've been there for brunch and dinner. It seems like when I browse through the menu, the servers are doing a food parade in front of me as I admire each dish that crosses my path.
At one of my St. Francis visits, my girlfriend ordered this dish and I wasn't really in the mood for steak and eggs for breakfast and she told me that it was really good that I should try it sometime. Well, sometime came months later and I figured I should give this dish a try.
Simple ingredients.. eggs.. red wine braised beef, seasonal vegetables, tomatoes, gruyere with toast...
This dish is plenty for two people. I couldn't put my fork down. The shameful part was my waiter found me scraping the side of this dish because I didn't want to miss a morsel of it. :-)


Wood-Oven Baked Eggs - $13.00

Hawaiian Pancakes at The Original Pancake House

Pancakes.. You can't go wrong with pancakes!

Someone mentioned this place to me years ago and I'm thinking to myself, yea, whatever. I've driven past by this place (which is by the way, attached to a Motel 6 that was built back in the 1960's or 70's), numerous times during the weekends and the parking lot is always jammed pack.. Always! 

Curiosity got the best of me, finally caved in and had the OPH experience. The place has a southwest vibe to it with the pastel desert decor. I sat by the window on my first visit, where you can see the pool, what an attraction that was!

There were so many food items to chose from.. Pancakes, waffles, crepes, omelettes and much, much more. I opted for the short-stack Hawaiian Pancakes: fresh buttermilk pancakes filled with crushed pineapple and topped with coconut, served with whipped butter and hot tropical syrup. They were light and fluffy, like little heaven pillows of goodness.

Hawaiian Pancakes - guestimating between $5 to $10, can't be more than $10. THIS IS A CASH ONLY PLACE!

Spicy Seafood Linguine at The Parlor Pizzeria

NOW YOU SEE IT...

NOW, YOU DON'T...

So... It's the second day of fall, and it's still warm and toasty in the desert. I wanted something light & refreshing, like a salad.. But there were two other items on the menu that caught my eye.. Tuna Melt or Spicy Seafood Linguine.. Knowing that servers know best, I asked Tony which he'd recommend, he said linguine.

I came, I ordered and I devoured! Good thing it was half order. With it, I had their iced pressed coffee.. So good!

The ingredients are squid, shrimp, clams with their pasta made fresh, in house. I didn't think I'd be able to finish it, but I just kept eating till it's all gone.

Spicy Seafood Linguine - 13 clams 

Chili Cheese Dog at Ted's Hot Dogs

I spotted this little gem when I was in Tempe one day. I was a little skeptical since it's a CASH ONLY place. But my curiosity got the best of me. I'm glad I stuck around. I've been a fan since.

No matter what day or time I come here, there's always a line... ALWAYS! Perhaps it's a good thing. You know that feeling when you're craving something and you go get it and by the time you order, you get something completely different? This happens to me a lot at Ted's, and I haven't been disappointed yet.

One lazy Sunday afternoon, I was watching Diners, Drive-In & Dives, Guy was eating this chili cheese dog somewhere and my stomach started growling. I turned off the TV and headed out to Ted's. I ordered the All Beef Hotdog, topped with chili, cheese and onions with the side of fries. As I wait in line, I watch the staff cook/prepare my food and by the time I get to the cashier, my food is ready!

One of these days, I just might have to break down and order one of their milkshakes and try a "White Hot".

($orry... I don't remember how much I paid for my meal and the price is not listed on their website.)

Red Velvet Pancakes at The Herb Box

The Herb Box is located at "The Waterfront" in Old Town Scottsdale. Every time I dine here, I always sit at the bar since I get faster service. I am not a big chocoholic (shocking, I know), but that day, I must have it.

The Red Velvet Pancakes came with Mascarpone creme, Gran Marnier syrup & applewood smoked bacon. The saltiness of the bacon complimented the pancakes very well. I think I didn't leave a morsel on that plate (except for the syrup), my tummy was happy!

After a meal like that, you can walk around Old Town for a little window shopping or find that next food destination.

Red Velvet Pancakes - $11

Pomo Pizza at Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana

BEFORE...

HALF HOUR TO 45 MINUTES LATER

Gingee.. You have some explaning to do..

I've been to the Borgata in Scottsdale a few times. I was walking around the shopping center when I discovered this place. It was late in the afternoon and I don't think I've eaten anything with substance that day.

So I sat down and studied the menu. This sounded good that day and this is why.. The pizza is called "Pomo" - Tomatoes San Marzano DOP, Mozzarella Flor di Latte, Italian Sausage, Roasted Red Bell Pepper, Mushrooms, Onions, Parmigiano Reggiano, Fresh Basil & EVOO.

Usually, when I eat pizza, one slice is enough, two is just pushing it. Not sure if it was the crust, the fresh ingredients, perhaps ALL of the above, just made me devour this thing.. BY MYSELF.. Bite after bite... after bite.

So if you're ever around the Borgata, try this place. You just might like it.

Pomo - $15.95

Prime Beef Hash at La Grande Orange Grocery Store

Many, many moons ago, I used to work around the Biltmore area. Someone recommended the La Grande Orange, I heard they're known for their pizza.

So one day, I walked in their at lunch time. It's literally a grocery store, selling novelty items, and there's a counter where you order food. The wait was too long for the food to come out, so I decided to come back there some other time.

When I went there, it was around brunch time (surprise... surprise) and being use to eating protein for breakfast, the prime beef hash was calling out to me. I was looking at pancakes and other stuff, but when I reached the counter, the only words that came out were "prime beef hash".

Looking at this food is sinful! Well, look at it! It's beef, potatoes, sauteed veggies & sunny side up egg on top of an English muffin. Yum to the max.

Prime Beef Hash - $orry folks, price not listed on their website. But it's worth it.

(Limited parking at this place, but they also have parking at the back of the strip center.)  

The Chilaquiles at Gallo Blanco

One day, my girlfriend and I were driving around her neighborhood in Downtown Phoenix, and we spotted the Clarendon Hotel. And what caught our eyes was this sign Gallo Blanco (which translates to  White Rooster - let's keep it clean, shall we).

One Saturday morning, we decided to go there, and I got the Chilaquiles Verde. I've had Chilaquiles before and wanted to compare them.

When my food came to my table, my mouth watered. My meal consisted of chicken with sunny side up eggs, queso oaxaca & green chile sauce. The waitress also brought two kind of sauces. I call them the green & red sauce. I'm picky when it comes to Mexican food, and this. This is good!

Chilaquiles Verdes with Chicken - $11

The Duck Club at The Parlor Pizzeria

When I walked into this restaurant, I was not in the mood for pizza (which by the way, is really good). I asked my server what was his favorite thing on the menu and he suggested this sandwich.  It is roasted duck with applewood smoked bacon, red wine tomato jam (homemade) & roasted garlic aioli.  It's rare to see restaurants serving duck sandwiches and I thought I'd give it a try.

It could be easily the best duck sandwich I've ever had!

So if you feel like trying something out of the ordinary, try this! I know I'll go back there for more!

The Duck Club - $10