19September2008
Posted by hottie under: Japanese; sushi.
Sakura 3 1/2 peaks out of 5
1175 West Rt. 66
(inside the Radisson Hotel)
773-9118
Lunch: M - Sat., 11:30 - 2 pm
Dinner: 7 days a week, 5 - 10 pm
Sakura is Flagstaff’s original Japanese restaurant and first sushi restaurant. While sushi has become a hot dining scene of late, Sakura was the one that started the trend here. Sakura is still Flagstaff’s only teppanyaki dining experience.
Located in the Radisson Hotel on West Rt. 66, their space is a bit small but well decorated (and recently remodeled a bit to freshen up) so there is an intimate and cozy feeling in the dining room. Sakura does offer sushi bar seating additionally. The lobby area for waiting is pretty standard for a hotel and it is located to the side of the hotel’s casual dining restaurant. Bathrooms require a walk through the hotel and over to the ballrooms. Not that it’s so far to go, but a bit of a hassle.
Teppanyaki is Sakura’s highlight offering. The sushi bar always seems to be decently crowded and the sushi is entirely acceptable, but there are better places to go in town if you want just sushi.
The teppanyaki tables are the way to go. Go for a special occassion or with a group ready for fun. The chefs put on a good show complete with raging fires on the tables and onion volcanoes. If you get Ruben, you are in for a treat. (He’s got great jokes and gags and practices his art about 4 hours a day outside of work!) You really can’t loose with any of the teppanyaki dinner offerings. Yes, it is a little pricey, but you get miso soup (much improved lately), salad, rice, plus your entree and veggies. I can never finish mine and always have lunch for the next day; the Fatso does finish his but is always very full. Sakura does have beer, wine and cocktails available.
Sakura is super fun, the ambiance is nice, and reservations are highly recommended for weekend dinners as they draw so much business from the hotel. With the newer competiton in Flagstaff, Sakura has managed to keep their status in town and freshen things up. A meal here will not disappoint. Enjoy it!
5September2008
Posted by hottie under: Mexican.
Martanne’s 4 1/2 peaks out of 5
San Francisco Street
(I won’t tell you exactly where)
breakfast and lunch only, 8 am - 1pm
(and sometimes open for First Friday art walks)
Oh, Martanne’s I love you so, how do I count the ways? With chilaquiles, sour cream enchiladas, and green chile pork.
You are a jewel in this little town and I will keep you to myself (a bit - I am writing about you now after deciding to break my code of secrecy about you, aren’t I?!) so as to get a better table faster when I decide to visit!
I have faithfully stood and waited for you through rain, hail, the cruel winds of Spring in Flagstaff and yes, even snow and ice, to dine in your warm abode.
I so long to give you 5 peaks, but because you have to stand outside to wait for a table in the conditions described above, I reluctantly knocked of 1/2 a peak.
So, Martanne’s is fabulous. The Fatso and I love it love it love it. We crave it. We go away on a trip and we have to have it when we get back. It is a local’s place and hopefully it will stay that way. I said I would never review it because I don’t want the masses to know about it, but in fairness to Martanne’s and their business, I feel I must.
Martanne’s is their own special blend of Mexican. You just can’t describe it, you have to just try it. It’s closest to New Mexican Mexican if anything. And it is spicy. If you are not a spice lover, don’t go or order the kids’ Wuzzy Crisp (a plain cheese quesadilla). (Our kids love it when their Uncle Art comes to dine with us here and joyfully wait for the moment the sweat starts to bead on his forehead from the spice!) The salsa is served in big ketchup bottles and is freshly homemade. There are no chips and salsa served here first. You sit down and wait for your meal until it’s good and ready. But trust me, it’s a fine thing. And when your meal comes, it’s plentiful.
Sometimes the wait can be long. As previously mentioned, you must wait outside for a table. This operates on local custom of the honor system. You wait until the group that was there before you is seated. First come, first serve (unless you require a 4 top table and the next in line only needs a 2 top and one comes open first). And you don’t go in to check with the staff. There is no waiting list. You just wait your turn, got it? Once in awhile you get “the Phoenix people” who think they can just waltz in and get instantly seated without regard to the many bodies who are obviously waiting outside (oh so Phoenix-come-LA these days). I should mention the wait can be long, mostly on the weekends, because Martanne’s is so wee.
It’s colorfully decorated and features the art of the amazing Emma Gardner, a sometimes waitress there. Originally Emma was doing a Dia de los Muertos thing with tongue in cheek pin up girl skeletons. Now she is moving on to a bird theme. The art is for sale and has greatly increased in value lately. It is unique and entertaining to view while you are waiting at your table. And we love the old fashioned, wacky salt and pepper shakers at each table.
This food is delectable. The chilaquiles are the best anywhere period. If you chose to find it, it will be well worth your time.
27August2008
Posted by hottie under: Mexican.
Cafe Ole 3 peaks out of 5
119 S. San Francisco St.
774-8272
Open for lunch & dinner Mon. - Sat.
Cafe Ole doesn’t look like much from the outside. South of the tracks on San Francisco Street, its front door is a bit nondescript and runs into the same facade as its neighbors. Upon entry, however, Cafe Ole’s world is completely different. This is a beautiful place with lovely handcrafted Mexican furniture, cozy dining nooks and a glorious patio. It is a great place for a date due to the dimmed lighting inside or the relaxing atmosphere of the flowery outside patio (weather permitting, of course). Cafe Ole has recently acquired new owners but kept most of the same staff. They also have expanded the patio to double the fun.
Cafe Ole bills itself as “Fresh Mexican Cooking from the Heart”. This is a fitting description. There are many Mexican restaurant choices in this southwestern town and Cafe Ole has carved out a niche for themselves in healthy Mexican cooking. The food is definitely fresh - you can taste the difference and quality. Cafe Ole does feature daily specials and the specials are really always the way to go.
On a recent visit, the special was calabacitas (a mixture of yellow squash, zucchini, chiles and onion) prepared in three different ways for you to choose. This was a perfect illustration of their healthy cooking. Options are abundant for vegetarians and those who require gluten free foods. Don’t be worried though if that’s not your persuasion; there are meat options too of chicken or beef dishes.
Here is my dilemma: everything I’ve had at Cafe Ole is fine. And that’s just it - it’s fine. I know many people in Flagstaff who state this is their favorite Mexican restaurant, and I can see why with the unique atmosphere and the ability to dine out without feeling guilty about a big splurge in calories. But the food is just a little too bland for the Fatso and me. Even with salsa. Maybe we are too much of spice addicts. Maybe we both have been Arizonans for too long that we are addicted to the Sonoran-Arizonan style with cheesy enchiladas and the like. (And they do have enchiladas here and they are…fine.) We so want to declare this is the best place, but we just can’t. (Check our podcast in March when we conduct our Mexican March Madness contest!) And I’m not a fan of the chips either. Chips and salsa are standard at Mexican restaurants as an “amuse bouche” if you will, but chips still count here in AZ and these just aren’t quite it (try Ai Caramba’s - the best).
Among other issues, we heard through the grapevine that Cafe Ole had applied for a full liquor license. In the past they have possessed only a beer and wine license and serve well crafted agave wine margaritas. It’s not the best place to go for a margarita, but for what they have to work with, they have done it well. Upon Hottie & the Fatso’s recent visit, Cafe Ole was still serving the same. We will have to investigate further as to if that full liquor license story is true or not as there is no application notice in the front window at present.
The service is fine. Better than some in town, not as good as a handful of others. Atmosphere is off the charts. Food is fine. Prices are entirely reasonable. Drinks are decent. Therefore, averaging everything out, we have to go with 3 peaks for Cafe Ole.
20August2008
Posted by hottie under: Bistro; Cocktails; Italian; Mexican; Thai; Vegetarian.
We were asked what is the best place for NAU students to go on a first date. Our two qualifications were that it should be somewhere that is walkable in case students don’t have a car and that there must be cocktails available to settle nerves if one is so inclined.
Here is a list of our best bets:
Oregano’s - Oh, that Oregano’s keeps showing up in our lists again and again. Here’s why: it’s a fun atmosphere, there is a menu that everyone can like, they do have cocktails that are good and pretty cheap, and they are located right near campus. Since there is almost always a wait for a table, there is time for a good get-to-know-you session beforehand.
Picazzo’s - Picazzo’s has a comfortable atmosphere plus patio seating and a full bar for a pre- or after dinner cocktail. Ladies who feel shy about eating a monstrous meal on a first date can get a nice but filling salad as their entree. It’s a short walk from campus.
Buster’s - The venerable, but sometimes overlooked Buster’s is a fine choice. Buster’s has a fine dining feel, but prices are reasonable. There is a full, separate bar for catching a game after your meal. Again, located close to campus (near Target) plus a walk home past the cemetery means hold your date tight, guys!
Cafe Ole - Located on South San Francisco Street, a bit outside the campus gates. Cafe Ole has good Mexican food, a new full liquor license and a soothing atmosphere. It’s dimly lit and cozy with a charming little patio in the back.
Pesto Bros. - Pesto Bros. (at Old Town Shops in downtown, easily walkable) features a patio overlooking Heritage Square, where there is always something going on. If you sit inside, the lighting is nicely done and romantic. The food is great and the wine list extensive. Buy a sweet for your sweet at Brookside candy shop next door for dessert. One warning though for the insecure: the waiters in this establishment tend to be awfully good looking.
Mountain Oasis - On the opposite side of Heritage Square is this gem of a restaurant. Oasis always features a lovely menu. If you are not sure if your date is a vegetarian or not, this would be a good spot as they offer a range of entrees. Tasty, comfy and cute.
Swaddee Thai, or Pato Thai, or Dara Thai - All are good choices, all are walkable and all serve cocktails. Dara Thai is the most creative cocktail wise, in case you need to know. Good options for vegetarians or otherwise. All are comfortable. Dara is more lively, Swaddee and Pato are more intimate. Pato is the coziest. Take your pick and set your mood.
14August2008
Posted by hottie under: American; Kids.
Miz Zip’s Cafe 3 out of 5 peaks
2924 East Route 66
526-0104
Open Sun. 7 am - 2 pm
Mon. - Sat. 6 am - 9 pm
Miz Zip’s is a Flagstaff standard. It has been around forever and has a real fan base with locals and tourists alike. The restaurant is decorated in an old fashioned, homey kind of style with historical photos and documents on the walls from the Flagstaff of long ago. Note that seating is a bit limited so there is usually a line and there is no lobby in which to wait, so that means loitering outside.
While burgers are said to be the house specialty, we liked breakfast the best. This breakfast isn’t the best in town, but that being said, it is one of the cheapest and most filling breakfasts in town you can get. (The other notable entry in this category is The Place.) For instance, order the combo and you can get 2 large pancakes, 2 strips of bacon and 2 eggs for about $4. My only complaint about breakfast is that the hashbrowns were undercooked. They should be golden and crispy and my most perfect favorite can be found at the Crown Railroad Cafe just down the street.
Lunch and dinner are just fine, nothing special. I have to say I am unimpressed by the burgers. There’s just not enough “zip” to them; they are quite average. Everything we tried for lunch and dinner can be summed up that way - just average. But everything is cheap. A burger with fries is only $3.75. They do offer a kids menu that is very reasonable as well. I should note that Miz Zip’s does not serve alcohol.
Miz Zip’s strongest point other than the bargain prices is their phenomenal service. This is hands down the best service in town besides going to somewhere very tony such as Brix or Cottage Place. Restaurant owners should come get a meal here and study how the servers work their magic, because this town unfortunately often needs help in that regard. Servers are friendly, check back often but don’t hover, and are prompt in delivery of drinks and food. There are not many servers working at once, but they get everything covered in an amazing fashion. They really deserve their tips here!
Though the food is low on our rating scale, Miz Zip’s earns 3 peaks buoyed by their exceptional service and value.
13August2008
Posted by hottie under: BBQ; Kids.
Pig in a Poke v. Big Foot
Pig in a Poke 3 1/2 peaks out of 5
Silver Saddle Center
9001 N. Hwy. 89
526-2747
Open Tues. - Sat. 11 am - 8 pm
(Closed Sunday & Monday)
Big Foot BBQ 3 1/2 peaks out of 5
Old Town Shops in The Basement
at Leroux & Birch
226-1677
Open for lunch & dinner all week
The Fatso and I held a BBQ showdown recently between Pig in a Poke out on the far eastside of town versus Big Foot, right in the heart of the city. Barbecue is quite dear to the Fatso’s heart, but as you can see, it came down to a tie in ratings for different reasons. Both are good choices for barbecue depending on your mood and the crowd you are feeding.
Pig in a Poke is out by Doney Park. It’s a tiny place located in a gas station strip mall. (We did just prove that cuisine from a gas station can be good! See below.) It is very clean inside and cutely decorated in a grandmotherly way with country kitsch and lots of piggy cookie jars. On their menu is a lengthy explanation of the exact origins of the term “pig in a poke” for those who are curious.
The BBQ here is mesquite smoked and the taste of the meat shines through as the smoking does not overpower. The “kicked up” sauce is the way to go for a little extra tang on your sandwich. Pig in a Poke does have a great way with potatoes. Baked potatoes are mesquite smoked and have a wonderful flavor. The same method is used in the stellar potato salad - one of the best versions I have had. The beans are passable, but they taste canned and then doctored up with spices.
Pig offers one dessert, Rosie’s homemade rum cake. The cake is very moist, but is too boozy tasting. Not very high quality rum was used in generous quantity so that not all the alcohol taste burned off in the cooking. However, Pig does not have a liquor license so perhaps you can get your fix with a slice of the cake!
Big Foot BBQ is a favorite in Flagstaff. It feels like you’re eating on the patio of a rental college house with ramshackle chairs and tables from Goodwill and a tv from the 80’s. Big Foot is in fact located in The Basement of the Old Town Shops in the middle of downtown. The Basement is an interesting spot: you can get trendy ladies clothing, a haircut, and lunch all in one convenient stop. Go see what I mean.
The tempting barbecue smell wafts up the stairs as you make your way down. BBQ here is hickory smoked and tastes it. The smoked flavor comes through much more strongly; so much so that the meats all taste mostly the same. That’s not a bad thing, just a different style than Pig in a Poke’s. The menu is extensive though with shrimp or catfish ‘po boys, chili dogs and even a few vegetarian options. There is a special kids menu too. Big Foot’s beans get the award in this category - they are homemade and tasty.
Big Foot does offer beer and wine along with many specialty colas, root beer and cream soda. They do have sweet tea for you displaced Southerners and carry Moon Pies at times along with pecan pie.
Prices at both Big Foot and Pig in a Poke are comparable and reasonable. Pig in a Poke gets the advantage for service though. In fairness, Pig in a Poke is small and doesn’t see the crowds that Big Foot sometimes has. However, service is sometimes spotty at Big Foot even if they are not busy. Lastly, Pig in a Poke is clean and accomodating, while Big Foot does have that collegiate atmosphere. Peanut shells are strewn on the floor at Big Foot and this can be fun for some, but it does give the restaurant a dirty look in addition to the mix and match chairs and tables. But Big Foot’s food is better overall so this is why our battle ends in a draw.
15July2008
Posted by hottie under: Kids.
Hottie & the Fatso have a question from a listener wondering where is the best place to take kids out to dinner in Flagstaff. Besides going to the standard chain or fast food restaurants, Flagstaff has several good options.
Hottie & the Fatso suggest:
Galaxy Diner - ’50’s fun for the family.
Casa Bonita - good Mexican food, quick service, kids menu.
Buffalo Wild Wings - all kinds of chicken (think chicken nuggets) plus arcade games for the kids.
El Capitan - beachy Mexican food with the all-wonderful treasure chest for kids after their meals.
Strombolli’s - see pizza dough being flipped up in the air, a magical fountain in the middle of the room.
Big Foot BBQ - kids’ specials, old fashioned root beers and cream sodas, a kids’ play area, throw peanut shells on the floor.
La Fonda - good Mexican food, cheap and fast. Great cheese crisps.
Horseman’s Lodge - out past the mall, solid steaks & burgers, extensive salad bar, amazing taxidermy animals, real cowboy country.
Black Bart’s - singing waiters (you can put in requests) and a good kids’ menu, plus not a long wait for seating.
Oregano’s - fun atmosphere, kid friendly service, pizza dough to play with before food arrives and the yummiest cookie with ice cream dessert ever.
15July2008
Posted by hottie under: Pizza.
Scott’s Chicago Pizza 3 out of 5 Peaks
inside Whistle Stop Food & Fuel Station
West Route 66 and Railroad Springs Blvd.
226-0065
scottschicagopizza.com
Open M - Sat., 11 am - 9 pm for dine-in, take out or delivery
We had to try Scott’s Chicago Pizza located inside the Whistle Stop gas station convenience store. We were intrigued as to whether pizza from a gas station could be truly good.
This spot was occupied briefly by Crystal Creek Sandwich Co. as an outpost from their shop near the NAU campus on Milton & Riordan. I’m not sure why they moved out, but shortly afterward, Scott’s moved in.
Scott the owner makes things mostly from scratch (at least the dough and sauce are handmade) and is usually personally there at the shop and even makes deliveries himself. This is a boon for westside Flagstaff as mysteriously, hardly any restaurant will make deliveries out that way even though it is actually much closer to town and faster than getting to the eastside or anything past the mall and even faster and closer than Cheshire and beyond. But as a westsider, I digress.
Yes, Scott’s specialty is Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And it is quite tasty. The pizza is generously topped, of a hefty size, and you will most likely have leftovers. This is a good thing as the pizza actually seems to meld overnight and the flavors are even better. We especially liked the “Mrs. O’Leary’s” - sausage, cheddar and mozzarella, red onion and peppercini rings.
Scott’s also makes thin crust for those of you who are not into deep dish style. These are tasty as well. Try the “Grant Park BBQ” - mozzarella, barbecue sauce, chicken and red onion.
Notably, Scott’s makes an excellent green chili. You can get a cup or bowl to go. It is delish and rivals possibly any of the other versions in town. We will have to investigate further if the green chili crown can go to Scott.
Scott’s does offer chicken wings. He’s got some competition with Buffalo Wild Wings located not too far away, but Scott’s are generously meaty and well cooked. The sauce is not very spicy, but that may be a good thing depending on your taste.
Prices are reasonable given the food you receive, especially with the Chicago pizza, and you can’t beat the personal service.
All in all, Hottie & the Fatso are pleased with the addition of Scott’s, and can confidently state that yes, good pizza can be had from a gas station!
3July2008
Posted by hottie under: American; Kids.
Quinn’s Restaurant 2 1/2 to 3 peaks out of 5
991 N. Ft. Valley Rd.
(Ft. Valley./180 at Humphreys St.)
779-2146
Open M - Sat. 7 am - 8 pm
Sun. 8 am - 4:30 pm
Quinn’s is a cute, casual little neighborhood spot where breakfast is best. I’ll get to that part in a minute, but want to let you know that Quinn’s has a little patio out front with charming flower boxes that is one of the best spots in the city to gaze at the Peaks. That being said, even though the food isn’t the best in town, you will enjoy the scenery. They also are one of the very few places that is not a chain restaurant or a coffee shop that operates a drive thru. Something of a novelty here.
So, breakfast. It’s a tasty spot for breakfast for a lazy weekend morning or for those of you that work downtown or at the hospital. We tried the omelets (the southwest comes with some great salsa), blueberry pancakes, bacon and hashbrowns. The hashbrowns are quite crispy, maybe a tad over done to me, but still fine. The bacon is a strong offering. It is wonderfully crisp and tasty. The pancakes are huge and of good quality. Quinn’s is making an effort of late to feature more organic products in their cooking.
Lunch and dinner is not quite as good in our experience. The burgers and sandwiches, cheese steak, are all acceptable, but are nothing special and are kind of bland. There are many other choices in town for these types of items that shine elsewhere. However, the french fries are divine. They are cooked perfectly and are the old fashioned diner variety. So are the shakes. They are real shakes and have that malt shop taste.
Quinn’s is quite clean, the portions are large, and the prices are quite reasonable. Service is not up to par, though. They are with you one minute and have completely disappeared after that for awhile. This may be because the help is generally young or perhaps family members, as the restaurant is family owned.
My suggestion is go for a leisurely breakfast while enjoying the mountain views or hit the drive thru with the kids and grabs some shakes and fries for a treat.
27June2008
Posted by hottie under: Buffet; Indian; Vegetarian.
Himalayan Grill 4 out of 5 peaks
801 S. Milton Ave., Unit “A”
at Milton & Route 66
928-213-5444
www.himalayangrill.com
Open all 7 days
Lunch 11 am - 2:30 pm
Dinner 5 - 10 pm
Sunday champagne brunch 11 am - 2:30 pm
Himalayan is on top of the small Indian cuisine scene here in our mountain town of Flagstaff. Featuring the style of not only India, but those of Nepal and Tibet, Himalayan Grill offers an exotic sampling of tasty foods you will love.
I was not familiar with food from Nepal and Tibet, but can say now I am a fan. For the more timid, start by trying out Himalayan at their popular lunch or Sunday brunch buffets.
Himalayan offers a varied array of items from their extensive menu for the buffet such as chicken or lamb curry, a selection of appetizers, samosas, vegetable sides, naan, tandoori chicken, desserts and fruit and more.
Dinner is menu orders only, but there are so many choices, you could eat here many nights and never get bored. As most Indian restaurants do, Himalayan serves up a large selection of vegetarian entrees. The food is fresh tasting and seemingly healthy. The many flavors of naan (Indian flat bread) are house made and have that griddled taste.
Himalayan features a range of refreshing Indian beers as well as standard wines and a full bar. They do cater parties as well and that would make a party something out of the ordinary.
I should note that while they are housed in a stripmall at a busy intersection, inside is a respite from the bustle outside. Attractively decorated and comfortable, Himalayan will make you feel at ease.
Prices are very reasonable for the amount of healthy, quality food you are given. Service is amicable and fine.
The Himalayan Grill is a hidden gem in Flagstaff. Here’s to being at the top.