I’M AN OPTIMIST ON THIS PRIME: 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PRIME T oyota has always produced a solid line of vehicles and the 2021 RAV4 Prime is no exception. There are not a lot of frills but the bad boy just oozes quality and function. The Supersonic Red has a pretty cool name, too. The 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine and plug-in hybrid system combine for an impressive 38 MPG for Looks: Pick-Up: Handling: Comfort: gas only and 94 MPG on the electric/gas combo. So we are killing the fuel economy game out of the gate and you’ll feel cool cuz you kind of have an electric vehicle as well. The 302 net horsepower actually gives you a little whip, too, which is cool. The cabin is spacious and built with affordability and function in mind. Again, Toyota and their RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) Safety & Security: Value: Fuel Economy Overall: 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PRIME Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on Papa’s Girl First Taste: The Italian Daughter lives up to the hype. BY RUDRI PATEL even with the wait, there is plenty of peo- ple watching — couples huddled together in the corner, a set of friends enjoying ap- petizers and wines, and families laughing over bowls of pasta and house bread. The vibe is comforting and cheerful, and the cuisine delivers on taste and flavor. This energy isn’t accidental. According Y to owner Melissa Maggiore Meyer, daugh- ter of the late Tomaso Maggiore, founder of Tomaso’s Italian Restaurant, there is a tex- ture to the infectiousness of the restaurant. “I try to do everything as traditionally as I can with just a little elevation or just with my own flare,” says Maggiore Meyer. It’s an homage to how I grew up.” And that tribute to how she grew up in- cludes honoring her father, who died in January 2021. “I was very close to my father,” she says. “He was not only my father but my best friend, and we worked together our whole life.” Her father never witnessed the opening 30 of The Italian Daughter. She confesses as she watched her father battle his illness, “I started thinking about all the things I was left with because I was about to lose him. And I just woke up one day, and I was like, I’m my dad’s daughter. I am an Italian The Italian Daughter Owner Melissa Maggiore Meyer with her father, the late Tomaso Maggiore, founder of Tomaso’s Italian Restaurant. ou’ll immediately sense the friendly energy when you walk into The Italian Daugh- ter. The hostess and wait staff are welcoming, and quality….LOL. You’ve got enough room for 5 and the cargo room is ample. The exterior could use a little love but overall, you aren’t buying the RAV4 Prime for it’s looks. The $49,577 price tag helps tip the scales on the RAV4 Prime being a solid purchase. | CHOW BELLA | t Café The Italian Daughter The Italian Daughter’s menu highlights many favorites, including this bone-in pork chop Caprese. daughter.” That’s how the restaurant’s name was born, and she told her brother and father about it, and they loved “The Italian Res- taurant.” Maggiore Meyer added her own touch with the logo. Not only does she love the restaurant business, but she also is a shoe fanatic. She paired the name with the boot of Italy with a big heel on it. This tribute to Italy has another back- story to it. Maggiore Meyer wanted to make sure the patrons of The Italian Daughter felt like they were at home in her restaurant. “Our customers are like our family,” she says. “We see the same customers multiple times a week. ... I’m continuing my father’s spirit. My father’s favorite thing in the world was cooking for his patrons, who he called friends, and making something special and going off the menu and growing with his cli- entele. I want to do the same thing.” The menu matches the vibe of the res- JAN 20TH– JAN 26TH, 2022 PHOENIX NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | FEATURE | NEWS | OPINION | FEEDBACK | CONTENTS | phoenixnewtimes.com
