Cookie Showdown: Peppermint Chocolate Bonbons

​Cookie exchanges are a staple at every holiday office party, including the offices of Chow Bella. But the contributors to this blog are a cutthroat bunch, and with an inordinate amount of trash talk thrown about, our cookie exchange quickly became a cookie showdown. Check back here each day through…

Chef Chat: Charles Wiley of Hotel Valley Ho

Though he’s never been east of New Jersey or west of Alaska, Chef Charles “Chuck” Wiley traveled a long way to get where he is today.  As a child, Wiley dreamed of working on cars. He was hired at a local auto body shop in New Jersey at the age of 12 and worked his way up to doing brake…

Julia Baker: Luscious Drinking Chocolate Recipe

Yesterday in Sweet Talk, Julia Baker of Julia Baker Confections talked about following her taste buds to develop chocolates that are balanced in flavor and beautiful. Her new line of signature chocolate bars are both. Just in time for the return of chilly nights and holiday beverages, Julia shares her…

Shawnte Orion, What Are You Eating?

Shawnte OrionThe published poet will be reading with one of his favorite poets (Bakeem Lloyd) at Urban Beans on Friday, December 17th for the Phoenix Poetry Series. What’d you eat for dinner last night? Carly’s Europa panini, while listening to the smooth sounds of The Doug Bale Experience. Favorite food:…

Taberna Mexicana in Scottsdale

Scottsdale Seville welcomed a new tenant last month, with the opening of Taberna Mexicana. Partners Niel Morgan, Chase Morgan and Chris Harter launched this upscale destination for modern Mexican cuisine in the same location that used to house Roy’s. While executive chef Alex Padilla, native of Mexico City and classically…

Cookie Showdown: Melting Moments

Holiday cookie platters are a staple at our family gatherings come December: Sugar cookie cutouts, Russian teacakes, peanut butter blossoms, fudge, buckeyes, holiday wreaths, and the simplistic wonder that is Melting Moments.

BLOW JOB Special at Dave & Buster’s

Before you start thinking the Dave & Buster’s at Tempe Marketplace is selling cheap sexual favors, relax: a BLOW JOB is simply a tasty shot made with 3/4 ounce Bailey’s and 3/4 ounce Kahlua. It’s topped with whipped cream and taken with the mouth only–hands go behind the back–for a…

Kimberly Blaess, What Are You Baking?

Even if your oven sits cold all year, chances are you’re considering firing it up, right about now. As a holiday twist on our “What Are You Eating?” feature on Chow Bella and “What Are You Wearing?” on Jackalope Ranch, for the next few weeks we’ll be bringing you “What…

This Week In Chow Bella

Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let’s have one last look at the blog posts from this week: Coming Soon to Downtown: Province Johnny Chu of Sens…

Gwen Ashley Walters, What Are You Baking?

Even if your oven sits cold all year, chances are you’re consideringfiring it up, right about now. As a holiday twist on our “What Are YouEating” feature on Chow Bella and “What Are You Wearing?” on JackalopeRanch, for the next few weeks we’ll be bringing you “What Are YouBaking?” Complete…

Cafe: The House at Secret Garden

We tend to stay away from anything that combines the word “secret” with the word “garden.” Chalk it up to some ignorant machismo, but that’s the way it is. Of course if The House at Secret Garden is half as good as Michele Laudig makes it sound in this week’s…

Getting Fried for Chanukah: The Parlor vs. The Grind

Sorry to disappoint, but no, we’re not indulging in pot brownies or some other drug-laced food during the Festival of Lights. This is a serious religious holiday, folks. So for this week’s Battle of the Dishes, we’re clogging our stomachs and arteries with greasy donuts! Apparently, oil-fried dough balls (called sufganiyot or loukoumades depending…

Johnny Chu of Sens & Tien Wong (Coming Soon), Part Two

Chef Johnny Chu cooks up traditional Asian fare in the open kitchen at Sens Asian Sake & Tapas Bar, infusing life into downtown Phoenix with his own eclectic décor and sleek outdoor patio. Now, he’s working double time to open the Valleys first authentic Asian hot pot/shabu-shabu restaurant called Tien Wong in Chandler. Today Chu tells us he why he stayed in the restaurant business (to avoid college and hunger), how hot pot cooking works (sizzling hot soup), and what he’s eating right now (it’s not sweet-and-sour pork).

Eytan Zias, What Are You Baking?

Today we’re baking with Eytan Zias of the Phoenix Knife House — an Israeli native with an affinity for Japanese knives. A former chef at restaurants from New York City to Phoenix, he’s been on a baking kick. Lucky us. What are you baking for the holidays this year?Rosemary and candied pine…

Arcadia Farms’ Key Lime Tart

Arcadia Farms’ Key Lime Tart​Yesterday we chatted with Laura Godfrey, pastry chef at Arcadia Farms. Laura delights in the mini desserts that are just the right size to finish off a celebration luncheon at Arcadia Farms. Today Laura shares the recipe for Arcadia Farms’ Key Lime Tart.follow the jump for…

Johnny Chu of Sens & Tien Wong (Coming Soon)

Chef Johnny Chu is on double-duty: He’s the chef/owner of Sens Asian Sake & Tapas Bar and the innovator bringing Asian hot-pot cooking to Chandler at the soon-to-be-launched Tien Wong. We catch Chu between gigs to talk travel, sake, and Asian markets. He lets us in on what a deep-fried fish with scales tastes like, the sake for beginners and the reason he’d never write a cookbook.

New Concessions at US Airways Center: The Taste Test

Last week we reported on US Airways Center’s plans to upgrade their concessions line-up, with a push toward incorporating more fresh and local ingredients. This week we’re bringing you the verdict on some of those new items from ZZ to Go, G’rilla Dogs, and Southwest Grill. How do these new…

Andrew Junker, What Are You Eating?

Andrew Junker The lead singer of local band Kinch plays at the band’s third annual Kinchmas party at the Rhythm Room on Thursday, December 23. Proceeds benefit Ozanam Manor, a homeless/transitional shelter in downtown Phoenix. The band says they try to make the night more like a party and less…

Shantal Chase and Alana Hankins of Carte Blanche Gourmet Tacos

The business: Carte Blanche Gourmet TacosWhat they’re packin’: Braised meats, a multitude of salsas and fresh slaws make these girls’ version of the Mexican staple unparalleled to anything else you’ve had off a cart (sober or otherwise). Also keep an eye out for nights when they feature authentic tamales from…