John Wise – Page 398 – Dreams, Moments, Travels

Angel Sweet

March 19, 2006 JWise Photo of the Day

Angel Sweet Gelato in Chandler, Arizona

Angel Sweet Gelato in Chandler, Arizona on the corner of Dobson and Chandler Boulevard should be visited by every man, woman, and child in Arizona. This was another Seth Chadwick recommendation from his foody site Feasting in Phoenix. The friendly staff helped us sample no less than a dozen flavors and narrowed the choices down to eleven we would have liked to have purchased. Ultimately, Caroline went for a small cup of fruits of the forest (mixed berry) and panna cotta, while I took a medium cup with coffee, raspberry, stracciatella (chocolate chip), and panna cotta – the panna cotta (which might be compared to dulce de leche) is their best seller and often sold out. My greatest disappointment is that this place has been around for four years and this was the first we’d heard of it; suppose my waistline should be happy for this sad fact. The gelato is out of this world, just like back in Europe.

Lee’s Sandwiches

March 18, 2006 JWise Food, Photo of the Day

Flourescent, cheap, fresh, and yummy describes Lee's Sandwiches featuring Vietnamese sandwiches on fresh baked French Baguets

We made it out to Chandler, Arizona this weekend to try Lee’s Sandwiches on the corner of Dobson and Warner Roads. The tip to try Lee’s came from Seth Chadwick who blogs about restaurants in Arizona over at Feasting in Phoenix. His recommendation was a good one, with 10 inch long sandwiches served on freshly baked French baguettes costing a mere $2.50 each. My first choice wasn’t my favorite, I opted for the Special Combination not knowing I wasn’t looking at Mortadella, it was head cheese. I personally am not a fan of organ meat and so the flavor wasn’t my cup of tea. The manager gladly exchanged it for the grilled pork which was excellent – I still wish he’d let me pay for it as it was my mistake for not paying attention and at only $2.50 each I didn’t feel I was losing a lot of money.

On Wednesday when I pick up our Community Supported Agriculture grown veggies from the Little Farm in Gilbert I’ll be stopping here at Lee’s to pick up lunch for myself and a sandwich for Caroline. Sadly, this location is the only one in Arizona, but the manager said there are plans for more locations. Thanks, Seth for the great tip.

Big Screen

March 17, 2006 JWise Photo of the Day

Inside the Cine Capri theater at the Scottsdale 101 in Phoenix, Arizona

Caroline and I went to see the movie V for Vendetta on the Cine Capri screen at the Scottsdale 101 theater on the edge of Phoenix, Arizona, this evening. The movie is terrific, although I can’t see Matt Drudge or Rush Limbaugh recommending it to the right-wing zealots that comprise the majority of their whacky audiences. I didn’t listen to nor hear about Mr. Limbaugh throwing dirt on the film, though that would be keeping with his hateful agenda, the DrudgeReport was quick to feature snide and overly negative reviews of V for Vendetta the week prior to its release. While there are some plot holes and the dialogue begs for an attentive ear due to garbled script from behind the mask, the overall message of not allowing ourselves to be bowled over by bullying governments who would use fear and deception to control populations holds certain poignant timeliness of sorts.

The Cine Capri screen is a favorite of film aficionados as it is the largest traditional movie screen in Arizona. At 70-feet wide in a theater space holding 600 viewers, the Cine Capri at the Scottsdale 101 theaters is one of the best places to catch a flick.

View From the Pasta Bar

March 16, 2006 JWise Photo of the Day

The kitchen at work as seen from the view from the pasta bar in Phoenix, Arizona

Out for dinner at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. This is the view of the kitchen from the pasta bar. The nice thing about eating near the noisy part of this restaurant is that there is never a wait, while a table will take upwards of a half-hour. Although this is a chain restaurant, they still manage to pull off a really good meal and the Dessert Rosa is oh so yummy.

Balloon, Blooms, and Bling

March 15, 2006 JWise Photo of the Day

This guy was waiting at the bus stop for a girl he met on the bus so he could deliver a couple of gifts here in Phoenix, Arizona

Waiting at the bus stop to meet up with a girl he had met on the bus, this guy decked out in bling carrying roses and a Kiss Me balloon is looking for love. I was informed that he had given up the idea of an acting career and was now simply an entertainer – pole dancing I’ll bet.

Speeding into Sunset

March 14, 2006 JWise Photo of the Day

A long exposure taken at sunset driving west in Scottsdale, Arizona

With a long exposure taken while driving the car west, I am living dangerously if not more incompetently than cell phone talking drivers. These photos at dusk and later represent desperation that the day is disappearing and I don’t yet have something to post here in my blog. This is my 439th photo of the day posting and with it comes a minor design change where I am enlarging the above photo, removing a column on the left that didn’t seem to add much to my site. Click the above image to view a larger version.