It’s hard enough to come by restaurants in CenPho that are open on Mondays, let alone ones doing special events. Hula’s Modern Tiki was, until recently, one of those places that was usually dark at the start of the week, but now it’s back open on Mondays, from 11 a.m…
How long does it take for an international culinary trend to hit Arizona? I’m always curious about the trickle-down effect. In the case of gastropubs, the trend du jour, it’s about six years, if you consider the 2004 debut of The Spotted Pig in Manhattan’s West Village to be any major milestone…
This past Saturday, Scottish transplants and local Haggis-lovers rejoiced as the popular dish made its way to the Glenmorangie 46th Annual Scottish Highland Games and Celtic Gathering at Phoenix’s Steele Indian School Park. The import of Scottish haggis has been banned in the U.S. since the mad cow scare in the late ’80s…
Not everyone enjoys a night of heavy drinking, but even the most severe masochist hates a hangover. And as long as there’s been alcohol consumption, there have been professed hangover cures, whether it’s “hair of the dog,” pills and powders, or IV infusions. Now Scottsdale-based company Intelligent Beverages is bottling…
This week was, for whatever reason, a week of misconnections, a few failed experiments and crossed wires. One in which feelings were raw and the emotional landscape was brittle. So we decided to try this recipe for Battered Cod. The battered cod is part of a meal of homemade fish and chips, that…
Gone the way of the Dodo, we must sadly say goodbye to the following restaurants that have shut their doors during the month of February… Asia De Cuba Backstreet Wine Salon Bad to the Bone BBQ Uno’s on Mill Ave Pie Zano’s Town and Country location — Arrowhead is still…
Calling all social butterflies, ladies – and dudes who lunch, and garden enthusiasts, this weekend the Desert Botanical Gardens will kick off the return of their popular butterfly exhibit with several fun dining events. Designed to be a family oriented event, Breakfast with the the Butterflies includes a buffet brunch menu…
February brought a revamped El Chorro, a new location for Long Wongs and another America’s Taco Shop. Here is a quick look back on what’s new Cielo at the Mondrian America’s Taco Shop on 7th ave Mabel’s on Main Lobbys Beef, Burgers and Dogs Robbie Fox’s Public House Cartel Coffee…
In the end, we get what’s coming to us. Let’s hope it’s sweet. Sunset magazine says the cupcake craze is giving way to exotic ice cream flavors. Last week, after checking out what Phoenix frozen dessert institution, Mary Coyle, had to say about that, it was off to Pink Spot…
Coffee’s great for a caffeine kick, but it’s not the best thing for one’s breath. However, people looking to get a boost without acidic energy drinks and bitter java can be energized and minty-fresh with something called M Power Energy Mints.These fat, potent tablets look like Tums, but contain 120…
Looking for the latest in tasty television? Need to know the need-to-watch episodes of your favorite foodie shows? Chow Bella is here to help. We’re reviewing the most delectable and dreadful with a handy, must-see schedule so you won’t miss a thing. Sure, the Oscars feature “brave” actors and actresses…
An early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives. If you are in metropolitan Phoenix and you purchased Lemon Chalet Creme Girl Scout cookies, do not fret. The Arizona batch of cookies is not part of the lot that you might have heard has been recalled. If…
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: Tempe Farmers’ Markets Suffering From Identity Crisis The Ritz-Carlton’s…
Yeah, yeah, cocktails have funny names. Remember a shot called The Abortion, from the 80s? If you do, ladies, you’re likely old enough to identify with a drink on the menu at The Vig called Cougar Juice. This pretty (ballsy) drink is a potent mix of house infused vanilla Ketel One vodka,…
Yesterday we had a chat with Matt McCullough bartender at R Bar at the Camelback Inn Resort. Last year he was a finalist in the GQ’s Most Inspired Bartender contest held by GQ magazine and Bombay Sapphire. The drink, which he calls the Sonoran Summer, was inspired by the…
5.) Pizza Vending Machine: Italy Who needs to watch a pizza being hand-tossed by a chef when they can watch Roberto the Pizza-Producing Robot slide it out of his exit chute? After choosing one of four varieties (Margherita, bacon, ham, or fresh veggies), hungry-for-crap patrons watch through a window as…
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. Wonder what it tastes like? Find out in this seven-part series. Blundering down the slippery slope of last week’s…
As the saying goes, appearances can be deceiving — especially when it comes to a restaurant’s cleanliness. While the dining area may look spotless, you never know what’s lurking in the kitchen. Perhaps food workers foregoing the required plastic gloves. Meat left on the counter too long. Or, even –…
Lunch for less than ten bucks inevitably gets attention from us bargain-minded Chow Bella writers, but the $7 pricetag isn’t the only thing Regions Bistro’s Express Lunch has going for it. They’ll give you lunch for free if your order isn’t out of the kitchen within ten minutes. And if…
An early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives. The macarons from Essence in Tempe are legendary, but how much do you know about the rest of the sweet fare there? Seriously, have you ever heard anyone make a peep about how amazing the Mexican wedding cookies…
Who would name their eatery FnB? Turns out it’s FnB owner Pavle Milic and chef-owner Charleen Badman. The name apparently doesn’t do justice to the food. Food Critic Michele Laudig on FnB: The majority of FnB’s dishes could be considered starters or sides (they’re not labeled as either), but you…
The proposed class-action lawsuit against Yelp we described earlier today is gonna be ugly.Beck & LeeThe guy who’s going to make it that way is Jared Beck, a Harvard grad who plans on being the bulldog here. The Miami lawyer — who also practices in California, where the suit was filed –…
