Italian Classics

    Piazza Gavi is an Italian restaurant in the Catalina Foothills. Since 1992 Gaeteno "Gavi" Colaleo has been tantalizing Tucsonans taste buds with his fine Italian cuisine. Gavi was born and raised 30 miles inland, in the heel of the boot of Italy. He learned how to cook culinary masterpieces from his Aunt and through a lot of trial and error.
    The ambiance of the place was upscale casual. It had a bit of a Renaissance theme to it with all the jesters and colors. The out door patio was very intimate, but since it had just rained and was a bit chilly, my mom and I decided to sit inside. They had a wide variety of seafood options to make any seafood lover smile.
    For our appetizer we had Sauteed Mushrooms ($9). It was composed of crimini mushrooms in a white wine sauce with red bell pepper chucks and onions. The mushrooms were tender and the white wine sauce was light. It came in a large portion. It was so good it was temped to use my spoon.
    For my Mother's entree she had the Funghi ($16) with her choice of  house-made pasta, she chose mostaccoli. It was composed of fresh mushrooms in a white wine sauce. Similar to our appetizer, with the white wine sauce and mushrooms. The mostaccoili collected the white wine sauce it which my mother enjoyed.
    I, Foodie the Kid, got the "3-P" ($15). It was composed of proscitto and peas in a Panna sauce. I chose fettuccine pasta because I thought it would be more traditional with the creamy sauce. The proscuito was cut into cubes. The saltiness of the proscuito mixed nicely with the sweetness of the peas.
    For our dessert, we shared the Tiramisu ($6.43). It was an excellent combination of chocolate and espresso. The nice fluffy lady fingers were perfectly infused with the flavors of the espresso and brandy.
   Check out Gavi if you want a relaxing Italian meal.

Piazza Gavi:                                 Hours:                    
5415 N. Kolb Rd.                        Sun-Thurs 7am-9pm
(520) 577-1099                            Fri-Sat 7am-10pm

 

www.gavicucina.com

Just Perfect

  Yamato is a resturant in the Old Pueblo that serves up authentic Japanese cuisine. Chef  Noboru was born and raised in Nagano, Japan. He started working as a dishwasher in his uncle's restaurant, along with his brothers and other uncles. He came to Tucson in 1982 and in 1988 he opened Yamato with his wife Maria Kaneta.
   When I went with my mom the place was small and intimate. In the back you could see Chef  Noboru making sushi at the sushi bar talking to his regulars. There was an amazing collection of paper lanterns encircling the room. The were of course, there standard geishas and lucky cats too.
   For our appetizer we had the Yakatori Beef ($3.95). The beef was char braised, skewered, and in teriyaki sauce. The beef was very tender and the sauce was sweet.  There were also a hint of smokey flavor. It was an excellent way to start a meal. 
   My Mom, for her entree, ordered the Yakasoba ($8.50).The Yakasoba was composed of  pan-fried beef, steammed vegetables, and noodles in akisoba sauce. The beef was tender like the Yakatori Beef in the appetizer.  There was a slight peppery note to the sauce. It was further enhanced by the Siracha my mother put on.
   For my entree, I ordered the Salmon & Ikura Don (14.95). It was composed of thinly sliced, fresh salmon with salmon roe served over a cooked rice.  It was a wonderful dish. The salmon was fresh and  light. The salmon roe were like little burst of flavor in every bite I took.
   For dessert we ordered the Strawberry Mochi ($3.25). The Mochi was very smooth and had a fruity and pleasant flavor. It was a perfect way to end the meal.
   Come to Yamato if you want a tradition Japanese fare.


Yamato:                                       Hours:
857 E. Grant Rd.                         Mon-Sat 9am-9:44pm
(520) 645-3377                             Sunday (closed)

Flavorfull Comfort

   Owned by  Kade Mislinski, an eagle scout who comes from a long line of restaurateurs. Hub Restaurant and Creamery opened on February 12, 2011. Hub is a great place to gather for some familiar food with an updated flare. The Executive Chef, Leanne Hernandez, began cooking along side her grandmother at the ripe old age of three. She brings a passion and dedication to making great food, striking that emotional cord in all of us with her seasonal menu choices. Craig Dibbern, who oversees Hub and is Head Chef at Playground Bar and Lounge nexted door, learned how to cook out of necessity because because according to him, his parents didn't cook. (I hear that my Mom only makes five things!).
   The ambiance was very simple and interesting with the hardwood floors, exposed brick, and upsidedown hanging lamps. 
   My Mom and I shared The Glory ($8) for our appetizer.  It was cheddar cheese curds served with a Siracha ketchup.  I found them to be very gooey and ''savorlious"! They were flash-crisp so they were not heavily breaded and surprisingly non-greasy. The Siracha ketchup added a nice kick to the dish, which I enjoied.
   For my Mom's entree, she had the Corn and Poblano Chowder ($6) and a Classic BLT ($9).The consistency of the chowder wasn't heavy and was perfect for a summertime soup.  The poblanoes provided a nice bite to the chowder. The BLT had thickly sliced tomatoes and tons of bacon! It was definitely reminiscent of her mom's BLT but, better.
   For my entree, I had the Hub Burger ($12) with a side of Hub Fires. There was salami, cheese, and cole slaw on the burger. The salami added salty notes to the burger that amplified the flavor of the tender beef. The cole slaw was a tastier take on lettuce. The Hub Fries were thickly cut.  All around it was a great burger and fries.
  When we ordered dessert, we chose from over 50 flavors handwritten on a piece of fun paper.  The flavors are rotated every 2-3 days. My Mom had a 4oz Berry Melon Sorbet ($4) and I had 8oz. My Mom's was very flavorful and she could taste both the Berry and Melon.  The 8oz. Nutella Ice Cream ($5) I had was excellent, not just because it had the nectar of the gods, Nutella, because it had slight hint of hazelnut. It was a better version of Chocolate Ice Cream.
   Check out Hub Restaurant and Creamery and don't forget parking in the back.


Hub Restaurant and Creamery:                 Hours:
266 E. Congress St.                                   Sun-Wed 11am-12pm
(520) 207-8201                                         Thurs-Sat 11am-2am
www.hubdowntown.com

A Good Day Starts Here

  Cafe Marcel is a local creperie, that provides a simple and humble way to start your day. Owned by Joe Frazier, a food loving man who served his country in the Navy and later learned under many good chefs, along with his wife Michelle, a warm and maternal women who sees her restaurant as a extension of her home. While Joe was working as a chef in a senior living community, he longed to have something of his own. Michelle knowing this, decided to Google restaurants for sale in Tucson and discovered Cafe Zope on 4th Avenue.  They befriended the owners and purchased it 6 months ago. They decided to change the name to Cafe Marcel, after Michelle's brother who is a disabled veteran. The staff is made up of only three people, the two owners and Miro, an experienced 4th Avenue server.  Good customer service and quality food are the hallmark of this creperie. Michelle says their philosophy is "to never sell anything they themselves would not eat".
  The ambiance was simple, cozy and friendly. Feeling like a French cottage, providing a nice escape from the noise of Fourth Avenue.
   The menu at Cafe Marcel is made up of savory crepes, sweet crepes, bagels, and a variety of beverages. My Mom  had the Pear Apple Brie Honey Crepe ( $7.95) and for her beverage she had a Large Iced Mocha ($3.75). Her iced mocha had just the right amount of chocolate made by request, fulfilling her chocolate quota for the day. Her crepe was light and fluffy, filled with sweet, crisp pears and apples. The sweet elements in the crepe was balanced by the strong flavor of the brie.
   I, Foodie the Kid, had the Chicken Lingonberry Spinach Tomatoes Crepe ($8.95) and a Coconut Italian Soda ($3.25). My crepe came with a herb sauce which amplified the lingonberry jam's sweet flavor with a peppery bite. The spinach and the tomatoes were fresh. The chicken was tender too. It was a wonderful domino effect of flavor. The Italian soda was refreshing and flavorful.
  Check out Cafe Marcel if you want to start a good day the right way!


Cafe Marcel:                                Hours:
334 N. 4th Ave.                            Sun-Thurs 8am-5pm
(520) 623-3700                             Fri-Sat 8am-7pm 
www.cafemarcel.biz