Phoenix for 24 Hours

Phoenix for 24 hours

Have you ever wanted or needed a quick getaway to unwind from the everyday stress of life? That is exactly what I needed when planning a weekend getaway to Phoenix. Life can become quite chaotic as a stay-at-home wife, mom, and small business owner. This trip was just what I needed to recharge my energy! I chose Phoenix, one, because I have never been, and secondly, because an R&B event was happening that particular weekend.

Phoenix, also known as the Valley of the Sun, was a total vibe! Although there are not many POC’s in the city, I did my research before visiting to find out where my people congregate. My husband and I visited a couple of black-owned restaurants in the area before preparing for the R&B event that evening. Our first stop was Sugar Jam the Southern Kitchen in Scottsdale, AZ. Sugar Jam is a bakery & bistro serving breakfast, sandwiches, and sweet treats. It is the perfect combo of southern cooking, cocktails, and music. The atmosphere is inviting and offers a live DJ, who undeniably brings the vibes. They also offer handcrafted mimosas, and the option to purchase sweet treats from the attached bakery. The drinks, food, and atmosphere were a 10/10 for me! Sugar Jam does get busy, and although they do not require a reservation, I suggest you reserve your table in advance. However, be sure you are not running on CP time because your table will be given to waiting patrons if you are more than 10 minutes late. We were running late, but luckily, we made it within 2 minutes to spare! Sugar Jam certainly has my vote. I would recommend anyone visiting the Phoenix area check them out.

After checking into the AC Hotel Tempe, we decided to rest up for a couple of hours before the evening events. The AC Hotel Tempe is a 4-star hotel in the Tempe, AZ area. It is located near Arizona State University. The Lobby and rooms were very clean and modern. The only caveat was paid parking across from the hotel in a parking garage. Other than that, I would return to this hotel whenever we return to Phoenix. Next, we made our way to Latha Restaurant. Latha is a contemporary pan-African restaurant in the downtown area of Phoenix. Its website prides itself in providing flavor celebrating Africa and the diaspora's rich and diverse cuisine. Let’s begin by saying the atmosphere was stunning. Whoever curated the design of the establishment deserves all the praise. The setting was inviting and cozy. There were options to dine inside or out. Just like the previous restaurant, reservations are recommended. Now that is out of the way, let’s get into the food. Beginning with the drinks, I had the sorrel-ginger drink which was underwhelming. Being a native of the Caribbean I was immediately disappointed. The sorrel needed to brew a little more to bring out the potency of the flower. The drink was extremely watered down. Moving on to the appetizers, our choices for appetizers did not disappoint. I had the Shrimp Escabeche, while my husband chose the Piri Piri wings. The flavors and spices for both dishes were exceptional. After having the appetizers, I was excited to dig into the main dish but was quickly saddened by the lack of flavor on the first bite. My husband had the smoked awaze chicken, while I chose the Dayboat Moqueca (salmon). The salmon was cooked to perfection, with a nice crisp on the skin, but the flavors were lacking. The chefs did not rely on the ancestors while preparing this dish. Any ancestor from Africa and the Diaspora would have guided their hands to add a little more seasoning to the meal. The reviews I read beforehand were deceiving because I was highly disappointed. Overall, Latha was a solid 7/10 for me.

After the jaded experience at Latha, I was ready to have some fun while listening to good music. Anyone who knows me understands my love for all things R&B. Being a Libra, I am a lover girl at heart. The sounds of Rhythm and Blues are right up my alley. R&B music gets me right every single time! The venue was held at the Arizona Financial Theater. R&B Only is a live-curated event centered around the love for all things R&B. The DJ and host deliver a show that takes you on a musical journey of R&B hits from oldies to new school hits. Fans of R&B from all over the country gather to vibe with their partners, friends, or family singing, dancing, and vibing to hours upon hours of their favorite tunes. Doors opened around 7:15 pm with the show beginning around 8:30. The show lasted until midnight, and did not disappoint. Although I was hoping for a few more of my favorite hits the playlist was on point. I am already planning my next opportunity to attend another R&B-only show in another city. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Even my husband who is more of a rap/hip-hop guy had a great time. I highly recommend checking out this event in a city near you, or if you need a weekend getaway choose a city and explore!

Until next time Phoenix, let’s continue to explore, dream, discover, and create unforgettable memories!

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