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Explore With Cassie

Lifestyle & travel blog finding the unusual out of the ordinary.

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  • Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Dramatic Fine Dining at Elvira’s DC Ranch in North Scottsdale

    May 5, 2025 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Family owned since 1927, Elvira’s has been a staple in Tubac, Arizona located 30 minutes south of Tucson which is a long hike for even the most eccentric foodie from Phoenix!  Now open in DC Ranch Scottsdale, Chef Ruben Monroy takes the lead as the grandson of the original founder, keeping this family-run fine dining establishment running like a smooth sailing ship. Master Sommelier Thomas Kaufman is in charge of the beverage program and even with some mocktails, we were impressed with the taste. Opened in January of 2025, it features signature dishes from the Tubac menu, including its iconic Chile en Nogada.…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Live Out Your Mermaid Fantasies in a Shipping Container Pool Studio

    July 15, 2024

    Visit the Eccentric Fonthill Castle Built Out of Cement and Trash in Bucks County, PA

    July 25, 2018

    HGTV’s The Scott Brother’s Hit Merriam Theater for “An All Out Party with 2,000 of Their Best Friends”

    September 6, 2017
  • Destinations,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Century Grand Phoenix Transports Guests into Locomotive Luxury Era

    August 31, 2020 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Step right up folks and teleport back to an era of decadence at Century Grand Phoenix! The creative masterminds behind the tiny tiki underground bar Undertow have done it again. Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality keeps pushing the boundaries of the immersive fine dining experience with other worldly, creative cocktail programs. Opening its golden doors in fall of 2019 and located right next to Sip Coffee & Beer with sister bar Undertow downstairs (take a tour with this TripAdvisor video), Century Grand is an experience in itself. With timed dinners (2 hours max) and train car bar (90 minutes max), it is necessary as you would…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Like an Adventure? 7 Hidden Secrets of Bangkok, Thailand

    August 24, 2023

    Visit Philly’s Overnight Hotel Packages Offer Sizzlin’ Stay & Play Deals

    August 13, 2019

    Summer’s Best Beauty Trend: Microblading Your Eyebrows

    August 6, 2018
  • Destinations,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Outstanding CRUjiente Tacos May Be the Best in Arcadia, Arizona

    June 9, 2020 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Sometimes as a journalist, you just follow your nose for news. And other times, you get by with a little help from your friends like Christina Barrueta from WriteonRubee.com, the original foodie and real deal officiano about everything food, chef and drink related in Arizona. I was traveling at the time when she invited me to a media dinner featuring Mezcal Carreno, the champagne of agave, but later connected me with the impressive duo who are hustling hard all over the valley. (Hint: If you haven’t tried their mezcal yet, go to a tasting they have them for free all the time!) So we connected…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Relax in the Small Town of Wilsonville, Just South of Portland, Oregon

    April 10, 2024

    WXPN’s Xponential Music Festival is Summer Staple in Camden, New Jersey

    May 2, 2019

    Lehigh County Humane Society Holds First Annual Garden Party at Bell Gate Farm

    February 1, 2022
  • Destinations,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Enjoy Epic Arizona Sunsets at Orange Sky at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale

    August 7, 2019 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Did you know the Arizona state flag was made to look like a sunset? I was this old when I discovered that during a late night social media scrolling session. And now it all makes sense why this fine dining restaurant is named Orange Sky, located inside the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Located on the 15th floor of the casino, it is the signature space for those sunset hues and an award-winning wine list. Talking Stick Resort is located on the grounds of Salt River, owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. (Other area attractions include: The Pavilions at Talking Stick, Talking Stick Golf…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Three Time James Beard Award Winner Chef Sherry Yard Tantalizes Tastebuds with Tanzy Restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona

    November 28, 2018

    Traveling to London? Get in the Mood with These Classic British Movies

    May 1, 2023

    Relax, Reconnect and Repeat at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort in Arizona

    December 30, 2019
  • Destinations,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Three Time James Beard Award Winner Chef Sherry Yard Tantalizes Tastebuds with Tanzy Restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona

    November 28, 2018 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Located right next to the new, pimped out iPic Theaters in Scottsdale, Arizona, Tanzy restaurant also had a makeover recently. Award-winning Chef Sherry Yard, Chief Operating Officer for iPic® Theaters and Tuck Hospitality Group, is proud to introduce the new Tanzy Restaurant in Scottsdale. Presenting a new menu featuring garden-fresh ingredients and handmade dishes inspired by bold flavors and delicate techniques, Tanzy’s offerings are complemented by Executive Bartender/Corporate Sommelier Adam Seger’s innovative beverage program. Tanzy’s artisanal Italian concept remains the prominent backbone of the restaurant’s new menu, which features time-tested classics alongside original new dishes, all of which are handmade under Yard’s direction by Tanzy’s Corporate…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Step Into Art Deco Opulence at Loews Philadelphia Hotel

    September 2, 2024

    Gertrude’s Fine Dining Tickles Tastebuds in Breathtaking Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona

    October 30, 2019

    Bluecoat Gin Helps Expand Sofitel Hotel’s Outdoor Cafe, Liberté Blue

    November 22, 2017
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Balboa Supper Club and Stateside Vodka Perform a Festivus Miracle!

    February 7, 2018 /

    Photos, story by Meg Arbo Ah, Festivus! The holiday for the rest of us! Who would have thought that everyone’s favorite Seinfeld episode (OK, top five episodes) would actually generate a holiday? Balboa Supper Club certainly knew it was the way to go and celebrated with a seasonal five course meal. When Explore last met up with  Events & Catering Manager, Jonathan Kennedy, he described Balboa as only a passionate artist can. “Imagine walking into a room not knowing anyone and after breaking bread and enjoying a few courses of delicious food, leaving that night with new friends. That is what our supper club experience is like! We believe in the…

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    Meg Arbo

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    Philly Fashion Week’s Winter Wonderland Party Wears It Well at Fashion District Philadelphia

    December 22, 2023

    Pretty in Pink at Philadelphia’s Morris Arboretum’s Cherry Blossom Festival

    June 7, 2018

    Meet Philadelphia’s Own America’s Next Top Model Christina Anderson McDonald

    January 30, 2018

Recent Posts

  • Dramatic Fine Dining at Elvira’s DC Ranch in North Scottsdale
  • Huge American Sized Portions at Red White & Brew in Prescott, Arizona
  • Prescott Pines Inn Gets Makeover, Adds Vino Prescott Wine Bar to Northern Arizona
  • Corduroy Lodge Offers Cabins, Airstreams and Motel in Pinetop Lakeside, Arizona
  • Four Seasons Scottsdale Hosts The Lost Explorer Mezcal & Tequila Launch in Arizona

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