Iron Chef encounter

Brace yourself, this post is all about food!  This last week was restaurant week in Arizona when participating restaurants offer a three course meal for a fixed price.  I made it to three altogether but, the one I went to last night was outstanding in so many ways.  The photo above is looking through the lobby of the Saguaro Hotel in Scottsdale and way in the back there is Distrito, the restaurant of choice.  I had never been there before and in fact hadn't heard of it but, my friends decided we should give it a try.  When the waiter arrived he gave us a little background and when he mentioned that the chef was Jose Garces, I said "you mean the Iron Chef Garces"?  He said yes.  So now I'm thinking I'm in for a treat and boy was I right.  There were three of us so we each ordered different things for each course so we could try them all.  For the first course, Gaucamole with roasted jalapeno and Cotjia Cheese, Ensalada de Caesar made with Tuscan kale, Cotjia-pepper dressing, Pear & polenta croutons, and Gordita, which was Wagyu Beef Picadillo with Chayote-Carrot slaw inside a masa crust.  All were excellent and I was so busy enjoying them I forgot the photos.

I didn't forget to take photos of the main courses, starting with Camarones Al Ajillo or shrimp with garlic, blistered cherry tomatoes, green olives and a chile sauce.  Delicious.

Next was Pollito a la Yucateca, or Mesquite smoked chicken with popcorn grits and a orange-habanero glaze.  This was my favorite.  The smokey flavor of the chicken was perfect.

And, the third entree was Carne Asada which was made with an adobe rubbed NY strip with plantain, gremolata, refried beans and red rice.

I didn't take pictures of the desserts but they were all outstanding.  Lime and coconut panne cotta, canela & kahlua cheesecake, and Dulce de Leche cake.

I told the waiter that I felt like I was a judge on the Iron Chef TV show trying all these fabulous creations.