Pizzeria Bianco

What trip to Phoenix would be complete without a visit to the famed Pizzeria Bianco, which has been arguably called the best pizza restaurant in the country by more than one publication.

Located in Heritage Square, and next to the Arizona Science Center, Pizzeria Bianco is a very small restaurant.  When the popularity started to mount, wait times could exceed four hours.  Although the fanfare has seemed to die down somewhat from a national standpoint, Pizzeria Bianco still attracts crowds.

Exterior

In order to avoid any potential long wait in the 110+ degree weather, we got there early enough to beat the crowds and were seated immediately.

The meal started off with some nice crusty bread that was super soft on the inside along with some nice fruity olive oil.

Bread & Olive Oil

The handmade mozzarella, tomato, basil and extra virgin olive oil salad is a take on the margherita without the bread.  The mozzarella is super fresh, the tomatoes were a little lacking in flavor and the basil added a nice herbal punch.  A classic salad with few ingredients could have been elevated with riper tomatoes and just a touch of salt.

Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The pizzas are cooked in the wood burning oven that dominates the kitchen and is the focal point of the restaurant.

The “Wiseguy” pizza includes roasted onions, mozzarella and fennel sausage.  This is a nicely balanced pizza as the roasted onions brings out the sugar in them to cut the sharpness of the fennel.

Wiseguy

 The “Biancoverde” pizza includes fresh mozzarella, Parmegiano reggiano, ricotta and arugula.  We added anchovies to this pizza.  The pepperiness of the arugula cuts through the richness of the cheeses.  I personally did not like this pizza, especially with the addition of the anchovies, but my dining companions loved this pizza, and was their favorite.

Biancoverde

The “Sonny Boy” pizza includes tomato sauce, mozzarella, salami and Gaeta olives.  The saltiness of the olives totally overwhelms the rest of the ingredients.  If they were cut into smaller pieces, perhaps this would work better.  After taking the olives off, this became a much better pizza and each ingredient was able to shine on its own.

Sonny Boy

The classic “Margherita” pizza includes tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil.  We added wood roasted organic mushroom and prosciutto.  On its own, the Margherita pizza is fantastic, but the addition of the mushrooms added a nice earthy flavor while the prosciutto added just a hint of salt.

Margherita with Organic Mushrooms & Proscuitto

Is this the best pizza in the country?  That can be argued forever and never answered, as food is subjective.  I do applaud the freshness of the ingredients, and that everything is hand crafted.

Worth a visit when in Phoenix?  Yes.  Worth waiting four hours?  I personally wouldn’t.

Elements Restaurant at The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain

Located within The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, a Small Luxury Hotel member, elements restaurant seems to be the focal point of the resort.

Manning the kitchen is celebrity chef, Beau MacMillan, whose cuisine has a distinctive Japanese touch.

The restaurant itself overlooks the valley with great views of Camelback Mountain at sunset.

The charred edamame is a huge serving with Asian flavors, including sesame oil, black sesame seeds, and togarashi.  The lime juice adds a nice citrus zing.

Charred Edamame

The grilled chicken is cooked perfectly as it remains tender and juicy.  The pickled cucumber salad, acts as a palate cleanser with an acidic and sweet taste.  Along with the bok choy and red onions, the cucumber adds a nice textural contrast.

Grilled Chicken

The fire roasted shrimp are big and plump.  They remain tender since they aren’t over cooked.  The pork fried rice adds a nice richness, while the bok choy adds a nice crunch.  The sweet chile adds depth of flavor without being cloyingly sweet.

Fire Roasted Shrimp

The braised short ribs are super tender, and fall apart with just the slightest nudge from your fork.  They have a nice crust but is not dry in the middle.  The bacon and brussel sprouts add a nice earthy contrast to the Korean BBQ sauce.

Braised Short Rib

The crème brulee is a classic is not a firm custard, but silky smooth.  The burnt sugar adds a texture contrast to the vanilla custard.  The pineapple and raspberries are a nice palate cleanser.

Creme Brulee

The “PB Bomb” is supposed to be a take on the Reese’s peanut butter cup, but while eating it reminded me of the classic candy bar, “whatchamacallit”.  This is a rich dessert, but totally worth the calories.

PB Bomb

Although Elements Restaurant at The Sanctuary is slightly off the main drag of Scottsdale Road, it’s definitely worth the trip.

Hilton HHonors Champagne Moment

Now through October 7, 2012, by registering for the current promotion for the upcoming U.S. Formula One Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

Hilton has teamed up with Vodafone McLaren Merecedes for a great once in a lifetime experience, including:

Flights, transfers, and accommodations.  The prize package also includes a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team shirt signed by Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, along with 100,000 Hilton HHonors points.

Plus, earn another chance to win with each qualifying stay at a Hilton property through October 7, 2012.

Best Rate Guarantee Success - The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch

During my recent stay at The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, I was looking for their current promotion "Free Time" in which you book a room for three nights but only pay for two.  You also get free daily breakfast and a late check-out.

Generally, places scorching hot in the summer, such as Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Phoenix/Scottsdale will have lower rates in order to draw people to the resorts.

I figured it would be more cost effective to go to Scottsdale in the summer, and if they participated in the Free Time promotion then it would be an even better deal.  Fortunately, they are participating in the promotion.

However, in doing a search, I did find a better room rate per day, but were not offering free breakfast.

Although the specifics did not match perfectly, I decided to call Hyatt and see if they would accept the rate found on the other site.

While speaking with the customer service representative and inquiring about a Best Rate Guarantee, in which you are given 25% off of the competitor's rate, she said that the competing site was not an exact match since breakfast was not being offered.

She said that she could match the rate, but breakfast would not be included.  I was fine with that, since being a Diamond Member in Hyatt's Gold Passport program I would get breakfast anyway.

In essence, my rate went from an average of $93 per day, down to $55 per day.

Although the incentive for finding a Best Rate Guarantee is not as lucrative with Hyatt, as it is with Starwood (which can net an extra 2,000 Starpoints) using the Best Rate Guarantee can save a lot of money.

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch

As you enter the resort, the front desk is off to the left.  The front desk clerk was extremely friendly and professional.  She had a printed statement including my name, number of Hyatt points, and all of the amenities that I would receive as a Diamond member.

She also informed me that I would receive 2,000 points for the Regency Club being closed, but that the Regency Club was not really closed.  It was open, and the computers were there to use, but there was no food or drinks available.

I was also offered a cactus pear margarita, a very nice touch.

The lobby is an open atrium overlooking the golf course.

I was given a Regency Club King room.

Upon entering the room, the bathroom is to the right.

The bathroom is fairly large, with a large shower and the toilet off to the left.  The typical Portico products are offered, although in a larger size

Sink

Shower

Toilet

Bath Amenities

There is a large king bed, with a fairly large desk containing a large working space.

Bedroom

 

King Bed

Desk

There is a large TV with a mini refrigerator enclosed in the drawers.

TV

There is a large balcony with two lounge chairs overlooking the balcony.

Balcony

View from Balcony

The resort fee includes free internet and use of the spa, in addition to phone calls and faxes.

7 Tickets to Paradise Sweepstakes

Hilton is currently having a great contest to give away a trip, with a nice grand prize.

In the Seven Tickets to Your Paradise Sweepstakes, you have the opportunity to choose one of seven types of trips:

RELAX:

Your Ticket to Relax includes:

• - A trip for two to Bali, Indonesia
• - A 6-night stay for two at the Conrad Bali Resort & Spa
• - Luxurious spa treatments
• - Roundtrip airfare for two
• - $1,000 Hilton HHonors™ Gift Card
• - 500,000 Hilton HHonors Points

GOLF:

Your Ticket to Golf includes:

• - A trip for four to Palm Springs, California
• - A 4-night stay for four at La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
• - Five rounds of golf for four
• - Roundtrip airfare for four
• - $1,000 Hilton HHonors™ Gift Card
• - 500,000 Hilton HHonors Points

DINE:

Your Ticket to Dine includes:

• - A trip for two to Napa Valley wine country
• - A 5-night stay for two at the Embassy Suites Napa Valley
• - Roundtrip airfare for two
• - Exclusive dining and wine tasting experiences
• - $1,000 Hilton HHonors™ Gift Card
• - 500,000 Hilton HHonors Points

OPEN ROAD:

Your Ticket to the Open Road includes:

• - A trip for four to road trip to Hollywood, California
• - A 10-night stay throughout your road trip
• - $1,000 gas card
• - $1,000 Hilton HHonors™ Gift Card
• - 500,000 Hilton HHonors Points

ADVENTURE:

Your Ticket to Adventure includes:

• - A trip for four to Costa Rica
• - A 5-night stay at Doubletree Resort by Hilton Hotel Central Pacific in Puntarenas
• - Roundtrip airfare for four
• - Nonstop adventure excursions
• - $1,000 Hilton HHonors™ Gift Card
• - 500,000 Hilton HHonors Points

SHOP:

Your Ticket to Shop includes:

• - A trip for two to Paris during Fashion Week
• - Hotel accommodations for five nights
• - Roundtrip airfare for two
• - A $5,000 shopping spree
• - 500,000 Hilton HHonors™ Points

CHOOSE:

Your Ticket to Choose includes:

• - $15,000 to plan your very own trip for two anywhere in the world
• - Accommodations at any of our 3,800 properties in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio
• - Roundtrip airfare for two
• - $1,000 Hilton HHonors™ Gift Card
• - 500,000 Hilton HHonors Points

You must be registered with Hilton, and have an HHonors number, but you can still sign up before entering the contest.

The Westin Keirland Resort & Spa - Scottsdale, AZ

Located in north Scottsdale, the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is located next to the Kierland Commons shopping center.

Upon entering the hotel, there is a big atrium overlooking the golf course.

The front desk is to the left, with separate check-in desks having two staff per desk.  I contacted the hotel before I arrived, and was pleasantly surprised to be upgraded to a King Parlor Suite.

Room

Upon entering the room, there is a foyer with a half bathroom to the left.

Sink in Half Bath

Half Bath

Passing the foyer, sits the living room with a large couch, lounge chair, desk, and a small wet bar.  There is also a large TV with a mini wet bar and safe.

Living Room

TV in Living Room

Desk

Wet Bar

The bedroom is very large and spacious.  Besides the king bed, there is a lounge chair.

Bedroom

Sitting Area in Bedroom

There is also a balcony, which overlooks a courtyard near the pool.

Balcony

View from Balcony

The bathroom is fairly large, with a shower and toilet.  There is only one sink with a small counter (about the only drawback).

TV in Bedroom

Closet

Master Bathroom

Sink in Master Bathroom

Shower

Toilet in Master Bathroom

The resort is huge, with an adult pool, another pool with a lazy river and water slide.  They are scheduled to open a wave machine (FlowRider) later this year.

The property also houses the Westin Kierland Villas, which are nice but may be better suited for longer stays since the units have a kitchen, washer and dryer.

The staff is very friendly and helpful.

I was looking forward to eating at deseo, a Douglas Rodriguez restaurant, unfortunately they are closed during the summer.