Gobble from p 17 our haven of legal hashish — the All-Star was slapped with a misdemeanor in New York for possessing a little stash of pot not too long ago. It’s a pretty new freedom for us Arizonans, but one I don’t take for granted. Russell asks me if I want a photo. I decline, but I want to show him a cheeky three-leg parlay I placed through the Caesars Sportsbook minutes earlier: PHX -4, under 227.5, and a first basket prop on Anthony Edwards. It’s a long shot at +3180 odds, but it’s fun to have a little skin in the game. After a wish of good luck, I head back to my table. So there I am the next night, in my apartment, watching the Suns cap off a nine-point victory that guarantees I won my parlay. I’m no high roller, but I managed to turn $5 into more than $150 that night. You can’t do that in Minnesota. And, admittedly, I was a little high while watching the game. So what? It’s all legal here now. Arizona voters and lawmakers aren’t slaves to centuries-old stigmas about innocuous vices, unlike my home state of North Carolina, the very last state in the Union to introduce the lottery back in 2005. Weed and gambling are illegal there, as well as in Hawai’i, where I spent some time recently. The Aloha State has beau- tiful scenery but few options for fun. Arizona has the whole enchilada: rolling, rust-colored rock formations like nowhere else on Earth; sportsbooks inside each of our many professional sports venues; and enough licit cannabis to sedate Snoop Dogg himself. Ain’t that something to be thankful for? A Beautiful, Messy, Artistic, and Ever-Changing Place There are many things to be thankful for in Phoenix, from sunsets that keep you rooted in the desert years after you swore you’d never endure another triple-digit summer to a diverse and rapidly growing food scene. Here are the things that I’m grateful for: Downtown Phoenix Living and working in downtown Phoenix for the past five years, I have watched the city grow into a beautiful, messy, artistic, and ever- changing place. There’s Roosevelt Row, where you can grab a brew at Songbird Coffee & Tea House, check out the latest installation at Modified Arts, and listen to a live show from a green-lit patio, beer in hand, at The Lost Leaf. Heading into the heart of the city, Hanny’s offers stiff martinis and basement haunts, while Valley Bar is just a saunter down what seems like a suspicious alley until you arrive at the venue’s neon-lit sign. And then there’s beloved Grand Avenue, where lips will inevitably turn blue from the Cookie Monster flavor at Novel Ice Cream. Earth Plant Based Cuisine whips up hearty meals, even for the vegans, and Cha Cha’s Tea Lounge offers a plethora of loose-leaf drinks from a cozy space adorned with hanging plants. Bones Aftermarket provides a creative 18 space for coffee and the occasional night market, a collaboration with a local baseball games to attend. Our local events calendars are so packed, each weekend requires a plan to fit in as many festivities as possible. Food From All Over the World If there is a rare weekend that doesn’t include a food festival, don’t fret, you can still taste foods from all over the world right here in the Valley. You don’t need a pass- port to sample Ethiopian food in Tempe; try a variety of Chinese, Korean, or Japanese food in Mesa’s designated Asian District; or head to any hole-in-the-wall joint around town for some of the best Mexican food in the country. Close your eyes and — ELIAS WEISS point at a world map. Wherever you land, there’s almost always somewhere in metro Phoenix to find that region’s food. There are plenty of Italian restau- rants, French bistros, and British pubs. But we’ve also got a Balkan bakery, a student- favorite Pakistani restaurant, and an award-winning Armenian food joint all within city limits. In Phoenix, we can travel restaurant that sends lines far down the road. Bacanora is a new Sonoran staple, thanks to owner and chef René Andrade. And Grand Avenue Pizza Co., the legendary late night slice spot, will soon be resurrected in the form of SnapBack Pizza, a concept by the chef behind Hungry Homie, Ryan Moreno. Nature and Wellness Opportunities One can barely drive around Phoenix without noticing its intoxicating charm. Mountains surround the sprawling city and sunsets make rainbows jealous with their vibrant hues. Palm trees line streets with historic homes and immaculate green lawns, while fruit vendors peddle mangoes and water- melons sprinkled with Tajin and drizzled with sweet and spicy chamoy. Further north in the town of Carefree, the Sonoran Desert haunts you with its sheer size. It goes on for miles, the saguaros smiling as you drive past, prob- ably taking it all for granted. There are many opportunities to enjoy the beauty, from sunset yoga classes at the Andaz Scottsdale to mindfulness medita- tions at Civana, a wellness resort and spa in Carefree. And there’s no need to get fancy; a quiet weekday hike to the top of Piestewa Peak or a horseback ride at South Mountain Park will certainly do the trick. Phoenix is a magical place for so many reasons, and I’m thankful for that. — NATASHA YEE We Can Travel the World — Right Here in Phoenix There are many claims one could make about metro Phoenix, but no one can ever say there’s nothing to do here. That’s the benefit of a massive, sprawling city filled with multiple downtown centers, many different communities, and endless neigh- borhoods. Across town, there’s always something happening. Long and Packed Events Schedule In the majority of the country, festival and events season lasts through the summer: June, July, and August, maybe May and a little bit of September. But here, it’s exactly the opposite. While we hunker down to survive the sizzling summers, the rest of the year opens up for events galore. As soon as the temperatures dip in the fall, farmers markets pop up all around the Valley. Each weekend, there’s at least one food festival to attend. Leading up to the holidays, we’ve got arts and crafts markets with local makers selling gifts sure to wow friends and family. And all through the spring, there are golf tournaments, car shows, music festivals, and spring training the world through food. The Growing Craft Beer Scene After you fill up on a massive burrito or a tray of curry, there’s no better way to wash it down than with a local craft beer. And lucky for Phoenix beer fans, the local craft brewing scene is booming. There are pioneers such as Four Peaks, which opened in 1997. Then there was a boom about seven years ago, with Wren House and Goldwater opening in 2015, and Helton and The Shop Beer Co. in Tempe pouring their first pints in 2016. Over the last couple of years, a new brewing hub has sprung up around the Deer Valley Airport, with the addition of Simple Machine and Front Pourch. Kitsune Brewing is now open in Scottsdale, Roses By the Stairs is serving pints close to downtown Phoenix, and Hundred Mile is speeding toward opening its doors in Tempe. These new names continue to add to the growing list of breweries serving excellent beer around the Valley. Many of our local breweries also infuse a taste of Arizona into their creations, brewing beers filled with pink prickly pear fruits and local citrus. Order a flight and settle in for an afternoon of enjoyment at any of the Valley’s expanding number of craft breweries. — TIRION MORRIS NOV 17TH–NOV 23RD, 2022 PHOENIX NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | FEATURE | NEWS | OPINION | FEEDBACK | CONTENTS | phoenixnewtimes.com
