Saturday, June 18, 2011

Phoenix, Arizona

Spinato's 1614 East Bell Rd Phoenix, Arizona 85022, 602.867.1010




When I moved into my condo a year ago, my parents commented that their Chicago based neighbors swore by a pizza restaurant near my new home. I've been to The Windy City probably between 7-10 times, and while I'm no expert on Chicago style pizza, I try a new pizza place each time I go and consider myself a semi-competent judge. I'm not proud that it took me a year and a half to finally stop in to put this pizza joint to the test, but boy am I glad I did!

Spinato's was started in AZ back in 1974 by two Chicago transplants and has grown to five locations valley wide. When my friend and I came in, there was about a 25 minute wait (which I was delighted about, you know my theory that a place without a wait on a weekend night might not be a place worth eating...) And the first thing you notice is the smell of the sweet tomato sauce. The atmosphere is a homey, family style feel with all the classical visual elements of a italian restaurant (the picture was taken at the end of our visit after the place had cleared out a bit, it really was packed when we arrived!).



I did my homework before my visit, and most reviews mentioned Mama's Signature Spinach pizza or the Spaghetti Calzone, and the waiter also recommended the Spicy Italian Pizza (along with everything else on the menu). Any pizza can be fully customized with either thick or thin crust, and all pizzas can be made as a calzone, which leads to an abundance of choices. We wound up doing half Signature Spinach and half Spicy Italian with a thin crust, and biting into it definitely took me back to the streets of Chicago! In fact Spinato's vs. Oregano's for AZ deep dish pizza eateries, I'd go Spinato's! Some of the things that make pizza unique in that region are a heavier feel with a sweeter sauce and a different crust than the more traditional New York style which is known for a thin, foldable crust with minimal toppings. The Chicago deep dish crust generally has a cornmeal base with a thick layer of dough that almost achieves a fried effect due to the heavy oil used in the pizza pan. The thin crust almost has a thicker feel than NYP because of it's noticeable crunch, layers of toppings and non-chunky sauce, and gets cut into squares (which is called "party style" as opposed to slices. Although it varies by pizza joint, I've also noticed that in Chicago I found the cheese is more often on top of or intermixed with the toppings, while NYP has the cheese as a base, with the toppings obviously sprinkled on top of it. The pizza debate will always have fans for both styles. I find that it depends on my mood, for a light, but tasty pie I'd go to Pizzeria Bianco, but if I'm in the mood for a heavier, hearty, meal of a pie, this is the closest thing to Chicago I've found in Arizona!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Scottsdale, Arizona

Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles 2765 North Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257, 480.945.1920

I heard of Lo-Lo's late one night when I woke up on my couch (sometimes I fall asleep watching the food network, laptop still on my lap, and often transition to my bed around 1 or 2 am). Channel 3 had a show playing on local restaurants where they were talking about their chicken and waffle experience. I first thought it an unappetizing combination; however, Lo-Lo's has been in business since 2002 and has two Arizona locations which means people like it enough to keep them in business! That night, I decided to put my prejudice aside, and be curious enough to give it a go! Almost by fate, my laser hair removal place was in the same corner of the intersection and I decided it might be time to try some soul food.


The origin of combining chicken and waffles is unknown, however, it is viewed as a southern based soul food. Walking into the restaurant, you are struck by the condiment colors of mustard yellow and ketchup red mixed with sheet metal siding and wash bucket light fixtures.  Individually, the items at Lo-Lo's are tasty, I had the "Betty Boop" which is a fried breast chicken and a waffle. In fact I did laugh a little when I was reading the menu because the 10 items on the menu are different combinations and amounts of chicken parts with a waffle! The chicken breast was lightly fried and breaded, and the meat was moist and perfectly cooked. The waffle wasn't something you couldn't make at home, but the combination of the two items in the same bite balance each other in a way I wouldn't have imagined. The meatiness of the chicken makes a sometimes overly sweet waffle into a savory meal. Was this an amazing dish that I'll crave and drive half an hour just to have? Not in the way I do for other dishes, but I might just make it a monthly stop before my appointment, and it was fun to experience a unique combination that was surprisingly delicious together. I would absolutely recommend trying this out some lunch time!


Saturday, June 11, 2011

Phoenix, Arizona


















Pizzeria Bianco 623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602.258.8300

Bianco has been a favorite of mine for the past three years or so, both for the food as well as the experience. Nationally acclaimed by food critics, it has been an Arizona staple since 1987. Bianco has changed location a few times throughout history, but has spent almost the last 15 years is located downtown in the Baird Machine Shop's historic site. The small space has a modern feel and only seats about 40 people, which sometimes means over two hour wait times. In my opinion, that's part of the experience and brings to mind the question "Is a restaurant really any good if you go there at dinner time on a Friday or Saturday and it doesn't have people willing to wait for the food?" To do Pizzeria Bianco properly, make it a late afternoon event where you expect a wait and plan to have a glass of wine (or two) next door at Bar Bianco. Recently, they extended their hours to include lunchtime, which has significantly decreased the wait time for a table. In fact the last time I went (on a Thursday at 4pm) we were able to get a seat at the restaurant bar immediately...which we declined to go spend some time at Bar Bianco because it felt wrong not to wait at least an hour for a table! Several of the wait staff have been at Bianco for years, and it gives a familiar, homey vibe to the experience even though Chris (the owner) no longer mans the wood fired pizza oven.

When it comes to pizza, I'm not die hard for one style over another. There are times where you want the solid heartiness of deep dish, and others (like an Arizona summer) where you want something a bit lighter and not so heavy. What strikes me about Bianco is the freshness and authenticity of the pizza. Chris Bianco, the owner, spent a year in Italy to perfect his pizza, and came back with a pie that features a delightful balance of handmade dough, mozzarella they make onsite every morning, locally grown vegetables, and herbs from the garden in between the restaurant and Bar Bianco. For any Arizona resident who hasn't experienced Pizzeria Bianco - make a point to discover it this summer; it's worth the wait!






The Arrogant Butcher CityScape Downtown, 2 E Jefferson #150 Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602.324.8502


I have a confession, I tend to love the Fox Concepts restaurants, and the Arrogant Butcher is no exception! Located in Downtown across from US Airways Center, I would make a point to stop here before or after and event. The setting is perfect for a girls night out, a dinner date before a game, or a people watching lunch. What I love about the Arrogant Butcher is the elegant spin on comfort food.


If you like pretzels, you must try the Soft Pretzel & Provolone Fondue. I don't even want to know the calorie count, but I would skip lunch before I go here again just so I can eat them all and still have room for dinner!


I crave salty and savory food more than sweets, and the Crab Stuffed Chicken, with it's lemon caper sauce on top of a bed of spinach was so amazing I kept picking at it long after I was full (finally I told the waitress to take it away from me so I'd stop trying to eat more - and I'm not a girl that's afraid to actually eat and enjoy food in front of a guy!). My date had the Beef Short Rib Stew, and what a punch of flavor! There was an intensity to the stew without being overwhelming, and the fried egg on top made it more exotic than just a bowl of soup.


The biggest question in my mind is not whether I'll be coming back to the Arrogant Butcher (you better believe this is the before AND after plan if I can get someone to go to the NKOTB/Backstreet Boys concert with me), but rather what I'll try next even though I still want another bite of the crab stuffed chicken! In fact, I may have to make sure I visit on different days over the next few months so I can sample some of the daily specials, like the Monday Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes or the Thursday Fried Chicken and Honey Biscuits. Next time, I'm also saving room for dessert, because this butcher has a reason for his arrogance, and I'm coming back for more!