The evolution of Mill Avenue continues. While retailers might’ve taken the biggest economic hit along downtown Tempe’s walkable stretch (witness the sad row of empty storefronts just north of P.F. Chang’s), the restaurant scene is burgeoning. Open since Friday, Robbie Fox’s Public House is the newest addition to the mix, giving Rula…
From high-end burgers at swanky steakhouses to chains like Smashburger and Five Guys making their way into the local market, the lust for hamburgers shows no sign of ending. That’s what restaurateur Lobby Syregelas is betting on with his new concept, Lobbys Beef, Burgers, Dogs, which opened late last year…
Breaking tradition tends to set some into an uproar, so we can only imagine the even-more-disgusted-than-usual face of French sommeliers when they discover that several companies from the U.S. as well as Australia are now packaging wine in aluminum cans…
We popped into Luci’s Healthy Marketplace recently and discovered that they have added yet another offering to their ever growing and eclectic mix of deli, coffee, grocery goods, assorted sundries, organic produce, AND health food items – every Sunday evening from 5:30 – 7:30, Luci’s will host a cooking demonstration. …
This week for Monday Night Martha we decided to try Martha’s Curried Tomato Seafood Bouillabaisse. Bouillabaisse, basically a fish soup made up of various kinds of fish and a variety of herbs and spices, is generally thought to be an abbreviation of bouillon abaisse – meaning “broth lowered” or “to…
Just a second — Catherine Hayes is fluffing the decorative pillows in the outside dining area. She comes here, to Modern Steak, nearly every day. Hayes and her team at Hayes inc. were behind the architecture and design of the recent addition to the Fox Concepts empire. Hayes’ Phoenix-based firm is…
In the end, we get what’s coming to us. Let’s hope it’s sweet. Like Chanel No. 5, a bracelet from Tiffany’s, or Chuck Norris, a good brand name can pack a punch when it comes to impressing those we love. And, when it comes to name-brand sweet treats for Valentine’s…
Seems everyone’s getting into the alcohol business these days, from Olivia Newton-John and Dan Aykroyd to Ludacris and Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan. The difference is that Keenan is actually hands-on with his winery, while we’re guessing the Grease and Ghostbusters celebs aren’t getting their manicured nails dirty trimming vines or mashing grains. Filmmakers Ryan Page and Christopher…
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. Well, once again, the commercials during the Super…
The Tru Blood carbonated drink was introduced last year, one of many merchandise extensions of HBO’s popular show, True Blood. While viewers eagerly anticipate the third season of that show (currently in production), we decided to try the drink, which is modeled after the bottled “blood” that vampires swig on…
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: The Cheesiest Food Tour We’ve Ever Seen New Restaurant…
Just when you thought the cupcake thing was over, here comes a sign that it’s anything but. Last night we stumbled upon yet another cute cupcake web site — this one is called Bella Cupcake Couture — and some breaking news (something you don’t often encounter on a cupcake web…
Man, oh man, was this a hard one. Toughest competition yet. I’ve been angsting all week about picking a winner for our Dip Showdown, where Chow Bella’s ambitious cooks all brought in their own tempting dip recipes, in anticipation of our country’s most dip-worthy holiday, the Super Bowl. (Yes, I…
I have a sneaking suspicion that Chow Bella readers don’t really need an excuse to eat Vietnamese cuisine, but just for fun, why not celebrate the lunar new year at Mekong Plaza’s Tet Festival this weekend? The Mesa Vietnamese shopping center (66 S. Dobson) is already home to a handful of…
The internet is chock full of gorgeously photographed cake blogs loaded with towering confections where every detail is executed to perfection. And while we admire these baked beauties, we also relish the rubbernecking when the art of cake decorating goes completely off-road. In case you’ve missed the hype on this…
Ever been to Pike Place Market in Seattle or Oxbow Market in Napa Valley? Those are models for POOL, a new collaborative market that’s in the works in Mesa. It’s anticipated to open this spring.The 41,000-square-foot space at Stapley and Main Street, which used to be a Mervyn’s, has room…
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…
The urge to eat a good cheeseburger struck me like a lightning bolt the other day — funny how one’s body sneakily finds a way to get back at you for too many days of granola and salads and yogurt. I wound up at Five Guys Burger & Fries on Mill…
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. Are you ready for some football? KISS is…
Whether you’re stoked on Valentine’s Day or really loathe it, this Cupid’s Hot Pop cocktail will engage all your senses on the love- (or hate-)filled holiday. Not only is it pretty and sweet-tasting, it also includes Pop Rocks that will make drinking this cocktail really fun. David Needham, manager of…
An early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives. Get ready for Valentines Day or just go and stuff your face with samples and other goodies at Glendale’s 15th Annual Chocolate Affaire. Festivities kick off today at 5:00pm and continue through the weekend. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing…
Many moons ago, our father took us to Ray’s the Steaks in Virginia. The wait was exceptionally long. They don’t take reservations (yes, one of those places) and once we got inside the weight for service was pretty unbearable. In fact, we were asked to come back at a later…
