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In 1995, mafia underboss Sammy “the Bull" Gravano, after testifying against his former boss John Gotti and being marked as a dead man by the Gambino crime family, did what any sane man would do in h…
In 1995, mafia under…
In 1995, mafia underboss Sammy “the Bull" Gravano, after testifying against his former boss John Gotti and being marked as a dead man by the Gambino crime family, did what any sane man would do in his situation. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona and opened up an Italian restaurant. This brings me to Uncle Sal’s Italian Restaurant and Bar. Located in Scottsdale, Uncle Sal’s has a large and varied menu with all the staples of Italian cuisine. Let us get right into it then. I do not normally talk about the bread that restaurants serve you before the meal, but I feel like I would be doing the …
Daniel Rubin
May 16, 2018
You show me someone that does not like pizza and I will show you a damn dirty liar, because EVERYONE likes pizza. Therefore you are only a stone’s throw away from a pizzeria at any given time in thi…
You show me someone …
You show me someone that does not like pizza and I will show you a damn dirty liar, because EVERYONE likes pizza. Therefore you are only a stone’s throw away from a pizzeria at any given time in this country, but with so many options, it is easy for the good stuff to get overlooked. That’s why I do my very best to tell the people I meet about Pomo Pizza. Priding itself on authentic Neapolitan pizza, the restaurant makes sure to go the extra mile in almost everything that they do. In fact, some of what they go through to provide you with the best pizza they can serve is almost unbelievab…
Daniel Rubin
May 8, 2018
One of the best parts of this country is the wide variety of cuisine one may try in their lifetime thanks to the multi-cultural nature of this nation. One of the most interesting styles of cooking, if…
One of the best part…
One of the best parts of this country is the wide variety of cuisine one may try in their lifetime thanks to the multi-cultural nature of this nation. One of the most interesting styles of cooking, if I may so bold to say, is that of Cajun food. This brings me to Ocean Trail, located in the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale. After winning big at the blackjack tables (a rare occurrence I assure you), I decided to treat myself at this small restaurant just off to the side of the slot machines. The menu is small, but the dishes have a lot to offer. I started with an order of beer-steamed cl…
Daniel Rubin
May 1, 2018
This next one is for out of towners only, because if you are a local, chances are, you’ve been here. Valle Luna (Moon Valley in Spanish) is one of Phoenix’s most popular and well known Mexican res…
This next one is for…
This next one is for out of towners only, because if you are a local, chances are, you’ve been here. Valle Luna (Moon Valley in Spanish) is one of Phoenix’s most popular and well known Mexican restaurants and is recognized year after year for their outstanding Mexican cuisine. Founded by Tia Rita, who opened the first location on Bell Road in 1983, Valle Luna is a family owned and operated restaurant that pays homage to the Sonoran food traditions and cultures that have shaped Arizona over the years. On the menu, you will find your staple Mexican dishes but served up to a quality tha…
Daniel Rubin
April 24, 2018
This restaurant has a special place in my heart. Times Square Neighborhood Italian Restaurant has a few locations scattered about Phoenix, and some of my fondest meals with my family have taken place …
This restaurant has …
This restaurant has a special place in my heart. Times Square Neighborhood Italian Restaurant has a few locations scattered about Phoenix, and some of my fondest meals with my family have taken place there. They are a fine Italian restaurant with a large menu, generous portions and quality food that has made it one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the valley. Let’s get right to the food. My personal favorite is their Pescatore. If you are a fan of seafood, this will be your go-to. Jump shrimp, clams, mussels and calamari, all served on top of their linguini with red sauce. The sauce …
Daniel Rubin
April 17, 2018
My mother dearest decided to take me out to dinner last week, stating that she had discovered a place I simply HAD to try. This brings me to Original Gravity near 12th St and E Highland Ave. It is one…
My mother dearest de…
My mother dearest decided to take me out to dinner last week, stating that she had discovered a place I simply HAD to try. This brings me to Original Gravity near 12th St and E Highland Ave. It is one hell of a hidden gem that I am glad to have found. After speaking to our friendly bartender, I learned that the place has been open for a little over a year. Sliding a drink menu in front of me, she walked me through their pretty sizeable drink menu, which was impressive for such a small restaurant. Telling her I was a fan of sweeter wine, she snapped her fingers and fetched me a glass of some…
Daniel Rubin
April 10, 2018
Phoenix is known for many things, but unfortunately, hot dogs are not one of them. I had to do quite a bit of hunting to find a hot dog place that was worthy of telling my friends about, but I think I…
Phoenix is known for…
Phoenix is known for many things, but unfortunately, hot dogs are not one of them. I had to do quite a bit of hunting to find a hot dog place that was worthy of telling my friends about, but I think I have finally found a winner in The Short Leash, located on 1st street and Roosevelt. Do not come here expecting a simple hot dog with mustard. The people here really like to get creative with their dogs. The first thing you will probably notice about a hotdog you will be served here is that they do not use hot dog buns, but freshly baked naan bread that not only adds to the flavor of each bite…
Daniel Rubin
April 3, 2018
My doctor says that I have to skip my Burger quest this week or my heart will give out. Stay tuned for part 3 coming in a few weeks! Ever have ramen before? The proper stuff I mean, not the kind yo…
My doctor says that …
My doctor says that I have to skip my Burger quest this week or my heart will give out. Stay tuned for part 3 coming in a few weeks! Ever have ramen before? The proper stuff I mean, not the kind you get for 20 cents a cup at Wal-Mart. A surprisingly high amount of work and ingredients go into making it, and no two places serve it the same way, but that is just another reason why I love eating it! This brings me to Yaki Ramen. Not to be confused with Yucky Ramen (which is a completely different restaurant that I would not recommend going to), Yaki Ramen on 43rd Avenue is a restaurant …
Daniel Rubin
March 27, 2018
Driving along the I-17 one afternoon, I was suddenly struck with a craving. A hunger that came without warning, that DEMANDED to be heard! With a shaky hand, I called up my best friend Ian who was qui…
Driving along the I-…
Driving along the I-17 one afternoon, I was suddenly struck with a craving. A hunger that came without warning, that DEMANDED to be heard! With a shaky hand, I called up my best friend Ian who was quick to recognize what I so desperately needed. “Burger time?” He asked. “Burger time,” I responded. Burgerquest! Week two! With my bro in tow, I suggested we try the plainly named Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers, a sports bar that has a few locations scattered about Phoenix, (we went to the Deer Valley location). Sitting down, I took a quick look at their menu and ordered the All American, …
Daniel Rubin
March 20, 2018
People of Phoenix; I am hungry. Not just regular hungry. I am good old-fashioned red, white, and blue, full-blooded AMERICAN hungry! And when one gets this hungry, I dare say there is only one thing t…
People of Phoenix; I…
People of Phoenix; I am hungry. Not just regular hungry. I am good old-fashioned red, white, and blue, full-blooded AMERICAN hungry! And when one gets this hungry, I dare say there is only one thing that will do. I want a burger. But not any old gas-station burger will do, oh no! Only the best will make its way onto my plate, for I am on a quest. A quest to find the best burger in Phoenix. Before I get on with it, I want to lay down the rules I have made for this little experiment. First, I will be ordering the same thing no matter which burger joint I go to, namely, their signature burg…
Daniel Rubin
March 13, 2018
Guten tag! Aaaand that’s about all the German I know. Why is this relevant? Because I am reviewing Haus Murphy’s this week, located in historic Old Town Glendale. The first thing you should know i…
Guten tag! Aaaand th…
Guten tag! Aaaand that’s about all the German I know. Why is this relevant? Because I am reviewing Haus Murphy’s this week, located in historic Old Town Glendale. The first thing you should know is Haus Murphy’s serves primarily German food, and I am sure that what comes to mind when I say that is sausage. Yes. They do serve a lot of sausages, but it is more than that! Before coming here, I didn’t know there were so many ways to prepare sausages, so I am only going to go over a few of the sort of ways they serve them at Haus Murphy’s. I am going to start with my favorite, The Big …
Daniel Rubin
March 6, 2018
People love to talk about how good the BBQ is wherever they are from, but it seems like the three front-runners for the best BBQ in America are Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee, so when I see that a re…
People love to talk …
People love to talk about how good the BBQ is wherever they are from, but it seems like the three front-runners for the best BBQ in America are Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee, so when I see that a restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona is advertising itself as one of the best BBQ joints in the nation? Needless to say, I called bullshit. And now you kind folks get to watch me eat my words. When it comes to my BBQ, I am a rib man, so let’s talk ribs. I ordered a half rack there (baby back style of course). After taking only a single bite, I knew that this place was the real deal. The way the meat …
Daniel Rubin
February 27, 2018
Ah yes, I am supposed to be reviewing the Film Bar this week! The Film Bar is this nice and chill little place on North 2nd St between Garfield and McKinley in Downtown Phoenix. It’s p…
Ah yes…
Ah yes, I am supposed to be reviewing the Film Bar this week! The Film Bar is this nice and chill little place on North 2nd St between Garfield and McKinley in Downtown Phoenix. It’s primarily a wine bar with a super relaxing atmosphere making it a great place to go if you aren’t much into the usual noise and chaos of your typical bar. I am one of those people that prefers watching movies in theatres than just streaming them on Netflix. There is something almost therapeutic about going to see a movie the old-fashioned way. Or maybe that’s just the wine talking? Howeve…
Daniel Rubin
February 19, 2018
I was not planning on writing about The Duce today, but I was so attracted by the curious place that I could not help myself. Upon entering the large building on 525 S Central Ave, my attention was fi…
I was not planning o…
I was not planning on writing about The Duce today, but I was so attracted by the curious place that I could not help myself. Upon entering the large building on 525 S Central Ave, my attention was first drawn to a full-sized boxing ring right in the middle of the restaurant. Walking up to one of the bartenders, I asked what sort of place the Duce was. His response was a scratch of his head and stating, “That’s a hell of a question…” I am still not quite sure what the Duce is, but I will do my best to explain. From what I understand, it is a bar/restaurant/community center/clothing …
Daniel Rubin
February 12, 2018
People don’t look at me and go, “Now that is a guy that looks like he knows a thing or two about fine dining!” I accept that. But with that said, the Arrowhead Grill at 8280 W. Union Hills Dr. i…
People don’t look …
People don’t look at me and go, “Now that is a guy that looks like he knows a thing or two about fine dining!” I accept that. But with that said, the Arrowhead Grill at 8280 W. Union Hills Dr. is one of the best steakhouses I have ever been to. I felt a bit out of place wearing a black Motörhead t-shirt and jeans (thank goodness there is no dress code) but that first bite of steak made the awkwardness more than worth it. The quality of this cut of meat was undeniable as the juices from each bite into that New York strip delighted my taste buds. Furthermore, it was cooked to p…
Daniel Rubin
November 11, 2017
The first time I went to Chino-Bandido, I must admit, I was uneasy. The restaurant was relatively plain looking, the chair I sat in was somewhat uncomfortable, and there was a giant, and somewhat tack…
The first time I wen…
The first time I went to Chino-Bandido, I must admit, I was uneasy. The restaurant was relatively plain looking, the chair I sat in was somewhat uncomfortable, and there was a giant, and somewhat tacky, statue of a panda in a sombrero in the dining room. About 5 minutes after sitting down and ordering, my food was brought to me. I had ordered their jade red chicken with carnitas. And upon taking he first bite, the first words that emerged from my mouth were “Holy [explative].” Located on N 19th Ave near Greenway, the diner advertises itself as a mixture of Mexican and Chi…
Daniel Rubin
November 4, 2017
Nestled next to a small park and a tattoo shop (that I highly recommend. I get all my ink done there) is a little bistro called Carly's. It is a restaurant that I have been frequenting for quite a goo…
Nestled next to a sm…
Nestled next to a small park and a tattoo shop (that I highly recommend. I get all my ink done there) is a little bistro called Carly's. It is a restaurant that I have been frequenting for quite a good number of years now and I can honestly say that not once has it disappointed me. The first thing you may notice about Carly's Bistro is that it appears to be very "artsy" so to speak. Colorful modern paintings decorate the wall, sketches are etched into wooden table tops, and a large mural of a lounging woman with a bottle of wine in hand hangs above the bar. Luckily, the staff never comes of…
Daniel Rubin
October 28, 2017
