16 minute read
One Block
THINGS TO DO IN
THE BILTMORE AREA
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EAT
Stop by the famous Wrigley Mansion for dinner at Christopher’s, the new restaurant from iconic Chef Christopher Gross. At The Glady, find a contemporary atmosphere and lunch, happy hour, and dinner menus, as well as a raw bar available daily at 3 p.m. For artisanal pizza, head to Pizzeria Bianco, which has a celebrity fan base and was named “perhaps the best in America.”
Christopher’s 2501 E. Telawa Trail www.wrigleymansion.com The Gladly 2201 E. Camelback Road www.thegladly.com Pizzeria Bianco 4743 N. 20th St. www.pizzeriabianco.com
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:
Eat at Pizzeria Bianco, have a drink at The Wright Bar, browse at Saks Fifth Avenue, and hike Camelback Mountain.
DRINK SHOP
For a good cup of coffee, Hava Java—the oldest, most awarded coffee house in the Valley— is a local favorite. For a variety of cocktails, visit MercBar, an outpost of the original New York City location. And at Arizona Biltmore's The Wright Bar, you can still order a Tequila Sunrise—the drink was invented here in the 1930s and is still served today.
Hava Java 3166 E. Camelback Road www.havajavacoffee.com MercBar 2525 E. Camelback Road www.mercbaraz.com The Wright Bar at Arizona Biltmore 2400 E. Missouri Ave. www.arizonabiltmore.com The locally-owned Citrine Natural Beauty Bar features an array of natural beauty and skincare products, while Saks Fifth Avenue offers a variety of upscale brands. Both are at Biltmore Fashion Park. For those who need something for their booked tee time, Van’s Golf Shops has a selection of golf products, apparel, and accessories.
Citrine Natural Beauty Bar 2502 E. Camelback Road www.citrinenaturalskin.com Saks Fifth Avenue 2502 E. Camelback Road www.saksfifthavenue.com Van’s Golf Shop 3217 E. Camelback Road www.worldwidegolfshops.com
PLAY
Try for a hole-in-one at the Adobe Course or the Links course, the two golf courses at Arizona Biltmore Golf Club. For stunning views of the Valley and a workout, hike the nearby iconic Camelback Mountain (don’t forget water). At Color Me Mine, take the time to paint a pottery piece.
Arizona Biltmore Golf Club 2400 E. Missouri Ave. www.azbiltmoregc.com Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Trail: 4925 E. McDonald Drive www.phoenix.gov Color Me Mine 2502 E. Camelback Road www.colormemine.com
A Designer’s Influence
PEGGY MOFFITT MODELING AN ENSEMBLE DESIGNED BY RUDI GERNREICH, RESORT 1968 COLLECTION.
INSTALLATION VIEW OF FEARLESS FASHION: RUDI GERNREICH, 2021, PHOENIX ART MUSEUM.
Phoenix Art Museum’s latest exhibition showcases the designs of iconic ’60s-mod legend Rudi Gernreich
BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN
The monokini topless swimsuit. The thong. Unisex clothing. Pantsuits for women.
Designer Rudi Gernreich’s (1922-1985) fashionforward designs impacted and influenced the landscape of fashion both then and now.
At Phoenix Art Museum, through Sept. 26, visitors can explore Gernreich’s work and the social and cultural impacts of his designs through the exhibition Fearless Fashion: Rudi Gernreich.
“This exhibition is not a retrospective of the designer’s entire life’s work, but rather an intersection of fashion design and social justice,” explains Helen Jean, the museum’s Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design. “Sixty-seven dressed ensembles are presented in sections such as Youth Culture & Politics, Experimental Fashion & Legacy, and Unisex & Solidarity to explore his designs through the lens of social commentary. Guests will learn how Rudi fused his sense of social activism with personal expression, as well as the ways he celebrated the natural human form with new synthetic fibers, stretch fabrics, and gender-neutral dress. In addition to dressed ensembles, a large number of photographs and other didactic material help to explore this narrative in-depth.”
Gernreich’s life experiences led him to seek social change and promote a truer expression of self through fashion design. He was born in Austria and as a Jew, fled Nazi oppression as a teen. He settled in Los Angeles, where he continued to face discrimination.
He found acceptance in the performing arts community and gay
Other Exhibitions to View Around the Valley
Astronaut
Through May 31 At Arizona Science Center, explore what it’s like to live like an astronaut, from experiencing a rocket launch to taking challenges in the astronaut training center. www.azscience.org
Leon Polk Smith: Hiding in Plain Sight
Through May 31 View works by renowned Modernist painter Leon Polk Smith, a founding icon of mid-century modern art and design, at Heard Museum. www.heard.org
Diedrick Brackens: ark of bulrushes
Through Aug. 22 This new series by L.A.-based artist Diedrick Brackens includes large-scale weavings, and is showcased at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. www.smoca.org
Congo Masks and Music: Masterpieces from Central Africa
Through Sept. 12 At the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), get a glimpse into the dramatic and lively masquerade traditions of Central Africa through masks, instruments, and costumes from the late 1800s to early 1990s. www.mim.org
Seeking Immortality: Ancient Artifacts
Through Nov. 7 At Phoenix Art Museum, view ceramics and other objects from China, Japan, and Korea, meant to accompany the dead into the afterlife. www.phxart.org
The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Through Summer 2022 This exhibit recently opened at Arizona Boardwalk, and presents a collection of intriguing objects and astonishing facts. www.ripleysaz.com rights movement, which led him to his passion for designing fashions that promoted inclusivity, non-conformity, and liberation.
Jean explains that the Museum’s Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs and the Selig Family Chief Curator, Gilbert Vicario, originally secured the exhibition because “Gernreich’s work is particularly relevant today as we continue to break barriers around gender and racial stereotypes and LGBTQIA+ inequality. Gernreich’s commitment to social politics is particularly salient, and it is important to acknowledge that his activism drove his designs, demonstrating how being socially and politically active can actually make you a better and more compassionate artist with convincing urgency.”
Fearless Fashion: Rudi Gernreich showcases more than 80 ensembles, along with original sketches, letters, personal papers, photographs, press clippings, and newly filmed oral histories of Gernreich’s friends and colleagues.
“His work is all about the body. I mean, some of his greatest hits are the topless bathing suit, the no bra bra, and the thong. So, a lot of the exhibition is about revealing the natural human form through fabric stretch and garment design,” says Jean. “Another must-see is the ‘Marlene Dietrich’ white satin pantsuit. This look was removed from the runway show at the 1964 Coty American Fashion Critics Awards fashion show for being too scandalous.”
Fearless Fashion: Rudi Gernreich, organized and circulated by the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, is on view at Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix; www.phxart.org.
Platos de la Casa
Mexican-inspired dishes that delight
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
From food trucks to fine dining, Mexican cuisine is a staple in the Valley of the Sun. Here are a few of our favorite dishes inspired by our Southern neighbor.
Pollo Con Espinacas LOS SOMBREROS
This craveable dish features grilled chicken breast served over fresh spinach, and a mouthwatering house chipotle crema sauce. It is then topped with cilantro-infused crema, tomatoes, onions, diced cilantro, and queso fresco (a Mexican regional white cheese). $20. www.lossombreros.com
Chile Relleno LADERA TAVERNA Y COCINA
Ladera takes this traditional Mexican dish to the next level with colorful ingredients that pay homage to its origin in Puebla, home of the poblano pepper. The poblano pepper is stuffed with hominy rice and cheese, and then topped with calabacitas (a type of squash), queso fresco, chipotle cream sauce, and cilantro. $11. www.laderaphx.com
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
Puffy Short Rib Tacos at Urban Margarita, Chile Relleno at Ladera Taverna y Cocina, Pollo Con Espinacas at Los Sombreros.
Puffy Short Rib Tacos URBAN MARGARITA
Paying homage to slow-roasted meats across Mexico, here, hours-braised shredded short rib meat is combined with silky avocado cream, cheddar-Jack cheese, and fresh lettuce. It is accompanied by cilantro rice and hearty black beans. $15.50. www.urbanmargarita.com
Halibut “Veracruz” THE VIG
A nod to the Mexican state of Veracruz, known for its abundant seafood and culinary influence from Spain, this dish is a celebration of the ocean’s bounty with copious amounts of halibut, calamari, and mussels, along with roasted red peppers, olives, black rice, and tomato broth. $24. www.thevig.us
Cantina Shooters SPOTTED DONKEY CANTINA AT THE BOULDERS RESORT
A love letter to the jalapeño, which translates to “from Xalapa”—referring to the city in Veracruz where they are widely cultivated—each pepper is roasted on an open flame before being stuffed with spices and chili peppers, dressed with crema and buttermilk, and then fried. $12. www.theboulders.com
Chimi de Macayo MACAYO’S MEXICAN FOOD RESTAURANTS
In 1946, Macayo’s founder Woody Johnson put a traditional Mexican burrito into a deep fryer, effectively inventing the chimichanga. Today, the dish is still on the menu (and thousands of others worldwide), filled with the choice of shredded beef, shredded chicken, or carnitas, and topped with relleno sauce and sour cream. $13.99. www.macayo.com
Dipping Tacos SANDBAR MEXICAN GRILL
A local take on birria, a meat stew first made popular in the Mexican state of Jalisco, this version features shredded red chili beef and Monterey Jack cheese tucked inside a red corn tortilla and topped with cilantro, chopped onions, and lime. The kicker: they are served with a side of savory red chili beef broth for dipping. $15 www.sandbaraz.com
Pollo Fundido SERRANO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
Filled with the Serrano family’s famed Pollo Ranchero mixture, including diced chicken breast, sautéed onions, tomatoes, green chili, and spices, this Sonoranstyle, deep-fried burrito is then smothered with a spicy jalapeño cream cheese. $16.99. www.serranosaz.com
Ceviche CRUJIENTE TACOS
This stunner features cubed white fish and shrimp marinated in a tart mixture of citrus juice, and then tossed with spicy jalapeños, Fresno peppers, cilantro, and olive oil. Cooked with only fresh ingredients and by a Latino chef inspired by his family’s recipes, this dish is light and perfect for pool days. $12. www.crutacos.com
A plant-based take on the enchilada, this twist features poblano peppers, rojo and verde sauces, seasonal produce— including fire-roasted squash and cauliflower—cashew-based crema, and plant-based cotija. The contents are wrapped in corn tortillas and finished with onion and watermelon radish. $14 www.guacstar.com
Lobster Street Tacos JALAPENO INFERNO
Lobster is abundant throughout Mexico’s oceanic waters, and here it takes center stage in these double-lined mini corn tacos. The lightly sautéed shellfish are paired with cilantro, onion, and Mexican cheeses, and served with rice and black beans. $17.99. www.jalapenoinferno.com
TOP : Ceviche at CRUjiente Tacos, Seasonal Roasted Veggie Enchiladas at GuacStar Kitchen and Cantina.
OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE
FROM TOP LEFT: Pollo Fundido at Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants, Chimi de Macayo at Macayo’s Mexican Food Restaurants, Dipping Tacos at Sandbar Mexican Grill.
Cool Cocktails
Toast to your visit to the Valley of the Sun with these fun and unique cocktail creations
WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN
Not only does Arizona have its share of James Beard Award-winning and celebrity chefs, but well-known and innovative mixologists too, who mix up a variety of creative cocktails. Cheers to that!
GHOST RIDER
A cocktail on fire? Yes, that’s on the menu at Toca Madera at Scottsdale Fashion Square. The Ghost Rider is made of Altos Plata Tequila, mint, lime, and agave, with a sugar skull lit on fire.
“It’s memorable! A small sugar skull sits on top, with flames at the surface of the drink until you begin to sip away,” explains Melanie Sutton, marketing manager, Scottsdale Fashion Square. $16 at Toca Madera, 4736 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale; www.tocamadera.com
WHITE CLAW DISCO BALL
Popular boozy brunch spot Hash Kitchen makes it easy to beat the heat with its White Claw Disco Ball creation. The fruity cocktail is mixed with mango White Claw, mango purée, vodka, and Vero mango pop—and served in a fun and flashy souvenir disco ball cup.
Says Allison Gamberg, director of operations for Hash Kitchen, “The White Claw Disco Ball is awesome because we take something people already love and bring it up a notch by adding in a light-up souvenir disco ball, more explosive mango flavor, and a little bit of spice with the candy mango Vero pop.” $13 at Hash Kitchen, multiple locations; www.hashkitchen.com
BUTTERFLY MARTINI
The Butterfly Martini, found at 12 West Brewing, is made with butterfly pea tea-infused vodka - dry vermouth, St-Germain, and lemon juice simple syrup. Grand Canyon Brewing & Distillery vodka is infused with butterfly pea flowers to morph it into a vibrant purple color. Then, once the lemon juice is added, it changes to a light shade of purple.
“The Butterfly Martini is a great way to highlight our craft distilled vodka. Made from 100% malted barley, a light sweetness makes its way through the distillation process and complements many mixed drinks.” $12 at 12 West Brewing, 2000 E. Ray Road, Gilbert; www.12westbrewing.com
WEEKLY SHIPMENTS
This drink from Platform 18 at Century Grand offers a perfect blend of the bright fruity flavors of apricot, raspberry, and pineapple, paired with smoked black tea and mezcal, with hints of earthiness, rum funk, and vegetal notes as supporting flavors in the background.
“Weekly Shipments was created for Platform 18 inside Century Grand, in which many of the cocktails were inspired by the creation of the Transcontinental Railroad. This drink specifically was inspired
THE MATADOR AT FRANCINE
by the expansion of the rail lines that began to bring goods into the U.S. (Texas) from Mexico during the mid- to late-19th century. One of the prized goods was Mexican spirits like tequila and mezcal, being shipped in barrels over the border, which at the time was referred to as ‘Vino de mezcal,’” says Kailee Asher, director of communications for Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality. $20 at Platform 18 at Century Grand, 3626 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix; https://centurygrandphx.com
STRAWBERRY COBBLER
With its color and vibrancy, this cocktail screams summer. Found at STK Steakhouse and made with Belvedere vodka, muddled strawberry, and with a graham cracker crust around the rim, it tastes just like its namesake dessert.
“We wanted to give people a taste of one of our favorite desserts as a cocktail. We kept it refreshing and not too sweet to allow people to have a few without overloading them with sugar. It is now our most popular cocktail in every STK globally. Watch out, they go down easy...” says Manny Hilario, president and CEO of The ONE Group. $21 at STK Steakhouse, 7134 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale; www.stksteakhouse.com
MISS PEAKCOCK
This eye-popping drink offered at LON’s Last Drop at the Hermosa Inn is a balanced blend of butterfly pea flower-infused Mission vodka, St-Germain, and blueberry lemonade. “We wanted to create a drink that embodies LON’s breathtaking landscape during the spring months. Each ingredient represents a small part of that,” explains Jon Dils, LON’s general manager. “The butterfly pea flower-infused local Mission vodka represents the colorful gardens, the great floral qualities of St-Germain evoke the 23
heady scents of the flowerbeds in full bloom, and the blueberry lemonade represents the spring season in Arizona that produces incredible citrus and fruits.” $14 at LON’s Last Drop at the Hermosa Inn, 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley; www.hermosainn.com
THE MATADOR
One of Francine’s signature cocktails, The Matador is made with Mezcal Naran Espadin. Locally imported from the Carreño family, Naran means “Eclipse of the Moon” in Trique, an indigenous Oaxacan language from the Sierras. This mezcal makes for a smooth craft cocktail, with coconut-infused Cointreau, fig, Thai basil, and lime.
“This mezcal is made using wild and cultivated agaves,” explains Melanie Sutton, marketing manager, Scottsdale Fashion Square. “The Carreño family, the makers of this mezcal, support the Urban Agave Initiative in Arizona, which helps to plant agaves in the Phoenix and Tucson areas to support the endangered Mexican long-nosed and shorter-nosed bats. These bats are critical to supporting the desert ecosystem as pollinators of the night.” $16 at Francine, 4710 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale; www.francinerestaurant.com
PALETA MARGARITA
This frozen and tangy house margarita found at Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants is topped with a Chandler-based Paletas Betty paleta—a sweet and creamy Mexican popsicle made with fresh strawberries.
“As a family-owned business that recently celebrated 100 years in business in Chandler, we saw an opportunity to collaborate with a newer Downtown Chandler-based small business called Paletas Betty. Their Mexican popsicles, known as paletas, are a delicious treat, and the strawberry version is a perfect complement to our tangy house margarita,” explains Lorraine Serrano, executive chef, Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants. $9.99 at Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants, multiple locations; www.serranosaz.com
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:
Weekly Shipments at Platform 18 at Century Grand, Strawberry Cobbler at STK Steakhouse, Butterfly Martini at 12 West Brewing.
CLARIFIED PIÑA COLADA
A creative and unconventional version of a piña colada, this drink found at UnderTow is clarified to be completely see-through. It features a few ingredients that you wouldn’t find in a traditional piña colada, but is necessary to create the depth of flavor in this surprisingly clear concoction.
“The clarified Piña Colada is deceitfully robust and full of flavor. It’s always a big hit with our guests when delivered to the table,” shares Jason Asher, director of bars for Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality. $16 at UnderTow, 3626 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix; https://undertowphx.com
PEDAL TO THE METAL
At Nobu, guests favor Pedal to the Metal, a drink made with Codigo Tequila Rosa Blanco, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and Orange Curacao. It is garnished with rosemary/fresno chili.
“Not only does this drink look pretty, but it tastes amazing!” Melanie Sutton, marketing manager, Scottsdale Fashion Square, says. “It’s an absolutely refreshing drink to order as Arizona reaches triple-digit weather.” $38 at Nobu, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale; www.noburestraurants.com
READY, AIM, HIGHER
Find this cocktail made with housemade hibiscus-pomegranateserrano syrup shaken with ice, Source One Vodka, serrano chilis, and lime juice at Ofrenda. It’s strained into a coupe glass and topped with CENTR, a CBD-infused sparkling water.
“At Ofrenda, we want to offer our guests an experience featuring authentic and memorable Mexican and South American flavors, both in our food and cocktails. With its combination of spicy and sweet, Ready, Aim, Higher features many of those authentic and memorable ingredients. The serrano is native to Mexico, and although not indigenous, pomegranate and hibiscus are Latin American delicacies,” explains Carlos Marquez, owner and executive chef of Ofrenda. $12 at Ofrenda, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek; www.theofrenda.com
THE GUIDE
OUR
FAVORITES FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S TALIESIN WEST
Perched in the foothills in North Scottsdale lies Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West. For almost 20 years, the destination—which was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices—served as famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s (1867-1959) personal residence, as well as his school in the desert. Today, visitors can tour the property, viewing spaces ranging from Wright’s private quarters to the Music Pavilion. Open daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.; www.franklloydwright.org
