Monday night, Arizona chef Kevin Binkley of Binkley’s Restaurant in Cave Creek failed to take home the coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest. The James Beard Foundation announced the winners of the annual culinary accolades, often referred to as the Oscars of the restaurant industry, at a ceremony…
Cupcakes were all the rage a few years ago, and some would argue the doughnut has since risen to take its place atop the popularity pyramid of baked goods. But to say so would be to overlook the French macaron. What was once a relatively hard-to-find French specialty has now…
The 6th annual AZ BBQ Festival took over the Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on Saturday, May 2. And with everything from bowls full of bacon to lots of Daisy Dukes, this event reminded us of going to the state fair — except with fewer crowds and no Ferris Wheel…
Everyone loves a classic chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-A, right? Well, probably not if that sandwich comes from a restaurant that failed to pass its county health inspection. But one of our Valley locations of the fast food chain is far from the only spot in town that needs to do…
Nutella has been appearing in all kinds of dishes — from coffee to cheesecake — for a while now. Elevate Coffee Co. in North Phoenix has its own offering, in the form of a Nutella crepe…
When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions, share a few photos, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that…
The Guilty Pleasure: Ghost Pepper Fries Where to Get It: Wendy’s Price: $1.99 What it Really Costs: The sanctity of the holy ghost pepper among spicy food fanatics…
Though we’re just around the corner from summer and the time of year when things tend to slow down in the restaurant industry, there’s been no sign so far that our local restaurateurs and chefs plan on taking a break. Last month we saw more than a dozen new restaurants…
Arizona BBQ Festival and Redneck Games Saturday, May 2 This year’s annual Arizona BBQ Festival will feature more than 25 barbecue vendor including familiar names such as Honey Bear’s, Raging Cajun, and Pork on a Fork. Each vendor will sell samples for $2 each, with larger portions available at higher…
“I’ve been doing this for 15 years,” says restaurateur Julian Wright. “This is definitely going to be my crowning jewel.” As the man behind such popular Tempe spots as La Bocca, The Handlebar, and Dos Gringos Street Bar, that’s really saying something. So what is this new project about which…
For the first time in the three-year history of the Ripe Awards, a local culinary accolade given out by the Phoenix Art Museum’s Men’s Arts Council, the public is being asked to nominate chefs and bartenders “whose innovative creations demonstrate the unique culture of the Phoenix dining scene.” The annual…
Since its inception in 2011, the Joy Bus, a local nonprofit organization, has distributed more than 1,600 meals to Valley cancer patients. However, even with 12 rotating volunteers, there still are not enough people to deliver all the requested meals. “It has been a difficult three and a half years,”…
One hopes that Nawaz Indian Cuisine, way out in the suburbs on West Dunlap Road, can limp along until the light-rail line reaches the restaurant later this year. Nawaz isn’t the best Indian restaurant in the Valley. But this casual Indian eatery has plenty of options to appeal to fans…
Master Gardener Kari Spencer is well-versed in the challenges of growing edible plants in the desert. Spencer teaches Urban Farming at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and is founder of The Micro Farm Project. Her home is a functional urban food oasis, complete with goats, chickens, and turkeys. We…
When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions, share a few photos, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that…
It’s been 23 months since Coup des Tartes owner Ron Pacioni found out his 18-year-old restaurant would be torn down to make room for a car dealership parking lot. It’s been 21 months since he found a new at 1725 East Osborn Road to move into. And it’s been eight…
It’s been a long time since North Scottsdale restaurant Cibo e Vino closed its doors for renovations. In 2014, the Italian restaurant announced via Facebook that it would “be closed briefly” after Sunday, August 3. Apparently, “briefly” meant 10 months, but after the long wait the restaurant is finally ready…
A new food truck has rolled into town, and it goes by the name of Frites Street. Combining Belgium frites with homemade sauces and toppings, the truck operators pride themselves on their 100 percent homemade menu. “If it’s on our menu, we made it,” says co-owner Braden Jones. “If you…
Chandler Craft Spirits Festival Saturday, April 25 A two-component well drink is a simple, beautiful thing. But a craft cocktail — shaken, stirred, muddled, and mashed — is an event in a glass. You can celebrate the art of the cocktail this Saturday evening from 5 to 9 p.m. in…
In case you missed it, “sprouted” is the new “whole grain.” We’ve found tortillas, breads, and crackers at our neighborhood health food store, each with its own pseudo-scientific claims about the nutritional benefits of allowing edible seeds to germinate. When we came across Majestic Garlic’s sprouted hummus, we were, as…
Phoenix New Times has an immediate opening for a journalist who has a sophisticated understanding of food and the skill to write about it in an engaging way. We publish food and restaurant news in multiple formats – criticism, daily stories and long-form features. Ideal candidates will have a solid…
I don’t know that I’ve ever before eaten a meal swathed in latex, but having dined at Hot ‘n’ Juicy Crawfish, I can say not only that I have but that I plan to do so again very soon. This Las Vegas-based restaurant chain opened on Mill Avenue last April…
