Bourbon Steak - Scottsdale Princess

Phx Restaurant Week (2008) :

We had a wonderful experience at Bourbon Steak.

The portions were definitely ample (we asked the busboy if they were smaller than usual, and he informed us that they were slightly smaller, but that they increased the portions later in the week, as they had some complaints early).

The duck fat fries were really great (especially the truffle ones).

The service was great (as you would expect from a high end place like this), with no attitude about "people looking for a restaurant week deal".

The food was excellent. I would recommend the corn soup (I have to disagree with ButterflyWest, as it had a huge flavor burst of sweet corn - like it should), skirt steak, and the begniets (which my New Orleans schooled wife said were just like she remembered from her school days). That seemed to be the best combination of items from the menu (although the "Fish and Chips" looked good as well, if people are meat averse).

Drink prices were not cheap (which quickly inflates the bill), but considering the value of the deal, we were OK with that. I loved my Domain Wachau Reisling (it is a new entry on my list of all time faves), but it was pricey for a single glass.

I also loved the interior design of the restaurant. If I won the lottery, I would hire their designer to do my home (we especially loved the white stone walls). The busboy (can you tell we made a friend that night?) told us that they won a big time design award for the restaurant.

Went back for their "Special Bar Burger menu":

We visited this summer, and got a burger off their burger menu (which they only offer in the bar).  The place was dead (it was 8:00 on a summer night, so maybe this wasn't unexpected).

The menu offers a choice of meats, and then allows you to customize your burger (with a large variety of toppings), or pick one of their "special burgers" (which had the toppings already selected).

We both decided to make our own.  Mine had peppers, avocado, cheese, onions, and ?.  I went with the standard beef (they had other options including salmon, chicken, buffalo, and veggie as well).  The SO had similar toppings.  The burger was great (one of the best I have had).  It was juicy, and flavorful (and definitely hand packed).  It wasn't cheap (I think it was $16 if I remember - which isn't a bargain by any strech), but the great ingredients, and atmosphere make this a little easier to understand (and this is still a relatively cheap way to enjoy Bourbon Steak, which is super expensive).

We got an order of Duck Fat fries to share, which were an incredible bargain at $5 for the order (and we didn't finish them, so it was a large portion).  These were exactly the same as the ones we had during restaurant week, and are really great.

Sea Saw Scottsdale AZ

Had the great pleasure of eating at Sea Saw in Old Town Phoenix.  We had eaten there a few years ago (for my birthday), but figured that "Saturday" would have to be the special occassion this time. The meal was wonderful.  Many of the dishes were among the best things I have ever tasted.  Overwhelmingly, the fish was amongst the freshest I have ever tasted.

Here is what we ate:

White Fish Carpacio - this is a white fish (don't know which variety), in a delicious broth with garlic, sesami seeds, and pepper.  It comes with a side of garlic bread "nuggets" which are perfect to mop up every last bite of the delicious sauce.

Kinme (special of the day) - It was cooked fish on a slice of cucumber, with a wonderful sauce.

Lamb Chops - I think these might be a little out of place with their normal menu.  It was 4 small charred peices of leg of lamb with a mango chutney,  and  sauce that tasted quite a bit like "bar-b-q" sauce (but I am sure was much more fancy than that).

Black cod marinated in miso, with a side of slaw.

Himachi - on top of grapefruit and avacodo, with micro-greens in center.  I have hamachi at pretty much every sushi restaurant I ever go to.  This was the best peice of hamachi I have ever had.  It melted in your mouth (and the accompianments accentuated the flavor, without overpowering it).

Gravalax with almond, and pecorino-ramano, on top of a baslamic and basil oil.  (Really Crudo)

Drank: Prosecco

My Famous Lemon Bar Recipe

Lemon Bars:

INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup butter, softened

* 1/2 cup white sugar

* 2 cups all-purpose flour

* ¼ Tbs Salt

* 4 eggs

* 1 1/2 cups white sugar

* 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

* 4 lemons, juiced (or 3/4 Cup Juice + Rind from 3 Lemons)

*1/4 Teaspoon Salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. In a medium bowl, blend together softened butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.

3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden.

4. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/12 cups sugar and flour. Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust.

5. Bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven. The bars will firm up as they cool.

For a festive tray, make another pan using limes instead of lemons and adding a drop of green food coloring to give a very pale green. After both pans have cooled, cut into uniform 2 inch squares and arrange in a checker board fashion.