Dining
Tips for Wine Pairing and Purchasing
We asked two local wine pros, Brent Karlicek, wine merchant for Postino winecafé and Postino Central, and Steven Kelley, sommelier at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort’s Different Pointe of View restaurant, for their tried-and-true tips on purchasing for parties and pairing wine with your favorite foods.
Best Easter Brunch
April in Arizona means warm weather, cool nights and, this year, the celebration of Easter. Instead of slaving over a hot stove, leave the chopping to the chefs and celebrate this holiday sitting down at one these Valley restaurants for a yummy Easter repast.
Best Mexican Fare in the Valley
With Arizona being just north of the Mexican border, it's not hard to find muy bueno Mexican cuisine. Check out our favoritos!
Barrio Café
Presided over by chef Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Café is a funky hot spot in Central Phoenix that boasts a menu chock-full of timeless Mexican dishes given creative twists. Appetizing options such as the cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) and the enchiladas suizas take diners on a culinary tour of our neighbor to the south. And don’t miss the restaurant’s Sunday brunch (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and its selection of Mexican wines. 602.636.0240, www.barriocafe.com.
Ocean Prime at CityNorth
Already a hit in Florida and Michigan, Ocean Prime is now making waves at Phoenix’s CityCenter of CityNorth with it’s supercool surroundings and lengthy bill of steaks and seafood.
Pernod Absinthe at Morton's The Green Hour
March 13, I was invited to attend an Absinthe unveiling party and demonstration, The Green Hour, at Morton's Steakhouse in Phoenix. Everybody's favorite steakhouse has now added Pernod Absinthe to their bottomless liquor cabinet, and I pushed aside the fears of green fairy hallucinations to give the glorious green spirit a whirl.