Only in Phoenix...The Mesa Swap Meet and Wong's

"We're all about recreational shopping" sez the Mesa Market Swap Meet

Every municipality has its own special places, and I'm drawn to them like a bee to the last blossom. These are Phoenix area exclusives:

Time to kill on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus a hankering to shop until you need a foot rub and a place to rest your bottom? You  will probably find what you’re looking for (and then some) at the Mesa Market Swap Meet, but it may take a while. The term “miles of aisles” truly applies, as does “as seen on TV”; although there are only two aisles, they do appear to go on for miles, booth after booth of everything from car seat covers to laser-cut sun catchers and local stone jewelry. More of a mall similar to state fair sales barns than a place where individuals sell their antiques and unwanted items, the Swap Meet does have something for everyone. But your wallet will be the better for it if you know what you’re looking for, or you might come home scratching your head over the woven lap rug you just bought with a picture of a Comanche chief superimposed over an eagle and American flag.

There is a snack bar (hot dogs, tacos etc.) on the premises if the need strikes. The website offers coupons, and there's often live music on the weekends.

If there were a Chinese word for "beloved dive with good food" (and there probably is), it's the perfect description of Wongs Chinese Dining.. The people who run it are friendly and helpful (free fried wontons while you wait!), And the place is buzzing at lunchtime. I chose it because it was “where the locals eat” - a big Hispanic favorite - and close to the airport car rental place; from the outside, “unassuming” doesn’t cover it - “condemned” seems more accurate at first glance (I think the older part of the building IS condemned, judging from the chain link fence around it), but don't be fooled. My traveler instincts kicked in and said “take a chance”. I'm glad I did.

Pic is of pork egg foo young, as big as your head! The pork, in this case, is char sui, bits of Chinese-style red barbecued pork; it's covered with a heavier-than-usual pork-based gravy, but very tasty, nonetheless. Visitors have to wander back through the kitchen to get to the bathroom; consider it an opportunity to wave to the family busily cooking everything to order.

Places I didn't get to, but wish I did:

Scottsdale Thursday Evening Art Walk, 6:30-9PM in the "art district", along Main Street from Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Blvd. has been going strong since 1975. Live music, restaurants, fountains, statues and a generally festive atmosphere sound like lots of fun http://scottsdalegalleries.com/about/map/

Mesa Market Swap Meet
10550 E. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85209
http://mesamarket.com/

Wong's Chinese Dining

1139 E. Buckeye Rd., Phoenix

Yelp Reviews (There's more than one Wong's - this is the "right" one): https://www.yelp.com/biz/wongs-chinese-dining-phoenix

Desert Rennaissance: Hotel Valley Ho and Mountain Shadows

Hotel Valey Ho (courtesty Hotel Valley Ho)

Both Hotel Valley Ho and Mountain Shadows Resort are the product of the forward-thinking triumvirate of developers behind Westroc Hospitality, a Phoenix-based company devoted to transforming unique (often run-down or tired) properties into extraordinary singular destinations.

Too cool for the 'fifties: the original lobby

Don’t you love it when you stumble on a great place unexpectedly? I found out about Hotel Valley Ho by accident, and almost didn’t stop by to check it out – that would have been a mistake. This mid-century-style landmark opened on December 20, 1956, and was the first hotel in the valley to have air conditioning, The name "Valley Ho" was the result of a newspaper contest inspired by its sister property Westward Ho, a hotel that didn't stand the test of time. Hotel Valley Ho is now a hip spot that caters to locals and visitors alike, with featured venues ZuZu restaurant and bar, VH Spa (Vitality + Health), The Tower Residences, and OH Pool Bar + Cabanas, named one of the “World’s Coolest Pools” by  Travel + Leisure.

Valley Ho bath

This was the first hotel renovated by Westroc, and Valley Ho has turned into a destination all its own, smack-dab in the center of Scottsdale’s action. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale Waterfront  and Fashion Square Mall and other shopping and amusements are within easy walking distance. The hotel's grounds are beautifully landscaped, reminiscent of Maui without the humidity. Speaking of Maui, some online reviews of this hotel have lovely things to say about the beach access. Uh, no. No beach, but plenty of sand. The  rooms are attractive and comfortable, and the bar is a meeting place par excellence.

Dinner in restaurant ZuZu - particularly outside among the palm trees and tweeting birdies - is an uber-pleasant experience. The food was fabulous (perfectly prepared beef from Colorado, fresh-daily seafood, local veggies), and the wait staff more than accommodating (if you’re lucky, you’ll get Garrett, waiter extraordinaire and sommelier to be).

ZuZu in Hotel Valley Ho (courtesy of Hotel Valley Ho)

Valley Ho is a great all-around choice for a stay in downtown Scottsdale. High season (now until late May) averages about $300 per room for all amenities, low season is half that.

Restaurant fountain, Mountain Shadows

Cool, quiet, sleek, serene. Busy life got you down? Tired of paparazzi swarming like hornets? Tied to electronics? Mountain Shadows is your remedy. This resort is a place of refuge, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Phoenix, set above the fancy shops and eateries of Scottsdale. It's the most recent property recreated by the Westroc group and its partners.

After all, if Mountain Shadows worked for dozens of the glamorous late '50s elite such as Lucile Ball and Desi Arnez, why not you? Of course, this isn’t the Hollywood getaway of the days of early TV, or even the episode of the TV pop show, The Monkees; those buildings no longer exist.

Lucille Ball extends the glad hand on her way into Mountain Shadows

Mountain Shadows view of Camelback Mountain

Lunch at Hearth 61

In their place, stunning ultramodern architecture takes in two-story floor-to-ceiling views of shadows falling over Camelback Mountain, two aqua blue pools beckon, luxe condos and rooms cocoon, an 18-hole golf course challenges, and an open kitchen/restaurant, Hearth 61, serves up locally sourced, thoughtfully prepared nourishment (the grilled eggplant and quinoa is especially tasty, though steak frites shared the drool factor). The bar and lounge enhance the serenity with a bubbling fountain and cozy seating in case you want company, but not too much. Rates are reasonable for this new property $215 - 500 per night, depending on the room and date.

Room at Mountain Shadows

Hotel Valley Ho
6850 East Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 376-2600 
https://www.hotelvalleyho.com/ 

Mountain Shadows

5445 E. Lincoln Dr.

Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 

(855) 485-1417

 mountainshadows.com/

Another view of Mountain Shadows' property

Another Phabulous Pharm in Phoenix - OK, I'll stop now. Phinally.

A view of the groves

“Former Detroit auto industry worker becomes olive farmer”
Isn't that a headline for the ages? Lucky for visitors to the area, That's exactly what Perry Rea did. After a period of study in Italy, the Rea family (wife Brenda and four and a half kids - Brenda was expecting) moved to Queen Creek (southeast Phoenix), planted olive trees and began their own business eleven years ago. Now, Queen Creek Olive Mill is a thriving concern, selling three grades of excellent quality olive oil, flavored oils, tapenades, and lots of other goodies, including beauty products (Olivespa) as well as edibles.
Olive oil lip balm, how do I love thee? Here in the desert, humidity is hard to come by – even in this fertile area, prunes not only grow on trees, but humans can turn into one with very little effort. The new line, created by one of the Rea kids, is fabulous.

Take the tour to find out how olive oil is made, the processes, differences in quality (you may never go to Safeway again), and how to really taste the stuff (hint: you warm it up before you swish it around). The Rea family has also published a pretty and practical take on Italian cooking with plenty of EVOO, of course.

Then order at the counter and wander out to the front shaded area to enjoy a tasty, inexpensive Italian-inspired meal among the groves: lunch every day, dinner on weekends. The Estrella pizza is sublime, the warm olives a meal in themselves. Good-sized portions, casual atmosphere and…most European of all… no tipping unless you force it on the busboys. It’s no wonder the Olive Mill has grown over the years and remains a local favorite.

We tried to leave some food on the plates, but it wasn't easy

The Olive Mill is not far from Schnepf Farm, so make a day of farm stops. Just try to avoid S. Rittenhouse Rd. during commute hours; The former 2-lane farm road hasn't kept up with all the new development in the area, and delays are unavoidable during those times.

Queen Creek Olive Mill
25062 S. Meridian Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85142

480-361-9860
https://www.queencreekolivemill.com/

Pharming in Phoenix - Not a Contradiction: Agritopia and Schnepf Farm

Wines from Garage East, Agritopia

Like most cities, Phoenix is composed of once-separate villages grown together into a mishmash of streets and neighborhoods - a fact that's easy to verify if you look at a map of Phoenix and discover Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue running parallel with each other a few blocks apart. Downtown is as urban as it gets, but as one moves farther out from the center of town, differences begin to appear. The area around Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Queen Creek in the southeast quadrant of the city is dotted with small farms interlaced with suburban developments. In fact, the overwhelming majority of farms in Arizona are small, locally owned family operations (under $20,000 a year, according to the USDA) that still manage to produce most of the lettuce consumed in America, and an equally hefty quantity of cotton.

Ag stats aside, few of us are lucky enough to witness the birth of a new hip area, but southeast Phoenix is happening, and signs are everywhere. One of the coolest spots to visit in the area is Agritopia, the brainchild of the Johnston family, who began farming 160 acres in Gilbert in the early 1960s. Instead of selling off parcels to developers who had successfully pressured other small landowners, the Johnston clan developed it themselves, creating a planned residential community of 450 unique houses on 90 acres surrounding 11 acres of urban farmland, a chef-driven restaurant, coffee shop, winery and creative craftsman spaces. All the shops and restaurants are open to the public. The Johnstons gathered a consortium of other producers and makers to create Agritopia, reimagining the existing buildings on the property as housing various hand-made and locally related businesses, all in the most pleasant, grassy, tree-lined setting. The original family home, Joe's Farm Grill, is packed at lunch. The Coffee Shop offers fresh baked goods and local coffee, and a pay-it-yourself shop for produce and products from local businesses features tea, flour and crackers from local grower and grinder Hadley mills, coffee, chocolate and more.
 

Barnone (variously called barn one, bar none, or bar no knee, depending on who you talk to) houses a group of craft businesses such as paper makers, and a brewery, 12 West.

My FAVORITE stop on the property, however, is the winery in Garage East, run by Brian and Megan Ruffentine. It's a bright and welcoming tasting room for Arizona wines (grapes are grown in the Tucson area), ranging from tart whites to the deepest Tempranillo, reminiscent of Spain. 

Served with a delicious platter of locally cured meats, cheeses, medjool dates, honey and those Hadley Mills crackers, it's easy to while away hours here, either in the very hip and light interior, or on the shaded outdoor patio.

For a more traditional take on farming, There's Schnepf Farm. Other than the pure pleasure of saying “schnepf” while attempting to keep all your saliva in your mouth, there’s plenty to be found here for the whole gang. Breakfast is a big fave, thanks to the little patio on the side of the store and the hearty farm breakfast menu and baked goods. The store itself stocks a treasure trove of jams, salsas and local products. Schnepf’s is a real farm, 75 years in the business and run by the fourth generation of the family; they offer just-picked produce as well as u-pick whatever is in season in the fields. Thanks to this area’s unbelievably long growing season (September to July) and double harvest, there’s plenty to be found; however, most people come to Schnepf’s for its most famous product: organic peaches. The farm is the biggest producer in Arizona, and they ship all over. When out of season, there are always jams, salsas and what-all based on the fuzzy fruit. Schnepf's has special events most of the year; check their website for what's available to pick. They're closed July 5 through Labor Day.

As the city continues its relentless march (and the population continues to grow), these types of farms may shrink and disappear - so go now, when the going is good. More to come: another great local farm with a slippery twist...and a place with miles of aisles....

The Farm at Agritopia
3000 E. Ray Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 988-1238
http://thefarmatagritopia.com/

Schnepf Farms
24810 S. Rittenhouse Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
(480) 987-3100
http://www.schnepffarms.com/