What was originally Scottsdale-based artist/writer Lynn Reynolds’ idea for a brick-and-mortar design center in Phoenix morphed into a heady exploration of the concept of physical space. The Invisible Museum of Design exists entirely online, a virtual world that exhibits the groundbreaking works of artists, architects, designers and more.
Tiki classic beautifully marries light and dark rums from Barbados and Texas.
Across the platform from its replica 1920s-style train, Century Grand’s whiskey shop stocks north of 500 bottles. Whiskey-master John Christie will walk you through the flabbergasting selection, which boasts heady brown spirits from as near as Arizona and as far as Japan. Tasting by the pour can lead you to highly rare bourbons, ryes and Scotches, including private label barrels and Pappy Van Winkle vintages.
Got an early-morning meeting, late-night study sesh or midday date? The Grand is a great gathering place, for business or pleasure. The 24-hour Downtown Phoenix haunt boasts a capacious coffee shop, bar, ballroom and beer garden and even has a secret speakeasy upstairs called The Sanctum, which can be rented out for private parties. We love the lavender white mocha, mac and cheese and friendly staff, and the fact that we can stop by in...
Pre-batched beauties flow smooth and silky from a vintage slushie machine.
This immunity boosting blend of ginger, apple cider vinegar, onion, garlic, turmeric, jalapeños, oregano, sage, mustard seeds, black peppercorn, salt and rosemary might make your ears tingle and your eyes water, but it’s for your own good. Combine your shot with a fresh-pressed juice or have a cooling chaser to diminish the hot lava feeling.
The Color 8 has been amassing a loyal following for several years thanks to its concerts on the corner of Second and Roosevelt streets. But now that First Friday is on hold, the band’s fans can listen to them by going online to check out their first single, the video game-themed “Savage Season.”
The Tempe trio’s radio-ready rock singles have been charting on Billboard since 2018.
The Chip S’Hot Cakes are pancake perfection: ethereally aerated buttermilk batter bronzed to a golden shimmer and shellacked with whipped butter and maple syrup.
Each holds degrees from Rhode Island School of Design and Harvard University, and they’ve spent 18 years running their combined architecture firm. As such, the term “power couple” barely begins to describe these talented minimalists, known throughout the Valley for their high-concept contemporary residential and commercial designs that reflect their laser-focused pursuit of architectural perfection.
Just west of Downtown Phoenix, this unheralded Sonoran-style taqueria slow-cooks turkey into barbacoa and serves it on tacos, burritos, quesadillas and tortas. A well-provisioned salsa bar lets you adorn the succulent meat to your liking. As with El Chino’s carne asada, chile verde and cachete, it doesn’t need much. Wash it down with lightly spiced stingray soup.
Taliesin West Pavilion Theater, a cozy enclave with 126 tiered red seats and a translucent gabled roof, was upgraded in 2018 with new theatrical lights and electrical systems and a follow spot. The playhouse is perfect for seeing performances by Mesa-based Southwest Shakespeare Company and special events like Harlem Shakespeare Festival’s all-female production of Othello.
In fall 2019, the Downtown taco scene completely upended when Taco Boy’s opened on Roosevelt Row. Everybody seemed to be gushing about that charcoal-grilled carne asada. But the truth is this: Their cabeza is better. Stewed until it melts, the decadent head-meat pools and jiggles on its warm tortilla, and dissolves like pudding on the tongue.
Blueberries again in this “girdle cake,” aka griddle cake! There’s also a light and fluffy Just Plain cake “for the purist.”
Who among us doesn’t want a “Sorry boutcha birthday” cake signed by COVID-19 itself? rachelbentleybakes@yahoo.com
