Welcome to Chow Bella’s Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you’d like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. Vanity Fair food writer Corby Kummer likened them to a form of culinary dictatorship. New…
You’ve got to hand it to Amy’s Baking Company. Somehow, the Scottsdale restaurant, whose name-calling owner, Amy Bouzaglo, made the news in 2010 after an angry tirade on Yelp following a one-star review, has found the proverbial rabbit hole to travel between television worlds. See also: Screaming, Expletives, and, Eventually,…
Fork and Dagger CEO Julian Wright — the Mill Avenue mini-mogul who keeps Tempe fed and watered at La Bocca Urban Pizzeria + Wine Bar, Canteen Modern Tequila Bar and The Handlebar — has big plans for a venue that’s near and dear to his heart. See also: — Margaritas…
After waiting nearly a year for its federal microbrewery license, Cartel Coffee Lab in Tempe can now brew suds right along with its top-notch coffee. See also: Tempe’s Sleepy Dog Saloon and Brewery Opening Gilbert Spinoff (With Eats) in February Appropriately enough, Cartel’s new craft beer selection will debut at…
Like a lot of folks in the Valley, I was stricken by germs of the nastiest nature this month (so many hot toddies and TV). See also: The 10 Best Things I Ate in 2012 But despite the lingering ailments, I still managed to find some great eats for January…
Restaurateur and James Beard Award nominee Sam Fox is no stranger to opening new concepts, but The Yard may be his most ambitious one to date. See also: – Scratch Pastries to Open Phoenix Location in February – Old Dixie’s Food Truck Finds Brick-and-Mortar Home at Welcome Diner Teaming up…
This is part two of my interview with Doug Robson, chef-owner of Gallo Blanco Café. If you missed part one, where Robson described eating beetles and maguey worms, read it here. See also: Gallo Blanco: Happy Hour Report Card — Gallo Blanco’s Doug Robson Won’t Ditch the Rooster Your most…
It’s only been about a month since the short-lived pop-up venture inside Downtown Phoenix’s Squashblossom fell apart due to a falling-out between Squash Blossom owner Brian Lester and the pair behind the P. Joseph Project, Jason Raducha and Patrick Boll. In January, Lester said he’d be looking for new partners…
Since it opened last April, Astor House, from architect DJ Fernandes, who also owns Tuck Shop, the adjacent Coronado neighborhood restaurant, has been trying to find its groove. See also: – Liberty’s Biscuits: Bringing Comfort Food to the Streets – A New Weekly Food Truck Event: Washington Wednesdays at CO+HOOTS…
Doug Robson Gallo Blanco Café, The Clarendon Hotel 401 W. Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix 602-274-4774 www.galloblancocafe.com See also: — Gallo Blanco’s Doug Robson to Open New (and Slightly Different) Mexican Restaurant in March — 8 Best Neighborhood Mexican Restaurants: Best of Phoenix 2012 This is part one of my interview with…
Sugar lovers, rejoice. We can’t believe it’s already time to announce the details for the sweetest event of the year, Chow Bella and Smeeks’ fourth annual Caramelpalooza, coming Friday, April 5 at 7 p.m. See also: – Caramelpalooza 2012: The Winners! – 5 Sweet Spots for Valentine Treats in Metro…
This month we bid adieu to longtime Valley restaurant Oaxaca Restaurant and Cantina but we also welcomed a few new ones, including a couple coffee shops and a spot in Queen Creek that serves traditional Dominican food. See Also: –Metro Phoenix’s 2012 Restaurant Openings and Closings –November Openings and Closings…
Matt Carter started the local nose-to-tail trend four years ago, slow-roasting a whole pig in La Caja China for Sunday brunch at The Mission. Kevin Binkley jumped in whole hog last fall, offering an all-you-can-eat pig dinner on Saturday afternoons and evenings at Cafe Bink. Now Jared Porter is getting…
One of the Valley’s Southern-flavor mobiles recently gave up its wheels in favor of a brick-and-mortar home. But let’s not forget about the other biscuit truck out there, one that’s still hitting the Valley streets offering comfort food to the masses. Liberty’s Biscuits owner Rachel Millard isn’t from the South,…
When it comes to fast casual Asian eats served up chain-restaurant style, you would have thought the Valley would be full up thanks to the nearly 20 locations of Pei Wei Asian Diners. Not so. See also: – Cupcake Love-In Founder Opens Coffee Shop Inside Her Scottsdale Bakery – Scottsdale’s…
Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? We’ve got you covered. Check out what’s on our plate. See Also: 5 Sweet Spots for Valentine Treats in Metro Phoenix Botanica at the Farm at South Mountain Opens Feb. 1 Haute Chocolate Market & Festival at the Heard Museum…
While it’s true that Market Street Kitchen at DC Ranch is best classified as a neighborhood restaurant, it’s a neighborhood restaurant aimed at a pretty sophisticated audience. See also: Rich Heider Whips Up Heavenly Hot Chocolate Cocktails at Market Street Kitchen How else to explain a legit cocktail program (with…
While a jumbo tub of hot buttered popcorn is one of our most frequently indulged guilty pleasures, we think a good movie deserves a little better company than junk food. Try out our movie and meal pairings for yourself or feel free to suggest one of your own favorites in…
I was eating dinner with my parents, and my 80 year-old father, who doesn’t sugarcoat his opinions, said that he didn’t like kale. o be more precise, he was chewing with effort and his face was contorted with a look of disgust. Then, as he half swallowed and half gagged…
For many, hearing the news that there is traditional comida Dominicana in the Valley is a lot like seeing a shirtless Bradley Cooper in a spin class: There is squealing and some people may accidentally hurt themselves from the excitement. See also: Speakeasy Saloon & Grill Opens in Chandler and…
Former schoolteacher and healthy eating advocate Roushan Cristofellis is setting out to slim down the fast-food industry — one drive-thru salad at a time. See also: – Tempe’s Sleepy Dog Saloon and Brewery Opening Gilbert Spinoff (With Eats) in February – New Italian Restaurant from Ex-Corporate America Couple Opens in…
There’s something exciting brewing at the Farm at South Mountain and if you keep a close eye on things down there, you may already have heard about the store opening next to Quiessence. This Friday, Botanica at the Farm at South Mountain will open to the public and we’re pretty…
