Food & Drink

We were scouring local farmers’ markets this weekend for cheese curds (more on that another time) when we spotted a giant cheese on wheels. True, everything is better with cheese, but can you improve a classic ’65 VW van by chopping it up and turning it into a rolling block of…

It’s official. Cielo, the brand-new Italian restaurant at Mondrian Scottsdale, opens tonight at 6 p.m. It replaces three-year-old Asia de Cuba, which served its last dinner there on Saturday. Executive chef Donald Lemperle remains in charge in the kitchen, and as it turns out, Italian food is his forte. At…

Phoenix has lost a hidden gem, at least in part. The restaurant at Backstreet Wine Salon — a classy little spot behind Gaslight Square on Indian School — served its last dinner this past Saturday night. However, Backstreet’s wine shop remains open for retail sales. Owner Jock Wulffson got the word out in…

In the end, we get what’s coming to us. Let’s hope it’s sweet. Let’s face it, folks: Valentine’s Day, when it comes to that special someone, is as much about love as it is about the possibility of some horizontal hokey-pokey. So why do we get all Ron Jeremy with…

Gone the way of the Dodo, we must sadly say goodbye to the following restaurants that have shut their doorsduring the month of January… Havana Café, Ahwatukee (don’t worry you can still get your Cuban (food) fix at the Camelback location and the Bell Road locations) Better Then Sex Café,…

Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let’s have one last look at the blog posts from this week: Toast to Your Health With the First Acai Berry…

Back in August, I got word from a reliable source that Asia de Cuba, the three-year-old Mondrian Scottsdale outpost of restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow’s upscale fusion hotspot, would soon become an Italian restaurant. It was an interesting twist for the hotel, since the restaurant space used to house Italian eatery Fiamma back when it…

The Chow Bella staff can not stay out of the kitchen. In anticipation of the Super Bowl, we’ve used our culinary talents to compete in a showdown of dips. Today’s dip: the aptly named Nothing Left to Lose Beer Cheese. Please, don’t make or eat the recipe provided below unless…

Sure, Matt and Ernie Pool’s newest enterprise, Giant Coffee, has been “coming soon” for months now. Back in October, I even got a First Friday sneak peek for Chow Bella readers. Last time I had a chance to chat up Ernie, who was busy serving the late lunch crowd at Matt’s Big…

There’s been a boom in Central Phoenix coffee shops lately, but so far, there’s certainly room for more — especially one serving locally roasted java, sandwiches, and homemade pastries. Something else that two-month-old Dolce Espresso (1025 E. Camelback) offers is even more novel: live video DJs. Brothers Cesar and Leo…

Ever notice how Ladies Night never seems to actually be about the ladies? Sure, women get killer drink specials and free cover, but that only seems to be designed to attract more single men to a restaurant or bar on a slow night — most of whom are secretly hoping one of the…

Over the past two years, chef Matt McLinn has done menu consulting and worked at a couple of resort restaurants, Pointe in Tyme at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs, and BLT Steak at Camelback Inn, but he hasn’t been nearly as high profile as when he was chef-proprietor of Scottdale’s now-defunct Methode Bistro. …

Robrt Pela is a family man, so when the family comes over, it’s a big deal. We are excited to score an invitation to his house, not only because he and his partner, Todd Grossman, live in a lovingly restored historic 20’s bungalow, but also because he is cooking. With Pela (a…

Chef Beau MacMillan must be high on life right now. Between his new Food Network show, Worst Cooks in America, becoming a sudden success, and his restaurant, elements, getting a big-budget makeover, the one-time Iron Chef America winner has more star power than ever. But he’s still been busy in the…

​ Today is Oprah Winfrey’s 54th birthday.  Lately she’s been on a bit of a “best life” kick again with healthy recipes and guests like Alicia Silverstone touting the benefits of going vegan. Sure, we can appreciate the clean living carb-avoiding Oprah, but we have to admit, we sort of…

Molecular gastronomy (not the after-effect of eating too many black bean, spicy sausage and cheese nachos) is a scientific discipline that studies the physical and chemical processes that occur while cooking. In this seven-part series, we’re using our love of food and Carl Sagan to create molecular masterpieces of deliciousness…