Welcome to my next edition of Heat Map, a monthly feature highlighting what I’ve done in Arizona over the month, my thoughts on each place, and whether I’d recommend it to others. My scale for picking what to feature tends to be whether I’d tell my New York friends about it; then it passes the test. Here are my top places for December that belong on the heat map.
This month will feature three of the categories I’ve done before, coffee and cafes, things to do, and delicious bites. I hope you enjoy my recommendations. Please let me know if you have any more suggestions at npdagaev@gmail.com.
Having won an award this past year for the best filter coffee, the local coffee shop and micro roastery offers a variety of espresso, pour overs, and cold brews. The shop was opened by Matt Heltzel back in 2021, and offers full information, including origin, preparation and tasting notes for the coffee they make on Moxie's Instagram and website. They also offer a variety of teas including matcha (my go-to), chai, turmeric, and jasmine teas in addition to delicious seasonal pastries delivered fresh from local bakers. The shop has clean, modern design and plenty of natural light, with their staff having always been super kind. It’s a great local shop for working remotely or spending time with friends.
I’ve spent a lot of my time here over the past month or so at this cozy local coffee and bar fusion in Downtown Phoenix. Open from 7am-10pm, it’s the perfect spot whether you are looking for a vibey place to have a productive work day or evening hang out. They have an extensive drink menu and offer a variety of delicious food and fresh pastries (all wrapped up in their adorable comic book themed menu). The table markers feature famous faces (my last order was Kurt Cobain), and the decor is super fun and playful. There are quite a few tables in case you are there to work, but there are also plenty of corner nooks and comfy couches to lounge on if you are there for the good vibes. They also do trivia nights once a week.
Tamosan Coffee Lounge has also been one of my most visited coffee shops this year. Located in Scottsdale, this local specialty coffee shop serves up a variety of delicious experimental coffee and tea flavors. This is one of my favorite spaces to work in, as the front of the shop gets a ton of natural light and the ambiance makes it a great space to be in. The decor is simple, yet something about it makes it so warm and comforting. They also have a more spacious back area where there’s more seating, but where they also occasionally host some nighttime events with local DJs to provide good music and artists to display and showcase their work.
The Desert Botanical Garden has always been one of my favorite activities since I moved here almost 8 years ago! This time of year makes it an especially perfect time to go, since it’s not too hot or cold and has many flowers and desert plants in bloom. There are three different parts of the garden, and usually, some type of exhibit or event going on. The current exhibit, Desert Pulse, features thousands of images and a few video installations utilizing motion and sound to deepen appreciation for the vibrant desert ecosystem. They also usually have one free day a month, which is pretty easy to book in advance.
The Lip Lab is one of the best activities to do here in Arizona! Located in Scottsdale and opened in 2022 by the company formerly known as Bite Beauty, The Lip Lab lets you create your very own custom lip and cheek products. From the color to the finish, down to the scent and to the engraving on the tube, you get to customize it all. The staff is always super friendly, willing to try as many combinations as you’d like until you get your perfect color, and the color is then saved to their system, allowing you to reorder your shade once you finish up the product. I first went when they opened a location here, and have since made a handful of products and gone with quite a few friends and family.
Since I moved here, I’ve been really consistent with yoga and pilates, and this place is one of my favorite hidden gems I've been going to since I attended ASU. Located on Mill Avenue and founded in 2020, this small studio offers a wide variety of yoga classes, including power vinyasa, yin, and slow flow classes! They host classes almost every day, and the cost is donation-based, meaning you pay what you can (though they also have incredibly reasonable membership prices as well). If you can’t make it in person, they also offer Zoom classes you can take from home. All the instructors are well-trained and focused on movement and calisthenics, which I’ve really come to value. The instructors are also all super nice and understanding, emphasizing doing what feels good for your body. They ring a singing bowl at the end of every class (which I love), and they also have occasional candlelit classes, workshops, and sound baths.
This wine bar, owned by Emily Rieve & Lindsey Schoeneman has helped me learn to love wine more. Located in Phoenix, this bar lets guests self-serve and try over 24 wines. They also sell wine by the bottle and make some amazing charcuterie boards. They often host tastings, board-and-bottle events, live music, and games like bingo. The atmosphere is super fun and comforting, feeling like an old friend’s place. I loved my time here and can’t wait to go back.The Herb Box originally started as a catering-only business back in 1995, but now operates as a full-blown restaurant in two different Scottsdale locations. This local chain utilizes seasonal menus of American cuisine to ensure vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients in every dish. Their cocktails are incredibly creative, and they offer brunch, lunch, and dinner. The dinner menu is my favorite, and although I’m not a vegetarian, their butternut squash and corn enchiladas is one of my favorite dishes from them.
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This was an impulsive find, but one I really enjoyed. This family-owned restaurant serves Chihuahua-style food, using recipes passed down through generations. They have two locations, one in Mesa and one in Phoenix. The spot was recently featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, showcasing their wide variety of delicious tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other sides like elote. I really enjoyed their chicken taco, but the barbacoa was also spectacular.
This month will feature three of the categories I’ve done before, coffee and cafes, things to do, and delicious bites. I hope you enjoy my recommendations. Please let me know if you have any more suggestions at npdagaev@gmail.com.
Coffee/Cafes
Having won an award this past year for the best filter coffee, the local coffee shop and micro roastery offers a variety of espresso, pour overs, and cold brews. The shop was opened by Matt Heltzel back in 2021, and offers full information, including origin, preparation and tasting notes for the coffee they make on Moxie's Instagram and website. They also offer a variety of teas including matcha (my go-to), chai, turmeric, and jasmine teas in addition to delicious seasonal pastries delivered fresh from local bakers. The shop has clean, modern design and plenty of natural light, with their staff having always been super kind. It’s a great local shop for working remotely or spending time with friends.
I’ve spent a lot of my time here over the past month or so at this cozy local coffee and bar fusion in Downtown Phoenix. Open from 7am-10pm, it’s the perfect spot whether you are looking for a vibey place to have a productive work day or evening hang out. They have an extensive drink menu and offer a variety of delicious food and fresh pastries (all wrapped up in their adorable comic book themed menu). The table markers feature famous faces (my last order was Kurt Cobain), and the decor is super fun and playful. There are quite a few tables in case you are there to work, but there are also plenty of corner nooks and comfy couches to lounge on if you are there for the good vibes. They also do trivia nights once a week.
Activities
The Desert Botanical Garden has always been one of my favorite activities since I moved here almost 8 years ago! This time of year makes it an especially perfect time to go, since it’s not too hot or cold and has many flowers and desert plants in bloom. There are three different parts of the garden, and usually, some type of exhibit or event going on. The current exhibit, Desert Pulse, features thousands of images and a few video installations utilizing motion and sound to deepen appreciation for the vibrant desert ecosystem. They also usually have one free day a month, which is pretty easy to book in advance.
The Lip Lab is one of the best activities to do here in Arizona! Located in Scottsdale and opened in 2022 by the company formerly known as Bite Beauty, The Lip Lab lets you create your very own custom lip and cheek products. From the color to the finish, down to the scent and to the engraving on the tube, you get to customize it all. The staff is always super friendly, willing to try as many combinations as you’d like until you get your perfect color, and the color is then saved to their system, allowing you to reorder your shade once you finish up the product. I first went when they opened a location here, and have since made a handful of products and gone with quite a few friends and family.
Since I moved here, I’ve been really consistent with yoga and pilates, and this place is one of my favorite hidden gems I've been going to since I attended ASU. Located on Mill Avenue and founded in 2020, this small studio offers a wide variety of yoga classes, including power vinyasa, yin, and slow flow classes! They host classes almost every day, and the cost is donation-based, meaning you pay what you can (though they also have incredibly reasonable membership prices as well). If you can’t make it in person, they also offer Zoom classes you can take from home. All the instructors are well-trained and focused on movement and calisthenics, which I’ve really come to value. The instructors are also all super nice and understanding, emphasizing doing what feels good for your body. They ring a singing bowl at the end of every class (which I love), and they also have occasional candlelit classes, workshops, and sound baths.
This wine bar, owned by Emily Rieve & Lindsey Schoeneman has helped me learn to love wine more. Located in Phoenix, this bar lets guests self-serve and try over 24 wines. They also sell wine by the bottle and make some amazing charcuterie boards. They often host tastings, board-and-bottle events, live music, and games like bingo. The atmosphere is super fun and comforting, feeling like an old friend’s place. I loved my time here and can’t wait to go back.
This was an impulsive find, but one I really enjoyed. This family-owned restaurant serves Chihuahua-style food, using recipes passed down through generations. They have two locations, one in Mesa and one in Phoenix. The spot was recently featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, showcasing their wide variety of delicious tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other sides like elote. I really enjoyed their chicken taco, but the barbacoa was also spectacular.