We’re the peculiar type of foodie who refuses to eat things one way. Heaven help us if we are presented with more than one condiment at a restaurant. Chances are we’ll go back and forth until the food item we’re placing it in has been completely devoured. Maybe that’s why…
A few days ago, we got word that J&G Steakhouse at The Phoenician is hosting The Glenlivet Dinner on Thursday, January 21. The food sounds scrumptious: butternut squash soup, sweet and sour pork belly, New York steak and chocolate cake with caramel ice cream, each course paired with a different single-malt scotch. …
Last night, the new Oakville Grocery at the Scottsdale Quarter opened to a packed house of chefs, industry professionals and local food lovers for a VIP Grand Opening celebration. At 6 p.m., guests began to trickle in while the grocery’s in-house chefs and local vendors set up tables with samples…
Emily Quinn may only be 22, but she’s already made a name for herself as a bartender at Scottsdale’s Jalapeño Inferno. After more than a year, the Arizona State University biochemistry student has a slew of regulars, some of who find out her schedule and make sure to come when…
Billy-Boy Wordsworth defined poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” Fitting then, we should apply this definition when we speak of fabulous fare. See if you can relate to this week’s victual verse and feel free to pen a few lines of your own, should you be so inspired…
Ali Vincent has energy — lots of it. The Mesa native lost 112 pounds to become the first female winner of The Biggest Loser, snagging the $250,000 prize. Now, she is an inspirational speaker, spokeswoman, author, and soon-to-be creator of her own charitable foundation. Chow Bella had a chance to…
We really love dining at Sassi, but for us, it’s that special occasion type of fancy place. Tonight, common folk like us can get a cheaper taste of Sassi’s delectable Italian cuisine, along with some free wine, as Sassi presents a complimentary wine tasting with Masi wines from Venice. Guests are…
Chinese New Year doesn’t officially happen for another month, on February 14. But with a fresh new 2010 calendar at my desk and an out-of-the-blue craving for dim sum, I had the upcoming Year of the Tiger on my mind and figured I’d round up some friends for a feast…
I don’t smoke pot anymore! Yes, it’s true. Through excess, I even managed to ruin the enjoyment of pot. Alas, I smoked enough pot in college to be in a reggae band. I won’t get into details, but let’s just say that too much of a good thing can be…
Chocolate cherry sourdough. Olive walnut sourdough. Rosemary bread. Pumpkin bread. Sun-dried tomato bread. Is your mouth watering yet? These are just a few examples that illustrate why The Phoenician’s master baker Ben Hershberger has gained a following for his outstanding artisanal breads, which he bakes daily for Il Terrazzo, Windows on the…
In this week’s Forking column, C.M. Redding described the virtues and pitfalls of making and consuming that illustrious of narcotic desserts: the pot brownie. Follow the recipe below to make your own…you know…if you’re permitted to have it for medical reasons. Ingredients: – One package of any store brand or…
Jordan Stejskal used to struggle with a multiple personality problem.For years, the Phoenix native worked for a Scottsdale architecture firm where she was a self-described office Super Girl in pencil skirts and heels. When she wasn’t in the office, Jordan turned into the hippie chef, a farmer’s market groupie who…
A watched pot may never boil, but lettuce will grow before your eyes — in Matt Moore’s world, anyway. Moore’s oddly enchanting videos of vegetables literally coming to life will be shown at the Sundance Frontier, a companion to the better-known film festival coming up later this month. Over on…
There are some days when we really wish we worked in Old Town Scottsdale so we could sample all the cool lunch spots there — like The Grapevine Restaurant, which we were lucky enough to hit for a recent meal.This cute spot, with a sprawling upstairs patio that gives a cool…
For some, guacamole is a mere condiment akin to sour cream or salsa. We think of it more like Guinness — excellent as an accompaniment to lunch or dinner, but thick and hearty enough to be a meal on its own. Afraid you’ll bust your diet resolution if you down…
This time of year, we crave savory meals to warm us up.This Guajillo Shrimp Cazueala, from Rita’s Kitchen’s executive chef Amol Agarwal (whom we profiled in yesterday’s Chef Chat), is not only hot in temperature, but it also contains some spicy ingredients that will make you feel the warmth. But,…
Who says you have to wait until the sun goes down to have a good time? On Sunday night, my hubby and I watched the exhausting, mediocre, and hipster-gimmick fest (500) Days of Summer. We spent the remainder of the evening on the patio, drinking cheap wine, reminiscing about Lloyd…
We’ve never been up for wallowing in the mud, but here’s an event that’s making us think twice. This Saturday, January 16, at The Farm at South Mountain local farmer Maya Dailey, who won a Best of Phoenix for her Green Thumb last year, will be building a biodynamic compost heap, and…
There’s nothing fancy about Harlow’s. Or wait, maybe there is. On a recent visit, we noticed chandeliers hanging from the ceiling — not so unusual for a restaurant, except that this longtime wood-paneled Tempe breakfast spot also sports a prominent sign warning patrons to leave their guns outside, and other…
As part of local franchisee Sunwest Burgers LLC’s plans to open 30 Smashburger locations in Maricopa County over the next few years, another one of the fast-food burger joints is set to open at Gateway Crossing in Avondale (9915 W. McDowell, Ste. 101) on February 3. (The Tempe store is pictured above.) …
The past six months have been a blur. It was only back in July that the newly formed non-profit organization Devour Phoenix, a coalition of local indie restaurants affiliated with Local First Arizona, was making news with its plans to launch a high-profile culinary festival that would replace West of Western at…
We apologize to anyone who read the headline and got excited that Savor Scottsdale was resurrecting their cleverly named pig roast and wine dinner, held in April 2009 at the now defunct Digestif. We’re actually talking about The Notorious P.I.G., a new barbeque restaurant on Thunderbird Rd. in NoPo that our food-loving friends…
