Beachwood BBQ Should Stick with the BBQ

One of hubbs' fav dining spots is Beachwood BBQ. He mostly likes it because it has a terrific variety of delicious micro brews.

After a quick bike ride down to Beachwood BBQ, we ordered a couple of beers, our usual fried pickles (magestic), a pulled pork sandwich and contemplated trying something new. That is when we noticed mac and cheese.  Not sure if this is new to the menu or if I have simply indulged in too much beer on all of my prior visits because I don't remember seeing it on the menu before.

Beachwood BBQ's Baked M&C boasts ingredients including green onion, bacon, chilies, beer, and Gruyere.

Sounds majestic. Well, sadly, it is not. The first bite was bland.  I added some salt. Better, but not brilliant.  Next, I made a concoction of Beachwood BBQ's sauces: hot sauce, sweet sauce and mustard.  It was pretty tasty when doused in random sauces.  But, I am a purist and prefer my mac non-doused.

My advise: stick to the beer.

Trio Tops Them All

Today's review comes from my new favorite restaurant in Palm Springs, Trio. 

I decided to try this place after reading stellar Yelp reviews about their macaroni and cheese. 

The place did NOT disappoint. It is one of the BEST macaroni and cheese dishes I have ever had. It is totally worth the (expensive) price tag of $17. The portion is also HUGE, so you will definitely have some leftovers to enjoy the next day or two. 

They start with five different kinds of cheese; Fontina, Goat, Bleu, Cheddar and Romano. The dish also has loads of bacon, green onions, tomato and bread crumbs. 

I got a to-go order and the smell was so delicious I couldn't even wait to get home before I had to rip open the container and try a bite (or five). 

Well done Trio! A+

Blissful Mac at Bliss

A couple of weeks ago, after a very productive HRC Gala planning meeting (yippee for equal marriage rights!), we decided to have dinner at Bliss/ReBar a restaurant/bar (respectively) in the Roosevelt District of Downtown Phoenix. 

Naturally, the first thing that caught my eye was the macaroni and cheese. However, I'd already had four servings of Macaroni and Cheese that week, so I was a little cheesed out. Shocking, I know. 

Luckily, I was able to peer pressure my friend Nathan into ordering the 'Mac and Cheese Loaded' so that I could rudely reach across the table (multiple times) to sample it (read: shove flavorful forkfuls into my mouth). 

The Macaroni and Cheese came out looking a little soupy, but it wasn't. The cheese consistency was gloriously oozy and creamy and the sauce/pasta/chicken/bacon/stuff ratio was spot on.

Here is Nathan's review'

Cheese… Check

Bacon… Check

More Cheese… Check

Noodles… Check

More Cheese… CHECK!

The Bliss/Rebar Mac & Cheese could quite possibly be the cheesiest – just don’t tell Kraft. But this certainly is not made from cheese powder, not only is it the cheesiest – it is probably the creamiest Mac & Cheese I have ever had. It is so rich and flavorful, if I didn’t have a pretty good idea as to what the ‘nutrition facts’ might look like, I could eat it three times a week!

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Please forgive the shitty iPhone photos. 

Happy cheesing!