It may not surprise you to hear that, on occasion, I reach a certain saturation point with eating and drinking. So, like clockwork, the new year kicked off with a good old juice cleanse—the master cleanse, to be exact. Do I love it? No, I hate it. But I do feel significantly better afterward (plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about the sheer willpower it takes to complete). After wrapping up the cleanse, I stuck with a stretch of clean eating before we hit the road for our Virginia trip. If you haven’t read that post yet, click on this link here — I’ve received a ton of great feedback from fellow VA-roadtripping food lovers.
Of course, even amid clean eating, I couldn’t resist sneaking in a few fun food stops. I grabbed brunch with our youngest at Berdena’s in Scottsdale, a charming, light-filled café in Old Town Scottsdale known for its specialty coffee and award-winning avocado toast. Served on Noble sourdough, garnished with Aleppo pepper, olive oil, and flaky sea salt, this dish lives up to its hype. Be sure to try the cardamom latte as well—it’s delicately spiced and wonderfully balanced.
We also made a long-awaited stop at Mensho Ramen, now open on 7th Street in Phoenix. The original Mensho Tokyo is legendary in Japan, with lines that stretch around the block. This Arizona outpost brings the same bold flavors and meticulous technique, from broths simmered for hours to house-made noodles crafted with Arizona wheat from Grain R&D. I had the Vegan Spicy Yuzu Ramen, which was delish, and my daughter went for the signature Toripaitan, a rich chicken-based ramen with a creamy finish. The food was fantastic, but the prices definitely skew upscale—$23 for vegan ramen and a jaw-dropping $48 if you’re brave enough to try the Wagyu ramen. Worth it for the experience? Yes. But not your average Tuesday night dinner.
Another memorable dining moment was at Virtù Honest Craft in Scottsdale. I casually mentioned their Maialino Experience to my husband—a whole roast pig dinner for a group—and he immediately rallied our foodie crew. Chef Gio Osso delivers an impressive spread: the roasted pig is served family-style alongside seasonal sides, sauces, and accoutrements. It’s festive, delicious, and one of the more unique group dining experiences in town. You’ll need to call ahead to arrange it, but it’s absolutely worth the planning. We started with artisanal salumi and cheeses, followed by paccheri amatriciana with guanciale, crisp butter lettuce salad, and sizzling house-made sausages. Then came the showstopper-a smoked and roasted Spanish suckling pig, paired with Calabrian-style potatoes & peppers, garlic rapini, charred lemon, and salsa verde. And just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite… chocolate date cake with salted caramel gelato and maple bread pudding with bacon (of course).
Work-wise, I had two great interviews for A Taste of AZ magazine (if you’re not already a subscriber, check it out here). First, I sat down with Tommy Plato, owner of The Ends in Old Town Scottsdale—a stylish neighborhood spot with a global menu, craft cocktails, and a laid-back but polished vibe. Then I connected with Justin Nasralla, chef-owner of Mister Pio, a Peruvian pollería in Arcadia known for its wood-fired chicken, housemade sauces, and nods to Nasralla’s Peruvian heritage. Both stories were a joy to write and even more fun to taste my way through.
I also checked out a media event at KickHouse Scottsdale, a boutique boxing gym that combines high-intensity interval training with serious technique. I’ve always loved boxing-style workouts for stress relief, and this was no exception—45 minutes of jabs, uppercuts, and sweat. Post-workout, we refueled with poke bowls from Chula Seafood, featuring pristine cuts of fish and fresh toppings like seaweed salad, spicy mayo, and pickled ginger. Chula continues to prove why they’re one of the best seafood purveyors in the state.
Then there was the invite to dine at La Zozzona, Richard Blais’ new restaurant inside the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa. The setting is absolutely stunning—the entire resort has undergone a major renovation, and the restaurant feels both luxe and inviting. We were welcomed with a glass of Zonin Prosecco, a thoughtful touch that set the tone for what was to come.
For cocktails, I loved the Amalfi Margarita, made with El Tesoro Reposado from the hotel’s private barrel, limoncello, and lemon. My dining companion had the Basilic Grand, a delicate and beautifully garnished mix of Grey Goose, Lillet Blanc, almond bitters, and gold leaf. As for the food, we shared a parade of dishes: crispy squash blossoms with Calabrian chili honey, Polpette al Sugo (tender meatballs in tomato sauce), Neptune’s Swordfish Chop—truly one of the best I’ve had—and Rigatoni alla Zozzona, Blais’ spin on the Roman classic, which fuses carbonara and amatriciana into one decadent pasta. We rounded it out with roasted Romanesco cauliflower, and while I wanted to try dessert, I simply didn’t have the stomach space. Next time!
But there is more…spring is my favorite time of year with my favorite annual events—Festivin at the Wrigley Mansion, Innings Festival, Devour Phoenix, and Top Bars during Arizona Cocktail Weekend. These are the types of experiences that make living (and eating) in Arizona so much fun. Follow me on IG for more on these events.
So there you go—you’re all caught up. Stay tuned for a round-up of my most recent trip to Vegas, a boutique hotel stay in Austin, and a fabulous museum reopening in New York. xo, M
