http://explorearizonafoods.com Table for ten please.... Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:09:52 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en First Impressions When Web-Op moved into its first offices, the Falcon's Roost was right across the road, having been there for about 200 years.  A death in the owners closed it for several months, and it re-opened with a decidedly less dank and bar-like atmosphere. Much of the small dividers, and all ... http://explorearizonafoods.com/?p=654 First Impressions I had the sense this place was trying for the wholesome-meets-sports-bar vibe with the chalkboard wall of specials and the cutesy casino theme.  The overall space is fairly cramped, with a sit-down bar and many small corners packed with tables. While our party of ten was seated quickly, it seemed ... http://explorearizonafoods.com/?p=652 In the search for the best Mexican food in the valley my girlfriend Abbe and I recently tried Carbajal's on Baseline road between Ellsworth and Crimson. I thought the place was named after the boxer Michael Carbajal with all the celebrity restaurants popping up here in the valley - ... http://explorearizonafoods.com/?p=650 First Impressions Mi Amigo's has moved up in the appearance department-  less frills and random decor, more of a tidy, moderately expensive place.   However, once we were seated, the impression failed.  A laminated, child-proof menu, and crude tortilla chips, made of a half-tortilla each, didn't make the grade. The Menu Did you guess Mexican?  ... http://explorearizonafoods.com/?p=648 First Impressions Silke's is crammed next to a closed WaMu branch beside a likely soon-closed Basha's.  It formerly held Florodino's, a low-end Italian place, and some of the general look-- leather booths, nicely done up tables-- seems left behind. The walls have a small scattering of Cracker Barrel style doodads, making ... http://explorearizonafoods.com/?p=644 Second Impressions It seems Hot Dogs and More has become our default "penalty choice" when alternatives aren't given.  It's still a narrow location stuffed with local business' advertising cards. As a self-service location, our orders were taken reasonably quickly, but we simply can't seat 8 in one group. Food I chose the bacon cheeseburger ... http://explorearizonafoods.com/?p=642 First Impressions They spent a lot of money furnishing Flancer's.  Framed vintage posters and large plasma televisions dominate the walls, and nicely finished wooden tables and fresh booths fill the room.  However, it was still difficult to find a seat for eight; we were wedged into a booth really best meant ... http://explorearizonafoods.com/?p=640 First Impressions Wasn't this place Monte Cello's last week?  Or a Mexican place a year ago?  A lot of places have come and gone from this location in the Target centre at Brown and Power. The inside is much more elaborately decorated than you'd expect from the strip-mall surroundings:  tiled floors, faux-finish ... http://explorearizonafoods.com/?p=638 Today we went to Pisa Pizza Ristorante, and it was absolutely delicious. Instead of digging into the separate pasta dishes, we decided to eat a few pizzas as a group. We also had a couple of great appetizers. The one that sticks out in my mind is the plate of ... http://explorearizonafoods.com/?p=634 Today we ended up at a new Italian restaurant called Pisa Pizza located in Mesa. Upon entering there is a seating area lined with a wall that separates it from the main dining section. As you proceed to your table you are surrounded by what looks like a small Italian ... http://explorearizonafoods.com/?p=631