Archive for the ‘Phoenix’ Category
Return of the adventure lunch: Karey’s Kitchen
“Do you still do adventure lunch?” my friend asked over drinks last night.
“It’s been awhile,” I replied.
Entirely too long, in fact. So today my husband and I tried the (relatively) new Filiipino/Mexican fusion restaurant, Karey’s Kitchen. The tiny spot sits on the corner of a strip mall at 40th Street and Thomas and consists of 3 tables and some seats along the wall.
The first thing we noticed post-entrance was the warmth. “Is this your first time?” asked the woman behind the counter and started fishing out marinated meats from several covered bins in front of her with toothpicks for us to taste. The first, Beef Caldereta was delicious and tender in a stew-like sauce. It was followed by Pork Adobo, which was also flavorful in a different, smokier way. The 2 women working behind the counter and in some cases, in the kitchen, chatted with a few of the other patrons like regulars.
Each day the restaurant has several specials which they serve with a side of white or fried rice. One item + rice is $5.50, 2 items is $5.99 and 3 is $6.99. We ordered our food (2 items each), which was ready in a matter of moments. Our meal was hearty and good, though not terribly spicy. The remedy, loads of interesting sauces: A banana sauce, which tastes a bit like sweet & sour, a sweet chili sauce, and a hot Tabasco/Sriracha blend.
There are other items on the menu as well: Egg rolls, burritos, sandwiches and noodles. They’ve recently opened for breakfast, serving omelettes and other egg dishes.
Karey’s Kitchen
4041 E. Thomas Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 955-2182
Follow them on Twitter
Order at the counter.
The small but cozy dining room.
The menu board showing the daily specials.
An array of sauces.
Vegetable Chop Suey and Chicken Sotanghon.
Pork Adobo and Chicken Curry.
Phoenix things-to-do: December 18-20
FRIDAY
A Very Merry Yucca Christmas @ Yucca Tap Room
Get festive with some local Valley bands like Dry River Yacht Club and The Liar’s Handshake. Bring a can of food for some free champagne.
Yucca Tap Room
29 W Southern Ave.
Tempe, AZ
(480) 967-4777
9 p.m.
Free.
***
Get a holiday treatment @ a local spa
From a Peppermint Pedi to the Frankincense and Neroli Wrap with Scalp Massage, the Arizona Spa Girls have compiled a list of some of the most spirited ways to spa — some at a discount.
SATURDAY
Cooking class: Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate @ Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa
This 2-hour class will uncover some of the Biltmore’s secret chocolate recipes like the Yule Log, chocolate souffles and a flourless chocolate cake. Check out this class — or other cooking classes and wine tastings through the end of the year.
Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa
2400 E. Missouri Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(800) 950-0086
$45
SUNDAY
Free nutrition class @ Sutra Midtown Yoga
An introduction to a 4-part series on nutrition coming in the new year, Dr. Krystal N. Tellier, a naturopathic physician will discuss nutrition basics.
Sutra Midtown Yoga
2317 N. 7th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 253-9525
4-5 p.m.
***
Bob Meighan, Norm Pratt & Dick Furlow @ Duck and Decanter
Sit on the patio with a bottle of wine and a fruit and cheese plate and enjoy the folksy tunes.
Duck & Decanter
1651 E Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 274-5429
1 – 4 p.m.
Two Hippies can open a lot of restaurants
Yet another member of the Two Hippies family opened on Friday, this one located at 7th Street/Cave Creek/Dunlap area.
Like the other joints in the Two Hippies empire, this one will offer a variety of fare (pizza, tacos, hot dogs) at reasonable prices in an eclectic atmosphere.
Phoenix things-to-do: December 11-13
FRIDAY
A Silent Night of Laughs @ Madcap Theaters
One of my favorite people and 3 of his friends are behind this night o’ stand up comedy. Let New York comedy crew Team Submarine, plus AZ’s own Cristin Davis & Greg Freiler put the “ha” in your holiday festivities.
Madcap Theaters
730 S Mill Ave
Tempe, AZ 85281-4250
(480) 634-51928 p.m.
$10 at the door. RSVP to save your seat.
SATURDAY
Grandevelt Mini Swap @ Trunk Space
Find more arts and crafting goodness with local DIY artists and designers at this mini swap meet. If that’s not enough, there’s also food, drinks, music AND you’re supporting a cool local event.
Trunk Space
1506 NW Grand Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
***
Phoenix Tequila Fest @ US Airways Center
Listen to music and sip delicious tequila from as many of the 20 local and national vendors as your tolerance can handle.
US Airways Center
201 E. Jefferson St.
Phoenix, AZ
12 – 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 – 5 p.m. Sunday
$35 per day
SUNDAY
Up in the Air
Wind down the weekend with Clooney’s newest buzzed about film.
Check for theaters and showtimes
***
Muddy Buddy Ride & Run @ McDowell Mountain Park
Find a friend and buddy up for this unique run/bike race. Run a mile, do an obstacle. Bike a mile, do another. Eventually you and your partner will do the final mud-crawl together. Sound fun? Register now.
McDowell Mountain Park
16300 N. McDowell Mountain Park Dr
Scottsdale, AZ
8 a.m. start time
$150 per team plus $6 parking fee
***
Las Noches de las Luminarias @ Desert Botantical Garden
Bundle up and partake in a southwestern tradition. Wander desert garden paths lit by luminarias, sip spiked hot chocolate, listen to local bands, and leave with the holiday spirit.
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Pkwy
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Tickets are $25 for adults, $12.50 for children
Seeing how other people live
Over the weekend my husband and I visited a portion of the Tour de Coops tour, which felt like sanctioned backyard crashing. Sure we looked at people’s coops, but we also saw their vegetable gardens, outdoor dining spaces and home projects in progress. Fascinating!
Below are some chicken-centric photos from the tour:
There’s another opportunity to do something similar next year; The Real Gardens for Real People Garden tour.
Visit 6 Master Gardeners’ homes and a school to view how they use xeriscaping, permaculture, water harvesting and more to beautify their yards. Listen to garden experts talk about raising chickens, growing herbs, saving water, etc. And find out the names of the plants you love.
Phoenix things-to-do: December 4-6
FRIDAY
3rd Annual Indie Crafeteria @ Frances & Smeeks
30 local artists show off their gift-able wares in the Frances/Stinkweeks/Red Hot Robot/Smeeks parking lot. Peruse the jewelry, stationery and other hand-made items, then peek in the stores.
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
10 W. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ
****
1st Annual Gut-Check Worst Film Festival @ Mapcap Theaters
Join the Midnight Movie Mamacita for a night of horrible film-making starting with “Night of the Chihuahuas and ending with “Return to Yucca Flats” with a couple more in there for good (or bad) measure.
7 p.m.
Madcap Theaters
730 S. Mill
Tempe, AZ 85281
$20
Buy tickets online
SATURDAY
Composting for Beginners with Kellie Gutridge @ Baker Nursery
Learn how to use your kitchen and yard scraps to enrich your garden soil.
Baker Nursery
3414 N 40th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
9 – 10:30 a.m.
Suggested Donation $10
***
Tour de Coops
Interested in having chickens of your very own? Take the self-guided tour of Valley urban chicken coops and view over a dozen setups around town.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Buy tickets online and take your print-out to one of several starting locations.
$10 tickets available online or at the Phoenix Public Market Store
****
Indie Chic @ 10th Street — Mill Ave & 10th Street
Indie Chic @ 10th Street is an alternative craft fair featuring handmade items. It ain’t your granny’s craft fair. A range of arts and crafts will be for sale and just in time for holiday shopping! Take a look at participating vendors.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
ASU Art Museum
Southeast corner of 10th & Mill
Free
***
APS Electric Light Parade on Central
This parade is MY official start of the holiday season. This year, the theme is “going green.” LED lights? We shall see…
The parade travels along Central Avenue from Montebello to Camelback, east on Camelback to 7th Street, 7th Street south Indian School.
7 p.m. rain or shine
SUNDAY
Passion Pit and White Rabbits @ The Clubhouse
Indie band Passion Pit had a lot of hype behind it…so it’s no wonder that this show is sold out. If you can get tickets…it should be a good one.
The Clubhouse
1320 E Broadway Rd.
Tempe, AZ
7:30 p.m.
$10
Kabobs are indeed, Tasty
Visited Tasty Kabob for Sunday sandwiches over the weekend.
New candy at Smeeks
Our favorite new candy/gift store has recently added a line of candies with the Smeeks brand.
Candy necklaces, black licorice, lemon drops and a host of other sweet favorites are now available under the Smeeks moniker. Check out the display…
Visit Smeeks at 14 W. Camelback Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85013-2568
(602) 279-0538
Phoenix things-to-do: November 20-22
Sorry for the delay! Without further ado…things to do this weekend!
FRIDAY
The Graduate @ Biltmore Fashion Park
While you might want to see New Moon, it’s going to be way easier to find space on the Biltmore lawn for a free movie.
Biltmore Fashion Park
2502 E. Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ, 85018
(602) 955-8400
SATURDAY
Some Like it Hot @ Phoenix Art Museum
Enjoy Marilyn Monroe/Tony Curtis/Jack Lemmon classic Some Like it Hot in celebration of the Museum’s 50th anniversary.
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
1 p.m.
Price included with admission ($10 for adults)
2nd annual Indie Bowl @ The Sunset Bowl
Celebrate Phoenix’s independent businesses while listening to local independent bands.
Sunset Bowl
8925 N 12th Street (at Dunlap)
Phoenix, AZ
Get directions
SUNDAY
The Kickback @ Padre’s
Spend Sunday afternoons resting the weekend and preparing for the work week listening to good music and enjoying some Mexican fare.
Padre’s
1044 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ
Get a sneak peek at New Moon…and a dinner
I’ve heard that tickets to the New Moon opening November 20 are totally sold out and have been for ages.
“I know someone who bought tickets for herself and her kids at the beginning of the summer,” my friend told me over lunch.
I didn’t even know you could DO that!
For those Twi-heads who are also behind on their planning, Biltmore has come to your rescue!
You can buy tickets for $45 that include:
- A three course dinner at The Capital Grille, Cheesecake Factory, Sam’s Cafe, Steamers or True Food
- 1 ticket to a pre-screening of New Moon at 8:30 on November 19.
NOVEMBER 19! One day BEFORE it opens!
Visit shopbiltmore.com to buy your ticket to a delicious dinner and opportunity to see Edward & Bella in all their glittery/brooding loveliness.
