The Arizona State Fair always seems to attract some rather eccentric food vendors. There are a few running themes in fair fare this year, though. First, if you can batter something like a corn dog, it can be deep-fried and subsequently sold at a booth. Second, food is better sold…
Caffe Boa owner Jay Wisniewski told me that new chef Payton Curry would eventually be changing up the menu at the upscale, wine-centric Tempe restaurant. I guess in Curry’s world, “eventually” happens fast. Fresh from his departure from the now-shuttered Digestif, he’s already launched a brand-new menu of dishes inspired…
Flight attendants-turned-restaurateurs Robert McCarville, Tom Vigil, and Randy Betnar sold Coronado Cafe two weeks ago, and the new owners of the charming eatery, tucked into an historic 1915 bungalow on 7th Street, have a few changes in store. Co-owner Diane Stackwick has lived in Arizona for a decade, but she…
You probably saw my post about Lisa G closing over the weekend — where I mentioned new owner Matt Diamond — but now that I’ve had a chance to chat with Diamond, I have more details for you. So he’s got a serious wine background. He’s traveled to various wine…
If it’s coffee-related in Arizona, it’s probably been covered by arizona-coffee.com.
On Monday, November 16, Warner and wife Brenda will host a Night of Champions dinner at The Wrigley Mansion, 2501 E. Telewa Trail in Phoenix.
It’s not very often that cupcakes make me laugh, but I saw these little dudes in the case at Tammie Coe on Halloween morning, and couldn’t resist getting one to go with my latte. They’re probably all gone by now, because Thanksgiving’s the next big holiday to pimp. And I’m…
Maybe it’s because the first cold snap struck the Valley of the Sun this past week, or because the World Series is playing on TV, but our minds and stomachs suddenly want something warm and gooey and familiar. And really, nothing says Monday night like … casserole. Ah, casserole the…
Ten years working in restaurants and 15 years working on crafting knives has taught Bob Kramer a thing or two about how to properly use and maintain a knife. But he isn’t greedy with his wisdom, and people in the Valley have a chance to reap the benefits.The chef-turned-master bladesmith…
Since it was introduced in 1985, Jolt Cola’s had a well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s most caffeinated sodas, proudly standing by its motto of “All the sugar and twice the caffeine” — at least until the cane sugar in the original recipe was replaced with high fructose corn…
It’s Saturday morning. I really haven’t had enough coffee yet. But there’s nothing like big news to wake me up, and today’s word is a shocker. Lisa G Cafe & Wine Bar is closing. Tonight — Halloween — is the last night of service.Owner Lisa Giungo tells me, “It actually came…
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: Oysters and Bloody Marys at Casey Moore’s CRAVE Arizona…
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals and stave off aging, and a glass of wine a day can reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. So that fistful of dark chocolate medallions and glass of Cabernet you’ll be downing tonight are totally healthy!
Guess where I’m eating!!
Scottsdale’s Old Town Farmers Market is back and reportedly going to be bigger than ever. How big? Well, just about double the size of last season’s.Big name local produce growers McClendon’s Select, Seacat Gardens, and Maya’s Farm will all be selling fresh fruits and veggies at the market, something other…
Sometimes being a vegan in Phoenix can get pretty lonely, but on November 1, animal product-free Phoenicians will gather at the Spectrum Mall light rail station to celebrate World Vegan Day with a potluck full of vegan goodies.
Good morrrrrrning, sunshine! What an eye-opener at Conspire this morning — a large latte with four shots of espresso to get my brain cranked up, plus some sweets to share. Vegan doughnuts are a Conspire staple that I can’t resist, while the pumpkin-chocolate chip cupcake with cream cheese icing was…
The Shark Fart tastes better than it sounds, I promise. This is one of Dar Bieling’s favorite drinks to make because she loves shaking the hell out of the tumbler. Hey, she’s gotta get that aggression out somehow if she wants to remain, as owner Beth Johnson says, “The only…
I’m a Phoenix native. Which, they say, is rare. Even more unusual is that I actually love this place.There are just a handful of us out there and while there are so many things that make us uniquely Phoenician (we don’t talk to our neighbors and we shower 7-12 times…
No one will argue that a restaurant based around using local, sustainable ingredients is a great idea. Unfortunately, it takes more than that to get our taste buds going. See what we mean in this week’s Cafe column. Food Critic Michele Laudig on Calistro Bistro: In theory, I should love…
What if you could quit your day job and just eat and socialize all the time? (Picture this: Nights filled with wonderful conversation. Lovely hosts. Duck confit and huckleberry waffles with bourbon maple syrup. American Wagyu ribeye. Fluke crudo! Grand Marnier souffle!!! Mmmm, we’re getting all worked up just writing about…
Ooh, here’s some exciting news — there will soon be a superstar in our midst. The term “celebrity chef” gets thrown around a lot these days, but there’s no question that Thomas Keller truly is one. Whether you think The French Laundry in Yountville, CA, is the best restaurant in…
