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So, Binkley is multi-time James Beard. Every review I’ve seen is great. I personally have never been, simply because I can’t find someone to tag along.

It’s a really cool concept; lots of courses, all changing daily/weekly. He openly invites you to assist in the process, shows you how things work. It’s very much dinner and a show.
Sawyer won some James Beard awards as well. Sometimes a chef opens a place that doesn't really work--just trying to avoid that :)

I'm very familiar with the concept. My wife and I tend to hit one splurge dinner every time we travel. Just got back from Enigma in Barcelona (Ferran Adria's brother's place). Just trying to figure out if Binkley's is more in line with the top-end of the molecular gastronomy places, or if it's just a molecular gastronomy place that someone opened up out there.
 
Sawyer won some James Beard awards as well. Sometimes a chef opens a place that doesn't really work--just trying to avoid that

I'm very familiar with the concept. My wife and I tend to hit one splurge dinner every time we travel. Just got back from Enigma in Barcelona (Ferran Adria's brother's place). Just trying to figure out if Binkley's is more in line with the top-end of the molecular gastronomy places, or if it's just a molecular gastronomy place that someone opened up out there.

Got it! So, from what I know (I follow him religiously), this restaurant was a sudden change from being really successful. But, unlike Sawyer, this is his only project. He closed other restaurants to get it.

It could potentially be hit or miss, simply if you don’t like menu items (I despise corn, so recently it’s been corn heavy). I’m not sure what Sawyers failures were. I think Binkley limits the possibility for errors by how unbelievably small it is. Everyone gets the same plate, for every course. A lot of quality controls, simply on menu alone. Add in 24 total spots. That’s it.

We have a large problem with meat here; beef simply... isn’t that great. And steakhouses are a dime a dozen in each city. Steak 44/Durant’s, great places.
 
Got it! So, from what I know (I follow him religiously), this restaurant was a sudden change from being really successful. But, unlike Sawyer, this is his only project. He closed other restaurants to get it.

It could potentially be hit or miss, simply if you don’t like menu items (I despise corn, so recently it’s been corn heavy). I’m not sure what Sawyers failures were. I think Binkley limits the possibility for errors by how unbelievably small it is. Everyone gets the same plate, for every course. A lot of quality controls, simply on menu alone. Add in 24 total spots. That’s it.

We have a large problem with meat here; beef simply... isn’t that great. And steakhouses are a dime a dozen in each city. Steak 44/Durant’s, great places.

I said steak 44, but I do feel it is over priced, but I feel all high end steak places are over priced.

Honestly the reason I think we have a good food scene is not all the expensive high end placed, but there are a ton of moderately priced places I enjoy allot. Places like Grassroots or Culinary Drop out. $20 a meal places here are great. Or step up a bit to SumoMayo and enjoy great fusion. Or try a great Mexican place like Barrio Café.

None of those places are more than $100 for a couple with several courses or a bit more if you drink (some $100 even with drinks).

Our high end stuff here isn't really that great, but tons of great moderately priced places ot eat.
 
I said steak 44, but I do feel it is over priced, but I feel all high end steak places are over priced.

Honestly the reason I think we have a good food scene is not all the expensive high end placed, but there are a ton of moderately priced places I enjoy allot. Places like Grassroots or Culinary Drop out. $20 a meal places here are great. Or step up a bit to SumoMayo and enjoy great fusion. Or try a great Mexican place like Barrio Café.

None of those places are more than $100 for a couple with several courses or a bit more if you drink (some $100 even with drinks).

Our high end stuff here isn't really that great, but tons of great moderately priced places ot eat.

I can potentially buy that. I’m big on Sam Fox. I think Doughbird and Olive and Ivy are great.

But I’ll also say, the best meal I’ve had here costs under $10, is located in a not so great area of south Phoenix, and is a soup made of goat called Birria.

The best Mexican places are the non-white washed ones, and we have them in bulk.

I also think places like Bitter and Twisted serve upscale bar food. Their nachos and the dumpling burger are incredible.
 
I can potentially buy that. I’m big on Sam Fox. I think Doughbird and Olive and Ivy are great.

But I’ll also say, the best meal I’ve had here costs under $10, is located in a not so great area of south Phoenix, and is a soup made of goat called Birria.

The best Mexican places are the non-white washed ones, and we have them in bulk.

I also think places like Bitter and Twisted serve upscale bar food. Their nachos and the dumpling burger are incredible.

Best Nachos in town are at Bootleggers, was going there well before DDD discovered them. I love Sam Fox and almost everything he does, and 100% agree on the Mexican food, they are on every corner here and some of them are amazing.

My point is this is no the town you spend $100 per a person, save your money, spend $30-$50 per a person and have amazing food every night. No, its not 5 star SF good, but I think you get allot out our restaurant scene here.
 
I can potentially buy that. I’m big on Sam Fox. I think Doughbird and Olive and Ivy are great.

But I’ll also say, the best meal I’ve had here costs under $10, is located in a not so great area of south Phoenix, and is a soup made of goat called Birria. Close second for Birria is a place in central Phoenix, and third for me is a place in a convenient store parking lot. All of which I eat semi-regularly.

The best Mexican places are the non-white washed ones, and we have them in bulk.

I also think places like Bitter and Twisted serve upscale bar food. Their nachos and the dumpling burger are incredible.
 
Best Nachos in town are at Bootleggers, was going there well before DDD discovered them. I love Sam Fox and almost everything he does, and 100% agree on the Mexican food, they are on every corner here and some of them are amazing.

My point is this is no the town you spend $100 per a person, save your money, spend $30-$50 per a person and have amazing food every night. No, its not 5 star SF good, but I think you get allot out our restaurant scene here.

Bootleggers completely slipped my mind. I like going to DDD places, and to me, hands down best one here.
 
Got it! So, from what I know (I follow him religiously), this restaurant was a sudden change from being really successful. But, unlike Sawyer, this is his only project. He closed other restaurants to get it.

It could potentially be hit or miss, simply if you don’t like menu items (I despise corn, so recently it’s been corn heavy). I’m not sure what Sawyers failures were. I think Binkley limits the possibility for errors by how unbelievably small it is. Everyone gets the same plate, for every course. A lot of quality controls, simply on menu alone. Add in 24 total spots. That’s it.

We have a large problem with meat here; beef simply... isn’t that great. And steakhouses are a dime a dozen in each city. Steak 44/Durant’s, great places.

Every molecular gastronomy place is going to have the same recipe. Limited seating, same menu. When you're serving 40 or so dishes, a la carte isn't a thing!

It's cool to hear this is his only restaurant. Having the chef's passion in the project is paramount. I'm not sure what Sawyer's issues were (besides just being uncreative?) but everything about his place was terrible if you judge it in comparison to other molecular gastronomy restaurants around the world. But then again, it was the only place of its kind in Cleveland. I know he didn't shut down Greenhouse Tavern or anything, but he was also in house the night I was there.

I'll probably skip Brinkley's and hit up the other recommendations you guys have. In no way would I ever consider a steak house--I make better (or comparable) meals at home. Steak's so simple to perfect, I think it's really silly to pay the exorbitant amount steak houses charge. Really, when I go to one (work event, friends, whatever) I try to look for things they do differently--sauces and the like, and then try to replicate those at home.

Question: Best Chilaquiles in town?
 
Every molecular gastronomy place is going to have the same recipe. Limited seating, same menu. When you're serving 40 or so dishes, a la carte isn't a thing!

It's cool to hear this is his only restaurant. Having the chef's passion in the project is paramount. I'm not sure what Sawyer's issues were (besides just being uncreative?) but everything about his place was terrible if you judge it in comparison to other molecular gastronomy restaurants around the world. But then again, it was the only place of its kind in Cleveland. I know he didn't shut down Greenhouse Tavern or anything, but he was also in house the night I was there.

I'll probably skip Brinkley's and hit up the other recommendations you guys have. In no way would I ever consider a steak house--I make better (or comparable) meals at home. Steak's so simple to perfect, I think it's really silly to pay the exorbitant amount steak houses charge. Really, when I go to one (work event, friends, whatever) I try to look for things they do differently--sauces and the like, and then try to replicate those at home.

Question: Best Chilaquiles in town?

If you go to bootleggers, get an apple pie moonshine shot. Be careful, you wont taste the alcohol, but it is amazing. Very sweet, I like to sip mine personally.

Every meal can be at a place like bootleggers. Go for lunch, split the nachos and something else like a sandwhich or another app and you will be full. Probably get out of there for $60 including a good beer each and 1 shot each plus the food.

Great town for food if you like DDD level food. We are actually an increasable breakfast food town.

As for Chilaquiles, my favorite breakfast place is close to me in North Phoenix called The Original Breakfast house, if you go, its cash only, weird i know. Other good places for breakfast and Chilaquiles is Over Easy (one inside a skating ring, lol), or Chelseas Kitchen, Comedor Guadalajara,.

Now this is a pro tip, if you get drunk and want Chilaquiles at 3AM, find a Filbertos, they just added it to the menu and its pretty good for drunk 3AM food, lol.

Or get the machaca torta, its amazing and available 24/7, lol I swear to G-d you will thank me later if you get the Machaca Torta at Filberto's, lol
 
Every molecular gastronomy place is going to have the same recipe. Limited seating, same menu. When you're serving 40 or so dishes, a la carte isn't a thing!

It's cool to hear this is his only restaurant. Having the chef's passion in the project is paramount. I'm not sure what Sawyer's issues were (besides just being uncreative?) but everything about his place was terrible if you judge it in comparison to other molecular gastronomy restaurants around the world. But then again, it was the only place of its kind in Cleveland. I know he didn't shut down Greenhouse Tavern or anything, but he was also in house the night I was there.

I'll probably skip Brinkley's and hit up the other recommendations you guys have. In no way would I ever consider a steak house--I make better (or comparable) meals at home. Steak's so simple to perfect, I think it's really silly to pay the exorbitant amount steak houses charge. Really, when I go to one (work event, friends, whatever) I try to look for things they do differently--sauces and the like, and then try to replicate those at home.

Question: Best Chilaquiles in town?

Chilaquiles!!

Mothers in Mesa. They have bomb ass tamales, too. My girlfriend is from Mexico, so I’m sort of spoiled when it comes to eating Mexican food that her or her mom make. She loves Mothers. It’s one of the few Mexican places that aren’t Birria spots I can get her to go to.
 
If you go to bootleggers, get an apple pie moonshine shot. Be careful, you wont taste the alcohol, but it is amazing. Very sweet, I like to sip mine personally.

Every meal can be at a place like bootleggers. Go for lunch, split the nachos and something else like a sandwhich or another app and you will be full. Probably get out of there for $60 including a good beer each and 1 shot each plus the food.

Great town for food if you like DDD level food. We are actually an increasable breakfast food town.

As for Chilaquiles, my favorite breakfast place is close to me in North Phoenix called The Original Breakfast house, if you go, its cash only, weird i know. Other good places for breakfast and Chilaquiles is Over Easy (one inside a skating ring, lol), or Chelseas Kitchen, Comedor Guadalajara,.

Now this is a pro tip, if you get drunk and want Chilaquiles at 3AM, find a Filbertos, they just added it to the menu and its pretty good for drunk 3AM food, lol.

Or get the machaca torta, its amazing and available 24/7, lol I swear to G-d you will thank me later if you get the Machaca Torta at Filberto's, lol

I fucking love Over Easy. Waffle Dogs every day. We really have great breakfast spots.
 
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I fucking love Over Easy. Waffle Dogs every day. We really have great breakfast spots.

The cost of living here and quality of life is amazing. Pick up a nice house for 300-400k, I know expensive compared to Cleveland, but cheap compared to most major cities.

The food is good in the affordable price range, great hiking, sight seeing, amazing bar scenes in Scottsdale, downtown, and a few other places.

Traffic is really good for a city of 5 million too, and we are adding so many attractions, the Aquarium is world class, Mideval times, a few really good casinos like Talking Stick. Great day trips in AZ like Sedona, Flag, Williams, Prescott, etc. And 6 hours or less to LA, SD and Vegas.
 
The cost of living here and quality of life is amazing. Pick up a nice house for 300-400k, I know expensive compared to Cleveland, but cheap compared to most major cities.

The food is good in the affordable price range, great hiking, sight seeing, amazing bar scenes in Scottsdale, downtown, and a few other places.

Traffic is really good for a city of 5 million too, and we are adding so many attractions, the Aquarium is world class, Mideval times, a few really good casinos like Talking Stick. Great day trips in AZ like Sedona, Flag, Williams, Prescott, etc. And 6 hours or less to LA, SD and Vegas.

I know the issue with our food scene is 100% the cost of places. Rent is... nuts.

But yes, for al of you coming; we have a shit ton of top notch breweries. Like, really top notch.
 
I know the issue with our food scene is 100% the cost of places. Rent is... nuts.

But yes, for al of you coming; we have a shit ton of top notch breweries. Like, really top notch.

Rent is expensive here compared to buying. Its because we are such a fast growing city and people moving here usually rent the first year so there is competition for renting places.
 
If you go to bootleggers, get an apple pie moonshine shot. Be careful, you wont taste the alcohol, but it is amazing. Very sweet, I like to sip mine personally.

Every meal can be at a place like bootleggers. Go for lunch, split the nachos and something else like a sandwhich or another app and you will be full. Probably get out of there for $60 including a good beer each and 1 shot each plus the food.

Great town for food if you like DDD level food. We are actually an increasable breakfast food town.

As for Chilaquiles, my favorite breakfast place is close to me in North Phoenix called The Original Breakfast house, if you go, its cash only, weird i know. Other good places for breakfast and Chilaquiles is Over Easy (one inside a skating ring, lol), or Chelseas Kitchen, Comedor Guadalajara,.

Now this is a pro tip, if you get drunk and want Chilaquiles at 3AM, find a Filbertos, they just added it to the menu and its pretty good for drunk 3AM food, lol.

Or get the machaca torta, its amazing and available 24/7, lol I swear to G-d you will thank me later if you get the Machaca Torta at Filberto's, lol
I... don't think we have the same taste in alcohol. :chuckle: That sweet stuff is absolutely awful, but someone upthread did mention Bitter & Twisted which I'll have to check out.

Definitely not a fan of Guy Fieri and "DDD"

Love the rest of your suggestions.
 

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