Summer Vacation Memories – Arizona

I snuck away to Arizona for a few days earlier this summer.  I got to spend tons of quality time with one of my besties, Kayla, who lives far away from me in Texas, and just relax.  We got a little pool time in, had a spa treatment and then treated ourselves to a blowout at The Dry Bar.

Kayla has family in the area so she was familiar with some of the local establishments.  She knew I would love Windsor and she was right.  I think this might be my favorite restaurant of all time.  But it isn’t just a restaurant.  Attached is a fantastic ice cream/candy shop called Churn.  I mean, a black and white Beastie Boys photo and a bold graphic statement on the wall?  I didn’t want to leave.

If you follow me on Instagram (cupcakescutlery), you may remember this radtastic cassette tape wall.  So good.  This is in the hallway between the restaurant and the ice cream shop.  And maybe one day my home will have a wall very similar.  No where is that New Edition tape…

So Windsor and Churn got EVERYTHING right.  From the decor (succulents, plaid chairs, rustic cool tables, the aforementioned tape wall and who knew that branded toilet paper could be so cool?), the music (like first wave awesomeness including but not limited to The Police, David Bowie, etc.), cocktails (inventive, flavorful and refreshing) and service (the servers were the coolest of the cool without any pretension – so refreshing coming from Orange County).  And then there was the food.  We only got appetizers but gosh dang were they good.  Mark my words, fondue is coming back in a big way (a bit modernized and not your traditional swiss but delightful variations) and Windsor’s version did not disappoint.  We also tried their corn dog poppers and the mac and cheese but my FAVE dish was the nachos.  They were homemade potato chips with caramelized onions, bacon and cheese.  Like, whoa.  I really didn’t have room for dessert but I had to try some of the coffee ice cream at Churn.  While there I picked up some little souvenirs for my baby boys back home.

There are two things that Rachel Ray has taught me.  1) It takes me an hour to make her 30 minute meals and 2) Always ask locals for restaurant recommendations.  Our server from Windsor told us about Orange Table and told us they made the best corned beef hash.  She was not wrong.  But I had to add in a sweet element too with banana nut french toast.  And the coffee drinks?!  The Mexican Mocha was phenomenal.  They have a full bar so this is certainly not just a breakfast spot.  Next time I go for a weekend I will be staying at The Saguaro which is across a little courtyard from this restaurant.  And then I’d probably never leave the area by car.  Who wants to go with me?

Kayla is my foodie pal and lets me indulge in all kind of fattening naughtiness.  We passed this cupcake shop on the way to my very first Hobby Lobby experience and knew we were going to have to go back and check it out.  21 Cakes is gorgeous.  From the marble to the calm colors and ghost chairs they had at their communal cupcake eating table, I kind of wanted to move in.  I loved the vintage cupcake pans set in the wall.  Such a cool touch.  Oh yeah and the cupcakes were delicious too.  We got a salted caramel and peanut butter chocolate.  YUM!  And it is no wonder that I need to go on a diet because our very next stop was to Sprinkles Cupcakes.  We had promised Kayla’s mom we would bring some for her.  We couldn’t tell her no, right?

I fell in love with these places on my short visit and can’t wait to go back again!  Where do you love to go in Scottsdale/Phoenix?