El Coquito Brings the Island Life to Scottsdale

Okay, so there’s no ocean. But it puts me in a good state of mind to look at the blue sky and the palm trees, feel the sun warming my skin, and pretend that the distant white noise of the highway is actually the sound of waves cascading over sand…

Who’s Ya Daddy’s BBQ Demands Your Respect

For most, the Valley’s light-rail system stands for progress, but for Harold Sublett Sr., owner of Who’s Ya Daddy’s BBQ and a downtown Phoenix resident for all 62 years of his life, it’s been anything but. “When that light rail came in, I lost 60 percent of my business,” Sublett…

83: Croissants at Essence Bakery Cafe

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…

Getting Fried at Salty Senorita and El Zocalo Mexican Grill

We won’t pretend that fried ice cream is an authentic Mexican dessert. An exchange student friend assures us it’s not. But in America, and especially in Phoenix, fried ice cream has become a staple of Mexican restaurants — taking up precious dessert menu space alongside the more traditional flan and sopapillas. Not that we’re complaining. When done right…

Coming Soon: Two Hippies Pizzeria

Those Two Hippies have been gettin’ busy lately.Following on the success of the original Two Hippies Magic Mushroom Burger, the quirky, affordable concept has since popped up in a variety of Valley eateries, including an additional location on north 7th Street, a taco shack on Camelback, two pizzerias (one on…

Cat Cora: Part 2 of Our Interview With the Iron Chef

Yesterday, we gave you an appetizer for next week’s main dish: a Chow Bella- and Changing Hands-hosted booksigning with Iron Chef and cookbook dynamo Cat Cora, who’s currently touring the country to promote Cat Cora’s Classics With a Twist. She’ll be at the bookstore at 7 p.m. on June 23,…

Oregon Wines, Hold the Mayo and Boy Bait in Today’s Eater’s Digest

Hungry for for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Wine Down WednesdayJoin Morton’s Steakhouse in Scottsdale for Wine Down Wednesday. Every Third Wednesday of the month, Morton’s invites you to come by and enjoy  their signature hors d’oeuvres and sample wines from different parts of…

Cat Cora Chats With Chow Bella, Part 1

After spending so many hours glued to the TV watching chef Cat Cora make unexpected ingredients into glorious dishes that get the Iron Chef America judges waxing rhapsodic, we figured we’d never attempt to cook like the master. But as it turns out, Cora’s just as much of a whiz…

The Vig Uptown: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: The Vig Uptown 6015 N. 16th Street602-633-1187www.thevig.usThe Hours: Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 3 till 6 p.m. if you can’t make happy hour they also have great specials on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.The Deal: Half price appetizers, $5 small pitchers of all draft beer and $3…

Pink Pepper Thai Cuisine: Lunch $10 and Under

These days, it’s tough to drive a block in this town without running into a Thai restaurant. This has us befuddled. We’re constantly on the prowl for Vietnamese — even Chinese is hard to find — but turn the corner, and there’s a Thai joint. Not that that’s a bad…

Now Open on Roosevelt Row: Centurion

After seeing a whirlwind of three different restaurants come and go over the course of a year, the space at 214 W. Roosevelt has a brand-new concept and new owners. Centurion opened on First Friday in the space that previously housed chef Leonard Jay’s name-shifting operation (Vinery 214, Bambino Bistro,…

84: Coronado Coney at The Main Ingredient

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…

Sam Haldiman, What Are You Eating?

Sam Haldiman The improviser and instructor with The Torch Theatre in Phoenix performs regularly with Searching For X What’d you eat for dinner last night? Last night my girlfriend Jacque and I made patty melts for dinner. It was the first time we ever tried it, and neither one of…

Now Open in North Scottsdale: Renegade Canteen

Multiple delays and a big-name chef have made Renegade Canteen one of this year’s most highly anticipated restaurant debuts, and now tonight’s the night when fans of chef Robert McGrath can once again get their fill of his distinctive American Western cooking. The James Beard Award winner earned his fame at…

New Restaurant Concept Coming to Former Nine 05 Space

Downtown’s momentum took a hit when chef Matt Carter’s Asian fusion spot Nine 05 abruptly closed its doors three months ago, but soon the corner of 4th Street and Garfield will show signs of life again. Fez owner Mark Howard tells me he’s working on a “very fun” new restaurant that will…

Mötley Brüe RyePA

​When businesses compete for the same share of the market, it’s pretty rare to find them working together. It’s a fair bet that you’ll never see McDonald’s and Burger King collaborate to make a special edition super-burger.    Yet in the brewing industry, that’s often exactly what happens.  “This is one…

85: Green Chili at Rito’s Mexican Takeout

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…

Salmon Cakes

It’s funny how certain meals you dreaded as a kid, somehow turn into the ones you kind of really miss. So it is with Salmon Cakes, or salmon patties as they were known around our house. I never much cared for them except that my mom always served them with…

Valrhona Chocolate Truffle Recipe

Last week we reported on Valrhona’s exclusive demonstration for Valley pastry chefs and culinary professionals. Now you can try their chocolate truffle recipe at home. (recipe after the jump)​…