Showing posts with label Flagstaff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flagstaff. Show all posts

June 7, 2011

Mix opening Thursday downtown Flagstaff

Mix
120 N Leroux, in the Old Town Shops (former Pesto Brothers location), downtown Flagstaff
website: http://www.mixots.com/
menu: at the bottom of this story

Right on the heels of pizza Furiosa, Mix is now Flagstaff's newest restaurant (and soon to be booted out of that title by several other spots opening this summer). They'll serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a unique twist - a super simple menu of scrambled eggs in various ways and chop salads, in various ways. See menus to see how to order it up.

Mix opens this Thursday, June 9, 2011. Stay tuned for a review.
Click each menu below  to bring it up full size:

June 1, 2011

pizzaFuriosa opening in Flagstaff tomorrow

pizzaFuriosa
2500 S Woodlands Village Blvd
Flagstaff, AZ
928-221-1280 for text orders (dine in or take out) 
no menu online

pizzaFuriosa, the new restaurant of Chef Richard Fernandez (formerly of Pesto Brothers) opens tomorrow (Thursday, June 2, 2011) in Flagstaff.

The new restaurant is located at 2500 S Woodlands in the Hilltop Shops at Woodlands Village, near Taverna.

The menu is based around woodfired pizzas and also includes salads and kid favorites like woodfired pepperoni rolls.

(Review of Flagstaff's newest joint - coming soon!)

March 1, 2011

1899 Bar and Grill in Flagstaff, AZ

1899 Bar and Grill
307 W. Dupont Ave. (across from the High Country Conference Center and Drury Inn and Suites)
928-523-1899
Full menus below this story
Read update to this review HERE

The 1899 Bar and Grill opened up this week in Flagstaff at the northern end of the Northern Arizona University campus in the historic North Union building.
The restaurant, a joint venture of the NAU Foundation and Sodexo, has a modern feel with an open feeling, high ceilings, simple decoration and lots of tile work on walls, floors and columns. As you enter you'll see a beautiful oversized fireplace with copper surround in the waiting area. There's also a small bar area. The restaurant has a good view of the goings on in the kitchen thanks to the open design.
The menu (see below for the lunch and dinner menus) is upscale with steakhouse and southwestern touches but there are plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options.
On this trip, we tried the Tilapia Pepita with pumpkin seeds served with wild rice and steamed broccoli. It is supposed to be topped with pico de gallo and jalepenos, but the staff forgot to include that. It was a quality dish though bland with the absence of those flavorful toppings. However, I'd still order this dish again. It was nicely prepared otherwise and still was a filling lunch. We also tried out the BBQ Burger. It's topped with their house made sauce and crispy onion ringlets (which they also forgot initially to include but the waitress brought those over) and served with fries, jicima slaw or fresh fruit salad. We got the fries. They were good but not standout.
Other dishes on the lunch menu include pork cutlet, lobster stuffed mushrooms, heirloom tomato salad, and portobello sandwich. (See below this story for images of the full lunch and dinner menus!)

1899 is open for lunch (from 11a-4pm) and dinner (4pm to 9pm) daily. Cash and credit are both accepted as are NAU's Jacks Debit Express and Dining Dollars.

For more photos of 1899 and its food, head to our Facebook page!
MENUS (Click on each image to bring it up extra large):
Lunch:




Dinner



February 1, 2011

New Flagstaff restaurant: Frank's Daily Bread (includes menu)

Frank's Daily Bread
1490 Riordan Ranch Rd. (next to in Bookman's shopping center)
928-774-5611
franksdailybreadcatering.com

Frank's Daily Bread is the newest restaurant/bakery to open in the location where Malone's used to be next to Michael's in the Bookman's shopping center. Frank's is the new incarnation of Our Daily Bread Deli and Catering, which won best of Flagstaff honors for their sandwiches when they opened back in 2002 and 2003. (Read more about their history HERE.)
The new Frank's serves up sandwiches, soups, salads, breakfasts, fish and chips and Italian specialties like lasagna. I tried them out for the first time on a Wednesday, so the lasagne special was a must get. For $7 you get a giant slice of lasagne, giant piece of garlic bread, a huge side salad and a drink. It wasn't the comparable to the best lasgane's I've had at Chicago's fine Italian restaurants, but for Flaggstaff is was great. Frank makes it in a giant pan and slices up big pieces for each serving, the way it should be done. I'd like to see a little more flavor in it and more cheese. But the meat was plentiful. Overall, I'll be back for more. Plus, they had a sign up claiming to have the best fish sandwich "you've ever had"... that sounds like a challenge I'd like to taste.
Here's their menu:

November 23, 2010

Foodie gift idea: Shop the Flagstaff Community Markets new store downtown

Flagstaff Community Markets opened a new holiday store this week - just in time for buying gifts for your foodie friends this holiday season. The store - located in the Old Town Shops (corner of Birch & Leroux downtown) features an eclectic variety of independent artists, specialty food producers, and regional growers. It has such items as regionally produced honey, jams, pasta, salsas, hot sauce, soaps, tamales, jewelry, children's clothing, yarns, pottery and more- all hand crafted by many of your favorite vendors from the Flagstaff Community Market.
The Community Market Store will be open 7 days a week 9:30 am to 9:00 pm through January 1, 2011.

November 8, 2010

New Flagstaff restaurant: Flippin Dutch

A new restaurant has opened in Flagstaff in an odd sharing of space with the delish Pesto Brothers. The new joint is called Flippin Dutch. It has an eclectic menu with what it calls "Dutchies" at its heart. Right now you can pick up a coupon for $1 off outside of the restaurant - it's in the Old Town Shops, downtown Flagstaff off Leroux. Flippin Dutch is open breakfast through dinner.
Here's a scan of their new menu (as of November 2010):

August 1, 2010

Old Town Creperie in Flagstaff, Arizona

Old Town Creperie
120 N Leroux St (in the alley behind the Old Town Shops by Uptown Billiards)
Menu online at oldtowncreperie.net

This outdoor-ish spot has a vintage feel with crepes and more crepes on the menu. Old Town Creperie is what I call an indoor/outdoor eating experience. It has two walls the others are open for what amounts to a quaint covered patio tuckd out of the hustle and bustle but still right in the thick of things.

This is the place to go in Flagstaff for a French experience. Crepes may be like pancakes (kind of) but they're not just for breakfast back in the Old World. They're for anytime of day and the hours and menu of Old Town Creperie reflect that with "Sweet" and "Savory" selections that take you from a late breakfast to lunch, dinner and dessert. They're open basically only outside of snow season - from late spring (generally April) through early November, Sundays 10-4pm, Wednesdays thru Saturdays they open at 11am and close at 7pm Wednesday and Thursday and at 9pm on Friday and Saturday.

The classic here is the Genevieve with a nice lemony light taste but not too sweet topped with a raspberry puree and whipped crème. Make it more of a dessert stop with the Leroux filled with Nutella, chocolate chips and other goodies. If you’re willing to get your mind past a pancake-ish meal being sweet, then try one of their “Savoy” crepes with meats and cheeses like the Grilled Chicken Spinach with a béchamel sauce or the Frankie with organic egg, cheddar, tomato, spinach and a white sauce. The Creperie has a large selection and something for everyone to try. You can find a full menu on their website.

June 23, 2010

Profiles: Brookside Chocolate Company in Flagstaff, Arizona

Profiles: Brookside Chocolate Company
  • Nonette Saville, Owner
  • Open as Brookside since 2002, prior to name change since 1978
  • 120 N Leroux, Suite 103
  • Historic downtown Flagstaff, inside the Old Town Shops
  • brooksidechocolates.com
profiles
Peak shaped chocolates by Brookside
Examiner: What makes your establishment unique?
Nonette: What makes us unique is our huge selection of candy, imported licorice and handmade chocolates. Over 300 selections to choose from.

Examiner:  What is a little known factoid about your place?
Nonette: Little known fact is that we have been around for so long and we are a locally owned and operated business.  Not a franchise.

Examiner:  What is your specialty?
Nonette: Our specialty is our Peak shaped chocolates we make on site that come in 9 flavors and are named after the mountain peaks in the area.
Examiner:  What is your patrons' favorite thing about your establishment? What's your favorite?
Nonette: Patrons favorite would be the selection we have with a friendly smile always.
My favorite would be the great customer service we offer and all our regulars that come to the store.
Examiner:  What is the top thing you recommend visitors to your city do/see - besides your business, of course?
Nonette: Top things to do - Summer ride the ski lift.  Walk around the historic district.

June 13, 2010

Louie's Chicken Shack finding success on Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona

Louie's Chicken Shack
2116 E Route 66
Flagstaff, AZ
website: www.louieschickenshack.com (coming mid June)
928-714-7097 - they deliver!

Tucked in front of an old motel in between some car repair shops sits the new Louie's Chicken Shack. Painted blue and gold in the spirit of Northern Arizona University after the owners alma matter, this little hole in the wall joint is serving up homemade chicken strips, wings and sandwiches with great success. Louie's opened May 1, 2010.
Inside you'll find Lumberjack jerseys and flags decorating the small space. There's a long counter where 2 liters of off brand soda, lemonade, Tang, and Koolaid currently sit (though they do have a fountain soda machine but they don't have it working yet). The folks working there are friendly and will explain their whole menu to you.
The Grown Man Meal combo
You'd think with a name that has chicken shack in it that they'd be serving up buckets of fried chicken, but that's not the case. The menu is pretty simple: several combos with chicken strips and sides plus some wing and sandwich options.
The chicken strips are good. They're big ol strips of chicken breast dredged in a homemade mix of paprika, spices and flour and fried up in peanut oil. They're light, crispy and quite tasty. The best I've had in town for sure.
Try their homemade Louie Sauce for dipping. If you're from Utah or have traveled there you'll find it similar to Fry Sauce. If you're not, think of it as a special concoction of ketchup and mayo and most likely some thousand island dressing, though I didn't ask what Louie's puts in theirs but it tastes darn similar.
The sides are decent but not crazy good like the chicken strips. The fries aren't hand cut and you can tell but they're still tasty enough, as were the mashed potatoes which tasted like instant but were decent.
The only issue I have is that they call things like their lemonade and mashed potatoes homemade when you ask and while they're made in house, they're obviously made from a mix. Now that may be how grandma makes her stuff at home, but I wouldn't call that a homemade dish. But if you know that going in, it's not an issue because they are still tasty. There's just an obvious difference between something like lemonade and mashed potatoes made by hand from scratch versus making them from a mix.
Wings and Thangs combo
The wings are good too - but watch out that mild is pretty spicy but has a nice taste. Still, I'd opt for the strips instead because they really are fabulous and you can order buffalo sauce for them if you'd like.
Current specials include chicken and waffles. Nice! Other things on the menu include a barbeque pork sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, chicken salad sandwich, chili cheese fries and mini corn dogs.
Prices are pretty good too, like the plenty big Shack Combo for $5 that includes three strips (which are well porportioned), fries, texas toast and a drink. Or two people can easily share "The Grown Man Meal" with 7 strips, fries, two sides, toast, 2 sauces and a drink for $10.

June 1, 2010

Profile: It’s About Coffee: The Factory Restaurant and Coffee House in Flagstaff, AZ

Profile:  It’s About Coffee: The Factory Restaurant and Coffee House
  • Anne Swanson
  • Co-owner, Marketing and Fundraising Manager
  • 2620 N Steves Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
  • www.itsaboutcoffee.com
  • Open since 2008
profiles
Photos in this story by Anne Swanson
Examiner: What makes your establishment unique?
Anne: A commitment to the highest quality coffee and food at budget friendly prices.  Through research and development  we have created a brewing system that creates coffee with no bitter after taste.

Examiner:  What is a little known factoid about your place?
Anne: We serve a full breakfast, lunch and dinner and have all inclusive dinner deals starting at $7.95.

Examiner:  What is your specialty?
Anne:  High precision roasted coffee and fresh four star quality food.
Examiner:  What is your patrons' favorite thing about your establishment? What's your favorite?
Anne: Patrons' favorite thing about your establishment?  The freshness and value of our coffee and food.

Examiner:  What's your favorite?
Anne: The Eggs Benedict for Breakfast, Kobe Burger with Handcut Red Potato Fries for Lunch and the Wild Caught Salmon with Balsamic Reduction for Dinner.

Examiner: Anything new on the horizon that people can look forward to trying?
Anne: We are adding Lightly Smoked Grilled Chicken to our all inclusive dinner deals. These dinner deals include the entrée, beverage, baked potato and house salad.

It’s About Coffee: The Factory Restaurant and Coffee House
Examiner:  What is the top thing you recommend visitors to your city do/see - besides your business, of course?
Anne: Experience our beautiful hiking trails.
Examiner:  Anything else you want to add?
Anne: We are a pioneer in the field of High Precision Coffee Roasting. We have over 30 Varieties of guaranteed fresh roasted dated coffee beans including 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain, 100% Kona, Fair Trade Organic, and Swiss Water Process Decafs.   We have $7.95/lb weekly roast specials and all of our beans are super fresh (always less than 2 weeks old).  We roast locally in Flagstaff.  We also have a fundraising program that features our roasted coffees.

May 23, 2010

Profile: Himalayan Grill in Flagstaff, Arizona

Profile: Himalayan Grill
  • Dennis Poudel, Owner
  • 801 South Milton Road Unit A, Flagstaff AZ
  • Open 4 years
  • himalayangrill.com (They've got coupons on their website too!)
  • Facebook
profiles
Himalayan Grill in Flagstaff, Arizona
Photo by Himalayan Grill
Examiner: What makes your establishment unique?
Dennis: We offer one of the most tantalizing and flavorful cuisines in the world, the foods of India, Tibet and Nepal. Experience perfectly grilled tender tandoori chicken, flavorful lamb and tasty curries that are rich and creamy. Enjoy fresh vegetables in flaky samosas and fragrant, delicate naan bread. We welcome you to explore rarely offered fine Himalayan cuisine and we will look forward to seeing you again and again

Examiner:  What is a little known factoid about your place?
Dennis: Very unique, warm place, friendliest staff, wonderful food.
* Winner of Best Indian Food in Best of Flagstaff 2007, 2008, 2009
* Winner of best Ethnic food in Best of Flagstaff 2008, 2009
* Winner of Best Lunch 2009 in Best Of Flagstaff
* Winner of Best Family Own Restaurant 2009 in Best Of Flagstaff

Examiner:  What is your specialty?
Dennis: Award Winning Indian food - Curries and Tandoori Dishes. Delicious varieties of food from Tibet & Nepal.
Examiner:  What is your patrons' favorite thing about your establishment? What's your favorite?
Dennis: Best food, best service and very warm environment to have a great fun with family & friends.

Examiner: Anything new on the horizon that people can look forward to trying?
Dennis: We keep upgrading and adding new dishes for our customers to enjoy new things. Also, we are constantly adding unique stuff to our decor.

Photos courtesy Himalayan Grill
Examiner:  What is the top thing you recommend visitors to your city do/see - besides your business, of course?
Dennis: I love hiking around Buffalo Park. It is very easy walk and everybody should try it.

Examiner:  Anything else you want to add?
We are a small but very unique family own restaurant. We take very pride of our business. We want everybody to come and enjoy this really offered food from Indian, Tibet & Nepal.

May 21, 2010

Profile: Josephine's Modern American Bistro in FLagstaff, Arizona


Profile: Josephine's Modern American Bistro
josephines flagstaff
Josephine's in Flagstaff, AZ
Photo courtesy: Anthony Cosentino
Examiner: What makes your establishment unique?
Chef Tony: We are located in a beautiful historic building converted from a homestead. On the National Historic Register for its architectural significance. The building is the first made with the local volcanic rock in Northern Arizona.

Examiner:  What is a little known factoid about your place?
Chef Tony: We are one of the only, if only that has a true wine cellar. The two foot wide volcanic rock foundation provides the ideal atmosphere for storing wine.

Examiner:  What is your specialty?
Chef Tony: Cooking everything from scratch from our salad dressing to the ice cream we put on our desserts.
Examiner:  What is your patrons' favorite thing about your establishment? What's your favorite?
Chef Tony: The two fireplaces in the winter and beautiful flowering patio in the summer. My favorite thing is the open kitchen which the patrons almost walk into when they come into the restaurant. I love the direct interaction with the customers.


Examiner: Anything new on the horizon that people can look forward to trying?
Chef Tony: We are going to be doing a brunch on Saturdays and Sundays this summer. I was a little hesitant to take it on but the more I think about it the more excited I become. I plan on making our jam from scratch and muffins and some other fun stuff.

Examiner:  What is the top thing you recommend visitors to your city do/see - besides your business, of course?
Chef Tony: Well the obvious thing to say would be to see the Grand Canyon but to be honest I haven't been there in years. If you like the outdoors Flagstaff has got it all. On a day like today I can either go up skiing at Snowbowl or go for a mountain bike ride or hike in Sedona. We have lakes to canoe in, canyons to hike, rocks to climb and trails to ride.



*This article is part of a new travel series profiling chefs, owners, managers and people behind the scenes of restaurants in the realm of Out West Food Review - Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.*

May 17, 2010

Las Gorditas in Flagstaff, Arizona

Las Gorditas Mexican Restaurant
2900 N West St, Flagstaff AZ (Just south of Cedar in a small shopping center)
Las Gorditas is a true Flagstaff find. This mom and pop shop has been open four years. They serve Jalisco-style Mexican, all recipes of Mom Santana or recipes passed down for generations in her family.
They've done a nice job with decorating the little space in a small shopping center with traditional Mexican art and tchotchkes.
At the heart of Las Gorditas is a fresh salsa bar with six salsas all made by "mom" with  recipes she keeps so secret she won't even tell her daughter.
Guacamole salsa is an avocado infused delight. Nothing like your typical guac yet it beckons you to take another bite. Its a touch creamy but more like a typical salsa than guacamole in every way. The salsa verde is drinkable. It has a peppery taste that I swear hints to star of anise. I asked but the recipe is top secret. Only mom knows what's in there. It is sure to cure sinus congestion.
The enchiladas here are so good. The red sauce is flavorful but not spicy and they're a super bargain at $4.99 for 2 cheese with rice and beans both at lunch and dinner time. And they're mouthwatering.
The gorditas are also a treat. Fresh with nice thick masa. I like the bean and cheese one, though it's hard to go wrong with carnitas gorditas too.
Another fav of mine, the chicken tacos. Nice fresh, well seasoned and tender chicken breast diced with a little lettuce, tomato and cheese. Add some of that guaca salsa and you have a home run.

I've yet to try anything at Las Gorditas that isn't fresh and tasty. This is the place to go for top notch but low cost Mexican food in Flagstaff

May 15, 2010

Orpheum Stage Left Sub Shop

Menu board at Stage Left
Along Beaver Street downtown Flagstaff across from the municipal courthouse sits the new Orpheum Stage Left Sub Shop.
Stage Left serves what they deem "Brooklyn style" sandwiches and salads. There is a nice selection of cold and hot sandwiches from meat lovers options like the New Yorker and Meatball to veggie choices like Eggplant Parmesean and the Paisan (also known as a Caprese with some extras). All sandwiches are about eight bucks and come with a side of chips, pasta salad or potato salad. They also have kids sandwiches and soups plus a pretty nice bar for cocktails.
The interior is small but with good style, maximizing space with stools all along the perimeter. Outside seating is comfortable - a nice patio area with several tables with a view of the hustle and bustle of Beaver Street, though sitting there is pretty relaxing.
(Note to parents with babies- bring a stroller because there aren't any high chairs).
On this trip I ordered up the Eggplant Parmesean with a side of the pasta salad. My hubby went for the New Yorker with chips. Both were fresh and delish. The eggplant was lightly breaded and a tiny touch spicy, cooked just right. The bread was super fresh. The tomato sauce was tangy.
The pasta salad side was refreshing and light with a zip from red onions and peppers.
The New Yorker had top notch meats and a very nice balsamic vinegar and oil dressing. Chip choices were Lays Classics or Sun Chips.
Quality ingredients and good flavor combinations well describe Stage Left. This is my new favorite sandwich spot in Flagstaff. A must visit for sure!

May 8, 2010

Profile: Diablo Burger in Flagstaff, Arizona

Profile: Diablo Burger

Read my most recent review of Diablo Burger HERE
profiles
Photo courtesy Diablo Burger
Examiner: What makes your establishment unique?
Derrick: We serve 100% local, grassfed beef from the Diablo Trust Ranches, the Flying M and the Bar T Bar, who have ranched outside of Flagstaff since the late 1800s.

Examiner:  What is a little known factoid about your place?
Derrick: We are housed in a circular structure, made of 16" rebar-inforced concrete, that was originally built to support a parking ramp leading to a roof-top garage.  If any place in Flagstaff is bomb-proof, it's probably Diablo Burger.
Examiner:  What is your specialty?
Derrick: Great-tasting, affordable & healthy burgers -- served with killer fries, shakes, beer & wine.
Examiner:  What is your patrons' favorite thing about your establishment?
Derrick: The whole sustainable food thing served with a hip & fun vibe.
Examiner:  What's your favorite?
Derrick: Connecting local food producers with a community and visitors that value the landscape of the Colorado Plateau.
Examiner:  What is the top thing you recommend visitors to your city do/see - besides your business, of course?
Derrick: Experience the unique and authentic vibe of our Arizona mountain town... downtown, on the peaks, and all around.

Check out more about Flagstaff things to do and places to eat HERE.
Read my most recent review of Diablo Burger HERE










This article is part of a travel series profiling chefs, owners, managers and people behind the scenes of restaurants, hotels and other things of interest to tourists and locals alike across the Western US. These profiles also include a local favorite thing to see or do from the person at the helm in addition to him or her sharing the local flavor of their place.

May 3, 2010

Profile: The Green Room in Flagstaff, Arizona

Profile: The Green Room
Examiner: What makes your establishment unique?
Rand: Our establishment is not only a local's favorite bar and restaurant, but also a large music venue, fundraising mecca, and community oriented education center.

Examiner:  What is a little known factoid about your place?
Rand: We are truly GREEN! We recycle all plastics, paper, aluminum and glass.
Examiner:  What is your specialty?
Rand: Music!!! We pride ourselves on having great music as often as possible, highlighting local favorites while bringing in acts from all over the world.
Examiner:  What is your patrons' favorite thing about your establishment? What's your favorite?
Rand: Our patrons love our community involvement. We have tons of fundraisers ranging from benefit concerts to non-profit casino nights. My favorite nights are those where we can get musicians from different bands on stage together for a collaborative jam session.

Examiner: Anything new on the horizon that people can look forward to trying?
Rand: We have a new menu coming with 100% local sustainable foods. Soooo exciting!
Examiner:  What is the top thing you recommend visitors to your city do/see - besides your business, of course?
Rand: The Grand Canyon obviously. But also, Snowbowl is awesome and Historic Downtown Flagstaff is a treat.






This article is part of a travel series profiling chefs, owners, managers and people behind the scenes of restaurants, hotels and other things of interest to tourists and locals alike across the Western US. These profiles also include a local favorite thing to see or do from the person at the helm in addition to him or her sharing the local flavor of their place.

March 21, 2010

Crown Railroad Cafe Flagstaff, Arizona

The Crown Railroad Cafe
3300 E Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ
website: thecrownrailroadcafes.com
menu: see below

Adjoining a Howard Johnson Inn (that looks to be stuck back in time) on Route 66 in east Flagstaff is The Crown Railroad Cafe. It's an old fashioned diner complete with comfy booths and counter service. They serve traditional American breakfast foods (and lunch and dinner too).
As you dine, an electric trail circles the restaurant on the tracks above the tables - fun for kids, but I thought there was going to be tons of trains choo choo-ing up a storm in there from things I'd read about this place. But really, that and the train fabric covering the booth backs is all she wrote on the train theme.
The menu has 66 omlette choices, oddly enough none with sausage, onions and cheese, which is what my husband wanted. They do make substitutions so it was no problem. Omlettes run from about 6 dollars for plain up to about 9 bucks loaded.
The omlettes and other breakfasts come with hashbrowns or "those other potatoes" as they're called on the menu (which are onions, peppers and potatoes sometimes known as "potatoes o'brien") plus toast or a biscuit.
Other breakfast choices include pancakes, waffles and chicken fried steak plus other traditional breakfast fare.
Kids menu options are about five bucks including a drink and consist of everything from pancakes and sausage to a burger.
I ordered the two eggs (scrambled) with chicken fried steak and hashbrowns. The chicken fried steak was quite tasty. It comes with a white peppery gravy and is flavorful but not spicy by any means. One of the best chicken fried steaks I've had in town! I'd definitely get that again. The potatoes are a traditional diner style, served grated and pretty plain but not too greasy. The scrambled eggs were boring and dry. The biscuits are huge and fresh and come served with a side of gravy for those that like em smothered. All around, the food portions are large.
My daughters (ages 4 and 2.5) split the children's pancakes and sausage- which came with two big flapjacks and two sausages. They gobbled it up in a hurry and asked for more. Luckily the train kept them entertained, as did having some of my breakfast.
My husband's omlette came served burrito style, a thin wrap of egg around finely chopped up sausage mixed with cheese and onions. Though it could have used some more cheese, it was pretty good but pretty average. He got "those other potatoes" which were good but nothing to write home about.
Service during our visit was lacking, as no one came to give us drink refills despite many attempts at flagging the waitress down. She also got our bill wrong -charging us for coffee when no one ordered any. But when we did see the waitress she was nice.
All in all, The Crown Railroad Cafe is a good traditional American breakfast but nothing special and not as delish as some of Flagstaff's other breakfast spots like Brandys and LaBellavia.


Crown Railroad Cafe doesn't have its menu online, so here's a look at the menu in the restaurant as of March 21, 2010:


January 8, 2010

Hot Buffalo-style Chicken Wings of Flagstaff: Ski Lift Lodge Restaurant

Looking for the best hot wings in Flagstaff? The ones at Ski Lift Lodge are definite contenders. This article is part of the new Hot Buffalo-style Chicken Wings of Flagstaff guide that samples the wings of the city so you can find your favorite. Today's wings are from the Ski Lift Lodge Cabins and Restaurant...

Ski Lift Lodge Cabins and Restaurant
Hwy 180 at the base of Snowbowl Rd (map)
menu and specials online at: arizonasnowbowl.com

About a ten minute drive north of downtown you'll find the Ski Lift Lodge Cabins and Restaurant... home to about 8 flavors of wings that come highly recommended. They make all their own sauces here, except the jerk rub (but then that's not a sauce). You can get them by the half or full dozen, one flavor per six wings. On Thursdays (they're open from 4-9pm with happy hour from 4-6 with discounts on drinks and appetizers) they have half price wings all night. Great deal. Here's a look at what to expect in their flavor rainbow:
Mild - tangy flavor captures the essence of buffalo without much heat at all. Nice job, this is hard to do.
Medium - adds about 5 degrees of heat and a more vinegary taste to the mild
Hot- working my way up the fire line, this one just adds a touch more peppery taste but you don't really taste the extra heat 'til after eating them. I like that kind of backburn.
Injured Skier-  whoa momma... that one is spicy. I like spice but this is fire.
Raspberry Chipotle - cools the mouth after the Injured Skier wings - and boy will you need it! Almost refreshing and so interesting to the taste buds. Not like any other wing I've tried. Made with fresh raspberries and a touch of chipotle peppers back in the kitchen. Mmmmm. I would have loved to taste this one with a hef beer, but they don't have it at this time.
BBQ- thick sauce has a little extra ketchup-y taste than most barbeque sauces, but not overly sweet, very mild.
Teriyaki - all sweet almost honey-like. Dare I say almost tastes like there's a hint of beer flavoring in there somewhere. A surprisingly good wing that I will order again (and my kids loved this one too).
Blackjack Jerk- dry rubbed wings with a little sweet mixed in with the flavors of pepper and other spices. This wing needs a little more moisture for my liking but the flavor is going in the right direction.
All in all- I'd opt for a combo of wings with three sauces here: medium, teriyaki and raspberry chipotle... for maximum flavor and uniqueness. The atmosphere at the Ski Lift Lodge is so comfortable and homey too (and a really nice wait staff), you may just stay a while.

December 13, 2009

New Year's Eve menu for Brix in Flagstaff

New Year’s Eve 2009 at Brix is a four course prix fixe menu for $75.00 per person. They're another good choice if you're going to the big Pine Cone drop at the Weatherford Hotel (the party kicks off at Leroux and Aspen at 8pm with fireworks at 10pm and midnight). They're nearby the action. Here's a look at their menu, though it's always subject to availability:

Amuse
Pate of Sonoma county duck, sauce gribiche and pickled fennel

1st course
Savory crepes, braised foxfire farms lamb leg, bmr feta, roasted eggplant and piquillo peppers. (vegetarian option available without lamb)

2nd course
Choice of:
Winter minestrone soup, parsnips, yukon gold potato, carrots, grilled i’itoi onions
Mcclendon baby green salad, buttermilk vinagrette, tomato confit, andalo crisp, and spiced walnuts

3rd course
Choice of:
Truffled butter poached Creekstone New York steak, herb roasted fingerling potato, honey glazed baby carrots, substance cabernet demi-glace
Pan-roasted wild striped sea bass, braised tuscan kale, brown beech mushrooms, champagne beurre-blanc, shaved radish and pickled red onion salad
Cider-brined roasted heritage pork loin, potato, apple-bacon gratine, roasted Anaheim chiles and bacon mustard emulsion

Desserts
BMR chevre goat cheese cake, candied oranges and beets
Flourless venezuelan chocolate cake, meyer lemon syrup and Frangelico cream

Make reservations at 213.1021.

Italian New Year's feast menu at Pasto in Flagstaff

Several places around Flagstaff are having special New Year's feasts. If you're going to the big Pine Cone drop at the Weatherford Hotel (the party kicks off at Leroux and Aspen at 8pm with fireworks at 10pm and midnight)... you'll want to dine in the downtown area as well. If you're looking to leave 2009 with a belly for of delish Italian - Pasto is your place.
Here's a look at their New Years Eve menu, a five course meal for $65 per person or $85 with the wine pairing.
1st course: Cypress Grove Midnight Moon and Purple Haze (cheese) with almonds and honey.
2nd course: House-cured pork belly, lentils a la Romana, Marinated artichoke hearts, crostini and truffle oil.
3rd course: Choice of: Risotto with roasted beats, portabella and chive oil, or Buckwheat taglietelle with baby heirloom tomatoes, garlic and basil.
4th course: Choice of: Wild boar pot roast, collards, cranberry mostarda, or Ahi charred rare, smoked tomatoe brodo, saffron aioli, or Roasted butternut squash in phyllo, Fra'angelico crema, or Eye of prime beef baracciole, duxelle, blistered bok choy.
5th course: House made peppermint bark, hazelnut bark, honeycomb truffle, white chocolate saffron truffle, dark dipped florentina, cranberry brittle, mascarpone, spiced pear, candied tangerine, and pistachio goat cheese.
Call for a reservation at 928-779-1937.