Arizona Restaurant Week - Recap

Last week was just plain delicious. Arizona Restaurant Week was a success in my mind.

Beckett's Table was my first stop last Tuesday with my friend Lauren. We really enjoyed the atmosphere of the whole place, it was warm and inviting. The staff was super on their A-game, I swear my cup of water was never more than half empty and it was a small glass! One of the main reasons we wanted to eat here was the smores dessert option which we had previously read about, also - they are not open for lunch so getting there isn't easy for us since we typically branch out at lunch time.

{My phone photo with the PW seventies action}

Now I've copied and pasted quite a bit from the restaurant week website but I liked it...

Chef Justin Beckett brings together what matters to him most: family, friends and honest, incredible food. The result is an irresistible hangout for his discerning Arcadia/Biltmore neighbors, people who expect comfort and sophistication in equal measure and get it here.

First Course

- Choice Of -
vegetable chop salad, razz-cherries, pepitas, cucumber, carrot, fennel, potato, tomato, green beans, celery, red bells, corn, champagne basil vinaigrette
{this is what we both had, those "razz-cherries" were divine! and the champagne basil vinaigrette I want again and again and again}
chicken meatballs; smokey tomato sauce, roasted red onions, eggplant; peppers, bread crumbs, basil
Second Course

- Choice Of -
fire roasted green chili pork stew, corn bread, cotija cheese


steamed white bass, farmer's market organics
{I had this, it had a delicious jalapeno/cilantro sauce on the plate and was served with some sort of black rice...I think, it's been a week people my memory is fading}
J's meatloaf, creamy yukon mashed, green beans, mushroom gravy
{Lo had this - it was AMAZING. I will go back for this, I kid you not. It was almost as if the meatloaf was carved off and then pan fried or something, it had the perfect crispiness to it!
Third Course
- Choice Of -
award winning fig; pecan pie, cream cheese citrus zest ice cream

chocolate dipped bacon s'mores, caramel, house-made marshmallows, whipped peanut butter, graham cracker
{we each ordered one, the cream cheese citrus zest ice cream was so delish, the pie was good but the s'mores stole the show - life changing folks. Seriously, I need more chocolate dipped bacon in my life - stat}

______________________________________________________________


Wednesday night took me downtown to Portland's and I have to tell you my life changed. Yep, I'm being serious. It was absolutely phenomenal food. The service was not bad but they seemed to be under staffed.


From the RW website: "Elegant little spot, perfect for a nosh, din-din or lunch while in the downtown area. The bar offers an engaging ambiance, well-suited to a date or just a friendly quaff amongst buds. And there’s a lovely list of New World wines and fine spirits to choose from. Overall, a classy joint. Wish we lived in the lofts right behind it. "- New Times

First Course

- Choice Of -

tempura Rock shrimp

sweet rock shrimp with jalapeño remoulade 

{super super tempting}

prosciutto-wrapped Asparagus
prosciutto di Parma wrapped around fresh asparagus with zesty Dijon cream sauce
{this is what I dined on to start - obviously prosciutto is practically bacon so I jumped on this...it really was perfect. There were about 4-5 spears wrapped together from the base-midway up in prosciutto}


Vine ripe Tomatoes; mozzarella locally grown tomatoes with fresh mozzarella
{my friend Kami got this}


classic Caesar
homemade anchovy-based Caesar dressing; crisp rosemary focaccia croutons
{my sister got this}
Second Course
- Choice Of -
Scottish Salmon sustainably raised in Scotland with white northern beans; raised greens with ruby port reduction
{Trisha ate this and was very happy}

blue cheese Bistro steak with creamy au gratin potatoes; Stilton blue cheese
{This is what I'm talking about. It was all I could have dreamed and hoped for, cooked to perfection, tasty, juicy a true treat to my taste buds.}


pan-seared Diver scallops large diver scallops with prosciutto-wrapped fresh asparagus; Dijon cream sauce
{Kami had this}


eggplant Napoleon layers of tender eggplant, portabella, fresh ricotta, mozzarella; red bell pepper


phyllo Chicken rosemary chicken, creamy Fontina; dried apricots baked in phyllo dough
Third Course
- Choice Of -
flourless chocolate torte dense torte made with Guittard chocolate
{And to top it all of I finished with this. I'm telling you people I don't even love chocolate, I was bummed that creme brulee wasn't an option but I dang near licked this plate when I was done, it was PERFECT!}

Tiramisu light; creamy layers of mascarpone cheese; espresso soaked ladyfingers


Portland's is open for lunch and I'm excited to go back and try out some of their other options!

Happy Monday!