Cheesecake Factory finally coming to Tucson?

Looks like Tucsonans might finally get their wish; a Cheesecake Factory may be coming to Tucson very soon!

The Arizona Daily Star reported that The Cheesecake Factory is negotiating a lease at the Tucson Mall. The vacated space was previously occupied by Macy's. An REI may also be leasing space in the same area. REI specializes in outdoor gear for camping, hiking and skiing, and they currently have two retailers in Phoenix.

I know quite a few people who plan to be first in line when the Cheescake Factory opens it doors!

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Moving to Tucson? Food prices higher here then national average

If you currently live in Tucson then you already know this fact, but if you don't and are thinking about moving to Tucson, it's important to know that food costs are higher in Arizona. According to a study done by the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation, our state's food prices have increased about 15% over the last nine months. One reason is the high transportation costs for food products like eggs and beef that need to be transferred in to Arizona. When comparing the costs of sixteen basic grocery items like eggs, white bread and pork chops, Arizona's prices were about $6 more then the national average.

For more info on the Tucson food cost comparison visit AZ's "marketbasket" is $5.87 higher then U.S. average



For more information about Tucson food costs and a grocery store price comparison visit Tucson Foodies

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Check out the Tucson Culinary Festival!

The Tucson Culinary Festival starts this week so don't forget to buy your tickets! The event begins Thursday October 4th at 8pm with the Margarita Championship at Cuvee World Bistro and runs through the weekend, ending with a BBQ Brunch and lives Blues music at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. There are several different tastings and seminars scheduled so if you already have a busy weekend planned you can just pick your favorite event and stop on by. Sample goodies from Tucson's best chefs as they're paired with rare wines , or check out a seminar and learn how to make the perfect mojito. These events are always a lot of fun and a great opportunity to meet other Tucson Foodies while experiencing incredible food that's original to Tucson. Attire is dressy casual as most of the events take place at Loews Ventana Canyon , so dress appropriately! Festival proceeds go to several local groups including the Tucson Community Food Bank, New Beginnings, and great bunch of locally owned and operated restaurants, the Tucson Originals , so make sure you try to stop by and support the Tucson community!

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New Food Blog for Tucson Food Fans!

Just wanted to let you know that I have a new blog for those of you that really love to eat! Tucson Foodies is my new blog and I'll provide restaurant reviews, info on upcoming food events and tips about Tucson food, or just where to find the best of whatever you're looking for. Feel free to check it out and offer feedback about your favorites foods in Tucson. Bon Appetit!

Valorie Bradley

Long Realty

www.valoriebradley.com

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NoRTH Restaurant; A Personal Favorite That Never Fails to Deliver

One of my favorite places to dine in Tucson will always be NoRTH restaurant in La Encantada shopping mall. Serving contemporary Italian in an open dining area that overlooks the city lights, NoRTH has got quite a reputation and following. It is the "hot spot" for those living the in Foothills, and has an urban feel that attracts those looking to "be seen". NoRTH serves both lunch and dinner, and prices are reasonable, with lunches ranging between $7 to $15 and dinners ranging from $12 to $30. Dress is casual, but I would say "Foothills casual" which means many of the people dining there are dressed to impress. If you plan on visiting on the weekend I would advise making a reservation as it can get very busy, particularly the bar area which seems to be the local after work favorite for the young business professionals in the area. When we visit NoRTH we enjoy sitting at the bar as seating there is open to the interior and exterior of the restaurant, making it a great place to pull up a chair and just people watch. They have a great wine selection as well as a martini menu and everything else you can think of. The dining room is beautiful but the tables are placed close together so be prepared to learn everything you ever wanted to know about those sitting next to you. The noise level is loud most of the time so it might not be the greatest place to dine if you're planning on an intimate conversation. Now to the food....

Unfortunately I tend to stick with those foods I really enjoy and never experience the full menu, but at NoRTH I have ventured out and found I like pretty much everything. I almost always start with the Spinach salad, which is sprinkled with goat cheese and tossed in a Pancetta vinaigrette. I was really lost when there was a national recall on spinach this last Spring and I couldn't get my Spinach salad! If I'm not in the mood for the salad I will get the Calamari, which is served on a bed of Arugula that's been tossed in a lemon vinaigrette. It's incredible, that's all I can say. For those afternoons when we're eating light my husband and I will split a pizza, and I have to say they are about the best in town. The crust is very thin and slightly crisp, and North has some unusual combinations that are pretty incredible. If I'm really hungry then I have the difficult decision of choosing between the Chicken Parmigiana and the Short Rib "Osso Buco". The chicken, a huge moist breast that's served golden brown and slightly crispy, is topped off with fresh tomato marinara and mozzarella, and few butter rigatoni to accent. Every time I've had the chicken it's been incredible. The Short Rib "Osso Buco" is my comfort food; I feel guilty and peaceful every time I take a bite. And the white polenta that is served with this dish is the perfect compliment to the rich and slightly tangy sauce. If I'm feeling healthy I get the Salmon with roasted squash and sweet onions, which is delicious, but I'm partial to my comfort food. Deserts....well I have trouble getting to that course most of the time. They have the standards such as Tiramisu, Cheesecake and Creme Brulee. The few items I've had have been mediocre, but I'm VERY picky when it comes to dessert. You just got to try everything and see what you like.

Everyone I have referred to NoRTH has had a great experience. It's a lively and chic atmosphere that consistently provides great food and service. If you live in Tucson or are just visiting, I recommend stopping by NoRTH and checking it out. Who knows who you might see!

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Torino Ristorante is Oro Valley Favorite

Unfortunately Oro Valley isn't known for having great restaurants, but there are a few if you know where to look. Torino Ristorante Italiano is one that has a well deserved reputation in the community. Originally known as Cafe Torino, this tiny restaurant started out serving coffee and pastries in the morning and dinner at night with a maximum of 10 tables. As their reputation and business increased in the community, the owners purchased a larger space in the same retail center, and designated that as the new dinner restaurant while keeping the original space for breakfast and lunch.

Torino Ristorante is owned and operated by a family from Torino Italy, so as you can imagine all the recipes taste about as authentic as you can get. The restaurant offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, with dimmed accent lighting and muted walls with watercolor murals like you might find in a Tuscan restaurant. A small open bar is located at the back of the dining area, but seats might be hard to come by as Mike packs 'em in with his a reputation for being the best bartender in NW Tucson. On some nights there is live jazz, but there is generally soft jazz music in the background. Dress is semi casual, although almost anything goes. During the winter months and on weekends you will want to make reservations as they get very busy. Anyway, on to the food!

Whenever we dine Italian we always like to start with calamari. It's our favorite and if it's good then the rest of the meal tends to be good as well. Torino makes a great calamari, the batter is light and crisp with no taste of oil, just freshness. It's served with marinara sauce on the side, but I enjoy the calamari as is; it's just too good to cover the flavor. Squeeze on a little lemon and I'm good to go. The Bruschetta is also very good, and we've heard great things about other appetizers, but we've yet to try anything different yet. Always saving room for dessert!

I've ventured to try a few different entrees on my visits to Torino, and all have been terrific. The lasagna is always my favorite because it's a simple dish with a clean and rich combination of flavors. Ribbons of pasta and ground sausage are covered in the perfect blend of marinara and bechamel sauce, which is great for me as I tend to favor white cream sauces. The portion is not too big which is good because the dish is so rich. The Veal Osso Buco is also excellent, with tender meat that falls right off the bone. My husband's favorite dish is the Pasta Gorgonzola, and I have to admit it is incredible. I don't like anything that tastes similar to Bleu Cheese, but the creamy rich sauce and the slight bite from the Gorgonzola over fettuccine is perfection.

If you can make it to dessert I would go for the chocolate gelato. This creamy gelato is rich to begin with, but is then rolled in crushed chocolate which makes the flavor even more intense. Not enough chocolate? Well chocolate sauce is drizzled over the gelato, so it's about as chocolaty as you can get. My old stand by dessert is the tiramisu which is is quite good, but not the best I've had.

Torino has a great selection of Italian wines as well as a martini menu. If you are just looking for a beer or mixed drink they can do that too.

Service is very good in general, but on occasion it's been spotty. My husband and I like to enjoy our wine before dinner, so we tend to go when the restaurant is a little busier and the meal can be spaced out. If it's a slow night the service will be quick and you'll be done before you know what happened.

Overall you can't go wrong with dining at Torino Ristorante. Great food, great service and the perfect location in Oro Valley makes it the local hot spot that's not to be missed!

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Tucson's Montana Avenue Satisfies Any Sweet Tooth

As you will soon see from all my restaurant reviews, I love to eat! Since every one's perception of a dining experience is different, I'm going to tell you about mine, you give it a try and then feel free to offer feedback.
A small group of friends and I recently visited one of the many Fox owned restaurant's, Montana Avenue. Located on Grant Road, it's convenient central location was perfect as we were all going to be in the area anyway, so rush hour traffic wasn't a significant problem. It's got a hip, urban vibe to it, and the dress code is "Tucson casual", which means pretty much anything goes. Prices range from $15-$30 per entree, but there's a great variety of appetizers so you'll likely spend more. The menu offers "regional American cooking" and a terrific wine list. The owner, Sam Fox, has several great restaurants in Tucson and Phoenix that offer a wide range of delicacies. Most are upscale (it's all relative I guess) and draw a clientele of young business professionals. The bar area in many of the restaurants is a focal point, and large groups tend to congregate here for the "after work cocktail". Fox Restaurants has a great reputation for wonderful food and service. One thing I must point out is that you need to make a reservation! Luckily I did, because when we arrived a 6:15 the dining room was already full.
Unlike my first visit here, on this occasion our service was spotty. I noticed that the bartender was also our food server, which led me to believe that the restaurant was short staffed. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable, and he maintained a calm disposition even though I could see he was overwhelmed.
Aahhh....now for the food! I felt like trying a healthy entree so I could later indulge in desert. I ordered the special, which was a broiled Mahi served on a bed of cranberry beans (flavored with bacon) , sauteed tomatoes and arugula. Very pretty presentation, but my Mahi was extremely overcooked. A friend ordered the Shrimp Risotto, which was wonderful, as was the Grilled Ahi and Flank Steak. Another friend ordered the Pork, which was extremely undercooked.
I must say that Montana Avenue has, overall, the best deserts in town. My favorite is the Bread Pudding, which is incredible (it really gives the bread pudding at Vivace a run for its money). Two other guests decided on the warm Cinnamon Sugar Donut with vanilla custard dipping sauce. Numerous other deserts are available and all are very good.
Although the meal was not a complete success, I'm sure we will go back for another try. Montana Avenue has a great atmosphere, and as a general rule the Sam Fox restaurants provide exceptional food and service. If all else is a flop, at least I have the bread pudding!

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For Tucson Area Wine Lovers

I'm about to make one of my personal recommendations, so I hope all of you like the vino! For those of you that truly enjoy savoring a nice glass of wine, there's a new wine shop you should try called Wine Brothers. The concept of a wine tasting bar in Tucson was relatively new when Wine Brothers opened in early 2007. Though there were a few wine retail stores that also offered tastings at the time, I find that the relaxed atmosphere, reasonable prices and casual Tuscan theme at Wine Brothers is unmatched. Besides having an extensive selection of great wines for sale, wine connoisseurs have several different options for enjoying their favorites on the premises . If sampling a variety of wines is your style, head up to the tasting bar and check out the daily selection that's being offered. If you would rather just relax with a glass of your favorite vino, make your purchase and then make yourself comfortable in one of the cozy leather chairs located in the lounge area. Can't enjoy a good glass of wine without something to munch on? No problem! Bring in whatever you're craving and have a seat at one of the many bistro tables in the cafe area. There's even a private room that can reserved for group tastings. If you'd like to make an evening out of it, make sure to stop by on Saturday evenings when there's live entertainment.
Another new wine cafe and lounge, Armitage, will be opening soon at La Encantada shopping center. A brother to the Armitage wine lounge in Phoenix, I'd expect to find the same premium wines and Old World ambiance as in the Scottsdale location. Once I've made my visit I'll post on it and let you know!

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Is it Worth the Wait?

Tucson's first In and Out Burger opened yesterday at 9am, 1 1/2 hours before its scheduled opening time. As I predicted, the lines were out the door as people waited for a little taste of heaven. At 12:30pm I counted 83 cars in the drive thru line, with the last being a police car. I wonder if the officer was on the clock as he waited to order his Double Double. I admired all of those dedicated souls that stood in the long line, just to satisfy that persistent craving that cannot be satisfied by your normal burger joint. As seating inside was limited, many could be found enjoying their meals on the roofs of their cars in the parking lot. Still, I know that there are many individuals that don't believe the hype about In and Out, so I have provided a photo of the franchise's loyal fans for those non believers. Once the commotion has subsided (and the temperatures have cooled a bit) I too will be standing in that long line as I salivate. To answer the question "Is it worth the wait" I answer "You betcha!"

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