The Hash Kitchen (3.5 Plates)

Turn your head the other way if you want a relaxing and quiet Saturday brunch. If you feel like extending your Friday night girls/boys night out, then The Hash Kitchen is your place.

We immediately got a table soon as we walked-in. The vibe was so alive. If you just got out of bed, walking-in to the restaurant would definitely wake you up to the tenth level. They have a DJ on a Saturday brunch. An actual club DJ!!! (I started to look for the dance floor when I walked-in).

The service was really nice. My glass of water was always full. Food was served fast and hot. Our server also gave good recommendations (a sign that he knows the menu). The restaurant was also very clean. Tables were set and cleaned as soon as the customer leaves the table.

The dishes that we had were just OK. I did not get a chance to try their famous Bloody Mary bar (which looked awesome by the way). I'm not a Bloody Mary fan but I guess it's something I'll consider trying the next time. Back to what we had, the food that we ordered had good points and some room for improvement. I had the Breakfast Lasagna and my wife ordered the Herb Fried Chicken and Waffles.

The Herb Fried chicken was a little dry for my taste. A little over-cooked but had some good flavors. The herb wasn't very prominent but you know it's there. The waffles were nice. Soft and tasty on the inside and a bit crunchy on the outside. I would have wanted a little more bacon mixed in to the waffle but it wasn't a deal breaker. I still enjoyed it and the fried leeks on top complimented the dish very well.

The breakfast lasagna was a bit of a let down for me. Maybe I would have loved it if it had a little more sausage and a little less potato. The potato and the lasagna pasta just had very little texture and flavor differences that it tasted very one dimensional. The bacon was crunchy but the dish needed more protein. The egg that was placed on top of the dish helped add flavor. The creaminess of the yolk gave some good points but I couldn't get past the potatoes. There was just too much. To be fair, the breakfast lasagna is new to their menu. That's what the server told us. Hopefully, improvements are on its way.

(The egg was properly poached)

A great place with an OK food selection. I would definitely come back. Maybe I’ll try the Bloody Mary bar the next time. Maybe I’ll order one of the popular options. Maybe they deserve a 5, but for now just a 3.5 (4 at the most).

The Bloody Mary Bar

The Menu

The White Chocolate Grill (5 Plates)

It has been 7 years since I last visited The White Chocolate Grill at Scottsdale, AZ. Back then, I was dating a good friend of mine. I guess the date went so well and the food was really good, she ended up marrying me 4 years after. After dating for 4 years and married for 3 years, my now wife and I decided to revisit The White Chocolate Grill.

Now in our casual attire instead of a dress and a suit, we got a chance to enjoy and focus on the food, the service and the ambience of the place. I did remember one particular appetizer from their menu. They still had the Grilled Artichoke. I loved it so much back then that I tried to eat everything on the plate. Even the choke and the leaves ( just to be honest, I didn't know which part to eat. So I ate everything. I was trying to be cool. I WAS ON A DATE!!! Note: only eat the heart).

The Food: We had the Ahi Tuna Salad and the Grilled Chicken Madeira for dinner and the White Chocolate Brownie for dessert. Everything was fantastic! 

The Ahi Tuna salad was very light and refreshing. The sesame crusted Ahi Tuna was seared rare to perfection and served with field greens, mango, avocado, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers then lightly dressed with a champagne vinaigrette. The combination of the tangy and sweet vinaigrette complemented the salt water freshness of the ahi tuna. The sesame crust and avocado gave texture to each bite. The mango and cherry tomatoes gave balance to the dish while the greens and cucumber gave the fresh taste in your mouth that makes you believe that you are actually eating something healthy.

The Grilled Chicken Madeira was hearty and satisfying. A serving plate had 3 pieces of marinated chicken breasts grilled to order and then served in a savory mushroom sauce with a hint of tarragon and a choice of side. We decided to go with the Israeli Couscous topped with roasted pistachios. The chicken breast was very tender and juicy. It was also seasoned well enough to stand on its own even without the mushroom sauce. I did find the mushroom sauce a tad on the salty side (it can be overlooked since it compliments with the couscous).  The couscous was a winner! It was al dente to the bite and was seasoned well. The chopped mint leaves and apple slices cuts through the savory mushroom sauce that just complimented each other so well. The dried cranberry and toasted pistachio provided texture, contrast and balance for the dish. I wouldn't hesitate to order this again on my next visit. 

The White Chocolate Brownie was a warm blonde brownie with white chocolate shavings and topped with French Vanilla Ice Cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. It is sweet! Literally! I guess theres a reason why the menu says "Desserts for Two". Because the dessert is meant to be shared. It would be overwhelmingly sweet for one person to finish the whole plate. Just imagine the combination of the blonde brownie, chocolate sauce and chocolate shavings. Even the vanilla ice cream and whipped cream is not enough to cut through the sweetness. Don't get me wrong. It's not bad. I actually think it's a good way to end your meal while enjoying a cup of coffee and a good (or maybe sweet) conversation. Just take time enjoying the dessert.

The Service: Our server for the night was Angel. She was an angel. She recommended the Israeli Couscous over the Mardi Gras Rice for our Grilled Chicken Madeira. I think it was the perfect side for the savory mushroom sauce. She also kept our glass full. Which means she kept track of our meal the whole time. Since we mentioned that my wife and I were sharing everything, extra plates and utensils were always provided as each order was served. We never felt rushed and we never felt unattended. It is worth noting that it was a busy dinner service at the time we were there. Kudos to Angel!

The Ambience: The whole place was very cozy and relaxed. There was an area with a bar and the latest sporting event for the night on TV. There was also an area where you enjoy your meal with a good conversation. It is both classic and sophisticated.

Overall, it was a great meal experience. Good food, good service and overall nice and relax place. Now, why did I to wait for 7 years before the second visit? With this kind of a quality restaurant, maybe the third visit should be anytime soon.

Visit their site at http://whitechocolategrill.com

Hopdoddy Burger Bar (5 plates)

Burger has always been my comfort food. Every bite I take is pure cholesterol and calorie satisfaction. As long as the burger is done correctly, I would take a bite any day (that is any day I can burn the additional calories).

Hopdoddy burgers are definitely the type of burgers that you would fall in-love with. Good juicy patty, cheesy cheese, soft bread, tasty sauce and complimenting toppings for me makes a good burger. Done the right way, it turns into the perfect burger.

seats inside the burger bar

The place felt very modern and classy. TV is available at every corner to keep diners updated on the latest sporting event. Outside seating is also an option. I guess the outside tables are perfect for a good burger and a cold beer with good friends on a cool Scottsdale night out. For the hot Arizona summer days, they also have misting around their patio to keep the place cool.

Service was excellent. We were met at the front door by the staff. We were asked if it was our first time to make sure we understand their ordering and seating system. At the door, they give diners their table numbers. Diners can then line-up for their orders and once orders are placed, diners can head to their table for a full service from then on. The tables were kept clean and the servers regularly check if diners need anything else on their table. When we visited, it was a busy lunch time. Servers still had a smile on their face that made us feel comfortable and added to the satisfaction of the meal.

The burger? It was love at first bite. We ordered the Primetime burger, Magic Shroom burger, Truffle fries and the Caramel & Sea salt shake. 

Primetime Burger

The Primetime burger had the Texas Akaushi beef, Brie cheese, Truffle Aioli, Arugula, Caramelized Onions and bbq sauce. The Akaushi beef had a natural sweetness that complimented very well with the salty and tangy Brie cheese. The arugula topping added a peppery finish to every juicy bite of the medium rare patty. The bbq steak sauce and caramelized onion completed the combination of the salty, sweet and tangy bbq finish. It's the MVP of the classic bbq steak burger.

Magic Shroom Burger

The Magic shroom burger is truly magical. Like pulling a rabbit out of a hat, the mayo & basil pesto is a surprise in every bite. The mushroom complimented by the texas goat cheese which added an earthy flavor to the burger. The angus beef patty is angulicious! For mushroom and basil lovers, this is the perfect love affair.

Truffle Fries

The truffle fries is the best we've had so far. There is an ample amount of fries to share. It was topped with parmesan and truffle salt and served with mayo, herb and onion sauce.

Caramel & Sea Salt Shake

The caramel and sea salt shake is a good way to finish the meal. The sweetness and the very mild saltiness mixed with the cool and creamy vanilla ice cream removes the oil in your mouth from all that burger and fries. Serving is just enough to fill the gaps in your lunch appetite.

Hopdoddy is my kind of a burger joint. Burgers are tasty, full of variety and just the right size. Service is good. The place is modern. Oh and by the way, they have craft beer on tap to wash down those perfect burgers.

Visit their site at http://www.hopdoddy.com

Foosia Asia Fresh (4 Plates)

If Chipotle had an asian sibling, it would be Foosia. I believe there is so much potential to their concept. The flavor choices they offer are both original and familiar. Original because they put their own twist on the usual and familiar because you can easily identify the sweet, spicy, tangy asian flavors.

The place is clean and the staff were very helpful. They did not have a lot of customers when we visited but I guess it was because we got there very late. I would think the place becomes busy during lunch and dinner.

The ordering order. First selection, the bowl. Its just there way of saying choose your carbs. They offer jasmine rice, brown rice, noodles and flat bread. You can also go all greens if you don't feel like carbo loading. Next choice, your protein. They have pork, beef, chicken, shrimp and tofu. Third in line are the veggies. The customers can make a choice on how they want the veggies cooked. It can be a quick stir fry or steamed. Fourth station is the sauce choices. I had the Kim Jong-Who??? BBQ and my wife tried the Two nuts walk into a bar. Yes, they have weird names but it does give a good idea of what to expect (lets touch on the sauce a little bit more later). The last stop is for the toppings section. The choices are crispy wantons, thai herbs, peanuts, shallots and many more.

Like I said, the sauce. It makes a difference. Kim Jong-Who??? BBQ is as you guess it, a korean bbq sauce. Sweet and spicy. It has a great kick that cuts through the sweetness of the bbq sauce. Sweet and spicy is always... ALWAYS...a good combination. My wife had the Two nuts walk into a bar. Yes, you got it right, peanut sauce. If you like the  southeast asian flavor of Malaysia and Thailand, this is your sauce. It has a balanced hint of soy sauce and coconut that would satisfy your craving for some salty and creamy finish.

The combination of carbs, properly cooked protein, veggies, tasty sauce, some fresh herbs and a topping of crunchy wantons or peanuts would definitely make every bite an experience. There are layers and layers of flavors and textures that would really make the meal interesting. The fusion at Foosia is a spoonful that is worth a try.

Visit their site at http://foosiafresh.com

Some photos of the place

Posh Ramen at Posh Improvisational Cuisine (5 Plates)

It's official, Tuesday is Ramen day!

I have been searching for a quality Ramen around the area  since the day I arrived in Scottsdale. I've tried the ramen at Ramen Republic, Cherry Blossom, Yoshi Bento and Umami and just recently, I tried Posh Ramen. By far, Posh Ramen takes home the bacon (or should I say the Chashu pork). 

Posh Improvisational Cuisine switches from the adventurous Posh menu to a simple ramen bar menu every Tuesdays. The prices for the ramen choices are reasonable. On an average, a guest would spend around $12 per bowl. For a high end and original big bowl of ramen, i think it's a good value for your $12 bucks.

The ambience of the place also tones down to a more relaxed and casual feel. As compared to the upscale feel that the restaurant has between Wednesdays to Saturdays. The staff goes casual with their shirts that say Posh Ramen.

Service is still excellent. We wanted to order two appetizers but our server recommended that we save room for the ramen since the ramen bowls are pretty big. So we just ordered a plate of Okinomiyaki. It was a good suggestion that allowed us to enjoy our ramen fully.

The Ramen. Again, the best ramen I've had this side of AZ so far. The noodles were cooked properly. Not too soft but not undercooked as well. It doesn't break when you do the slurp (which is how ramen should be eaten). The broth is full of flavor. The few choices that they have offer every type of taste bud something to enjoy.

Okonomiyaki

Appetizer: Okonomiyaki. Perfect way to prepare you for a great bowl of ramen. The savory vegetable pancake with bacon and shrimp was complimented by the bbq sauce and mayonnaise. What really added to the experience was the bonito flakes. It had the fishy asian character that would complete your every bite. 

Goma Ramen I think had a laksa finish to it. It had bokchoy, scallions, sesame seed and peppers. Maybe my favorite out of all the ramen we tried. 

Shoyu Ramen was the classic ramen. You know you are enjoying a ramen because of the flavor profile of the pork broth. The marinated bamboo was tender and it was served with a soft egg that had very unusual (good unusual) yolk. The yolk was sweet and it really complimented the broth.

Shrimp Ramen had a very Chinese soup flavor. It had a little bit of a kick that I would recommend to those who like Thai Tom Yum.

I would definitely be waiting for Tuesdays from now on because of Posh's ramen.

Visit their site at http://www.poshscottsdale.com

Also visit Chef Josh Herbert's blog at http://poshscottsdale.wordpress.com

Zinc Bistro (5 Plates)

Visit their site at http://www.zincbistroaz.com

You gotta give credit to those who deserves it and Zinc Bistro definitely deserves all the 5 stars. If I could, I would even rate them higher.

My AZ restaurant week adventure took me and my wife to our second upscale restaurant in 3 days. Our taste buds took us to Zinc Bistro on a rainy Saturday night.

From the outside, the bistro looked very ordinary. A simple restaurant sign, glass and wooden door, and some patio seating for the romantics. Nothing intimidating and nothing too fancy.

Inside the bistro, it was different. You are immediately transported from AZ to NY. The place turns from ordinary to exciting. The vibe becomes alive. Unlike other upscale restaurants, this one is upscale but not a stuck-up. In fact, this one is quite inviting. I felt like I can laugh around my friends while enjoying my wine and enjoy some stories while not rushing my meals.

Ambience... CHECK!

We were greeted at the door, then the receptionist led us to our corner table. The usual. Nothing extra ordinary. Soon as we settled at our table and our server (Dylan) greeted us and gave us the menu, from there on, the service was quick, efficient and VERY attentive. I can't even remember when and who filled our glasses with water. I usually measure service by how attentive the staff is, if your glass of water is always full and ice cold, that means someone is always looking after your table. At Zinc, my glass was never empty. For me, that says a lot about their service. Our server (Dylan) was also at the top of his game. He made sure we our enjoying our food and also made sure we enjoy our experience by offering the best that they have. You always feel comfortable when servers approach your table with a smile. Service was simply EXCEPTIONAL...

Service... CHECK!

Ever had a meal that made you nod your head every time you take a bite? As if telling yourself that you made the right choice and you did a good job choosing the right meal. That's Zinc bistro food for you. You know you made right choice on every bite. We ordered the Smoked Duck Terrine and Pastrami Cured Salmon Burrata. The smoke duck terrine filled my mouth with all the texture you would look for. It had both a crunch and velvety bite from the terrine and pistachio. Also gave the salty flavor from the duck while balancing it out with the apricot and vinaigrette. You also get the freshness from the carrot and arugula as you mix all the component in one bite. The pastrami cured salmon on a burrata did not fall short as well. There perfect balance of texture with the burrata and salmon while you get the freshness from the roast beet and butter leaf salad. The appetizers alone made me nod on every bite. The main course was just CRAZY GOOD! The flat iron steak was perfectly cooked. The crust from the outside complimented the tender and juicy medium rare center. Make sure though that every slice you take has some caramelized shallot or else it might be too salty for your taste. The caramelized shallots balances the flavor to the sweet, salty and partly tangy perfect bite. My wife had the confit lamb shank. The lamb was so tender and the meat falls off the bone easily. It was perfectly complimented by the Beluga lentils, medjool dates, roasted turnips and crushed almonds. Again, the texture and flavor was well balanced. We also loved the slight touch of the crema fresca that cut through the gaminess of the lamb. If you hate lamb, this meal might just change your mind.

Pastrami Cured Salmon Burrata 

Flat Iron Steak 

Confit Lamb Shank with beluga lentils, medjool dates, roasted turnips and crushed almonds.

Smoked Duck Terrine

Lastly, the dessert. I alway want my dessert to be sweet but not overly sweet. I want it to make me feel like it satisfied my sweet tooth without making me like I ate a whole box of cake. We had the brown butter cookie w/ peanut butter nougat and salted caramel. It was a very sexy Snickers bar on a plate. When eaten w/ small bites of mint leaves, it takes the sexy snickers over the top. 

We also had the grilled pineapple tarte tatin w/ toasted tahini and cardamon ice cream. The cardamon ice cream cuts through the tanginess of the pineapple. Since the pineapple was grilled, the natural sweetness of the pineapple comes out.

Oh and the chocolate soufflé ( their top dessert ) is a must have. How was it? It was so good that only tasting it on your own can explain the experience.

Food... CHECK!

Overall, it was a perfect experience. Which is worth the money you are shelling out. The food was awesome. The service was exceptional. The place was alive and inviting. Truly deserving of a 5 star.

Benedict's (4 Plates)

Eating at Benedict's made me feel like having brunch at my favorite aunt's house. The place was homey, the service was warm and the food was comforting. 

The place was small and only had a few small tables. There were some tables outside that offered seating for larger groups. I can easily understand if it would take a while to get a table on a busy day. Good thing (or unfortunately) we got to Benedict's a little past lunch already. We immediately got a table and we were greeted as soon as we went through the door. I don't think they have a lot of servers. Take note of this when you visit this place when it's busy. I would think everyone would scramble to make sure everyone is helped and taken cared of. As I've written, the place felt like home, even my own mom or aunt would have a hard time managing several guest at one time.

The service was hands-on. The lady who served us during our visit was very warm. She was engaging and very friendly. Again, like what I wrote, she was just like my favorite aunt. I did have some concerns, else I would have rated this with 5 stars. I ordered 3 items from their menu that were not available. Thus, why coming here late might be a disadvantage. They ran out of fruit for the crepe, challah bread for the french toast and avocado for the California eggs Benedict. Would have been nice to try it out. Maybe i'll come in early the next time so I get to try what I want.

The food that were served to us was very good. Let me correct that, it was very good. It was better than other big time brunch places that I have visited. it was original and full of flavor. We had the Arizona eggs benedict and their egg and bacon croissant sandwich. The croissant sandwich was soft, airy and tasty. The additional kick on the sandwich was the pesto sauce. The egg was cooked nicely and the bacon, though not as crispy as I wanted had a good bite as well. My wife loved the Arizona eggs benedict. It had tomatillo sauce instead of the usual hollandaise sauce. There was also a hint of corn tortilla taste on the sauce that gave the dish a mexican finish. Eggs were poached perfectly and the runny yolk complimented the sauce. The sausage wasn't bad as well. Not too salty and but had enough kick at the end to tell you that you are eating a sausage. 

Coffee and pastry were also very good. Add the warm ambience and service with good, Benedict's Cafe just felt like home.

Croissant Sandwich

Arizona Eggs Benedict

Visit their site at http://www.benedictscaterers.com

Yoshi Bento (3 Plates)

Spiderman! Spiderman! ... It was our Friday movie night with a friend. Since it was only a little over an hour before our movie schedule, we decided to grab our dinner near the movie house. We decided to try a bento restaurant beside our favorite phoa spot.

We got a patio table (seemed like everyone wanted to dine at the patio tables). There were 5 tables. When we arrived there were already 2 occupied tables. It didn't look very busy at that time.

I guess we got the rookie server. He just stood beside our table and did not ask us if we wanted to start with something to drink. We ask for a glass of water and he again waited for our order (I guess it really wasn't that busy. If he could wait and watch us drink water while we decide what to order, then he must really have some time to burn).

We started with dumplings and their crunch tofu. The dumplings were... hmmm... dumplings. For me, it was nothing special. Had a good combination of crunch and chewy dumpling wrap but it was just ok. The crunch tofu, now that's a different story. It was different. Good different. Correction, very good different. The wasabi mayo sauce on top of the lightly fried tofu was a perfect match. The sauce had enough of the wasabi flavor but not too much of the wasabi nose wrenching effect. It was sweet, spicy, tangy, soft and crunchy. All in one bite. Yum!

For our entree, we ordered chicken yakisoba, tempura roll and salmon/tuna sashimi which took a little over 30 minutes to get to our table (take note: there were only 5 full tables at that time. With 2 guests per table). Back to the food... well... ok... It was worth the wait! The yakisoba was very tasty and just had the right kick. Sweet, salty, spicy and yummy! It's worth coming back for another visit. Sashimi was fresh. Slices were generous. Plating was really clean as well.

Would I come back. Yes, when there is less people. When I have enough time. When I am craving for a good... correct that... very good tofu and tasy yakisoba.

Butters Pancakes and Café (3 Plates)

         Happy Easter!!!! We decided to have brunch and celebrate Easter after a few days of fasting and abstinence. After getting vetoed by the wifey on the choice of brunch location, we ended up at Butters Pancake & Cafe. 

I don't know if it's just because of Easter brunch or if this is a usual Sunday wait but we waited for our seat for 40 mins. Could be a good sign that the food is that good or a bad sign that the service is really slow (after finishing the meal, I found out that it was the good food that made the line. Actual food service was really really fast). 

We were given a patio table on a 80 degree sunny day. Good thing they have mist all over the patio area that made the whole place cool. The patio was right beside a fountain that made you feel like enjoying a scene from a french movie. 

The food... I ordered California Scrambler with a side of fresh fruit and protein power pancakes. My wife got a Veggie omelette with a side of french toast. The California scrambler was very original for my taste (maybe its because I never lived in California) because of the avocado mixed together with the scrambled eggs. It worked for me. Just enough yum for my taste. The protein pancake was really good. Maybe its my love for cinnamon but I think it is also the texture added by the nuts and oats that made me want to finish my plate.

My wife had a veggie omelette. It was a little bland for my taste. I would have liked a little more salt and pepper but my wife loved it. Maybe it was the swiss cheese that made her finish her plate. 

Overall, the place is nice. The food is a little above the usual. Anything special? My brunch, not so much. They do deserve another visit to be fair and to try their lunch menu. Would I come back? Yes.

Patio Scene

Visit their site at http://butterscafe.com/