Amanda Melby, What Are You Eating?

Amanda Melby The actress is the owner/coach of Verve Studios, with teen and adult classes starting this fall. She is also the executive director of Independent Feature Project Phoenix, which puts on classes, 48-hour film challenges and screenings. She can also be seen in films S.I.S. and Jake’s Corner on…

Chile for Charity, Havana’s Vegetarian Wine Dinner and Sophisticated Jello Shots in Today’s Eater’s Digest

jelly-shot-test-kitchen.blogspot.com​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Chili for CharityThis evening, head down to Z’Tejas on Mill Ave. in Tempe for their 6th Annual Chile Fest benefiting Special Olympics Arizona. This years Chile Fest menu will feature Chile Grilled Shrimp Salad, Green Chile…

Coming Soon to Old Town: Jimmy Woo’s

We waited and waited, and although Samurai Cowboy hung its sign on Scottsdale road, it never unsheathed its katana. Now, there’s word that the Japanese robatayaki and sushi joint, in the works from the folks who own Drift, Stingray, and Geisha A Go-Go, is turning Chinese. At new Jimmy Woo’s,…

Charles Shaw “Two Buck Chuck” Sauvignon Blanc

Anyone that has searched the couch cushions for a handful of change knows that boozing on an extreme budget can be a risky proposition. To help you decide how to spend that meager pile of pennies, we’ve scraped the Bottom of the Barrel to review some of the cheapest wines…

Spinach, Egg, and Bacon Salad

​There’s something fun about a late night dinner that you throw together with whatever you happen to have on hand. That’s what we did this week when we got home on the later side after seeing a movie. Of course, as is our habit here at Monday Night Martha, we…

The Next Food Network Star’s Doreen Fang Coming to Hula’s

Let’s face it: The Valley is pretty TV-friendly, when it comes to food topics. Top Chef’s Stephanie Izard has become a downright regular at local culinary events over the last couple of years. TLC recently highlighted a bunch of eateries around town. The Food Network has sent Guy Fieri to…

25: Pho Tai Nam at Da Vang

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series…

Euphoric Energy

​The taste of Euphoric Energy’s watermelon/kiwi energy drink could be described as similar to sucking on watermelon Jolly Ranchers. It could also be described as similar to blending some kiwi flavored Kool-Aid, carbonated water, watermelon chunks, and a ton of sugar, then sipping it.It’s not an altogether bad taste; it’s…

Fish Fry and My Food Looks Funny in Today’s Eater’s Digest

myfoodlooksfunny.com​Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Fish FriedEvery second Tuesday of the month, Bluewater Grill on Camelback offers a special dinner for seafood lovers to try out seasonal fresh fish trends. This months dinner is a Traditional Midwestern Fish Fry. The fish fry…

This Week In Chow Bella:

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: James Mulhern, What Are You Eating? Forest Hamrick of…

Now Open: That’s a Wrap

After closing down at its longtime home on 7th Street, fave CenPho lunch spot That’s a Wrap has just reopened in new digs, at the former Lola Tapas building on Camelback (800 E. Camelback). Previous owner Damon Brasch sold the biz to long time staffer Erik Hansen, who now shares…

Are Food Paparazzi a Pain in the Ass?

You know you’ve seen them. Heck, maybe you’re one of them (like me): People who obsessively document their meals, whipping out camera phones or even serious, professional quality photog equipment to get shots of food to share online, whether for a blog or for social media. Sure, they’re hungry, but…

Bill DeGroot’s Basil Gimlet

​Yesterday we met Bill DeGroot, the bartender-turned-consultant who designs the cocktails at South Mountain’s Quiessence (6106 S. 32nd St, 602-276-0601). Today he shares the recipe for the Vodka Gimlet, one of the restaurant’s “farmhouse cocktails” that makes use of fresh basil grown feet away on Maya’s Farm. DeGroot says he plans…

Where Am I Eating?

Given last week’s frozen yogurt obsession and this week’s climbing temperatures, we decided it was time to indulge a little. Okay, a lot.

Can you guess where we got our FroYo fix this Friday?

How Do I Sharpen Kitchen Knives at Home?

After visits to several knife shops you find the beauty that fits like it was made for your hand. You purchase the workhorse of the kitchen, a quality Chef’s knife. Merrily, you chop away at onions and garlic, gleeful with the ease your blade makes of the work. The question…

26: Olive-Oil Poached Arctic Char at Kai

Hungry yet?We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular orderLeave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make…

Cafe: Nobuo at Teeter House

Eat the soft-shelled crab sandwich at Nobuo. Seriously. Go eat it now. And if you won’t take our word for it, here’s what Food Critic Michele Laudig has to say on the subject: For the impeccable quality, lunch here was a bargain. I can see myself becoming a regular for…

Coming Soon to CenPho: The Living Room

It’s been more than a year since Belgian restaurant Trente-Cinq 35 closed in a prime location at Sheridan Square, the corner of 7th Street and Sheridan that’s also home to ale house The Main Ingredient and Sutra Yoga. But by the end of this month, that very same space will be home…