Posted by David Porter on October 9, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Carol w/ Deseo Manager Jim Hansen and PR Coordinator Nancy Flores
Deseo Restaurant ~The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa ~ Scottsdale, Arizona – It is a great joy when your expectations are completely blown away in a positive manner.
The restaurant Deseo accomplished exactly that.
Deseo’s innovative concept and menu development is the brainchild of the James Beard Award-winning Chef Douglas Rodriquez, widely regarded as the inventor of Nuevo Latino Cuisine.
Chef Rodriquez is one of America’s most honored chefs and recently appeared on Bravo’s top-rated show, Top Chef Masters.
Leading the culinary team in the kitchen is Mexican-born Chef Roberto Madrid who has also garnered a prized local reputation for his southwestern cuisine focused on locally-grown produce and his own indigenous recipes.
As you walk into Deseo, the first person that will likely come to your attention is the celebrated resident Cuban artist Nelson Garcia-Miranda. Garcia-Miranda carries a Masters degree in painting and engraving and perfected his craft while working with Wilfredo Lam, a former apprentice for Pablo Picasso.
Garcia-Miranda was able to immigrate to the United States in 1999. He eventually made his way to working for The Westin Kierland as a dishwasher, and thanks to Chef Madrid now enjoys a bit of local celebrity as an Afro-Cuban artist. Garcia-Miranda’s paintings are now a significant part of Deseo’s interior design.
After admiring Garcia-Miranda’s eye-candy artwork, we were invited to the Muddle Bar and Wine Cellar to sample one of The Westin Kierland’s famous Muddle Drinks.
At Deseo, Muddle Drinks go far beyond the average Mojito. They are created by smashing together the freshest fruits and herbs to release their intense flavors with a wooden mallet called a “muddle”.
Carol enjoyed a Nector Grande (fresh mint, lime, moet nector imperial), while I was gobsmacked by the Berry-Jito (cruzan raspberry, lime). Major YUM!
Just for a little fun, I put a little comic book spin on this photograph.
OK! Now, let’s get down to business!
We were hungry and looking forward to sampling Nuevo Latino Cuisine.
First at bat were Millionaire Tacos (yuca taco, lobster, ahi tuna, Japanese hamachi) Holy Major Yum Batman! Even as I’m typing this, I’m thinking, “hmmm, perhaps we should visit the Muddle Bar and scarf down about a dozen of these babies!”
As if this weren’t already enough stimulation for our olfactory systems, out comes Lobster Escabeche (avocado, chives, sweet aji, garlic chips).
Wow! I’m generally not a man prone to kissing another man, but I entertained serious thoughts of giving the chef a little peck on the ole cheek-a-roo. Man! This was good!
Look at this!
Are you salivating yet?
Next up was simply the best shrimp to enter this man’s mouth. Check out this Shrimp Chicharron (aji amarillo, endive, pickled jalapenos).
That does it. We’re going back to Deseo tonight! I can’t take it anymore.
Believe it or not we also sampled two more appetizers: Ahi Tuna Tiradito (king crab, ponzu, lemon oil, panca pepper paint), and Kobe Beef Tenderloin on Casabe Flatbread (truffle aioli, micro arugula, pickled onions).
Absolutely unbelievable. The best appetizers ever!
Listen, want to impress your loved one? Take them to Deseo and sample every single appetizer after you enjoy one of their famous Muddle Drinks. There is a very cool bar called “The Rail” right in the restaurant that would be just perfect for such a thing.
But alas, it was time to sample the main course.
Before we got started on our main course, however, out popped Chef Roberto Madrid. I resisted kissing him on the cheek, but I was most profuse with my praise of his cuisine.
For our main courses, Carol and I shared Merluza Sea Bass and Fideo (white sea bass, toasted pasta, vegetable estofado)…
and Beef Tenderloin “Churrasco Style” (crab jojo, peruvian potato, oven-dried tomato).
Most Excellent!
Now, it’s time to sample some dessert!
First up was Deseo’s famous Chocolate Cigar (chocolate espuma, cappuccino gelato).
Check this out. Edible matches!
Next dessert sampler was Crema Catalana (sherry-glazed berries, coconut tapioca) UMMM!
and last, but certainly not least was Dulce de Leche Cake Roll (almonds, dulce de leche, mango).
Just look at that!
Where’s my espresso?
What an incredible evening of epic dining! We sampled items that will certainly remain as gastronomical treasures for the rest of our lives.
Furthermore, Deseo has instantly become a go-to destination for us when we want to show off our town.
We highly recommend it!
Note: this dining experience was provided by the kind folks at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Thanks!
Posted by David Porter on October 8, 2010 · Leave a Comment
I get a big kick out of travel nostalgia.
In celebration of the Internet Archive’s 1,000,000th book scan, I thought I would share with you one of their recent travel scans.
Please find below a digitized copy of The Yo-Seemite; its history, its scenery, its development, first published in 1873, by John Erastus Lester.
The whole book is readable right here on our website.
Enjoy! It’s kind of cool!
Posted by David Porter on October 8, 2010 · 6 Comments
Carol w/ friend Jody Sullins at Vincent on Camelback
Vincent on Camelback, Phoenix, Arizona – The seventh and final stop of our seven night Arizona Restaurant Week 2010 Tour is Vincent on Camelback.
A clash of bad days?
This review has been the most difficult for me to get my fingers to move on.
Frankly, as I searched my impressions, motives, pride, and intentions, my 20 years of business ownership have taught me that my first impressions, if disconcerting, must always be thoughtfully pondered before opening one’s mouth.
Let me explain…
Vincent on Camelback was the eighth of nine restaurants we had lined up for our Arizona Restaurant Week 2010. This was certainly an aggressive schedule, but we are hard at work building our new enterprise and this was an excellent way to sample some of the Valley’s great restaurants.
Trust me, by the time you get to restaurant number eight, your enthusiasm starts to wane. To be honest, I was whining about eating another meal before we even left the house. “Who put this crazy schedule together”, I challenged my beautiful bride of 25 years. Being the strong, independent woman she is, she wasted no time reminding me that this vigorous schedule was of my own doing.
Yep! She was right.
To top this all off, we were also being hosted by the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa right in the middle of all of this gormandizing.
Get the picture?
I walked into the restaurant exhausted and with a bit of a chip on my shoulder.
Now, we had invited great friends to join us and they were already at the table when we arrived. Therefore, it’s time to put the game face on Mr. Roaming Boomer!
In spite of all of this, we really were looking forward to eating at Vincent Guerithault’s restaurant. Just look at this information from his website:
“Vincent was the first chef ever to receive a Citation of Excellence from the International Food & Wine Society. He has enjoyed countless commendations, including the James Beard award as “America’s Best Chef: Southwest” and the prestigious Chevalier de L’Ordre du Merite Agricole on behalf of the Republic of France. For more than a decade, Zagat has ranked his restaurant “most popular” and “best in area” and Mobil Travel Guide has awarded it four stars. Gourmet magazine, Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure all have lauded Vincent and his restaurant for his tempting food and attentive service. In 2003 Vincent’s on Camelback was placed 24th on the World’s Top 50 Restaurants by British based Restaurant Magazine.”
Besides all that, Vincent’s restaurant is currently listed by the James Beard Foundation as one of the semi-finalists for “Outstanding Restaurant”.
Back to my story…
As we began to study our Arizona Restaurant Week Prix Fixe $29 menu options, we mentioned to our waiter that we would love to get a shot of Chef Vincent for our article. We were quickly informed that Chef was too busy and that we should set an appointment to come back for a formal photograph session.
Harrumph, I thought to myself.
We have been to any number of fabulous restaurants, all over the continental United States, and every single chef has made a effort to take at least a brief few minutes to visit our table for a quick shot. After all, they knew we were coming and we had made them aware of our wishes.
To continue our fading experience our waiter mysteriously disappeared in the middle of our meal, my wife lost her credit card on our return home, and our friends, although enjoying the meal, found themselves disenchanted with the experience.
Rule #1 – outstanding product and outstanding service must be present to achieve a wonderful experience.
So, here’s my dilemma: am I going to take this likely clashing of bad days and write a seething review?
Nope! As a business owner, I can recall scores of times over the past two decades where I needed to put my hat in my hand and squirm out the words “I’m sorry”.
Further, I am in no way suggesting that Chef Vincent even owes us an apology. In my book, this was tired Mr. Roaming Boomer happening across a series of unfortunate events at one of the Valley’s most beloved restaurants.
Therefore, I desire that you understand a few things:
- We look forward to a return trip to sample Chef Vincent’s cuisine when we are less fatigued and will likely have a most delightful time.
- This review is not intended to reflect poorly on Vincent on Camelback, but rather, give you a behind the scenes peek into the life and times of The Roaming Boomers.
- Lastly, did I tell you how incredible their Bread Pudding with Jack Daniel’s Sauce was?
Check this out!
Posted by David Porter on October 8, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The Internet is ablaze with travel deals for October 10th, 2010, otherwise known as 10.10.10.
I just received this Tweet from @StKittsMarriott:
“On 10.10.10 the 1st 10 followers to tweet us #SKM10 *when we announce* will be able to book 10 nights at $10/ea!”
Further, just this week Peter Greenberg was on the CBS Early Morning Show will a whole slew of 10.10.10 travel deals.
This is the shoulder season for a good part of the northern hemisphere. It just might be the perfect opportunity for you to lock up a “perfect 10” travel deal!
Posted by David Porter on October 7, 2010 · 5 Comments
AARP@50+ National Event, Orlando, Florida – Your Roaming Boomers are just home from Orlando, Florida after attending AARP’s Orlando@50+ National Event.
We decided to attend this conference for primarily three reasons:
- It sounded like fun. I saw humorous postings around inquiring as to whether this was the second reunion of Woodstock. Breathing deeply, we found no evidence of this. But hanging around 25,000 baby boomers and seniors was quite a trip even without any locoweed wafting through the air.
- We figured that an organization the size of AARP needed more than just the very capable travel guru Peter Greenberg as their travel ambassador. Certainly, we thought, The Roaming Boomers could add another interesting perspective to the travel channel of AARP’s massive membership. Right? We worked to find the right people to perhaps entertain such a dialog.
- We were looking forward to a conversation with scores of travel exhibitors in attendance. For example, we met the travel marketing director for the country of Italy. That will certainly come in handy one day.
(Photograph courtesy of Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)
One of the reasons that this event is so tremendously successful is the very low ticket price of $25 members/$35 non-members for the three day event. For this paltry amount of money you were granted access to scores of workshops on everything from health, finance, travel, and even baby boomer sex advice!
Further, your ticket put you up close and personal with celebrities like Whoopie Goldberg, Larry King, Cesar Millan (Dog Whisperer), Jane Pauley, Newt Gingrich, James Carville, Jim Brown, Mary Matilin, and scores more.
If that weren’t enough, you also had the opportunity to purchase additional inexpensive tickets to hear Gladys Night, B.B. King, Los Lobos, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and more.
To add even more to the merriment of the event, we were also able to obtain media passes which allowed us special access to grab some cool photographs.
The very first act of the whole shebang was a senior dance troop from The Villages in Central Florida.
Next up, we heard from Florida Governor Charlie Crist. As I recall, the announcer made a snide comment about the governor’s tan. It must be a subject that Floridians are acquainted with.
Here is a photograph I shot of the Emmy award-winning travel guru Peter Greenberg leading a panel conversation with cruise ship, hotel, and rental car CEOs.
Peter later shared that he had just lost 65 lbs. Looking good Peter!
Here’s another shot of Peter Greenberg with Mrs. Roaming Boomers (Carol Porter).
Jane Pauley did a piece before thousands on her new passion in life: personal reinvention.
Jane Pauley is also an AARP Ambassador and the host of the AARP-produced series for NBC’s TODAY show, “Your Life Calling.”
Hey Jane, look at us!
We are in the process of reinvention right now. We are successful business owners turned on-line baby boomer travel magazine. Who woulda thunk!
Here’s Jane interviewing reinvented retired Brigadier General Anthony Tata turned COO of Washington D.C. public schools.
Jane looks great, doesn’t she?
Here’s Martina Navratilova.
Hey mom, look at me. I’m a media photographer.
I even caught Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis starring admiringly at her actor husband Louis Zorich while he was interjecting a few thoughts during her press conference.
I have many more photographs and memories from this event. However, I thought I would leave you with one of my favorite shots.
Unfortunately, for some daft reason, I took my point-and-shoot digital camera to shoot this photograph. You should never send a boy to do a man’s job.
But, anyway, here’s my shot of the legendary B.B. King.
The man is 85 years old, had us in stitches a great deal of time, has an amazing amount of charm, and baby … he can still play the blues!
What a great concert!
The Roaming Boomers hope to build a relationship with AARP.
But regardless of all that, we will be giving serious consideration to next year’s AARP @50+ event.
Like B.B. King says, “The Thrill is Gone”; but it is certainly not forgotten.
Thanks AARP for a great event!
The Roaming Boomers
Absolutely unbelievable. The best appetizers ever!
