Simple stripmall decor belies the exotic flavors of South America. Of the many specialty beverages they serve, visitors over 21 MUST try the Pisco Sour. It's somewhat like a foamy margarita - made from a regional liquor, lemon juice, Angostura bitters, and egg whites... delicious. Good enough, alone, to make the trip, but the whitefish ceviche and the prices make it worthwhile for a repeat.
Unfortunately, El Farol is alone in this neighborhood's ethnic flavor. This particular part of East Phoenix isn't exactly up-and-coming for real estate or night life, but it does have its perks. It quietly sits on the edge of Scottsdale, close to the several recreational park systems and views the south side of Camelback and Mummy Mountains. Hopefully people with long term interest in this area will take notice of the amenities and embrace a future here.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Breadfruit
The restaurant pick of the week was the Jamaican, Breadfruit, in downtown Phoenix. There are several vegan items and I think just about anyone would love to try this, but beware of the 'jerk' if you don't like spice. Another 'must go again soon' because I wanted to eat everything on the menu. Each dish is light, diverse in flavor and texture, and just indescribably good. Great selection of drinks to sample... fresh carrot juice and a rum-spiced hibiscus-jicama-ginger. I never thought I'd love cooked avacado, but the way it mingled with the plantain and mango chutney was magical. That's right, I said it... magic!
It's great to see more diverse cuisine popping up in the downtown area, especially a "destination" restaurant like The Breadfruit, which I would drive out of my way to get. It's out of the way of the busiest parts of downtown, so parking shouldn't be a problem even during a baseball game, but close enough that someone could pop in for a bite to eat, then hop on the lightrail. It's definitely a great addition to this ever-developing area.
It's great to see more diverse cuisine popping up in the downtown area, especially a "destination" restaurant like The Breadfruit, which I would drive out of my way to get. It's out of the way of the busiest parts of downtown, so parking shouldn't be a problem even during a baseball game, but close enough that someone could pop in for a bite to eat, then hop on the lightrail. It's definitely a great addition to this ever-developing area.
Asis Es La Vida
I asked a non-native but long time resident of Phoenix what he thought the local architecture should reflect. “Outdoor living,” he said. “Nowhere else in the U.S. can you live outside eight, nine months of the year.” Perhaps exaggerated a couple months for my level of comfort, but he had a good point. Cloudless skies and intense sunlight give the perfect mental boost to draw one out into the elements, or at least glued to a great view behind some well insulated glass.
Usually when thinking about building in the Southwest, daunting design challenges arise. Heat, dust, and sun damage are battled almost all year long and significantly affect outdoor comfort. Far beyond the typical covered patio, the quality of the outdoor experience and time of year in which it can be enjoyed is continually improving, and many commercial ventures have found great solutions for the climate.
My favorite restaurants and hang-outs have great outdoor areas. Enhanced by landscaping appropriate for the region or theme, these designs maintain a close visual or functional connection with the interior of the structure. Fully disappearing walls of glazing are becoming increasingly more common, making interior rooms feel like the patio when fresh air and natural light is available from multiple sides. Even out of direct sun or the path of a breeze, these interiors are designed to feel open, relaxed, and connected to one’s surroundings.
Well designed outdoor space reflects the leisurely lifestyle the Southwest boasts. Perhaps not nine months out of the year for most people, but the local climate is definitely something to be taken advantage of, in its natural state, as often as possible. Anyone can put up an umbrella table on a concrete slab and call it outdoor seating, but the best outdoor atmospheres function as part of the whole.
Usually when thinking about building in the Southwest, daunting design challenges arise. Heat, dust, and sun damage are battled almost all year long and significantly affect outdoor comfort. Far beyond the typical covered patio, the quality of the outdoor experience and time of year in which it can be enjoyed is continually improving, and many commercial ventures have found great solutions for the climate.
My favorite restaurants and hang-outs have great outdoor areas. Enhanced by landscaping appropriate for the region or theme, these designs maintain a close visual or functional connection with the interior of the structure. Fully disappearing walls of glazing are becoming increasingly more common, making interior rooms feel like the patio when fresh air and natural light is available from multiple sides. Even out of direct sun or the path of a breeze, these interiors are designed to feel open, relaxed, and connected to one’s surroundings.
Well designed outdoor space reflects the leisurely lifestyle the Southwest boasts. Perhaps not nine months out of the year for most people, but the local climate is definitely something to be taken advantage of, in its natural state, as often as possible. Anyone can put up an umbrella table on a concrete slab and call it outdoor seating, but the best outdoor atmospheres function as part of the whole.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Changing Hand's Bookstore
The layout of the old Mill Avenue store was amazing... 3 different rooms and a mezzanine with lots of places to curl up and flip through photos of cats painting. In high school I used to ride the bus from North Phoenix and check out the earings and lime-green Doc Martens in the store behind it. Though Changing Hands was always the headliner.
I was naive to believe all bookstores were this cool. It was rare to see one outside of a mall, and though Bookman's was quite large and also bought and sold used books, Changing Hands had it when it came to atmosphere. Unfortunately, my little book haven was hit with a rent increase which moved it to a strip mall several miles south of the university.Tragedy? No. It's been about eight years, but I'm slowly warming up to the new location. What's missing are the little corners to curl up in, the railing to peer over to find my companions, the gobs and gobs of stationary, pins and gifts sprinkled throughout the store like a bizarre treasure hunt... Yes, it was THAT good. The commercial chains could never compare.
I was naive to believe all bookstores were this cool. It was rare to see one outside of a mall, and though Bookman's was quite large and also bought and sold used books, Changing Hands had it when it came to atmosphere. Unfortunately, my little book haven was hit with a rent increase which moved it to a strip mall several miles south of the university.Tragedy? No. It's been about eight years, but I'm slowly warming up to the new location. What's missing are the little corners to curl up in, the railing to peer over to find my companions, the gobs and gobs of stationary, pins and gifts sprinkled throughout the store like a bizarre treasure hunt... Yes, it was THAT good. The commercial chains could never compare.
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