[jump] I’ve spent the last 30 years eating Mexican food around the Valley, and I’ve eaten at all of the old places, the standard places, the places that people have been shot in front of an hour after I left, and sure, the gringo places. Restaurant Mexico stands alone. There…
While FEZ isn’t exactly fine dining, the restaurant is a popular hangout that serves a noteworthy selection of cocktails along with some pretty tasty food. (Try the Key Lime Pie Martini, which just landed on our list of six favorite specialty cocktails.) We recently stopped by for dinner and decided…
There’ s more than one way to drink like an Irishman on St. Patrick’s Day. You could, of course, go wild with the Guinness and food-coloring-spiked beer, but you’d be missing out on the true national drink of Ireland: whiskey. And while Steve Goumas, owner of Rula Bula, recommends tasting…
Seriously … Gilbert? That was my first thought when I learned Postino was extending its reach out there to the far East Valley (yeah, I’m a Central Phoenix guy). Despite my apprehension, I got outta the bubble and ventured way past the strip malls and tract homes of varying shades…
It’s been said that God created whiskey to keep the Irish from taking over the world. If it’s true, he didn’t do a great job of it — the Irish take over the world every day on March 17. But while everyone may be from the land of the clover…
FREE CUPCAKES!!!!! We love free cupcakes, and we bet that you do, too. Starting last night, Sprinkle’s Cupcakes in Scottsdale will be staying open until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 8 p.m. on Sundays. To celebrate their new extended hours, they are giving away one of their heavily…
What better use for an extra case of Girl Scout cookies than a Chow Bella Showdown? In years past we’ve challenged our contributors to make something delicious out of Thin Mints and Trefoils. This time: Savannah Smiles. Stay tuned for more recipes and a decision from our “judge,” web editor…
Hey there, super busy weekend. It’s nice to see you! It’s another packed Phoenix weekend. Not only will every Irish (and not so Irish) bar in the city be partying hard this Saturday, but the Superstition Farms Food Truck Festival and the sneak peek at the brand new Postino Gilbert…
I’m headed to a neighbor’s for dinner, and I want to bring something besides a bottle of wine. I want to bring dessert. I have apples, and I tell myself that I should be able to make a pie. So what if it’s only 3 apples, and I don’t have…
For fans of Jamaican food, the Jerk Hut Jamaican Grille in Phoenix delivers on the island’s rich and highly seasoned flavors from a small selection of traditional, street-side dishes — including, quite possibly, some of the best jerk chicken in the Valley. And with its plentiful portions and wallet-friendly fare,…
What better use for an extra case of Girl Scout cookies than a Chow Bella Showdown? In years past we’ve challenged our contributors to make something delicious out of Thin Mints and Trefoils. This time: Savannah Smiles. Stay tuned for more recipes and a decision from our “judge,” web editor Eric Tsetsi. Everything…
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…
Homemade Nutella is making the Pinterest rounds lately. That is, it’s super popular right now. I like Nutella, but I never buy it. But I’ve been eying the various recipes for so long that it was time I tried it. Plus, I’ve had a bag of hazelnuts sitting in the…
The Phoenix Film Festival begins at the end of this month, bringing with it one of our favorite combos: film and food. This year the pairing gets even sweeter with a chance to win a pair of VIP passes along with dinner for ten at Chipotle. To further support the…
If you have been to Jamaica or know something about its cuisine, then you are undoubtedly familiar with its most popular dish: jerk. Dating back to the island’s earliest days, Christopher Columbus got an eyeful of Jamaica’s beginnings at the end of the 15th century, when he watched its indigenous…
You’ve seen gourmet food trucks all over town. Each one has its own different spin, giving a unique twist to casual street eats. For the most part, each better-known truck has its own specialty… except two of them. There is a pair of trucks prowling the Valley offering gourmet hot…
For the past two days we’ve been talking with Chef Christopher Wolf of Arizona Culinary Institute. He’s leading the ACI Food and Fitness Initiative in an effort to marry healthful living with the school’s culinary educational program. Wolf competes in marathons and triathlons, setting an inspiring example of what it…
What better use for an extra case of Girl Scout cookies than a Chow Bella Showdown? In years past we’ve challenged our contributors to make something delicious out of Thin Mints and Trefoils. This time: Savannah Smiles. Stay tuned for more recipes and a decision from our “judge,” web editor Eric Tsetsi. When I…
A fire on Monday has closed the Matador Restaurant in downtown Phoenix. The Phoenix Business Journal reports that the fire at the over 30-year-old Mexican eatery owned by Mike and Alexandra Anagnopoulos happened around 2:45 p.m. Monday afternoon, when the restaurant was closed, and was put out within minutes by…
NPR pledge season is upon us again, but KJZZ is breaking from their usual offers of vacations and iPads in favor of flavor. Anyone who pledges today has a shot at winning their “Foodie’s Dream” package. They’ve managed to line up 52 top shelf restaurants for this promotion. The full…
St. Patrick’s Day is this Saturday — yes, it’s on a Saturday this year! Hooray! Time to drink copious amounts of green beer and get completely shitfaced with a bunch of “Irish” strangers at some sort of big St. Patty’s Day party, right? Right. Okay, drinking tons of green beer…
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. Miss a question? Go here. Anthony Bourdain supports it, Wolfgang Puck’s against it, and on…
