For me, college was mostly a blur of all-day breakfast at Tom’s (the diner storefront always pictured in Seinfeld episodes), roast beef sandwiches from the student center, and bagels from anywhere I could get ’em. But college kids these days are eating a lot more sophisticated grub, it seems. Sodexo,…
SavorySweetLife.com blogger Alice just posted an incredible-looking recipe for salted hot caramel hot chocolate, with a porn-worthy photo to boot. Wow, does it ever look delish . . . The genius thing about it is that created her own version of the drink after she got addicted to the Starbucks…
Coffee fanatics have been waiting for the opening of Lola Coffee on Roosevelt, the second location of Daniel Wayne’s popular java joint, and it’s finally here. Stop by the historic Gold Spot building at 1001 N. 3rd Ave. (the entrance is actually on Roosevelt) between 7 and 10 p.m. tonight. Wayne’s done…
We weren’t always into sushi, but we loved Japanese fried chicken. During a year-long stint in the land of the rising sun, we would often drive our Daihatsu Mira (think of it as a mini Mini) to this tiny sushi shop to order karaage, which this particular shop served with…
Posh chef-owner Joshua Hebert has more than just New Year’s Eve to celebrate on December 31. It also happens to be his restaurant’s first anniversary.Situated on the ground level of the Optima Camelview condos, the fine-dining spot is known for its lack of a traditional menu. Instead of ordering a la…
Whoever said you can’t get something for nothing hasn’t been down to the Phoenix Public Library lately. We’ve been feeling little light on cash these days, so we’re browsing the books, perusing the DVDs, and catching up with a few favorite magazines, all free of charge with our handy library…
Doug Czufin and Bruce Lazarus of Sam’s Cafe are now the new owners of another Biltmore restaurant, Steamers Genuine Seafood, and from the sounds of it, they’ve really changed things up.The lunch and dinner menus have been tweaked, with lower pricing as well as new dishes, the decor’s gotten an…
Today, I’m geeking out over the latest post on The Japanese Food Report, an excellent blog that feeds my insatiable cravings for Japanese culinary esoterica. They’re talking about the sophisticated technique for butchering fish that extends the process of rigor mortis in the fish, and thereby enhances its umami (that is,…
It’s really kind of surprising that more people don’t talk about Essence Bakery Cafe — it’s one of the best places for lunch in Tempe, situated in that building on University that was the longtime home of Sabuddy (R.I.P.).I stopped by for a bite and was tempted by the most…
Living in Central Phoenix, I’m not about to state any allegiance between East Valley and West Valley restaurants. I’ll go wherever there’s good food to be had. But I can’t deny the overwhelming surplus of self-consciously hip sushi spots in the East Valley, where the trend is toward sleek and…
This Italian dish comes from Sassi’s executive chef Peter DeRuvo, whom we profiled in yesterday’s Chef Chat. He says there are several things to keep in mind when making his Paglia Fieno Pasta: Don’t burn your garlic, make sure every clam you have is open, don’t overdose on the lemon…
Looking for a quiet dinner spot that’s a little off the beaten path? In this week’s Meal Ticket, we’ve got the scoop on a newly revamped restaurant in Carefree that’s dishing up Mexican specialties like Cochinita Pibil and Mole Poblano. We’ll also have info on a new bar & grill in Chandler that’s…
The fact that Christmas is right around the corner and it’s gift-giving season is certainly a good excuse to visit Red Hot Robot, but seriously, wouldn’t you want to buy these crazy toys for yourself? I dropped by a few days ago and found myself giggling at every turn, from happy,…
For my dad’s annual visit to Arizona last weekend, I wanted to take him out to a nice dinner at someplace where the food would be great and the atmosphere would be comfortable — anything too trendy wouldn’t suit him one bit. So we hit up Caffe Boa in Tempe, which…
In New York City and Chicago, there are hot dog carts on every corner. Philly is home to the Pastrami Dog. Nathan’s boasts the famed footlong frank. Hot dogs are everywhere on the East Coast, in all styles and sizes. It’s a little more difficult to track down a footlong here in the…
Billy-Boy Wordsworth defined poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” Fitting then, we should apply this definition when we experience fabulous fare. See if you can relate to this week’s victual verse and feel free to pen a few lines of your own, should you be so inspired. McRib…
Three years ago, the folks behind the Scottsdale Culinary Festival invited local foodies to make nominations for its Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame, whose winners are selected by private committee and then feted at the culinary fest’s awards dinner. It was the first time in the award’s history that nominations were open…
Let’s say this up front: The new Stingray Sushi at Biltmore Fashion Park — a spinoff of the original in Old Town Scottsdale — is not opening any day now. But it seems to be moving forward. The news that the hip, retro-inspired eatery (from the same folks who own tiki-tastic…
You don’t need to twist my arm to read menus, especially when the food is French and the setting is charming Petite Maison in Scottsdale. The restaurant tweaks its offerings pretty much daily, but these new lunch and dinner menus are what the restaurant’s PR gal Wendy Goldman calls “a…
How well do you know your favorite cookhouse contraptions? Can you tell a melon baller from a cookie scoop? See if you can guess today’s gadget and check back next week for the answer and another noodler…
Sick of rum cakes that don’t deliver on the rum? We are, too. Luckily we know a recipe that has been a family favorite for as long as we can remember. The recipe came straight from mom’s secret stash, and we got permission to share it with you.The recipe is…
Peter DeRuvo’s come a long way since he started as executive chef at north Scottsdale’s Sassi a couple years ago. Since he’s been in the kitchen, the beautiful Italian restaurant has received the AAA Four Diamond award, a high honor indeed. Part of Sassi’s appeal is its ever-changing menu (the…
