Christopher Gross Dishes on Oliver Stone and Food Bloggers

See also: Christopher Gross’ Parnassienne au Chocolate Chocolate Tower This is part two of my interview with Christopher Gross, chef-owner of Christopher’s Restaurant and Crush Lounge. See part one of my interview. What the average person doesn’t understand about chefs is: We’re not artists. If an artist doesn’t want to…

58: Richie Moe

From now ’til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers — Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you’ll know; for others, it’ll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you’re here, check…

Johnny Chu’s SoChu House to Open Thursday, July 19

See also: Johnny Chu Moving Sens Asian Tapas to CenPho, Opening New Restaurant in Peoria Citing a drop in business, in April, Johnny Chu, chef-owner of Tien Wong Hot Pot in Chandler and the defunct Lucky Dragon in Tempe and Fate in downtown’s Roosevelt Row district, made the announcement he…

Food Trucks Roll Into Downtown’s Luhrs Tower Today

A year ago, the question used to be, “Where are the food trucks?” Now, a better question might be, “Where aren’t they?” From Food Truck Friday and Wednesday Night Mania at the Phoenix Public Market to Tuesday aftenoons at the historic Phoenix Seed & Feed Building and at events, farmers…

Mexican-American Fusion Restaurant Coming to Arcadia

“I grew up in Arcadia, and went to Arcadia High School, so this location just felt right.” That’s Reed Johnson, owner of Milagro Grill, a new Mexican-American fusion restaurant planned to open in mid-August at 4280 East Indian School Road, at the corner of a strip mall and in the…

CLOSING: Next Coffee Company in Glendale

On the heels of Royal Coffee Bar shuttering its location in Downtown Phoenix, Next Coffee Company, a neighborhood java shop in Glendale, has announced it will be closing its doors as well. First opened in 2008 and across the street from Midwestern University, Next started as a hangout for college…

Eating 16th Street: Let’s Begin at Pollo Sabroso

See also: Calle 16: A Mural Project Hey readers, get ready. We’re putting new meaning into the term “street food.” For Chow Bella’s latest mission — “Eating 16th Street” — we’ve employed a young woman who’s literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow,…

59: Nobuo Fukuda

From now ’til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers — Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you’ll know; for others, it’ll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you’re here, check…

Three Things to Eat, Drink, and Bake this Weekend

The actual Fourth of July holiday may have been on Wednesday, but as far as we’re concerned, the celebration should continue through the entire weekend. So we’re extending our patriotic plans this weekend with a real Arizona burger, a couple of historic American cocktails, and a batch of sinfully good…

Ankimo, the Foie Gras of Japan, Gets a Modern Tweak at Hana

See also: Hana’s Lori Hashimoto Dishes on Brazilian Lobster, Magic Knives and Keeping It All in the Family See also: Round Two with Lori Hashimoto Food-istas like to say that ankimo — the huge one-pound liver of the monkfish — is the foie gras of Japan. After it’s been marinated,…

60: Denise Clayton

From now ’til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers — Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you’ll know; for others, it’ll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you’re here, check…

Pita Jungle’s New Ad Has Nothing to Do With Pitas or a Jungle: Discuss.

After you’ve finished giving your what-I-did-for-the-Fourth-of-July recap to your co-workers for the zillionth time, you’re going to need something else to discuss. Here’s a suggestion: Scottsdale-based Pita Jungle, the Mediterranean-inspired healthy eating chain with over 15 locations throughout Arizona and California, has released its very first commercial. It’s kind of…

Palee’s Crown in Mesa Is Fit for a Thai Queen

Thai beef noodle soup is not all that different from Vietnamese pho. Both are fragrant and laden with a variety of textures, and their deep, rich broths are the result of a multitude of herbs and spices stewed with meat for hours. They are dishes cooked with patience, but often…

Black Bean Salad with Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

It’s Independence Day, folks. Game on. I have a love/hate relationship with food-oriented holidays. I really like getting together with friends and sharing food, but I don’t like deciding what to make. In fact — I’m whispering here — sometimes I’ll decline potluck-style invitations cause the pressure is just too…