Gilbert Sun News, November 2015: Neighbors

Cozy Gabriela’s Kitchen features comfort food with Mexican twist

BY KATHY KERBY

Gabriela’s Kitchen is the newest addition to Patterson Landing on the northeast corner of Val Vista Drive and Guadalupe Road.

Since opening in June, in the spot vacated by Holly’s Bakery, Gabriela’s is building a loyal following of people who want fresh, flavorful food with a Mexican twist. This little gem is cozy with just eight tables but the curtained glass windows in front, the large shelves stocked with bakery goods and the glass case and counter looking into the kitchen give a homey feeling that says “come in and enjoy some good home cooking.”

We were greeted by Gabriela and her adorable cousin, Kaelynn, who gave us a menu and asked if we would like to begin with juice or a smoothie. We selected the mixed berry smoothie with yogurt for $5 and looked over the compact menu. There are eight breakfast options along with a nice selection of natural fruit juices, smoothies and coffees. For lunch, five

different salads and seven sandwiches are offered.

Dinner is different than any other restaurant I have visited. After 4 p.m. each day two fresh family dinner options are served.

A rotating schedule is posted on the website and each dinner is served with a choice of two sides (vegetable, pasta, rice) and a roll.

Tita’s Daily Dinners are $8.99 each or four for $25. They include roasted turkey breast, stuffed bell peppers and pot roast, just to name a few.

On the Friday evening that my husband, Lou, and I were enjoying

the homey atmosphere, the dinner selections were braised beef ribs and meatloaf, so that made it easy to order. We felt like we were eating in a friend’s kitchen as Gabriela prepared our food and Kaelynn cheerfully served it. We finished our yummy smoothie and dove into a cup of delicious albondigas ($2.50). With mini meatballs, squash, onions, carrots and tomatoes, this chunky, spicy soup was nearly a meal in itself. A bowl of green chili stew ($5) came out next and the huge chunks of pork swimming in a thick green sauce was just right, not too hot and not too spicy.

Gabriela came out to visit with us as she delivered our dinners. She told us

that she had been cooking since she was 4 or 5 with her grandmother in Mexico. At 13 she was making pies and cakes and selling them in little shops. She attended Scottsdale Community College, taking culinary classes in addition to nutrition and business classes, and later graduated from ASU. Her dream was always to open a restaurant.

Assisted by her three adult children, her brother and her sister, Gabriela’s vision is to help “mothers who work all day and don’t have time to prepare a home cooked meal and seniors who don’t want to cook but want to eat nutritiously.”

We feasted on the braised ribs with beef so tender it fell off the bones and meatloaf that was meaty and flavorful. The ribs were served with a twicebaked potato and a fresh salad with mixed greens tossed with tangy cilantro vinaigrette dressing. Mixed vegetables, potatoes and gravy added color and taste to the rib plate. We enjoyed each bite and couldn’t get enough of the large, pillowy soft rolls that came with each meal.

Gabriela had just finished baking fresh chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal raisin cookies ($2 for three) so we munched on those for dessert and took some home for snacks the next day. The cookies were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the perfect light dessert for a delicious meal.

Gabriela works hard to prepare great food that is “inspired by the seasons and guided by flavor.”

Gabriela’s Kitchen

891 N. Val Vista Dr. Gilbert 85234

Zappone’s preparing to celebrate its renovation

BY GABRIEL CUSHING

Zappone’s Italian Bistro is taking its annual wine tasting party to a completely different level.

Sal and Dina Zappone will celebrate the restaurant’s third anniversary from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, by hosting the event and showing off recent renovations, which include new furniture and decorations.

Dina Zappone said they deemed the improvements necessary because of changes throughout the three years.

“In the last three years, we’ve grown in small increments, and then added pieces on,” she said. “We added more tables, more chairs; just small renovations.”

Throughout Zappone’s Italian Bistro’s growth, many of its interior decorations and furniture became mismatched, or were older than other, newer items.

Zappone decided it was time for a big change.

“We decided to get an interior designer, and do an overhaul on the whole thing. We have matching furniture and matching decor now,” she said.

The Dec. 5 party is more than a celebration of renovations and wine. The couple will show off new, seasonal entrees.

“We make a lot of our fresh pastas in house,” she said. “One of our featured pastas for the fall is our homemade pumpkin ravioli with a butter sage sauce. Every week we take different pastas and make them from scratch and feature them in our seasonal pasta. We make our own bread; we make a lot of our own pasta. We try to put a lot of love into making things homemade.”

Zappone knows how to do it right. A 33year veteran of cooking, Zappone earned experience by cooking professionally in an Italian restaurant in The Mirage in Las Vegas, where she met her husband and the current sous chef

The Gilbert location is a team effort, with Dina running the front of the store and Sal in charge of the kitchen.

“I’ve always run the front of the restaurant and he’s always run the back of the restaurant, so we figured we’d make a pretty good team. So here we are,” she said.

Zappone’s Italian Bistro 1652 N. Higley Rd., Suite 103

Gilbert 85234 (480) 218-2338

Fall farmers markets

It’s the perfect time of year to check out these homegrown marketplaces

BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

PHOTOS BY KRISTEN CARTER PHOTOGRAPHY

Although it’s technically been fall since late September, the weather is just now starting to feel cool, fresh and crisp. To many, there’s no better time to visit nearby farmers markets to check out the fresh produce and locally made products.

If you’re looking to visit a nearby farmers market, here are three to consider:

Gilbert Farmers Market (GFM)

8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays

Located in downtown Gilbert, west of the water tower www.gilbertmarket.com

A staple of the downtown Gilbert community, the GFM has nearly 100 vendors this fall offering a wide variety of locally grown produce and foods in addition to arts and crafts. There are also food trucks and entertainment each week.

“The market features local, chemicalfree, organic produce from many local farmers, farm fresh eggs, meat, cheese, bread, sweets, coffee and tea, sauces, seasonings and many other locally made artisan products,” according to the market’s website.

On Oct. 24, GFM celebrated its fifth anniversary. The market is open every Saturday except Nov. 21 and Dec. 26. According to GFM representatives, the market’s mission is “to promote local sustainability, healthy eating and green living practices among the town of Gilbert and its surrounding areas.” There is also a big focus on educating the public about local food and giving guests opportunities to meet area farmers and producers inperson.

The Power Ranch Farmers Market

4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays

Located at The Barn at Power Ranch, 3685 E. Autumn Dr. www.raysmarket.net

“The Power Ranch Farmers Market is all about relationships and community,” said Chris Ray, owner of Ray’s Markets.

“We’re so proud to support small business owners of the East Valley and appreciate the opportunity to host this

Farmers markets are family-friendly events that even kids can enjoy.

unique market in the heart of the Power Ranch community.”

The Power Ranch Farmers Market is a great midweek stop for fresh food vendors, food trucks, local artisans, and more—all of which varies per week.

“Ray’s Market believes people need to have a relationship with the people who provide [food], not just food products, but the total family fun environment,” according to the market’s website. Ray’s Markets also hosts another weekly farmers market in Tempe on Saturdays.

Steadfast Farm at Agritopia, Farm Stand and Food Trucks

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays 3000 E. Ray Road www.steadfast-farm.com/markets

Steadfast Farm at Agritopia is described as a “certified organic urban farm in the heart of Agritopia, growing produce for our local community.” The farm produces organic herbs, vegetables, fruits and grains that are available for purchase and through a CSA, a community-supported agriculture program where locals receive weekly shares of farm produce. Every Wednesday, Steadfast Farm welcomes visitors from across the East Valley to its weekly farmers market and food trucks event. Usually, the farm will preview some of the fresh produce available on its social media pages before the event.

Arizona seasonal produce

According to the Arizona Farm Bureau, there are more than 30 varieties of produce in season this fall in the Grand Canyon State. Some of these include arugula, basil, beets, broccoli, carrots, dates, scallions, herbs, a variety of greens, tomatoes, pumpkins, lettuce, sweet potatoes, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, turnips and many more.

To see a full list of seasonal produce available statewide, visit www.fillyourplate.org/produce-season.html.

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FREE SEMINAR

Energy therapist’s clients inspire new book

BY MEGHAN MCCOY

Julie Holbrook spent nearly 20 years in the corporate world, struggling with personal issues like her weight and low self-esteem.

But when she got a handle on overeating through personal healing and nutrition, she decided to embark on a new career path.

The Gilbert resident is now helping others as an energy therapist through her business Shift 4 Success.

“I work with clients who are struggling with things in their life—food issues and weight, struggling with relationships,” Holbrook said.

“Clients come in and they say, ‘I know I have this unhealthy pattern. I know I am doing this with my relationship and I don’t want to do it anymore.’”

Through one-on-one time with her clients, Holbrook helps them clear the negative blocks of energy.

“My clients are incredibly type A,” she said. “They are smart. They are out there doing the big stuff in life. They are aware and say I know I am doing this. From the first session they start seeing changes in their lives. It is very results oriented. They are living their busy lives and seeing and feeling the changes of what’s going on.”

Experiences with her clients led her to write her first book, “Hierarchy from Love: Divine Guidance for a Soul-Driven Planet.”

Holbrook has always been a caring soul. When she was kindergarten aged, she was concerned about the trees and birds not being warm or fed enough.

“I always liked hanging out in nature and talking to nature,” she said. “I remember asking about it. ‘Are we taking care of things?’ I remember being told to stop asking these silly questions.”

Holbrook ended up blocking those questions for quite some time until she started witnessing more turmoil on this planet. Those questions she asked all those years ago resurfaced again, which were being echoed by her clients as well.

“I was noticing that as my clients were getting healthier and they were asking me the same sorts of questions,” she said.

With the guidance of Archangel Michael, the book became a reality.

“He is the one who dictated the message in my book,” Holbrook said. That message is that we are all guests on this planet.

“When you are a guest at someone’s house you want to take care of their

things, respect it, not overuse or disrupt the flow of things. If you look at the planet we are treating it as though we are guests.”

She said when individuals become more aware of their thoughts, their actions are a result of love, which turns into taking care of the planet by using its resources wisely.

“Businesses, families, groups, religions all have hierarchy. Doesn’t it make sense that our planet has one as well,” Holbrook asked.

The “Hierarchy from Love” starts with the air, water, landscape, animals and then humans.

“That is how the planet evolved,” she said. “We are here to support and take care of all the other levels of hierarchy. If we do that they will support us back to live an abundant life.”

The goal of her book is to make her readers aware. Holbrook said when someone is aware, they are listening to their soul, which is a connection to love energy and being a guest on the planet.

“Hierarchy from Love” was released Friday, Oct. 16. For more information, visit www.hierarchyfromlove.com.

Holiday boutique scheduled for mid-November

The Creative Designers Holiday Classic Boutique is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, in the Sierra Ballroom at Trilogy at Power Ranch, 4369 E. Village Pkwy., between Higley and Power roads in Gilbert.

There will be beautiful handmade items for the entire family.

Proceeds from the event will benefit schools and charities. Organizers have also arranged for Angel Trees that benefit underprivileged children from Gilbert Public Schools and Higley Unified School District. For information contact Rita Solko at (480) 219-1344.

Free barbecue for Veterans at Famous Dave’s Nov. 11 Happy Thanksgiving

In observance of Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, Valley Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Ques—including Gilbert—would like to thank all former and current military personnel for their dedication and commitment to the United States by offering a free “Two Meat Salute.”

The restaurants’ hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The “Two Meat Salute” is a choice of two different meats, including St LouisStyle Ribs, Georgia Chopped Pork, Texas Beef Brisket, Country Roasted or Barbeque Chicken, Traditional or Boneless Chicken Wings, Southside Rib Tips, Hot Link Sausage, Chicken Tenders or Beer-Battered Cod, served with a Corn Bread Muffin and a choice of one side. Valid for dine-in only. Valid only at Chandler, Peoria, Mesa Riverview and SanTan Village Famous Dave’s locations. Applicable to all military personnel with valid photo ID and proof of military

ID Card, form DD-214 or current leave and earnings statement with photo ID. It’s valid only Nov. 11, 2015.

“Supporting our local veterans is very important to me and our staff,” said John Erlandson, owner of the Valley’s four Famous Dave’s Restaurants and Catering company.

Erlandson is not only an Army Reserves veteran, but also a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School. He is proud to be able to give back.

“This is just a small way for all of us at Famous Dave’s here in Phoenix to show our appreciation for their selflessness and service to our country,” said Erlandson.

There are four Famous Dave’s restaurants in the Valley including Chandler at 3250 W. Frye Rd.; Peoria at 16148 N. 83rd Ave.; SanTan Village in Gilbert at 2206 E. Williams Field Rd.; and Mesa Riverview in Mesa at 1011 Dobson Rd. Go to www.famousdavesbbq.com for

Downtown Gilbert Concert Series

The Downtown Concert Series is held at the Water Tower Plaza in the heart of Gilbert’s Heritage District. Residents and their friends and family are encouraged to pack a picnic basket or visit a local restaurant for take out to enjoy while listening to music at the base of the Gilbert water tower. GSN photos by Kimberly Carrillo