If you consider yourself a card-carrying coffee geek — or, as restaurateur Joe Johnston would put it, a “disciple” of the “true gospel of coffee” — then you need to bookmark Johnston’s excellent new blog, Roaster Project. But even if you don’t consider yourself a java expert or even drink the…
Just got an interesting tidbit from a friend that I thought I’d share.It’s a list of the top 10 recipes that were searched on Google last year. As someone who compulsively Googles everything — and who consults with the online search engine far more often than the recipe box — I…
Good ol’ Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli.This Central Phoenix restaurant has been one of my favorite lunchtime go-to spots ever since I started working at New Times over nine years ago. I recall one of my coworkers taking me there during my first week on the job, and I was…
Even when businesses were dropping like flies earlier this year, it still came as a surprised when popular north Phoenix pastry shop Wicked Bakery closed its doors.But chef-owner Slade Grove is back on the scene, now operating out of Luci’s Healthy Marketplace, which made its own comeback in October, reopening…
Has Avalon executive chef Travis Watson been lured back into the fold at Fox Restaurant Group to work at the soon-to-open Culinary Dropout?The rumor isn’t confirmed, but one thing is true — Watson left the swanky Scottsdale restaurant just after the new year. Before he joined the opening team at…
Happy Olio Nuevo, everyone! This sounds like some crazy made-up holiday along the lines of National Bacon Day (seriously, isn’t that every day??) or National Tempura Day. But Olio Nuevo, aka Festival of the New Oil, is actually an annual event at Queen Creek Olive Mill which begins tomorrow, January 16. Weekly…
For the past two Sundays, we’ve been hooked on Food Network’s new show, Worst Cooks in America. Maybe it’s because this gem stars local celeb-chef Beau MacMillan. Or the fact there’s a contestant from Scottsdale. Or maybe it’s just that we all had an Aunt Mildred or Grandpa Joe or heck, Mom or…
Last week: Marcella’s Italian Kitchen in Scottsdale…
One of Jalapeño Inferno bartneder Emily Quinn’s favorite trends going down in the drinking world right now is using fresh ingredients in cocktails, so it’s appropriate she made a Boss Margarita for us because it includes freshly squeezed lime juice. The bartender: Emily Quinn, who’s worked at Jalapeño Inferno for 3…
Here in the states we count on Japan for all things innovative and weird (especially when there’s no reason or practical application), so we were delighted to see that Abashiri Brewery, located on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, specializes in “unique” beers…
Craving a cupcake in North Scottsdale? If you were hoping to swing by Scottsdale Bakery & Cupcake Company (15090 N. Northsight Blvd.) for a little frosted confection and a drink, you’re out of luck. The family-owned storefront closed in mid-December due to lack of traffic in a struggling retail complex. However,…
Somebody had a lot of fun with this. Just look at those funny little fondant pigs! A friend just sent me a link to a darling website where they’ve created incredibly detailed cupcake designs inspired by classic games and retro video games, and then made a guessing game out of…
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…
