Chef Becky Wendels dishes up a little more herb…
Once in a while I get a newsletter/constant contact/mailing list type of email that doesn’t cause me to cringe and look for the unsubscribe link hidden somewhere at the bottom. Today’s was a little gem from The Herb Box (which I happen to love) announcing their “Summer Supper Club.” A series of eight 3 courses for $30 (including a glass of wine even) meals starting the week of June 12th. Some of the menu items look positively MOUTHWATERING and i’ll certainly be dropping in to take advantage of the DEAL! Take a look, make a reservation and le tme know what you thought of your meal!
A little Herb in Old Town
Medical Marijuana is a reality in Arizona but you won’t need a prescription to get a little “Herb” in old Town. As of January 1st 2011, The Herb Box Southbridge is open and serving up signature dishes to satisfy your munchies.
Helmed by Chef Becky Windels and business partner Susan Smederovac-Wilcox, the Southbridge location combines the catering division previously located further North with a new Market serving an extensive selection of farm fresh salads, soups, signature sandwiches and specials all prepared with fresh, local produce. (I even have it on good authority that neighborhood residents will be able to pick up staples like milk, important as there isn’t a supermarket or convenience store in the immediate area).
The menu at The Herb Box Southbridge is virtually identical to that at the DC Ranch location I’ve written about previously, all fresh, all tasty.
Todays meal, pancetta wrapped shrimp served on a bed of mixed greens. This is one of my favorite plates on the menu.
Pancetta wrapped shrimp
Salty pancetta adds the perfect texture to plump shrimp and the blackberry wasabi reduction drizzled over it is just plain delicious (sweet with just the right amount of bite at the finish).
Next up, Smoked BBQ Chicken flat bread. Though the menu would lead you to believe the chicken is “smoked,” I would certainly disagree.
Smoked BBQ Chicken Flatbread
What I will say is that it’s perfectly grilled, the crunchy bacon, sweet tomatoes, red onions and Gouda are a perfect compliment, but the organic greens perched atop, though tasty, just don’t work for me on this item. (though it should be said, I generally don’t love salad greens on anything more than sandwiches).
Smoked BBQ Chicken Flatbread up close and personal
All in all, I’m excited that Old Town’s first Herb dispensary is open for business and would definitely recommend you stopping by the market for a quick grab n go lunch or sitting upstairs in the warm and inviting dining room for a leisurely enjoyed meal.
**Disclaimer: This visit was pre-opening at a “mock service” and was free of charge though this in no way influenced my opinion of the establishment.
The best thing to happen to Herb since the bong!
I Have a healthy, nearly full term food baby that Chef Becky Windels & The Herb Box restaurant are responsible for! This quaint little Bistro/cafe’ Located on Market Street in Scottsdale’s uber chic DC Ranch Area, is a gift to the culinary world. Having happily enjoyed several of their sweet baked offerings, I decided to give the lunch menu a spin, what followed was a lesson in how to do food right!
Shortly after being seated by a cheerful, smiling hostess our server Maria dropped by to take our drink order and let us know what the day’s specials were. After looking through the menu I settled on the Rosemary Steak Ciabatta sandwich prepared with charred onion, watercress, white cheddar cheese and a Dijon mayonnaise. A side of the Smoked Gouda Mac N’ Cheese with crispy Rosemary breadcrumbs and an order of Crisp Fingerling potatoes sprinkled with sea salt and served with a side of house made red pepper aioli.
While all of this food might be a case of my eyes being bigger than my stomach, I simply couldnt resist trying a little of everything. After a short wait, the food arrived and I was certain I’d made great choices. The Steak sandwich was cooked to order, a little short of medium on the softest ciabatta roll I’ve had, piled high beside it were sweet potato chips dusted with curry powder (why have I never had this before?)
Rosemary Steak Ciabatta
Biting into the sandwich, I experienced the carefully crafted mix of flavors and textures that a great chef strives to achieve. The steak was juicy and well complimented by the rosemary, crunchy watercress for added texture and the tanginess of aged white cheddar, all nicely brought together by the Dijon mayo. The house made sweet potato chips are brightened and brought to life by a deft sprinkling of curry powder making you want to eat more than you should (yes, they sell them to-go and I have a bag atop my fridge for a late night snack!)
Smoked Guda Mac n' Cheese
Let’s talk Mac N’ Cheese. I’m going to say it… The Smoked Gouda Mac at The Herb Box is simply the best I’ve ever had! Creamy cheese and al dente’ pasta topped with crunchy rosemary breadcrumbs made this my new favorite dish. Yes, I know, everyone has a favorite Mac N’ Cheese but forget about them! Try this dish and you will be sold! (I didn’t forget to order a portion to-go…I know what’s going on at 2 AM when I have the munchies!!)
Crispy fingerling potatoes
What’s a steak sandwich without potatoes? Yup, ordered them! A tasty side of smashed, crisped fingerling potatoes served with a delicious red pepper aioli disappeared just as fast as I could dip and eat! (I can see dropping in for any one of the items I’ve mentioned so far but together they are DANGEROUS!)
okay, clearly I was done eating and in need of both the check and a pillow but enter Maria again who eagerly suggested I try the pistachio ice cream sandwich cookie. Never one to ignore the recommendation of a foodservice professional, I agreed that I should have one and what came next was wrong in so many ways I’m almost at a loss for words.
pistachio ice cream sandwiches
Now I’ve never had pistachio ice cream though I’ve always heard it was tasty but this was extraordinary. My mouth and taste buds were assaulted by the flavors of almond, pistachio, strawberries, blackberries and a delicious thick creme’, the crunch of the cookies was the perfect counterpoint to the cold soft ice cream and the fruit just completed the sensation. Think that was the end? Try again, the dessert case beckons with such a variety of scrumptious looking treats that must be seen to be believed.
Dessert Case
If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m a BIG fan of The Herb Box and Chef Becky’s Cuisine, if you haven’t had the opportunity to visit, make it a point or I assure you, you’re missing out!
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