Janos and T Bar in Tucson great restaurants and innovative James Beard chef

Hands down one of the most memorable meals I have had was 2007 at the J Bar, the second one after the famous Janos. The chef, who married French and Soutwest cuisine, is Chef Janos Wilder. a James Beard award winner of 1990.
http://www.janos.com/
While the current menu did not have the pecan crusted chicken (possibly summer dish) or the lamb appetizer.
http://www.janos.com/janos/mainmenu.php
In this dessert part of the menu is the truly excellent one I tried, Jalapeno Chocolate Sundae
http://www.janos.com/janos/dessertmenu.php

I found he has recipes at
http://www.janos.com/janos/recipes.php

This one sounded good that I will try

Basil Madeira Chicken with Portobello Mushrooms
This elegant dish is great for a family dinner but would be equally appropriate for entertaining. The chicken breasts are pan-seared then the sauce is made in the same pan making this dish as easy to prepare as it is delicious.

Ingredients
Yield: 4 Servings

boneless chicken breasts, skin and all fat removed
yellow onion sliced julienne
1 lb - portobello mushrooms sliced
1 T - fresh crushed garlic
1 T - whole grain mustard
8 oz - Madeira
2 C - defatted, reduced-sodium chicken stock
2 - tomatoes, seeds removed and diced
1 C - fresh chopped basil leaves
2 T - olive oil
Instructions

1. Saute the onions until well browned.
2. Flame with brandy.
3. Cover with veal stock and red wine.
4. Cover and braise until soft but not mushy. About 1/2 hour.

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Arizona Monsoon chasing, good eats and seeing beautiful hummingbirds

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I did some Monsoon chasing in 2007 and will hope to do more in the future. I was in Tucson and southwest where I captured some pics (see below). Someday lightning shots .

2007 was my 2nd year down to Tucson during July to visit my (former business partner and ) friends. My main intent was for me to photograph and videotape 14 different types of hummingbirds near the Sierra Vista area. I had a grand time doing that for 2 days. Gosh I love those little birds!!

BTW it is called Beatty's Ranch and they have reasonable rates for their bungalows. Very nice owners. If you all are down that way try it out but check ahead beforehand for availability. Nice restaurants nearby in Sierra Vista (Asian, Italian and more).

When you are in around the Tucson to Phoenix to Scottsdale you can also try the following (as I did);

First get a AAA book if you have one or borrow one for Arizona. I also purchased and used the Frommer book for Arizona.

* The Sonora Desert Museum near Tucson with fabulous flora and fauna. (I can't believe of all that I saw I missed the gila monster which I've always wanted to see!). A must!
* The Kitt Peak telescope obervatory buildings and telescopes ( I liked it - hey I do astronomy too!)
* go for night walks (check locally) or at the Desert Museum
* Kartchner Caverns state park (south of Tucson) - I have spelunked in many area of the USA and someday I will go there
* Southeastern Bird Observatory (south of Tucson)
* Make sure you try one of the fabulous restaurants (Poca Cosa in Tucson is one I want to go to but 2 years straight they were shut down for a few weeks when I was there). I had one of the best meals at the J-Bar (very reasonable this time of the year!) with their pecan encrusted chicken, lamb appetizers and the incredible chocolate jalapeno sundae!

Don't ever try to go across streams in streets etc that are started by rains and monsoons. Last year they had a dramatic rescue on live TV of a woman who did this and her car had water all the way to the roof before she knew it. She was standing on the roof of the car and a helicopter airlifted her off before car went down the river.

N and west after the hummingbirds, I was trying to find another hummingbird havenin Patagonia. I had taken pictures from afar of a rainstorm a couple hours before. Finally I found the place and was rounding the bend to go over the streambed to the place. This is what it looked like.

The water had risen from nothing and a drybed to feet! So I could not see the hummingbirds at that place that day (it was across the road) as I had to get back to Tucson. But this was an eye opener about Monsoons!

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I need to try Chino Bandido

Next time I am near Pheonix,AZ, I need to try this funky Chinese, Asian , Fusion restaurant called Chino Bandido which has gotten raver reviews by many. I've been to some interesting fusion restaurants like the Carlos Okelly chain in Lawrence, KS that my advisor took me to after I got my doctorate (the food is very so-so and not all that great).Another one that I went to in Estes Park, CO many years ago was a another fusion but the steaks were outstanding so much so I got that entree two nights in a row!
Wonder how Chinese, Mexican, and Jamaican get together on a menu then try here. The comments here say it all.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chino-bandido-chandler
The menu is varied and unsual and seems to suit many customers from mild to spicy too.
I would have a hard time choosing
http://www.chinobandido.com/order.html

sample menu entrees
1. CARNITAS: Mild, slow-cooked shredded pork sautéed with onion, tomato and cilantro
2. CHILE RELLENO: Fresh Anaheim Chile stuffed with two kinds of cheese, crispy breaded exterior
3. CHINESE BAR-B-Q PORK: Sliced, sweet roast pork
4. EGG FOO YUNG: Fresh egg ommelet with bean sprouts, white and green onions, green peas and bar-b-q pork. (Vegetarian also available) Served with creamy mushroom-chicken gravy.
5. GRINGO CHICKEN: Grilled chicken breast with chopped tomatoes, green onions in a butter-garlic sauce
6. HENGRENADE CHICKEN: Grilled, skinless chicken with smoky, spicy flavor, milder than Jerk Chicken.
7. JADE RED CHICKEN: Lightly coated, deep-fried chicken glazed with slightly spicy sweet sauce. Different and habit-forming.
8. JENRED PORK: Lightly coated, deep-fried pork glazed with slightly spicy sweet sauce
9. JERK CHICKEN: Grilled, skinless chicken that has been marinated with seasonings and some of the hottest peppers in the world. Spicy peppers, but with no after-effects!
10. EMERALD CHICKEN: Tender grilled, skinless chicken breast served with fresh ginger/green onion sauce. For the tenderfoot or the old master.
11. TERIYAKI CHICKEN: Grilled, skinless chicken breast basted with our own teriyaki sauce.
12. VEGGIES: Fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, broccoli, with minced serrano peppers and grated cheese on top
13. POLLO DIABLO: Lightly coated, deep-fried chicken with garlic, onions, and red hot peppers. NOT for the tenderfoot. If you’re from Iowa, you probably can’t handle it!
14. MACHACA: Shredded beef with garlic, onion, tomato and cilantro.

CUBAN BLACK BEANS: Spicy refried-style black beans made with olive oil.
REFRIED BEANS: Mild refried-style pinto beans made with vegetable shortening.
PLAIN FRIED RICE: Chinese-style fried rice with green onions and seasonings.
PORK FRIED RICE: Chinese-style fried rice with chopped bar-b-q pork, green onions and seasonings.
CHICKEN FRIED RICE: Chinese-style fried rice with chopped chicken breast, green onions and seasonings.
JERK FRIED RICE: Chinese-style fried rice with chopped jerk chicken and green onions.
SNICKERDOODLE: Fresh-baked daily cinnamon-sugar cookie served with each meal. Also sold by the dozen(s)!
VOLCANO: Chocolate-Fudge version of SNICKERDOODLE, sold every other weekend (Saturdays and Sundays).

RICE BOWL: Any single item 1-14 above with steamed rice is $5.95; with fried rice, add $.75.
QUESADILLAS: Any single item 1-14 above in a folded cheese crisp is $4.50.
BURRITO: Any single item 1-14 above rolled in a fresh tortilla is $3.50.
COMBO: Any two items on menu(including quesadillas and burritos) with steamed rice is $7.25; with fried rice add $.75.