Rantings from Rob

Sitting here taking in the Monsoons. It is the one time of the year that everyone in Southern Arizona stops and breathes deep for the sweet smell of sage and creosote drifting in from an ocean of desert all around us. Our collective "wow" is a chorus that never ceases to bring us all a bit closer at a time of year when the heat has parched us and the work load has worn us down, the rain not only cleanses and refreshes the desert but our collective souls as well.

It is also the time of year our businesses, similar reason, undergo their greatest changes, whether through renovations or new crops of fresh vegetables or hard to find coffees. Our menus reflect the need for iced cold coffees frozen and blended aside salads or sweets that are a few calories lighter.

This year, fresh off our vacations we've added a few new ideas to the Bisbee Grille with a new menu that brings more focus to fresh fish and healthy portions while maintaining reasonable prices in the midst of incredible volatile commodities in the corn, beef, and coffee, markets. You'll also notice we added a few ambiance enhancements (we got rid of the wobbly table) and tossed in some amazing copper lights hand-made by the amazing Ted Breault and a bright new red awning adorned with those sparkling lights.

At Bisbee Coffee you may notice the same faces but they may be smiling a bit wider since they have a new goal for 2009-2010. Three awards have eluded us over the past several years: The Golden Cup award that we won in 2004 and the TOPS award. Both awards acknowledge cafes for their consistent progress and achievements in the areas of quality, customer service and consistent progress and achievements in the areas of quality, customer service and consistent crew development and training. This year the stakes of the game are high because the winners or the crew present at the awarding of the "prize" will be flown to Germany to attend the International Coffee Conference in Hamburg along with a brief visit to the Espresso capital of the world, Florence Italy. Even the milestones of the journey to these awards provides some incentives such as a trip to a coffee producing country and the Southwest Barista Championship. Tell us if you notice a skip in our step!

Santiago's and Hotel San Ramon continue to emerge from the shadow of the Bisbee Grille as being the leading company thanks to constant upgrades to the menu and a great staff. Customers now enjoy a paired down tequila selection (from 70 to 50) with new wines added to appeal to our diverse clientele. The bar continues to be the focal point of an enjoyable evening with fabulous margaritas, martinis, and top shelf liquors and the menu has added tableside guacamole and amazing spinach enchiladas and chicken mole.

So as the Monsoons mark another season in our desert oasis, our group of restaurants begins a new season of setting and striving for new goals designed to provide a challenging environment for our staff but ultimately to make your visit with us just a little more "wow". Thank you for your business and support, we will always do our best to "wow" you.