Tucson March 2010

We were in Tucson for a few Rockies spring training games - the last in this city. Next year they move up to Phoenix since the Rockies and Diamondbacks were the last hold-outs here. It will be sort of sad to leave historic Hi Corbett Field and I do like Tucson.

Pastiche. Dinner was very good, as usual, not fantastic, but very good. Wine list is ultra reasonable, especially their daily wine specials. Not surprising because they have a wine shop attached to the restaurant. Bottle of Coppola Malbec was 21 bucks, my first taste of a domestic Malbec and it was pretty damn good.

El Charro. Lunch for the one non-baseball day. A tourist haven but still pretty good. My pozole stew (some say posole, some say pozole) was very good with big chunks of pork in a spicy but not overwhelming broth. I like the posole at Orlando's in Taos better. The better brother's spouse had a crisp with a little cheese and fresh green chiles that was outstanding.

Cafe Poca Cosa. A favorite and fantastic as usual. My only complaint (minor) is the pile of leaves they heap on your plate which is the salad. I would prefer more main course or a more traditional way of serving. But, their moles are incredible and entrees absolutely heavenly.

Hi Corbett Field. Hot dogs are generic and prepackaged in foil wrappers. But, the buns were warm and soft and did not crumble in your hand. Not Vienna by any stretch. Mostly the usual low rent beers: Coors light, Miller Lite, Bud Lite but at a few places a glimmer of New Belgium hope with Fat Tire and 2 Below, their winter seasonal. Blue Moon is also available.

Mama Louisa's. Take a trip back in the retro Italian restaurant time machine to the 1950s with this great place. Freshly made pasta, vinyl checkered table cloths, hearty red sauce, dynamite simply made pizza and a fresh salad bar. Cheap but good wine.

The Arizona Inn. Very civilized, quiet, classy place to have a martini while people watching and also looking out over the croquet court. The only food we had here were olives.

Hacienda del Sol. Historic hotel with a more lively bar. Another good martini locale.

Acacia. One of the best meals consumed anywhere. Absolutely perfect in a contemporary but not bizaree setting. Good and fairly reasonable wine list. If you're going to Tucson, don't miss this place.