We had a great weekend. On Friday night, Jay and I stayed at the (brand-spanking-new) Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel for my birthday. Everything was very nice, and the staff was excellent too. It was so fun to have it be so new... I'm quite sure we were the first people to stay in that room.Speaking of the room, we reserved a regular room but we were upgraded to a suite... sweet!
We were on the 30th floor... the highest but for the governor's suite on the 31st floor... so we had a spectacular view of the city.
We had dinner at District (the hotel restaurant) which was just as good as last time. 
We both had the baked tomato soup... to die for! I had the fantastic salmon with shrimp and asparagus risotto. It was delicious.
Jay had the chicken pot pie. (I know this picture looks like an entire chicken, but that's just the puff pastry on top.) Jay loved it. 
We were too full to order dessert, but the general manager knew we were celebrating my birthday and sent this out with his complements. Yum! So we stuffed ourselves some more.
Afterward, we walked across the street to the Arizona Center, and we went to see this movie. It was quite funny! (I can recommend it only with reservations.... it was rated PG-13 for good reason!)
When we returned to our room, we found this lovely note from the GM and a "little treat."
Since we don't drink, we had a good laugh. It was a very nice gesture. We didn't want him to think we didn't appreciate it, so we took it home as a souvenir, and it will probably sit on a shelf in our closet for many years. (I don't know anything about champagne... does it get better with age?)
Here is where we did NOT eat breakfast the next day. Matt's Big Breakfast is a very popular breakfast spot.... there are usually twice as many people in line as the restaurant can accommodate. (Think Pizzeria Bianco.) 
Instead we went back to District for breakfast. I just went to the buffet, which was elegant and delicious... everything from eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits & gravy, to french toast, steel cut oats, all kinds of cereals, yogurt, pastries, and fabulous fresh fruit. Jay is a connoisseur of Eggs Benedict, and we heard theirs was special, so that is what he got.... and he wasn't disappointed.After stuffing ourselves again, we walked over to the Public Market and browsed for a while, checking out the local produce, crafts, etc.
I bought these delicious tortillas.... the best whole wheat tortillas I have ever tasted! 
It was a very fun little get-away... the perfect birthday gift. Thank you Jay! You are the best!!!
Sounds like an awesome get-away. My husband is away and all of this makes me wish that we could get away for a night like that.
ReplyDeleteThat restaurant sounds awesome. If we relocate to Phoenix like we plan, that will be a place we try for sure!
Alice, I have enjoyed your blog & the different perspective on C&S. I have especially loved your posts about the hotel because we are staying there later this week. We are traveling to Phoenix for the first time because my daughter is being honored by the Make-a-wish foundation & they chose this hotel for us to stay in during our visit. It has been fun to see your pictures & hear about the restaurant. Loved hearing there is a movie theater across the street too. We were kind at a loss for what to do with 2 kids in downtown. Our daughter uses a wheelchair so we have to do things within walking distance of the hotel. This is the first big trip we have taken with her & your posts make it seems a little less daunting because we know a little inside info about where we are going. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Alice! I think that movie looks funny, and so un-hollywood, a bit refreshing.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Alice! It sounds like you had the best-birthday-ever. I've been thinking about you a lot lately and all your family has been through. You definitely deserved this special time with Jay. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful birthday! it seems almost flawless :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday again! It looks like you had a great time. I had no idea Jay liked eggs benedict. I guess as long as there's no onions, he'll eat it.;)
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the Phoenix skyline made me homesick! (in a good way) I do love the good old HOT Valley of the Sun. The hotel is beautiful. I did think the crust on the pie looked like a chicken -it made me smile. My sis Amy told me all about the Domestic Bliss extravaganza, and I wish I had been there myself!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely retreat! Let me rephrase...what a yummy retreat! Happy birthday!
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