Where to celebrate March Food Holidays in Flagstaff

Here we are to March, as we take our trip through the year looking at national food holidays and where to celebrate them in Flagstaff. Be sure to look out for Chocolate Chip Cookie Week is the second week of the month! Every single day in March actually has some sort of food holiday, so here are just the highlights and where to hit up in town to feast those days...

March 6
National Frozen Food Day is on the calendar, so just heat up lunch in ye ol microwave… or take a different take and go for drinking something tasty and frozen like a frozen margarita at Salsa Brava (2220 East Rte. 66) or one of the delish milkshakes at Diablo Burger (120 N Leroux, on the square), as they both have something frozen in them worthy of your tasting.

March 14
It’s “Pi Day” in math geek circles (as “pi” is 3.141414) so celebrate in solidarity and eat some homemade pie goodness at Miz Zips (2924 E Route 66 ) or the Galaxy Diner (931 W Route 66). Really any reason to celebrate pie is a good one and these two spots make ones worthy of merrymaking.

March 17
Today is Corned Beef And Cabbage Day – of course, as it is St Patrick’s Day! Head to Collin’s Irish Pub (2 N. Leroux St.) downtown. They serve this classic Irish dish up every day slow cooked just how it should be. Down a pint (or two) of Guinness just to be in the spirit of the day while you’re there too.

March 18
Warm your tummy with sweet baked goodness on Oatmeal Cookie Day. Try out the ones at Macy’s Coffee House (14 S. Beaver St.). They don’t do oatmeal everyday, but when they do – mmmmm. You can, however, special order them to celebrate your love of Oatmeal Cookie Day or any other day for that matter.

March 19
Poultry Day should take you to Cottage Place (126 West Cottage Ave.) to dine on the finest birds in town. Opt for their Chinatown duck roasted in an Asian Marinade and served with a plum sauce or try the artichoke chicken for a fancy grilled take on a chicken breast entree.

March 21
National French Bread Day, so you know where to go – The Village Baker (1237 S Plaza Way), home to every type of wonderfully scrumptious bread you can think of made by hand in town.

March 23
It’s National Chip and Dip Day so head for some pita chips and hummus dip at Pita Jungle (320 S Regent St.). They have traditional hummus (made with chickpea puree, tahini sauce, fresh garlic and lemon juice), a roasted bell pepper hummus plus a cilantro jalepeno hummus that adds some extra zing.

March 28
For celebrating Something On A Stick Day, take a trip to the Greek Islands (109 East Phoenix Ave.) and welcome the traditionally delightful flavors of beef or chicken souvlaki (that’s beef or chicken on a skewer stick, if you’re not familiar).

March 31
The month ends on Tater Day. So for some of them good ol’ fried up taters, mosey on over to Satchmo’s (2320 North 4th St.) for tater tots with their secret seasonings and/or Bigfoot BBQ’s (120 N. Leroux in the Old Town Shops basement) tater salad for a lip smacking tater tribute.

Every single day of March has a food celebration. You can check out every single one of them at TheNibble.com, should you desire to do so, then think of your fav spots in town to celebrate them.

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

Yummy dessert spots in Flagstaff, Arizona

"Life's short, eat dessert first"
By Angele Sionna

Life's short, eat dessert first… it’s been said a million times before and will be said a million more because the sweet wrap up to your meal can be just about the ultimate in food satisfaction. Whether it’s hot and gooey or just melts in your mouth from the delicate construction of fine fruits and sugar blended by an artisan of delectables, a good dessert can put a smile on your mouth and make your day. Here are some great Flagstaff spots that you should go ahead and consider ordering dessert before the rest of your meal…

The Cottage Place Restaurant
126 W. Cottage
www.cottageplace.com
Flambé is the word of choice at the Cottage Place. These desserts have a tableside presentation involving fire. It's just hard to beat and doesn't hurt that these desserts are delightfully fresh and satisfying! The other treats here also have as good of taste as they have presentation, but I'd expect no less from Cottage Place’s fine chef Frank Branham. They truly have the art of cooking mastered for every course.

Josephine’s Modern American Bistro
503 N Humphreys St
www.josephinesrestaurant.com
This is where I go for crème brûlée. It’s, well, a cup of awesome! I've been known to go to Josephine’s just to have dessert and coffee out under the stars on the patio, an enchanting atmosphere to relax in and for your taste buds. Other nectarous treats to enjoy here include a rich and luscious Mascarpone Chocolate Mousse Tiramisu.

Cafe Daily Fare
408 E. Route 66 (behind the Babbitt used car lot, 1/2 block east of Elden St)
www.simplydeliciousflagstaff.com
Café Daily Fare is a nice spot to grab lunch away from the hussle and bussle of downtown without going too far at all. Desserts here range from cookies and cupcakes (Belgian chocolate, lemon poppy, carrot raisin walnut, and “pineapple upside down cake” flavors) to crème brûlée, and bourbon chocolate pecan tarts. They even will make birthday cakes and deliver them to students at NAU (or anyone else anywhere in town) to make your special one’s special day a little sweeter.

Wildflower Bread Company
530 East Piccadilly Drive (at Butler & Lone Tree)
wildflowerbread.com
If you haven't somehow filled up on Wildflower’s salads and sandwiches, they have quite an assortment of sweet treats to indulge in. My fav - the Lemon Coconut Torte. It is, as the menu calls it, "scrumptious." It's a white cake layered with a light and airy lemon mousse and topped with coconut and a whipped topping. A little happy in every bite. Perfect for a relaxing summer night with a cup of coffee out on the patio. For you chocolate lovers, try the Ultimate Chocolate Cake. It is rich yet still some how airy. It is a rich chocolate cake filled with a decadent chocolate mousse covered in a dark chocolate ganache.

Beaver Street Brewery
11 S. Beaver St.
www.beaverstreetbrewery.com
You haven’t experienced all Beaver Street has to offer until you’ve had their Apple-Ginger Stout cake. This little gem is made with gingerbread cake, apples, spices, and Beaver Street’s own R&R Oatmeal Stout. It's served warm, drowned in a thin and not overpowering caramel sauce and fresh whip cream. Yum! This could be the most unique twist to gingerbread yet. Good anytime of the year, but especially great on a cold winter day with fresh snow on the ground. Still, that doesn’t stop me from ordering it while sitting on the sunny patio.

Sugar Mamas
At the East Flagstaff Wednesday Community Market (St Pius Catholic Church Parking Lot, 2257 E. Cedar Ave.)
These sweet-toothed ladies don't have a storefront yet (though they will coming up in November). Right now you can find their sweet goodies at the Wednesday Flagstaff Community Market (open from 4-7pm). Don’t miss the toffee brownies. (Mmm.) The toffee chips and caramel are ooey gooey with a crunch that tastes so great with the chocolately brownie underneath. Their specialties also include chocolate macaroons, key lime tartlets, cupcakes, strawberry cheesecake squares, lemon zucchini scones, pies and cookies.

Macy's European Coffeehouse, Bakery & Vegetarian Restaurant
14 South Beaver Street
macyscoffee.net
Macy’s has been a Flagstaff must for coffee since 1980, but if you’ve never tried their sweet treats you’re missing out. Their pièce de résistance are the chocolate chip cookies, made with a recipe from one of the chefs’ moms. But their peanut butter cookies melt in your mouth and are not to be missed too! Of course the biscotti and other breakfast treats make for a yummy sweet snack with a coffee or dessert after lunch.

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

Eco-eateries: Where to eat "green" in Flagstaff

This month is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Celebrate by making Earth Day everyday from here on out. A simple way to start – support local restaurants who strive to use/serve local, organic, pesticide free products. Open Green Map has made it easy to find eco-friendly businesses and activities around the world, including here in Flagstaff. Here’s a look at the Flagstaff eateries that made their list…

Diablo Burger
120 N Leroux (on the square behind Pesto Brothers)
The DB is all about local. “We try to be as ecologically sustainable as we can be, and we consider sustainability, local benefits, and eco-friendliness in all of our management decisions, big and small,” says Derrick Widmark, owner of Diablo Burger.
They do this by serving open-range beef raised here in Northern Arizona, not using a dishwasher to save water, and recycling used fryer oil for bio-diesel plus other things.
The local beef is more than tasty. “Supporting the producers of that beef sustains the stewardship of almost half a million acres in our very own backyard, and perpetuates the long-term health of ecosystem services like healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat that are critical to the quality of life we enjoy here in the greater Flagstaff area. The same goes for our decision to buy as much of our produce from local and regional farmers,” Widmark adds.

Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar
413 N. San Francisco
Again local, homemade, sustainable foods are at the heart of this upscale Flagstaff restaurant. The meats come from smaller farms. The seafood is all wild, line-caught in domestic waters. Most of their produce is organically grown between Flag and Phoenix. “This not only serves to reduce the amount of carbon used to grow and transport the food, it is a healthier product for both people and the environment. In addition, the economics of using local foods and supporting local farmers/growers is such that the money spent stays within the local economy rather than moving out to other regions/countries,” says Paul Moir, co-owner of Brix.
Brix uses rice oil when frying then donates it to a local bio-diesel producer. They use no processed, pre-packaged products. Everything is house-made including cured meats, pastas and pastries. 
The same folks own the new Criollo Latin Kitchen (16 N. San Francisco) down the street. Criollo uses the same farmers/growers as Brix plus The Hook/Spear Cattle Company outside of Wickenburg which raises 100% grass fed, range raised Criollo Beef. They’re not on the Green Map yet, but I’m sure they will be there soon.

New Jersey Pizza Co.
2224 East Cedar Ave.
New Jersey Pizza has some of the freshest, most delish pizza you’ll find in town. It’s saucy, cheesy and super thin. They use local and organic ingredients when possible and even make their own mozzarella cheese. “Our efforts are dedicated to the small family farmers, ranchers, artisan cheese makers, laborers and cooks of the world, whose endless work, wisdom, and passion make it possible to bring this food to the table,” their menu boasts. Now that’s the kind of motto I like to see on the front of the menu. Someone with a passion for food who also cares about how it’s grown and the people who grow and make it. That motto shows in the taste of their foods.

Morning Glory Café
115 S San Francisco
Morning Glory has a 25 year legacy of eco-friendliness. This vegetarian/vegan restaurant has zero waste – donating all good food and composting everything else. Even their serving/dishware is compostable or recyclable. Morning Glory uses Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to buy, sell and support local farmers/growers. 80% of their offerings are organic as well. Morning Glory has a hip vibe and sustainable goodness in their meals which is why customers keep coming back year after year.

Pesto Brothers Piazza
120 N Leroux
Pesto Brothers is a little shy about bragging about their commitment to local. But this quaint restaurant serves classic rustic Italian food using as many local, pesticide-free products as possible in their dishes. Pesto Brothers also serves up some of the best tasting Arizona-made wines, including my fav Arizona Stronghold's Mangus. The food here is so fresh and delectable you can tell it’s made by people who care about our food, our area and the planet. Even if they’re not one to boast about it I sure will!
UPDATE: The owner of Pesto Brothers just got back with me about all of the "green" things they do. They include:

• recycle glass, cardboard & oil for bio-fuel
• use corn based bio-degradable to go containers
  no ice in their water
• use local products when available

Simply Delicious Full-Service Catering and Daily Fare
408 E Rte 66
Located in a small and really cool rock-walled building on the outskirts of downtown you’ll find this small eatery and its catering companion. They specialize in eclectic seasonal cuisine… the kind of things you won’t find too many places like duck tacos, quail or lamb. Almost all the foods at Daily Fare Café and Simply Delicious catering come from within 150 miles of Flagstaff and all of their to-go ware is biodegradable or recyclable.

These coffee houses also made the Flagstaff Green Map:
•Flagstaff Coffee Co
16 E Rte 66
•Macy's European Coffeehouse, Bakery &Vegetarian Restaurant
14 South Beaver Street
•Late for the Train Coffee
107 N. San Francisco
1800 Fort Valley Road
1200 N. Beaver

*Note: I originally wrote this article for the April 8, 2010 of Flagstaff Live!*

Where to get a Thanksgiving pie in the Flagstaff area

Pie and turkey are a must at every Thanksgiving feast. The following places in Flagstaff and Williams are good options and take pre-orders for top notch pies. Most also serve up pie by the slice any other day of business. Yum!

Pine Country Restaurant
107 N Grand Canyon Blvd, Williams
928-635-9718
This is “the big mama” of the pie world in northern Arizona. They have 30 different pies available for your devouring every day! The Pine Country pies are so delish and served with a generous slice filling up the plate. You will want to go back for another slice at your next meal, even for breakfast. The options abound and they’ll fax you over a complete list if you give them a ring. That way you can have your choices narrowed down before you get there because once you gaze into that refrigerated pie case, you’re going to be tempted to get several. Pies are sold by the slice or whole and they only need a few days notice most of the time but for Thanksgiving it’s best to get orders in earlier. Pies range from traditional flavors like apple, pumpkin and Double Chocolate (see photo) to more exotic delights like Double Butterscotch, Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter and Hawaiian Delight. Let’s just say it’s a good thing there’s about 30 miles in between Flagstaff and Pine Country for your waistline.

Galaxy Diner
931 W Route 66
774-2466
A classic diner of course serves up this staple – by the slice or the whole. Among the options: cherry, apple, coconut, lemon meringue, and pumpkin. Order by November 19 for Thanksgiving.

Miz Zips
2924 E Route 66
526-0104
Monday is pie day at Miz Zips! There’s lots of choices from chocolate, coconut, pumpkin, rhubarb, peach, cherry, blackberry, blueberry and more. Other days of the week they have pies too but just not as many options to choose from as on Mondays. Order two weeks in advance for Thanksgiving.

Macy’s
14 S Beaver
774-2243
Pies are back with the fall weather at Macys. They generally will whip one up every few days, but you could get lucky and it could be more often depending on who is in the kitchen. Flavors include pumpkin, apple blackberry and others. You can special order pies for Thanksgiving or any other day.

Village Baker
1237 S. Plaza Way, University Plaza Shopping Center (This is their new retail location)
773-9320
Village Baker usually has pies in its new retail location on Fridays and Saturdays, sometimes by the slice, sometimes by the whole. You can always special order a pie. And they can do just about anything you can think of. For Thanksgiving be sure to get your order in early.

Caked
2028 N Fourth St
522-9195
Normally a bakery reserved just for cheesecakes and the like, Caked makes special mini-pies about 4.5” big (or small) starting the week before Thanksgiving. They make pumpkin, pecan, apple and cherry. You can preorder anytime. They just need 24 hours notice on the orders and are closed Sundays and Mondays.

Best sugary breakfasts on the go in Flagstaff

(This story, written by me, originally appeared in the 2/26/09 issue of Flagstaff Live!)

Man does not live by health food alone. Some days you need
that sugary sweet taste of a good donut or pastry to start
the day off right. Luckily, Flagstaff is a great place for
sweet-toothed folks to live and love (eating). Here are a few
places to find that perfectly sweetened morning sunshine for
your mouth …

Malone’s Bakery and Deli
1490 S. Riordan
Wanting the fresh, sugary goodness of a donut for breakfast
on a fine wintry morning? Malone’s is where you want to go.
They make the best homemade donuts in town in several
varieties—glazed, chocolate, maple and cake. Homer
Simpson would definitely approve!
Also on the menu are lots of other sweet morning treats like
Bavarian cream horns (quite a sweet punch and, I would
argue, more of a dessert but still good anytime of the day),
long johns filled with Bavarian cream (and my husband’s
fave sweet treat in the whole city), muffins, apple cinnamon
burritos, cinnamon twists, cinnamon rolls, pecan coffee cakes
and more.
If you’re looking for variety with great taste, this
is the stop to make.

Village Baker
1421 S. Milton
The Village Baker isn’t just for bread loaves anymore. When
they opened their new location behind Strombolli's, they
added an array of scrumptious breakfast pastries. The fresh
fruit Danish is fabulous and my fave. They also serve up
cinnamon rolls, cheese Danish, and apple, mixed berry and
cheese strudel. And if there’s a particular something you’re
craving and can’t find anywhere, Village Baker will custom
make anything you want with just a few days notice. You can
call them for details on custom orders at 773-9310. I’ve
never had anything here that wasn’t top of the line, so you
really can’t go wrong.

It’s About Coffee: The Factory
2620 N. Steves Blvd. (in Kachina Square)
This coffee house is also known for its fab cinnamon rolls.
They claim to be the best in Flag, and they are indeed quite
tasty. They’re ooey and gooey and you’re going to need to
get plenty of napkins. Be sure to ask them to heat it up for
ultimate enjoyment. The icing is a sweet, cream cheese-
style that really tantalizes the taste buds when warm. It’s
About Coffee also bakes up muffins. Both, of course, are a
fine choice with their coffees.

Macy's European Coffeehouse, Bakery and Vegetarian
Restaurant
14 S. Beaver
Macy’s is a Flagstaff must for good food and good-for-you
food. Even their sweet treats aren’t all bad for the bod with
such items as the vegan almond tofu Danish. The most
popular sweet breakfast treat on their menu is the almond
cream cheese Danish. It’s not what you’d call health food,
but it is magically delicious. Other breakfast sweets include
scones (which I personally favor), muffins and berry Danish.

Café Espress
16 N. San Francisco
Café Espress is another good choice for indulging that
morning hankering for something sweet. They bake up such
goodies as cream cheese Danish, turnovers, muffins and
bear claws. Of particular note are their turnovers and bear
claws, which are as popular as they are tasty. I personally
vote bear claw as the way to go here. Mmm.

Best soups in Flagstaff

*Note this article was written by me and originally published in the Jan 22 issue of Flagstaff Live!*

Soups are among the oldest meals of mankind. Heat a pot of water, throw in vegetables, spices and leftovers, and you’ve got soup. The recipes have advanced over time and now come in many varieties from chowder to chili, gazpacho, bisque, borscht, gumbo, goulash, consommé and more. Whether an entrée or appetizer, a good soup is hard to beat.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of soups is Seinfeld’s famous “Soup Nazi,” a character known for his fantastic soups and bad attitude. Every time that episode airs, I’m overcome with the need for some really good soup. Northern Arizona may not have a little shop that exclusively serves up soups that people line up for everyday, but it does have some great places with fantastic soups to warm you up on a cold winter’s day.

Beaver Street Brewery and Whistle Stop Café
11 S. Beaver
Beaver Street comes through once again in the soup category. Their choices change daily and usually include a chili of the day plus a soup of the moment. All I’ve tried are satisfyingly tasty, but of particular greatness—Beaver Street’s Southwestern corn chowder. It’s spicy, thick and creamy. Pair it with a side salad for the perfect winter meal. Call 779-0079 for the soup and chili specials of the day.

Buster’s Restaurant and Bar
1800 S. Milton, Ste. 111
At lunch, Buster’s has a great soup and salad combo that is perfect for a chilly afternoon. Their soups of the day rotate, but always available is the baked French onion soup. It’s made with a dash of sherry and topped with a large crouton and melted Swiss cheese. Call 774-5155 to see what’s being served up today.

Brandy’s Bakery and Restaurant
1500 E. Cedar, Ste. 40
Brandy’s offers a soup of the day served by the cup or bowl. Their recipes go beyond the normal choices like chicken noodle soup. One of the weirdest-sounding but best-tasting I’ve tried was a mushroom artichoke vegetable parmesan soup. It was creamy and flavorful and great with a side of fries for lunch. Find out what’s on the menu at 779-2187.

Macy’s European Coffeehouse, Bakery and Vegetarian Restaurant
14 S. Beaver
A cozy little spot to grab a cup of coffee, a bowl of soup and a sweet treat is Macy’s. The friendly and relaxed atmosphere compliment the warm goodness of the soup. They usually have two types each day and their pepper corn chowder is particularly good. It’s basically a potato soup with red peppers and corn—hearty and delicious. Call 774-2243 for the soup of the day.

Mountain Oasis International Restaurant
11 E. Aspen
Mountain Oasis is an upscale yet relaxed restaurant in the heart of downtown Flagstaff. They serve up two, from-scratch soups per day. The one to get here: the New England Clam Chowder—a classic soup, Flagstaff-style. Check to see what the soup of the day is at 214-9270.

Chi’s Cuisine
114 N. Cortez St., Prescott
For the best Wonton soup in northern Arizona, a drive is in order. Chi’s Cuisine in downtown Prescott has a great version of this Chinese restaurant favorite. A big bowl of what they call “Wor Wonton Soup” filled with wonton noodles, shrimp, pork, chicken, bok choy, carrots and broth is served up hot and fresh. This is not the tiny appetizer you get at many Chinese restaurants. It’s a full meal in itself. Find out more at 928-778-5390.

Best cookies in Flagstaff

[*NOTE: This article originally appeared in Flagstaff Live! on 12/25/08, I am the author*]

It’s a Christmas tradition—leaving cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Whether it’s for a bribe or a thank you, you’re gonna want to leave something scrumptious there by the tree for old St. Nick (wink, wink). Here’s a look at a few Flagstaff spots to find fantastic cookies for Santa and yourself. Macy's European Coffeehouse, Bakery and Vegetarian Restaurant 14 S. Beaver Macy’s has been a Flagstaff must for coffee since 1980, but if you’ve never tried their sweet treats you’re missing out. Macy’s serves several types of cookies everyday, and the type depends on who’s in the kitchen. Their pièce de résistance are the chocolate chip cookies, made with a recipe from one of the chefs’ moms. But their peanut butter cookies melt in your mouth and are not to be missed either! Copper Coyote Café Flagstaff Mall This little mall joint has 10 different cookie choices everyday. Coyote’s most popular is chocolate chip (not a shocker). But the ones to try here are the mint chocolate chip. They’re perfect for the holidays. Santa would definitely appreciate some of these refreshing goodies under the tree. Other options every day at the Coyote include classics like oatmeal raisin and sugar cookies, and more unique choices like gingersnap and sugar cookies with M&Ms. Malone’s Bakery and Deli 1490 S. Riordan Ranch Road Malone’s has several types of cookies everyday. Chocolate chip is a regular, of course. But Malone’s claim to fame: snickerdoodles. They’re soft and chewy. If you haven’t tried snickerdoodles—they’re basically a sugar cookie with a cinnamon twist of flavor—be sure to try the ones that Malone’s bakes up fresh in their ovens. Yum. Café Express 16 N. San Francisco Café Express is another coffee house, bakery and breakfast joint that serves up ambrosial delights. They usually have four to choose from: oatmeal, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter and their best cookie of the bunch, the shortbread with raspberry filling. My grandma used to make cookies like this as a treat—oh so good! It’s a unique choice that you should try next time you’re walking around downtown. Josephine’s Modern American Bistro 503 N. Humphrey's If you’re looking for an upscale cookie that is more than just a sweet snack and bridges into full-on dessert territory, then Josephine’s “Half-Baked Peanut Butter Cookie” is for you. The ooey-gooey peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie is serve hot (and only partially baked as the name implies) with vanilla ice cream melting on top. It’s reason enough to head to Josephine’s for a nice after-dinner treat, even if you just ate your meal somewhere else.