Channel 12’s Vanessa Ruiz: My Fave Valley of the Sun Eating Experiences
By: Brian Garrido
Channel 12’s news anchor, Vanessa Ruiz, is a proud multi-cultural Latina. Having lived on three different continents, she proves that Hispanic dispersion is far-reaching, on a global scale, despite popular belief.
Born in Miami, she grew up in Cali, Colombia with her mother and grandparents. (Ruiz says, “The capital of salsa-dancing!”) After a brief stint back in the Floridian peninsula, she attended high school in Spain and finalized her continued education at Miami-Dade College and Florida International University; all the while, experiencing unique and indigenous comidas of differente Latin cultures.
Ruiz’s broadcast journalism career started at the worldwide Telemundo, where she became the network’s youngest anchor, covering domestic and world news in both English and Spanish. Her coverage included interviews with noted world leaders like Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and the presidents of Peru, Ecuador, and El Salvador – reaching more than 5 million homes in the United States and Latin America.
Along the way, Ruiz has covered the September 11th attacks, US Presidential elections, and stories impacting Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba and other Latin countries.
After a period working at KNBC in Los Angeles, the Emmy-nominated newscaster and winner of the David Burke Award for Journalism, Ruiz’s prodigious experience brought her to the Valley of the Sun last July. Currently, Ruiz is the primetime co-anchor, along with Mark Curtis, for the NBC affiliate, 12 News, in the coveted Monday through Friday prime-time slots.
In September of last year, she came under criticism for her pronunciation of native Spanish names. The news went viral with coverage in the New York Times.
In a statement which Ruiz issued via the local broadcast, she eloquently safeguards her Hispanic vocalizations, saying, “My intention has never been to be disrespectful or dismissive, quite the contrary. I actually feel I am paying respect to the way some of Arizona’s first, original settlers intended for some things to be said.”
She continued, “I don’t intend to come to Phoenix and do things ‘my way,’ however my goal is to stay authentic to who I am, while hopefully making our newscasts more open and inclusive to everyone, no matter where they come from.”
In a less than a year, Ruiz has explored the 48th state with exuberance by eating her way through the Valley of the Sun’s vibrant and growing culinary scene. “I love food and trying out Phoenix’s fantastic restaurants!” she says. “I like that I’ve seen a lot of young, motivated and creative chefs — the food scene here is good. Also, when it comes to more traditional style places, perhaps taquerias, I like the family approach.”
Vanessa Ruiz’s Top Spots:
Ruiz says: “I would say my top one is Virtu, in Scottsdale. From the incredible food, impeccable service and great, cozy ambiance, this place is tops!”
Local favorite chef Gio Osso opened Virtu in 2013 and immediately began receiving national acclaim. Noted food writer, and Esquire’s Magazine’s then restaurant critic, James Mariani, placed it on his top 20 “Best New Restaurants” in the U.S. It was nominated for the culinary mecca James Beard Foundation as “Best New Restaurant” in 2014.
AZLatino Suggests: Charred Octopus with Calabrese Butter, Bone Marrow Tots and any of the freshly handmade pastas.
Virtu
3701 North Marshall Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 946 – 3477
Ruiz says: “A favorite. It’s relatively new but the food is great and it has a beautiful outdoor space for a great Sunday brunch.”
Ocotillo Restaurant serves New American cuisine with a focus on seasonal Arizona heritage-inspired influences such as Mexican, Southwestern and Native American touches. The overall flavors and experience are a delicious thoughtfulness to ingredients grown and raised on the state’s area farms.
AZLatinos Suggests: Sheep’s Milk Ricotta with Local Honey and Sundried Strawberries, Crispy Falafel Burger and Roasted Peking Duck.
3243 North 3rd Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
(602) 687 – 9086
The Clever Koi (Central Phoenix):
Ruiz says: “I also like Clever Koi in central Phoenix. Asian inspired with a twist, great cocktails in a relaxed, “hipstery” vibe.”
Phoenix New Times said: The Clever Koi is more or less a Chinese-American comfort food head trip. (The owner’s) tight selection of reinvented street snacks, rice and noodle dishes, and steamed buns and dumplings are deliciously inauthentic, the two chefs both paying tribute to — and taking wild liberties with — each Asian dish.
AZLatinos Suggests: Tuna Chips with Ahi Tuna and Wasabi, Goat Cheese Steamed Dumplings and inventive cocktails – but take an Uber home, as the drinks are potent.
The Clever Koi
4236 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 222-3474
Ruiz says: “Late night, right outside Charlie’s, the gay bar on Camelback, a food truck called Taqueria Los Yaquis, serves THE best Mexican street food-tacos, tortillas, and tostadas. The line is always long but the wait is worth it!”
The Facebook page of Taqueria Los Yaquis is brimming with gastronomic accolades. Mucho gentes say, “Best tacos on the planet”, “Los mejores de tacos de Phoenix” and “best little taco stand in the world.” Located directly behind one Valley of the Sun’s popular gay bars, Charlie’s, the food “truck” comes complete with folding picnic tables and chairs for semi-dining comfort. It’s where the tipsy bar patrons are looking for a pequitos comidas to soak up the cerveza and tequila. Always expect a long line. They are only opened from Thursday & Sunday, from 9:00pm to 3:00am and Friday – Saturday, 9:00 pm – 4:30 a.m.
AZLatinos Suggests: Be hungry to experience Los Yaquis, as the fresh made, piled high tacos – carne asada o pollo — are only a buck. Eat your heart out fast food dollar menus.
Taqueria Los Yaquis
Corner of Camelback and 7th (behind Charlie’s, a gay bar)
No website or phone. (The love is spread via word-of-mouth!)
Follow Us
