by Mike Hunter
Power Lunch Good Leafy Green Stuff
Meals that matter
Taking that hour-long lunch and doing something healthy for oneself is a real challenge, but we’ve found some great local spots serve up a unique salad not to be missed.
Chinese Chicken Salad
South Pacific-inspired, the Aloha Kitchen is a casual eatery with unique Hawaiian dishes. This salad is full of strips of charbroiled chicken over lettuce, garnished with green onion, cilantro, mandarin oranges and sliced almonds, served with island-style, tangy, oil and rice vinegar dressing. $7.95. Aloha Kitchen 2950 S. Alma School Road, Mesa (480) 897-2451 alohakitchen.com
Grilled Steak Panzanella Salad
The New Queen of the Barrio
Photos: Barrio Culinary Concepts (left), Aric Mei (right)
Urban and flavorful attitude make lunch here bueno Street attitude and a whole lot of Mexican spice make up this latest invention by Silvana Salcido Esparza, the famed restaurateur of Barrio Café in Central Phoenix. She took over the old Metro space at Southbridge in Old Town Scottsdale at the end of last year and invented a “dual” concept of a higher-end and a street-casual restaurant coupled to serve the classes. She has just revamped and one big Barrio Queen now takes up the whole space. Based on the success of what she knows best — Mexican street food — Esparza is back in her element serving up choriqueso, a longaniza sausage with quesillo and menonita cheese fondue; guacamole with pomegranate seeds; and her famed Mexicanstyle French fries with a spicy ketchup. Entrées include the Pollo a la Coco, a pan-seared, spice-rubbed chicken breast topped with goat and menonita cheeses, sautéed with onion and roasted peppers in a piñon cream sauce. Enchiladas, chiles rellenos, tamales and burritos are all made with creativity and unique ingredients adding great flavor and satisfaction. Tacos have a menu of their own, small bites to be ordered in amazingly varied assortment. The Mexican sandwiches, which are really Mexican-style paninis, are inventive and delicious, and come complete with fries and the Barrio slaw. And for those late-risers who are spending their lunch hour waking up, Barrio Queen offers all-day breakfast dishes that include eggs and chorizo, green chiles and eggs and several breakfast enchiladas. The décor is simple yet exciting. Usually packed with diners, this place is quickly becoming the center of attention with is expansive space and street-side patio, redefining a Spanish piece of town.
(pictured) A former salon-turned-eatery, The Parlor is home to some great pizzas. However, its inventive salads are definitely not to be missed. The steak salad is made with focaccia croutons, tomatoes, cucumbers, Gastrique onions and romesco and ricotta cheeses. $12. The Parlor 1916 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix (602) 248-2480 theparlor.us
Sashimi Tuna Salad
This Asian-inspired dish at True Food is healthy and full of flavor. Plenty of protein with the fresh tuna — seared (or not) to taste. Adding great flavor to the dish is avocado, cucumber, edamame and ginger in a light dressing or dressing of choice. $14; add $5 for grilled chicken. True Food Kitchen Scottsdale Quarter, Scottsdale (480) 265-4500 Biltmore Fashion Square, Phoenix (602) 774-3488 truefoodkitchen.com
Barrio Queen 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale (480) 656-4197 barrioqueen.com
inbusine ssmag.com
J u n e 2012
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