By Michele Laudig Economy be damned, somebody’s still got the confidence to open their doors! Now hopefully customers will keep coming out to spend some dough. (Me? I’d subsist on pretzels if it meant I could still eat foie gras.) Anyway, I just got a call from the ever-charming Maurizio…
Cyclo is so freakin’ cheery — doesn’t this wall just make you grin? By Sarah Fenske I have these fabulously cool neighbors. I know, I know, it’s Phoenix, and no one is supposed to know their neighbors. But Daniel and Bobby both moved here from farflung places (Argentina for Daniel,…
By Benjamin Leatherman The best falafel I’ve ever tasted. No seriously, this time I mean it…really. Last month I sang the praises of Phoenicia Cafe in Tempe, particularly about the joint’s falafel. After supping on its version of the Middle Eastern favorite of gound chickpeas and eggplant fashioned into silver…
By Michele Laudig Here’s a cute New York Times story I couldn’t resist sharing, about a 12-year-old who aspires to be a restaurant critic. This got me thinking about what kinds of random things in our childhoods lead us to where we are as adults. What were you doing at…
By Michele Laudig Here’s a real head-scratcher. The seemingly successful Soma Cafe, at Tatum and Shea, unexpectedly closed its doors over the weekend. According to one of my colleagues (who was a Soma regular to the point that it was like his second office), there was a note on the…
By Michele Laudig Dear Chow Bella readers, I hope you check out this week’s cover story (written by yours truly), where you’ll get to read all about the great wines that Eric Glomski and Maynard James Keenan (yes, the singer from Tool) are making up in Jerome and Cornville with…
By Eddie Matney Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake…
By Sloane Burwell Jeff Fischer isn’t your ordinary barista. After 20 years in the hospitality industry, he and his wife took ownership of Lux Coffee Bar, so that his wife could pursue her life’s dream of owning a coffee shop. Under his watchful eye and warm smile, Lux has emerged…
By Jonathan McNamara They’ll put just about anything in beer these days. We’ve already seen red rice, juniper berries and pumpkin, but I never counted on popping open a cold bottle of chocolate beer. Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock comes in a bottled decorated with an ornate silver label. As I…
South by Southwest: Some good flavors going on in here. By Jay Bennett Looking for a cheap and quick breakfast that’s a couple steps in quality above McDonald’s, Jack in the Box, or Carl’s Jr.? The clean and inviting Acacia Cafe, on Indian School Road and 37th Street, likely will…
There are plenty of places to get a gorgeous piece of USDA Prime meat in this town, but BLT Steak at Camelback Inn satisfies more than just carnivorous cravings. And for that, it really raises the bar. I won’t name names, but at some of Phoenix’s other high-end steakhouses —…
By Benjamin Leatherman The Vegetarian House in east Phoenix: part restaurant, part temple. (Courtesy of VegGuide). Everybody deserves a second chance. Case in point: In 1999, my sister — who was at the time a hardcore vegetarian — treated me to dinner at the Vegetarian House (3239 East Indian School…
By Amy Silverman A bottle of Excedrin was improperly stored at Sluggo’s Sports Grill in Mesa — one of many things the restaurant inspectors noted after a recent visit. I’m guessing Sluggo had some headache when he read the inspection report. The raw eggs were stored above the watermelon. Dishwashing…
By Michele Laudig Admit it, you can’t get enough of Phoenix Ranch Market (you’re hooked on those aguas frescas, right?). Well, the people behind it are on to you. In fact, they’re opening their fifth Phoenix location tomorrow, November 12. The doors will open at 11 a.m. at 3223 W…
By Michele Laudig Yes, it really is a reflection of the tough times. I just got word that after six and a half years in business, Malee’s Thai Bistro offically closed its Desert Ridge location. Last Wednesday was its last day. According to owner Deirdre Pain, the Desert Ridge Malee’s…
By Eddie Matney Chicago Hamburger Co. on Indian School Road. I’m addicted. The upside: this place is delicious. The downside: they’re not cheap, and you might have to park on 38th street. I keep ordering the hot dog and french fries, and this place proves that just because a joint…
By Sloane Burwell It’s easy to see why Rancho Pinot has been wowing Valley diners for a decade and a half. Under the watchful eye of talented Chef Chrysa Robertson, they’ve nailed the restaurant trifecta – amazing food, impressive wine list, and impeccable service. Its quirky interior is the obvious…
By Jonathan McNamara There is one election day ritual that I’ve missed out on twice now thanks to my decision to be a member of the press instead of the sit at home and watch our country’s fate on CNN crowd: the post-election beer. So when I found myself with…
By Amy Silverman If you really want to quell your appetite, read “no award” inspection reports for meat markets. From the most recent report for Lam’s Market on West Indian School Road: THE DUNGESS KRABS OBSERVED STORED IN MURKY/TURBID WATER INSIDE TANK. Turbid water? Can’t be good…
Rib tips and mac and cheese: A lunch you can’t beat. By Jay Bennett Do you know what a “lazy pescatarian” is? It’s how my wife describes herself in regard to her eating habits. She aspires to be a vegetarian but knows she loves fish and other seafood too much…
At Plaza Grill in north Phoenix, the first-rate Mexican food totally speaks for itself. That’s a wonderful thing, considering that almost everything else about this restaurant is so low-key. Not only would you have a hard time discerning what kind of cuisine this place serves, you might not even notice…
By Benjamin Leatherman The four-inch version of the “Majik Mushroom.” I’m not a pothead. In fact, I’ve never tried grass in my life. Ever. Not even once. Now don’t go thinking I’m sort of stodgy, anti-drug fundamentalist. Some of my best friends in the world smoke the reefer (including one…
