Culinary Festival

West on Western 2008

http://westofwestern.com/

The festival was Saturday 3/15-Sunday 3/16

at the Phoenix Art Museum

We went on Sunday where there were about 30 tables set up from different restaurants/whole foods/chefs/culinary schools. There were also cooking demos and presentations you could go to. There was live music and we walked around the museum as well. It was a little pricey-my ticket was $67 because i got the food pass(no wine), and my sister got the kids price $22-it was also cheaper since we bought the tickets ahead of time online..I took MANY pictures, i think some of the chefs thought this was weird, aka a certain Iron Chef Champion. The festival was in the outside courtyard, on a beautiful day, and it was full but not super crowded. We go most of the food right away, with rarely a line in sight. I didn't take pictures from the demos but we went to the one from Classic Cooking with Nephi Craig and Pascal Dionot. They combine French and Native American cooking techniques at their culinary school and made a really good pork/posole soup for us. We also saw Lionel Geuskens from Trente-Cinq 35, he made shrimp croquettes, and was super adorable. At the end we saw Matt Carter from Zinc Bistro, he made squash ravioli with pancetta, a cream sauce, and scallops. There weren't many samples and my sister ran pushed her way in to make sure we got to try, it was really good. I think we tried every single sample, and we were about to pass out at the end..but it was really fun and yummy.




Simply Bread
cornbread and cranberry breads
corn was good
cranberry was eh








Don't remember where this was from,
but it was a sweet potato type blini
with pork, avocado creme, creme fraiche, pretty tassty












mmm this one was really good, fish with green lentils
and umm don't know where its fun, or what type of fish or sauce buttt it was GOOD












I remember this being good too..I really should have
written down where they were from..some of the names I didn't even know before the festival. The dish wasn't this big, this was the show platter on the table













These were both from the same place,
the first was
octopus-I just remember it being really chewy, and
the soup was a white bean with fresh shaved parmesanon top
..it was good




















This was a fresh made sausage, olives
and tomato and cauliflower.
It was ok
















I have a ton of pictures from the Kai
stand..it had cedar plank grilled
salmon, tortilla rolled cones
with creme friache and dipped in
pistachios, and the best thing-buffalo tacos!!! They were so
good with tons of different
toppings...and we got to talk to the chefs too, one is up for James
Beard award..yayz

The Enemy

Seeing as I don't currently live in Phoenix most of the time, and I am a "busy student," I thought I should name a few other Phoenix food blogs that have reviewed many more restaurants than I currently have available. Enjoy :)

Feasting in Phoenix
This website has many reviews done by a non professional..ie not a journalist and not getting paid for his labors. I think the best parts of his blog are the pictures. Honestly, the reviews, while detailed, aren't very helpful to me. I don't agree with much of what he says or annoying details he adds. Most importantly-I don't trust his judgment on food. But by all means-check it out, maybe you enjoy reading about a middle aged man who mostly eats meals at Thai restaurants with his father.

Chow Bella
Michele Laudig's blog is about a lot more than just local eateries. She talks about chefs, current food movements, restaurant developments, and I think her blog has the most "insiders dish" quality than any other. This is probably her career, and she seems familiar with the Phoenix dining seen. It is not so much reviews as it is food gossip.

Jester
This is a blog (the least updated) of an insider (not sure what he does exactly-waiter maybe?) talking about restaurants (mostly) around town. His reviews are average, usually quite long, and not plentiful.

Chow Down Phoenix
I really like this blog. It is simple, helpful, and has great photos to go along with all of the reviews. The only thing that I have to complain about, is that most of the reviews are for places in the East Valley-not so close to home. For those who live around there or are willing to drive, this blog is a good choice. It has three authors-but Jason is the head honcho. It does not contain a very diverse mix of cuisines, but go to the site and see what you think.


Where the Locals Eat
Yelp
Chowhound

These are not blogs, but an online community with groups all over the nation. Most restaurants have ratings, descriptions, and member comments, along with other basic information.

Thunda Thighs

"Check your thighs out in the mirror!And I'm done." (ANTM Cycle 9-Bianca)

Well said. Well said.

On that note..I've compared six Fast Food places (all are drive thrus) and noted the highest calorie and lowest calorie option for each. I did not include desserts, drinks, kids meals, sides, breakfasts, sauces, or salads. Without further adieu...

McDonalds
Lowest Calorie: [tie]Hamburger <100g> 250 calories 9g fat & 5 piece Chicken Nuggets <96g> 250 calories 15g fat
Highest Calorie: Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese <279g> 740 calories 42g fat

Wendys
Lowest Calorie: [tie]5 piece Chicken Nuggets <75g> 230 calories 15g fat & Jr Hamburger <98g> 230 calories 8g fat
Highest Calorie: Triple with everything and cheese <410g> 980 calories 59g fat

Taco Bell
Lowest Calorie: Crunchy Taco "Fresco" <92g> 150 calories 8g fat & Crunchy Taco Supreme "Fresco" <106g> 150 calories 8g fat
Highest Calorie: Grilled Stuft Burrito Beef <325g> 680 calories 30g fat

Chick-Fil-A
Lowest Calorie: Nuggets 8 count <113> 260 calories 13g fat
Highest Calorie: Chicken Caesar Cool Wrap <233g> 480 calories 16g fat

In-N-Out
Lowest Calorie: Hamburger <243g> 390 calories 19g fat
Highest Calorie: Double Double <330g> 670 calories 41g fat

Jack In The Box
Lowest Calorie: Chicken Fajita Pita <185g> 280 calories 9g fat
Highest Calorie: Bacon 'n' Cheese Ciabatta Burger <395g> 1120 calories 76g fat & Sirloin Bacon 'n' Cheese <422g> 1120 calories 73g fat

Sweet News

This is Going to be Insane

Even though the cupcake thing is so overdone..it is still a booming business in the valley. So, even though i haven't tried most of these places, here is a list of where to get your paws on some sweet treats

Sprinkles Cupcakes
4501 N Scottsdale Rd
(on camelback across from fashion square)
*the original shop is in Beverly Hills*
website
they have 21 unique flavors on the website and endless possibilities of decorations
($3.25 per cupcake)











Cupcakes Corner Cafe

4747 E Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
website
they have 17 cupcake varieties listed on the website
($3.00 per cupcake)

Cupcakes
6137 N. Scottsdale Road #B105
Scottsdale AZ, 85250
website
they have 7 daily cupcakes and 3 weekly cupcakes
($3.25 per cupcake)

Wicked Bakery
14848 N. Cave Creek Road
Phoenix, AZ 85032
website
they have 19 kinds on the website
but you can create your own as well
*come in mini, regular, and jumbo size ($2.75 per regular cupcake)
*there are MANY other sweet and savory treats available too










Lulu's
7607 E McDowell Road #108
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
website
7 cupcake types and a daily flavor
($2.95 per cupcake)





















Tammie Coe
4410 north 40th street
Phoenix, AZ 85018
&
610 east roosevelt #145
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Website
*voted best cupcakes 2007 by Phoenix New Times (2.50 per cupcake)
*I haven't tried her cupcakes, but I have had her chocolate hazelnut cake, while beautifully decorated, I was not impressed with the taste (but her cupcakes have recieved much praise)




Hopefully one of these establishments will satisfy your craving
p.s. load up on the pepto