Nikki's Restaurant Reviews BLOG

April 2008
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March 2008 Archives


Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila

12:35 PM Fri, Mar 14, 2008 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

If you're looking for a good time Southwest-style, check out this funky, concrete-floored cantina, decorated with kitschy Mexican art. As the name suggests, it specializes in tacos and tequila, offering 13 varieties of the former and 100 varieties of the latter, all premium tequilas made from 100% agave (lesser tequilas contain only 51%). As you might imagine, Cien Agaves whips up some mean margaritas, using fresh lime juice, real prickly pear...



Urban Tea Loft

11:48 AM Fri, Mar 14, 2008 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

11 West Boston Street, Chandler
480-786-9600

Owner Glynis LeGrand — a breast cancer survivor who got interested in green tea for its restorative properties — really knows tea. In fact, she holds the highest level of certification for tea and talks tea talk in much the same way that a sommelier discusses wine. But there's nothing snooty or condescending about her adorable restaurant and tea shop, housed in an historic building wit...



Happy Birthday To You!

4:17 PM Mon, Mar 03, 2008 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

Bloom
8877 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
480-922-5666

Roaring Fork
4800 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
480-947-0795

Rancho de Tia Rosa
3129 E. McKellips Road, Mesa
480-659-8787


Ah, there's nothing like getting the full restaurant monty on your birthday: the singing off-key, the clapping, the utter embarrassment. Well, here are three places that do things a little differently. ...



Aiello's Fine Italian Dining

3:14 PM Mon, Mar 03, 2008 |
Nikki Buchanan, Restaurant Critic

5202 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix
602-277-8700

Although I've found hits and misses at this upscale neighborhood Italian restaurant, I'm making it a Nikki's Pick for one simple reason: when Aiello's is good, it's really good. The house-made focaccia, served with herbed butter, is one stellar example of what this place can do; the spaghetti and meatballs is another. Native New Yorker Joe Aiello uses his mother's recipe for his miracu...