Postino Wine Cafe is known for their unique varieties of bruschetta - I mean, say no more. I'm sold. Wine + bruschetta = happy happy happy.

This trendy cafe is the perfect brunch spot - mimosas, snacks and a light, airy vibe.

You choose four bruschetta options, so I went with: brie & apples with fig spread, prosciutto with figs & mascarpone, warm artichoke spread, and burrata, bacon, arugula & tomato. Honestly, all of the options are right up my alley and I would've been happy with any of them.

Look at our spread!

More mimosas, please.

Which ones would you have chosen?

After dinner, ice cream (or in this case, gelato) is always necessary.

The Gelato Spot is a gelato shop that had about a dozen flavors. It shares a space with a pizza shop, so it was open late - perfect for apres dinner!

I got a salted caramel gelato, which came with this cute cookie straw. This is how you cool off in Phoenix!

FnB, which stands for food and beverage, is a restaurant in Phoenix that has been a James Beard semifinalist and been nominated for best chef in the southwest for the last five years running.

The restaurant has a bar area, as well as a very nice dining space that just made us feel #classy.

The menu has a lot of plant-based dishes, and they're all described by the main ingredients.

And the drinks! They have a cider that the owner makes. How cool is that?

I went with a rose-flavored tequila drink.

Bread for the table.

For my meal - I first ordered a corn, peaches, feta, almond, basic and arugula. Yum!

And for my entree, I got a halibut with green beans, plums and lemon-thyme aioli.

Have you been?

Barrio Queen was one of my first stops when I got to Phoenix. It was close to where I was staying, and it had amazing reviews.

On my walk there, it was a million degrees and I thought I might die. I even saw lots of little lizards scurry across the sidewalk. But I made it - a sweaty, red mess - but I made it.

This place has a ton of different taco options, and their tableside guacamole is the stuff of legend.



Since it was just me, I opted for tacos only.

I went for the al pastor, cochinita pibil and nopalitos - which is cactus!

AL PASTOR - Pork marinated in chile and spice. Topped with diced red onions, fresh cilantro, pineapple and our homemade red sauce - Straight from Mexico City

COCHINITA PIBIL - Casa Signature - The Queen's acclaimed pork marinated in sour orange and achiote paste. Topped with pickled red onions and homemade pico de gallo

NOPALITOS - Tender sautéed cactus, jalapeño peppers, red onions and tomatoes. Topped with queso fresco



But first - chips & salsa!

And, my three tacos.

And, if you're curious what cactus tastes like - to me, it was like green beans.

On my long trek to Phoenix, I had a layover in Charlotte.

After a quick Google search, I saw 1897 Market had some pretty stellar reviews so we stopped there for lunch.

It was actually huge, with a beautiful dining space and a pretty cool little market area.

I saw a pasta dish when I walked in and ordered what I thought was that -- bucatini. It wasn't, but it was still delicious! Cream sauce, bacon jam and parmesan - yum!