Restaurant Review: Pete’s Fish and Chips (Mesa Main St. Location)

So, I reviewed Pete’s as being the best fried fish you can get. I have a caveat. It’s the best in Tempe. We went to Pete’s for lunch in Mesa and it just wasn’t the same. The Fish was ok, but the shrimp and onion rings weren’t good at all. Both the flavor and texture were different.  What’s worse is that we were introducing a coworker who had never been to the delicious chain. I was SO bummed. It was also lame to be able to look in the pickup window and see the giant freezer full of packaged fish. I mean I guess I knew, sort of, but really? I still love the Tempe locale and will be going there to get my fix, but Mesa (as it so often does) fails to impress and I shall therefore not return.

Pete's Warning

Rings N Justice's Nails, yo

Super Special (called something else in Mesa)

Restaurant Review: Green

Last weekend before going out to see some good music, we stopped in at Green for a date night dinner out. Green is an excellent local restaurant in South Scottsdale, and it is completely vegetarian. We go pretty often, but I thought I would take a moment for a proper review.

This is a hip joint. There are always a bunch of cool kids hanging out and eating delicious vegetarian eats. There’s a neat indie local, sustainable vibe going on that helps make the whole environment so slick.

First of all, always check the board for specials (it’s above the cash register so you can’t miss it). The specials are a great opportunity to get some neat food and some of my Green faves have been from there. Next, be aware that you have to wait in line to order, get a number, and food will be brought to your table. Beverages are self serve either via a cup or getting a specialty soda out of the cooler on your way to the register.

As for appetizers, I am a huge fan of the Artichoke Gratine and the Spicy Buffalo Wings – that’s right wings. Through the magic of science, technology, and hippie ingenuity, we have the pleasures of fake meats. And at Green they are the best. Period. I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned it to date, but I am allergic to chicken. Since I only found this out a couple of years ago, and at the time I was eating the sweet bird probably twice a day, I miss it. I particularly miss it when it’s drenched in Buffalo sauce.

Green, however, manages to make an excellent Buffalo Chicken meal, whether it be wings or the “G” Sandwich (Buffalo Chicken sandwich) (I prefer it with the veggie ranch over the veggie mayo as I think that mayo is gross). Simply delicious. I think that various Asian noodle dishes are good, though not always for me, but the Oricciette pasta is always a winner. If offered a side, go for the Thyme fries. They are super skinny (sacrilege) but delicious. When we went, we got the wings and I paired it with a Balsamic Picnic Salad (small, no figs). It’s a great meal for going out because it’s light and gives you lots of great energy.

So basically, everything we have had here is good, if not great, if not phenomenal. The only thing we haven’t liked is the pizza. Soy cheese is an acquired taste that we just don’t have, but you might, so proceed as desired. The meat is fantastic here, but the cheeses are not my bag – I just love real cheese too much.

While I didn’t that day, I usually end the meal with a Tsoynami. They’re huge, wicked excellent soy blizzards. I have had everything from birthday cake to tiramisu to strawberry shortcake. Get one.

Plus, how can you not love a restaurant that does this. Love it. Even Muad’ Dib would approve.

Green to the Right

Green Up Above

Numbero 21 esta aqui

Restaurant Review: Truckin’ Good Food (Les Crepes!)

In line for delicious treats!

Over the last few weeks, Michelle and I have been visiting the Old Town Farmer’s Market after our class and have been getting breakfast from my new fave breakfast joint in town – the Truckin’ Good Food food truck. Dedicated to using local ingredients and with a mission to bringing “parisian-style street food” to the people, Truckin’ Good Food serves crepes, sides, and specials.

What to wear to eat crepes

Crepes come sweet or savory. Here’s a look at the menu:

Sweet or Savory - What do you wish?

At this point, I’ve had three of the four crepe selections, with the Veg being the only one I haven’t tried. The verdict is that they are fantastic. I began with the Papa K. I was a little surprised when it came out in the darker crepe (buckwheat), but it was definitely a complimentary flavor to the ham, cheese, mushrooms, and greens. I can’t say that I was really prepared for the awesome sustenance I had in my hands. This wasn’t a light crepe. This was a meal – maybe two meals! Really, though, the fresh ingredients made for a very rich and flavorful savory crepe and I loved it.

The next crepe I tried was the Jam on It. This was like being in some sort of heaven. Totally delicious and delicate, this was a crepe like I had imagined. The creamy white crepe, browned to perfection was wrapped around fresh local jam and it was warm. Maybe it’s been a while since you had a fresh homemade bread item spread thick with homemade jam. Now is the time to change that. This is the kind of breakfast that makes you want to return to an earlier time, that makes you want to move to Paris, that makes you want to start planting fruit to make your own jam…tomorrow.

mmmm...jammmmm

Jam=Wicked Delicious

Browned to Perfection!

This week, I tried the My First Time. Nutella. Bananas. Walnuts. All in a crepe. I suppose you might say that this could be the holy trinity of crepe filling. As I write this, knowing that I still need and want to try the Veg, I’m just not sure how I can choose something other than the My First Time now that I have had it. The Nutella – chocolately, hazelnuty goodness is melted in the warm crepe and I have to tell you, it is SO SO SO much better warm…and I like Nutella cold. The bananas are hot and taste fresh and clean in a way that only just ripe fruit can. The walnuts are whole and crunchy and give way to a great bonus of flavor and texture as you work your way through the crepe. This is definitely my favorite. Having had crepes in Montreal, I can honestly tell you that these are better. These are amazing. These are the reason that Nutella exists.

My First First Time Ever

In all its glory

Each bite only got better

Now, in addition to all of the delicious delicious crepes, there are fries. And the fries are SO good. Made with Duck Fat, these are exquisite bits of fried potato. Combined with homemade dipping sauces, they just can’t be beat. I’ll save the details for another review (keep an eye out for Restaurant Review: Truckin’ Good Food [Les Frites!]). So, check them out via their location finder here, and have a taste of crepes that are, well, delicious. Enjoy!

Post-Freeze Farmer’s Market Time Warp

(Another post from the next morning – sorry gang)

The Old Town Farmer’s Market was sort of weird today in that I came away mostly empty handed. I don’t know if it was the freeze, or just a sort of inability to shop, but I got almost nothing on my list, and it was time to go before we had even thought about buying vegetables.

Now I will say, our friends at Truckin’ Good Food outdid themselves. The “My First Time” crepe was the best one yet. Combining that with yet another batch of delicious frites – this time with an asian chili ketchup. I have no words. Just so good.

I did however manage to pick up a nice chunk of round steak for my crock pot adventures manana. I’m really excited to see how it works. I did have to get more than I wanted (pre cut frozen bits) so I will have to rearrange my meal plan for later in the week.

Even though time seemed to slip through our fingers this time, I was struck by how good it felt just to be at the market and know that it is a part of my week. I know I talked about this a little bit the last time, but I’m really noticing a change in how I see the community as a whole due to this one simple change in my life. I highly recommend it.