It has been exactly one year (wow!) since we moved from Phoenix to Salt Lake City, Utah. I cannot believe it. Where has the time gone? I lived in Phoenix for 12 years. We moved to Utah because my husband got a job opportunity that we couldn’t pass up. However, I am originally from Utah, so it wasn’t so much new for me, and I loved living in Phoenix. So, needless to say, I have really missed it.
From the weather, (besides the summer,) to my friends, the food (oh, how I missed the food,) and my little brother who followed me out there a few years after me.
My husband planned a trip to see his friends and I told him I was tagging along. I had made a trip of my own to visit my favorite and missed restaurants and visit my friends and family.
We flew down together, but after that, to each their own for the first few days, then we would come together the last two days and spend some much needed time together.
I had my own itinerary of what I wanted to do. But Phoenix is a big place. To get from one end to the other can take 90 minutes. I needed transportation for sure.
I am fortunate enough to have GMC step up and lend me one of their brand spankin’ new 2019 GMC Acadia SUV to get me around all weekend. I have never driven a GMC before and let me tell you, it was a delight. It was like driving a car even though it is an SUV, because it was so smooth and zippy, but it was so spacious and even had third row seating. There was so much space I could drive all my long lost friends around!
This Acadia was the black edition which is right up my alley. All the cars I have ever owned have always been black. Black interior and black exterior. It can be hard to find, but that is exactly what was waiting for me. I was so stoked!
The touchscreen is awesome. It is so big! 7-inches with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone projection that also includes Wi-Fi hotspot. Keyless entry, which is always the best thing ever and all three rows have UBS charge ports! No more running out of battery on those road trips!
Some of my favorite features:
- Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert,
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert and
- Rear Park Assist
- Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking,
- Front pedestrian detection
- Front and Rear Park Assist
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist
- Following Distance Indicator
- Forward Collision Alert
- Safety Alert Driver Seat
- Rear Seat Reminder alerts when the second-row doors are opened before the vehicle is started
- Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with full-function traction control
- Standard rear-vision camera
The GMC Acadia was a pleasure to drive me to all my favorite and very much missed restaurants and foods. After all, I am a true foodie and I wanted to share with you my trip around Phoenix to get to all the tastes and flavors I have missed so much.
My first stop was to have one of my favorite treats. I have drooled about it for a year and I haven’t been able to replicate it with any restaurant here. It was called Poki Point in Gilbert. Oh my gosh, it was heaven.
Next stop was up in North Scottsdale where my brother took me to Tommy Bahama. I actually have never been, I didn’t know that Tommy Bahama had restaurants, but it has quickly been one of his favorites since I moved away and told me I had to try it. I had the tuna, a key lime martini and my group had pork tenderloin with fried rice and sirloin with roasted veggies. The key lime pie had white chocolate whip cream and the cake. Oh my heavens, the cake. It was called Pina Colada cake and one of the best cakes I have had n my life. A must try if you go there!
The next morning I already had it planned out. I wanted to go to Snooze. My favorite breakfast spot. They have amazing food and their pancakes are ah-maze-ing. We shared the cinnamon roll pancake and I got their eggs Benedict. The other orders were shrimp and grits with an egg on top, oatmeal with berries and Huevos Rancheros.
And my ultimate favorite, their eggs benedict. This one is the bella bella benny. Prosciutto over crisp toast, hollandaise and balsamic glaze and arugula. My favorite thing they have there. I also get my hash browns smashed and crispy, Mmmm, mmmm!
For dinner Friday night I met up with one of my best girlfriends. She let me choose and we went to Citizen Public House in Old Town Scottsdale. I wanted to go there to get their famous Chopped Salad. I mean, it is so famous, it has its own facebook page! It is worth it though. One of my favorites. I also got their crab cakes and I was beyond impressed.
Worth Takeaway is a tiny little shop in Old Town Mesa that is fairly new. They have the best fried chicken sandwich in a spicy honey sauce and homemade chips. The bun is soft and toasty and this lunch is the perfect mix of salty and sweet.
Yes, I miss Dutch Bros so much that I had to make two trips. Oh, how I miss it so.
The hubs and I finally got to get together and had our date night. We went to Hillstone at the Biltmore area. It is actually fitting fr us because we met working at this restaurant 12 years ago (awwwwweee.) We shared a rainbow roll and I got their french dip sandwich with coleslaw and my husband got the Hawaiian ribeye. Shared a side of fries and a lot of memories. Saw a lot of old friends. Good meal.
Our last meal before we left was a place that we both had on our “must-eat” lists. This place is not just on our list, but many famous list. This pizzeria is Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix. Even Gail King went there and said it was one of her favorite’s and featured in USA Today.
It really is so good. I got half Margherita pizza and half Biancoverde (Fresh Mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, Ricotta, Arugula.) My friend was gluten-free and had the chicken salt with roasted potatoes with seeded mustard.
Thanks for checking out my personal food tour of Phoenix.
*****Important to know. I never drove my amazing Acadia after an alcoholic beverage. I would drive to my friends’ or family place and they would drive or we would get an uber if we decided to have a drink. It is important that you never drink and drive. Please*****
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