Apparently spring is over. Brace yourself because the temperature is supposed to rise to 100 degrees Tuesday. To keep cool,we’re making strawberry limeade. It’s a makeshift recipe we pretty much created on the spot…
Everyone who’s anyone in the Phoenix metro culinary scene, from local foodies to the stars of Hell’s Kitchen and Bravo’s Top Chef, turned out for this weekend’s Scottsdale Culinary Festival. Libations flowed at the Southwest Festival of Beers and inside the Robert Mondavi wine garden. Restaurant chefs whipped up crowd-pleasing…
What restaurant concept will they think of next? Autostrada is an Italian restaurant in north Scottsdale that, according to its Web site, is “inspired by the Italian car culture.” All we know is that if Aaron May is involved, the food’s gonna be good. Get in the old jalopy and…
The word on the streets is that Vinery 214, a new Mediterranean restaurant/wine bar on Roosevelt Row, finally opened its doors a few days ago. According to their website — a trainwreck if I’ve ever seen one — the menu includes a “Morocaan stuffed burger with spicey sweet potato fries,” “Fruite de Marie,” soups…
In the wake of the tens of thousands of people who flooded into the Scottsdale Civic Plaza this past weekend for the Scottsdale Culinary Festival (stay tuned for Jonathan McNamara and Wynter Holden’s coverage on Chow Bella today), it’s time to look to the other side of summer for the…
It’s been a while since I’ve strolled down Mill Avenue on a Saturday night. This past weekend, downtown Tempe’s main drag was nearly a mob scene, with people of all ages out on the town. No surprise, Mojo Yogurt seemed to be doing a brisk business. I’d never gotten a look…
Walk into vintage soda shop MacAlpine’s (on 7th street, between Thomas and McDowell) on a hot day and ask for something special, something with a super-kick, and they just might make you a delicious shake with coffee in it. It’s not on the menu, but it’s their suggestion, and while…
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: Caffiend: Dutch Bros. ER-911 Big Feature on Chris Bianco…
I won’t lie, Arizona. We’ve had some great times drinking beer. Who could forget our first trip to Four Peaks? Or the Mesa Strong Beer Festival just a few months ago? We’ve had fun and that’s what makes this so hard to say: my beer gut belongs to another state…
Happy hour is odd at Aunt Chilada’s, but this isn’t a mark against the establishment. From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, they offer a complimentary buffet that includes chips and salsa, a fruit and vegetable platter, as well as an appetizer of the chef’s choice. Unfortunately, no drink…
I’ve gone on record as saying that it’s not hard to find good Middle Eastern food in the Valley. Choosing among all the great places has become the difficult part. Now, I’ll have to add Persian Garden is at 15th Avenue and Thomas Road in a busy little complex that…
Have you ever heard of the International Food Futurists? Me neither, but it sounds damn cool, like a space-age network of culinary spies. Can I join? Anyway, The Food Channel just released its predictions for the Top Ten Dessert Trends, based on research the website conducted with the International Food Futurists…
It’s going to hit 90 in the next couple of days; doesn’t some gelato sound good right about now? That’s what Yaron Cohen is hoping. The Israeli native and his Argentinian relative, Leo Faria, just opened their new shop, The Gelato Maker, last weekend. The two trained in a gelato…
Surely even the most casual of Phoenix foodies will begin to salivate at the mere mention of Kai at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa. But did you know that Kai has achieved Mobil Travel Guide’s 5-Star Rating in addition to AAA’s 5-diamond rating? That’s right, Phoenix. We’ve…
Update on last week’s post about summer market closings: Next month, the market at the Trilogy Golf Course at Power Ranch in Gilbert will move indoors to the ballroom, switch to first and third Wednesdays, and hang in there through June (which means April 22 outside, and May 6 and…
From a quiet corner near McDonald Drive and Pima Road in Scottsdale, Voltaire Restaurant (8340 East McDonald Drive, 480- 948-1005) has been delighting fans of classical French Cuisine six nights a week for many years. From Coquille St Jacques to tableside flambes of Cherries Jubilee, the charm of owner Martin…
I’ve knocked back many a fine glass of Malbec at NOCA, and enjoyed some great cocktails there, too (like Hendrick’s gin with a spherical ice cube and a carafe of tonic). But it turns out that the restaurant’s food also goes really well with beer. To prove the point, they’ve done…
How often do you hear about sushi restaurants closing down? A lot less often than you hear of them opening up, I’d say. So here’s one of the rarities. Ten Sushi and Asian Fusion, a sleek spot in Cave Creek, is closing this weekend. Sunday is its last day in…
After a few weeks of palate put-offs, Food Critic Michele Laudig sinks her discerning fork into some beautiful cuisine crafted by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten at J&G Steakhouse. Food Critic Michele Laudig on J&G Steakhouse: Why do I like J&G Steakhouse so much? For me, this stylish spot successfully navigates…
A friend just sent me a link to today’s dining post in Tasting Table, a sort of Daily Candy-style food newsletter with New York, Los Angeles, and “Everywhere” editions. Phoenix got the “Everywhere” love, except Tasting Table’s four dining picks for this city were so predictable. I wish they would’ve…
If cost were not part of the equation, I’d choose to eat organic everything. After all, who wants to eat toxic chemicals or feed it to our children? But money does matter and, like most of the people I know, I am always trying to find my way to a…
Good for The Phoenician. I doubt anyone would argue that this city needed yet another high-end steakhouse, but the resort’s partnership with celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten was a really smart move. Why do I like J&G Steakhouse so much? For me, this stylish spot successfully navigates the fine line between…
