Most of you have probably caught this, but we have a new blog going at ESPN.com covering the MLB Draft. The blog will (I’m told) be entirely Insider and will include scouting reports from me as I see players as well as daily updates from Jason Churchill on what went on the night before and what’s coming up, as well as scuttlebutt he and I pick up from industry people with whom we speak.
I did a Q&A with Nats Farm Authority. As you might imagine, the comments are a mix of good feedback and whining. By the way, the Nats blogosphere has been going nuts the last week or so; Fire Jim Bowden is all over the Bowden scandal, and Kristen at We’ve Got Heart has been providing roundups.
Several people have asked what I’m doing for spring training. I’m going to Arizona next week and will be there for most of the month, mixing pro coverage (mostly prospects) with amateurs (including, at some point, a trip to see Strasburg). If anyone has any new food rec’s for the greater Phoenix area, I’m all ears.
Hi Keith – I’m sure you are aware of Andre Ethier’s food blog “Dining with ‘Dre” but if not, his hometown is Phoenix and he’s posted a couple of local Mexican food spots that he likes to frequent. I’m curious as to what you may think of them if you get a chance to try them when you visit AZ. I actually tried one of the places he mentioned in LA (before he posted it) and although it was overpriced for pizza, it was very good. Here’s the link to his site:
http://diningwithdre.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/01/fry_bread_house_in_phoenix.html
http://diningwithdre.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/11/ninos_mexican_restaurant.html
Do you think you will get any feedback from Angry Dan over at Nats Farm?
You are FAR more experienced with AZ eats than I, so you might have already eaten at (and/or written about) this place, but people swear by it:
http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/
NYT writeup: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9404E1D7173BF934A35754C0A9629C8B63
I’ve never been, but it’s towards the top of my try-before-dying list, and I’d love to live vicariously through a Klaw post.
It’s not new, and you’ll probably laugh at this, but was wondering if you’ve ever been to Cooperstown, rocker Alice Cooper’s place?
Good work. Are you going to be scouting certain propects exclusively or just taking everyone in?
BP is now reporting that the Nats are “strongly considering” firing Bowden…
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=1189
I hope they do something before I go see them play.
If you are coming to San Diego to watch Strasburg. I have plenty of recommendations food wise.
If the Nats ever actually field a good team the fans are in trouble. If they get upset at Keith critiquing their farm system, what are they gonna do when the Mets & Phillies fans start ripping them?
If you’re up for a gimmick place:
http://www.heartattackgrill.com/
Hey Keith, this place is right by my house and I’ve gone here a few times and have always gotten a good meal. Not sure if you’ve been there before but it seems to have a good rep.
http://www.losolivosrestaurant.com/
I live in Phoenix and work in the food industry and see every place in town. Personal favorites include:
Tia Rosas, Richardsons, Pizza Bianca but be prepared to wait and spend most of your evening waiting and drinking wine at their bar (it’s more experience than the food- that is “will we get in or won’t we?”), Zest, Delux, Barrios, roaring fork, and in Sedona (cause you’ll surely make a day trip) Desert Flour bakery and cafe elote. You’re welcome to email me for directions or further recommendations.
The Cornish Pasty Company in Tempe is fantastic for lunch (I recommend the rosemary steak pasty). And if you make it down to Tucson, Rosa’s on Campbell and Fort Lowell is fine Mexican eating.
I second Brian on Tia Rosa — tie it up with what I’m assuming will be at least one trip to HoHoKam. Made my first trip there last month and was impressed — chile relleno at the top of my list. Salsas were just outstanding.
Some will disagree and it’s not gourmet, but I do like Oregano’s for salad/pizza/pasta (and a wait about a quarter of what you’ll find at Bianco,) if for nothing else than the comfort of a pizzookie at meal’s end.
If you’re looking for something late night, had a surprisingly good meal at AZ 88 in Scottsdale — galettes for appetizer with burger au poivre for entree = glee. Scene’s … interesting, but food and service made it.
And if you’re looking for Strasburg, you might as well get some Firefly out of the deal: Mar. 13-15 at UNLV. I had two orders of bacon-wrapped dates on my own last week (don’t judge me.)
Oops — that Mar. 13-15 set is at San Diego. Duh.
I think I must be the only person in Phoenix who doesn’t care for Oregano’s but people swear by it and it’s never easy to get in there.
As for AZ 88, the owners opened up a new eatery called Hanny’s right downtown and there is no um…scene as you put it. It’s a cool place (try to find the bathrooms and prepare to be amazed!) but the food at Az 88 is better.
Adam any other recommendations? Always looking for someplace new we’ve never been in Phoenix.
The Salt Cellar is pretty damn good for seafood although you do pay a premium for it.
There’s an awesome cheap (<$10), incredibly small Italian place called Mama Mia’s at 40th street and Thomas.
I’m also not too high on Oregano’s, but I’m the only person I know who shares that point of view.
Keith,
I noticed Ben Tootle at #18 on your top 32 list. I caught him this summer on the cape (not literally, but as a fan watching). He was dominant, looked like a man among boys in short inning stints. Does the stuff hold up as a starter or is his future in the pen?
Christian
Brian, you probably already know most of these already – maybe Keith can benefit. I’m a huge fan of Guedo’s Tacos in Chandler for lunch. Anything with chicken is awesome because of the marinade. There used to be one in Tempe too, but it didn’t last. I’m also an Iowa Cafe fan, if you don’t mind the drive to nowhere Mesa (or what WAS nowhere Mesa last time I was there.)
For breakfast, I’m big on TC Eggington’s (Mesa) and Breakfast Club in Scottsdale if you can stomach the wait (pun intended, but not with pride.) Surprisingly, I had the best chilaquiles I’ve tasted at Mickey’s Hangover (Scottsdale) on a Sunday morning. Actual tortillas perfectly ground instead of the bastardized version with corn chips.
As for Oregano’s … well, my wife and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner at the Old Town location, so I’m a highly partial voice. I’d skip the sandwiches, but I like most other items. Go in expecting a comfort food version of Italian if you’ve not been.
From the Dept. of Redundancy Dept. in first sentence. I’m having a bang-up week.
Forgot to mention, if one is going to travel all the way out to East Mesa, near where Moses parted the sea, might as well go to Apache Junction and visit Elvira’s. Any Mexican joint that does that well in AJ is always worth the trip.
Adam I’ve never been to Guedo’s but will try to stop in next visit to Chandler.
Two spots, owned by the same guy, that you should put on your list: Cowboy Ciao and Digestif. You can check out both menus on the web.
cowboyciao.com
digestifscottsdale.com
Both are in old town Scottsdale.
On a side note, I watched the Indians work out at their new facility this morning before heading walking over to the stadium. I’m not sure how much of v2008 Victor Martinez was attributable to the elbow, but he looked absolutely great in the morning, then went over to the game and hit 2 homeruns today. Anyway, I hope to hear your thoughts on it, b/c what I saw (admittedly brief) looked like he’s ready for a big year.
Paolo – better/worse than Los Sombreros in south Scottsdale?
One thing we never found last year was a good local coffee place, preferably a place that roasts its own beans (which, I imagine, you could do by placing them outside for a few minutes). Any suggestions?
My favorite local coffee place is Goldbar in Tempe — about equal distance from either Angels or Giants camp.
http://www.goldbarespresso.org/
There’s also a good little place in Chandler whose name is escaping me … right off the 101 at Ray.
If you’re not close to Goldbar, the Coffee Plantation chain is perfectly acceptable.
Hey Keith,
I actually didn’t have a great experience at Los Sombreros so I’m a bit biased and have to say that Los Olivos is better.