Favorite Sweet and Spicy Meatballs

Another item that everyone seems to LOVE is my husband's sweet and spicy meatballs. They are extremely simple to make but everyone seems so impressed whenever we make them that I thought I'd throw the recipe out here.

Sweet and Spicy Meatballs

1 bag frozen meatballs (we get them at Costco because they are the only frozen meatballs that taste like real meat). You can make your own meatballs if you like.

1 large jar grape jelly

1 bottle Heinz Chili sauce

To make the sauce you just mix equal parts grape jelly and chili sauce and cook the heck out of it. Simmer the sauce on the stove for a few ( 3-4) hours on a low heat, stirring occasionally so the sauce doesn't stick. Thaw frozen meatballs out and then we throw them into the crock pot and cook until hot inside, then add the sauce. They're perfect for cocktail parties!

One of my favorite holiday recipes; Peppermint Cheesecake

Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. I have been enjoying the holiday season by eating and drinking too much, so I will have a few more restaurant reviews after the New Year. In the next few days I thought I would post some favorite holiday recipes, loved by myself as well as all our friends we've shared them with. First up...Peppermint Cheesecake!

I always thought cheesecake was too difficult to make, but my husband has always enjoyed making them so I kind of got into it. Cheesecake can be intimidating if you've never made one, but once you've got one under your belt it's a cinch. A couple of years ago we found a great recipe for Peppermint Cheesecake in the Arizona Daily Star, and when we made it everyone fell in love with it. I've got to say it's one of my favorites!

Peppermint Swirl Cheesecake

Crust

24 regular mint chocolate sandwich cookies (like mint Oreos)

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter

Filing

4 8oz packages of cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup sugar

4 large eggs

1/4 cup half-and-half

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

A few drops of red food coloring

1/3 cup 1-inch-diameter hard red and white striped peppermint candies, crushed

Topping

1 1/2 cups sour cream

3 Tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Additional peppermint candies or miniature candy canes

For crust : Wrap outside of 9-inch-diameter spring form pan with aluminum foil. Grind cookies in food processor. Cut butter into pieces, add and process to blend. Press mixture firmly into bottom of pan. Refrigerate crust while preparing filing.

For filing: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat cream cheese in large bowl until smooth. Add sugar and beat until well blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating until blended after each egg is added. Beat in half-and-half, then vanilla and peppermint extracts.

Transfer 1 1/2 cups of filling to a separate bowl. Add red food coloring to tint it pink. Set aside.

Stir in crushed peppermint candies into remaining filling. Pour into crust. Drop the pink filling by large spoonfuls on top of the cheesecake. Cut through with a knife several times to swirl.

Bake cheesecake until filling is still slightly jiggly in the center but edges are puffed and set, about 50 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool 10 minutes. Maintain over temperature.

Now there are two ways to finish up this cheesecake. The recipe calls for the sour cream topping, which is very good. For this topping: Stir sour cream, sugar and extracts in small bowl to blend. Pour mixture over hot cheesecake, covering completely. Return cheesecake to oven and bake until top begins to set, about 8 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Using a small knife cut around the sides of the spring form pan to loosen the cake. Remove the pan sides.

We also like to cool the cheesecake and rather then add the sour cream topping we add whipped cream just before serving. Either way, it's great. Before serving add extra peppermint candy for accent. If you add the decorative candy too early it will bleed into the cheesecake; still tastes good but not as pretty!

Vote for Tucson's next Iron Chef Challenger

Tucson is having it's very own Iron Chef competition in January at the Desert Diamond Casino! Join in on the fun by helping to select the challenger who will face off against last years champion, Chef Albert Hall.

I'm asking everyone to vote for Marc Coleman, who's actually the Executive Chef at St Joseph's hospital in Tucson. He's incredibly talented at making his hospital's food the best in town, and you can put him up against any restaurant chef any day of the week. Who would have thought that hospital food could taste great; I've heard many a patient say his food is the best they've ever tasted!

You can read all about Marc as well as the other Iron Chef nominees by visiting the bio page for January's Iron Chef competition. Don't forget to vote for Marc!

Two new Chick-fil-A open in Tucson today

Tucson opened it's first two Chick-fil-A's today and it seems that fans were camping out overnight to be the first in line and in the city to get their favorite chicken sandwich. Actually they were camping out because the first hundred patrons of the new restaurants received 52 combo meal coupons, one for each week of the year! The new Chick-fil-A's on Broadway and on Oracle Road took over buildings that were previously occupied by Krispy Creme doughnuts.

I personally don't understand the following that Chick-fil-A has; there was one located in the food court of my hometown mall when I was a teenager and the sandwiches reminded me of those served in my high school cafeteria. But, I do understand what it's like to absolutely love a food so much that you'll stand in line for two hours to satisfy a long standing craving (can you say Double Double animal style?) When In-N-Out Burger opened in Phoenix several years ago I made my husband drive me up only to wait in line for two hours to get my food that I had to enjoy in my car because there was nowhere to sit inside the restaurant. Made a mess of my car but it was worth it!

Tucson's Armitage Wine Lounge a dissapointment

So I finally went to check out Armitage Wine Lounge at Tucson's La Encantada shopping mall. I actually went twice in about a two week time span, and I'm glad I did because I got two very different impressions each time. My first visit was on a Thursday night at about 6:30. When you walk in it can be difficult to see as the lights are really dim, but there are candles everywhere so it's really romantic if you're with the right person! I didn't feel like Armitage was very big; there's a large bar on the right side with about 10 seats and a few TV's. On the left is a casual seating area with large leather sofas and lounge chairs. In the back are maybe eight wooden tables, some chairs and benches for seating. The feel of this area almost reminded me of an Irish pub; small, tight and dark. There's quite a bit of seating outside on the patio, which has about 8-10 tables with chairs and a few outdoor lounge sofas as well as a flat screen TV. Dress code is Tucson casual with the Catalina Foothills flair, which means everyone will stylish and hip.

When my friend and I arrived the place was already busy. We walked outside to see if there were tables but found everything full. I'm actually glad we didn't sit outside because although there is a sign that says "No Smoking", there was someone sitting just outside the patio door puffing on a cigar. We headed back inside and found a high pub table by the window so we sat down. Did I mention that's it's dark in there? Though we had an outdoor light shining through the window onto our table, my friend still had trouble reading the menu. If you have problems with your eyesight bring a flashlight!

The menu at Armitage looks pretty interesting. They have a great wine selection, but everything is extremely overpriced. My husband and I really like Rombauer Chardonnay, which can be found for about $30 a bottle if you know where to look. Armitage charges $19 for one glass! I decided on another Chardonnay which ran about $12 per glass and was very good, but was probably also overpriced.

Armitage offers smaller menu items, similar to a tapas menu, and then a few salads, sandwiches and dinner entrees. Prices range from $4 to $20 depending on what you get. Their "Starter" menu had a few neat selections, like Hummus and Pita bread or a daily cheese board. On this visit my friend and I choose the Bruschetta. You can generally find this item at any Italian restaurant, but Armitage offers eight different varieties and gives you a choice of four. We decided on the Pesto Chicken and Roasted Tomato, Prosciutto, Chevre and Roasted Tomatoes, Brie and Green Apple and Chopped Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic. Each consists of a slice of crusty french bread with the various toppings. If you're sharing it can be difficult to spilt portions so be prepared. I thought each was pretty good, but not outstanding. The bread was a little tough and flavorless but the toppings were tasty so I'd call it a draw.

For our next course my friend decided on the Hearts of Romaine salad with Nutless Pesto Chicken and croutons, and I decided to split a half Italian sandwich with a small Spinach salad. I really enjoyed my salad, and it's toppings are very similar to those that North has on their Spinach salad; baby Spinach with crispy Prosciutto, Chevre and dried cranberries with bacon vinaigrette. The half portion of salad was big enough to be a full meal, but I also had the Italian sandwich which was really good. It's Focaccia with assorted Italian meats, Mozzarella, Roasted Tomatoes and Pesto; slightly greasy but extremely good, just keep you napkin handy! My friend also enjoyed her Romaine salad; it had large ripe tomatoes, shaved Reggiano cheese and big pieces of juicy chicken lightly covered in Pesto (can you really go wrong with anything that has Pesto on it?) We didn't have room for dessert that night but I was happy with my evening's choices so I didn't feel like I was missing out. The service was good; although the server was busy he was attentive and kept up with our pace so we never needed to ask for anything.

About a week and a half later I visited Armitage again with my husband and one of his co workers. This time we arrived at about 5:30 and headed directly to the patio. There were two people at the bar and one table of ladies outside on the patio, so we were able grab a nice patio table to enjoy Tucson's great temperatures. The first thing I noticed once we sat down was that a woman at the table next to us was smoking, even with the "No Smoking" sign on the glass window right in front of her. Now my understanding of Tucson's smoking ordinance is that you can smoke but you must be 20 feet away from the business entrance/exit. This woman was two feet max. Luckily she and her party left about 10 minutes after we sat down.

Since I had enjoyed the Bruschetta on my first visit I recommend we try it that night as well. We also decided on the Baked Brie with Honey and Smoked Almonds and the Prime Rib Sliders. Unfortunately most of the food was a disappointment. We tried the same Bruschetta variations I'd had before, but these we dry and virtually flavorless. The baked Brie was very poor; the small portion was cold, somewhat dry and also flavorless, with no honey that we could find. The Prime Rib Sliders, sliced Prime rib on soft rolls served with Au Jus for dipping, weren't bad, but the rolls were cold and the only flavor came from the Horseradish dipping sauce. Luckily I had gotten my Spinach salad which again was good so I was happy. I'd been saving room for a dessert called Chocolate Brix cake, but when I asked the server about it he said he would check to see if it was available because he thought they were out. He returned 15 minutes later and didn't even mention it.

One of the biggest problems during this second dining experience at Armitage was the service. From the moment we sat down the server was neglectful, and there were few other diners to draw his attention so I'm not sure what the reason was. I was a food server for about 10 years when I was young, so I'm very patient and understanding, always trying to give the benefit of the doubt, but I didn't even see an attempt on this guy's part. Water glasses were left empty, no check backs to see how everything was, no mention of my dessert request and a rush to drop off the bill and get paid.

I guess I really wouldn't recommend Armitage to anyone unless

1. You enjoy overpaying for wine that's not that unique

2. You really don't care what the food is like

3. You don't mind cigarette smoke in a non smoking establishment

4. You have super human eye sight that allows you to read in the dark.

Although Armitage does offer some great drink specials like half price bottles of wine on Wednesday, even those won't bring me back.

Tucson's newest In-n-Out Burger opens tomorrow!

It seems like just yesterday when the very first In-n-Out Burger opened in Central Tucson. Tomorrow our second In-n-Out will open in Marana, or NW Tucson, almost two years after it was to be completed. Better late then never I guess. It feels like we've hit the big time now!

Tucsons's Turkey wars

The competition has begun for Tucson area grocery stores in their quest to sell the most turkeys! Tucson's weekly grocery sales ads came out today and it looks like Safeway and Frys are both offering to match their competitors prices. Now I don't really know who has the best deal. I guess it depends on which brand you prefer, Jennie-O, Manor House or Honeysuckle. I don't know if brands matter; as long as the bird is crispy outside, juicy inside and has lots of gravy in a boat next to him I'm happy.

Safeway's price is regularly between $1-$1.20 per pound depending on which brand you choose. Frys is regularly $1.49 per pound. These are all "club prices", so you don't get that sales price if you're not part of the club!

If you'll only eat an all natural turkey, you can find that at Ike's Farmers Market for a hefty $2 per pound! These turkeys are individually boxed if you choose to give them as a gift. Kind of crazy!

Tavolino offers some of Tucson's best Italian

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about Tavolino Italian restaurant is "make a reservation". The second thing that comes to mind is that I'm close to enjoying some of the best Italian cuisine in town. This little family run restaurant (and I do mean little; there are only 12 tables) has been hopping since it first opened in 2004. Though small, Tavolino has a lot of charm in an elegant, urban sort of way. With white walls and tables clothes, subdued lighting and candles on each table, dining at Tavolino can be a romantic experience if you want it to be. Still, the tables are very close together, so don't say anything you don't want you neighbors to hear! Whenever I've dined there I've seen more small groups then couples, but it's never been so noisy that I couldn't hold a conversation, so it's great for whatever your planning. There's a small bar which may seat four or five people uncomfortably (pretty crammed), but the liquor selection is limited so the bar isn't a place where people hang out anyway. Service has always been great whenever I've dined there, and the wait staff seem to know their business. Tavolino is located in a strip mall (the Safeway shopping center) in NW Tucson, but don't let that fool you. Once you get inside you'll forget your in Tucson.

As I said the food at Tavolino is some of the best Italian you can find in Tucson. The menu consists of a small number of entrees, maybe 12, but there's a lot of variety so you sure to find something you'll like. Tavolino offers several appetizers, but I never order these because I'm always saving room for desert. I also tend to fill up on the warm ciabatta bread and olive oil they bring to the table. I do love my carbs! Still I try to eat a well balanced meal so I make sure I start with a salad. My favorite is the insalata Tavolina, which is fresh romaine with garlic croutons, vinaigrette dressing and a few sliced tomatoes to garnish. It's a nice, lite salad that's a great start but not too filling.

Entrees at Tavolino include several pasta options, steak, chicken, lamb chops and generally some type of fish. When I dine Italian I always go for the pasta, and you'll find incredible selection here because it's all homemade. I think I've mentioned I like clean flavors that aren't overwhelming, and everything I order at Tavolino satifies that desire. The Lasagna is my favorite. Though lasagna tends to have the same ingredients (layers of pasta filled with creamy cheese and a meat ragu), Tavolino's is very fresh and doesn't feel quite as heavy as some. I've also enjoyed a wonderful Penna pasta with mushrooms and sausage in a tomato cream sauce. Yum! During a current visit my girlfriend ordered the Ravioli filled with butternut squash and topped with a lite butter sage sauce. This combination of flavors was incredible and perfect for Fall. Another friend fell in love with the grilled chicken that's marinated in lime juice and rosemary. Although I don't like to eat anything that's on a bone (I don't like anything that requires too much work to eat) I have to admit it looked and smelled wonderful. The roasted vegetables and red potatoes that accompanied it made my mouth water. Entrees at Tavolino aren't too big so you won't be left with that "what have I done" feeling after your meal.

As I mentioned Tavolino does have a bar but if you want something other then wine your choices are limited. There are a few beers and liquors, and a good wine selection that's not too pricey. My husband and I don't drink much Italian wine so we usually depend on our server to help us make a selection. The wait staff is very knowledgeable about the wines offered and we've gotten great recommendations.

I mentioned that I always save room for dessert, but when I've gone overboard and don't have a lot of room left I go for the Affogato (vanilla gelato with a shot of espresso on top). It's still lite and gives me that much needed pick me up after a hearty Italian meal and wine. Tavolino also has an incredible Tiramisu and a to die for chocolate custard with caramel sauce (the Bonet).

After all my great experiences with Tavolino I have to say it's one of my favorites. The prices are a little higher, with most entrees running between $12 -$20, but the food makes it all worth it. Dress is business casual (don't wear torn jeans and flip flops!). And remember, make a reservation!

Arizona DUI laws are tough (thank goodness)!

While visiting Doug Trudeau's blog I came across an article I found interesting but also important. It seems that every week I hear of some type of car accident involving minors and alcohol. It's not just the minors either; a lot of people drive after throwing back a few and just don't realize that their abilities might be compromised. The holiday season is almost upon us and it's important to remember that even one drink can be too much for some drivers. Anyway, I thought Doug's entry was great so I've included a link.

http://www.tucsonrealestateblogs.com/2007/11/01/dui-laws-in-arizona-are-tough/

Torino Ristorante is an Oro Valley favorite!

Unfortunately Oro Valley isn't known for having great restaurants, but there are a few if you know where to look. Torino Ristorante Italiano is one that has a well deserved reputation in the community. Originally known as Cafe Torino, this tiny restaurant started out serving coffee and pastries in the morning and dinner at night with a maximum of 10 tables. As their reputation and business increased in the community, the owners purchased a larger space in the same retail center, and designated that as the new dinner restaurant while keeping the original space for breakfast and lunch.

Torino Ristorante is owned and operated by a family from Torino Italy, so as you can imagine all the recipes taste about as authentic as you can get. The restaurant offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, with dimmed accent lighting and muted walls with watercolor murals like you might find in a Tuscan restaurant. A small open bar is located at the back of the dining area, but seats might be hard to come by as Mike packs 'em in with his a reputation for being the best bartender in NW Tucson. On some nights there is live jazz, but there is generally soft jazz music in the background. Dress is semi casual, although almost anything goes. During the winter months and on weekends you will want to make reservations as they get very busy. Anyway, on to the food!

Whenever we dine Italian we always like to start with calamari. It's our favorite and if it's good then the rest of the meal tends to be good as well. Torino makes a great calamari, the batter is light and crisp with no taste of oil, just freshness. It's served with marinara sauce on the side, but I enjoy the calamari as is; it's just too good to cover the flavor. Squeeze on a little lemon and I'm good to go. The Bruschetta is also very good, and we've heard great things about other appetizers, but we've yet to try anything different yet. Always saving room for dessert!

I've ventured to try a few different entrees on my visits to Torino, and all have been terrific. The lasagna is always my favorite because it's a simple dish with a clean and rich combination of flavors. Ribbons of pasta and ground sausage are covered in the perfect blend of marinara and bechamel sauce, which is great for me as I tend to favor white cream sauces. The portion is not too big which is good because the dish is so rich. The Veal Osso Buco is also excellent, with tender meat that falls right off the bone. My husband's favorite dish is the Pasta Gorgonzola, and I have to admit it is incredible. I don't like anything that tastes similar to Bleu Cheese, but the creamy rich sauce and the slight bite from the Gorgonzola over fettuccine is perfection.

If you can make it to dessert I would go for the chocolate gelato. This creamy gelato is rich to begin with, but is then rolled in crushed chocolate which makes the flavor even more intense. Not enough chocolate? Well chocolate sauce is drizzled over the gelato, so it's about as chocolaty as you can get. My old stand by dessert is the tiramisu which is is quite good, but not the best I've had.

Torino has a great selection of Italian wines as well as a martini menu. If you are just looking for a beer or mixed drink they can do that too.

Service is very good in general, but on occasion it's been spotty. My husband and I like to enjoy our wine before dinner, so we tend to go when the restaurant is a little busier and the meal can be spaced out. If it's a slow night the service will be quick and you'll be done before you know what happened.

Overall you can't go wrong with dining at Torino Ristorante. Great food, great service and the perfect location in Oro Valley makes it the local hot spot that's not to be missed!

'Tis the season of toasts with Fleming's Steakhouse

Though I've only visited there a few times, I really love Fleming's Steakhouse in the Tucson Foothills. Besides having a lot of character, this restaurant doesn't hold back when it comes to their advertising mail outs. Fleming's sends out a small booklet, usually about 10-12 pages and mostly about wine, on a seasonal basis. These booklets always offer interesting information about wines, whether it be tips for paring food and wine or a discussion about the red wine spectrum. The Fall edition focuses on the "Red Rapture" Red Wine Dinner that Fleming's has scheduled for November 13th. There's also a great section titled "How to make the most of every toast", and it discusses the fine art of making a toast. I've never been big on making toasts, but since we're moving into the season of celebration and Fleming's doesn't offer their marketing information online, I thought I would include a little summary of the article.

Looks like toasting has been around since 6th Century BC when the Greeks were toasting each other to prove that their wine wasn't poisoned. The word "Toast" comes from the Roman practice of dropping a piece of burnt bread in the wine to disguise the taste of bad vintages. Very interesting!

Today people make toasts for all sorts of reasons, whether it be wishing the happy couple a rich and prosperous life together or the drunken rambling of a family member trying to steal the show. Toasts are fun and even educational, depending on who the speaker is. But as with everything else in life, there are a few rules to toasting properly, so here's the list!

• When making a toast the speaker should always stand unless it's a small, informal gathering. No sitting!
• The "toastee" should never stand during the toast or drinks to himself. If you're the one being toasted, just smile really big and say thank you.
• Clinking glasses is optional, but raising glasses is not. If you're drinking wine or a cocktail, raise your water glass. Try to at least look interested!
• One should never toast the guest of honor before the host has had the opportunity. If the host is a little slow in this area you better give him a push to get the ball rolling.
• Eye contact is considered polite when toasting. In some cultures it's bad luck if you don't make eye contact.
• Never, ever, under any circumstances hit your fork against your glass to get everyone's attention. It's considered de'classe'!

Arizona food costs higher then national average

If you currently live in Tucson then you already know this fact, but if you don't and are thinking about moving to Tucson, it's important to know that food costs are higher in Arizona. According to a study done by the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation, our state's food prices have increased about 15% over the last nine months. One reason is the high transportation costs for food products like eggs and beef that need to be transferred in to Arizona. When comparing the costs of sixteen basic grocery items like eggs, white bread and pork chops, Arizona's prices were about $6 more then the national average.

For more info on the Tucson food cost comparison visit AZ's "marketbasket" is $5.87 higher then U.S. average

My husband tends to be the cook in our house as he's very creative in the kitchen. That's why he's generally the one in charge of the grocery shopping. Like anyone that shops for the family meals, he's found that no one store has the best of everything. Usually he'll find that produce is great at one store while the meat selection is better somewhere else. Often we can only find one store that sells the types of bread we like; otherwise we go to a bakery. Since we live in Oro Valley we tend to travel to the same grocery stores for our purchases. In Oro Valley you basically have your choice of Safeway, Fry's, Trader Joe's or Ike's Farmers' Market. There is also a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market down the road, but we just don't shop there. Since we frequent all these stores quite a bit we tend to know their quality and value, so I'm passing on our personal observations.

• Safeway - is the closest for us, about 5 minutes away, so we tend to just go there because it's convenient. It's not always our favorite as food prices tend to be higher and the quality of their produce is very inconsistent. They do have a better selection of artisan breads then anywhere else we shop, but they sell out of everything quickly so you need to shop early to get what you want. If you're a Club member the sale prices at Safeway might be better then other grocery stores. Example - Fresh Atlantic Salmon fillets are priced at $4.98 lb at Safeway this week for Club members, while at Fry's they're priced at $5.99 lb for a VIP member.

• Trader Joe's -they have so many unique specialty items and their prices are pretty inexpensive. In the past year they've really expanded their selection in fresh meats, cheeses and organic products. If you've never been to Trader Joe's you should check them out as they have quite a following. I've had clients that made it clear that they must live within a five mile radius of a Trader Joe's. And did I say that they're cheap? Example - Trader Joe's makes a cheap bottle of wine that actually tastes good! "Two-Buck Chuck" as it's called, is a Charles Shaw wine and is actually priced at $2 a bottle. It's received national recognition and has only increased Trader Joe's following.

• Fry's - my husband likes Fry's because they have a good selection of meats and their produce tends to be better quality then Safeway. It's not as "fancy" as Safeway, but their everyday prices tend to be lower so you save on your over all bill. Example - This week Fry's is selling Gala apples for 47 cents while Safeway's cost is 50 cents.

• Ike's Farmers' Market - Not our favorite spot to shop as the selection on things like produce, meat and bread is minimal and prices are pretty high. They have a lot of specialty and organic items so for those that are looking for something unusual this might be your best bet. Example - Ike's price of Gala apples (organic) $1.47 lb. Price on Non organic Gala apples at Fry's is 47 cents lb.

Everyone has their favorite place to shop when it comes to where they buy their groceries, but it pays to look around since there are some significant savings to be found, especially when you're a "club member" at the various stores.

The Arizona Daily Star has a great article about price comparisons among various Tucson grocery stores. For more information about this check out the Tucson annual grocery price survey

Village Bakehouse a must see!

Just had lunch at the Village Bakehouse today and I wanted to make a report. My husband and I have been there in the past to pick up sweets when we're attending casual get togethers, and we've had lunch there a few times, so we're pretty familiar with the menu. The Village Bakehouse is located in Oro Valley, just South of Trader Joe's on Oracle Rd. It's tucked in the corner of a strip mall, and the business sign and front entrance are blocked by palm trees, so it can be really hard to find. Still it's all worth it when you finally get to enjoy any of their delectable treats. The Village Bakehouse is quaint with several small tables inside and a covered patio with more outdoor seating in the front. Not a lot a seating considering the locals in the area keep it pretty busy, but this place has a lot of character. When you walk inside you'll feel like you've entered into a little European bakery.

The Village Bakehouse serves both breakfast and lunch, as well as fresh baked artisan bread, cookies, and all sorts of specialty treats. Though I've yet to have breakfast there, I have been lucky enough to try several of their wonderful sandwiches and various yummy cookies. My favorite sandwich is definitely the Village Bakehouse, which is a fresh baked crusty baguette topped with smoked turkey , Havarti cheese, tomato, lettuce, avocado and a little dab of mayonnaise. I like simple sandwiches with fresh ingredients, so this one is perfect. It's delicious but it's one of those sandwiches that's almost too big to get into your mouth, so be prepared! My husband loves the "Shirley's Turkey and Cran" sandwich, which consists of turkey, cucumber, cranberry relish, lettuce and a smathering of cream cheese on whole wheat bread. Just like Thanksgiving in a sandwich! We've also shared a Club sandwich, but this isn't your typical Club. Try smoked turkey, cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, tomato, lettuce, avocado and mayo on Asiago pepper bread. All I can say is Yummy! It's a good thing that diners have the option of ordering a half sandwich if they aren't able to eat whole one because Village Bakehouse sandwiches are very big. There's a large selection of sandwiches, homemade soups and salads on the menu, and there a few kid friendly items like PB&J or grilled cheese as well.

Although I love the sandwiches at Village Bakehouse, I go there for the sweet treats. There's an endless variety of cookies, muffins, pies, cakes, and pastries, all homemade and all delicious. My favorites are the chocolate, chocolate cookies, Snicker Doodles, carrot cake bars and pecan caramel rolls. They even make specialty wedding cakes. The desserts at Village Bakehouse are not to be missed, so if you're full after your sandwich get a few cookies to go.

The Village Bakehouse has a loyal following so if you plan on going it might be wise to visit off peak hours. They're open from 7am to 6pm Monday through Saturday and 8am to 2pm on Sundays. If you are going for sweets or fresh baked bread it's better to get there early as they sell out of their best items pretty quickly. Bon appetit!

Great Upcoming Events for Tucson Foodies

Lots of exciting food and beverage related events scheduled for Tucson in the next few weeks. The weather is cooling down and it's the perfect time of year to enjoy great food in the great outdoors. Where to begin....

• Check out the Tucson Culinary Festival next week! It's four days of exciting food and "beverage" tastings brought to you by the Tucson Originals, a group of locally owned restaurants that provide food that's distinctive to the Tucson area. It all starts with the "Margarita Challenge" (I hope El Charro wins!) on Thursday night at Cuvee World Bistro . Then the event moves to Loews Ventana Canyon where there's two days of tasting great wines and foods from some of Tucson's greatest chefs. Sunday finishes up with a BBQ Brunch and great Blues music. I checked out several of these events last year and I had a great time.

• Oktoberfest in Tucson? Yes it does exist, and boy do we like to celebrate it! Get your lederhosen on and head out the Tucson Oktoberfest Festival, which starts today at Hi-Corbett Field and continues through Sunday. Enjoy authentic German food and music while checking out the many arts and crafts booths. If you're like me, it's hard to celebrate Oktoberfest when it 85 degrees outside. That's why I trek up to Mount Lemmon for their Oktoberfest celebration! Cruise up the Mt. Lemmon highway any weekend through October 9th and feast on bratwurst and German potato salad while enjoying German music and dancers dressed in authentic German wear. You'll feel like you're in Bavaria!

Tucson's Montana Avenue Satisfies Any Sweet Tooth

As you will soon see from all my restaurant reviews, I love to eat! Since every one's perception of a dining experience is different, I'm going to tell you about mine, you give it a try and then feel free to offer feedback.

A small group of friends and I recently visited one of the many Fox owned restaurant's, Montana Avenue. Located on Grant Road, it's convenient central location was perfect as we were all going to be in the area anyway, so rush hour traffic wasn't a significant problem. It's got a hip, urban vibe to it, and the dress code is "Tucson casual", which means pretty much anything goes. Prices range from $15-$30 per entree, but there's a great variety of appetizers so you'll likely spend more. The menu offers "regional American cooking" and a terrific wine list. The owner, Sam Fox, has several great restaurants in Tucson and Phoenix that offer a wide range of delicacies. Most are upscale (it's all relative I guess) and draw a clientele of young business professionals. The bar area in many of the restaurants is a focal point, and large groups tend to congregate here for the "after work cocktail". Fox Restaurants has a great reputation for wonderful food and service. One thing I must point out is that you need to make a reservation! Luckily I did, because when we arrived a 6:15 the dining room was already full.Unlike my first visit here, on this occasion our service was spotty. I noticed that the bartender was also our food server, which led me to believe that the restaurant was short staffed. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable, and he maintained a calm disposition even though I could see he was overwhelmed.

Aahhh....now for the food! I felt like trying a healthy entree so I could later indulge in desert. I ordered the special, which was a broiled Mahi served on a bed of cranberry beans (flavored with bacon) , sauteed tomatoes and arugula. Very pretty presentation, but my Mahi was extremely overcooked. Still the meal was very good. A friend ordered the Shrimp Risotto, which was wonderful, as was the Grilled Ahi and Flank Steak. Another friend ordered the Pork, which was extremely undercooked. It was very busy on this particular night so I would expect a few inconsistancies, but overall we enjoyed our meals.

I must say that Montana Avenue has overall, the best deserts in town. My favorite is the Bread Pudding, which is INCREDIBLE (it really gives the bread pudding at Vivace a run for its money). Two other guests decided on the warm Cinnamon Sugar Donut with vanilla custard dipping sauce. Numerous other deserts are available and all are very good.

Although the meal was not a complete success, I'm sure we will go back for another try. Montana Avenue has a great atmosphere, and as a general rule the Sam Fox restaurants provide exceptional food and service. If all else is a flop, at least I have the bread pudding!

For Tucson Area Wine Lovers

I'm about to make one of my personal recommendations, so I hope all of you like the vino! For those of you that truly enjoy savoring a nice glass of wine, there's a neat little wine shop you should try called Wine Brothers. The concept of a wine tasting bar in Tucson was relatively new when Wine Brothers opened in early 2007. Though there were a few wine retail stores that also offered tastings at the time, I find that the relaxed atmosphere, reasonable prices and casual Tuscan theme at Wine Brothers is unmatched. It's very easy going and fun; not at all stuffy like some of the finer wine tasing bars are. Besides having an extensive selection of great wines for sale, wine connoisseurs have several different options for enjoying their favorites on the premises. If sampling a variety of wines is your style, head up to the tasting bar and check out the daily selection that's being offered. If you would rather just relax with a glass of your favorite vino, make your purchase and then make yourself comfortable in one of the cozy leather chairs located in the lounge area. Can't enjoy a good glass of wine without something to munch on? No problem! Bring in whatever you're craving and have a seat at one of the many bistro tables in the cafe area. There's even a private room that can reserved for group tastings. If you'd like to make an evening out of it, make sure to stop by on Saturday evenings when there's live entertainment. Another new wine cafe and lounge, Armitage, opened at La Encantada shopping center. A brother to the Armitage wine lounge in Phoenix, I'd expect to find the same premium wines and Old World ambiance as in the Scottsdale location. Once I've made my visit I'll post on it and let you know!

First In and Out Arrives in Tucson

Now I originally wrote this entry back in April 2007, but since my Tucson Foodies blog is new I'm including my older posts from my Greater Tucson Real Estate Blog, and I think this story marks a significant date in Tucson. Once your city gets an In and Out Burger you feel you've finally made it in the world. On April 25 the first In and Out Burger opened to much fanfare in Tucson, and it opened at 9am, 1 1/2 hours before its scheduled opening time. As I predicted, the lines were out the door as people waited for a little taste of heaven. At 12:30pm I counted 83 cars in the drive thru line, with the last being a police car. I wonder if the officer was on the clock as he waited to order his Double Double. I admired all of those dedicated souls that stood in the long line, just to satisfy that persistent craving that cannot be satisfied by your normal burger joint. As seating inside was limited, many could be found enjoying their meals on the roofs of their cars in the parking lot. Still, I know that there are many individuals that don't believe the hype about In and Out, so I have provided a photo of the franchise's loyal fans for those non believers. Once the commotion has subsided (and the temperatures have cooled a bit) I too will be standing in that long line as I salivate. To answer the question "Is it worth the wait" I answer "You betcha!"

For all you Tucson Foodies

Welcome to the official Tucson Foodies blog! As I mention in "About Me" I'm a real estate agent in Tucson Arizona, and one of my many passions is food! It's something that we all have in common, whether it be eating to survive or eating for the dining experience. Food provides us with nutrition, comfort, and time with those we care about. To me there is nothing like sitting down to a fantastic meal, having great conversation and experiencing it all in an interesting setting.

The term "foodie" is defined by Wikipedia as "an informal term for a particular class of aficionado of food and drink". When I hear the term "aficionado" I visualize an older British gentleman with a glass of cognac in one hand and a Monte Cristo No. 2 cigar in the other. This is probably why I don't consider myself an aficionado. I really just enjoy good food, and I'll add good wine.

Since I enjoy eating and my husband and I do get the opportunity to venture out to area restaurants quite a bit, I thought I would start a blog about it. Several of my past clients were new to Tucson when I first met them and were unfamiliar with where to go for a decent meal. I enjoyed finding out what their likes and dislikes were and then recommending a restaurant that might match their tastes. Most of the time they were very happy with the recommendations, and even gave me feedback on some of their favorites (now I know what to try next time I visit). Tucson has a great variety of options when it comes to eateries; there is almost too much to choose from. Some are good and some are not so good, but I'll give honest feedback about everywhere I dine. Please remember it's all personal opinion, so if you've been to one of the restaurants I mention and had a different experience please post a comment. The goal of this blog is to have fun while I help everyone out there make that all important decision....Where do I eat?

Valorie Bradley

Long Realty

Tucson Arizona

http://www.valoriebradley.com/