Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during July!
Not only are these reminders of the dishes we ate, but they can also be a guide for your own decisions on what to eat here in Tucson.
The pan con tomate at La Esquina was so dang tasty. The bread was delightfully toasted, the tomate was jammy and savory. The entire bite with the anchovy was really refreshing. Anyways, great light bites at La Esquina.
For more information, visit laesquinatucson.com.
My mouth is watering thinking about this trio of tacos at Casa Del Rio that are on their Tiki Thursday menu. I chose the Red Chile Street Taco, the Taco Dorado, and Luau Street Taco which was served with pineapple and melted cheese like a quesabirria. The tacos were $3-4ea which left me with plenty of budget to order a couple of tiki cocktails.
For more information, visit cdrtucson.com.
The vodka pasta at Penelope, like everything else on their menu, is prepared exquisitely. I ordered mine with meatballs for some extra protein. But talk about an al dente delight.
For more information, visit penelopepizza.com.
The Brava at Pronghorn Pizza at Sonoita paired with the canned rose. Woweeee! What a perfect way to unwind after some wine tasting. I added some roe to mine because I didn’t want to splurge for caviar but I wanted some umami – such a good decision!
For more information, visit pronghorn.pizza.
I had some Vera Earl tenderloin carpaccio + other delicious cuts of meat at a recent wine dinner of theirs and I’ve gotta say, the quality that Vera Earl puts out, is just truly unlike anything else. Whenever we go to Sonoita, we make a mental note to bring a cooler so we can stock up on a few goodies at their shop. Plus, as someone who appreciates the care and love that goes into raising livestock, I’m such a fan of all the work the Vera Earl puts into that.
For more information, visit vepremiumbeef.com.
I didn’t get a photo of my coconut margarita, but look at how cute the tiki set up is at Royal Room on Wednesdays. The coconut margarita is technically an off menu item, but I’m sure Xena would happily whip one up if you asked nicely, but their Tiki menu is definitely worth going through and ordering… I don’t know, like one of each.
For more information, visit theroyalroomtucson.com.
The tofu in the Sizzling Garlic Noodles at Noodleholics is consistently cooked to perfection, with a perfectly balanced spice level. It’s super garlicky in all the right ways. If your date won’t kiss you after, he’s not the one.
For more information, visit noodleholics.com.
I always take forever deciding between Zayna’s cauliflower sandwich and the falafel sandwich because both are so good. On my latest visit, I went with the cauliflower sandwich with a side salad, grape leaves, and two extra vegan garlic sauces.
For more information, visit zaynamediterranean.com.
I love Seasons Eats. I’ve been back again and again lately, and the Tofu Summer Rolls, Thai Tea with coconut milk, and green or red curry are always my go-tos.
I always order the seasonal aguachile when visiting Tito & Pep. Lush amberjack sits under a bright, lightly fruity sauce. The menu crudo highlights sea bass with a soy and sesame-fragrant sauce.
For more information, visit titoandpep.com.
I’m normally just an espresso or cortado sort of guy, but will make my way through Presta’s seasonal drinks upon release. This month, the Sonorange caught my attention with its blood orange, rose, and black pepper. Subtle and balanced. My favorite seasonal drink of theirs so far.
For more information, visit prestacoffee.com.
Start with the classic pisco sour. Offal appreciators can order the beefy corazón anticuchos, skewers of heart with a light, verdant anticuchera sauce. Then delve into raw fish territory with the sashimi-like tiradito.
Visit during one of their regularly hosted ceviche festivals with a larger variety of ceviches. I ended up choosing the green one, but above is an old photo from around the time they first opened for another ceviche; the ceviche mixto clasico on their current menu is the closest thing.
For more information, visit villaperutucson.com.
Fresh off their recent award as one of the 50 best pizzas in the U.S., they’ve had some of their busiest nights in their history. I enjoy everything I eat there, and I haven’t had the same thing twice yet. I enjoy their pizza the most fresh out of the oven with a generous grating of parm.
Here’s some more of their menu:
For more information, visit penelopepizza.com.
I took the photo above seven years ago from my first visit. Some friends were craving the lemongrass spicy funk of bun bo hue, so we returned. We also shared some seafoody bun rieu and some coconutty crispy banh xeo.
For more information, visit phocanthotucson.com.
I’m not bourgeois enough enough to buy caviar more than once every five years, but I was looking for an excuse to enjoy their thick, hearty house-made chips. Click here for the rest of the treats that visit.
For more information, visit sonoranhouse.com.
While I generally go to La Esquina specifically for wine or amari, I was recently enamored by their open-faced sandwich with garlicky fresh tomato, creamy burrata, and salty umami bombs of anchovies. Although balanced overall, I was especially impressed by the slice of bread; quality Barrio Bread toasted with a delicate crunch and still-moist interior. I had to tell the chef how much I loved how he toasted the bread.
For more information, visit laesquinatucson.com.
Chef Michael Elefante invited me over to check out some new cocktails and menu additions. I’ll show them below, but their Calabrian Gnocchi, which has been on the menu a decent while now, ended up being my favorite with its bite-sized morsels of varying textures and flavors. And although I’m not keen on sweeter cocktails, the Tiramisu Espresso Martini hit a lovely balance of indulgent with bitter.
While judging Iron Chef Tucson, chef McKenzie O’Leary whipped up a dessert using the secret ingredient: Andouille sausage. McKenzie, if you’re reading this, I hope you add it to a menu over there.
The duck fat and Andouille complemented the sweet fritters in a way that a maple bacon donut wishes it could. I opened my eyes wider and raised my eyebrows in surprise after the first bite; I didn’t expect to love this course so much.
For more information, visit tanqueverderanch.com.
Been craving this dish for weeks… the Cast Iron Baked Eggs at The Cup.
For some reason, it took a while to get Downtown, but as Etta James says, “At laaaast….”
Served in a petite cast iron pan, two poached eggs, lots of ham bites, shallots, and leeks are topped with a gooey gruyere cheese crème, are then baked to a golden brown. A cup of tender, baby roasted potatoes are on the side. (Honestly, these taters could almost be a standalone meal.) I choose sour dough toast over the wheat toast or English muffin.
Yum! Sigh! Ahhh!
I confess, I ate every bit of the eggs and most of the potatoes. I took the rest home for later.
The Cup has always been one of my favorite places for breakfast or lunch. A Tucson icon; it truly is the heart of Hotel Congress.
For more information, visit hotelcongress.com.
This is the “blaster” at The National. It’s got jamaica, ginger, orange and some sort of unknown “energy” (I didn’t ask). I found it super refreshing. I had it with breakfast. Definitely give it a stir.
For more information, visit thenationaltucson.com.
I had the blue corn tamale at the Garden Bistro at Tohono Chul for lunch. Tasted so good I forgot I was eating in a hummingbird garden.
For more information, visit tohonochul.org.
Next time you’re in Santa Fe, stop by Izanami, the restaurant inside Ten Thousand Waves. Some of the best Japanese food in the southwest. The only thing I snapped a photo of was this dessert with matcha and yuzu. The menu rotates almost weekly so this is no longer on the menu, but something similar to it will be. So pretty and so delicious!
For more information, visit tenthousandwaves.com.
I get something from Sweet Rolls every time I see them anywhere. This is Reese’s peanut butter cup and Oreo – the combination I just can’t not order every time.
Keep up with Sweet Rolls & More on Instagram.
Along with the Okra Do-Pyaza and the Navratan Korma (both veggie), I sprang for America’s favorite Chicken Tikka Masala and was not disappointed. Big flavors and I loved the rich red color.
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