7th St/Coronado
Sips and Grub | Glazed Donut and Strawberry Smoothie at Rainbow Donuts
Posted on 8/31/10 by Kenny Bump » 2 Comments
This week, I had plenty of trouble deciding what to write about, but fortunately for yours truly, my sweet tooth won out. The sugar-acquiring prowess my palate holds is nearly unmatched. Thus, I was led abruptly to a sweet spot right in my back yard (well, sort of): Rainbow Donuts.
My adventure was initially a quest to branch out from my normal beverage consumption and partake in boba – which would have been a big step for your favorite Southern gent. Unfortunately, Rainbow was out of boba, but the dreamy concoctions and fresh sweets they are famous for were still well within reach.
After weeping softly in their orange booth over boba, my spirits were lifted at the realization that, perched behind the rounded glass next to some ramen and Ring Pops, sat a treasure trove of donut goodness. My heart leapt at the thought of the delicacies that I could select. With a raging thirst, I ordered the strawberry smoothie from the photograph on the wall.
On deck, impatiently waiting, was my hunger. My taste buds have never known of the words “restraint” or “overindulgence.” Therefore, no donut counter can be passed without at least a regular glazed being ordered. My willpower was useless in this place anyway, and I gladly salivated over the prospect of a trademark glazed donut in my possession.
With a smile, I was handed my freshly made treats. I was barely seated before I was mowing down each of my prizes. The donut was extremely dense, cushion-soft and sweet. It was a dinner all its own.
As for the sweet smoothie, it stood out as one of the best I have had the pleasure of sippin’. Needless to say, with a bevy of sweet strawberry and milky flavors, I was in smoothie heaven.
I’m fairly confident that a choir sang during this indulgent snack. So, Rainbow Donuts is worthy of your attention. It just might leave your taste buds in a harmonious mood.
Rainbow Donuts is located at 1347 E. McDowell Rd. in Coronado — 602.256.7404
First Friday: Shawn Anderson Unplugged
Posted on 7/02/10 by Monica Arevalo » No Comments
If you don’t want to fight for a spot at First Friday but still feel like seeing amazing art and hear local music, well I’ve got one place for you. SuTRA Midtown Yoga is hosting a night full of beautiful photography by Shawn Anderson and acoustic sets by local artists.
Shawn Anderson Unplugged will start at 7 p.m. in the Living Room Café with music by Bears of Manitou, Matt Harris and Sorry Charlie.
If you haven’t heard of Shawn Anderson’s music blog, Electric Mustache, you need to open another tab and start discovering what you’ve been missing. His blog will open your eyes to mind-blowing music, open and trustworthy CD reviews and local and national band updates.
After Anderson started Electric Mustache, he started his website, Electric Shots, displaying his photography that makes you feel as if you were there the night of the show. He captures musicians at their purest on stage.
His photography will be displayed on the gallery walls on Friday and will stay up all month long.
On Friday, watch as his photos come to life, as Bears of Manitou and Matt Harris, who have been subjects of Anderson’s lens, also take the stage.
Bears of Manitou have quickly sprouted up in the Phoenix music scene. They opened up for Rocky Votolato in March and everyone was in awe that the duo were playing their first show and nailing it.
Gabe Williams, Laney Coletti and Brian Champ make up Bears of Manitou. They are a folk-indie group that has Williams on guitar, piano or ukulele; Coletti changing up her instruments every other song, from bongos to cello to maracas; and Champ on drums as the newest addition to the group.
Harris and Sorry Charlie will grace the stage with their soft, rich sound, adding to the soundtrack of the night.
Join everyone on First Friday at SuTRA Midtown Yoga, where they will supply the essentials: art, music and completely free (and delicious!) sangria.
SuTRA Midtown Yoga is located at 2317 N. 7th St. in Coronado — 602.253.9525
DPJ Yelper of the Week: Georgie S. on The Main Ingredient Ale House & Café
Posted on 6/22/10 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
DPJ is proud to bring you the best Yelp reviews of your favorite Downtown restaurants, boutiques, venues and everything in between. Every week, visit DPJ for a finely crafted, tell-all account of a Downtown spot straight from the experts: the people!
Georgie S.
Phoenix, AZ
Four-star rating
06.01.10
I am at the point where I’m making up reasons to go to The Main Ingredient — it’s gotten that bad. I love it. Jumbo Coney Island hot dogs, baked crusty green chili mac and cheese and more microbrews than I can even count, all set to old school East Coast hip hop? Be still my heart!
I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to a place with that killer of a vibe. Actually, I’m lying, I can totally remember. It was Hanny’s in January of ’09. Restaurants never cease to amaze me at how little attention they pay (it seems) to the music/background noise they pump out into their business as if it’s a minor detail. I, for one, completely disagree as the music and vibe are the difference for me between a quick 45-minute meal or a three-hour one. And you can guess the difference between the tabs/tips on the latter one.
Anyhoo, the food is always consistently fresh and tasty. Nothing overtly fancy — mostly sanwiches and salads with a few just-like-mom-made favorites like mac and cheese and grilled cheese thrown on for good measure. Everything is pretty much in the $6-$9 range as well, which is awesome. Service matches the vibe, very unassuming and laid back, but never lazy or unattentive. I remember being sad when Lisa G closed her doors, but I couldn’t be happier with the restaurant that took her place!
The Main Ingredient Ale House & Café is located at 2337 N. 7th St. in Coronado — 602.THE.MAIN
The DPJ Yelper of the Week offers honest insight on a Downtown business to help you explore your core. DPJ hopes that by partnering with Yelp to spread the good word about well-loved Downtown spots, you’ll spread your patronage and support local business.
Yelp is a social networking and local search engine that provides the reviews of places and things that matter to you. Simply log in, pick a place and queue up your inner critic. You can write a beaming review of your favorite gelato spot, or a scathing portrayal of that rental car facility you had to use after that curb came out of nowhere. Yelp’s reviews are at once honest, uncensored, wildly hilarious and true. Heck, the site must be doing something right — it had 26 million viewers just last month!
Sips and Grub | Chocolate Shake at MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain
Posted on 6/08/10 by Kenny Bump » No Comments
Summer has a nostalgic effect on me. I tend to seek out things I used to do as a kid in the lazy summer days. Baseball games, hot dogs, swimming in the creek — things like that are all that I can seem to think about this time of year. Unfortunately, the desert heat has a way of zapping the energy out of you, so I got creative. My quest brought me up 7th Street to MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain for a good, old fashioned soda fountain experience.
Upon entering, I was instantly transported beyond my own youth to stories that my parents told me of growing up. Patsy Cline softly sings, “How crazy I am for feeling lonely?” and a veritable ’50s landmark bar stretches out before my eyes. I suddenly feel like I should have a slingshot in my back pocket and roll my jeans up to show off my PF Flyers. To my luck, these are apparently not requirements for MacAlpine’s since the waitress slid the menu under my wide-eyed gaze.
Nostalgia kicked in. I was hankerin’ for a fresh, creamy chocolate shake. I honestly started to salivate at the simple thought of a hot dog and a shake. This lovely place even boasts about their shakes being made with scoops of old fashioned Thrifty Ice Cream and blended with an authentic 1940s Hamilton-Beach blender. Sounds like a time portal of a drink to me.
In honor of Marty McFly, I nearly asked if the waitress would slide it down the counter to me, but I chickened out. Even though it was placed in front of me, it was a close as you can get to chocolate perfection. Every sip was creamy and history-evoking. I could picture summers on the tire swing and the little soda shop in my hometown with the locals laughing and the equally well-prepared shakes. Topped carefully with chocolate sprinkles and a maraschino cherry, this shake was off the hook. What is even better is that the glass that they fill with your shake can’t hold all of it, so you are blessed with a frosty glass of amazingness and a cousin steel cup of chocolate shake bliss. It is the ultimate twofer.
If you haven’t ventured to MacAlpine’s, then this is the summer for it. It’s guaranteed to not only be a trip for some good grub and amazing shakes, but it will also be a sweet journey into the past. Driving 88 mph is not required or recommended either.
MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain is located at 2303 N. 7th St. in Coronado — 602.262.5545
DPJ Yelper of the Week: Dyanna P. on Camelback Moving
Posted on 5/26/10 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
DPJ is proud to bring you the best Yelp reviews of your favorite Downtown restaurants, boutiques, venues and everything in between. Every Tuesday, visit DPJ for a finely crafted, tell-all account of a Downtown spot straight from the experts: the people!
Dyanna P.
Phoenix, AZ
Five-star rating
01.07.10
Thanks to Yelp and the wonderful reviews I read, I booked Camelback Moving for my first move in seven years. Lisa was wonderful over the phone, answered all my questions, and gave me all the information I needed when I called to make the reservation about a month in advance. As luck would have it, I hit a major speedbump just 12 hours from my scheduled move and called the company in tears late one evening to find out what I could do given my current situation. I believe I spoke with Chad, who listened patiently and did a great job of assuring me they would work with me to get everything taken care of. When I resolved everything the next day and called back to confirm a new date, Lisa recognized my voice right away and was really great.
The day of the move, I got a call from one of the guys asking if they could start early, as their other job finished ahead of scheduled. We agreed on a time, and true to their word, they arrived when they said they would. When they arrived, one of the guys went over some paperwork with me and asked him to walk them through my place showing them what would be going. After that, they got started. I was absolutely impressed by the speed at which they moved everything out, especially considering they took time to wrap all non-boxed objects with huge rolls of Saran Wrap-like plastic — including my sofas and ottomans! They finished moving everything downstairs and to their truck in under two hours. Had they been able to park closer and not have to deal with the stairs, I’m sure they would have finished sooner.
Once at the new place, they got started unloading. If a box wasn’t clearly labeled, they asked where it should go. They re-assembled my bed and put the furniture where I asked. Not a single box was misplaced. Nothing was broken. Everything was in the same condition it was in before it left my former residence. Once everything was done, I was given another form to sign along with a comment card. Before they left, the guys even asked if I needed help shifting things around or if I wanted things moved anywhere. Truly great customer service!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone at Camelback Moving for making this a completely stress-free moving experience. I have already and will continue to enthusiastically recommend this company to friends and associates for their moving needs. I can’t say enough about them and will absolutely use them again next time I move!
Camelback Moving Inc. is located at 2017 N. Dayton St. in Coronado — 602.564.6683
The DPJ Yelper of the Week offers honest insight on a Downtown business to help you explore your core. DPJ hopes that by partnering with Yelp to spread the good word about well-loved Downtown spots, you’ll spread your patronage and support local business.
Yelp is a social networking and local search engine that provides the reviews of places and things that matter to you. Simply log in, pick a place and queue up your inner critic. You can write a beaming review of your favorite gelato spot, or a scathing portrayal of that rental car facility you had to use after that curb came out of nowhere. Yelp’s reviews are at once honest, uncensored, wildly hilarious and true. Heck, the site must be doing something right — it had 26 million viewers just last month!
