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...