Have dim sum @ a Valley location
A friend had suggested Phoenix Palace for delicious BBQ pork and raved about the dim sum. I finally went the other day and I think it might be my favorite destination in town. It was a little fancy, the food was delicious and the bill still came to less than $10 per person — and we were all filled to capacity.

A friend suggested I meet him at Echo Coffee, an organic coffee spot located in a re-vamped shopping center on 68th Street and Thomas. He uses the modern, open space as a sometime office, and suggested, “They have a really good tuna sandwich…without mayo.”

While I hold no grudges against mayo, I’m a sucker for a delicious sandwich, so I went back and tried it out.

The Mediterranean Tuna is made from tuna, cannellini beans, oil and vinegar on focaccia with a side of olive tepanade; a non-traditional-yet-delicious combination.  I think I might have preferred a more substantial bread,  however this sandwich has launched several at-home recipes. Trial 1: tuna, beans basil, tomatoes with pasta. Another trial, a similar mixture atop toast — like a bruschetta.

Try the original and see if it inspires you.

Echo Coffee
2902 N. 68th St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Hollywood Recency is home of one of the best vintage selections in town. The giant space, located in the back of Zinnia’s antique mall, houses rack after rack of vintage women’s and men’s clothing and accessories.

Women — find anything your vintage-loving heart desires from formal gowns to foundation garments. The hat selection alone will make you rethink your approach to accessorizing.

Men, often neglected when it comes to vintage-stores, can choose from  ties, tie-tacks, vintage suits and a slew of 1960s Hawaiian shirts in bold patterns.

Dotted throughout the store are cool old-school knick-knacks, housewares, books, etc., but the star of the show is, without-a-doubt, the clothing.

Tip: The antique mall can be tricky to find. Pull into Flo’s Thrift Store, and you’ll see the Zinnia’s building in the back on the left-hand side of the parking lot.

Hollywood Regency
724 W. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85013 (Inside Zinnia’s )

One of the accessory display cases.

A small portion of the hat collection.

The men’s section.

Knick-knacks.

One of my favorite (now former) local bands, Miniature Tigers, is all grown up.

Their second album, Fortress, is set to hit streets tomorrow, and they are celebrating with a local show for their truest fans — US!

Tickets for the show (also with Spinto Band & Kinch) are available at Stinkweeds, Hoodlums or Zia Records. With your purchase, you will also receive a coupon for a free 7″ of the new single Gold Skull, which  can be redeemed at the show. Arrive early, copies are limited.

Rhythm Room
1019 E. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
$10-12

Beat the Clock 48 Film Challenge viewing @ Phoenix Art Museum
33 teams are given 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a 3 minute film. Watch what they come up with.

Phoenix Art Museum
1625 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. First screening at 6 p.m.

SATURDAY

Check out the new HM @ Scottsdale Fashion Square
It’s seems like there’s been a place-holder for HM in the Barney’s wing of SFS forever! Finally, it’s time to see the new stylish discount store in all its glory. Question: will this increase the changing room line at Forever21…or decrease it?

Scottsdale Fashion Square
Scottsdale Rd/Camelback (see map)

SUNDAY

Watch the new season of Mad Men on AMC
When we left off, Don Draper and crew are starting their own agency and Don and his wife were getting a divorce (good riddance, Betty!). Get spiffy, pour yourself a martini, and watch the drama unfold.

AMC (43 if you have Cox)
10 p.m.

CRACKING GOOD THINGS OF THE WEEK

Old Spice responds to your Tweets

Mid-century modern buffet. They’ve got it.

Presidential portraits, they’ve got  those too.

I covet a lot of the store merchandise, but be warned, this is not a shopping spot for DIYers or deal hunters. This is a destination for mid-century modern in great condition — and you pay for that.

After all, the thrill is in the hunt!

Red Modern Furniture & Mint Vintage Clothing
201 E. Camelback
Phoenix, AZ 85012

See the whole map of Phoenix vintage >>

Sing-a-long with Grease @ AMC Esplanade
Tell me more, tell me more…
I’ll tell you…it’s Grease. You sing. It’s fun.

AMC Esplanade
2515 E Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ
7:00 p.m. &  9:45 p.m.

SATURDAY

Scottsdale Twilight Town Trek in Old Town Scottsdale
It’s the Scottsdale version of The Amazing Race. 2 members per team, 11 clues, 10 destinations, challenges and more.

The Blue Moose
7373 Scottsdale Mall
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Registration/check-in at 6 p.m.
Race from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
$90 per team

SUNDAY

50% off vintage @ Blueberry Deluxe
For the remainder of July, get 50% off all vintage at Blueberry Deluxe: dresses, jewelry, belts, shoes and more.

Blueberry Deluxe
702 Montecito Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

CRACKING GOOD SALES

• 21% off summer deals @ Forever21 through 7/18
• Take an extra 15% off sale items @ Lulu’s with coupon code SUMMER
• Find items under $100, $50 or $30 at Need Supply Company.

CRACKING GOOD THINGS OF THE WEEK

Boy finds his own E.T.

Boy Finds Own Real-Life E.T.

One of my favorite meals to come out of my student exchange trip to Japan: okonomiyaki.

Most people’s response when I tell them my favorite Japanese food is, “okonomi-what?”

On many a Sunday, my host mother would pull out the giant round skillet and start mixing unlikely ingredients together: yam flour and cabbage created the batter that went atop yakisoba noodles. There was some pork involved, a pile of bonita (fish) flakes, some green onions, and a fried egg. Oh, and a drizzling of mayo and a special sweet sauce. The translated meaning of okonomiyaki is something like “what you like.” And I do like all those things.

I later learned that her style of pancake was from Hiroshima. Tokyo has it’s own version. As does Osaka. As popular and prevalent as the street food was in Japan, for a long time, it was nearly impossible to find stateside.

I had to go to Otafuku, a tiny grill in New York City or drive 30 minutes south of L.A. to a spot called Gaja in Lomita.

Now, it’s in Phoenix.

It’s a sometimes-special at Phoenix’s Hana — and now it’s a lunch item at the new Nobuo at Teeter House menu, which begins its soft launch today.

Hana Japanese Eatery
5524 N. 7th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85013

Nobuo at Teeter House (map)
622 East Adams St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Several years ago, I resided in Burbank, California, and commuted to Phoenix once a month to see my now-husband.  On his trips to me, I attempted to plan new, fun and interesting things to do; thus my discovery of Sing-a-long with Sound of Music at Hollywood Bowl.

I’ve watched Sound of Music all my life. I even used to put on performances of Sound of Music in my basement as a kid (I was always Leisl). I figured that I was probably one of the few people in the Los Angeles area who felt such a kinship with the movie. I waited until the event day to buy tickets — I figured we’d be one of a few in the audience.

I was wrong.

20,000+ people crowded into the Hollywood Bowl to sing The Hills are Alive at the top of their lungs. Hundreds dressed up for the costume contest (the winning costume: the hills are alive). It might have been one of the most fun things I’d ever done.

So you can only imagine my excitement to hear there’s a Sing-A-long to Grease event right here in Phoenix.

As much as I loved Leisl, I wanted to BE Olivia Newton John. My mom even tried to do my hair in Bad-girl Sandy-style for my first dance.

Now, for 2 hours, I can at least sing with her — with a couple hundred other Phoenix residents.

Grease Sing-A-Long
AMC Esplanade
July 15, 2010
7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Get a free pass via Crafty Chica

I remember visiting Pizzeria Bianco back when it was located at Town & Country Mall.

The spot is now a destination for spandex gym rats, but back then, my not-yet-husband and I would visit, dine, watch Chris Bianco’s pizza artistry, and feel like we’d uncovered something cool (obviously).

On one late-ish night visit, the employees pushed a bunch of tables together and gathered around. Soon after, Chris brought out a platter heaped with amazing-looking pasta — everyone dug in.

We felt like we were viewing some secret restaurant rite: the staff meal.

Now, however, the staff meal has come to mean something a little different. The new staff meal is for everyone — and consists of one or more late-night specials: often comfort food, but with a gourmet twist, like Sonoran hot dogs or pork tacos.

A few Scottsdale restaurants have started introducing these special after-10 p.m. offerings:

Petite Maison
Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m., the chef offers one or two special items — usually between $8 and $12 each. Items range from last week’s poutine (aka gourmet-y cheese fries) to soft-shell crab sliders.  Follow them on Twitter to get the menu item of the day.

FnB
Friday and Saturday nights this new hot spot is open ’til midnight where — can eat $10 chilaquiles, $3 chips and salsa and other nightly specials. Note: FnB closes for summer vacation from July 26 – August 16.

More late-night dining options >>