The highlights:
Los Dos Molinos
Many years ago, I went to a small Tex-Mex restaurant in NYC by the same name, and it was far from your average taco joint. So, when scoping restaurants for our first night, I remembered that it originated in Phoenix and thought it might be time to try it again. Turns out the NYC outpost has since closed, but the original Los Dos Molinos is going strong and has a few other outposts in the valley (we dined at the Camelback location).
The food technically is New Mexican, not Tex-Mex, and the biggest difference I see between the two is SPICE. Wow – was everything hot. A red and a green salsa accompanied the chips, and though the red was milder, no one could tell. It was, however, an excellent excuse to keep drinking sangria.
An order of guacamole worked as our palate cleanser. The lime green color seemed lighter than most guacamoles I’ve eaten though the taste was the same. Nachos covered in cheese and chorizo were arranged as pie and deemed chorizo pizza, and a delicious one at that.
Dinner was Enchiladas all around. My shredded beef version was spicy though it was tempered by the accompanying rice and beans. A chicken version was also a hit.
Kind of makes me wish the NYC version still existed.
Various locations in Phoenix, AZ
The Arrogant Butcher
Fresh off a spicy evening, lunch time meant salad time for our large group. The Arrogant Butcher in downtown Phoenix is the just the spot for the al fresco lunch and wishing your lunch break were just a little bit longer.
Right in the shadow of Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks) and the US Airways Center (home of the Phoenix Suns), the Arrogant Butcher is the place before or after a game when you want something more than the local sports bar. Sure they have beer and wings, but they also have charcuterie and olives and cheeses.
I had the “Famous” Oriental Chicken Salad tossed in an Asian Vinaigrette with chicken, wontons, lettuce, almonds, it was good but I’m not sure famous-worthy. Famous-worthy, though, was the Kale Salad with Salmon, Almonds and Currants that no one at my table could stop eating or talking about. In fact, there were several post-lunch conversations about how to recreate this at home.
My only gripe was that bread and oil we requested (and which was quite nice) came at a cost of $3. Charging for bread when you are already charging $15 for salads seems extreme to me.
2 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ
Province
I was skeptical when we decided to go to a restaurant called “Province” that was supposed to be French but mainly served Tapas in the new Westin in downtown Phoenix. Lots of red flags were going off when a waitress declared it “Winedown Wednesdays” and that all bottles of wine were half price. So we stayed.
Bread came immediately and was a pleasing plantain focaccia with a lovely dipping oil. (And was free, Ahem, Arrogant Butcher).
We did start with tapas. Shrimp tacos were sub-par on a very bready-tortilla. A sea bass ceviche was almost flavorless. Chicken empanadas were OK, though on the dry side. I did love the chorizo meatballs that came in a mini-skillet covered in cheese. (Note to self: I really need to eat more chorizo).
We had also ordered some soups and salad which came soon before we finished our tapas. So our table was crowded and we felt rushed. A chicken tortilla soup lacked the usual zest. The Chili-spiced Caesar salad, though, was well done. Maybe the best thing on the menu?
And before those were finished, a skirt steak with chimichurri sauce and mashed potatoes arrived. While the sauce on the side was fine, the meat itself lacked some seasoning and so the sauce had to compensate.
A chocolate cupcake with a corresponding chocolate sorbet helped the meal end on a high note.
I will give the restaurant points for cool décor, a living moss wall and some upside down trees hanging from the ceiling. So go for a drink, but that’s about it. (And I hear they have a good happy hour from 11AM to 5PM on weekdays)
333 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ
Until our next Burger,
KLB
Round Up Recap:
Los Dos Molinos: Go
Arrogant Butcher: Go
Province: No Go
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