The first time... restaurants of 2010

Ahhh it has definitely been a long time coming.  It has been something I have been wanting to do for awhile and with the gentle last prodding of my best friend at our "2011 Goals Meeting" I have finally just jumped in.  This particular post does the quick year in review of my 2010 highlights (places I went to for the 1st time).  Great morsels of foodtastic yumminess all made easy by my boyfriend extraordinaire who has documented our culinary hi jinks for the last year.  Thank you honey! 

Mi Comida (Formerly Mi Cocina, Mi Pais) Phoenix, AZ:  An Ecuadorian jewel in the desert. This is absolutely the boy's find.  He's no stranger to this hole in the wall find and proudly proclaims the Shrimp Curry on the menu as his pick for his last meal.  Enough said right?  I love the cozy ambiance, warm family service and distinctly creative menu.

Original Pancake House in Old Town Scottsdale:  Dutch apple pancake as big as your head, fast cash only service and quality food.  Yummy!

Haus Murphys Glendale, Az:  My best friend gets the credit for this one and if someone I know can be an expert of meat and potatoes its her.  I was pleasantly surprised by this adorable restaurant in Old Town Glendale specifically because I am not personally a huge fan of German food.  The servers here are dressed up in traditional dress, but it does not come off cheesy, but more adds to the charm of the place.  Every dish I have had here is simple, but remarkably tasty and executed perfectly.  May it be the crispness of the schnitzel to the tanginess of their homemade sauerkraut.  Also with all of their entrees comes with a free cup of soup which is always really flavorful and comforting.  With their open beer garden with lovely twinkle lights, it's the place to take a group of friends on a warm afternoon or night.

Posh Scottsdale, Az:  The closest I have come to a culinary destination experience ala San Francisco, New York in our very own Scottsdale, AZ.  Yes one day I will have my 20 course, 5 hour dining nirvana at French Laundry but we all have to start somewhere.  I wasn't disappointed, although I don't have notes to all of our courses, highlights include the beef cheek, short rib and whimsical watermelon caviar.  Come prepared to try pretty much anything as they are free to sit any type of dish in front of you.  You pick the number of courses and what you won't eat and they do the rest.  Come with a free night ahead and an open mind.

Paradiso 37 Downtown Disney Orlando, FL:  A funny pick merely because when I was there I had the toothache of a lifetime (which later I had a root canal on), but when I look back I still really enjoyed this meal through all the pain, so I know it was good.  Authentic well done green chili enchiladas, fantastic skirt steak with grilled corn and a scrumptious lightly sweet fresh arepa. 

Frenchy's Clearwater, FL:  Come in your flip flops its right on the beach, the picturesque place for a Florida beach restaurant, simple grilled fish sandwiches and a pina colada= guaranteed happiness.

Wente Vineyards Restaurant, Livermore, CA:  At one of the loveliest weddings I have been to I also had one of my favorite meals of the year.  Smoked double cut pork chop...sounds intriguing yes?  I bet you have never had it either.  Get it here for your 1st time, perfectly smokey, succulent and delicious.  Sides of polenta and sweet and tart braised greens were wonderful, as well, but that chop is the definitive star.

The Market Downtown Denver, CO:  You see it from the street and assume its a small coffee shop.  We ducked in here to find a bfast bite and were surprised to step into a bit of a rabbit hole of a world of food.  Separate coffee bar, lunch station, gelato and dessert area.  If there was any free space it was filled with little aisles of homemade jams, jellies, dressings and anything else you could want.  Some sitting space allowed for great people watching as every walk of life had seemed to find this downtown staple.  You can tell they own and operate it with a lot of love.  Go eat anything there!

The Gibson Washington DC: Okay I had no food here.  There is this little bar behind a non descript black door next to Marvins in DC.  It's not labeled and there are not people milling outside to help you pick it out.  Behind the door is a person on a stool with a list.  A door is right next to him.  He knocks on the door and they check inside.  If you are lucky you get a space at the bar to watch the real show.  Classic hand made drinks are their specialty.  Everything added to the liquor is fresh and they usually have a bowl right at the bar filled with fresh fruits, herbs and peel.  The type of place you can spend hours in and lose track of time just figuring out what you want to try next.

I probably forgot a couple so check back later for updates~!