La Bocca Urban Pizzeria & Wine Bar
699 S. Mill Ave., Tempe (480) 967-5244 or laboccapizzeria.com
Bruschetta planks come loaded with four flavors for $12, but choices like smoked prosciutto with fig, mascarpone and truffle oil or smoked sockeye salmon with capers and chef’s tartar make it hard to pick just four. We say bring a big group and order two planks, so you can sample all eight styles.
Caffe Boa Bistro
2837 N. Power Road, Mesa.
(480) 981-2000 or boabistro.com
Boa’s innovative duck confit-and-mushroom bruschetta has given way to two fresh options atop crisp ciabatta slices: Tender Belly Farms’ pork belly, lentil cassoulet and cilantro garnish for $10, or diced Campari tomatoes with basil and garlic confit for $8.
Vine Expressions Wine Bar
1030 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert.
(480) 633-0730 or vineexpressions.com
Toasted baguette slices topped with a traditional tomato-and-herb mixture ($6) cater to palates with a penchant for classic flavor combos. Up the richness by adding mozzarella for $2.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 8:00 pm on Fri, Mar 18, 2011.
Truffle oil, Spanish black-footed pig "jamon", bruschetta, duck confit are delicious but they are wayyyyyyyyyyy out of the budget for many if not most of the East Valley's senior citizens.
Maybe once ever couple of months.... some of the $7-$10 per person, local lunches and dinners could be highlighted too. Throw in a review of the many "all-u-can-eat" buffets too.