Sweet Tomatoes is hosting a fundraiser event that will benefit St. Vincent de Paul. On November 17, ten percent of all sales made at participating Sweet Tomatoes will go to the non-profit organization — good news in tough times. That same night, Sweet Tomatoes is taking over the dining room at…
A friend and I ventured over to Nine 05 recently for her birthday lunch. Once upon a time, this was a gal who used to eat at Fate about three times a week, so I told her she needed to check out the new Asian spot that’s taken its place…
Wine? Did somebody say wine? If your ears perk up at the sound of a cork popping out of a bottle, then this weekend’s First Press events are for you. Friday night kicks off with the First Press Grand Tasting at the Hotel Valley Ho, presented by National Bank of…
When most chefs were graduating culinary school, Tommy V’s Osteria Pizzeria’s Matt Alleshouse was already cooking up delicacies at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. The 29-year-old, currently the head chef at the newly opened Tommy V’s, has been in the Valley for more than 10 years. He got his start as an…
No, you’re not experiencing deja vu. The Tempe outpost of Regions Bistro — which originally opened at 6th Street and Mill a little over seven months ago, and then closed unexpectedly in early June — is back in business under new ownership. Regions’ Scottsdale location, on Shea Boulvard, reopened in August…
NYPD Pizza, with 10 Valley locations, is donating 20 percent of its profits today to the Down Syndrome Network of Arizona, an agency that serves to educate, support and adovcate for those with Down Syndrome. …
Free garage parking was even offered throughout the day. That alone might’ve been enough to get us there — and apparently, other Phoenicians agreed. White tents were pitched in the parking lot at Duck and Decanter and from the top of the parking garage we could see hundreds of locals milling around…
Just chatted with chef Johnny Chu of Sens, and he’s excited about a special event he’s hosting next week, on Monday the 16th. He says 100 percent of the proceeds from the night’s dinner service (5 to 10 p.m.) will be donated to Free Arts of Arizona, a non-profit organization that…
We love watching some earthy, crunchy, flower power-types shed some of their patchouli-wearing do-gooder status and make a living, as opposed to hitching up their bio-diesel wagon and following Phish around for the summer. Especially if these peaceniks’ said employment gives the finger to the man. On a curvy part…
There’s nothing we love more than food. Except maybe FREE food. While Outback Steakhouse isn’t the kind of small, indie business we usually pimp here on Chow Bella, we have to admit they make a pretty awesome Bloomin’ Onion appetizer. Sliced and fried till golden brown, the everyday onion ends up looking…
[jump] Favorite local restaurant: Can’t answer just one…for a quick bite I love Otto’s in Tempe. I get the calzone (no meat). If I’m grabbing a yuppie sandwich and dessert, then La Grande Orange in Arcadia. If I’m hungover then the protein pancakes at US Egg. For bar food, I hit…
How is it November and still so nice out? Recently, I used the balmy nights as an excuse to take two pals to Petite Maison in Scottsdale. Neither had been there yet, and I got them hungry for French nibbles and wine. We sat out on the patio by the fireplace,…
Last week’s 10 Things to Know If You’re Dining Out struck a nerve with readers — and, we’ll admit, with Chow Bella’s administration. Particularly the part about dining out with children. Sure, yes, absolutely, no doubt about it — it’s gotta suck to wait on people and their screaming, drooling, demanding,…
A week ago, chef Payton Curry wasted no time in rolling out a totally revamped menu at Tempe’s Caffe Boa, where he just started working a couple weeks ago. Now he’s already getting into the swing of special events, with the first of many locavore wine dinners to come. On Thursday, November…
This is one of Radio Milano’s most popular drinks, and it’s no wonder why. The fruity cocktail has a tinge of heat from a special ingredient: serrano chile peppers. They’re available at most grocery stores–just be careful about biting into one–it’ll set your mouth on fire! The cost: $8 The bartender:…
Certain ingredients always tempt me to order a certain way, but sometimes it’s just pure curiosity that makes me order a dish. The brunch menu at Fez, available Saturdays and Sundays, has an omelette called “The Best Egg White Omelette You’ll Ever Have,” and as soon as I saw it,…
Just a few years ago, you would’ve been lucky to find one pushcart vendor or a lousy faux wine and cheese plate at First Friday in Downtown Phoenix. Now, there are dozens of food booths, trucks and free samples to be found on Roosevelt St. during the monthly art showcase. We snuck out with camera…
A little bit of buzz was starting to brew about Scottsdale’s Metro Brasserie, whose executive chef, Matt Taylor, recently left town to work for Michael Mina in Las Vegas. Why hadn’t they announced his replacement? What’s going on over there? Apparently, they were just taking their time filling Taylor’s kitchen…
We’ve harbored a fantasy of opening our own food truck that only serves up pie and coffee. Phoenix Novembers would be perfect for this endeavor. And while we don’t actually have a pie truck, we are always eager to try a new pie recipe. Which brings us to this week’s…
‘Tis the season for coffee shops to start peddling their holiday flavors. Christmas shoppers looking to stay wired while standing in long lines will be running for peppermint, pumpkin, and apple spice-flavored caffeine concoctions. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is one of many java outlets offering seasonal drinks. I…
Beer? In the mail? Yes. Once again I have received a blessing in the form of liquid gold from the brewery gods…or so I thought. The bottles had all the telling signs of something enjoyable. One embossed with the words “Rye P.A.,” the other promising “Bavarian Wheat” goodness. Then I…
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: Lisa G Goes Out of Business on a Halloween…
