Trip Report: Flagstaff...Again...Sue Me!

We snuck up again.  Why?  Cause there's a TON to do up there and it's still HELL HOT in Scottsdale.
When it's 100 degrees out before 10:00 AM you need to reassess your options.  We love to be outside.  We hike, we mountain and road bike we take leasurly post dinner strolls.  When I arrived home from work at 3pm it was 113...none of these are possible at 113 so Flagstaff here we come:

Tinder Box:

Tinder Box

Not even on my radar at all.  We got last minute beta on this place from a friend and Flag local.  Glad we did.  Fun menu and well executed menu with a four course tasting menu option. I cannot lie, we were skeptical at the start.  I mean, it's Flagstaff.  How good could it be!?  My arrogance not withstanding, it was fantastic!

The Start at Tinder Box

One of the most fun, beautifully plated and perfectly prepared menus we've had in the whole damn state! We started with a trio of bite sized apps which included a stand out olive tapenade and a portion of pork belly.  The seafood course featured a perfectly prepared scallop and lobster tail.  We moved on to a nice veal preparation and finished with a dessert trio with a killer creme brûlée, a brownie and a fritter with blue berries.  Everything was between good and excellent.  All of this for $50 a person and $25 for wine parings.  Wines were mostly fun colorado wines.  All were solid.  The standout was a killer Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine from Scarpetta.  We love their Pinot Grigio.  Outstanding meal and maybe best of all, we enjoyed it outside!

Heritage Square:

Heritage Square Downtown Flagstaff

We were walking by, post dinner, when we here the unmistakable sound of Salsa.  As we get closer we realize people are dancing.  This is when it is VERY nice to be married to professional ball room dancer.  One song salsa the next swing, then repeat.  We danced for a solid hour...outside...in July!!!  Awesome!!


Elden Lookout Hike:

The view near the top of Elden Lookout Trail

If you try to get your outdoor workout on in Scottsdale after 9am in the summer you risk heatstroke and/or death.  In Flag, you can start your hike pretty much anytime and you're all good.  We parked at the Ranger Station and started our way up the steep Elden Look Out Trail.  Great hike that gets Camelback steep toward the top.  The altitude is NO JOKE either.  We made it 3/4 of the way and had to bail because of time constraints.  Stunning views and a great workout.  On the way down, near the bottom, got caught in a fantastic afternoon monsoon complete with hail!  Absolutely spectacular.

Our very wet 458 Italia

Quick, rainy drive back down the mountain had us back to Scottsdale in two hours.  This trip only made us want to get back up there sooner.  Maybe next week?

Thanks for reading!

Doc Jay

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