WhereShouldWeEat.com was invited along on a 2 ½ day adventure through Downtown Phoenix full of activities, sights and most importantly FOOD! We documented each stop to give an inside look into some HOTspots you may be missing out on in Downtown Phoenix.
The Herberger Theatre is showcasing a
Lunch Time Theatre series. Recently
dubbed “Best Culture On Your Lunch
Hour,” Herberger offers a simple lunch
menu and on arrival your pre-ordered
meal awaits you in a quaint, air
conditioned theatre. We enjoyed a Piano/Storytelling
Presentation followed by Tribal Belly Dance Program
integrating an educational spin
into our afternoon.
If the arts aren’t your thing, you can always head up to the Lustre Rooftop Bar, located
on the 3rd floor pool deck of the Hotel Palomar. Stunning views of Phoenix surround you
as you quench your thirst on creative cocktails.Misters kept the outdoor space cool as
we watched planes landing, people bustling on the streets below and even a yoga class
starting by the Palomar pool. I ordered the Café Racer which combined Jasmine
infused Hanger One Vodka, Bols Elderflower and Lemon. It was the perfect summery
adult beverage on a sizzling AZ day.
After sitting pool side we were getting a
little hungry. Arrogant Butcher is a
favorite of WSWE and this visit was more
than the usual great meal. We sat in one
of the three private dining rooms and
heard stories of how Arrogant Butcher was originally
meant to be a chop/steak house
named after Sam Fox’s childhood neighborhood Butcher,
but the public wanted
something more casual and the downtown favorite Arrogant Butcher was born. Our
waiter was extremely knowledgeable and helpful as we ordered many dishes from the
menu. Menu highlights include the Spicy Shrimp and Pretzels and cheese, it would be
hard to leave without trying one of these signature dishes. For dinner I chose the
Tabouli Salad. Light and invigorating with many dimensions of refreshing flavors which
were filling but not so much that I felt stuffed.
For dessert we sampled three favorites: The Warm Peanut butter Cup, Hot Chocolate Cake and
the Salted Carmel Pudding. Each decedent dessert was worth the sweet tooth ache,
but the Salted Carmel Pudding was
my personal favorite. Combing sweet and salty
mix into a good ol’ fashion rich thick pudding and
served in a mason jar just adds to the rustic
charm of this place. Once you visit you’ll see why
Arrogant Butcher is known as one of the few
places in Arizona where sports fans or theatre goers can enjoy
burgers and beers next to some of AZ’s top politicians. It truly is a
Downtown Gem.
Next up on the tour we visited Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour; which is housed in the
Phoenix’s historic first ever high-rise. Combining a neighborhood bar with a world-class
swanky lounge makes this a perfect stop anytime/any day for cocktails. As you sip and
dine you can feel the bustle of the city outside. The extensive drink menu can be
overwhelming but I narrowed it down to the enjoyable Lemongrass Collins. It’s bold and
sour combination was refreshing as I kicked back and took in the beautiful architecture
and décor.
The next morning we visited Matt’s Big
Breakfast and it was the perfect way to
start the day. After its exposure on
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the word got
out and it hasn’t been a slow day since.
One of the most popular breakfast spots
in town Matt Pool prides himself on using
farm fresh ingredients and organic
produce. Boy, you can taste it in every
savory bite! I got the Daily Special which
on that particular day was a Spicy Three
Meat Scramble. Fiery and peppery this
scramble had a delicious kick! Served
with tortillas giving you the option to roll it into a
breakfast burrito. Breakfast Potatoes accompanied
the Scramble and I was sufficiently
full as I devoured the last bite. I had
heard The Waffle at Matt’s was spectacular and couldn’t resist stealing a small bite from
my dining companion. Fluffy, decadent and oozing with homemade comforting flavors,
Matt’s waffle was stellar!
Cocina 10 at crescent ballroom is serving up “Mexican-accented Road food” which
is a perfect cuisine type for this rustic hot spot. The straightforward menu offers
traditional Mexican favorites we all love. We started with the chips and guacamole and
for lunch street style tacos in many flavors filled the table. The casual tacos were the
perfect choice for this unpretentious lunch. We finished the meal with some Churros.
Crisp on the outside moist on the inside, these cinnamon and sugar treats finished off
our Mexican meal.
La Piazza Locale is a cute quaint pizzeria in the heart of
Downtown. This award winning pizza is traditional brick
oven Neapolitan style. This family owned spot has
been using secret methods and recipes dating back many years. Importing ingredients
straight from Italy and home making their mozzarella clearly shows why this Pizza is an
Arizona favorite. I ordered the Regina Margherita D.O.C. with San Marzano Tomatoes
D.O.P., Mozzarella di Bufala, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fresh Basil and I added some
prosciutto. This Pizza was exploding with flavor. The cheese was stringing with each
bite and the crust had the traditional crisp outer rim but doughy middle showcasing all of
the fresh ingredients on top. You can taste the family tradition in every bite at La Piazza
Locale.
The last stop on our tour was breakfast at Phoenix Public Market Cafe. This casual
urban hangout offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The goal of Phoenix Public Market
Cafe is to bring the local food community closer together by offering fresh dishes crafted
with seasonal ingredients mostly sourced directly from the farmer’s market held nearby.
I could identify all the fresh ingredients as I devoured Suny’s Breakfast Burrito.
Generously filled with eggs, bacon and cheese with a side of salsa which was
incredible. You could taste the garden in every bite of the salsa. Phoenix Public Market
Café is truly a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.
If you are itching to get out of the house this summer, venture to Downtown Phoenix, it
may surprise you…it really is “Cooler Than You Think”
*A big thanks to Jay with Big Papa pedi cabs, the heat never
seemed to be an issue as Jay and his crew pedi-cabed us
around the city.