[lost meals] The Parlor, Phoenix AZ

The lost meals entries consist of meals that occurred at various times throughout 2012 which, for any number of reasons, escaped my documentation – some due to a cross country move and a new job, some due to the Los Angeles Kings run to the Stanley Cup, and some simply as a result of too much travel. Having enjoyed many of these meals with friends or family and with some of them amongst the year’s very best the reality is that with time my memory has deteriorated and as life moves forward I’ve realized there is little hope to ever “catch up” or document these experiences as well as I’d hope, yet in order to preserve them I present these pictures, notes, and thoughts on the experience.

Arancine – Crispy Saffron Risotto / Pomodoro / Fontina

Celebrity Chevre and “Grilled Farmer’s” Goat’s Milk Cheese Plate with Grilled Rosemary Flatbread, Basil Pesto and Peperonata

10 inch Margherita – House Made Mozzarella / Heirloom Tomatoes / Basil / EVOO

Duck Club – Roasted Duck / Applewood Smoked Bacon / Red Wine Tomato Jam / Roasted Garlic Aioli and Crispy Fries

“Sweet” Corn Zeppole – Brown Sugar Roasted Corn Fritters Served w/ Butterscotch & Chili Mascarpone

Turtle Budino – Dark Chocolate Pudding / Salted Caramel / Spicy Pecans / Pizelle Cookie

…in a city where Chris Bianco made pizza famous his eponymous restaurant was unfortunately closed on July Fourth thus leading my mother and I in search of an alternative when she was craving pizza after two straight days of Mexican cuisine, a charge to which The Parlor would prove more than capable, reigning to this day as the best Margherta I’ve found outside of Heritage Square since moving to Phoenix – and home to some rather excellent all-around Italian food, as well.

A large restaurant on Camelback; dimly lit, trendy, and crowded – particularly on a night when many were out celebrating and other restaurants were closed, our 8:00pm arrival landed us the last open two-top in the dining room and greeted by a friendly young woman named Kaelyn suggestions were made and selecting an appetizer, main course, and dessert each we thought that we had over ordered but after a long day of driving, unpacking, and finally reaching our destination in nearly 110F weather we made short work of each plate – the subtly sweet Celebrity Chevre and warm, melted “Grilled Farmer’s Goat Cheese” particularly memorable amongst the first plates while the every ingredient on both the pizza and the sandwich was fresh, flavorful, and well prepared – the house made mozzarella and bright tomatoes livening up a crisp but toothsome crust and the tomato jam melding the gamey duck and briny bacon quite admirably.

Moving on to desserts – I really have no excuse for not returning to The Parlor for at least some sweets since that visit in July, but it is something I’ll definitely have to remedy this summer as both the doughnuts and the budino were excellent – a bit of heat added to both in order to smooth out the sweetness and textures aplenty. Yet another of the many spaces that locals and ‘food nerds’ overlook I’d strongly recommend stopping by the Parlor to anyone craving a good pizza but unwilling to wait for Bianco – I’d also urge them to order dessert from one of the few places in town turning out great sweets without the assistance of Tracy Dempsey.