Lifestyle corner

My name is Nataly Aranda

I was born in Los Angeles, CA and raised here in Phoenix, AZ. As I got older I grew more proud of being from Phoenix, AZ. As a Phoenician I have had the chance to see the city grow. My family grew up in East Phoenix close to Downtown Phoenix where I aways dreamed of living. Phoenix as a growing city, has its heart at the food scene in my opinion. Lets go downtown where located are Arizona's amazing sports teams The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Phoenix Suns.The Arizona Diamonbacks are one time World Series Champions and the Phoenix Suns are always playoff ready. Enjoy a game or two and check out their downtown food scene! DOWNTOWN PHOENIX

Phoenix's downtown food scene is somewhere between classic and classy.

COPPER BLUES

Copper Blues is a local bar, which hosts live music every week.Their newly redecorated building shows designs of Greek goddesses, naturally taking you to the classic 70's. Their menu consists of stories about their goddess inspirations, burgers, salads and wings. What caught my stomach were their new wood fired pizzas. These pizzas for a girl like me are heaven. On a budget, I enjoyed watching the NBA All-star game and a margherita pizza on the side. These pizzas are about $16 and feeds 1-2 people. I did not expect to eat an entire pizza by myself, guilty as charged. Their cocktail and drink menu seems endless. They have over 60 beers on tap. My personal favorite are their green tea shot and gummy bear shot. This place has the best view of Downtown Phoenix overlooking the Mortgage Matchup stadium. Not to mention it is right next to the Stand Up Live comedy club Downtown, so you may grab some laughs after.

CHICO MALO

Chico Malo is a trendy authentic Mexican restaurant. This is the place you want to be seen at downtown. This is a great date spot or the spot to simply be seen on a Friday or Saturday night hanging out with friends. Their music ranges from modern to classic Latin. Now it does not have a dance floor to dance on a Friday night with friends like their Miami location, but it makes up for it with their overall atmosphere. Located on the first floor below Copper Blues, you can sit out in the patio, eat and enjoy people watching while listening to amazing music. They have three different menus, a brunch menu, a lunch menu and a dinner menu. Their brunch menu consists of staple Mexican breakfast foods like chilaquiles, enchildadas, breakfast burritos, and even birria. Their drink menu includes a couple breakfast shots called Mexican Candy and Cinnamon Toast. Their lunch menu consists of a taquieria with select meats like carne asada and birria of course. They also have quesabirrias. If you know anything about the Mexican food scene, these are to die for. They also have a classic Tijuana Ceasar salad. Their dinner menu, which I enjoyed on a date night, is amazing. They have a $189 40oz. Tomahawk steak, which they actually serve to you on "en fuego". This features a dramatic, tableside,flambéed presentation with tequila. Birria once again is a staple for dinner. They also have a duck breast entree. My favorite are their enchiladas, which I eat red. Since I mentioned Tequila lets talk about their bar. Their bar, in my opinion, is the main focus of the restaurant. They have classic margaritas, a Oaxacan inspired old-fashioned tequila, a mango and chili tequila drink(also my favorite). My favorite are their cocktail drinks with cool names like Poblano Escobar, Pecado, Como la Flor and The Phoenix. ChicoMalo

MANCUSO'S

Mancusos's is an Italian dream. Entering the restaurant you will see a statue of Venus and a background of a map of Italy. It is definetly intimate and calls for a date night or special occasion celebration. Their bar and lounge is inviting and classy. Around the hallway, you will see images of Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe to add to the classic feel. I like their menu the most personally. From their creamy mashed potatos to their filet mignon. Everything will be bound to have you felling classier than you did before you stepped in. Can food make you feel classy? At Mancuso's it will. Mancusos