Cibo: Phoenix, AZ

Today I took the day off to spend a little quality time with my Mister. So we made a trip into Phoenix to get some important stuff done, then it was lunch time! We love to have excuses to get into the City to eat some real culinary treats. We find very little of that out here in the burbs.

So, we headed to Cibo (chee-bo), not to be confused with another favorite, Ciro. We have been here once before, probably 2 years ago when we lived in N. PHX, but that time we visited for dinner. Cibo has an entirely different menu for lunch.



The coolest thing about Cibo is that, like many Roosevelt District joints, it is in an old house. Therefore, you feel right at home when you sit down.






Patrick ordered the Pastrami Saltimbocca Caldi with the most beautiful House Salad I have ever seen. House Salads one usually comes across are full of iceberg lettuce and dried up shaved carrots, drenched in ranch dressing. Not this salad, it had fresh veggies and pine nuts. What house salad has pine nuts???



Because I am not only 15.5 weeks pregnant, but was also starving, I pretty much confiscated the entire sandwich. It was easily the best sandwich I have ever had, or very close to. The bread is made from the same dough they make their pizza with. I have never thought of that, but man it was OUTSTANDING.

Now, I, on the other hand, ordered Pesto Insalate. I was looking forward to the pine nuts, and the parmigiano cheese. Potatoes in a salad interested me, so I took the chance and kept them in.I was hoping for a crispy breakfast potatoes or something along those lines.



Unfortunately, I didn't care for the potatoes. They were soft enough to eat, but still very much had the flavor of a raw potato. I am not sure I would order this salad again.Thankfully, Pat let me eat enough of his sandwich, and the salad came with bread, so I was plenty full by the time we got the bill.
We were eyeballing the dessert menu, which was filled with Nutella deliciousness, but  we were full to the brim.
Our bill was only $21.86 (including 2 sodas for the mister- not including tip). I feel pretty good about that!
Can I also say how much I love when restaurants collect various dishes to serve on? I freaking love it!  It really gives you that at home feeling I was mentioning. (Although, my mother would not be caught dead serving on mismatched plates).

We give Cibo !!!! 

Patrick promised to bring me back in the fall so we can eat on the patio, which looks lovely!

Postino on Central - Phoenix, Arizona

When we lived in North Phoenix, we stumbled across Postino a little too late. Our first visit there was for brunch. Not knowing the space at all, we sat inside, mistake numero uno! Always, always sit on the patio.We couldn't quite get the vibe that day, in fact, we felt like we were not cool enough for the joint... but, determined to love this place, we came back for the bruschetta board one night. Sold. We moved to the burbs shortly after and made many many trips back to wine and dine here.We were told an East Valley location would open one day, and we waited with bated breath.

Our favorite restaurant, always good, period.

Atmosphere, check.  Good food, check. Good wine at a great price, check.  Good service, check.

Bruschetta to die for. 

They have the best specials if you get there at the right time, or on the right day! Tuesdays and Wednesdays they have a Board & a Bottle for $20! Any bottle of wine, and I stress ANY bottle of wine with your favorite bruschettas, choose 4. (Trust me, you will quickly find your favorites).  

Even though East is newest, and closest, Central remains our favorite and we still venture back into PHX for brunch there.The music at the Central location is always spot on. I can't say the same for Postino East. I think we heard Bon Jovi there... not hatin'. The Central location is full of hippies and hipsters, the East location is a little more family friendly (changing stations available in the bathrooms some nights). This will come in handy in January.


This is what eating out should be.  Relatively affordable good food and great service with a unique and hip atmosphere.  Want a place to eat? DO IT!  Check them out in 3 different locations, Central, Arcadia, and East.
Restaurant rating: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (this is the rare over the top excellent rating)