Restaurants alive in Phoenix

Here are some of my notes on the local eateries that I am keeping track of around Phoenix:

1. Thai Elephant - I went here for the first time last week and I really enjoyed the food. It was authentic and delicious, if not a little too heavy on the sauces. And the service could have not been any more enthusiastic. It was like the head Thai cheerleader took some time out of her busy schedule to let me know how psyched she was about me ordering from Thai Elephant. And I like that. So, I would return. The restaurant is not too far from my place...and they have a cool website - see here: http://www.thaielephantaz.com/

2. Chipolte - at 16th st and Camelback. I have to give it to them. I know that Chipolte is owned by McDonald's and yet I cannot deny that they are delicious. I have really got a thing for the vegetarian bowl. Tasty and filling! And the chips are super salty and the verde salsa is hot with a flair. Overall, I will call it delightful.

3. Fez - Although the atmosphere is striving to be uber modern, the food makes up for it and then some. I felt uncomfortable in the restaurant itself as the crowd worked very hard at being adult and sophisticated. Not really my bag but the burger - that definitely was my thing. It had pears on it! And a multitude of other treats that were unexpected yet appreciated. The food is really delicious. Maybe take it to go.

4. What a burger - It was a disappointment. The burger was really not that great. But I will say that the bag was delightfully entertaining.

5. Sonic - I just went here for the first time last month. I had tater tots with my meal! So, I did like the fact that they were doing something a little different with the tots, my sandwich was not the greatest. I applaud the frosty drink happy hour which they have started as I am a rather thirsty individual. Overall, I probably would not go back... except for those tots!

6. Thai Hut - When I first visited Thai Hut, the food was excellent. I enjoyed it aplenty and returned multiple times. Then they went on a mysterious vacation for a few weeks and, when they returned, the food was not the same. I went back twice since and it has been bad and worse. I will not return. The food was cold, not fully cooked, sauce heavy, and not really that great. And they are closed on Sundays.

7. Japanese Noodle Blossom Cafe - This restaurant was perhaps too authentic for me. I ordered a standard noodle, chicken, and veggie combo. It smelled good inside the restaurant - but once I got my take out order in the car- it smelled like something died. Seriously stinky. I was so hungry when I arrived home that I tried the food anyway despite the smell. I could eat about three bites before I reached my limit. I took the entire bag and all its contents directly to the dumpster outside. I bid thee farewell, noodle blossom cafe.

8. Maggiano's- This is actually in Scottsdale. My mom really wanted to eat there and so we went a few weeks ago. The restaurant itself was large but rather empty for a Friday evening. The food was good and plentiful. My margarita was super strong and almost undrinkable, but I summoned my disgusting drinking powers and finished the whole thing. My pasta was good, the salad was just right, we had lemon cookies for dessert and I actually loved them. Nice work.

9. AJ's - You know that they have prepared meals at this place. And they are relatively expensive but so worth it. Everytime I get something from their to go area, I open it at home and feel as though my private chef just whipped me up a fulfulling morsel of goodness. Their potatoes are top notch, the salad bar has great variety (although not as good as whole foods), and the meats and veggies are always just right. On the weekends there is an OMLET BAR (I happen to love the little devils) but they are very strict with the time cut-off of 10:30am for ordering. And I have been turned away twice before 10:30 because there were too many people already waiting. So that really ruffled my feathers. Now I go to IHOP for my omlets instead.

That is all for now, will report back later.