Word of Mouth Phoenix.com

The Obama's Visit the Grand Canyon

President Obama and his family are experiencing a bit of the West on their vacation. 

Today, they stopped at our world famous Grand Canyon. 

There's no way around it.  The Grand Canyon is ...breathtaking.  And according to the President the last time he was there was when he was 11 years old!

(Photo credit: Larry Downing, Reuters) 

I could make a few good suggestions for other sights to see but it sounds like this is a whirlwind trip with a few town hall meetings in between. 

Enjoy your vacation President Obama. 

Postino's On Central

One of my favorite trendy places to eat is Postino's.  But did you know they opened another location?  It's located just north of Camelback Road on the west side of Central. 

Remember the old Katz' Deli?  Well, Postino's took over that great location.  And they are open seven days a week. 

I've had several opportunities to visit and I can say I still love Postino's.  The menu is the same as the one on 40th Street and Campbell and that's fine by me.  I can never resist their bruschetta.  And yes, it seems every time I go ...I always have to share the bruscetta. 

Take a look at the cool bicycles at the rear entrance to Postino's.  I think I used to have pink bike as a kid.

There is limited parking up front on the Central Avenue side.  But you'll probably have to park in the back and use the free valet service.  Of course, there's always that tip involved. 

But if you go on the weekends, there are actually more parking spaces because the nearby office parking lots are open. 

I took several photos inside so you can get an idea of the decor.  It has a very open feel to the place with tables and a few booths.  The bar occupies a large portion and there's also an outdoor patio that has misters for the summer heat. 

I find the people who work here to be very friendly and helpful.  The service is quick if you're on your lunch break.  But if you have plenty of time, nobody seems to rush you out.  I like that, especially when I'm catching up with my friends.

Postino's has a variety of salads and I think I've tasted every single one of them.  And they're all good. 

As I mentioned earlier, I always seem to share a bruscetta with my dining friends.  You get to chose up to four toppings so everyone can choose something they especially love.  My all time favorite is prosciutto, figs and mascapone cheese.  Yummy!

As you can see from the photo on the left, we also chose brie and apples, smoked salmon and tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese.  Everything went very quickly!

So, if you want a place to relax with friends ...Postino on Central is a great choice!  I highly recommend it.

iSold It on eBay

Have you ever considered selling items on eBay?  It may seem like it's easy to do, but unless you have a track record of satisfied customers ...it can be challenging.  It certainly helps if you know what you're doing.

I did a bit of research since I'm in the process of downsizing.  So, I have lots of what I consider good stuff.  I certainly didn't want to have a garage sale.  I discovered a place called iSoldIt on eBay and it's located in Surprise, Arizona. 

Here's how it works:

1. Bring in your clean, working products to the store.  It's great if you have any receipts or original packaging.
2. Dave or Robert will probably be the ones to help you and they will look up the items in their database that is connected to eBay.  After all, they're only interested in products that sell and so they check to see if a similar item has sold in the last 30 days.  They will give you a general price range you can expect. 
3. They do not accept products that will sell for less than $40 and it has to be small enough to ship via UPS or FedEx. 
4. Once they accept your items, you will receive an invoice listing each item.  I save my invoices so I can keep track easily.
5. Dave or Robert will then do all the work!  They photograph each item and write a description.  And once they post it for sale on eBay, you get a direct link by email.  So you can check to see how it's going.
6. Once your item sells, they handle shipping, paperwork and fees.
7. Then it's the fun part.  You receive a check in the mail after the sale is final. 
8. If the item doesn't sell, you can pick it up.

You may be wondering what iSold-It's cut would be for doing this.  Well, if your item sells for $500 or less, they take 33%.  There are always a few small eBay fees but they don't amount to much.  If your item sells for more than $500, they take 25%.  There are no upfront fees.

 Some people opt to sell their stuff on eBay without any help.  But if you're like me, I'd rather not have to deal with shipping, returns, and customers.  Dave is the owner of iSold It and he's a really nice and helpful guy.  He's the one on the left in this photo.  Robert is pictured on the right and he's also very helpful. 

So, if you've been considering selling on eBay ...give iSold It a call or stop by!

Here's their info:
14537 W. Grand Avenue
Suite 150
Surprise, AZ
Phone: 623-537-5775
email: surprise@i-soldit-az.com

Best Bruschetta

Postino Winecafe has the best bruschetta in Phoenix!  With a choice of 10 different toppings, there's something for everyone. 

Check out some of these toppings:

• Brie and apples with fig spread
• Fresh mozzarella with tomato and basil
• Smoked salmon
• Ricotta with dates and pistachios
• White Tuscan bean with pancetta
• Chopped tomato with pesto
• Warm artichoke spread
• Prosciutto with figs and mascarpone
• Roasted peppers with goat cheese
• Salami with pesto

The cost is $12.75 but it can easily be split with others.  And you can mix up the toppings.  The brie and apples has a bit of sweetness to it.  I think my favorite topping though is the prosciutto with figs and mascarpone.  I've heard that it's their best seller. 

Postino Winecafe is located at 3939 E. Campbell Avenue in Phoenix.  That's just west of 40th Street in the old Arcadia Post Office building.  A word of caution: use their valet parking because of very limited places to park.

What do you think of Postino's bruschetta?  I'd love to have you rate it and add your comments.  Or if you know of a better bruschetta in the Phoenix area, please tell us about it. 

Radio Milano

If you're looking for a casual place to wind down after a busy week, Radio Milano just might be the place you're looking for.  Located on the northwest corner of Campbell and 40th Street, it's the newest addition to the LGO Hospitality Group.  They also own La Grande Orange Grocery and Cafe, Postino and Chelsea's Kitchen. 

My husband and I entertained a business associate and his wife who were in town.  It was the first time we'd been to Radio Milano but we were quite familiar and pleased with their other restaurants.  So, we figured it was a safe bet and ...we were right!

The ambiance is modern and kind of retro in look and feel.  We were promptly seated at a table for four.  Our wait staff was very friendly, knowledgable and helpful.  There were a number of chalkboard specials that changes daily. 

For starters, the menu includes a variety of salads including a chopped, celery caeser, and caprese along with a few appetizers.  I love calamari so of course, I had to order their crispy calamari with spicy red sauce.  It was wonderful!

Pasta and risotto favorites are included on the menu.  I ordered the grilled wild salmon which was cooked perfectly.  My husband ordered the filet mignon medium rare and I had a bite to taste.  It was delicious!  Our friends ordered a risotto and seemed to enjoy it.

They offer a full bar and you can order wine by the glass or by the bottle. 

I would definitely recommend Radio Milano to my friends.  The prices range from $15-27 for entrees. 

Kids are welcome and they have a special menu for them that includes spagetti and meatballs and mac 'n cheese. 

There is complimentary valet parking.  That is the one problem with that corner of restaurants; not enough parking.  So, I would recommend that you use the valet to avoid wasting time.

Radio Milano is located at 3905 E. Campbell in Phoenix.  The phone number is 602-956-6600 and they accept reservations.  They are open daily from 5-11. 

Open House Sunday

Have you ever wanted to peek inside a gated community?  What are the homes like inside?  Well, this Sunday may be your opportunity to visit 12 homes located in the Biltmore Estates.

The Biltmore Estates is located on the north side of Lincoln between 24th and 32nd Street.  This coming Sunday, March 22nd there will be an open house from 12 noon to 4 PM.  And it includes a progressive lunch.

This will be a great opportunity to step inside many of the homes that are currently listed for sale. 

The community is surrounded by mountains with great hiking paths. 

  It's the perfect location; close to shopping, fine dining, Sky Harbor Airport and downtown Phoenix.

  There are twelve homes that are listed for sale and will be open to view. 

Brokers, realtors and the public are invited. 

And don't forget the progressive lunch!  Only the best for a great neighborhood.  Again, the hours are  from 12 noon until 4pm this coming Sunday. 

Walking Adventure in the Biltmore

I'm going to share one of my favorite places to go for a walk in the Phoenix area with you.  We all know we should exercise, right?  So why not combine a long walk with ...some gorgeous scenery?  

The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa is an Arizona landmark.  Many discriminating guests including Presidents, celebrities and world travelers frequent this hotel.  Getting your morning exercise walking around the Biltmore grounds can be quite a walking adventure.  You never know who you might see.   

The hotel is located near the intersection of 24th Street and Missouri Avenue.  You won't be able to miss the entrance with all of the beautiful flowers in bloom. 

I love to start my walk from the back of the resort because then I get to go through the lobby and inside courtyard. 

Check out this green lawn!  Yes, this is Phoenix and yes, we're in the desert.  But it certainly is pretty.

I can just see myself sitting in this chair sipping on a cup of hot coffee (they have Starbucks) or maybe simply taking taking a drink of my bottled water.  

I guess I momentarily forgot I was on my walking adventure.  I'll have to save this moment for another time.

There's a canal system in Phoenix that supplies water to the region. 

As you walk out of the hotel, you walk across a bridge that crosses the canal.  It's surrounded by trees and flowers. 

On the other side, you'll be greeted by many other walkers, joggers and bike riders galore. 

After all, this is a favorite place for many to get out in the fresh air and exercise in the morning.  We can pretend we live near the water, can't we?

As you head out on this walking adventure, the Biltmore Circle is the place to walk. 

There are so many beautiful mansions along the way. 

Did you know that people live in these homes?  At least they live here part of the year. 

I guess if you can afford a home like this, you can have another home in France, right?

I wonder who lives in these homes.

 

Hey, while I'm exercising I find it helpful to have interesting things to look at.  It helps me forget about how long the walk is or that I'm hot and getting tired.

After all, I have to get all the way around the Biltmore Circle.

There's no stopping now.

As I circle around, I enter the hotel again to get to my car.

Of couse, I have to pass by the hotel pool.  Does this look inviting or what?

By the way, the Arizona Biltmore Resort has fabulous summer special prices.  Even though it's very hot in the summer, I could easily cool off in this pool. 

It's a great place for locals to get a mini vacation for a great price! 

So, if you enjoy the outdoors and enjoy walking, I would highly recommend this walking adventure.

Phoenix is a great place to visit in the winter with its beautiful sunshine and mild temperatures. 

And with places like the Arizona Biltmore Resort to visit, it's not too bad even in the summer!

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Have You Been to Humble Pie?

Humble Pie is a place to go for unique pizza, salads and sandwiches.  Of course, they also have wine and spirits but since I went there for lunch my iced tea was more appropriate. 

It's located in the Hilton Village just south of the intersection of Scottsdale Road and Lincoln.  It's in the same general location as The Good Egg and Houston's and right behind the Chase Bank. 

By the time I got there, it was bustling with the lunch time crowd.  The main dining room is very open but there's also seating on a covered patio.  I think it's still too hot for that but I'm sure once the weather gets a bit cooler, it would be a good place to eat.

Humble Pie refers to a variety of pizzas.  There were many choices that included one that had all organic local vegetables with a choice of red or white sauce.  Other pizzas included prosciutto, pears and gorgonzola and grilled chicken with pesto, oven roasted tomatoes with crispy fried onions and mozzarella.  Yummy! 

Since my friend and I were going to share we decided on a chopped salad and the Margherita pizza.  There was more than enough for the two of us with leftovers to take home.  The pizza was delicious with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil. 

Humble Pie is open for lunch and dinner.  They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11am until 10pm and on Friday and Saturday from 11am until 11pm.  They also have curbside pickup if you call ahead with a take out order.  That number is 480-556-9900.  Check it out; the food is good.

Broadway Across America

Broadway Across America has come to the Phoenix area for the 2008-2009 series.  This is a great opportunity to see many great plays that travel across the country.  Although there's nothing like seeing a live play on Broadway, this is the next best thing. 

I grew up on Long Island so I was fortunate to travel frequently to New York City via the Long Island Railroad to see a Broadway play.  However, I don't get back as frequently as I'd like since moving to Phoenix, so going to ASU Gammage is much more convenient.  Each season new plays are featured. 

A Chorus Line was the first play of this season.  Fortunately for me, I have friends with season tickets and they were unable to attend.  I used their seats which were in the fourth row center.  They were excellent seats!  Thank you Terri and Steve.

I love the music and dancing from A Chorus Line.  I remember seeing this play on Broadway with Joel Grey but it had been a long time.  The play is about an audition.  The director interviews each of the dancers and he gets quite personal.  It gives you insight into the struggles of trying to make it in the dance world. 

This season's plays include The Rat Pack, Happy Days, Rent, Cats (one of my favorites) and Stomp.  There are several plays that are options for season ticket holders and one of them is Lion King.  It's  a great way to spend a weekend afternoon or evening.

You can obtain tickets through Ticketmaster.