Drinking it in on Higher Ground

Every once in awhile, I have the experience of driving around the corner of where I live, and suddenly seeing something of interest for the very first time, despite that fact that it has been sitting there all along. Such is the case with Higher Ground coffee roasters, which is literally right next to my usual grocery stop. In my quest for decent coffee in the west, I've encountered a number of great places, and this is one of them. Not only is the coffee good, but the menu is compact and meaningful, and the architecture is interesting. What I especially loved was the mason-jars-turned-lighting fixtures perched on the ceiling. Something about that felt really sweet.

http://www.hgroastery.com/

The little train that could - and did!

Sometimes an ordinary moment can turn out to be kind of special. Running errands is usually...well...ordinary. Today when stopping at a local store in a rather ordinary fashion, I happened to notice a plaque and display about some local history. Wedged between the Target and Kohl's big box stores I discovered a sweet plaque honoring a local train engine that ran through the town of Queen Creek back in the day. Engine 1673, as it was called, was tasked with making connections and deliveries back in the old west. There is not much time or interest for such a story in today's fast-paced, automated world, where it is easy to forget that at one time this busy metropolis was an isolated outpost: clothes were not purchased on the corner, the array of items available at the local grocery were not available and food had to be home grown and home-made.

Today, this little engine that could has found a permanent home at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum in Tucson. Before rushing off to my next destination, I stood next to the plaque and just felt a moment of gratitude for the steps that got us to where we are today, for the little engine that provided a link to civilization at a time when it was so desperately needed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Arizona_Transportation_Museum.

Hello, my name is Janie, and I'm a foodie (murmurings of, "hi Janie..." from the crowd...Allow me to take my holy interest in food and direct it in a productive manner: sharing information and intel about food I have found. Case in point: living in the desert Southwest, a little restaurant in Scottsdale came to my attention. Specifically, that this facility boasts 'authentic' Mexican fare created by a chef that hails from a long line of food aficionados  according to lore, her father was a Mexican baker, his father was a Mexican baker, and so on, back to the year 1200. Dubbed the Barrio Queen, the owner/chef not only attended culinary school, not only came from a long line of bakers, but also spend time in real Mexican kitchens during what was described as a spiritual and food related Vision Quest in Mexico, emerging with creativity and fresh ideas. All hail the Barrio Queen, located in old town Scottsdale. I sampled the nachos and found them to be top notch. The tortilla chips were fresh and homemade, the dish not covered in cheese, but rather in just enough to allow for the spices to emerge naturally. The decor is replete with family photos that lend an air of ancestry and connectivity to family and the old country, infusing the establishment with what can only be described as personality. Oddly enough, the Cuban music playing in the backgrounded added to this ambiance. Next time, I'm trying the mole.

www.barrioqueen.com

As a recent transplant to the very rural (read: pawdunk) southwest, I am finding places of amusement and comfort in this land of tumbleweeds and mountains that all look alike. Tucked away in the pastures of Queen Creek, way southeast of the City of Phoenix, is the land of olives - or what we call, The Queen Creek Olive Mill. Situated in the middle of nowhere, very close to next-to-nothing, it is worth the drive to visit this large warehouse-turned-tourist spot, replete with olives, more olives, and then a few more....olives. The area has a beautiful outdoor eating spot along with groves of beautiful olive trees. Inside of the warehouse is a small store and a few eating areas. I am very fond of the vegetarian appetizer, which incorporates a scoop of hummus, handful of pistachios, bunch of fresh olives, and numerous vegetables, along with some chocolate.

Also inside this dwelling is the Superstition Coffee Roasters, with enough freshly roasted caffeinated substances to sustain even the most weary of tourists. They sell fresh cups of different kinds of coffee and the roasters are more than pleased to tell you about any beans you would want to purchase. As well, they roast on-site, so the aroma is wonderful.

The site for olive heaven is http://www.queencreekolivemill.com/ and for coffee manna http://superstitioncoffee.com/. The host tours of the olive fields and on October 13th they are hosting the food truck roundup on their spacious site. Bon appetit!

I must say, living in the desert southwest has it's perks. Literally. My recent new discovery is Bergies Coffee in my new homeland, Gilbert, AZ. Situated within an old bungalow on the old downtown corridor, this spot is a sweet caffeinated treat for anyone that loves to imbibe cafe'. They roast, brew, serve, sell beans, and dish out advice and opinion on current events in one fell swoop. Another perk: they are a block away from the Saturday Gilbert Farmer's Market, filled with organics and other treats, a veritable vegetarian mecca. There is a gentle approach to life in these here parts, as the harshest debate was the recent scandal in which a farmer was ousted for not being so local with the produce they were offering - they were actually hauling produce from California. The scandal of it all.

If you care to peruse their site, here it is: http://www.bergiescoffee.com/.