November national food holidays & where to celebrate in Flagstaff

November is *the* month when it comes to national food holidays – as it has the biggest of them all: Thanksgiving, a day dedicated to sharing delectable foods like oven roasted turkey, homemade cranberry sauce, stuffing and pumpkin pie. What’s not to love. There are several other food holidays this month too that you can eat your way merrily through. Here’s a list of a few of them and where to celebrate in Flagstaff…
 

Nov. 6: National Nachos Day – Go deluxe on your nachos today and eat the fire roasted jalapeno and bacon nachos at Criollo (16 N. San Francisco). These bad boys have cherry wood smoked bacon, asadero and jack cheese, roasted jalapeños, black beans, and house-made salsa. 

Nov. 11: National Sundae Day – While I think Sundae Day should always be on a Sunday, it’s not. That’s okay, try Flagstaff’s new sweet spot that lets you create your own sundaes with anything you want: YogurtU (1061 S. Plaza Way – behind Panda Express). This place lets you serve yourself to however much frozen yogurt you want (try the cake batter flavor) and top it with a salad bar of ingredients from sprinkles to gummy bears and everything in between. Genius!

Nov. 14: National Pickle Day – Celebrate right with a fried pickle from none other than Café Pickles (7 N. San Francisco). Order ‘em as an app for a different but delish dish that will satisfy the taste buds.

Nov. 16: National Fast Food Day – No need to go to a national chain, pop on in to the locally owned and operated Louie’s Chicken Shack (2116 E Route 66 and the new location on Milton). These guys do a nice job on their chicken strips. They’re fresh and well-seasoned. They just opened up their second location in October, about a year and a half after opening their first location, so they must be doing something right!

Nov. 17: National Baklava Day – Eat this Mediterranean dessert made with phyllo dough, nuts, butter, sugar and a sweet syrup at Greek Islands (109 E. Phoenix Ave.). This hole in the wall serves up a nice sticky layered dessert that makes the perfect ending to your meal here.

Nov. 21: Gingerbread Day – Have none other than a gingerbread man for a treat today. Bookman’s Café (1520 S. Riordan Ranch St.) sells soft, chewy and oh so sweet gingerbread men that will delight your inner child spirit and your taste buds.

Nov. 24: Thanksgiving – If you’re looking to give mom and break and go out to eat, The Cottage Place (126 W. Cottage Ave.) does a fabulous upscale Turkey Day five course feast. Do make reservations early, as they do book up quickly. Call 928-774-8431 to reserve.

Nov. 28: National French Toast Day - Being this falls on a Monday, celebrate a day early with Sunday brunch at Josephine’s  (503 N. Humphreys St.). Order the brioche french toast topped with bananas flamed in rum brown sugar sauce topped with pecans.

(This article was originally written by Angele for Flagstaff Live!)

Where to find some good cocktails in Flagstaff

There are so many places in Flagstaff to kick back and liven your spirits. Here’s a look at some sweet spots, many of which are close together so you can enjoy them on a walking tour of the downtown area and avoid having to drive anywhere.

Picazzo's Organic Italian Kitchen
1300 S Milton
What’s not to love on the drink menu at Picazzos, especially during their awesome happy hour when their organic cocktails (and apps) are half off! That’s a reason to celebrate right there. The drinks are made with organic ingredients – from the liquor to the fruit – and they taste goooood. I particularly have enjoyed the Watermelon Mint Mojito with silver rum, lime juice, watermelon and mint leaves and the Raspberry Lavender Limonade with big juicy raspberries and a delightful lavender lemonade vodka. The floral bouquet comes alive in your mouth. Another popular option- the Ginger’s Hot with Corazon Reposado Tequila, fresh ginger, agave nectar, lime juice and the kicker –fresh jalapeños. If a spicy twist is what you’re after, consider the Mango Tango with honey mango vodka, mango puree, lime juice and jalapeños. This one is for anyone who enjoys a mango salsa. The taste buds get the sweet and the throat gets the afterburn. The menu goes on and on with interesting concoctions, which is just what summer is calling for.

Tinderbox Kitchen
34 S San Francisco
Dust and delays on San Francisco adding to frustration? Pull over, cool off and chill out with a Shandy or two from Tinderbox. Traditionally a shandy is a mix of ale and lemonade (I fell in love with the shandy at the famous Hoffbrauhaus in Germany. Delightful!) TBox’s Shandy puts a twist on traditional, as per their norm, instead serving up 4 Peaks Sunbru with fresh lemon juice and a shot of Tru Organic Vodka. Good stuff to make those construction pains fade away.

Salsa Brava
2220 East Route 66
Salsa Brava has a large selection of margaritas to meet your desires. Many come in regular and super grande sizes for those days you need a little extra relaxation. Among the choices you’ve got your traditional house specialty Salsa Brava Margarita with or without fruit. Or try the Agavero Cadillac made with Hornitos Reposado and Agavero Tequila, which is made with a flower known to be an aphrodisiac. They also have several mojitos from the classic to peach, mango, raspberry and strawberry options. Of course, one of their Pina Coladas will also go a long way to help you chill on a hot summer day. And not to be left out, the house made Sangria crafted the traditional way with burgundy, citrus fruit, and brandy.

Criollo Latin Kitchen
16 N San Francisco
Making a name for themselves on the happy hour circuit is Criollo with their sangrias and margaritas a plenty. These margs are particularly addicting, so make sure someone else is driving. You’re going to want to keep ordering them and there’s no skimping on “the goods.” They don’t even have a blender I’m told, so don’t ask for a frozen one. Their red sangria is smooth, tangy and goes down fast. All signs point to excellent bartenders.

Lumberyard Brewing Company
5 S San Francisco
While you’re probably tempted to go for a good ol beer to beat the heat at the Lumberyard, seeing that it is a brewing company and all… consider the refreshing change of the unique white sangria instead. This house made concoction features white wine with red grapes, lemon slices and a splash of apple juice. They also offer a twist on a traditional sangria sans brandy but instead has blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and a splash of lemon-lime soda.

Altitudes Bar and Grill
2 S Beaver
Sit back and relax on the patio at Altitudes and catch a summer breeze while sipping on one of their popular cocktails. Ones to try… Coconino Lemonade with Bacardi, razz rum and fresh squeezed lemonade and the Orange Crush with vodka, triple sec, freshly squeeze orange juice and a splash of Sierra Mist.

Where to find good burgers in Flagstaff

A hamburger by definition is a patty of meat sandwiched between two halves of a bun usually with some toppings. But as every burger gourmand knows, this ever popular American classic (that came to us from German immigrants and their love of Hamburg Steak) is really much more complex than it sounds. The quality of the meat, how it’s seasoned and cooked, along with the types of bread and toppings used makes all the difference (and it never hurts to serve it up with a side of good of fries). Here’s a look at the burger hot spots of Flagstaff…

Tinderbox
34 S San Francisco
Talk about your gourmet burger, this is the place on Fridays when Tinderbox serves up their burger blueplate lunch special. The Big Time Cheeseburger is made from ground sirloin and striploin steak dressed with their house "secret sauce," TBox Signature Steak Sauce, cheese and chopped greens. If you ever see the “Rancher’s Burger” (photo above) come back to the specials of the day menu – get it! That one has lamb, venison and Kobe beef ground up together in an extra juicy melt in your mouth special. When part of the blue plate lunch special, the burgers come with a drink, a side salad and potato salad plus awesome fresh, hot donut holes for dessert, all for $10. Quite a deal!


Diablo Burger
120 N. Leroux St
Diablo Burger has ten different burger options on the menu plus an infinite number of combos you can make up to order. All of their burgers are medium-rare char-broiled out of open range-raised, antibiotic-free and growth- hormone free beef from the Diablo Trust ranches of Arizona. They’re served up on a unique DB branded buns (aka a toasted english muffins). Topping options all have fun names like the Wrigley Field with homemade sauerkraut, bacon, swiss cheese and a spicy honey mustard or The Cheech with their house made Holy Guacamole, pepper jack cheese, and jalapenos. Added bonus: the burgers here come served with a side of some of the best fries in town.


Beaver Street Brewery
11 S Beaver St
Beaver Street is known for their beer and burgers. Of special note – the Beaver Street Burger. This bad boy is a half pound of ground angus beef with garlic, fresh basil and sun dried tomatoes mixed in then grilled up and topped with havarti cheese and basil pesto mayo plus lettuce, tomato and red onions all served on a nice fresh bun. My husband has a hard time not ordering this baby every time we go. No kidding. I think maybe once or twice has he departed from this favorite. Worth a try even if you’re dedicated to another standard on their menu.

Josephine’s
503 N Humphreys St
Josephine’s has good food, always with a flare of some sort. Their burgers are no exception. They use freshly ground 80/20 chuck, then you can dress it a variety of ways. The one to try here that is among the best in town: The Flagstaff Burger with roasted poblano peppers, red bell peppers, caramelized onions, smoked gouda cheese, applewood smoked bacon and ancho mayo on a toasted Kaiser roll. Josephine’s owner Chef Tony says his fav is the Tillamook Cheddar with a yellow mustard mayonnaise sauce, shredded iceburg, sharp cheddar cheese and caramelized onions.


Criollo
16 N San Francisco
At lunchtime, Criollo features an Arizona-raised criollo beef burger topped with pickled red onion, watercress and their secret zinger chipotle aioli sauce that makes it mmm mmm good. It’s really the only non-Latin inspired thing on their menu but it’s worth veering out of their norm and sinking your teeth into. The Criollo Burger comes with a side of fries. It goes nicely with one of their tasty margaritas too.

Mama Burger
12 E. Route 66
Mama's burgers are simple but quite tasty. They have an old fashioned flare with downhome goodness reminiscent of what I imagine burgers from the glory days of Route 66 (on which they reside) must have been like. The toppings aren't deluxe by any means (though the house made thousand island dressing is a nice touch) but they get the job done. Mama Burger is easy on the wallet too. You can get a single (with no cheese) for just $3.

Bun Huggers
901 S. Milton Rd
A Flagstaff classic, Bun Huggers has been serving charbroiled burgers (aka “hugs”) cooked up on their big mesquite charcoal fired grill for years upon years. Order up a little (about ¼ pound), regular (1/3 pound) or big (1/2 pound) hug or seven different styles of hugs from a Hula Hug (a burger topped with ham, swiss cheese and pineapple) to a Philly Hug (a burger topped with grilled bell peppers, onions, garlic and swiss cheese). Then add what you like at their topping bar.


It’s About Coffee: The Factory Restaurant and Coffee House
2620 N Steves Blvd.
It’s not really all about the coffee at this small eastside joint. They might just surprise you with their popular burgers for lunch or dinner. They have two types: a 1/3 pound American Kobe Beef Burger or a ½ pound Balsamic Infused Angus Cheeseburger. Both have their charms. Whichever you decide, get the combo with the hand-cut red potato fries to make it a feast.

Where to find good summer cocktails in Flagstaff, Arizona

What would summer be without a refreshing cocktail to help relax in the shade and beat the heat? There are so many places in town to kick back and liven your spirits. Here’s a look at some sweet spots, many of which are close together so you can enjoy them on a walking tour of the downtown area and avoid having to drive anywhere.

Picazzos Organic Italian Kitchen
1300 S Milton
What’s not to love on the drink menu at Picazzos, especially during their awesome happy hour when their organic cocktails (and apps) are half off! That’s a reason to celebrate right there. The drinks are made with organic ingredients – from the liquor to the fruit – and they taste goooood. I particularly have enjoyed the Watermelon Mint Mojito with silver rum, lime juice, watermelon and mint leaves and the Raspberry Lavender Limonade with big juicy raspberries and a delightful lavender lemonade vodka. The floral bouquet comes alive in your mouth. Another popular option- the Ginger’s Hot with Corazon Reposado Tequila, fresh ginger, agave nectar, lime juice and the kicker –fresh jalapeños. If a spicy twist is what you’re after, consider the Mango Tango with honey mango vodka, mango puree, lime juice and jalapeños. This one is for anyone who enjoys a mango salsa. The taste buds get the sweet and the throat gets the afterburn. The menu goes on and on with interesting concoctions, which is just what summer is calling for.

Tinderbox Kitchen
34 S San Francisco
Dust and delays on San Francisco adding to your summer heat frustration? Pull over, cool off and chill out with a Shandy or two from Tinderbox. Until that construction is completed, they’re serving up these bad boys “two for one.” Traditionally a shandy is a mix of ale and lemonade (I fell in love with the shandy at the famous Hoffbrauhaus in Germany. Delightful!) TBox’s Shandy puts a twist on traditional, as per their norm, instead serving up 4 Peaks Sunbru with fresh lemon juice and a shot of Tru Organic Vodka. Good stuff to make those construction pains fade away.

Salsa Brava
2220 East Route 66
Salsa Brava has a large selection of margaritas to meet your desires. Many come in regular and super grande sizes for those days you need a little extra relaxation. Among the choices you’ve got your traditional house specialty Salsa Brava Margarita with or without fruit. Or try the Agavero Cadillac made with Hornitos Reposado and Agavero Tequila, which is made with a flower known to be an aphrodisiac. They also have several mojitos from the classic to peach, mango, raspberry and strawberry options. Of course, one of their Pina Coladas will also go a long way to help you chill on a hot summer day. And not to be left out, the house made Sangria crafted the traditional way with burgundy, citrus fruit, and brandy.

Criollo Latin Kitchen
16 N San Francisco
Making a name for themselves on the happy hour circuit is Criollo with their sangrias and margaritas a plenty. These margs are particularly addicting, so make sure someone else is driving. You’re going to want to keep ordering them and there’s no skimping on “the goods.” They don’t even have a blender I’m told, so don’t ask for a frozen one. Their red sangria is smooth, tangy and goes down fast. All signs point to excellent bartenders.


Lumberyard Brewing Company
5 S San Francisco
While you’re probably tempted to go for a good ol beer to beat the heat at the Lumberyard, seeing that it is a brewing company and all… consider the refreshing change of the unique white sangria instead. This house made concoction features white wine with red grapes, lemon slices and a splash of apple juice. They also offer a twist on a traditional sangria sans brandy but instead has blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and a splash of lemon-lime soda.

Altitudes Bar and Grill
2 S Beaver
Sit back and relax on the patio at Altitudes and catch a summer breeze while sipping on one of their popular cocktails. Ones to try… Coconino Lemonade with Bacardi, razz rum and fresh squeezed lemonade and the Orange Crush with vodka, triple sec, freshly squeeze orange juice and a splash of Sierra Mist.

You can also find good mojitos at Rendezvous and good margaritas on the rocks at Cafe Ole.


**This article was originally written by me for Flagstaff Live!*

Salsa de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Celebrate with a fiesta in your mouth courtesy of salsa.
Salsa is the number one condiment in the US. It overtook catsup a few years back and for good reason. It’s so versatile and can bounce the taste of even boring food up a notch. The best salsas are in themselves a feast of flavor. The perfect combination of tomatoes, onions, peppers and other fresh ingredients create a fiesta in your mouth worthy of celebrating this Cinco de Mayo or any other day really. Here’s a look at some of the most noteworthy salsas in Flagstaff.

Salsa Brava
2220 East Route 66
How could a story about salsa not begin with this famous Route 66 restaurant. The salsa bar is the best in town with flavors that spin your taste buds through a savorlicious journey.
Habanero pineapple, pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa verde. They have them all here and they are all done right. My fav is to combine the pico with the regular then alternate chip dips between that and the tanginess of the verde and sweet punch of the pineapple.
All are good and none give more fire than a trained mouth can handle. A must visit for every salsa connoisseur.

Las Gorditas Mexican Restaurant
2900 N. West St, Suite 4 (near Cedar)
This hidden gem family run restaurant has been open four years. It’s home to six salsas, all made by "mom" Santana. Some recipes are her own. Others have been passed down for generations from family in Jalisco.
The guacamole salsa is an avocado infused delight. Nothing like your typical guac yet it beckons you to take another bite. It’s a touch creamy with a bold flavor, much more like a typical salsa than guacamole. 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. There are also three types of red sauces to boot.

Cafe Ole
121 S San Francisco
The salsa at café ole has a different edge then others in town. There’s a fire-roasted zing that drives the uniqueness. It comes off spicy but goes down so smoothly. It’s one to savor. You’ll want to add it to anything and everything on the menu. But never fear, it’ll satisfy with just chips along side a nice marg or mojito.

Criollo Latin Kitchen
16 N San Francisco
Criollo’s Latin-inspired salsas take chips and dips to a whole new level. The veggies in all three of the salsas here are all Arizona grown organically and sustainably. An order comes with all three of their handcrafted, made fresh daily salsas: pico de gallo, a tangy, tart tomatillo salsa verde (perfect to compliment fish tacos) and mesquite smoked chili with the triple threat of serranos, jalapeños and habaneros.
The mesquite smoked is surprisingly sweet at first taste but goes on to light up in the back of your mouth with spiced up smoky rich fire essence. A standout in the hot “hot sauces” of the city.

Black Bean Burrito Bar and Salsa Co.
12 E Route 66 (In the square across from Flagstaff Brewing Company)
The Black Bean is known for burritos and hand crafted salsas. The sauces here have the coolest names and range on the heat scale from mild to hotter.
The chili de arbol Red Hotty tops the scale along side Habanero Heaven (pineapple with habaneros). Next down the scale is the three star hot Garlipeno which adds fresh garlic's uniqueness. Then comes my Black Bean favorite - the tropical Mango Pineapple with fire roasted tomatoes and chipotle chilis. Rounding out the scale at the mild end are the traditional Casa Roja and Pico de Gallo plus Smoked Sweet Tomato, which feels more Italian than Mexican and is a nice change of pace for a salsa.

Also worth a mention…
Burritos Fiesta (1530 S Riordan Ranch St # 405C, next door to Bookmans) This place is always packed and has a lot of people sitting at their tables with satisfied grins on their faces. The salsa options here are just hot or mild. Both are winning choices.
Tacos Locos (2 S. Beaver St. Suite 170 on the Phoenix Ave. side of the building). Tacos Locos has several special-crafted homemade salsas, which include a salsa verde, traditional salsa and a spicy “chile de arbol” sauce.

*This article was originally written for Flagstaff Live's April 29, 2010 issue*