CenPho

Downtown Phoenix as viewed from North Mountain

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:36:54 -0700

Downtown Phoenix as viewed from North Mountain

A cholla cactus sunset at North Mountain this evening. There...

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:35:26 -0700

A cholla cactus sunset at North Mountain this evening. There were a lot of people out enjoying an afternoon hike and this amazing weather!

A high of only 83 degrees on a Memorial Day weekend in Phoenix...

Sat, 26 May 2012 15:52:00 -0700

A high of only 83 degrees on a Memorial Day weekend in Phoenix doesn’t happen often. But when it does, that means it’s time to take advantage of being able to play a mid-day game of fetch at the Washington Dog Park (21st Avenue and Maryland). Enjoy it while you can; hell-like conditions are just around the corner.

Realizing I have a lot of photos of Short Leash Hot Dogs on my...

Sat, 26 May 2012 13:40:00 -0700

Realizing I have a lot of photos of Short Leash Hot Dogs on my iPhone… #NaanBeliever

As food truck mania has swept the nation over the past few...

Sat, 26 May 2012 13:28:00 -0700

As food truck mania has swept the nation over the past few years, the gourmet mobile dining scene in Phoenix has also come into its own. Following your favorite trucks on Facebook and Twitter is usually the easiest way of finding where they’ll be on any given day, but there are a few consistent locations in Central Phoenix where the trucks are parked on a weekly basis.

The Civic Space Lunchtime Concert Series at Civic Space Park, 424 N. Central Ave in Downtown Phoenix, features live music and food trucks on Wednesdays, 11:45 am to 1 pm (does not take place during summer months).
The Wednesday Open Air Market at the Phoenix Public Market features half a dozen food trucks, 4-8 pm, at 14 East Pierce Street in Downtown Phoenix.
Food Truck Fridays at the Phoenix Public Market, 14 East Pierce Street in Downtown Phoenix, every Friday from 11 am to 1:30 pm. This is one of the largest regular gatherings and features shaded seating with misters to keep things cool(er) in the summer.
On Fridays you can also find a gathering of food trucks at the Phoenix New Times’ parking lot, 11 am to 2 pm, at 12th Street and Jefferson Street in Downtown Phoenix.
Short Leash Hot Dogs is definitely one of the most popular trucks in town, and their Sit…Stay event takes place at 12 W Camelback Road - behind Frances, Stinkweeds and Smeeks - every Friday night from 6-8 pm. Have a hot dog and do a little shopping at local boutiques while you unwind from the work week.
The Saturday Open Air Market at the Phoenix Public Market features half a dozen food trucks, 8 am to Noon, at 14 East Pierce Street in Downtown Phoenix.
You can also find 3-4 food trucks at the Central Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, 8 am to Noon, at the corner of Northern Avenue and Central Avenue.
The District Food Truck Court at 411 S 2nd Street in Downtown Phoenix features a few food trucks during the lunch hour, 11 am to 2 pm, on weekdays.
Urban Cookies at 4711 N 7th Street partners with a couple of the food trucks on different days of the week to serve lunch in their parking lot. Bonus: cupcakes for dessert.

While you can usually find a food truck pretty much any day of the week, Sundays and Mondays generally seem to be their days of rest.

The Phoenix Street Food Coalition and Streat Fleat Regime are two organizations that aggregate information about food truck locations. There are also a variety of food truck apps for mobile devices, including TruxMap and the Cooking Channel’s Eat St.

Love these cloth sleeves for hot drinks being sold at Copper...

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:40:00 -0700

Love these cloth sleeves for hot drinks being sold at Copper Star Coffee. Way more effective and stylish than their cardboard counterparts!

A Cubano sandwich, macaroon and lime/rum cocktail for lunch at...

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:26:00 -0700

A Cubano sandwich, macaroon and lime/rum cocktail for lunch at Astor House. Just because it’s Thursday.

Fellow bakers will understand my obsession with flour. Which is...

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:08:00 -0700

Fellow bakers will understand my obsession with flour. Which is just one reason I was excited when Hayden Flour Mills revived a 125 year old Valley tradition last year and began milling regionally grown wheat in the heart of Central Phoenix.

I recently stopped by the Hayden Flour Mills stall at the Phoenix Public Market’s Saturday open air market and was initially drawn to the pasta and pizza flours. But after a brief conversation about my bread baking habit, they generously gave me a complimentary bag of Hard Red Spring Wheat Bread Flour and asked me to try it next time I bake a loaf.

The result was both beautiful to behold and taste. I was so excited about the outcome that I contacted Jeff and Emma Zimmerman of Hayden Flour Mills and asked if they’d be willing to let me have a peek at their mill in the back of Pane Bianco in Central Phoenix.

This father/daughter team distinguishes themselves by 1) stonemilling all their products (most commercial flour is milled through an industrialized process with rollers) and 2) utilizing Arizona grown wheat. Specifically, they are supporting the revitalization of White Sonora Wheat, a heritage variety that was originally introduced to Arizona by Father Kino, the Jesuit priest who established missionaries throughout the Southwestern United States and worked with Native Americans to establish the crop. White Sonora Wheat is desert adapted so it can be grown with less water.

The seeds for the White Sonora Wheat are cultivated by Native Seeds/SEARCH in Southern Arizona, an organization that has been working for decades to preserve a wide range of heritage crops that have been lost over time. Working with several local farmers, these grains are once again being re-established as a crop in Arizona.

When Charles Hayden opened his Tempe mill in 1874, he was working with Native Americans who were growing the corn and wheat for his mill, including the White Sonora Wheat variety. But as tastes and demand changed, that variety was eventually phased out, as was the stonemilling operation that was replaced with an industrialized operation in those iconic white towers along the Salt River that most people are familiar with today.

In addition to reviving the Hayden Flour Mills brand, the Zimmermans are also selling their all-purpose flour under the Arizona Rose label, which was the same name for the flour originally milled by Hayden. Older customers have commented on it at the farmers markets because they remember it from long ago and appreciate what it stands for.

The Zimmermans are also milling corn from heritage varieties for polenta and cornmeal.

In this video, Emma Zimmerman of Hayden Flour Mills demonstrates how their Austrian stonemill works. Watching this machine operate is as beautiful as what it stands for. Working with local chefs, the Zimmermans make hand adjustments depending on how finely they want the products ground. This is slow food at its finest and their products are increasingly in demand by chefs and consumers in the Phoenix area who recognize the quality and importance of reviving this component of our local food system.

Hayden Flour Mills hopes to hold a harvest festival in September to coincide with the grand opening of the old Tempe mill (as of this week, the grounds have already been re-opened for the public to explore). In the meantime, you can find their products at Pane Bianco, FnB’s Bodega Market, the Singh Farms Market in Scottsdale, and the Phoenix Public Market (although they are taking a break from the markets during summer harvest).

The temple being constructed for the Guru Nanak Dwara Ashram in...

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:46:45 -0700

The temple being constructed for the Guru Nanak Dwara Ashram in the Coronado Historic Neighborhood certainly stands out in contrast to the 1920s bungalows surrounding it. If you’ve ever wondered who is behind this unusual building (and when the heck they’ll be done building it), there’s an article in this month’s PHOENIX Magazine worth reading. (Photo by Amy Brown Photography)

If I were to make a list of my favorite foods in Central...

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:52:00 -0700

If I were to make a list of my favorite foods in Central Phoenix, the bread from Pane Bianco would definitely rank high.

THAT was a sunset.

Sun, 20 May 2012 21:13:11 -0700

THAT was a sunset.

FREE Herberger Theater Community & Education Program - Folkloric Dance

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:50:23 -0700

FREE Community & Education Program - Folkloric Dance

A special presentation by the Herberger Theater Center’s Arts Education & Outreach Department.
Take a journey through the Middle East and learn about the Rhythms, Dance and culture from various countries such as Kuwait, Iraq and Egypt. Explore what these dances represent culturally, their purpose as well as how they have created and impacted the evolution of modern Raks Sharqi Dancers (Belly Dancers) along with the difference between cafe dancers and the professional industry Raks Sharqi Dancers.

Presented by Ava Fleming

Ava Fleming is a performer, choreographer and dance instructor. She is the winner of “Belly Dancer of the Universe,” Champion, People’s Choice and Miss Congeniality.

Tuesday, May 22nd
1:00 - 1:45pm in the Kax Stage
FREE of Charge

For more information, visit www.HerbergerTheater.org or call 602-254-7399 x104 This program follows Lunch Time Theater’s Broadway Based On… 10 Broadway’s ‘Best Musicals’ performance at 12:10pm, tickets are $6.00, to purchase call 602-252-8497.

COMEDY ON CAMELBACK - SATURDAY NIGHT'S

Sat, 12 May 2012 00:34:03 -0700

SATURDAY NIGHT MAY 26TH!!

COMEDY ON CAMELBACK - SATURDAY NIGHT’S offers a very sexy lounge inside the Days Inn Hotel! This lounge has a dynamic stage, cloth tables, enclosed warm enviroment for sharing some BIG TIME laughs for all of your central Phoenix comedy fans! Great food priced at $10.00 or… less!! Awesome drink specials & weekly raffle give aways!

Doors open at 8:00 PM Show starts at 9:00 PM

COMEDY ON CAMELBACK HOST: REGGIE C.

FEATURING COMEDIANS: ETHAN WATKINS, DAVE DEASY, JAMES PIETRAGALLO, MARCELINO CROSSMAN, ERIC DUGAR & BOB KUBOTA for your Saturday Night central Phoenix entertainment!!

Two item minimum. 2 FOR 1 SPECIAL: For the first 20 people… One $5.00 ticket / door gets two people in the show.

DAYS INN - GEORGIO’S REST & LOUNGE
502 W. Camelback | Phoenix, AZ 85013

Information: www.place2Bproductions.com or 602-908-1766

I wrote a book about bacon, so finding myself in a...

Wed, 09 May 2012 15:30:00 -0700

I wrote a book about bacon, so finding myself in a vegetarian/vegan dining situation is always a curious experience. But today I took a leap and had lunch at Green and dessert/tea at Nami on 7th Street just north of McDowell Road. Labels aside, their food is simply spectacular. If you haven’t tried it yet because you’re skeptical of ‘the vegan thing’, set aside your preconceived notions and visit this Coronado establishment. Not to miss are the thyme french fries and pretty much any of the tsoynami ice cream treats. I also had the ‘no harm chicken parm sandwich’ which was quite enjoyable. They have a patio for when the weather is nice, and their weekend brunch is becoming a popular event for those in the ‘hood.

While we were all more focused on Saturday night’s...

Mon, 07 May 2012 14:12:50 -0700

While we were all more focused on Saturday night’s supermoon, the sunset as viewed from Downtown Phoenix was pretty nice too.

Cool Like That: A Tribute to Miles Davis

Sun, 06 May 2012 22:47:22 -0700

For a special birthday showcase tributing Miles Davis, BlackPoet Ventures reprises “Cool Like That: A Tribute To Miles Davis.” The theatrical production explores the vibrant and robust life of a musical genius amid the backdrop of the social and political climate of his time. Adapted from the autobiography “Miles” by poet Quincy Troupe, “Cool Like That” blends original poetry/spoken word, music, vocals and dance. A jazz critic describes it as “top level, well constructed, wonderful prose and poetry, transporting portrayal (of Miles).” Endorsed by Miles Davis Properties.

Saturday, May 26, 2012
6pm; doors 5:30
Rhythm Room
1019 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix AZ 85014

Visit bpvevents.com for tickets and info

Supermoon over Phoenix

Sun, 06 May 2012 07:57:13 -0700

Supermoon over Phoenix

COMEDY ON CAMELBACK!! THURSDAY NIGHTS!!

Sat, 05 May 2012 08:41:56 -0700

MAY 10TH - 8:30PM! VERY FUNNY COMICS FOR YOU CENTRAL PHOENIX COMEDY FANS!

MAY 10TH, 2012
PLACE 2B PRODUCTIONS & CAMELBACK & CENTRAL’S DAYS INN GEORGIO’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE CENTRAL PHOENIX’S WEEKLY THURSDAY NIGHT COMEDY SHOWCASE COMEDY ON CAMELBACK!!

WE OFFER VERY SEXY LOUNGE INSIDE THE DAYS INN HOTEL! THIS LOUNGE OFFERS A DYNAMIC STAGE, CLOTH TABLES, ENCLOSED WARM ENVIRONMENT FOR SHARING SOME BIG TIME LAUGHS FOR ALL OF YOUR CENTRAL PHOENIX COMEDY FANS!

GREAT FOOD PRICED AT 10.00 DOLLARS OR LESS!!
AWESOME DRINK SPECIALS
WEEKLY RAFFLE GIVE AWAYS!!
8:30PM START TIME!!

THIS WEEKS FEATURED COMEDIANS: PAUL LUCIE, JOHN SANTOS, MARC CROSSMAN, JAMES PIETRAGALLO, JOHN BUDDAH, DAN HOEN HULL & TOM SIMS!!

DOORS OPEN @ 8:00 PM
No Cover Live Comedy!
2 Item Minimum

DAYS INN
502 W CAMELBACK
PHOENIX, AZ
85013

Host & Booking: Reggie C. www.place2Bproductions.com

The Cooking Channel show, Eat St., recently filmed Short Leash...

Thu, 03 May 2012 22:03:00 -0700

The Cooking Channel show, Eat St., recently filmed Short Leash Hot Dogs at their usual Friday night “Sit…Stay” location at Medlock Plaza (near Camelback Road and Central Avenue) in Central Phoenix. Some well deserved attention for a local food truck innovator.

Coronado Cafe in Central Phoenix. Photos by Amy Brown.

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:12:31 -0700

Coronado Cafe in Central Phoenix.

Photos by Amy Brown.