Chicago Hamburger Company vs. Boomer’s Sweet Home Chicago This week we went to two Chicago-style restaurants to compare sliders, those adorable mini burgers that are so small they slide down your throat. Why Chicago? It’s not completely clear but apparently Walter Anderson, the founder of White Castle, wanted burgers to be…
If you’re craving a juicy hamburger but don’t want to deal with kiddie playgrounds and cartoon characters, check out this week’s Meal Ticket dining newsletter for info on a late-night date place where burgers are king. We’ll also have the scoop on a back to school party for grown-ups and one of the…
A lot can happen in six months. For Regions Bistro & Bar in Scottsdale (9343 E. Shea), that span of time included a February debut (followed a month later by the opening of a sister location in Tempe), the swift departure of its original executive chef, a sudden closure in June…
Delicious news, cheese freaks. Lara Hardwick’s indie cheese shop, Petit Fromage, is open for business. It’s located inside D’licious Dishes, at 7th Avenue and Missouri, and boasts a well-curated selection of gourmet cheeses from artisanal producers around the world. Business hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday,…
Listen up, downtown watchers. A brand-new, independently owned restaurant is in the works for a Phoenix landmark. It’s an Italian eatery called Via Roma Ristorante, set to take over the space inside the historic Hotel San Carlos that used to house the often-dead-seeming Copper Door. The menu’s not available yet, but the…
Is the Mondrian Scottsdale about to say adios to Asia de Cuba? Hotel management could “not confirm or deny” any imminent changes at the high-style Asian-fusion restaurant, and Asia de Cuba’s parent company, China Grill Management — which owns two-dozen eateries around the world — officially says there are no changes in…
Saturday night, a group of thirty or so animal activists led by Dani Thumma — with the help of the California-based Animal Protection and Rescue League and In Defense of Animals — pounced on the Biltmore in East Phoenix to protest the serving of foie gras at Christopher’s Restaurant and Crush Lounge. Not the best…
Call me a shameless arugula eater, but I still can’t get over the Obama family’s choice of dinner destination when they were in Phoenix this past Saturday night: Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen on Central Avenue, the flagship among the Southwestern chain’s 18 locations. Seriously? Sure, Macayo’s has been around long enough to…
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: Macaron Mania: Essence Bakery Cafe Keeps Fans in the…
Goodbye, DC Ranch. That’s pretty much the sentiment coming from chef Aaron May, who closed his casual Italian restaurant Autostrada on Wednesday, and now tells me he will be closing his other DC Ranch eatery, Sol y Sombra, this weekend. Sunday brunch will be the last service. “It’s a tough…
Breakfast is usually considered the most important meal of the day because it fuels you through the morning, but who says you have to eat it in the a.m.? Tonight, it’s an opportunity to help the Arizona Children’s Association. Hickman’s Family Farms is sponsoring “PJ and Eggs” this evening, a breakfast-for-dinner…
According to a representative from Market Street at DC Ranch, chef Aaron May’s casual Italian restaurant Autostrada closed two nights ago. There is a sign on the door inviting customers to visit May’s neighboring tapas restaurant, Sol y Sombra. I wasn’t able to reach May yet today, and the restaurant’s…
You never know where your passions might lead you. For beer aficionado Rob Sizemore, an obsession with suds turned into to a homebrewing hobby, which eventually led to proper training with the American Brewers Guild. Now he’s working on opening his own microbrewery in Tempe, Sleepy Dog Saloon & Brewery,…
Cheap, greasy and not all that good; that’s Pancho’s Mexican Buffet for you. Yet if there is one redeeming concept within this bastion of low-end comida, it’s the magic flag. Raise it up and a waitress will bring you as many soggy enchiladas as you’d like. Genius! Knowing that this…
From Fatburger to In-N-Out Burger, there’s no shortage of burger joints in Tempe, but with thousands of ASU students to munch on them, what’s one more? This fall, Denver-based burger chain Smashburger is hoping to take a bite out of that business with the opening of its first Arizona location, at 777 S. College Ave…
If you’re playing part-time vegetarian, beware of Fogo de Chao. When you set foot in this traditional Brazilian steakhouse, don’t be surprised to fall off the wagon right into the middle of a meat parade. Abandon your diet, if only for the night. Forget about moderation, too. To truly make…
“I love American food,” he says, “and I just seem to always be drawn to that — like I’m drawn to blues music, like I’m drawn to country music, I’m drawn to the same, original foods.” But, from the beef brisket and the pulled pork to the potato salad and…
Corbin’s vs. Cheuvront There are so many ways to make grilled cheese. Sourdough or white bread? Cheddar cheese, American cheese or Swiss? With or without tomato? We explored a few grilled cheese haunts this week to bring you a sandwich face-off. In One Corner: Corbin’s Bar and Grill 8729 N…
Curious what’s in season at the new Calistro California Bistro? Find out from Chef Devin Walsh in this week’s Meal Ticket dining newsletter, and discover the unusual ingredient he uses to make his savory sauces and dressings. Hint: It’s not butter or cream. We’ll also dish deep on a trendy pizzeria and wine bar…
Cute little Bertha’s Cafe is all grown up. The old postage-stamp sized restaurant near the corner of 40th Street and Thomas in Phoenix closed in April when owner Beth Goldwater’s lease was not renewed. Goldwater hustled and found a new spot at 3134 E. Indian School Road near 32nd Street…
It says something when a chef names his restaurant after himself. In our opinion, it says something good. After Bryan Dooley spent 15 years as a chef at the luxurious Fairmont Scottsdale, he opened Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue in downtown Cave Creek. Yep, that’s right, barbecue — not chilled soups…
The Crave Arizona culinary festival is 72 days away, so to get the early buzz going, the organizers are having a 72-hour sale on tickets. The price? $72, naturally. It’s a special ticket package (regular price, $100) that includes admission to the event kickoff party and Top Bar Chef Competition,…
