CAREFREE TRUTH
Letters from Readers & Events: 4/29/15
Special Event!
CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO AT GUIDO GARCIAS!
11:30 – 9
OR
WHEN THE LAST GRINGO GOES HOME FOR THE NIGHT!
IT’S BUENO AT GUIDOS!
CINCO DE MAYO!
FREE CHIPS & HOMEMADE SALSAS!
· $2 Prime Rib Street Tacos!
· $2 Chicken & Roasted Garlic Street Tacos!
· $3.50 Coronas & Dos XX!
· $4 House Margaritas!
Guido Garcias
Ristorante/Cantina
7212 East Ho Road
Carefree, AZ 85377
phone: 480-488-7000
THE TORTOISE KNOWS HOW TO LIVE LIFE WELL!
New Offering!
B R U N C H M E N U
Mimosa | 8 Bloody Mary | 8 Bellini | 8
Soup of the Day | chef’s daily creation cup 5 bowl 7
Hummus | puree of chickpeas, evoo, garlic, lemon juice,
house made flat bread 9
Smoked Salmon Carpaccio | red onion, baby arugula, horseradish aioli,
toasted bagel chips 15
Parisian Omelet | three eggs, artichoke heart, sun-dried tomatoes
spinach, chevre cheese, asparagus, fruit salad, roasted potatoes 14
French Toast | brioche, honey-mascarpone, fresh berries 12
Pancakes | choice of plain, blueberry or banana and pecans, maple syrup 11
Cobb Salad | grilled chicken brochette, grilled romaine hearts, avocado,
cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled egg, prosciutto, buttermilk-gorgonzola
dressing 16
Nicoise Salad | baby arugula, haricot verts, hard-boiled egg,
cherry tomatoes, olives, fennel crusted rare ahi tuna, lemon vinaigrette 18
Veal Meatball | open faced french roll, tomato sauce, caramelized onion,
melted mozzarella, Caesar salad 16
Shrimp Tartine | open faced french roll, basil pesto, wilted spinach,
crimini mushrooms, fruit salad, roasted potato 16
Chicken Parmigiana | panko crusted, burrata, parmigiana cheese,
marinara, caesar salad 22
Steak Frites | pan seared hanger steak, pink peppercorn cognac,
truffle fries 22
*Consuming raw or uncooked foods may increase the opportunity for foodborne illness
18% Gratuity will be added to automatically be added to groups of six or more
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. Mother's Day brunch will be 10-2 including the lunch menu, with $5 Mimosas all day. (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
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, 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
Mother’s Day Brunch
Sunday ~ May 10, 2015 / 11am-2:30pm
START OF THE DAY
Applewood Smoked Bacon │ Sausage Links
Hash Brown Potatoes │ onion
Cowboy Bread Toast │ dipped in healthy granola │ maple syrup │ butter
Eggs Benedict │ Canadian bacon │ House-Made Hollandaise
Fresh Made Belgian Waffles │ banana │ fruit compote │ maple syrup
Omelet to Order │shredded cheeses │ ham │ onion │ peppers │ mushroom │ bacon│ shrimp │ salsa
SEAFOOD
Chilled Shrimp │ Oysters on half shell │ Iced Split Crab │
cocktail sauce │ cognac sauce │ Mignonette sauce │ lemon wedges
Smoked Salmon presentation │ mini bagels
SALADS AND SUCH
Boston and Romaine Leaves / assorted dressings │ vinaigrettes
Buffalo Mozzarella │ vine-ripe tomatoes
Artichoke │ Beets │ Broccoli │ Portobello Mushroom │ Kalamata Olive
Roasted Yellow & Red Pepper │ Hearts of Palm
Cured Meats and Antipasto Platter │ grain mustard
Presentation of International Cheeses │ dried fruits │ nuts | display of fruits
ACTION STATION
Hand Carved Prime Rib of Beef / au jus │ creamy horseradish
Pan Seared Scallops │ sweet basil
HOT BUFFET
Mahi-Mahi │mango salsa
Chicken Marsala │ cremini │oyster │ shiitake mushrooms
Mashed Potatoes │ Dauphinoise Potatoes
Medley of Sautéed Vegetables │ Quinoa pilaf
Baby Carrots │ Grilled Jumbo Asparagus
DESSERT SENSATIONS
Chocolate Flourless Bars │ Pecan Pie │ Cakes | Lemon & Strawberry Mirror Cake
Cherry Pie │ Bread Pudding │ Apple Pie
$59 guest │ $25 ages 6 to 12 | Tax & Gratuity not included | Reservations: 480-488-5300
English Rose Tea Room
Originally from England, Jo Gemmill established the English Rose TeaRoom in 2001. Located at 201 Easy Street, in Carefree, the Tea Room, was named Best Afternoon Tea by Phoenix Magazine. Relax and indulge yourself in the utterly civilized pleasure of taking time for tea at the English Rose Tea Room at 201 Easy Street, Carefree. Established by Jo Gemmill in 2001, the restaurant offers a menu with an extensive selection of authentic British foods, served with loose-leaf teas. The restaurant is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Saturday and from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sundays. For information or reservations, call 480-488-4812, visit carefreetea.com or write PO Box 5865, Carefree, AZ 85377.
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!
For Reservations call - 480-595-9909
The Restaurant called..." the most beautiful restaurant in Arizona"
Mother's Day Brunch...you've been asking for it, here it is...our ala carte menu allows you to be in charge. Eat as much or as little as you would like and add bottomless Mimosa or Bubbles
THANKS FOR MAKING VENUES YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLACE
9am - 4pm ala carte or pick several for a real Mother's Day Feast
Reservations Recommended
480-595-9909
Bottomless Mimosa 12 Bottomless Bubbles 10
Fresh Squeezed Juice of the Day 7
Starters
The Decadent Crepe 12
stuffed with fig and brie cheese served with arugula salad
Hot Caprese Salad 12
heirloom tomatoes, herb crusted fried mozzarella balls,evoo, balsamic reduction, basil chiffonade
Arugula and Baby Kale Salad 10
with champagne vinaigrette
Endive Salad 12
caramelized walnuts, blue cheese, goat cheese, poached egg
Grilled Watermelon Salad 11
arugula, baby kale, basil, mint, feta cheese & spiced almonds
with an herb vinaigrette
Mother's Day Egg Platter 13
2 turkey patties, 2 eggs any style, vegetable medley & fruit
Creamy Deep Dish Spinach 12
topped with crispy bacon, swiss cheese and a fried egg
Huevos Rancheros a Venues Specialty 11
Pulled pork, beans, eggs the way you like them, on top of a large tortilla finished with Pico de gallo and shredded lettuce...add sour cream for $1 more
Traditional Eggs Benedict...with Canadian bacon 12
Vegetarian and Gluten Free Benedict 11
Sliced tomato base, vegetable, bean and quinoa patty and a
little jalapeno on top
Prince Edward Island Mussels Marinière 15
Shallots, white wine & fresh herbs
Baby Kale & Smoked Salmon Benedict 16
topped with capers
Croque Monsieur 10
A French classic made with a croissant and lots of béchamel
Entrées
Eggplant Parmesan 20
served with crispy and creamy pesto polenta
(Substitute Veal for an additional $6)
Grilled Halibut 32
grapefruit sauce, fingerling potatoes, baby bok choy
Seared Scallops 27
over wasabi mashed, soy glazed jumbo shrimp, orange ginger sauce
Mum's Vegetable Nest lightly seared with garlic, shallots and fresh herbs, topped with micro greens and your choice of protein
Beef Tenderloin 26 Airline Pheasant 28 Duck Breast 25
Vegetable Napoleon 24
served with tomato and bell pepper sauce on a bed of quinoa
Desserts
Cherry Chocolate Mousse 10
topped with house made whipped cream
Poached Apricots 10
fresh apricots poached in vanilla syrup & cooked in puff pastry and
served with vanilla ice cream
Caramelized Pineapple Crème Brulee 9
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream 10
with berries & Grey Goose Cherry Noir Chocolate Sauce
Assorted Gelatos...ask your server 8
Open Table Diners' Choice Winner Three months running this year...
also named
Neighborhood Gem
and
Best Brunch
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
We so appreciate our customers...thank you for making Venues Cafe your local place to dine. We wish you a Wonderful Mother's Day!!
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
To receive special offerings and promotion highlights, join our newsletter.
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
Health
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?
-
-
◦Get Rid of Existing, Costly Halogens with Drop-In Replacement, Energy Efficient LEDs
-
◦Adjust Lighting to Compensate for Vegetation Growth
-
◦Add Safety, Security and Beauty to Your Home
-
-
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
Magic Bird Festivals
Photo by Tom Baker
Magic Bird Festivals
Shows are woven throughout the town’s beautiful and exotic botanical gardens, with Carefree’s world-famous sundial at its center.
Carefree Desert Gardens
101 Easy Street, Carefree
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
