You know when you see a mass of people waiting to be seated at a restaurant, long lines at a retail shop or anywhere, you think, whatever they are selling must be good.
This was Drunk Munk. Twice, I had eaten at a restaurant across the street and each time I noticed the loads of people at Drunk Munk, having such a good time. I made a mental note to add Drunk Munk to my must-try list.
My husband and I finally stopped by for happy hour. This is what we had:
Bottle Rockets $12
Pork Pot Stickers $12.50
Spicy Teriyaki Ribs $14.50
Bikini Girl Cocktail $14.50
Flower Goddess Cocktail $12.50
I listed the regular menu pricing. During happy hour there are select menu items half off. Everything we ordered was on the happy hour menu.
Although everything we had was scrumptious, I would not pay full price for anything we had.
The Bottle Rockets were the best! Shrimp, cream cheese, scallion, wrapped in a spring roll wrapper, and fried. The Bottle Rockets were served with sriracha and sweet chili orange sauce. The Bottle Rockets are even worth trying to duplicate at home.
The Pork Pot Stickers were good but nothing special. A bag of Trader Joe’s pot stickers is comparative for much less and a larger quantity. My family hates it when I compare dining out food costs to grocery food costs. haha
Spicy Teriyaki Ribs were tasty, tender and dipped in the standard teriyaki sauce you would find at your local Asian restaurant. While eating the ribs, I said to my husband, it felt like it should have included a side of rice.
The cocktails! The drinks! The libations! Whatever you want to call them, they are why everyone at Drunk Munk always seemed so happy and having a wonderful time. The cocktails were superb.
My husband had the Bikini Girl cocktail, much like a Pina Colada. I had the Flower Goddess Cocktail, mimicking a Sex on the Beach cocktail. There was no skimping on the liquor. I had to ask the bartender to add a little more juice to balance out the drink for me.
So, if you are looking for great drinks, hit up Drunk Munk for cocktails, sit under the cute tiki hut outside, and order a few appetizers.
Total bill without tax and tip: $66 regular menu price $33 happy hour menu price
Location Visted: The Drunk Munk Tiki Bar & Restaurant 7133 E. Stetson Drive, Suite 1 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
I learned about Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant from my co-worker. He knows all about the speakeasies, wineries, and bars. He is very thorough in his analysis, so I took him at his word when he said the winery was cool. I do not know if my restaurant experience was in the forefront of my mind, but I vaguely remember him not really raving about the restaurant side of things, but going into detail about the winery. As you read on, you will see why both sentiments may be the case.
I made a reservation through Open Table the same day, and we ventured out. Make a reservation more than a day in advance if you want to be seated indoors, because reservations fill up fast. We were able to snag a table outdoors on the patio. Thank goodness the weather was nice, cool, and misters going made it a bit chilly for me. Good thing, I always have a jacket for backup.
Patrons’ attire ranged from dressed up to casual. We were somewhere in between.
When you first walk-in there is a retail area where you can purchase Cooper’s Hawk branded wine, wine glasses, and other wine accessories. As you walk through the retail shop, the reservation check-in area is situated right outside the restaurant entrance. Off to the left, the wine tasting area spans across the side wall, and it was packed full of wine tasters. The wine tasting does not take reservations and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The attendants said to allow 45 minutes to one-hour for the tastings, if you plan to participate before a dinner reservation.
With the reservation we waited approximately 15 minutes for our table to be ready. Once we were seated, we were offered two complimentary wine tastings each. I tried two white wines, Gewürztraminer and Blanc de Blanc. I appreciated them both, but I was surprisingly delighted by the Gewürztraminer. I had previously researched this wine, and it was described as the “grown up Moscato.” That description was quite accurate, a white wine, sweet but not too sweet and delicious on its own.
I was feeling adventurous, so I already knew I would order a wine flight as opposed to a single glass of wine. The flight allowed four options. You can choose a pre-selected bubbles, white, red, or lux flight for $18.99-$22.99. You can create your own flight for $21.99. I built my own flight, two white wines, Cooper’s Hawk White and Reisling. I also added two red wines, Cooper’s Hawk Red and Lux Cabernet. The two red wines were not my favorite. One, I am not a fan of wine being served warm, even though this is the red wine etiquette. I wanted to break all the rules and add a few cubes of ice, but I did not. Two, one of the red wines was spicy. I am also not a fan of wines that leave a hotness on your palate. I chose the reds to accompany my main dish, which was beef. Both white wines were shockingly smooth, and delightful. Made me regret choosing reds, at all. I enjoyed both whites overall, but the Riesling most of all.
Moving on to the underwhelming part of the evening, the food, and maybe I should not say it was completely underwhelming. The Brussel Sprouts were amazing. This is what we ordered:
Key Lime Pie – Fresh-Squeezed Citrus, Graham Cracker Crust, Whipped Cream, Lime Dust, $10.99.
The braised short rib was edible, but I had to jazz it up with parmesan cheese, and then I could eat at least half of it with the added cheese flavor. I should have been warned when the people at the table next to us left their Short Rib Risotto unfinished. The turkey burger was nicely seasoned with natural herbs but lacked salt. The Shrimp & Scallop Risotto arrived late, and it is not pictured because it immediately went back. The Shrimp & Scallop Risotto lacked and missed the mark all the way around. Aesthetics, flavor, and timeliness. I was shocked to learn this dish is a chef’s recommendation on the menu. It should be removed immediately from the entire menu.
Both desserts were complimentary, due to the late food and the lack of quality of the Shrimp & Scallop Risotto. I did not try the Reese’s Ice Cream Cookie, but can you go wrong with Reese’s and Ice Cream? I hope not. The Key Lime Pie was very good. I am a Key Lime Pie connoisseur, so take my word.
Despite the not-so-great experience with the main courses, overall, I would return to Cooper’s Hawk Winery, and indulge in their extensive wine list. As my co-worker described it, it is certainly a great place. The winery is impeccable. We decided as a group that if we must eat when visiting Cooper’s Hawk Winery, the appetizers are the way to go, because have you ever had a terrible appetizer, anywhere?
There are several locations across the United States. In Arizona, there are four locations, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale and Surprise.
I kept seeing them all over Instagram (@aceofwingz), so we had to give them a try.
Lots of flavors for everyone’s taste, and don’t sleep on the loaded fries. Just treat yourself!
Check their location before you pull up!
Location Visited:
Ace of Wingz Not listing the location visited, because they were a food truck. Then they’ve moved around to a few buildings. They are worth looking for when you would like to go.
According to breastcancer.org, “exercise may help you have fewer and less severe side effects from treatment. Research shows that exercise can help ease fatigue, lessen anxiety, improve quality of life, reduce the risk of lymphedema, improve physical function, strengthen bones, improve sleep, and ease bone and joint pain.”
Insert record scratch.
Exuding energy you do not seem to have, even a little bit, can help you feel better?
How Sway?
For a good part of a year, I have been wanting to try Reformer Pilates, so I made this my exercise of choice to try and get back into the swing of moving my body.
Prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer, I was in the gym regularly three to four times per week and in an Xtreme Hip Hop dance class one time per week. That all came to a screeching halt, and I found myself barely walking up the stairs in my home, without having to take a break.
I felt like yoga and pilates would be low impact options, while still moving for heart health, gaining muscle, or at least not losing muscle during this journey.
I found Moveology Pilates & Fitness, close to my home, so I decided to give it a try.
The Pilates instructor, Shieda (Shi for short), was warm and welcoming. I always look for spaces that are filled with good vibes only energy, and that it was.
The thoughts ran through my head ferociously before arrival. What will I wear to cover my head? Will I be cool enough, because chemo hot flashes are very real! Would I be able to keep up since this was my first time out, in a workout setting since diagnosis? How many people would be in class, so I am not exposed to all the things that people carry along with them. The list in my head went on and on.
My worries were put to rest, the classes are no more than five people per session. Shi moved at my slow pace, but also adjusted me when needed, and pushed me when I said could not do a certain movement. She made me aware that in her classes, you listen to your body, and adjust to what you feel you can handle. Shi said, “if I feel you can do it, I will encourage you to keep going, but you are ultimately in charge.”
We used the reformer’s main carriage. The reformer’s stand-up bar to stretch, which felt amazing. Then we moved onto the Pilates chair. I made it through the 50–55-minute class, very slowly, but I made it! One thing I know for sure, the sleep I will experience tonight will indeed be improved.
I plan on continuing Reformer Pilates. If you are looking to try out the class, Shieda will be having an open house to check out the space, on May 6, 2023, from 12PM-2PM. If you sign-up by the end of open house, the $100 registration fee is waived.
However, you can always sign up for a drop-in class or one of her packages. Find the link in her Instagram bio, @moveology_fitnessaz and do not forget your grip socks.
Location Visited:
4340 W. Chandler Boulevard, #3 Chandler, Arizona 85226
I go scared, figure it out — so you can go with ease.
Hot air ballooning had been on my list for years. Not because it looked peaceful, but because it looked terrifying. My husband refused. His logic? At least one parent should stay on the ground to raise the kids.
Fair.
So I found a friend who trusted my research more than her fear, and we booked the ride with Rainbow Ryders anyway.
My research on the company and safety stats convinced a girlfriend to go along with what I felt was a great idea.
From the moment I booked the ride, with Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co. (RR), every human sense was stimulated.
An oversized basket, a giant balloon, fueled with hot-air, thousands of feet in the air, with 12 people inside, could we be any crazier? We were willing to see! I booked the hot-air balloon ride about three weeks out. You had the choice of a sunrise or sunset ride. We chose sunset, because getting up before the sun comes up over the horizon and baring the morning coldness was not anyone’s idea of an enjoyable start to a day.
There was no individual weight limit with RR, but they will ask what the total weight is for the individuals booking in your party. They placed us in a basket according to the other 10 riders that rode in the same basket with us, to give the balloon an overall safe balance.
Per RR, there were other requirements that we needed know before we booked our ride, such as being able to get in and out of the basket (similar to getting on and off a horse), standing for three hours, since we did have to stand the entire time, no on balloon seating. Wear comfortable clothes and closed toed shoes.
We checked in one day prior, to confirm our attendance for the next day. We arrived one-hour prior to flight time on the day of the ride to get an assigned basket, pilot, and van.
The ride from RR headquarters to the launch-site was about 45 minutes. Once the balloon chasers located an idea space for take-off, they began set-up. Set-up took an additional 45 minutes. We filled the time with a photo-op and observing the process of the crew inflating the balloon. They process is all manual, from pulling the basket out the back of a pick-up, unraveling the balloon to make sure it is flat and ready to be inflated with large fans.
In the air with Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co.
Once the logistics were in order, it was time for take-off. Nail-biting and wonder started to take over. However, the hot-air balloon ride was the most serene, relaxing, and enjoyable time that you can have at approximately 3,000 feet in the air. Surprisingly so quiet, just the sounds of whispering chatter from our balloon neighbors, and the sound of the fire fueling the balloon. Our pilot pointed out some landmarks and gave us some short personal stories about his flying experience over the last 30 years.
After about one hour and a half in the air, we prepared for landing. Landing was bumpy, but not rough. We skipped a few times, but our basket did not tip over, like we were warned could happen. There are small steps etched on the inside of the basket. We used those to climb to flat ground. We had a or few celebratory glasses of wine, and all the riders received flight certificates. Our balloon chasers met us at the landing site and chauffeured us back to the RR Headquarters. Overall, our experience was 10/10.
And yes, we are a little bit crazier since scratching hot-air ballooning off of our bucket list. Would not have it any other way!
Our total price paid was $390, for two riders, not including tip.
Have you been hot-air ballooning? Who were you able to talk into going with you? Tell me about your experience. If you have not been hot-air ballooning. would you try it?
Location Visited:
Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co. 715 E. Covey Lane, #100 Phoenix, Arizona 85024
Sharonda Shariee 