My wife and I had lunch with our good friend Spencer at the Thai House Restaurant in Mesa, Arizona, located on the N/E corner of Power & Southern. Spencer and Lolis have had Thai food before, so I was the “Thai Virgin” I guess. I know I can speak for all three of us when I say we have a wonderful meal and we would definitely recommend the Thai House to everyone we know. The portions were very generous, the taste was authentic Thai and the service was very good as well. The Mesa location was rather small with 5-6 tables and a small bar, but well worth the stop. You can have a sweet and savory meal made with coconut milk, or try a spicy meal from level 1 to 5 with some amazing Thai spices, “if you have the guts”.

For dessert, we do recommend that you try the delicious Fried Bananas, which we all found to be unique and tasty treat.

Below is a short video we made, so you could see how delicious everything was.

Thai House YouTube Video

If you find yourself staying in a wonderful rental home in Mesa, Arizona, you might want to try the Thai House during your stay. It will be a wonderful experience for your taste buds. The Thai House has 3 valley locations, so there might even be a Thai House close to you..!

If you need assistance finding lodging from experienced Scottsdale or Phoenix property management, contact Spencer, Susan and Shea at Arizona Lodging Experts at 602-404-2982 and 866-785-2350. They have over 20 years of personal experience combined offering premier Arizona Home Rentals and they are ready to assist you today!

The MIM (Musical Instrument Museum)

If you are staying in a rental from a Phoenix property management company, this wonderful place is not far away. The MIM is located in the Northern Phoenix area on the corner of Tatum Blvd and Mayo Blvd. The MIM is a couple blocks to the south of the AZ Loop 101 freeway.

Address: 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85050

Phone: (480) 478-6000

The MIM’s Hours of Operation

Mon-Wed from 9am-5pm

Thurs – Fri from 9am-9pm

Sat – 9am-5pm

Sun – 10am-5pm

Admission

Adults ages 18-64 – $15.00

Senior Citizens age 65+ – $13.00

Kids ages 6-17 – $10.00

Kids under 6 – Free

The Vision of the MIM

Music is shared by people of all ages and backgrounds and can give a level of comfort to your life. Music brings people together and is used to celebrate many of the wonderful things in life. Music is something that all people in some way, shape, or form have in common.

The MIM stands for a celebration of all these moments and experiences we share. Music is a gift created by humans and way to celebrate our diverse cultures. People are invited from all cultures and nations to come to celebrate and share this common love of music. The MIM shares the diversity and beauty provided by musical instruments that have originated from all over the world. The MIM tells the tale of each instrument and the sounds they provide tell a story all of their own.

The Mission of the MIM

The MIM has exhibitions for the young and the old. The MIM gives each music lover the chance to experience the museum in their own way. Within the MIM you will find a very diverse selection of music and the instruments used to create it.

The MIM prides itself on displaying and showing artifacts of musical instruments from all the countries in the world. This is the only place you will really be able to capture the gift of music for generations to come. The displays and exhibitions are told by very high technology systems allowing video and audio so that you can see and hear the sounds like they are to be experienced in each of their individual cultures.

The MIM even has live performers from around the globe. This gives the visitor the opportunity to hear the music as it was intended to sound with the awesome acoustics, and super comfy atmosphere. Come hear the music of the world at the MIM.

The Barrett Jackson Collector Car Event takes place January 17-23, 2011 and

 takes place at West World in Scottsdale, AZ

You can watch live auction coverage on the SPEED Channel.

 Schedule of Events:  

Monday January 17, 2011  

8am         – Gates open and Vendors and Sponsors open their booths

8am-3pm -  Cox Communications hosts Family Values Day

8am-3pm -  Entertainment provided by Radio Disney

10am       – The Tilted Kilt Patio opens

12pm-3pm – Appearance by Cox Communications on digital

7pm-11pm – Event Opener Gala *This Event Requires an Invitation

9pm-10:30pm – Fashion Show hosted by Dillards and makeup artist from CHANEL

 Tuesday January 18th, 2011  

8am-close -Gates open and Vendors and Sponsors open their booths

10am – The Tilted Kilt Patio opens

9am-2pm Automobile Memorabilia Auction

2pm-close – Barrett Jackson Auto Auction

5pm – Auction for Twilight

5pm-10pm – Auction is live on the SPEED channel

7pm-9pm – Celebrity Fashion Walk Show

 Wednesday January 19th, 2011  

8am-close -Gates open and Vendors and Sponsors open their booths

8:45-10am – Automobile Memorabilia Auction

10am-Close – Barrett – Jackson Car Auction

10am-12pm – Women who are into Speed panel

5pm – Twilight hours Auction

5pm-10pm Auction is shown live on the SPEED Channel

 Thursday January 20th, 2011  

8am-close -Gates open and Vendors and Sponsors open their booths

10am – Tilted Kilt opens their patio

10am-11am – Corvette Seminar for the Sports Car market

8:45am-10am – Automobile memorabilia auction

10am-close – Barrett – Jackson Car auction

5pm – Twilight hours auction

5pm-10pm – Barrett Jackson Auto Auction shown live on SPEED channel

 Friday January 21st, 2011  

8am-close -Gates open and Vendors and Sponsors open their booths

8:45am-10am – Automobile Memorabilia Auction

10am – Tilted Kilt opens their patio

10am-close – Barrett – Jackson Car auction

10am – Car polishing Seminar

11:30am – tips on restoring your classic car seminar

2pm – Dynacone wheel polishing seminar

3:30 – How to remove polishing swirls seminar

5pm – Twilight hours auction

12pm-11pm – Barrett Jackson Auto Auction shown live on SPEED channel

 Saturday January 22nd, 2011  

8am-close -Gates open and Vendors and Sponsors open their booths

8:45am-10am – Automobile Memorabilia Auction

10am – Tilted Kilt opens their patio

10am-close – Barrett – Jackson Car auction

10am – Car polishing Seminar

11:30 am – How to restore headlights seminar

2pm – Dynacone wheel polishing seminar

3:30 – How to remove polishing swirls seminar

5pm – Twilight hours auction

12pm-11pm – Barrett Jackson Auto Auction shown live on SPEED channel

 Sunday January 23rd, 2011  

8am-close -Gates open and Vendors and Sponsors open their booths

8:45am-10am – Automobile Memorabilia Auction

10am – Tilted Kilt opens their patio

10am-close – Barrett – Jackson Car auction

10am – How to remove polishing swirls seminar

12pm-4pm Barrett Jackson Auto Auction shown live on SPEED channel

The Arcadia Farms restaurant is nestled into the downtown area of Scottsdale and features a very French provincial feel. The owners name is Carolyn and not only does she have a flair in the kitchen but she has a real eye for detail as well. The interior has a design of an old French country theme done up with seating made out of wrought iron, chinz china and colorful pots and crocks.

Arcadia Farms is a great place for lunch from Monday – Saturday. On Sundays they feature a wonderful brunch with an additional menu if your appetite is on the lighter side. The additional menu features many different sandwiches and tasty salads as well as a complimentary pastry or bread selection. The menu is offered at 11am.

The springtime is a wonderful time to visit Arcadia Farms and have either a mimosa or also a kir royale to sip on while you look over the menu. The drinks with champagne are $6 each. They have a handful of sandwiches offered on the menu like a favorite is the herb roasted chicken n on top of a freshly made baguette roll which has been smothered with goat cheese, artichokes and pesto. The price of this selection is $12. You only have the choice of a couple sides but whichever you choose you will surely be pleased. You have a choice between the raspberry vinaigrette drizzled field greens or potato salad made with red potatoes. Some other favorite sandwiches are the ham with mozzarella and onion chutney atop of a fresh baked baguette for $11 or the Tuna salad sandwich which has been made with scallions, jicama, and pecans and smothered on sunflower wheat bread which is also $11, or if you prefer salad as your entree you cannot go wrong with the strawberry chicken salad for $13, the chicken cobb for $13 or the grilled vegetable salad for $13 as well. If you do not want meat in your meal you would be wise to choose the vegetarian tart that is made with goat cheese, mushrooms, and spinach and is served warm for $13.

In addition to the downtown Scottsdale location, (if you happen to be out looking for property management in Scottsdale, Az.) there is also a location in the Desert Botanical Gardens, The Phoenix Art Museum, and also The Heard Museum. All of these locations offer similar menus and pricing. The company also owns a bakery in downtown Phoenix called City Bakery where you can purchase many delicious homemade pastries, and a couple sandwiches decorate their menu. This is a great stop while on the art walk or during your museum tours.

Watch a vide here: Arcadia Farms

Locations:

Arcadia Farms Cafe

7015 E. First Ave., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 941-5665

Arcadia Farms @ Desert Botanical Garden

1201 N. Galvin Parkway., Phoenix, AZ 85008 (480) 481-8106

Arcadia Farms @ Phoenix Art Museum

1625 E. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 257-2191

Arcadia Farms @The Heard Museum

2301 N Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 251-0204

City Bakery at The Bentley Projects

215 E. Grant St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 253- 7200

If you like moderately priced Mexican food with a very family friendly atmosphere you should check out the Ajo Al’s which has four locations throughout the valley of the sun. “Ajo” in Spanish means garlic and that is what you will taste when eating at any of their restaurants. The salsas are blended with lots of garlic as well as chilies and cilantro.

     The atmosphere inside the restaurant is very warm and inviting without being obnoxious. You can choose from a comfy booth or a high top table in the bar area. The chips here are homemade and are very light and not too greasy. If you would like you can also sip on freshly made mango margaritas or choose from a large selection of Mexican beers. If you go to the Ajo Al’s located on 16th Street you even have the option of eating in the outdoor patio.

     Once you take your seat you will be greeted by a very friendly waiter or waitress that will treat you with the utmost respect and importance. If you are watching your carb intake the Salad Carbon is a wonderful option and it goes for around $9.00. What makes this salad so tasty is the ranch dressing with a jalapeno zip to it. If you are more in the mood for a spicy soup you would be very happy trying “Miguels Papa Chowder.” The soup is a mix of corn and potato that has been topped off with onions and jalapenos. This soup makes for a wonderful comfort food on those few chilly days we see in Phoenix. If you are really hungry you should try the “ugly enchilada” which features a mole sauce made with black beans and mixed up well with cheese and chicken and then smothered with a red sauce. It is not the prettiest presentation hence the name but the taste is out of this world. If you like coleslaw make sure you try the cilantro slaw which is a must have for those who love cilantro.

     The lunch menu has items ranging between $6-$10. They also have a kid’s menu that features many kids’ favorites like fries and burgers. As far as desserts there are not many but the ones they do have are delicious to the last bite. By far the best dessert option is the flan and the price is under $4. Be sure to order your own flan though because you will not want to share this yummy treat. Ajo Al’s also does delicious to-go platters for parties or events.

Locations:

7458 W. Bell Road., Glendale, AZ 85308 (623) 334-9899

5101 N. 16^th Street., Phoenix AZ 85016 (602) 222-9902

6990 E Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (480-998-1734

9393 N 90^th Street., Scottsdale, AZ 85258 (480) 860-2611 

I think there are many of us who are happy to put 2010 behind us. It was quite a year indeed. I have a good feeling about 2011 already, especially with such a strong start at work as our phone are ringing off the hook with calls from people who want to enjoy a vacation rental in Scottsdale, Arizona. That’s where we come in! We are Arizona Lodging Experts, and we manage over 50 premier properties in Arizona in all the top areas, like Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Cave Creek. We have an experienced, knowledgeable staff ready to help you plan a wonderful Scottsdale Arizona vacation. We have been involved in Arizona home rentals for over 10 years now, so don’t waste time looking on your own, just call the experts today. If you want one of our Scottsdale rentals, or any other area in the valley that we might offer, we will do our best to find a great place for you to stay. “It’s what we do”!

We would like to remind all of our winter visitors that there are a ton of great activities and events to enjoy in town during your stay in a relaxing home rental in Arizona. Many people visit Arizona year-round due to the great weather, and many of these activities go hand in hand. You can enjoy the Insight Bowl and Fiesta Bowl, Barrett Jackson and the Arabian Horse Show, concerts and plays and so much more! They predict a warm winter for us, so we recommend you come and take full advantage of it. To begin, you need to contact the experts at Arizona Lodging Experts and find yourself a great property to rent. ALE (for short) offers Phoenix Arizona property management, rentals in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Goodyear, Anthem, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills, Mesa, Paradise Valley and Carefree. They excel in customer service and attention to detail to ensure you find a great property to rent. Call the experts today at 602-404-2982 and 866-785-2350.

It’s my favorite time of year. According to the Farmers Almanac Arizona is posed to have a warm winter for 2011. With a multitude of upcoming outdoor events this is a good thing. My two favorite events are Barrett-Jackson Car Auction and Russo and Steele Car Auction. Not everyone thinks to rent a vacation home when they come out for these events, or maybe your only planning on staying for 1-2 days in which case a vacation home wouldn’t be a good fit. However if you are planning your family vacation around these two auctions and you plan on being in town for more then a week or two a Scottsdale Vacation Home would help make your stay in our town a relaxing and fun one. In  Scottsdale Arizona vacation rentals you have the option of cooking your own meals, or grilling out on your patio or even being able to pack lighter knowing you have access to your own private washer and dryer are all a plus. Whether you’re looking for an ultra high-end luxury vacation home or something a little more modest, we have everything from 1-bedroom condos to larger furnished townhomes that can sleep up to eight. Arizona Lodging Experts has it all.

Some people that are new to vacation homes or even just people that are new clients often ask, “How do I know if it’s safe to book with your company”

Arizona Lodging Experts is a fully licensed Real Estate Brokerage. We operate a trust account in accordance with Arizona Real Estate Law. We are also registered with the Arizona Department Of Real Estate, Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau and have been in the Property Management Business for over 10 years. In that period of time we have earned the trust of hundreds of vacationing families and have many clients that come back year after year. We look forward to having you as our customers and hopefully you will make Barrett-Jackson and Arizona Lodging Experts your annual family tradition for years to come.

I couldn’t help notice the amazing sunset last night as I stopped by my local Fry’s Grocery Store. It kind of reminds me that Christmas is just 9 days away!

I love the Christmas Holidays because I get to spend time with my lovely wife and my family, but I have another reason to love it so much; my wife was born on December 25^th, so we get to celebrate Christmas and her birthday together, which is a true blessing.

As we make our way to the malls this year to do our share of shopping, we are noticing a lot of snowbird plates in the parking areas, which is nice to see. I think people are seeing the unusual warm weather we are having in sunny Arizona and they are making their way to the valley to enjoy all the fun and festivities as they stay in a comfortable Arizona home rental. Many activities we enjoy each year are outdoors, so this great weather has done its job and brought everyone “out and about”.

If you are not sure how to find a great rental in Arizona, then contact the team at Arizona Lodging Experts. They specialize in property management in Scottsdale, Phoenix and many other areas in Arizona, and they pride themselves on customer service with premium rentals. Call the experts at 480-429-3844 and 877-976-1234 today!