CAREFREE TRUTH
Letters from Readers & Events: 4/1/15
Restaurants
Alberto Ristorante
Photos and videos by Herbert Hitchon
Alberto Ristorante
"This video is about Alberto Ristorante."
https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/108431327/c2a6f86b83
Porchetta
"This video is about Porchetta"
https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/109418769/0afde399e9
Alberto Ristoranti
"This video is about Alberto Ristoranti"
https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/122720658/cf6ac6907c
Cafe Bink
Meet The Chef
Chef Kevin Binkley has a passion for fine food, exceptional talent, incredible energy, and he loves to cook.
Cafe Bink is located in the Carefree Marketplace (the Basha's center) 36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr. Hours of operation are Monday thru Sat Lunch 11-2, Midday 2-5, Happy Hour 2-5, Dinner 5-9. Sunday is the same but lunch/brunch 10-2. Come to "Martini Mondays" from 2- closing. We will be hosting a Thanksgiving Brunch. (480)488-9796 http://www.cafebink.com/
Cater your party in your home, office, or come to our Cafe. At Cafe Bink you can hold your party inside, or outside on our beautiful patio. For more information on catering, call Donna at 480-200-1296.
CHEF KEVIN BINKLEY NAMED JAMES BEARD AWARD FINALIST
On Tuesday, March 18, the James Beard Foundation announced its final list of nominees for the 2014 award season. Among the Best Chef of the Southwest finalists was Arizona's Chef Kevin Binkley. Binkley has been a nominee in this category every year since 2005. He was a consecutive semifinalist in 2012 and 2013, this year is the first year he has been named a finalist.
Carefree Bistro
Photos and videos by Herbert Hitchon
Carefree Bistro
https://vimeo.com/104683868
"This video is about Carefree Bistro. 37555 N. Hum Rd., #109 (corner of Cave Creek"
https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/104683868/915ddd09af
Meet the Owners of Carefree Bistro
"This video is about George and Eunice Bektas."
https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/108082900/de60ecd00e
Owner and Chef Coskun "George" Bektas
"This video is about Owner and Chef Coskun "George" Bektas
https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/106717384/90bfed5292
Carefree Bistro Meet the Chefs: Seared Jumbo Scallops by Chef Hakan hak Civelek
https://vimeo.com/104677310
"This video is about Carefree Bistro, "Meet the Chefs". Pan Seared Jumbo Scallops by Chef Hakan hak Civelek. Truffle mushrooms, risotto, asparagus, sundried tomatoes, cognac cream sauce."
https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/104677310/e8a2440b25
Chef Jennifer Morgan: Desserts
"This video is about Jennifer Morgan making desserts. First Blueberry Peach Cobbler and Vanilla bean gelato, then Profiteroles - Crispy Pastry Shells, Salted Caramel Gelato, Chocolate Sauce, and Toasted Almonds."
https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/106468748/27fbbd91df
Getting to know Chef Jennifer Morgan
"This video is about Getting to know Chef Jennifer Morgan."
https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/106558788/620e0eb97f
Carefree Bistro is modeled around great fresh seasonal American food and complemented by our wine list. This idea offers a sophisticated dining experience in a warm and friendly environment.
Our Chef Team uses the highest quality of ingredients from as many local small farms & ranches as possible.
Our desserts are all made in-house. Our wine list reflects the culture & passion of the vineyard. Smartly priced Domestic and European selections offer a balanced texture & acidity, to complement our classic “home-style” American-influenced menu.
Our Team of Chefs - Hakan Civelek, Jennifer Morgan, Coskun “George” Bektas
We Support Local Organic Farmers & We Use Extra Virgin olive oil For Cooking. We Use vegi Oil for All Fried Items. We Serve Only Natural Fed Meats and Free Range Organic Chickens.
37555 N. Hum Rd., #109 (corner of Cave Creek & Hum Rds.), Carefree, AZ 85377
(602)795-1255
Reservations recommended
37220 N. Mule Train Road, Carefree
480.488.5300
Lariat Restaurant – 480.595.3829
Join us in the Lariat Restaurant and add a little sizzle to your Thursday Night!
Join us every Thursday evening in the Lariat Restaurant and enjoy a juicy signature burger* served with french fries and a frosty draft or domestic beer or a glass of house wine.
$12.95* per person
*Chicken/Veggie burger substitution available.
Side dish substitutions available for an additional $2
**Prices exclude tax & gratuity
Prime Rib Special
Saturday evenings enjoy a savory 8 oz. slice of prime rib accompanied by a baked potato and chef’s choice of fresh vegetables.
$16.95** per person
**Prices exclude beverage, tax & gratuity
EASTER BRUNCH BUFFET
Sunday April 5, 2015 ~ Reservations 10:30 am to 2pm ~ Call 480.595.3829
START OF THE DAY
Applewood Smoked Bacon │ Sausage Links
Hash Brown Potatoes with onion
Cowboy Bread Toast │ dipped in healthy granola │ maple syrup │ butter
Eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon │ House‐Made Hollandaise
ACTION STATIONS
Fresh Made Belgian Waffles with banana │ candied pecan syrup
Omelet to Order │grated cheeses │ ham │ onion │ peppers │ mushroom │ bacon
SONORAN SEAFOOD DISPLAY
Snow Crab │ Chilled Shrimp │ Oysters on half shell
cocktail sauce │ cognac sauce │ lemon wedges
SALADS and SUCH
Mixed Greens, Baby Spinach and Romaine |assorted dressings │ vinaigrettes
Buffalo Mozzarella with Vine‐ripe Red and Yellow Tomatoes
Spring Asparagus │ lemon │ garlic aioli
Cured Meats and Antipasto Platter │ grain mustard
Presentation of International Cheeses with dried fruits │ nuts
Walnut Raisin, Ciabatta and French Breads
Display of Fruits with honey vanilla yogurt
HAND CARVED
Roasted Beef Tenderloin with horseradish cream │ au jus
Bourbon‐Glazed Ham │ pineapple │ whole grain and Dijon mustards
CHAFERED
Atlantic Salmon │topped with lump crab │ charred tomato dill butter
Parmesan Crusted Flounder │ crispy caper lemon butter sauce
Roasted Organic Chicken Breast │ chardonnay sauce
Garlic Mashed Potatoes │ Manchego Potato Gratin
Medley of Baby Spring Vegetables | Green Beans │ almond lemon butter
Artisan Breads│ Buns │Rolls │ sweet butter
DESSERT SENSATIONS
Traditional Holiday Fare to include
Chocolate Eggs │ Lemon Bars │ Cakes |Chocolate-Chocolate Brownies
Glass Jars of Assorted Easter Candies
$55 Per Guest │ $20 ages 6 to 12 ~ Tax & Gratuity not included
English Rose Tea Room
Originally from England, Jo Gemmill established the English Rose Tea Room in 2001. Located at 201 Easy Street, in Carefree, the Tea Room, was named Best Afternoon Tea by Phoenix Magazine. The restaurant offers a full selection of traditional British teas and menu fare. For information, call 480-488-4812 or visit carefreetea.com.
Giordano's Trattoria Romana
Photos by Herbert Hitchon
Giordano's Trattoria Romana, located in downtown Carefree, is the essence of top notch Northern Italian cuisine, charming ambience, and a warm welcome. Giordano's is a family run establishment, and owner Adele meets her many regular customers at the front door with a cheery greeting and a hug.
The delectable aroma of the traditional Italian menu items and the creative nightly "specials", accompanied by a wide variety of wines and cocktails, combine to tempt the palate. Soft lighting and music provide a cozy relaxing atmosphere, and fine art provided by the Wild Holly Gallery in Carefree adorns the walls to please the eye. The beautifully presented meals are served by a friendly and attentive wait staff.
Giordano's provides a dining experience that will make you another of the many loyal customers who consider the restaurant a local favorite.
7275 E. Easy Street, Carefree, AZ
For reservations call 480-595-0233
http://www.giordanositalianrestaurant.com/p1.htm
THERE’S A NEW TORTOISE IN TOWN
AND HE’S COOKING UP GOOD FOOD
Question. Where can you find slow roasted pork belly tacos, porcini mushroom ravioli’s in Marsala cream, homemade Tamale pie, and smoked salmon fettuccini? It’s in the home of a half Mexican, half Italian tortoise mascot named Guido Garcias, the newest food eatery to open up in Carefree.
Cave Creek residents Troy and Christina McDonald owners of Brugos Pizza in North Scottsdale have thrown their hat into the ring once again with this new half Mexican cantina/half Italian ristorante located in historic Spanish Village. “We wanted to give folks a different experience by offering unique homemade food in a laid back outdoor cantina environment with good pricing. We don’t really have that up here and it was needed”, says Christina “Chrissy” McDonald.
The Spanish Village outdoor courtyard, home to Guido Garcias is both magical and stunning. Architecturally interesting, Guido Garcias was originally built by Tom Darlington, founder of Carefree. “Everywhere you look one can see remarkable workmanship and true art that can never be duplicated.” Chrissy says.
However it’s the food that steals the show. “I gotta confess I was terrified to introduce these recipes to the crowd, but they are loving it! And our kitchen is ridiculously tiny so it’s not easy!” laughs Chrissy. Sample the white enchiladas in a rich pasilla chili cream sauce, Mushroom Zucchini Lasagna, or seemingly simple Chrissy’s Angus burger with Smoked Gouda, Applewood smoked bacon, real avocado, green chili and mushrooms.” I think it will be the best burger in town! How can you go wrong when it’s fresh?” says Chrissy. Guido Garcias is located off North Scottsdale/Tom Darlington Drive in Carefree.
Photos by Herbert Hitchon
Guido Garcias
Ristorante/Cantina
7212 East Ho Road
Carefree, AZ 85377
phone: 480-488-7000
THE TORTOISE KNOWS HOW TO LIVE LIFE WELL!
Carefree, 85377
Call 480-595-9909 For Reservations
Serving Monday thru Thursday 11am - 9pm
Friday lunch and dinner 11am - 10pm
Weekend Brunch 8am Saturday 9am Sunday
visit our website at www.Venuescafe.com
Tucked away in Carefree Village; just down from the Sun Dial.
The restaurant that has been called ... "the most beautiful restaurant in Arizona"
Venues Cafe is completing it's 5th year and is open every day offering a varied menu
with special compliments Christmas, Easter,
Thanksgiving & New Years' Eve and Valentine's Day
A cozy and welcoming atmosphere of brick, natural wood and rock along with copper tables that is Quintessential Carefree
Experience a medley of flavors from Contemporary American to
Classic European
Every Day !!!
3:00 - 6:00
$2 Domestic Beers
$2 off Cocktails, Imported Beers and Wine
AND
Wine by the bottle is buy your first bottle and get the second bottle of the same wine for $10. We can re-cork it for you and send it home too!
Saturday morning Venue's famous Breakfast, Bloody Marys and Cars
8:00am
Bottomless Bubbles
for $10 with any
Brunch order
Venues Voted
Diner's Choice Winner Three Years Running
Meet our Chef de Cuisine - Celine C. Fabre
Classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu
Apprenticeship with Chef Marc Veyrat, Yoann CONTE Bord du Lac
Winner of 3 Star Michelin Award
13 Route des Pensieres,
74290 Veyrier-du-Lac
Extensive catering experience with Creati
ons in Cuisine and Michael's...let us cater your next event
Chef Celine brings wonderfully fresh and when possible, local and organic ingredients to her scratch kitchen. It is our pleasure to present a menu that is varied yet exceptional with something for everyone.
Offering a variety of specialty dishes daily, Chef Celine will ensure any dietary restrictions are met as she prepares meals that are full of nutrients and taste
Vegan and Gluten Free Choices available...including Celine's famous Eggplant Parmesan over creamy polenta
Both Saturday and Sunday we offer Bottom less Bubbles for $10 with the purchase of any Brunch item
Brunch is served until 2pm on the Weekends
Don't Forget Monday Night is Burger Night...$11.95 for an 8oz Angus Burger, a handmade Turkey Burger with Fresh Herbs, your choice of side and a free House Wine or Domestic Beer
"Cruisin' Classic Car Show" every Saturday at Venues, 8AM-10AM 
Photos by Herbert Hitchon
Pet Products
Photos by Herbert Hitchon
BOSCO'S BISCUITS
"This video is about BOSCO'S BISCUITS. Treat your dog to the best. Baked with love!"
https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/111713138/76f2dce4c2
Beauty Products
Skin care services have increased to a whole new level with the addition of pampering spa services. Visitors to the studio will continue to enjoy the high quality cosmetics and exceptional customer service that have made the studio so popular.
We are thrilled to offer spa services, including facial services, eyebrow waxing and tinting services. Our goal is to help our customers feel special in a relaxed setting while enjoying our unparalleled products.
CLICK HERE FOR SPA MENU ON WEBSITE
CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT: 480-488-3208
37417 Tom Darlington Drive
Carefree, AZ 85377
480-488-3208
FREE SHIPPING
MONDAY - FRIDAY 10 TO 5
SATURDAY 10 TO 4
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STAY CONNECTED
Clothing
Restyle your wardrobe in 2015! Elegant Affairs clothing store is now open for business.
Elegant Affairs
35777 N. Hum Road
Suite 108
Carefree, AZ 85250
480-656-4277
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Elegant Affairs Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: 1/15/15
"This video is about Elegant Affairs dress shop in Carefree, AZ."
http://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/116932999/97453bc14d
Video by Herbert Hitchon
Heath
Fresh Vitamins
Carefree Marketplace
36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr., Ste, B-5
1-877-935-3087
Home Products
Bottom 3 photos by Herbert Hitchon
Is it time for an outdoor lighting tune-up?
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At this home in North Scottsdale, the contractor chose the MR-16 by Brilliance LED for its color consistency, energy savings and zero maintenance cost. An occasional lens wipe is all that is needed. The warm stone facade is highlighted with four Brilliance LED MR-16's drawing a total of 4 watts each and a 2700K Kelvin temperature. Lumens output is 230lm per lamp with a beam angle of 30º. Each lamp is enclosed in a Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting Fixture 5252.
Add Safety, Serenity and Beauty to Your Home with a Low-Energy, Outdoor Lighting System from
Maximize Your Energy Efficiency with LED Outdoor Lighting
FROM SINGLE FIXTURES TO COMPLETE SYSTEMS
No job is too large or too small. We are locally owned and operated and offer FREE written estimates.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING PROVIDES
· Safety
· Serenity
· Beauty
LED SAVINGS CALCULATOR
See your savings with our new LED savings calculator.
Call us today to see how much you can save.
480-575-3204
DID YOU KNOW?
LED bulbs are mercury-free, draw as much as 80% less energy than halogen bulbs, and have a life-span of nearly 20 years.
Drop-in replacement lamps are available for most current lighting systems today.
Located in gorgeous Carefree, Arizona, Let There Be Light is a locally owned company that designs, installs and maintains long-lasting, low-energy outdoor lighting solutions for your home.
Desert Mountain
Do you have outdoor, landscape and accent lighting needs? Do you want to lower your energy costs and reduce the time and money you spend on maintaining your outdoor lighting system?
Let There Be Light utilizes the latest state of the art technology by offering drop-in replacement LED's (Light Emitting Diodes), which last much longer than any other lighting source on the market. LED's can also dramatically reduce your energy consumption (as much as 80%), while providing you with warm, mercury-free, high output lighting.
From design and installation of an entire system to maintenance and upgrades of your current lighting system, Let There Be Light can meet all of your outdoor lighting needs.
Locally owned and operated by Bryan Gold, Let There Be Light was established in 2007 and has grown to become the preferred outdoor lighting team in the greater Carefree/Cave Creek area.
Desert Mountain
The Boulders
Call us today for a design and installation
of a complete outdoor lighting system.
Abbey, Bryan, Jack, & Stephanie Gold
From our family to yours, we appreciate your business. Please call me directly with any questions. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Bryan Gold
Let There Be Light, LLC
480-575-3204
7202 East Cave Creek Road, Suite 3B
Carefree, AZ 85377
Visit us online @ www.lettherebelightllc.com
Photos by Herbert Hitchon
Computer Services
Tech 4 Life
Country Doctor Service, For Your Technology
748 Easy St, Carefree, AZ 480.553.9171
Financial Services
Call for a free consultation
Lisa Elliott Design
Realtors
Shipping
Publications
Desert Foothills Chronicle, Inc.,
an AZ nonprofit corporation,
Editor
Sara Anna Vannucci /John B. Vannucci
480-231-3549 (Sara) creekerlady@gmail.com
Sara
Festivals
2nd Annual Carefree Days Festival
Friday, April 10 - Sunday, April 12
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Celebrate spring with carefree spirit at Magic Bird Festival’s 2nd Annual Carefree Days.
The three-day arts and entertainment event takes place from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12, at the Carefree Desert Gardens and Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy St., in Carefree.
With over 75 art and craft exhibitors, the free outdoor festival features spectacular one-of-a-kind handcraft designs and artwork.
The entire show is woven throughout the town’s beautiful and exotic botanical gardens, with Carefree’s world-famous sundial at its center. Attendees will appreciate the intimate atmosphere and surrounding mountain landscape.
Talented local performer, Dakota Kid, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Known for singing popular country western and classic rock tunes, his act takes center stage in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion.
Additional entertainment includes blue grass favorites from the New Deal Trio, as well as dance performances by the Desert Cactus Kickers. Colorful side act, Chase Archer, will play host to surprise juggling performances throughout the weekend.
Magic Bird’s festive food court offers popular Southwest eats, with local food trucks, including Grilled Addiction, adding extra flavor to the menu.
Carefree Days honors the Town of Carefree and its unique desert-mountain setting that has flourished into a cultural destination. Founded by KT Palmer and Tom Darlington in 1959, Carefree embodies the true Southwest offering a wealth of attractions and entertainment for locals and visitors.
Carefree Desert Gardens
101 Easy Street, Carefree
For information, call 480-488-2014 or visit magicbirdfestivals.com.
Photo by Tom Baker
About Magic Bird Festivals:
Magic Bird Festivals was founded in 1989, by Roberta Toombs-Rechlin and Lester Rechlin. The Cave Creek, Ariz.-based company also presents many locally inspired events throughout the year including the Carefree Christmas Festival Gift Market, the Carefree Indian Market & Cultural Festival, the Carefree Festival of Fine Chocolate & Fine Art, the Carefree Fine Art of the Southwest Festival. For more information, visit magicbirdfestivals.com, call 480-488-2014 or write PO Box 1803, Cave Creek, Arizona 85327.
Galleries
Shop Locally
"This video is about Kimber Lanning, of Local First Arizona, presented to the Council the positive impact on the economy when residents and government patronize Arizona companies and support small local businesses."
http://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/112557402/a711bd30b0
Video by Herbert Hitchon
