Eating Out in the Phoenician Desert - Some of my Favourite Restaurants

I am in Phoenix currently, holidaying with my lovely daughter who lives and works here. Twenty five years ago we lived in this wonderful city for the first 6 years of my baby’s life and we had a ball. It was a privilege to live in such a beautiful part of the United States as well as the world. Forget the heat, yes it’s hot, but that is a small price to pay for the lifestyle and way of life that I feel completely out ways the heat problem. You see it took me just a year to fathom out that you just turn your English year around and close up everything when it gets to 120 degrees in summer (like we do in the English winters) and you enjoy the outside terrain and way of life in winter, spring and autumn in an average perfect temperature of 80 degrees – a perfect English summers day.

On this trip, more than ever before, I have agreed to (and wanted to) try some of the new modern eating houses that have popped up on every cross street over the past twenty five years. On previous trips back I have sounded out my favourite eating haunts, to bring back and share in the wonderful memories I have of my life in the desert. But this trip I felt let’s move forward, let’s try new places, let’s not hold onto those memories quite so strongly. So sure enough daughter and friends seeked out their favourite haunts, getting great pleasure from introducing me to the modern Phoenix, the up and coming Phoenix, the new eating scene. Some were good, some just ok and some absolutely dire.

You see back in the day, back in my day twenty five years ago we trialled the classics. South western food was one of favourites and boy was it cooked and presently well back in the day. Flavours were local and taken from the natural flora of the Phoenician desert. Presentation was important; beautiful and important. Surroundings were tasteful, south western and reflected the local environment. And local chefs were famous for their cooking and well known for quality and presentation. It was important to support local in all ways and at every level.

So let me remind you of those eating houses I found so perfect back in the day…

The Arizona Biltmore – The Sonoran Café – NOW called Frank & Albert’s sample an innovative menu at where good food, architecture and art are celebrated in a contemporary setting.
2400 East Missouri Avenue, Phoenix – 602 955 6600

The Phoenician – Windows on the Green – NOW called Il Terrazzo – The authentic Italian cuisine served at Il Terrazzo captures the rich flavors and spices indigenous to this Southern European region. The progressive menu is highlighted by hand-crafted artisan breads and fresh pastas, created on the resort property. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also features a contemporary Sunday brunch. The Phoenician also serves traditional English afternoon tea and it was the best back in the day! 6000 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale – 480 941 8200

The Ritz Carlton – traditional English afternoon tea - Enjoy the cozy surroundings of our Lobby Lounge as you indulge in classical English high tea offerings. Our tea sommelier, Jeffrey Hattrick, specializes in creating customized tea experiences for each individual guest. This lavish setting is the perfect place to create lasting memories. 2401 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix - 602 468 0700

The Hermosa Inn – Lon’s - at the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, LON's has a one-acre organic garden located just outside the kitchen that provides fresh food and a natural training ground for the culinary team. It is here that the white coats of sous chefs, line cooks and pantry staff can be seen early each morning, watering produce beds and harvesting what bounty is at the peak of perfection that day. 5532 North Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley, Arizona - 844 267 8738

El Chorro – Paradise Valley’s historic El Chorro offers an authentic Arizona dining experience with stunning views of the Valley’s most prominent landmark, Camelback Mountain. Generations of Valley residents and visitors alike frequent El Chorro to savor seasonal cuisine featuring the highest quality in sustainable, locally grown, all natural ingredients, including herbs and produce from the El Chorro garden. 5550 E Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, Phoenix – 480 948 5170

The Wrigley Mansion – is a landmark building constructed between 1929 and 1931 by chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. It is also known as William Wrigley, Jr., Winter Cottage and as La Colina Solana. Visit Geordie’s Steak restaurant and Geordie’s Lounge for 360-degree city views, prime cuts of beef, and Chef Robert Nixon’s seasonal, Italian-accented menus for lunch, dinner, happy hour or Sunday brunch. 2501 E Telawa Trail, Phoenix – 602 955 4079 – Private membership - $5 for one month trial / $15 for one year social membership

Tomaso’s - embraces the lifestyle of Italian cuisine. Voted best Italian Restaurant in the valley since 1977, Tomaso’s celebrates simplicity & quality of authentic Italian food & wine with humor & hospitality. Tomaso's is proud to be celebrating over 35 years on the Camelback. 3225 E Camelback Road, Phoenix – 602 956 0836

Christopher’s - French-inspired bistro fare is served at this upscale mall spot with modern decor & an open kitchen. Biltmore Fashion Park, 2502 East Camelback Road #102, Phoenix – 602 522 2344

Vincent’s - who focuses his cooking to absorb the flavors of the Southwest into a refined, sublimated cuisine that no one else in America had attempted before. Vincent’s also now encompasses the Vincent Market Bistro and Farmers Market. 3930 East Camelback Road, Phoenix

Houston’s – NOW Hillstone’s – founded and owned by CEO George Biel and a family run business Houston’s (Hillstone) offer a south western merged with European and American flavour of dishes. They were always well renowned for their excellent and the best ribs in Phoenix. 2650 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix – 602 957 9700

The Spaghetti House and Vigara Bistro - these I believe have disappeared or morphed into something different, but back in the day offered excellent south western freshly produced cuisine reflecting the local flora and fauna.

Some have disappeared, many still with us, some have expanded and some have morphed but they were all classic, served great food and were affordable back in the day. The food in each was unique but awesome; the ones that have made it through to today, if you are ever in Phoenix, you should try them, you won’t be disappointed. Most still have delightful dining areas reflecting the colours, tones and atmosphere of the Sonora desert; fabulous patios with awe inspiring views and scrumptious mouth-watering south western dishes oozing with fresh fruits, vegetables together with an interesting array of fish and meats permeating fabulous aromas, textures and flavours of the wonderful  unapologetic  Phoenician desert. I ask you to try these classics; get yourselves dressed up and spend those special occasions experimenting and eating in some true Sonoran eating houses that have been here almost as long as some of the grand towering saguaros.

Elaine Hook

Travel, Food & Content Writer
elainehook@hotmail.com
01.04.15

In Honour of the Amazing Women in my Life #IWD2015

On this International Women’s Day I reflect on my life and travels around the world and the women I have been humbled by and worked and shared with along my personal journey. My journey has been challenging but there have been many awesome women who have never left my side and many awesome women that have travelled this road with me, one way or another.

I have travelled across four continents and I have been privileged to meet some amazing women in very challenging personal and professional circumstances. My life has taken me to the United States of America, Africa, United Arab Emirates and Europe, all vastly different cultures, and I have gained friendships for life in all four continents.

Born in the United Kingdom I celebrate my great grandmothers, grandmothers and mother today for the part they have played in my genetics and upbringing. Although I was never able to meet my great grandmothers, I have been privileged to get to know them through my grandmothers and mother stories and memories. I was lucky enough to know both my grandmothers well in to my twenties and they had a great influence on me and my life and I have beautiful memories of time spent with them. My mother is 85 years old and a strong intelligent woman who I am proud to have and who has taught me so much. Through challenging times she has shared her wisdom and common sense and been an amazing role model and friend. I am privileged to have a sister who cares and gives me sound advice. My daughter is a strong, awesome, intelligent woman, friend and confidante. My niece is beautiful and good friend, as are my three favourite cousins. I am honoured and proud to have these amazing women in my life.

In all corners of the United Kingdom and Europe are women that have at some time had an important part to play in my evolvement as a woman on a physical, emotional and mental level. Some came for a reason, others a season and others a lifetime but all have been important and have left their mark on my heart.

There are also several very important women that have taught me in a professional capacity throughout my career and it is because of them I have grown into the professional I am today.

 

My female family, cousins, aunts and good friends in Australia, I honour you today.

In the United States of America I am honoured to have four of the very bestest of friends who I have known for over 25 years and who have been at my side through thick and thin, are still there today and would gather me up and support me at any time from across the Atlantic with words of love, thoughts and prayers. These women will always have a special place in my heart. One woman in particular (you know who you are) is special, can never be replaced and is my soul mate. There are many others in this amazing country that have guided and supported me and given me the wisdom to move on to complete other important tasks in my life path. From Phoenix to Washington DC there are awesome women that have impacted my life.

In Africa I have been humbled by the gifted female children, young people and women I have met and worked with. The amazing young women at the schools I have taught in and the family I inherited when I married for the second time. My African mother in law is one of the most amazing larger than life women I have ever met and I am honoured and humbled to have been part of her life. She is wise and beautiful inside and out and taught me so much about what is important in life. My beautiful and intelligent African sister in laws who put their arms around me and supported me in a strange and dangerous land and who open their hearts to me. My young African nieces who are beautiful and always have a smile on their faces and make me laugh that allowed me to help them with reading and writing. The street children that I tried to assist, I will never forget your faces pressed against the window of my car.

In the United Arab Emirates I was privileged to get to know and have an intimate relationship with some amazing Arabic women who shared their culture, way of life and challenges with me. These women took a risk in welcoming me, a white blonde western female, into their homes, lives, festivals and weddings and remain friends with me today. Because of their courage I learned so much more than I could ever have envisaged about the Middle Eastern culture and I am honoured, humbled and thankful to this day. I went behind closed doors and witnessed Arabian life first hand in homes and palaces and places most would never be invited.

The young girls I taught in kindergarten in the international school I worked in were phenomenal and I learned so much from them. I hope I gave as much to those girls for their futures as they gave to me. I remain friends with some of the families I worked with and see those young girls growing into awesome young women that have an education and careers all over the world.

 

The three or four women staff tat the Arabian international school hat became good friends and my lifeline in a country that was so alien to me (again you know who you are), I thank you for helping through and I honour you and your strength today.

The female survivors I have met and worked with all over the world experiencing all types of abuse are awesome and humbling. The stories and memoirs they have allowed me to publish have been harrowing but an important part of my work. The privilege of working with young women who have been sexually exploited and seeing them break free and thrive has been exhilarating. The privilege of being part of this process is invaluable and no words can express the honour. The honour of helping victims of domestic violence and abuse flee, survive and thrive and then share their journey to help others is incalculable. The privilege of safeguarding young children and seeing them flourish is huge.

The children, young people and women I have encountered, worked with and helped has been immense and I thank every single one of you for playing a part in my life journey; it has been awesome. I am a survivor of abuse myself and I know how hard and traumatic the journey can be. You are all my heroines. The girls and women that throughout my journey have become life long friends, thank you.

I write this to honour all women in my life now, past and in the future and all the amazing strong awesome women in the world on this #InernationalWomensDay.

 

Young girls and women are awesome.

God bless.

 

08.03.15

 

Spare a thought for Abuse Victims at Christmas

Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat…so please spare a thought…

There will be many families out there throughout this festive season who are suffering all forms of domestic abuse; not just physical but verbal, mental, emotional and sexual. Spare a thought for them and their children while eating your turkey and drinking your sherry.

Fourteen years ago I fled my marital and beautiful family home with my daughter in November 2000. I had been abused on all levels for over twenty years and in a flash of a light bulb I had to get out. And one major reason was I couldn’t play “happy families” around the Christmas table with family for another year. I knew I couldn’t keep my mouth shut anymore; I knew I couldn’t be the model wife and mother; daughter, sister and daughter in law for another painful traumatic Christmas day.

For over twenty years I had been the best host and family member possible. Through all of my pain, hurt, trauma and broken heart I had kept up appearances and been the model wife. That’s what you do, don’t you? I thought you “just got on with it”. I had heard that so often that that is just what I did. I thought everyone’s marriage turned into what mine had turned into. My mother had been married to my dad for over twenty five years and I was brought up to believe that you worked at your marriage; you didn’t just walk away you worked through the difficult and challenging times. My mother’s marriage wasn’t a bed of roses so I thought what I was ensuring was normal.

I had put off leaving my beautiful marital home for years because I didn’t want to be the one to break up my family. I didn’t want to be the one who took my daughter away from her father. I didn’t want to be the one who lost her dream future of “for better or worse, till death us do part”. Marriage for me and my family was, and is, for life and on top of all this I would be the only one in the family to fail and let the family down and be known as a divorcee.

Add to this, when, and if, I left or fled I would have nowhere to go, no money and no job. I was a stay at home mum, no money of my own and didn’t want to involve friends and family. And then add another layer of trauma on top of all this. My confidence and self-esteem were nil, I was depressed and close to a breakdown and a symptomatic alcoholic. For twenty years I had been brainwashed into believing I was worthless, a bad person, no one would want me and I had been systematically isolated from friends and family by my abuser. Where was I to go and what was I to do to ensure my gorgeous daughter was safe, could continue to attend her school and, where possible, suffered as little as possible.

Layer upon layer of abuse had been loaded onto my shoulders and into my heart and psychologically, emotionally and mentally I was at my lowest point. With nothing of my own, not even a car in my own name leaving was, for me like trying, all alone, to move a mountain. And I had no confidence that I was capable of managing alone. So as I said spare a thought for those families struggling to perform and act out Christmas festivities and please stop asking why we don’t leave. It’s not an easy decision or easy to do, no matter what the situation. And no one can make that difficult decision for you. My moment came one Monday morning in a flash and I knew I had to get out but until that moment comes and you are filled with strength please understand the control, coercion, isolation and brainwashing that is systematically used over time to ensure one cannot leave. On top of this add another layer of threats to kill you, your child or one of your family. And once you leave the abuse escalates in a very different form with threats of stalking, finding you and harming or killing you, as well as threats to abduct your child or children. For three years after I fled my abuser harassed, stalked and threatened me. He even attempted to kidnap my daughter from school.

So don’t ask me ever why I didn’t leave earlier, it’s just not that easy or simple for a whole multitude of reasons. And Christmas and festive seasons are one of the most difficult to survive and stomach.

For every last bruise you gave me
For every time I sat in tears
For the million ways you hurt me
I just wanna tell you this
You broke my world, made me strong
Thank you
Messed up my dreams, made me strong
Thank you

Jamelia

A Teachers Induction at an International School in the Middle East

I awoke last night in the middle of the night after a nightmare that took me back to my time as a British teacher in the Middle East five years ago. I thought I would share with you some of the challenges I faced while working there that still haunt me. Within a month of applying for a teaching position online and a two hour telephone interview (while I was shopping in the supermarket) I was on a plane flying to Dubai to work as a kindergarten teacher in an International British Curriculum school as well as the gifted and talented and special educational needs advisor.

In forty degree heat on a rickety old school bus and after a two hour drive I arrived at my hot and dusty desert destination and was informed I would be collected at seven in the morning by the same rickety old bus and taken to the school for induction procedures to commence. Forty three international teachers had been recruited that year and all were to stay in a hotel until our apartment building was completed.

Now this is where it gets difficult and hard to believe but I want you to listen, believe and realise how challenging the life I was about to embark on was for a white western middle class teacher to comprehend the absolutely extraordinary policies and procedures we had to take on board and adhere to.

After the bone shaking bus ride to the school we arrived in the school parking lot and were ushered into the school auditorium where we were addressed by the senior management board (all of whom were westerners) and our Middle Eastern induction commenced.

As we all sat stunned ,we listened to our bosses in all seriousness inform us, that due to the fact that most women would wear the burka or niqab often accompanied by an eye veil when visiting the school, we would need to work out a comprehensive strategy of recognising the mothers and all female siblings, maids and drivers. They went on to advise that they had some strategies to suggest to us as follows:

Recognising female authorised persons to collect children from our classrooms by:

·         The sound of their voice
·         Their eyes (if you can see them)
·         Their jewellery
·         Their shoes
·         Their handbags
·         Their gait and walk
·         The decorations on their abaya, burka or niqab

As teachers that are trained in safeguarding and child protection, risk assessments and health and safety, we were completely speechless and dumbfounded. The end of the day at our classroom doors became the scariest and most stressful time of day. Each and every one of us was terrified we would let a child go with the wrong parent or someone who was trying to carry out abduction.

While working in the Middle East there were several attempted abductions in schools in the area by men fully covered in the burka or niqab. Thankfully the children in our classrooms went home with the correct family members or authorised collectors but I can honestly say I am glad I do not have to deal with the stress of that experience today.

04.12.14

All we have is Hope

Hope is an optimistic attitude of mind based on an expectation of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one’s life or the world at large.

 As a friend and colleague on Tuesday I awoke with hope; hope that our 100 mile journey would be safe and our arrival on time. Hope that traffic would be kind to us and we would have time to find some breakfast. Hope that the day would be productive and all that I had envisaged it to be. Hope that my excitement over the past few weeks had not been in vain. Hope that all the contacts I was hoping to connect with would be all I dreamed of. Hope that my voice and others voices would be listened to and heard. All I had was hope that day.

You see that subconsciously all of us, every day, live in hope. Hope for something or another. It may be fine weather; that the car will start, that we can pay the bills or our babies will be born healthy. Whatever it is any of us hope for, it is relevant and personal to us, in our lives at that moment and calls for respect.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse or any form of abuse often rely on hope. Hope that tomorrow will be a better day. Tomorrow will be lighter. Tomorrow the sun will shine and the fog will lift. Tomorrow I will not need the substances. Tomorrow I will not self-harm. Tomorrow the abuse will stop. Tomorrow someone will listen, someone will hear, someone will protect me. Hope that the perpetrator will be stopped, someone will notice, someone will have courage to intervene. Hope that the justice system will act with integrity and upon the law. Hope that they have a future.

Survivors have to rely on the hope that one day we will break the silence and talk. They rely on the hope that very soon we will talk candidly, openly and honestly about childhood sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation. Hope that there will be no more judging and you will see and validate the person as a whole. Hope that you will believe and take time to help them unravel the trauma. Hope that the memories will fade and disappear; hope that the smell of their perpetrator will be no more and hope that they will one day not taste, feel or hear their perpetrator just for a day. Hope that the triggers and paranoia will stop. Hope for a safe and secure space to exist and rebuild. Hope to sleep all night with the windows open. You see the only way forward for a survivor is to hope.

We have to hope with confidence and strength. Hope with desire and anticipation. We have to hope with courage and rise up and beyond our fear. We have to use our voices to raise hope and when appropriate roar like a lion or whisper “we will try again tomorrow”. Let your faith and hope be bigger than your fear; take the first step even when you can’t see where the staircase leads. There has to be hope at the top of the staircase or there would be no point. We will take each step together with courage.

So Tuesday when I left the Southmead Project Conference in Bristol discussing The Cycle of Harm, I had hope, infinite hope. Hope that together, as survivors, we are stronger; stronger as an amazing group of people. Together our voices will be heard and we will continue to roar in high places. Hope that survivors are fighting back and the roar is beginning to be loud in the right dens. Hope that we have started down a road with no U-turn. Hope that people are now listening and we are being heard. Hope that we can’t and won’t be silenced. Hope for change for children. Hope that the silence has been broken and an inquiry will be heard with expert survivors advising.

You see, if as survivors we don’t have hope, we will continue to live with dejection, hopelessness and despair and that it not an option. Our only option is hope, our roar and strength together. Our voices will be heard and survivors will get justice; we have hope. So my dear friends and colleagues keeping shouting together with hope.

"Never loose infinite hope"

Martin Luther King Jr

Guest Post: He Forced Himself on Me

Controlled
Deluded
Confused
I was in the room
Lads queuing up
10.00pm
Daughter asleep
The camera rolling
Me feeling insecure
Intimidated
He forced himself on me
He takes my clothes off
Strips me
And that's it
I was in a different world

Written by a 14 year old at one of my Child Sexual Exploitation Workshops and published anonymously with permission.

No, I didnt Want Attention ~ Domestic Violence & Abuse

This is my latest article written for and published by Domestic Violence UK to help raise awareness of Domestic violence and abuse.

I tell My Story of how it feels to suffer 20 years of abuse and then to not be believed by so called friends and to be told by one friend that "I just wanted attention".

This caused trauma on top of trauma and I suffered acute and complex PTSD for many years.

Please read an share around the world, to help stop violence against women and children and also to raise awareness of trauma caused by domestic violence and abuse.

Click on the link below to go to the magazine:


http://issuu.com/domesticviolenceuk/docs/msm_magazine_15-08/34