Sunday, May 12, 2013

2013 - Q1

Finally starting to catch up. Not a bad haul to start 2013 with a one year old running around the house.

THE LOBSTER LADY - Great lobster rolls from one of the first food trucks I've had in Phoenix.  That scene in Phoenix (and in general) is becoming more popular.


THE MIM CAFE - Surprisingly, the MIM (Musical Instruments Museum) Cafe had some really great food. They have a changing menu and often source locally.



SEARED PORK BELLY - First attempt at making this at home.  Ran out of time to brine, ran out of time to marinate, ran out of time to braise.  All things considered, it actually was pretty good.  But now I know better for next time.


VEGAS - OK, not really a food discussion, but it was our annual Vegas trip.  Although there was good eats, this was just ridiculous.  That's right, we had our own private mancave to watch all the first round games, complete with open bar, open buffet (lots of meat to share), and our own private attendants.  Hard to believe but there's a fourth TV to the right.  

   
MIU'S CUISINE - If you've heard people say the best Chinese food can be found in a location that looks a little scary, this is a perfect example of that.






CHOU'S KITCHEN - Perfect example, part II.





BRAISED LAMB SHANKS W/ GNOCCHI - Better than the pork belly.







2012: The finale...

I missed a lot of pictures towards the end of 2012.  Binkley's was the biggest miss of mine...man what an experience there.  Oh well, still got a lot of great things to share.

CAFE BINK - Kevin and Amy Binkley's casual cafe.  Fantastic food here as well.








BLD - Meh.  It was a restaurant with food.  Nothing terrible, but nothing great either.



HOMEMADE PAPPARDELLE WITH CLAMS AND MUSHROOM SHALLOT RAGU - Fairly simply but I was pretty proud of myself for this one.




ZUR KATE - Man I love German food.  Fantastisch!





NOCA - They keep running through chefs but Eliot Wexler keeps the awesome grub churning out.

 
 






BINKLEY"S - They are for real here.  No pics, but here was the agenda for the evening (it seems too simple to just call it their menu).  THIS is how you close out a year!

Bacon infused Donut
Okra blossom with chili jelly
Brioche and rosemary sourdough
Red wine currants and brown butter
Parsnip soup with chili oil
Mini sandwiches
Flash frozen Arnold Palmer
Lemon salted honeydew
Charred pepper andouille sausage
Chicken liver mousse with pistachio butter and apricot jam
Curried poached pear*
Salmon carpaccio*
Truffle egg yolk with bacon
Seared Foie gras*
Pork belly*
Mango sphere (yolk)
Halibut*
Monkfish*
Guava juice with key like soda
Lamb*
5 spice Duck*
Milk, dark, hazelnut chocolate shooter in mint consume
Disappearing ouzo
Mini Soufflé
Peaches and cream*
Sweet potato pie*
Chocolate macaroons


2012: The Beginning...

Not a bad start to 2012.  Great farm fresh food, some cajun eats, and a couple of (now) favorites, plus a taste of back home.

JOE'S FARM GRILL - If it weren't for the crazy long lines, we'd be back here more.  The Coffee Shop (next door) is just as good without the lines.



BABY KAY'S CAJUN KITCHEN - Haven't found better Cajun food here in the Valley than Baby Kay's.



CITIZEN PUBLIC HOUSE - A new favorite of ours.  Great food in a really cool atmosphere.









HOUSE AT SECRET GARDEN - I'm surprised this place doesn't get more run.  Maybe because it's tucked back off of a main road and doesn't look like much from the front.  This was our first mother's day brunch and hopefully kicks off a nice tradition.










SUNSHINE'S MOTOR CITY CAFE - I fear this place will go out of business.  The few times I've eaten lunch here, its been almost completely empty.  Maybe their catering business supplements it all.  Best "real" Detroit coney dog I've had outside of Michigan.  They even have Faygo and Better Made chips.