Aloha Kitchen

2950 S Alma School Rd Ste 12 
Mesa, AZ 85210

Companion and I decided to drop in for a Hawaiian dinner. This is a small place that has been in the same place for many years. It has changed little over the years.

The menu is somewhat extensive and varied and has a fair amount of foods that you might get in a typical Hawaiian place on the big island.

Companion ordered the tempura shrimp and teriyaki chicken plate.

I ordered the fried shrimp and teriyaki chicken plate. As in the islands, plates come with 2 scoops of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. 

Companion's tempura shrimp were very large and came with a dipping sauce while the chicken was all dark meat and had a small amount of teriyaki sauce on it.

My plate came with 5 decent sized fried shrimp (not all breading) and a dipping sauce for it also. As we both prefer dark meat chicken, that was a plus for us as it was nicely cooked and quite juicy.

Drinks were typical soft drinks though one could also choose from an assortment of island sodas and juices.

All orders are served on foam plates with plastic dinnerware.

Unfortunately, sanitation is not their forté. Not only does the health department not like their food handing, but to be honest, neither do I. The girls at the counter who also handle plates of food need training on how to handle food and sanitation. While we were there the girl with the black hair was observed to place her bare hands inside her pants and onto her butt cheeks. She then proceeded to remove them and serve food to another customer. This is a major violation of health code.

4 stars for decent food and nice portions, but deducting 1 star for poor sanitation.

Cholla Prime Steakhouse eval #2

We had reservations for 5:30 and were seated immediately. We were brought a basket of house baked bread and an amuse of a piece of steak.

Our meal began with an appetizer of slow smoked pork belly with a maple, honey and brown sugar glaze. As with the last time, it was excellent.

Between courses we were brought small glasses with a ball of raspberry sherbert as a palate cleanser.

Companion ordered the New York Strip Steak medium with sauteed mushrooms and garlic mashed potatoes. It was pronounced delicious. 

For myself, I ordered the rib steak (which was perfectly cooked), sauteed spinach w/garlic, and to share at the table a fresh off the cob corn casserole in a fennel cream and onion sauce which is to die for.

Topping off the meal was a chocolate cake with caramel sauce for companion and a creme brulee for myself along with a glass of  Grahams Port to wash it all down.

What an excellent dinner this was. If anything, the food has gotten even better since  my last review.

5 stars for excellent food, good service, good cleanliness.

Cocina Madrigal

Cocina Madrigal
4044 S 16th St 
Phoenix, AZ 85040

Companion and I had an early dinner here. We made reservations for 4:00 and when we arrived we managed to get the only parking space still free. Our reservation time was honored and we were seated immediately.

We were brought chips and dips right away and the salsa was so good i took a pint of it home with me. We also tried the habanero salsa which was well made and almost fruity in flavor but not in heat. This was the start of a really good meal.

Because we were driving, companion ordered a virgin margarita. This was the first one and was followed by another.

We ordered our main courses. Companion ordered the Al Pastor Tacos. While they are really good, next time companion will order them as lettuce cups to keep down the carbs.

For myself, I ordered the Al Pastor Burrito. I have seen babies that were smaller than my burrito! It was absolutely delicious but I could not finish it and took half of it home. While the rice was nothing exceptional the beans were first rate - toothy and with nice flavor and a sprinkle of cotija cheese on top.

Service was first rate. As a person who has reviewed restaurants around the world, I am used to good service, but this was truly exceptional. Servers literally ran from table to table taking care of customers. Our server Gabriella was fantastic. She was right there with anything we needed. I should mention that our food came out from the kitchen beautifully hot. It was obvious that it had just been made and was not sitting under heat lamps.

5 stars for outstanding food and service. Highly recommended.

Harlows Cafe

1021 W University

Tempe, 85281

Companion and I went for breakfast at Harlows Cafe early one morning and were surprised to find that it was packed. I've been in many other places for breakfast and they don't usually get so full at opening time, but this was an exception.

After perusing the menu, our wait person took our order. 

We started with cups of steaming hot delicious coffee. Everyone serves coffee, and a lot of it is bitter and poor, but this was really good. In addition, without having to ask for it we also were brought glasses of ice water.

Companion ordered a "short stack" of blueberry pancakes. I place it in quotes because their short stack was bigger than many regular stacks that have been served to me. It came with a cruette of maple syrup.

To say that these were terrific is an understatement. Loads of  big blueberries in a nice matrix of pancake.

Companion was not able to finish the plate!

I ordered Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast, alias SOS. It has been many years since I last had it and to be honest, this brought back memories of when I was a lot younger. Slightly salty in a nice cream sauce served over slices of toast with hash browns I almost had tears in my eyes.

The decoration of the place is very old fashioned with wood paneling on the walls and old time pictures hanging. Looking around at the others eating, revealed lots of people over 40 scarfing down big breakfasts. As soon as someone got up from their table, it was bussed, reset and another person sat down to enjoy a great breakfast.

Companion and I will be back again to try other items on the menu. This could easily become one of my favorite places to eat at.

Cleanliness was apparent and service was very good.

5 stars for excellent food, good service, and cleanliness.

 The Henry
4455 E Camelback
Phoenix, AZ  85018

Companion and I had reservations for 5:30. We were seated promptly in an area were I could watch the expeditor as well as most of the cooking and prep. 

Our wait person arrived fairly quickly and brought menus. Instead of bringing both a regular menu and a Restaurant Week menu she had to be asked for a Restaurant Week menu. 

Except for main dishes companion and I both ordered the same food. We started out with the Caesar Salad. Probably one of the worst interpretations of a Caesar Salad I have ever forced myself to eat. Barely dressed, the salad was dry and covered with a mountain of grated parmesan cheese that reminded me of Kraft! It would have been a whole lot nicer if it had some shaved parm on top and some actual dressing on the salad. The croutons were the best part of the salad.

For main courses, companion had the Bolognese, which was quite adequate. Personally I'd have liked a bit of tomato in it, but that is personal preference. The penne pasta was properly al dente. Companion could not finish the entire bowl that was served.

I had the Korean Skirt Steak. I had asked for it to be blue, but our waitress had no idea what I was asking for and I had to teach her. Not my job, but someone had to do it! The steak was cooked perfectly and had good flavor. It was served of a delicious fried rice medley.  I was barely able to finish the portion.

Next was dessert. We both ordered the bread pudding made with Warm Croissant bread, caramel ice cream and whiskey raisin sauce. I'd return if for no other reason than to have the dessert again. 

Sanitation was apparent. Silverware and dishes were spotless with a person inspecting each piece and wiping it by hand. Very nice.

Dings: This is yet another restaurant that serves serrated knives with steak. All they do is tear the fibers of the steak instead of cleanly cutting it.

The open kitchen concept as well as the brigade was interesting, but  I certainly did not enjoy seeing into their spice pantry which had a curtain to block it off but someone was too lazy to pull it. Restaurateurs need to be aware of things like this and have them taken care of. Patrons really don't want to see the back of house. 

I find myself on the edge between 3 and 4 stars. When that happens I will always give the higher star rating in the hopes that when I return for a second eval, which I will, that they will show that they deserve the higher rating.

4 stars

Cholla Prime Steakhouse

524 N 92nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85256

Companion and I had reservations for dinner at 5:30. Upon our arrival our waitress tried to seat us at a small table for two. Upon asking for a regular four top she quipped that we would have to leave by 7:00 because the table had a reservation for that time. We assured her that we would leave by then. Foodnote: When we left more than half the tables were still empty!

Our busser quickly brought out a nice basket of assorted breads including a wonderful whole grain cranberry walnut? bread along with sweet butter and pesto. We were off to a good start.

We shared a starter of Maple and Honey Glazed Pork Belly which was wonderful.

House Caesar Salads were next and were ice cold and served with shaved Parmesan cheese on top. Very good.

We were next brought a strawberry sherbet palate cleanser, which was delicious and reminded me of dining at Jean-Georges in New York by MOMA.

For the main course, we shared a huge (32 oz) Porterhouse Steak which was perfectly medium rare and came with a cup of Demi and a cup of Bearnaise Sauce. The Bearnaise was one of the few dings in the meal, as it had little flavor and nary a tarragon flavor to be found. The Demi was a nice touch and graced the top of the steak nicely.

We opted to purchase the Prime Sides, one of which was Lobster Mashed Potatoes which had nice chunks of lobster along with (I think) parmesan cheese. It was excellent.

The other Prime Side was the Sweet Corn Casserole which I could have eaten all night and into the next day. It was fresh and devine!

Desserts were a weak area with a limited menu. Companion ordered the Chocolate Caramel Bar, and left most of it on the plate.

I ordered the Crème Brulee which was properly made and literally covered in assorted fresh berries which I shared with companion.

A glass of Grahams finished off the dinner.

The table was bussed as needed and everything was immaculately clean.

5 stars for excellent food, reasonable prices, and a good busser that deserves a raise.

Andreoli's Italian Grocer

8880 E Via Linda 
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

We went to Andreoli's for lunch today and as far as I am concerned, I had lunch in Calabria! Only thing missing was a bocce ball court.
The place is small, but it is made up for with the food and wonderful service.
I ordered a Porchetta Sandwich and companion ordered an Antipasto Plate. We were given a nice table in the middle of the room, and shortly after sitting down next to a large party all speaking Italian, we were brought a small but exceedingly delicious basket of bread and some nice olive oil to dip it in. Mind you that I have eaten in Italian restaurants all around the world, and a lot of them don't even think of giving you a bread basket.
The Porchetta was perfect, and came on a homemade Italian Bread petite loaf that was divine. Also on the plate as a lovely fresh green salad which had  oak leaf, red leaf, arugula, and other greens with a very homemade oil and vinegar dressing that was perfect.
Companions plate was a beautiful combination of several assorted meats and cheeses as well as a number of other items and was pronounced delicious.
The restaurant is stocked with true Italian products, as they are just about all written with Italian instructions! Hard to find items such as small buckets of Lupini beans and Anchovies in hot spices as well as many types of pastas adorn the shelves. They also carry a number of fresh made and frozen pastas which are made on the premises. Among items in the cold cases were homemade Coppa as well as homemade Pancetta. Among the dessert case are wonderful cakes including a magnificent Pistachio cake like no other that I have ever seen.
While the decor is not the most romantic, it is more than made up for with the wonderful food and the excellent service. Sanitation was excellent with tables being bussed as soon as the diners left.
I want to go back as soon as tomorrow to try some of the other items they make such as their Pasta dishes with homemade sauces, and their legendary Pizza. I'd also like to try their Carpaccio as well as their fresh made Burrata.
The easiest 5 stars I have ever given out!

I'm almost afraid to post this review because I'd love to keep this place quiet and all to myself.