I joined a CSA last year.

I love the idea of supporting local farms, but it practice, the compost pile got as much out of it as I did.

Sure I picked up items I could use and I tried recipes I would have never attempted had I not been given turnips, radishes and lentils. The regular fresh-cut flowers always kept my home looking cheery.  But each week I picked up a variety of unnecessary foods: loads of greens (I rarely make salads), herbs (I have an herb garden) and eggplant (my husband doesn’t like the texture).

Once I got some mystery greenery. “It tastes great sauteed in butter and garlic,” said the girl who handed over my weekly bag of goods.

What doesn’t taste great in butter and garlic?

As much as I wanted to support a local farm, I couldn’t financially rationalize continuing the CSA for another season.

Now, however, I have another alternative.

The Community Supported Market (CSM) card at Phoenix Public Market is basically a rewards program for local food. You purchase a card for a certain dollar value, $50, $100, $250, $500. The higher the card value, the better your discount.

Buy a $100 card for $95.

Buy a $250 card $225.

Buy a $250 card for $225.

Buy a $500 card for $425.

Use the card to buy anything you want from Urban Grocery and Wine Bar, including the Farmer’s Market. It could be greens, it could be fruit, it could be grass-fed beef, or a sandwich from the counter. Each week the website features deals especially for card-holders.

You choose which locally-grown/made product you buy, which means less waste.

You’ll have to find a new solution for the compost pile.

Phoenix Public Market
14 E. Pierce St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004

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

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

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 >>

It’s after 10 o’clock,  you’re hungry, and it seems like all your options are winding down for the evening. There are, however, a few places about town that still serve into the wee hours. Here are a few around town:

DOWNTOWN PHOENIX

Hanny’s
40 N. 1st St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Serves food until: Kitchen cooks until 1 a.m. daily

The old Hanny’s department store has been converted into a new, open restaurant bar — often with a DJ. Food includes pizza, sandwiches, salads and an array of other munchies.

***

PastaBar
705 N. 1st St., Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Serves food until: 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday

PastaBar features simple, local ingredients atop homemade pasta.

***
Gallo Blanco Cafe
401 W Clarendon Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Serves food until: 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Some good late-night eating: $2 street tacos, delicious tortas and some amazing mayo/cheese covered corn.

The Vig
6015 N. 16th Street OR 4041 N. 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ
Serve food: Until 1 a.m. every day

Both Vig locations have stylish modern decor and a large menu selection. My suggestion: the burger and/or wings.

***

Dick’s Hideaway
6008 N. 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Serve food until: Midnight nightly

Sit at the bar and watch the chefs  cook up  one of Dick’s spicy southwestern-style selections like quesadillas, New Mexico sausages or a relleno plate. The owners are the same people behind Rokerij (one of Esquire’s best bars) and Richardson’s. NOTE: Dick’s is located to the right of Luci’s, but the door is unmarked.

***

Delux
3146 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Serves food until: 2 a.m. nightly

What’s on the menu: burgers, sandwiches, salads and addictive sweet potato fries.

***

Revo Burrito
3154 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Serves food until: 12 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 p.m. on Sunday – Thursday

Big burritos filled with things like organic black beans, vegetables, green chili and some really good creamy rice. NOTE: Revo does not serve alcohol.

***

Armadillo Grill
1904 E. Camelback
Phoenix, AZ
Serves food until: 12:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday

Armadillo is a sports bar that sells slightly-above-sports-bar fare like coconut shrimp ($9.99) and artichoke croquettes ($7.49) — and then the usuals, wings, potato skins, nachos and fried pickles?

***

5 & Diner
5220 N. 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Serves food: Always

The 24-hour restaurants serves the usual diner-fare all night long, every day.

Cornish Pasty Co.
960 W. University Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85281

OR

1941 W. Guadalupe Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85202
Serves food: Friday & Saturday until midnight

Delicious pies filled with savory fillings. I can’t think of a better late-night destination.

***

Casey Moore’s
850 S. Ash Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Serves food until: The dinner menu is served through 11 p.m. The rest of the menu until 1 a.m.

“Casey’s” is a quintessential ASU bar/food spot. It’s officially an oyster bar, but the menu runs the gamut — sandwiches, burgers, and your typical fried bar food.

AZ 88
7353 Scottsdale Mall
Scottsdale, AZ 85281
Serves food until:  12:30 a.m. every night

AZ 88 has a cool atmosphere, expensive (yet potent) martinis and a basic menu of salads, chicken sandwiches and burgers. During the spring/fall, the patio is amazing.

***

Philadelphia Sandwich Company
7158 East 5th Ave.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Serves food until: 24 hours every day

Cheese steaks, cheese fries, egg and cheese sandwiches are just a few of the menu items that you’re probably craving late into a Scottsdale night out. They also have other delicacies like cutlet sandwiches, meatball subs and some vegetarian options.

Here are 4 of my favorite “unexpected” fried eggs — plus a few that sound delicious:

1) Naco Torta @ Gallo Blanco
A sandwich made with carne asada and avocado on a soft roll tastes delicious. Add a fried egg — it’s heaven!

2) Pizza @ La Grande Orange
Add an egg to any pizza on the menu free of charge.

3) Enchilada Dinner @ Los Dos Molinos
You can get your enchilada dinner at Los Dos Molinas with red or green chili, beef or chicken. All, however, come with a fried egg. $11.95 – 12.95

4) Any hamburger @ Fatburger
Fast food means you get your fried egg quickly. Try a Fatburger, turkey burger or veggie burger — and add an egg.

- Roast Beef Sandwich @ Hanny’s
Get the ribeye, bacon, arugula and a fried egg sandwich on ciabatta bread until 1 a.m. everyday.

Any others?

I’d read good things about Hillside Spot, but it  took me a little while to check it out, mainly because of the Ahwatukee location. Luckily, it’s right on the other side of the I-10 from Ikea, so I can make up a reason to hit one of my new favorite lunch spots.

I might describe Hillside as a more down-to-earth La Grande Orange. The pastry counter and gift selections aren’t on par with LGO, but the easy order-at-the-counter-and-seat-yourself atmosphere is similar — as is simple-yet-delicious food.

And there are other good things as well. A large patio (which will be great when the temperature dips below 100), giant roll-up windows (which will also be nice come cooler weather), and organic and local ingredients from the likes of Maya’s Farm, The Meat Shop and MJ’s Bread (to name a few). My husband was immediately overjoyed, however, at the presence of  beer and wine.

On a recent trip, we had the El Gallo Torta, $6, made with scrambled eggs, chorizo, tomato and avocado served in a soft bread roll and a Pulled Pork & Cole Slaw Sandwich, $7, which is made with the aforementioned ingredients and thinly sliced apples. All I can say is, “Mmmmmm.”

As I was leaving, I spied some roasted corn, which I learned is on the dinner menu served with cotija cheese, paprika and aioli. Hillside Spot has a whole other menu come dinner time, which includes peel and eat shrimp, pasta dishes, and a 1/2 roast chicken…but that’s for another time.

Hillside Spot
4740 E Warner Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85044

The patio…

The El Gallo Torta…

The Pulled Pork & Cole Slaw Sandwich…

The Duce is a restaurant. A bar. A soda fountain. A retail outlet. A gym. A coffee bar. There are probably about 12 more things I’m forgetting.

Located in a remodeled warehouse space in South Central Phoenix (Central and Lincoln), The Duce has the cool, urban look only a historical building can achieve.

The retail
Much of the warehouse is dedicated to retail space: embroidered and bedazzled Army surplus items, vintage sports clothes, military boots, high top tennis shoes…and organic milk. Needless to say, there’s an array of retail offerings at The Duce.

The gym
For the low cost of $5 a day, visitors have access to a heavy bag, a medicine ball, some ancient stationary bicycles (like 1960s ancient) and my favorite, a climbing rope.  I would have easily  paid $5 just to try the climbing rope…IF it wasn’t visible to the entire bar/dining room.

The restaurant/bar
I visited The Duce for lunch. The menu is limited; sliders and salad are really the only lunchtime options. For dinner they add a few more items: Chicken, spareribs and pasta (see menu).  I tried the slider sampler plate: mini-meatball, brisket and chicken sausage sandwiches. The sandwiches were pretty good, but I think the real draw is going to be the bar.

The bar is a showpiece: large, wooden, deco.  Drinks are served in mason jars. The best part in my book, however, is the super-sized drink option. Get a regular-sized drink for a regular price, or get a large drink (around the size of a pickle jar) for “2-3 people” slightly more. Take your giant drink to the amazing patio for some outdoor unwinding.

Parking is limited at The Duce, but there’s complimentary valet in the evening.

The deco bar…

Order food at the airstream out back…

An amazing patio for eating/drinking…

Some of the Army surplus offerings…

The Duce
525 S Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 253-9033

My dining card was  empty on a recent Friday. To make myself feel better, I embarked on a solo adventure lunch to a new restaurant on the SE corner of 1st Street and Garfield, Verde. I ordered their plate of Oregano-lime chicken with beans, rice, salsa and a just-made tortilla for $8.

It made me feel better. Fantastic even. So good, in fact, that I haven’t stopped recommending it.

The lunch/dinner selection is fairly limited: 6 entrees, maybe a special, some sides and 2 daily agua frescas. If all the entrees (which I will be trying shortly) are as good as my chicken, downtown has another winner.

Good thing #1 – Fresh tortillas
There’s a giant picture window in the front of Verde where passers by can view the whole tortilla-making process. It makes sense because, according to one of the owners, the tortillas are the cornerstone of the meal. As I was gushing about my lunch, he explained that it was all about  the tortilla — the rest of the stuff is just there to fill it.

I like that kind of thinking.

Good thing #2 -  Family-sized take out
For $14, Verde has a take-out option which includes 6 tortillas, a large rice, beans salsa and either a whole chicken, 12 ounces of green chile pork or 12 ounces of red chili beef.

Good thing #3 – Breakfast, lunch AND dinner
Matt’s Big Breakfast will always be a first-meal staple, but according to the Chow Bella blog, there’s another breakfast contender in town.  I cannot wait for my first downtown breakfast of Eggs, Beans and Tortillas ($5).

Verde
825 N. 1st St,
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 254-4400

The first night at my new host family’s house in Osaka, I sat at a low table in a tiny library-like room and my new mama-san brought out a giant bamboo tray full of sushi rice with about 8 different kinds of fish and egg goodness laid symmetrically on top.  My host family and I wrapped bits of fish, egg and rice into square sheets of seaweed while dancing raccoon taxidermy looked on. It was, and probably remains, one of the best Japanese meals I’ve ever had.

After dinner, the family pushed the low table to the side and welcomed me to my new bedroom — which, while surprising,  didn’t sully my fine dining experience.

While I’ve never been able to recreate that fantastically simple-yet-fresh meal, the traditional Japanese dish chirashi sushi comes pretty close. Problem is, I’ve never found it in Valley…until now.

Shimogamo
2051 W. Warner Road
Chandler,  AZ
(480) 899-7191

Have you seen it anywhere else in the Valley?