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It’s hard to believe I have been married a year. Time is fleeting and the holidays are upon us. But we weren’t going to let work issues and holidays and life stand in the way of celebrating, so J. came to town and we did indeed celebrate. However, we did take a chance on our celebration dinner.

We debated about trying something tried and true, but after reviewing some menus online, we discussed the possibility of trying the newest steakhouse in town: Modern Steak. This was an unexpected opportunity because Modern Steak had been all over the news due to one item on the menu: a $76.00 steak. Unfortunately, that was the focus of most discussion surrounding Modern Steak and we finally looked at the menu online to see the fuss.

Yes, there sure was a steak for $76.00 on the menu. However, that was the most expensive thing on the menu and we were surprised at how reasonable the prices were overall. There were some steaks for around $25.00 and sides were all of $8.00. So, we through caution to the wind, booked a table for 8:00 PM and spent the rest of the day running errands.

At the appointed time, we arrived at Scottsdale Fashion Square and parked a few feet from the entrance. Sauntering in, we were cheerfully greeted and taken to a spacious table with banquets that were more like the sofa in the room where you can only tread during special occasions. We were handed menus and got comfortable.

Our first impressions were exceptionally favorable because the restaurant is simply gorgeous inside. The blue and white color combination with the lattice design on the walls and the sparkling chandeliers was a feast for the eyes. It was just on the cusp of being overdone, but it was still one of the prettiest interiors of a restaurant I have seen in some time.

Reviewing the menu again, we were struggling to come to some definitive decision on what to get. Our server arrived and asked for our drink order. We really weren’t prepared, so I ordered a Diet Coke ($3.00) and J. had an Iced Tea ($3.00). After some discussion, we had finally determined what we were going to do. To start our meal, I went with the Arugula and Sour Apple Salad ($12.00) and J. selected the Hot & Cold Wedge ($12.00). For the mains, J. wanted the Sonoma Rack of Lamb ($38.00) and I went for the Meyer All-Natural 12-ounce New York Strip ($29.00). For our side dishes, we couldn’t pass up the Mascarpone Creamed Corn ($8.00). We also ordered the Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Applewood Bacon ($8.00) and the Cheesy Potatoes with Caramelized Onions and Organic Fried Egg ($8.00). We also decided to get the Housemade Steak Sauce ($2.00).

When our waiter arrived with our initial drinks, we placed our order, but also opted to go for a couple of cocktails. The selections were a Perfect Pimm’s Cup ($9.00) for J. and the Modern Swizzle ($10.00) for me. Our waiter informed us that bread would be forth coming.

Sure enough, we had a member of the serving team arrive with a rectangular serving dish containing a Parmesan bread and a Potato Bread served with a spread made of Butter, Sour Cream and Chives. Both breads were fresh, moist and golden brown. Our favorite, though, was the potato bread with a generous slathering of the butter. That was an inspired creation as it did taste like a baked potato. Our meal was off to a great start.

About five minutes passed and our salads arrived. My Arugula and Sour Apple Salad was a mix of arugula, sour apples, balsamic onions, blue cheese and Candied Walnuts. It was very complex and the flavors were robust and hit the right notes. I appreciated the fact that the salad was intensely cold and fresh. The sour apples were actually the meat of the sour apples that had been obtained with a melon baller. The whole dish was very good.

J.’s Hot & Cold Wedge was an interesting creation. Two iceberg lettuce wedges were on the plate with the hot side getting a spinach salad-style treatment and the other being fixed in the traditional way. J. enjoyed both as, like my salad, the cold side was very cold and crisp. The hot said had a warm, bacon vinaigrette and a strip of extra crispy bacon lying across the grain. J. indicated, however, that a mix of the two was a wonderful feast for the mouth.

As we munched on our salads, our drinks arrived, which had me thinking as to why we got our salads before our cocktails, but there it was. The Perfect Pimm’s Cup and the Modern Swizzle were gorgeous with their multi-colored hues of red. The Perfect Pimm’s Cup was a concoction of gin, vermouth, cucumber, lime, lemon, orange, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, mint and a splash of soda water. J. found the drink very refreshing and loved that the fruit actually complimented the drink instead of overpowering it. He also noticed that these could easily put him under the table as the drink has almost no harsh alcohol flavor, but he could feel the “warm and tingling feet” feeling. My Modern Swizzle contained rum, lime juice, raspberry and orange bitters, and soda. Like the Pimm’s Cup, this was very refreshing and you could almost feel like you were on a porch on a lazy summer day in August in Phoenix sipping this drink. Not overly sweet and not tart, but just delicious.

After finishing our salads and sipping our beverages, we were suddenly set upon by three servers including our own. They were bearing our various dishes and replenishing the bread. J.’s Sonoma Rack of Lamb looked beautiful with two large, double-boned chops and a fall vegetable fricassee. J. found the vegetable to be very well prepared. He said everything was fresh and the veggies, thankfully, were not overcooked. He also liked the lamb itself, but found that the seasoning of the meat was inconsistent and part of the lamb was rather boring in taste. He said the addition of the Housemade Steak Sauce really enhanced the flavor of the lamb and save the dish, but he still felt the meat deserved better, or at least equal, treatment throughout.

My Meyer All-Natural Strip Steak was perfectly cooked and still sizzling a bit on the plate when it arrived. It had been liberally treated with black pepper and was served with a warm onion jam. My first bite was excellent. The meat was right at medium rare as I had requested and the beef flavor was supreme. The addition of the onion jam and the steak sauce made the steak that much better and I was mopping up the sauce from the sauce and the jam with some of the bread. What I appreciate most about my steak was that it was very tender and they allowed it to rest for a few moments so that the juices didn’t flow out. I was very pleased.

Along with our meats came the side dishes and we both dove in for the Cheesy Potatoes with Caramelized Onions and a Fried Egg. With J.’s consent, I burst the yolk of the egg and let it drizzle down the sides of the potatoes. J. and I both agreed that the potatoes dish was good, but somewhat on the bland side. We would have appreciated some sort of spice or garlic or even some sea salt. Still, the egg made the dish and we were happy with the combination of the ingredients.

The Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Applewood Smoked Bacon was exceptional. The sprouts had been cut into quarters, roasted and then tossed with pieces of the smoked bacon and the drippings from the bacon. Wow. If Brussels sprouts were served this way more often, kids wouldn’t be avoiding them like the plague. They were tender, full of flavor and not boiled to death. We were scraping the dish on this one.

The absolute best dish on the table, though, was with Mascarpone Creamed Corn. Hands down. In fact, I think it is probably one of the finest side dishes I have ever had in my life. It was sinfully rich and decadent and the flavors of the corn and mascarpone were a match made in heaven. It almost resembled a pudding in a way, but was much more intense and a bit more creamy than a pudding would be. All we knew was that we could have gone for a second or third serving of the creamed corn. It was stellar on every single level.

We were pleasantly full from our meal and we were polishing off the last of the bread when we were asked about dessert. We said we would take a look at the menu, but, we were rather full. I also mentioned to J. that the dessert menu seemed to lack the creativity and pizazz of the dinner menu. There was really nothing that stood out or piqued our interest. So, when our waiter returned, we requested our bill. The total for the excursion was $145.73 including tax. J. and I both felt that this was a very good value considering some of the creativity and surprises going on in the kitchen.

Service was outstanding. Our server was explanatory, patient and very engaging. We also liked the fact that everyone at the restaurant seemed very happy to help customers with questions and to check on tables to insure the dining experience was positive.

After paying the bill and heading to the car, J. and I were discussing how pleasantly surprised we were with Modern Steak. The menu was approachable, the food was, by and large, top notch and the service was great. Despite the concerns we had heard about the $76.00 steak, that was one item on a menu with a price point that is very fair for an upscale steakhouse in Scottsdale.

Modern Steak will be considered for future visits and rightly so.

Modern Steak
7014 East Camelback Road
Suite 1433
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Dress: Resort Casual on up.
Hours: Lunch – Monday through Saturday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Sunday 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM; Mid-Day Menu – Everyday: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM; Dinner – Sunday through Thursday: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Friday and Saturday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Notes: Located on the southeast corner of Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Next to the restaurant is Modern Burger open noon to 4 PM daily.
Alcohol: Full bar.
Website: http://www.foxrc.com/modern_steak.html

feastgagglechadwick

One of my favorite treats is Dim Sum.

For those of you who have never enjoyed this decadence, the traditional Dim Sum operation goes something like this:

1. You are seated at a table and a card is placed on the table with various prices on it.
2. Workers pass by your table with carts containing small plates of goodies.
3. If you see something you like, you simply ask for a plate of the item and it is taken off the cart and given to you.
4. The workers stamp or mark your card with the appropriate price for the plate you selected.

After that, you simply continue the practice until you are satisfied and then you pay your bill.

But as of late, I have found that I am regularly attracted to China Chan, a little Chinese restaurant on the outer ring of MetroCenter. It is housed in an older building in what looks to have been a diner. The place only has about 20 tables or so. What brings me here is the Dim Sum that always seems to come out piping hot, which it preferable to the often cold Dim Sum I have had at other places that use the carts.

Recently, I convinced Dad, Katerina, and J. to take a jaunt out to MetroCenter to try the Dim Sum at China Chan. The place wasn’t busy as we pulled into the lot and parked. We were immediately seated at a large booth near the front door and were asked if we wanted the regular menu or the Dim Sum menu. When I indicated our preference, we were handed a laminated menu showing the Dim Sum options (including photos) and a checklist where we could indicate what we wanted.

Since I knew the tastes of everyone at the table, I asked them to trust me and they did. While I make the selections, we ordered four ice teas ($1.50 each) and when the server returned with our drinks, I handed him the checklist with our selections: Shrimp Dumplings [Har Gow] ($1.85), Shrimp Egg Rolls ($2.85), Baked BBQ Pork Buns ($1.80), Steamed BBQ Pork Buns ($1.80), Shark Fin Dumplings ($1.80), Daikon Cake ($1.80), BBQ Pork Pastries ($1.80), Sesame Seed Balls ($1.80), Pineapple Buns ($2.85), Roasted Pork ($5.99), Beef Noodle ($2.85), and Shu Mai ($1.80). It was going to be a feast.

We noticed right away that unlike most places serving Dim Sum and due to the size of the restaurant, they were not using the carts, but were bringing things out of the kitchen as their preparation was completed. (Although at one point China Chan did use the carts, so they may bring them out when it gets really busy.)

We had only waited about 10 minutes before our first dishes arrive. Right off the bat, the Har Gow was placed before us. Four beautiful pink dumplings composed of plump shrimp encased in a translucent wonton wrapper. We each pluck one from the metal tin and munched away. The shrimp were hot, tender and had a nice taste of the sea. These were a big hit.

The next treat was the Baked BBQ Pork Buns. The buns were egg dough surrounding a lovely dollop of Chinese BBQ Pork. Atop the buns was a slightly sweet and very sticky glaze that was a sharp contrast to the savory pork and the salty bun. The buns were searing hot and we had to wait to let them cool. When we did get to feast, the glaze stuck to our teeth, but we had a great time enjoying each bite.

The Shrimp Egg Rolls arrived and the golden egg roll wrappers were super crisp and perfectly fried. We loved the fact that these egg rolls were not traditional in that there was only shrimp as the filling. Like the Har Gow, the shrimp were sizable and delicious. Topping them with the Sweet and Sour sauce was a pleasant addition that only enhanced the taste. These were probably one of the top three favorites at the table.

Next up were the Steamed BBQ Pork Buns. Like their baked cousins, these were spoonfuls of Chinese BBQ Pork surrounded by a fluffy white dough and steamed until done. The fun was grabbing one, splitting it open and popping it into our mouths. Dad said these really weren’t his favorites and noted the texture was odd for him. The rest of us loved them.

The Shark Fin Dumplings were reminiscent of the shape of a shark’s fin, but there is always a question as to whether or not they actually contain real shark fin (some restaurants do and some don’t). Regardless, these dumplings contained pork and vegetables and were steamed and had a great taste and texture. It was an excellent contrast of chewy, crunchy and smooth. Again, these didn’t stand a chance against our hunger.

The Daikon Cake is one of my favorites and was a hit here. Well, with me at least. I loved the chopped and formed flat cakes that are fried and then topped with a dab of soy sauce. It reminds me a lot of cooked turnips or parsnips, but this dish didn’t seem to be anyone else’s favorite at the table (although J. swears he liked it but was too focused on the other goodies… such a good husband).

The big winner at the table was the BBQ Pork in Pastry. Oh, these were just heaven on a plate. Yes, it was the same Chinese BBQ pork used in the other offerings, but these were in a light and flaky pastry that rocked our worlds. Sweet and salty paired so well with the pork and BBQ sauce. It was a grand dish.

The plate of Crackling Pork had Katerina in ecstasy. The large plate of cooked pork with a very crispy and crunchy skin was fantastic. The pork was rich and moist and the skin was an absolute treat because it was roasted and caused a noisy crunch with each bite. We all picked at the plate with our chopsticks until every last microbe of pork has been devoured.

J. wanted to try the Beef Noodle, so we ordered that, but this dish is not one of my favorites. For me, it is a textural thing centering around the noodle, which is sleek, flat and a bit to chewy for my taste. Everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy them. J. liked the contrast between the noodle itself and the stringy beef filling.

The Shu Mai were a Dim Sum standard. These were three small, bite-sized dumplings filled with ground pork, ground shrimp, black mushroom and a spot of carrot for color. This was a successful dish for us because it was operating on all cylinders. The meat was perfectly seasoned and the dumpling wrapper was properly steamed. It was a delicious nugget and we were all very happy with this selection.

It was time for the sweet items and we were not let down with the Sesame Seed Balls. The perfectly round dough balls had been coated in toasted sesame seeds and the interior was a red bean paste. It was not overly sweet and had a great balance of flavors and was warm throughout. These were perfect.

The final dessert was the Pineapple Buns which resembled hot dog buns in a way, but the interior had a pineapple puree with pineapple chunks that Dad, J. and Katerina were raving about. Sadly, I was too stuffed to even try. But they were very attractive with their glossy appearance and a sprinkling of sesame seeds. J. particularly liked the fact that they were not overly sweet and the bread was yeasty.

When we had finished our salute to gluttony, we asked for a To Go box to take home the food we couldn’t finish. As I put everything way, we were presented with our bill. This Chinese spread was a mere $55.38 which included tax. What a steal! The fact that you could get a plate of Baked BBQ Pork Buns for $1.80 was telling that our meal was an outstanding value. Service was attentive and friendly. We made our way back to the car and made the trip back to Arcadia.

There was little to dislike about our meal except for personal preferences. I have grown quite fond of China Chan because it is insanely affordable, the food is hot and fresh, and you can get a variety of items.

It isn’t the best Dim Sum I have ever had, but it sure is near the top.

China Chan
10227 North Metro Parkway East
Phoenix, AZ 85051
Dress: Casual
Hours: 11 AM to 9 PM – Thursday through Tuesday; Closed Wednesdays.
Notes: Dim Sum served every day until 3 PM.
Alcohol: Full bar.

feastgagglechadwick

Many years ago, Paradise Valley mall was a true jewel along Tatum Boulevard. The area around it sprang to life and had some great shopping. What always seemed to be lacking, though, were the dining options (unless the PV Mall food court was your thing).

There were plenty of chains and fast food was aplenty. But for some decent, quality, better-than-your-average-chain food, the selections were rare (although you could find a couple if you looked hard enough). Today, PV Mall is set for the grand opening of a Costco that is sure to bring more life to the area and that should lead – hopefully! – to more on the dining scene.

One place that may make an impact is Floyd’s Kitchen, located just north of Cactus on Tatum in the strip mall on the east side of the street. J. was in town and we decided to head up to try Floyd’s for lunch before going to PV Mall to a jeweler we like.

Parking was not a problem and J. immediately spotted the GameStop and the comic book store right next to Floyd’s so I knew the jeweler would have to wait. We entered Floyd’s and the small eatery was fairly empty with a few tables occupied. We were told to sit where we like and took up residence at a table/booth combination. Our server arrived with lunch menus and took our drink order. I had an Iced Tea ($2.00) while J. had a Diet Pepsi ($2.00).

The menu was a melange of American, Pizza, surf and turf and sandwiches. The signature dishes were the comfort food choices of items like meatloaf and pot roast and pork chops. When our server returned with our drinks, we placed our order. To start, we went with the Maple Bacon Wrapped Shrimp ($8.95), the Pot Roast ($9.95) for me, and the Jerk Chicken ($8.95) for J.

While we waited, I relaxed in the chair while glancing over to the large, flat-screen TV playing the day’s college football offering. The interior of the restaurant was minimally decorated, but J. and I agreed had a very comfortable feeling. We also like the music mix which was all over the place from pop to rock to Motown.

Our Maple Bacon Wrapped Shrimp arrived and the plate held five big tiger shrimp encased in bacon and served with a roasted red pepper sauce. I picked one of the shrimp up with my fingers and quickly dropped it on my plate as the thing was searing hot. I cut into a piece and had a bit of worry that the large size of the shrimp might be that I was in for a rubbery experience, but the flavor, texture and temperature of the appetizer were very good. J. and I both were pleased with the fact that it didn’t come with yet another serving of cocktail sauce. The roasted red pepper sauce was a nice change and had some delicate flavors, but I would have preferred to have had it a tad spicy. Still, we both devoured the shrimp.

J.’s Jerk Chicken was a very large portion size. Three big pieces of boneless chicken were liberally treated with Jerk seasoning and served with Caribbean Rice and green beans. The chicken was exceptionally moist and the Jerk seasoning was outstanding. It was very good replication of the traditional dish. J. feasted away on the chicken with a smile on his face. The Caribbean Rice was a mix of long grain rice with beans. J. said it reminded him of dirty rice and, while liking it, would have preferred something with a bit more heat from spice. The green beans were killer. They were perfectly cooked and tossed with a lovely butter sauce. All in all, J. was thrilled with his dish. I thought it was quite good as well.

My Pot Roast was huge. The amount of food on the plate meant I would leave stuffed. A very large portion of slow cooked pot roast in a rich gravy was piled high on my plate and served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and a sauteed mix of broccoli, squash, pea pods and peppers. The roast was fork tender with wonderfully seasoned. The gravy was fantastic with its aromatic vegetables and thick stock. It guaranteed the meat was going to be moist. The garlic mashed potatoes were heaven. Pure joy. They were fluffy, socked full of flavor and some of the best mashed potatoes I have had in the Valley in some time. The sauteed vegetables were also quite terrific. Whoever is cooking in the kitchen is a master with vegetables. The whole plate was a nice treatment of American comfort food.

After finishing our meals and relaxing, we asked for the check. Our bill was $34.49 which included tax. We thought it was a complete bargain due to the portion size and the quality of the cooking. Service was attentive and friendly, so we had no complaints there.

In fact, we had few complaints about Floyd’s and lots of compliments. I do think they are holding back a bit on dealing with spice in dishes, but that is an easy fix. However, there was nothing preventing us from giving Floyd’s a big thumbs up for our experience.

We both hoped that Floyd’s will continue for some time to come. The prices are exceptionally reasonable, the food is good, the service is friendly, and the menu has something for everyone.

And it certainly is a welcome break from the myriad of chains that inhabit the PV Mall area.

Floyd’s Kitchen
12601 North Tatum Boulevard
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Dress: Casual
Hours: Monday through Thursday: 11 AM to 10 PM; Friday and Saturday: 11 AM to 11 PM. Closed Sunday
Notes: Patio available. Located between the Cold Stone Creamery and Sprouts.
Alcohol: Beer and Wine.
Website: www.floydskitchen.com

feastgagglechadwick