Tag: dining

Dinner at Marcellino Ristorante in Scottsdale

Marcellinos presentation
When Sima and Marcellino Verzino met in Rome, where Sima was a singer/performer and Marcellino was a chef, in the 1990’s they never knew they’d settle Arizona with a successful restaurant. It wasn’t until early in the 2000’s while living in New York City and owning a successful restaurant that they visited Phoenix to see friends that they knew Arizona was the place for them. Having moved to Scottsdale’s Southbridge after 7 years at the original location on Northern and 12th St. in Phoenix they couldn’t be happier with the Piazza(plaza) feel of downtown Scottsdale. Despite a downturn in the economy & the summer heat Marcellino Ristorante is still wowing tourists, snowbirds and locals, some who make the drive from their old neighborhood, with homemade pastas & sauces, fresh seafood and they hospitality one might expect when dining in Italy.

I had the chance to dine as Sima & Marcellino’s guest recently and the food, ambiance and company made it a memorable evening making me wanting more. Whether your sitting on the patio, in the dining room or at the chef’s counter your in for an fun and filling dining experience as the experienced staff delivers dishes made with Sima and Marcellino’s passion for food and friends. Since they say pictures are worth a 1,000 words I present to you a few of Marcellino’s signature dishes…Mangia! Mangia!

Atlantic Salmon tartare resting on an orange round
Atlantic Salmon tartare resting on an orange round

Hand crafted pasta duo...beef tenderloin stuffed Tortelone and Gnocchi Sorrentina
Hand crafted pasta duo…beef tenderloin stuffed Tortelone and Gnocchi Sorrentina

Pollo Saporito- Chicken sauteed with mushroom, pine nuts, sun dried and fresh tomatoes over pureed potatoes
Pollo Saporito- Chicken sauteed with mushroom, pine nuts, sun dried and fresh tomatoes over pureed potatoes

Trio of desserts including Italian Cheesecake, Tiramisu & Biscotti Di Noci
Trio of desserts including Italian Cheesecake, Tiramisu & Biscotti Di Noci

Marcellino’s Ristorante is at 7114 E Stetson Dr. Scottsdale, Arizona 85251.(480) 990-9500

5 places to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2015 in the Phoenix area.

As Valentine’s Day 2015 approaches in just over a week many restaurants a planning for happy couples to come out for dinner and show their love for each other. Whether you like sushi, southwestern or contemporary American food the 5 options below are offering special dishes, prix-fixe menus or Valentine’s Day themed parties.

Sierra Bonita Grill
On Valentine’s Day, enjoy a romantic brunch or dinner at Sierra Bonita Grill. For brunch, enjoy southwestern-inspired cuisine, including the Monte Cristo ($13) with Cure 81 ham, oven roasted turkey, scrambled eggs, bacon and manchego cheese between two egg battered pieces of sourdough bread, served with oven roasted root vegetables. The Cowboy Hash ($12) is roasted root vegetables tossed with Schrieners linguisa sausage and chorizo, topped with fried eggs, salsa verde and salsa fresca. For dinner, the evening’s specials include Smoked Prime Rib ($33), served with green chile mashed potatoes, horseradish sour cream and beef au jus. The fresh catch of the evening will be Pan Seared Crab Crusted Shrimp and Scallops ($35), served with tomato fettucini pasta tossed with spinach and cherry tomatoes, and topped with a white wine chile cream sauce. Pair dinner with a special cocktail created for the evening. The Hibiscus Margarita ($10) features hibiscus infused blanco tequila, Cointreau, St. Germain, fresh lime juice, agave and is garnished with an edible flower. Sierra Bonita Grill is located at 6933 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. For reservations, call 602-264-0700 or visit www.sierrabonitagrill.com.

The Herb Box
The Herb Box features savory twists on tried-and-true cuisine and fresh, seasonal ingredients that unify regional flavors. For Valentine’s dinner, The Herb Box will be serving a five-course, plus cocktail “Honey and Date” prix fixe menu featuring local ingredients. The dinner is $89 per couple. The meal begins with a Spicy Shrimp, Corn, Leek, and Sweet Potato Chowder, with Corto olive oil and honey-fennel roasted pepitas. The next course is a shard Petite Brioche Fromage with Seahive sea salt and honey cheddar, capicola, gouda bechemel, honeycup dijon, with a salade rouge of radicchio, red oak, red onion, avocado, golden raisins, and Sphinx Farm dates. The intermezzo is a Champagne-Grapefruit Sorbet with date syrup. For an entree, choose from a Date-Balsamic Roasted Free Range Chicken with Maya Farm baby turnips, petit carrots, and watermelon radish, or Grilled Spring Garlic Lamb Lollipops with warm butter beans, feta, fresh mint and sumac-honey vinaigrette. Finish the meal with a Sweet Honey Date Cake, served with a blackberry swirl goat cheese ice cream, bourbon sugared pecan pieces, honey “dust”, and blackberries, topped with a drizzle of honey-bourbon syrup. Included with the dinner is a My Darling Lemon-Thyme cocktail featuring Singh Farms Honeycomb. There are two locations of The Herb Box: Southbridge in Old Town – 7134 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85251. DC Ranch on Market Street – 20707 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85255. For more information, email www.theherbbox.com.

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant
A sushi dinner is meant to be savored and shared, making RA Sushi the perfect Valentine’s date night. Splurge with the Lobster Salmon Roll ($13.45) featuring lobster, mango, avocado, and cucumber, rolled and topped with lobster, salmon and a lobster cream sauce. Spice up the night with the Zonie Roll ($9.95), featuring spicy salmon, cucumber, lettuce, cilantro, and jalapeño, rolled and topped with avocado and Sriracha. Fall in love with the Red Heart Roll ($10.95), featuring crab mix, fresh avocado and cucumber, rolled and topped with crispy spicy tuna, spicy mayo and Sriracha. Pair dinner with a tropical cocktail meant for sharing. The Passion Punch Bowl ($18) is a fruity and refreshing drink featuring Amaretto Di Saronno, pineapple vodka, aged rum, passion fruit, pineapple and citrus juices, and coconut water, served in a giant fish bowl. For dessert, share a sweet with your sweet, such as the Sweet Mochi Trio ($7.69), a traditional Japanese dessert of mango, strawberry and vanilla ice cream wrapped in sweet rice cake with sliced kiwi and strawberries. For more information, visit www.RAsushi.com

RA Sushi has five Valley locations in Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Old Town Scottsdale and North Scottsdale.

Ahwatukee: 4921 E. Ray Road; Phoenix, 85044
Dana Park in Mesa: 1652 S. Val Vista Drive; Mesa, 85204
Tempe: 411 S. Mill Ave.; Tempe, 85281
Kierland Commons: 7012 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale, 85254
Old Town Scottsdale: 3815 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 85251

RA Sushi in North Scottsdale and Ahwatukee Hosting Valentine’s Themed Painting Parties:
From Rodin to Klimt, artists have used love as their muse, and now RA Sushi invites couples to celebrate love by bringing out their inner artist at a painting party on February 15. Pinot’s Palette and Uptown Art will set-up at RA Sushi for a fun afternoon of painting, sushi, sake, and romance! On February 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Kierland location in North Scottsdale, Pinot’s Palette will teach aspiring artists how to paint the chosen artwork, Mandarin Sunset. The Kierland Commons RA Sushi is at 7012 E. Greenway Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. For the Kierland class, the cost $39 and includes a 16×20 canvas, painting supplies and step-by-step instructions. Register at http://www.pinotspalette.com/paradisevalley or call 480-696-7220. On February 15 from noon to 2 p.m., Uptown Art will inspire with the themed painting, Love is in the Air, during an al fresco class on the patio at RA Sushi in Ahwatukee. The Ahwatukee location is at 4921 E. Ray Rd., Phoenix, Ariz., 85044. The Ahwatukee class cost is $25 and includes a 16×20 canvas, painting supplies and step-by-step instructions. Register at www.uptownart.com/chandler or call 480-813-8059. Besides making beautiful art, guests can enjoy RA Sushi’s new Sunday offering made for two: Sushi for 2 for $25. Choose four food items from a select menu, plus edamame for just $25. A wide variety of rolls from the Tootsy Maki to Crunchy Shrimp Tempura to Spicy Tuna are available, as are appetizers like Pineapple Cheese Wontons and Chicken Yakitori.

The Shout House
A fun option for couples looking for a entertaining night out on Valentine’s Day, head to the Chocolate Wasted Party at The Shout House! For dinner, order a variety of dishes meant for sharing, such as the BBQ Pork Short Ribs, featuring a half a rack of ribs with a housemade rub in a slow cooked BBQ sauce, served with coleslaw, or the Chokes and Hummus Plate, served with artichoke hearts, garlic citrus hummus, kettle chips and a balsamic drizzle. Set the mood with a signature cocktail, such as the Sex on the Piano, a mix of Stoli peach vodka, Razzmatazz, melon liquor, cranberry and pineapple juice, or the Pear-A-Dise City with Absolut pear vodka, malibu rum, frangelico, pineapple juice, and ginger ale, topped with a champagne float. For dessert, indulge in all things chocolate, such as $5 Chocolate Martinis, $4 Chocolate Cake Shots, and $3 Chocolate Covered Strawberries.The Valley’s only dueling piano bar, at The Shout House musicians play classic rock ‘n’ roll hits to today’s popular music. An adult-oriented, 21-and-over, non-stop, audience request driven show, the performers involve the audience in sing-alongs, roasts and on-stage interaction. The party will be from from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Reservations can be made beginning at 7 p.m. and pianos will start at 7:30 p.m. The Shout House is located in the Westgate Entertainment District at 6770 Sunrise Blvd, Ste. 207, Glendale, Ariz. For more information, visit www.theshouthouse/az.

Paul Martin’s American Grill
Indulge in a romantic dinner during Valentine’s weekend at Paul Martin’s American Grill. From February 12-16, Paul Martin’s will be serving a variety of appetizer, entree and dessert specials. Begin the meal with a shared appetizer of a half a pound of Chilled Alaskan King Crab Legs ($25), served with house cocktail sauce and lemon. For a main course, choose from a variety of options, including the Herb Rubbed All Natural Filet Mignon ($45) with mashed potatoes, Bloomsdale spinach, and garlic confit, or Seared Ahi Tuna ($28), accompanied by bok choy salad with watermelon radishes, snow peas and sesame-ginger vinaigrette. For the seafood lover, try the full pound of Alaskan King Crab Legs ($48), served with crispy red potatoes, drawn butter and lemon. Grab two spoons and finish the meal with a Campfire Sundae ($9), featuring vanilla ice cream, warm fudge, smoked almonds, and toasted housemade marshmallow fluff. Paul Martin’s American Grill is located at 6186 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85253. For more information, visit www.paulmartinsamericangrill.com.

Where to eat on Grand Cayman Island

Whether you’re heading down to scuba dive, check on your money or warm up from the winter blues Grand Cayman Island has its variety of dining for everybody. Considered by many to be the culinary capital of the Caribbean (say that a few times after a few Pina Coladas), Grand Cayman is a rather small island in the western Caribbean Sea with several influences native to island or imported. The majority of the dining scene is on the western side of the island near George Town, but throughout the island you’ll find several other restaurants (in some cases barely that) frequented by locals which is the best way to taste the flavor of the island and the region. This is exactly what we did on a recent visit.

Surrounded by turquoise blue water, you’d be correct if you guessed that a lot of seafood is being served along with “jerk” food. “Jerk” is a mildly spicy seasoning found throughout parts of the Caribbean including Jamaica and Grand Cayman. The use of cloves gives it a distinctive flavor than most other spicy seasoning and it’s most commonly found on chicken and pork.

After getting some recommendations from hotel employees and checking local guide books we made our way to Rankins Jerk on Shamrock Rd. on the border of Bodden Town and Lower Valley. No big menu at this walk up restaurant just a few daily specials and couple of staples that include Jerk chicken($8), Jerk pork ($10) both w/ red beans and rice and small salad which were very tasty as was the Mahi Mahi filet and the chicken soup. We knew it would be good as we walked in to the minimal looking dining room to await our food, which was packed with locals eating lunch. So quiet you could hear a pin drop. It was also one of the few places I saw goat on the menu but decided to pass.

If you’re craving kangaroo or crocodile Make your way to the Gun Bay area of the Eastern Districts to Tukka www.tukka.ky where Chef Ron who hails from the Queensland area of Australia will introduce you to Australian food with a Caribbean flare at his beach side restaurant. With an extensive menu we were there for his Walkabout Wednesday tasting menu which included 3 courses for $40 C.I plus gratuity. Crocodile and Conch Fritter, Breaded Brie and a Lobster & Shrimp Spring Rolls were the 1st course followed by a choice of pan seared Barramundi, Grilled Mahi Mahi and Prawn Skewer, Mixed Grill Brochette consisting of lobster, shrimp, chicken and lamb cutlet or Angus beef filet and Kangaroo sausage. All the food presented tasted great and the presentation was the best we’d seen on the island. The Date & Walnut pudding w/ Butterscotch sauce was my choice for dessert delicious and had me wanting to lick my bowl. This was by far the fanciest restaurant of our visit.

Walkabout Wednesday appetizer sampler at Tukka
Tuuka’s Date & Walnut Pudding with ice cream and Butterscotch sauce.

If you make it to the North Side be sure to visit Over the Edge Restaurant www.over-theedge.com over looking Old Man Bay. With a variety of sandwiches, salads and main courses served in a nautical setting this was the restaurant we kept saying we had to get to and finally did for our next to last lunch. With a nice variety of fish that included Snapper, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Codfish and Lobster just to name I few. I went with the Fish & Fries (fish n chips). This was not your battered and fried fish that I was expecting but a seasoned and breaded then pan-fried filets which was a pleasant surprise. It was also the only place I noticed turtle steaks on the menu for those that crave it. Also be sure to ask for the jar of pickled peppers if you want to add a spicy kick to your meal.

If you find yourself hungry in George Town or along Seven Mile Beach and want to avoid the touristy places you can watch the waves rolling in at The Royal Palms Beach Club www.royalpalmscayman.com Part beach club, part patio restaurant this was slightly more mainstream with burgers, pizzas, salads and sandwiches. I went with the Mahi Mahi sandwich ($10.50 C.I.) with the Jerk mayo which was very good.

We also ate a couple of good meals where we stayed at the Morritt’s Grand Resort on the northeast corner of the island at Colliers Point. At David’s Restaurant the seafood risotto and coconut shrimp salad were winners.

Other good choices we visited was the Wreck Bar and Grill at Rum Point www.rumpointclub.com for eating at picnic tables and under the palm trees after a visit to Sting Ray City. On one visit I went with the Traditional Style Jerk Pork ($11 C.I.) which was a generous portion
of pork along with red beans and rice, corn on the cob and coleslaw. For my final meal of our trip we returned I had the Jerk Chicken Wrap off the special board which was very flavorful. Definitely the most kicked back place of our visit with its hammocks and clear blue water to stare into.

A few other places were recommended to us that we could not get to were Chester’s Fish Fry in Bodden Town, South Coast Bar & Grill on the water by Frank Sound and Vivine’s Kitchen in Gun Bay that looked like someones home and identified by a sign hanging on a street side mailbox. All of these were in the Eastern Districts part of the island.

The Cayman Islands have their own currency (C.I.), some places quote both C.I. & U.S. dollar prices & U.S. prices are 20% higher due to the exchange rate and any change given from U.S. dollars is given in C.I.

So whatever your reason for visiting Grand Cayman Island be rest assured you won’t go hungry and if you take these recommendations and others from the locals you should be leaving very satisfied and a few pounds heavier.