A Boatload of Fun

Why eat the same boring food the same old way? It's time to take it up a notch. Enter the sushi boat at Hana.

The unassuming Japanese eatery on 7th Ave is a great spot for some serious sushi. It reminded me of one of my favorite East Village sushi bars- small, but cozy with some dang good food.

After finally deciding what to order (I tend to like everything which makes it hard to edit) we opened up our BYOB vino! I love places that offer this option.

Soon after, there arrived a boatload of sushi... literally. Our sushi arrived on a miniature wooden boat that was so playful and fun I couldn't help but geek out a little bit and take a picture.

We ordered the Caterpillar roll (crab. eel. avocado,cucumber) and a special roll that was wrapped in cucumber instead of rice! The contents of the special roll were incredibly fresh and tasty with some spicy seasoning on top. However, I must warn you. This is not an easy (or pretty) thing to eat. I had a bit of a problem with a bite gone awry.... not cute.

If you're looking to change things up, try Hana's.

Hours:
Monday: closed
Tuesday-Thursday: 11am-2:30pm, 5-9pm
Friday: 11am-2:30pm/5-10pm
Saturday: 5pm-10pm
Sunday: 5pm-9pm

5524 N 7th Ave
Phoenix, Az 85013-1702
602.973.1238 (7th Avenue and Missouri, between Bethany Home and Camelback)

I've Got Rhythm, I've Got Music

Who could ask for anything more?

I'm always down to try out new music. So far, the only tunes on my 'no-play list" include angry screaming men, gangster rappers and sugary pop straight outta Bop (save for katy perry- my guilty pleasure #1).

So off I went in search of fresh beats, finally landing at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix. This well-known spot offers locals the chance to see awesome acts in an intimate setting.

My first show there was last week for Margot and the Nuclear So and So's. The opening bands were so awful, that by the time Margot took the stage I was ready to leave. But cooler heads prevailed and I stuck around long enough to become obsessed with the band. $$ (that's the sound of me buying their cd on itunes).

Last night I was back in action for a special show sponsored by my friend Carlos' employer. You may of heard of it, Coca-Cola Co.? Junip, a cosmopolitan three piece from Gothenburg, Sweden – featuring Tobias Winterkorn (keyboards), Elias Araya (drums) and José González (vocals & guitar) headlined the show and it rocked. I give it another, $$.

Basically you should make a point of visiting Rhythm Room's website and see what bands are coming through town. Heck, get a little crazy and see someone you've never heard of before, you may just end up a fan!

Rhythm Room

1019 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85014-4811
(602) 265-4842

Wanna JAM out?

November 20, 2010 Join ASV for Bluegrass Band Muskellunge, Cajun Food & Arizona Wine at the Old Town Center for the Arts in Cottonwood!

Saturday, November 20th 
Doors open at 5:30pm Music from 6-9pm

TICKETS: $25 for Arizona Stronghold and Page Springs Cellars Wine Club Members; $35 for the general public 
Ticket Price includes admission, glass of wine and food! 
For tickets or more information call 928-639-3004 ext. 222 or email wineclub@azstronghold.com.
For location information click here.

A McNight to Remember Gala

I was lucky enough to be invited to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix gala, celebrating 25 Years of providing a “home-away-from-home” to families with sick loved ones.

The silver anniversary benefit, co-chaired by Kiffie Robbins and Dee Ann Nowell, was truly an elegant evening of fine dining, live & silent auctions and live entertainment. The Junior League of Phoenix and RMHC Board Member Wayne Stingley was honored with the 2010 Heart of the House Awards.

The charity event took place at none other than the Arizona Biltmore. The evening began with a silent auction with an open bar and passed hors d'oeuvres that appropriately included mini McDonald's cheeseburgers.

After the apps everyone filed into the ballroom for presentations, dinner and the live auction. They served the cutest mini grilled cheese's with tomato soup to start, but I was stunned into a sugar shock existence at the grandeur of our dessert!

Each plate had a giant piece of chocolate cake and then an adorable mini sundae (my favorite), not to be outdone by a little party favor of Fairytale brownie, which I've been told is about addictive as crack.

When it was finally time to dance I dragged my date onto the dance floor and made him do the Michael Jackson moonwalk. He humored me for about 5 minutes and then we went to meet the boss for drinks on the Biltmore patio bar.

Eric Glomski Entertains at Slow Food Event in Phoenix

Winemaking wunderkind, Eric Glomski of Page Springs Cellars and Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, was the guest of honor/designated pourer at the most recent Slow Foods events held at one my fave dining destinations, Postino central.

Arizona Stronghold Vineyards

Eric Glomski entertaining Slow Food Phx guests and members

Slow Food Phx Board Members

Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic, membership organization that educates people about how their food choices affect the rest of the world (Slow Food Manifesto).

Eric is a BIG believer in sustainability and spoke to members, guests and media about his quest to incorporate sustainable practices into the care and production of his vineyards and ultimately, the wine.

Slow Foods Phoenix: http://www.slowfoodphoenix.org/

Arizona Wine Week and Festival at the Farm

Gov. Jan Brewer officially proclaimed Oct 30-Nov 6 Arizona Wine Week. Hosted by Arizona Wine Growers Association, the week kicked off with wine soaked festivities like a 5k Grape Stomp through Phoenix, a rousing wine tasting competition hosted by Richard Ruelas of the Arizona Republic including more than 20 local AZ wineries, finally culminating in a gloriously gorgeous day at the Farm on South Mountain.

adorable dancing fools

me 'n mom

lovin life

I couldn't have asked for a more idyllic setting, amongst the pecan trees (sigh). My romantic heart tends to swoon when surrounded by perfect weather and wine.

Eric pours for the ladies, including Amy Martin from Phoenix Bites, an awesome foodie blog.

Justin, part of the Stronghold, Page Springs family. Such a nice guy!

Paula holdin' it down for Stronghold and Caduceus... too bad Maynard didn't make an appearance

For a complete overview of AZ Wine Week, Wine Tasting winners and a video of the auction during which a winemaker dinner with Maynard Keenan and Mark Tarbell sold for $8000.00, check out my friend Tim Hilcove's blog The Weekly Wine Journal.

Jimmy Woos Grand Opening

Well, Long Duck Dong! Scottsdale finally has an awesomely accessible Chinese place to call their own! No more hiding in obscure strip malls, it's time for the brights lights... of Scottsdale Rd.

My fellow diners and I were given a special menu for opening night that included won ton soup, tofu lettuce wraps and and a deeeee-lish assortment of your basic, errr not so basic stir fry's.

Definitely try one of their signature drinks! I chose the "Year of the Cock", a fresh take on a margarita. Yum, but honestly anything with tequila suits me juuuuuuust fine : )

Jimmy Woo's

4233 N. Scottsdale RoadScottsdale, AZ. 85251

Phone: 480-454-6697http://www.jimmywoos.com

Best of... Arizona Foothills: Best Dressed Under 30

No, it's not a joke! I was nominated for the Best Dressed Under 30 issue of Arizona Foothills magazine! In honor of this nomination I hopped over to the mag's offices in Scottsdale to be interview by their lovely videographer, Sona Patel.

Check out my lil "vote for me" video here...

http://vimeo.com/15992930 and actually vote for me here http://arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/best-of-our-valley-2011/voting/100.html

Hollerrr-Weenie

Halloween: Aint no party like an old-school house party... Am I right?

I have a ridiculous fear of doing anything to my own hair, so for the occasion- it's all about the wig. Instead of rockin the Marilyn, I opted for the costume I've been wanting to re-create since my love for George Clooney began... Poison Ivy.

I Want to Party All the Time

Let's take a tip from the mayors of party town, Eddie Murphy and Rick James and instead of loathing our Monday, create a singable mantra that carries us through the week with ease.

Since I'm on an awesomely predictable schedule of blogging about once a month, I both apologize and invite you to enjoy my update on some recent Culture Rut happenings...

Festivus For The Rest of Us

Jeremy Grey: What do you like better, Christmas or Wedding Season?
[Jeremy raises his hand]
John Beckwith: Mr. Grey?
Jeremy Grey: Yes. The answer would be, um, Wedding Season?

Nope, it's Autumn in AZ folks and it's time for countless festivals with numerous festivities and, you guessed it, a mountain of FUN!

This past weekend was a doozy of a good time. The 6th annual Phoenix Fashion Week kicked off the official end of summer with a fashion filled week at the W in Scottsdale.

Model-ish behavior found new heights in the heels and hearts of those who attended. Executive Director, Brian Hill, is certainly the King of Phoenix Fashionland and is doing his best to bridge the gap between buyers and designers.

Not to be outdone by their Phoenican friends, Scottsdale socialites gathered at SMoCA for their fall opening celebration including Scottsdale Fashion Week's Designer of the Year Runway Show. I'm looking forward to attending the Junior League Sponsored event, Nov. 4-6.

Saturday was an epic day filled with tacos, tequila, then bicycles and beer and then tamales and tequila.... are we beginning to see a pattern??

Taco Fest 2010 rocked my socks- bottom line. There are few things I love more than quality tequila tastings and fish tacos...

if these are your children- you've failed as a mother

But then there was bikes and beer- really good beer and really crazy bikes! Tour de Fat in Tempe proved to be the perfect spot for un-inhibited, sun-drenched, people watching. A bohemian brothel filled with scantily clad 20-30 somethings looking to have nothing but a good time.

2 red-bulls and a disco nap later, I found myself miraculously showered, dressed and ready to be chauffered to the New Times Best of Afare at the Cityscape in downtown Phoenix.

The award winning vendors dished out delicious goodies and served up tasty libations to the tune of a 10 piece orchestra playing the oldies. I almost got my date to dance with me.... almost- but I ended up finding tamales and -shocker- tequila.

It only gets better ladies and gents. So I suggest you rest up and prep for the next 9 months- it's gonna get crazy.

Cupboard Confidential

It hit me. The little sugar monster inside that began slowly whispering it needed a sweet snack but then grew into a loud, full on bitch fest.

Alright, alright- geeze...

Deciding to appease the sugar monster, I went in search of something in my abandoned kitchen. To my utter shock and surprise I found the perfect components for a sweet treat hiding in my freezer!

Whole frozen strawberries, vanilla almond milk, overly ripe bananas and lite cool whip made the list for my last minute recipe.

nectar of the gods

After thawing 5 whole strawberries in a bowl and defrosting them in the microwave for a minute, I tossed them into my blender along with 1 banana and enough almond milk to cover the banana berry goodness.

BBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNDDDDDDDD until smooth.

A low cal, easy dessert that can be found lurking in your grocers freezer section.

Now pour into a perfectly appropriate fancy glass, top with cool whip and enjoy!

The Rachel Berry- in honor of my favorite funny glee girl, lea michelle....

The Chill Factor

Feelin' hot, hot, hot!

(get-to-know-me-side note) the setting: watching a scientific video about volcanoes in 6th grade at my strict religious prep school, the song, the situation: song deemed 'inappropriate' by my teacher due to its passionate beat...)

Volcanic eruptions and lava slides aside, it got me thinking about ways to get out of the heat and do something out of the ordinary... luckily I had the fantastic opportunity to head up to the quaint and remarkably interesting wine destination of Northern AZ.

My first stop was Page Springs Cellars, a picturesque vision of what a wine weekend getaway is all about: idyllic vistas, tasty wine and knowledgeable staff ready and waiting to pour delectable amounts of their finest vintage.

strangers are only friends I haven't met yet~

howdy folks!

***CR Insider: the members only patio area is a must see on the weekend as the place gets packed with locals and tourists alike.

ummmmm.... yes please!

Onto the next! The short trip to Old Town Cottonwood proved delightful and peaceful with winding roads and charming scenery artfully displayed just beyond my car windows.

The Arizona Stronghold tasting room differs from that of Page Springs in its rock 'n roll sensibility and cowboy chic decor.

Tasting their 'site-archives', another term for 'reserve', is a tipsy treat best waited out by lounging on a nearby sumptuous leather couch before the long drive home.

***CR Extra Treats: Stronghold's tasting room showcases local products for purchase, perfect for souvenir shopping

Bea's Beauty Bar

Queen Creek Olive Mill

And if you're feeling like a bit of a joiner- sign up for their new wine club. Membership gives you hand selected bottles of vino from the vigneron masterminds of Eric Glomski and Tim White- pretty effin' awesome if ya ask me.

new friends followed me here... or maybe I followed them?

I've already started planning my next trip back- I'm thinking good people, an RV and a lot of tylenol... don't miss Page Springs' Upcoming Harvest Festival- good tunes and booze?

Count me in!

Arizona Stronghold Vineyards (Tasting Room)

Phone: (928) 639-2789

1023 N. Main Street

Cottonwood AZ 86326

Page Springs Cellars

Phone: (928) 639-3004

1500 Page Springs Road

Cornville AZ 86325