Restaurants

We had some wonderful acrostic poems in our last Caramelpalooza contest, but there can only be one reader. The lucky person who gets to be a judge in our blind tasting is……

From now through Caramelpalooza — March 2 at Smeeks candy shop — Chow Bella will introduce you to the 18 chefs participating in the third annual caramel tasting. Today, meet the Veladors of Super Chunk Sweets & Treats. Husband and wife team Sergio and Country Velador describe Super Chunk Sweets & Treats as…

It looks like there are finally signs of life starting to happen at 3160 East Camelback Road — and they promise to be tasty ones. The property, on the northwest corner of Camelback Road and 32nd Street, was the former home of the upscale sushi restaurant Zen 32 for nearly…

​From now through Caramelpalooza — March 2 at Smeeks candy shop — Chow Bella will introduce you to the 18 chefs participating in the third annual caramel tasting. Today, meet Barbara WIlson of Barb’s Sweets and Treats.Barbara Wilson knows her way around the pastry kitchen. She’s been baking for over 40 years (though…

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, some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that have just opened,…

If you thought Angelina’s right leg taking on a life – and social life, see Twitter account: @AngiesRightLeg – of its own at this year’s Oscars was bizarre enough, wait until you see what the world’s been cooking up about her better half. Let’s face it, you could put Brad…

The week has come and gone and we still don’t know why — what with 52 weeks on the calendar — cocktail week and beer week had to fall at the same time. We’ll be thirsty the rest of the year, but at least we have some photos to look…

From now through Caramelpalooza — March 2 at Smeeks candy shop — Chow Bella will introduce you to the 18 chefs participating in the third annual caramel tasting. Today, meet David Duarte of the Hyatt Regency Phoenix. Duarte has been with the Hyatt for 3 ½ years where he quickly…

Do you like pancakes? What about free pancakes? It’s IHOP’s 7th Annual National Pancake Day and, for 15 hours only, IHOP will be giving away free short stacks of their “famous” (their words, not ours) buttermilk pancakes…

From now through Caramelpalooza — March 2 at Smeeks candy shop — Chow Bella will introduce you to the 17 chefs participating in the third annual caramel tasting. Today, meet Joan and Tim O’Connor of Honey Moon Sweets This culinary duo has been rolling out pastries from from their well-loved…

On the heels of last week’s announcement that chef James Porter was leaving Big Earl’s BBQ in Scottsdale, where he was chef and operating manager, comes that news that his Parisian bistro in Old Town Scottsdale, Petite Maison, will be resuming its lunch and champagne brunch the first week of…

Lately, in this In Season series, we’re taking a look at what I take home from Crooked Sky Farms each week and see what I’ve done with my CSA share, or part share. This week I’m using swiss chard…

From now through Caramelpalooza — March 2 at Smeeks candy shop — Chow Bella will introduce you to the 18 chefs participating in the third annual caramel tasting. Today, meet Debra Giovenco Cole of ‘Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana at the Borgata in Scottsdale and That’s a Wrap in Phoenix…

Our Caramelpalooza limerick contest didn’t draw as many entries as the haiku one did, but we do have a winner, Susan Martin, who came up with an excellent one: In life there are good things to eat, from savory right through to sweet. so I want to take a short…

There’s a new favorite ice cream in town. Head to Cowboy Ciao for the Cobbler & Quack dessert, a traditional apple cobbler served with none other than duck fat ice cream.

​Yesterday we talked about the Hot Scotchy, the secret cocktail of the brewing community. Actually creating the drink is an involved process that requires homebrewing equipment, grain or some type of malt extract, and water, along with your choice of scotch. If you don’t brew, you’re better off finding a…

From now through Caramelpalooza — March 2 at Smeeks candy shop — Chow Bella will introduce you to the 17 chefs participating in the third annual caramel tasting. Today, meet Tammie Coe of Tammie Coe Cakes…

No fair! Here we’ve spent weeks discussing options for an Arizona state food, and here comes the state of Maine with the coolest state food ever: the whoopie pie. Who knew? These treats are kind of (at least in appearance) like oversized French macarons; two rounded chocolate cakes resembling buns,…

After just over a year, chef James Porter is leaving Big Earl’s BBQ in Scottsdale, where he was chef and operating manager, and focusing full time on Petite Maison, his Parisian bistro in Old Town Scottsdale. Porter was able to open Big Earl’s (formerly Jac’s Pizzeria) just thirty days after…

​An arcane and mysterious sect, brewers like to perform a number of rituals during the making of beer: the pre-mash dance and battle cry, the sacramental blessing of the hops, the ceremonial loogie into the day’s first boil. (ED NOTE: These are all made up. We hope.) But perhaps no…

From now through Caramelpalooza — March 2 at Smeeks candy shop — Chow Bella will introduce you to the 18 chefs participating in the third annual caramel tasting. Today, meet Beatriz Alatorre de Hong, or as she’s known in the Mexican popsicle world, Paletas Betty. You could describe a paleta as a Mexico-born ice…

This week I am introducing you to my new favorite  Pinterest indulgence:  The Bourbon Chocolate Milkshake!   The first thing you’ll notice about this week’s Pinterest-come-to-life selection is that it kind of sounds like a dance.  The second thing you’ll notice is that this Bourbon Chocolate Milkshake has the ability…