Sunny and 70: another horrible mid-March Scottsdale day. Breakfast at the Hotel Valley Ho, a brilliantly-restored piece of vintage Americana that needs neither Valley nor -tel; for the weekend it was known simply as the Ho. Eggs benedict and iced coffee, solid.
Onward to baseball, ballpark food and beyond! [long, photographically-documented post continues after the jump]
I had never been to the Cactus League before, and it certainly beat the circa-1992 Grapefruit League, but that’s an unfair comparison. We all enjoyed the laid-back vibe in and around Scottsdale Stadium. Spring training results in odd configurations of players, e.g. you will never see a dugout this full during a defensive half-inning during the regular season:
Too Many Giants
But never mind that, what about the food? A pretty good selection of non-traditional options like barbecue, but I went with the classic “Giant” dog, with a “Cheese Cup” on the side. How could I not order something called a “Cheese Cup”? It turned out to be a small plastic cup full of liquid neon processed cheese-like substance, suitable for dipping or slathering on a hot dog, which I did, and let’s face it, it wasn’t healthy or particularly attractive, but it tasted great.
Giant Dog and Cheese Cup: Good Ballpark Eatin'
Actually, it is sort of attractive, in that classic, poetic ballpark food way. The nachos came with the same cheesy substance at no extra charge (the “Cheese Cup” cost a dollar and was worth every penny):
Ballpark Nachos ("Cheese" included)
The bbq pork sandwich also got a positive review.
Several restaurants and bars are part of the Ho complex, one of which is one of seven remaining American outposts of the legendary inventor of the Mai Tai, Trader Vic’s (five other Vic’s are in United Arab Emirates, which seems really strange to me). We were thirsty, our hair was perfect, what could possibly go wrong? So we hit Vic’s on our way from ballpark to hotel.
First things first: I can’t recommend the Menehune Juice enough:
Menehune Juice
Two pieces of fruit, one adorable Menehune (we visited their fishpond on a trip to Kauai a few years ago), and rum with fresh fruit juices. Good times. Mai Tai also good. Puupuu platter was okay, kind of greasy and not as good as it could have been, but I suppose nobody goes to Trader Vic’s for the food:
Puupuu Platter at Trader Vic's
Still, a fine accompaniment to the rum-based beverages. One of us (not me) also got saddled with a drink called the Stinker, which is not recommended.
Onward to dinner at Eddie’s House, with a pretty good mojito at the Ho in between Vic’s and Eddie’s (yes, it was that kind of trip). We chose Eddie’s due to proximity to the Ho and because it actually is a good restaurant. Thought it would be nice to eat really good food at least once during the trip. Lots of big oak furniture, kind of Arizona modern but also a classic feel. Our server was less obnoxious than the previous night’s edition but still talked a perhaps overly-good game, including pushing (successfully) the “Famous, One-and-Only, What’s In This Steak?” — it turned out to be not so much “What’s In This Steak” but rather “What’s This Steak In?” and the answer is, a nearly volleyball-sized envelope of fried mashed potatoes:
What's This Steak In? at Eddie's House
Didn’t really seem fried, could easily have been baked. It was rich, creamy, delicious. Steak was perfectly tender, sealed inside its potato bubble. Yes, those were veggies alongside, but I don’t know why they bothered. I don’t even remember what anyone else ordered, all I can think of is the steak and what it was in. I do remember the appetizers, including the tasty but unfortunately-named “Mo’ Rockin Shrimp” and the also good and whimsically presented fried calamari:
Fried Calamari
Get it? EHC = Eddie’s House Calamari! Okay, fine, but I thought it was cute. That’s ceramic by the way, not a paper cup. Eddie’s House is definitely recommended. And that was pretty much the evening, it was a wonder any of us could still walk at that point. Any day that includes great weather, a ballgame, Menehune and lots of excellent (venue-appropriate) food is a winner in my book.
Coming up: A much brisker review of Days 3 and 4.
Good Eatin' In Wheaton 
I’ve gotta admit, you’re pretty brave to try something called “What’s in this steak?” – not sure that I would have gone there. Although it does remind me a little of the Recognition Lunch at last year’s conference – I wasn’t able to recognize whatever it was we had for lunch.
I will refrain from making any Ho jokes – I’m sure y’all made enough for all of us, although I bet there’s a Tiger Woods reference in there somewhere just begging to be discovered.
By the way, I meant to ask what’s up with “What’s Up Wheaton” (http://whatsupwheaton.com/)? Are there going to be some turf wars in Wheaton or is the town big enough for both of you to review restaurants?
The booming metropolis of Wheaton is more than big enough for the both of us!