First Impressions

San Felipe’s Cantina looked busier than it actually was at noon on a Friday.  We were immediately seated once our party of nine had gathered.  This is a mildly unsettling sign, considering the restaurant is located in the fairly bustling new Tempe Marketplace.

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San Felipe’s is a Mexican inspired cantina in the new Tempe Marketplace, a few blocks away from the ASU campus.

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Where to go, where to go?  It’s the normal Friday happenings here at the office.  Small voices murmur to themselves as ideas are thrown against the wall.  Off in the distance someone screams “Joe’s BBQ, let’s go now”.  Smiles on our faces we happily proceed out the front office, hop in our vehicles and drive down to Gilbert.

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For lunch today we decided to head down to the Tempe Marketplace and check out the new Mexican food restaurant, Maria Maria, created by Grammy winning recording artist Carlos Santana. Word on the street is that this restaurant is phenomenal and hands down THE best Mexican cuisine in town. Upon arrival we walk inside to see an empty restaurant, sadly the restaurant does not serve lunch and is only open for diner. This is a fall back however I definitely would like to head back and check out their food. (more…)

First Impressions

Joe’s BBQ is moderately famous as the product of the people who originally ran one of those also-ran coffee franchises. The building they set up shop in is authentically styled, and actually blends well into the old district of Gilbert, unlike many of the recent developments in Old Town Tempe. The walls are painted with an enormous, depression-era-style mural of an agricultural scene, and a large wall-hanging explaining the menu. For non-obvious reasons, there’s an antique tractor in the centre of the dining hall, and a fenced-off Vespa they’re giving away to celebrate the restaurant’s 10th anniversary.

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Given the opportunity to pick where lunch was going to be I decided that I would like to go get some BBQ. Originally I tossed out the idea of going to Waldo’s BBQ here in Mesa however I was told that if I wanted a better BBQ lunch we should go to Joes Real BBQ in Gilbert. Running the risk of looking like a fool I decided we would go to Joes and give them for their money. The real question is, was it worth it? (more…)

First Thoughts:
Grimaldi’s Pizzera (or Patsy Grimaldi’s) is located in Old-Town Scottsdale. Across the street from the Sugar bowl and just south of Indian School and Scottsdale road. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria also has a few other locations that seem to be scattered across the Phoenix Metropolitan area.
The restaurants decor is nothing to go crazy about. A nice vintage feel that seems to surround a beautiful courtyard. The decor seems to match the style of music that is played throughout the restaurant. Swing-era and jazz type music will be filling your ears and posters of Frank Sinatra will be drawing your eyes as you look around while trying to take it all in.

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First Impressions

Grimaldi’s is located in the heart of Old-Town Scottsdale, opposite expensive galleries and the famous Sugar Bowl. The inside is surprisingly airy, as the seemingly solid restaurant is actually built around an open courtyard. The kitchen is open, and big-band-era music is obviously designed to synergize with vintage photos on the wall. It doesn’t give the impression of being modern or innovative, but a clear emphasis has been placed on an impressive experience.

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First Impressions

Asian Cafe Express is located in a declining strip mall at the end of the light rail line and near the Tempe border, in a facility which once hosted a reptile-specialty pet store. The primary attention-grabber is a large banner hung near the entrance, advertising their inexpensive lunch and family-dinner specials.

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The Asian Cafe Express reminded me of the Chinese noodle houses that I frequented when in Melbourne, Australia a few summers back. It is a classic mom and pop operation that epitomizes America’s great melting pot, by providing authentic Asian inspired dishes at 1970’s prices.

We had a large group that was accommodated promptly, and catered to throughout. Service is typically great at Chinese restaurants run by immigrants, and I have experience to back up this generalization…Asian food is a favorite if mine.

Appetizers were had by all, wonton soup and potstickers…delicious and the dumplings were filled with shrimp.

I selected the shrimp lo mein dish which is comprised of a wok stir fry rice noodle with soy, shrimp and vegetables. I ordered the large size which appeared daunting, however I then proceeded to inhale it without hardly chewing… let’s just say I merely had a whif…and down those little shrimp went.

All in all, I highly recommend this outfit to all chinese food lovers…quick, inexpensive and quality taste and portion.

The only drawback is the wide selection of dishes…When will these foreign restauranteers learn to specialize more…I didn’t know what to choose, because I was never allowed to be impressed by a certain advertised specialty dish or style.

B+