Croissant in the City

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

~Albert Einstein

It is the busiest shopping day of the year. I'll be at work baking up a storm. Be safe, friends! Happy shopping! :o) 

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family." 

~Anthony Brandt

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Thank you for reading. 
 

My darling friend Jason has a new burger love. On our whirlwind Saturday afternoon, he insisted we refuel with some sliders from Modern Burger. 

I begrudgingly admit, I like this Sam Fox concept. (Note the strong "begrudgingly" I put in there.) I have nothing against Fox or his restaurants, I'm just not a huge fan of chains, despite the fact that these are homegrown chains.  

The decor is mod and I love it. Whites, teal blues, and wood. Modern Burger is the walk-up counter to Modern Steak. Their menu is small. Sliders. Fries. Salad (ha, why when there are sliders and fries?). Ice Cream Sandwiches. 

Two high tables with benches are there, in the middle of the mall concourse, for your eating comfort (on seats 5-6 people, the other seats 2-3 people), if you can manage to eyeball another customer to eat faster and let you sit. What can I say, I have mad skills.

Two little sliders. Juicy. On soft buns. Melted cheese. Chopped onion. Lettuce. Thousand island dressing. Split a side of fries and it's the perfect amount of food for a refill lunch. 

 
 The Metro Burger at Metro Brasserie is still my favorite Phoenix Burger but try Modern Burger out. Report back. 
 
 
 

"A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine."

~Italian Proverb

"I never trust people with no appetite…they're always holding something back on you, don't you think?"

~Haruki Murakami

I love meeting people who are following their passion. It reminds me that in the moments of pain, stress and doubt, there is a reason why I and others do what we do. When I meet people who are in the same boat, trying to get their projects off the ground, it makes me happy to know that I am not alone.

Enter Arabica Project. Started by a local chef, he found his passion and is now roasting up some delicious coffee beans!

I've been trying to connect with Arabica Project for a couple months now. Finally, this past Saturday, we had set up a meet…in a Starbucks parking lot. Ah, irony! With red Christmas Starbucks cups, I tried the Arabica Project Haile Selassie Sidamo roast…AMAZING! Hints of strawberries (and I swear I smelled blueberries) I was blown away. 

I love coffee and while my knowledge is limited, Arabica Project has a vast amount of information and has no problem allowing people to pick his brain (I have been for the past couple weeks).

Support the passions of other and brew up some delicious coffee for yourself in the process. I swear, you will not be disappointed. Contact Arabica Project through twitter.

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Roka Akor…RO means a place where people gather to eat and drink in a social setting. KA means "a burning fire, heat and warmth, projecting energy and creating a welcoming buzz." 

This Hong Kong-London restaurant opened an outpost in the valley a while ago, however my first experience at this restaurant occurred this past week. 

Robata grilling, is an ancient form of Japenese cooking. Very simple, yet beautiful cooking. Just heat and meat (or veg, but once you taste the ribs, you'll agree, just heat and meat). The heat source: Binchotan, an oak charcoal that runs around $5 per piece. Binchotan charcoal creates a heat that is steady and encompassing, yet it is almost smokeless.

I've worked in outposts of restaurants before. A lot of money is available to the projects, and while tasty, the food is often nothing exciting nor overly creative. I find Roka Akor to be quite different. 

The decor is modern and sleek. Wood and clean lines. The food is simply prepared and plated, but oh, so refined in flavor.  

I met up with some friends at Roka for their special $2 Izakaya menu that is running till November 25. (Izakaya is a Japanese watering hole that serves food that is typically more substantial than regular bar food. Sorry, no nachos or jalapeno poppers here!)

Favorites:

Butterfish with white asparagus and yuzu

Tenkatsu Fried Pork Belly with Shredded Cabbage

Chibi Burger (slightly overcooked, but none-the-less, tasty)

Good dishes:

Sweet Corn Tempura with Sea Salt

Braised Beef Short Ribs with Daikon

Robata Grilled Chicken Thigh Teriyaki with Pickled Cucumber

We also tried the Slightly Fried Tofu with Soy Dashi Broth. It was okay. I ate a few bites but didn't finish it and probably wouldn't order it again. The Roka Akor Hamachi Serrano Chili Roll, which was tasty but not as memorable as these other dishes.

The best part of the meal was when an extra order of Glazed Baby Pork Ribs were sent out to us. Oh, delicious porky goodness! Fresh zip of spring onions and crunch of cashews with tender meat, the exterior crisp…yes, it's divine. 

Add $2 beers and $2 glasses of wine…excellent meal with great friends. I highly recommend you get over there before November 25th. 

Song of the Day: "Chasing Pirates" by: Norah Jones

"My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for 4. Unless there are 3 other people."  

~Orson Welles

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