Trip Report: Flagstaff Fly By

Destination Worthy Pizza

Me: Ay Ron, you guys wanna grab dinner?
Ron: Sure.  Where?
Me: Pizzicletta
Ron: Uh...isn't that in Flag?
Me:Yessir! Yes it is!!

When we decided to cruise up to Flagstaff yesterday it was 113 in Phoenix and 83 in Flagstaff.  Any further questions!? I am committed to doing everything in my power to get the HELL out of here as often as possible when it's hot.  So, destination worthy pizza beconned up amongst the pines.  Just over 2 hours north, Flag is a great day trip and a better overnighter.


Lumbardyard Brewing Company:

Lumberyard Brewing Company

When we arrived I settled up to the bar with a pint of delicious Lumberyard IPA and my wife looked at me like I had 8 heads.  She rebuked me with, "It's 78 degrees outside and YOU want to sit at the bar!?"  Touché!  I promptly followed the brains (and the looks) of our family outside.  Lumberyard is especially great because while there was a wait for a table outside there is ample outside seating for people who just want a DRANK (us!). 

Lumberyard Brewing Company

  

Mother Road Brewing:

Mother Road Brewing

Intimate microbrewery with beer snob worthy beers.  Killer outdoor patio with live music. I went with a delicious Lost Highway Black IPA.  G went with a super solid Roadside American Pale.  This place needs to be in the rotation of every valley beer connoisseur.

Pizzicletta:

Pizzicletta

40 Minute wait for a 4 top at 7 on a Friday Night...Not bad!! (ergo, Mother Road pre dinner beers...it's literally next door). This tiny, charming place can, maybe sit 20 in and 10 outside...perfect!  We started with a Salumi and Formaggi plates; rotating meats and cheeses with olives and focaccia to round it out.  I'm not sure I've had more fresh nosh outside Italy...ever!  

Marinara with Sopressata

The quality of EVERYTHING was through-the-roof!  From here we moved on to some ZA!  One Margherita, One Marinara (add sopressata), and One Special (Fontana White Pizza with Ripe Fresno Chili's...Hawt Hawt Hawt!!). 

Fontana with Fresno Peppers

The inevitable comparisons to another famous Arizona Pizza Joint WILL be made by some...not me!  Let me just say that these were among the best pies any of us had ever had...anywhere...nuff said.


We opted to stay for the night.  Grabbed a room at a very new Marriott Courtyard a couple miles from downtown Flag.  Finished out the night enjoying the gorgeous 70 degree weather  and a wonderful Aroma De Cuba Cigar.  Sprinted back down the mountain this AM with zero traffic.  Spied a couple other newish restaurant that will make our next trip back up happen sooner than later.  Hungry and tired of the heat? Put a quick run to Flag on the list!

Thanks for Reading

Doc Jay

Wine Review: 2009 Robert Sinskey POV - Masterful Meritage

“Whatever course you decide upon there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires....courage.” 

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Robert Sinskey POV

A quote from the Tasting Notes for Robert Sinskey POV.  Few things are more true than these words. Life and wine are a journey.  Pick a course, explore with eyes and mind wide open, have no fear of mistakes, love what you love.  Having said this, if you love giant Napa Butter Bomb Chardonnays (Rombauer) we cannot be friends...It's not me, it's YOU!  POV stands for Point of View.  The idea is it doesn't matter what I think about this wine.  The questions is what do you think!?...it's my blog so I am going to tell you what I think anyway!!  Dark and ripe fruit, medium complexity, light to medium tannins, medium viscosity, clean finish.  I've seen this wine described as Red "Bordeaux" Blend .... INAPPROPRIATE! Bordeaux is a style of wine but more importantly it's an actual place.  The appropriate term for an American wine in the style of a Bordeaux is Meritage.  This particular Meritage is in the style of Right Bank Bordeaux (Mostly Merlot but also Cab and Cab Franc).  Any wine that is mostly Merlot is typically more "ready to go" and needs little time to allow the air to burn off the tannins.  POV is ready to go!  Still, I prefer to pop the cork and stick it in the fridge for 15 minutes to make it just right.  This is a big enough wine to stand up a hardy ribeye or pasta with red gravy and zauzige (sausage if you ain't from Philly or NY).  Retails for around $30 a bottle.  Super solid stuff.  Go git you some!

Thanks for reading!

Doc Jay

Day Trip Report: Sedona, Gears and Golf

Sedona, our neighbor city to the north. Red Rocks, Vortexes and 10-15 degrees cooler than Scottsdale. No need to twist my arm. I'm in!   

458 and 360 Spider

On this day the play was to meet Steve at Hava Java, grab a bite and then exercise our Cavallino Rampante on the drive up.  Here are some "Enzo" worthy highlights.

Sedona Golf Resort:

Sedona Golf Resort

I love golf. I've been playing a little more than a year. I am absolutely awful.   Handicap?  Think Steven Hawking. I'm a solid 120 (or more) strokes...easy. But a few times a round I can hit a shot that would make everyone's favorite Blasian golfer tip his hat. These precious few shots keep me coming back for more.  Possibly the most beautiful course in AZ is Sedona Golf Resort.  Epic views, dramatic cliff shots and only $55 for 10 holes. Situated 10 minutes off the 17, you don't even have to fight your way up the 179 to Sedona proper, just under an hour and a half (at F car speed anyway) from Scottsdale.

Enchantment Resort:

Enchantment Resort

While the food at Tii Gavo, Enchantments only lunch choice, is not earth shattering the views are a show stopper.  The food at Chi-Ah-Chi, the "fine" dinning restaurant on property, is much much better.  Another fan favorite here is their spa, Mii Amo.  Enchantment is one of the best staycation places in all of AZ. The drive back into Boynton Canyon is full of twisties to assure the "Ponies" were ridden hard and put away wet.  G and I love the place so much we got married there last September. 

G and I on our Wedding Day

After lunch, we made quick detour through Cottonwood to avoid the Sedona tourist traffic and back down the 17.  Great way to get out of the sandpit for a few hours.

Thanks for reading!

Doc Jay

Trip Report Las Vegas: Does it Count if it's on Someone Else's Dime?

Las Vegas translates to "The Meadow".  This really has nothing to do with the post but I thought it was interesting and entirely oxymoronic.  Las Vegas is all about a 3 mile strip bursting with more entertainment, dining (and debauchery) than just about any other 3 mile stretch in all the land.  I'm a fan.

This trip was a quick hit (Friday-Sunday).  Fortunate enough to go on The Phoenix Suns dime.  We have court side season tickets and they incentivise  folks to pay early with the "carrot" of a trip to Vegas for Summer League Basketball...easy enough...count me in.  It will come as no surprise that we made time to eat, drink and be merry.  Here are some "slam dunks" from this weekend:

Wynn Hotel:

Wynn

Steve Wynn is probably THE hotel trend setter in Vegas.  He did "cheese" with Mirage and later Treasure Island.  He's done opulent with Bellagio and now Wynn and Encore.  His properties, especially Bellagio and Wynn, are the gold standard for Las Vegas Luxury.  We've stayed in all manner of rooms at Wynn before and we love it.  Of late, we kick it at Aria....price an amenities are tough to beat but if I had to pick one room in Vegas to "ball out in" it'd probably be a tower suite at the Wynn.  Separate entrance, valet, lounge, pools and you don't have to walk through the casino...ball-so-hard!  Alas, this trip we had to "settle" for the standard rooms which are still very nice...perhaps made even nicer because someone else was picking up the bill (Thank you Robert Sarver).  Great common areas, elegantly decorated and solid food choices make Wynn worthy of a stay.

Cabana Pool Bar at Wynn

With Encore adding Beach Club you can get your party turned up to Hi along with 2,000 close friends with the quickness.  Been there. Done that.  I generally want a little less party than that (and I prefer my pool with less urine) so Wynn's pools will do for me.  As you move further away from the hotel the pool becomes more adult and the music gets better.  On the far side of the pools is Cabana Bar which has it's own DJ (house music all day long!) but is far from packed to the gills...chairs A plenty.

La Cave:

La Cave at Wynn

Suns hosted a happy hour here.  We had not been in a couple years and forgot how good it was.  Menu is basically all small plates, wine and beer.  Spoiled for choice here.  The Salmon Tostada and Chorizo Pizza always get got when we come thru.

Parasol Up:

Padron 1926 at Parasol Up

I've been known to enjoy a cigar and a whiskey (and a whiskey) from time to time.  Vegas is unparalleled in it's choices of comfy spaces to do so.  Parasol Up is one of my faves.  Solid whiskey offerings at reasonable prices.  They have a decent cigar selection but if at all possible BRING YOUR OWN...unless you don't mind spending 4X on an Opus X.

NBA Summer League:

Andrew Wiggins and Coach Blatt

For $25 a day you can see 7 games a day. This is crazy! If you are a hoop head (like my wife and I) you see the value in this.  No, the whole team doesn't play but the stars of tomorrow do (you'll be like that friend of yours who used to see Dave Mathews in an empty dive bar back in the day).  Plus, some of the biggest names in basketball are just there to hang out and watch.  I waited in line behind The Unibrow, Anthony Davis, for a pizza.  In addition, you are unlikely to ever see NBA players work harder in a game in your life.  Many of these guys are on the bubble.  I have never seen more guys fighting for a loose ball or diving in the stands in my life. Awesome!

Giada at The Cromwell:

Giada

I wasn't familiar with Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentiis but I am now a fan.  This place is a classic Vegas "scene" restaurant.  Big, vibrant and live room teeming with well dressed folks from far and wide.  Usually a "scene" restaurant falls way down on food.  Not the case here.  The Charred Octopus, Bucatini and Rack of Lamb were fantastic.  We also scored a table with a killer view of The Fountains at Bellagio just across the street.  Plus, they have a photo booth...how can you go wrong!?

Cheese!!

Michael Mina:

Michael Mina at Bellagio

I've been trying to get to this place for the last 10 trips to Las Vegas but something has always come up.  In five words: It Was Worth The Wait!!!  Delicately prepared, fish based menu with a great wine list (we went through two bottles of Chablis and a bottle Burgundy...both excellent).  

Chardonnay for Days

G and I  did the Signiture tasting menu.  The Caviar Parfait and Lobster Pot Pie were "slap yo mama" good. The tasting menu had a great mix of beautifully plated, delicate, well delineated flavors and comfortable, savory courses with well blended tastes and textures.  Great meal.

Caviar Parfait

Any experience is enhanced when someone else picks up the tab.  We didn't get too nuts this trip but still found ways to help fund the local economy a bit.  Vegas never disappoints with so much choice in such a small area.  We will be back again later this summer adding to our list of personal favorites.

Thanks for reading!

Doc Jay

What IS You Sippin' On!?: 5 Spirits that Keep You Coming Back For More

Shots are for people on a mission to oblivion...not my thing...at all...ever.  Now, if you want something more refined that demands to be enjoyed on the slow tip, have I got some suggestions for you!

Corrido Extra AnejoTequila:

Corrido

This is my go to tequila.  It, more than any other, is the one that has converted my friends who SWEAR they don't like tequila to tequila lovers.  Smooth with just the right amount of agave bite.  Much like my favorite whiskeys, I enjoy this big boy neat. 

Hirsch Burbon:

Hirsch

I've tried really, really hard to like Pappy Van Winkle but I just don't.  In most any year it is inelegant, starts with a nasty bite and then finishes so so. For this you get to pay $500-$1500 a bottle...no thanks.  Hirsch, however, is pretty much great no matter the year, no matter the price.  Buttery with a touch of honey, pretty much all of the Hirsch products are worthwhile.

High West Campfire:

Campfire

Imagine Hirsch and Laphroaig had a baby!  THIS is Campfire.  I am not sure what took someone so long to add  peat to bourbon but the results are fantastic.  Creamy bourbon notes that finish with just the right amount of peat bite. YES!

Remy Martin XO:

Remy XO

Tesseron Lot No. 29 is my favorite Cognac to date but, at $500 a bottle it is NOT a daily drinker...at least not for me.  Remy XO strikes the perfect "price to taste" balance.  Silky smooth to the last drop, an all time great.

Yamazaki 18:

Yamazaki

Probably my favorite Japanese Whiskey.  The 18 drinks like a Cognac.  Elegant and leggy, it goes down smooth...maybe too smooth. I cannot keep this in the house long. Neat, two finger pour...minimum! 

All of these are an acquired taste.  With the exception of the Cognac, it is appropriate to have them with a cube of ice or a splash of water.  I prefer them all neat.  In time, the acquisition of a taste for any/all of the above can be exceptionally rewarding.

Thanks for reading!

Doc Jay

Wine Review: 2012 Chateau de Campuget Rosé

Château de Campuget Rosé

Rosé is an excellent summer wine. Served fairly cold, they strike the balance between the complexity of a red with the clean refresh offered by a crisp white.  When you have a good one, they pair broadly with things like grilled salmon or even BBQ ribs.  THIS is a good one.  I used my vivino app to check it out and found what most people thought was a solid choice.  70% Syrah 30% Grenache and Sub $10 a bottle. Bam! You're welcome!  Starts crisp with light to medium fruit. Finishes long and clean.  Not a fruit/sugar bomb more typical of value Rosé.  7/10 Stars

Trip Report: LA...again...shocker.

The City of Angels will be a recurring theme.  We go a lot.  A manigagble 5-6 hour drive (depending on how law abiding I'm feeling). This trip was a little business and, as always, a lot of pleasure. Here are some highlights on this LA quick hitter:

The Andaz:

Andaz

We like WeHo. It's central location affords you access to Beverly Hills, downtown LA and it's not crazy far from the beaches.  Plus, most of our favorite shopping and dinning are close by. It's where we typically base ourselves.  Andaz was a different look for us. Our first stay at the property was driven largely by plummeting prices days before we were to arrive in LA.  The reviews were solid, the location was familiar, figured, "what the hell!?"  

Pool

The property is 4 star to 4 star plus overall. Rooms are a good size with smallish bathrooms. Common areas are modern but inviting.  Roof pool is not huge but with great views. We'd stay here again if we were discount hunting but prefer The Mondrian ( literally just across the street) and The London.  

Nobu Malibu:

Nobu

Here on official business (long story) I didn't truly have a meal (or a drink) this trip. But, Nobu is becoming the Chipotle of high end sushi places with multiple locations.  I'd have to imagine the food and drink are as solid as ever (and anywhere). What I can tell you is the view and physical space are destination worthy (day and night...I was there from 4pm-2am).  I can also tell you Leonardo Dicaprio, Silvester Stalone, and Gwen Stefani are super chill and down to earth.  It was a good night.  

Fourth of July Fireworks at Longbeach:

58' Sea Ray Sedan Bridge

Enjoyed epic views of the fireworks from a friends boat and gleaned some killer intel for return trips.  One of the best places to enjoy these fireworks ( and multiple others in the area) is from the deck of the decommissioned cruise ship The Queen Mary. 

Independence Day at The Queen Mary

By the time we ancored a few hundred yards from the QM the party on board it was already TURNT UP! Now a hotel, one gets the feeling that it is easy to find a party aboard The Queen Mary.  

Le Pain Quotidien WeHo:

Le Pain

Le Pain is a chain of French Breakfast/ Lunch joints known for fantastic breads, pastries and coffee.  Several years back, this particular location was the first one I'd ever been to.  

Raspberry Tart

We started with an excellent raspberry tart and coffees then moved into ham and gruyere sandwiches of one type or another.  The mustard trio and breads at this place really are top notch. This location enjoys a killer patio and it's almost never crazy crowded here since is is about 200 feet down Melrose from another one of our West Hollywood faves, Urth Caffe (almost always a zoo)

Urth Caffé

LA never disappoints.  We'll be back in a couple weeks checking out some new (and a couple old) restaurants which should provide even more to report on. 

Thanks for reading!

Doc Jay