Wine lovers, are you tired of hearing about “Sonoma this” and “Napa Valley that?” It’s time to put Arizona’s wineries on the map. In this week’s Meal Ticket dining newsletter, we’ll tell you who’s headed to Page Valley’s vineyards and how you can get in on an upcoming tour. We’ve…
Brian Ferguson runs the most organized, least serious army platoon in town. It’s also the tastiest. Those are his words, by the way, “army platoon.” He describes his team as “a very tight, cohesive unit. You don’t have to have a lot of explanation or talking; the guys know exactly…
Chef Joseph Gutierrez wasted no time in opening Tutto in the recently vacated Digestif space, and there was word that he’ll be opening two more eateries at SouthBridge this year. As of today, it’s official. In a press release just issued by SouthBridge, there’s confirmation that Gutierrez will also be…
Don’t be surprised to hear your stomach growl if you look at the menu at brand-new Karey’s Kitchen, which bills itself as a “Filipino-Mexican Fusion Cafe.” The food sounds mouthwatering. Along with South of the Border fare like flautas and chimichangas, the eatery offers Filipino treats such as lumpia (pork…
It’s too hot to cook, so just skip to dessert. That’s our philosophy, anyway. Besides, most summertime desserts have the added benefit of being cold, and anything that helps beat the heat is a winner. This week we offer you a daily guide to the sweet treats of summer, from…
Nothing says summer like vodka. OK, that’s not true. Nothing says depressing, oppressive Russian winters like vodka. But, in any case, nothing says summer like a soap opera-like novel focused on an alcoholic drink. That’s just what you’ll find in Phoenix-born-and-raised author Linda Himelstein’s new book: The King of Vodka…
Does anyone remember this guy? He’s Maja, the local rapper, lyricist and anime-enthusiast who Benjamin Leatherman profiled back in 2007 because of his unique brand of hip-hop, which he called a “fusion of urban culture and dorkdom chic.” Well, it’s been a few years, but his name is still Maja…
A friend passed along a tip on a new restaurant in North Phoenix that just had its grand opening. It’s called Rustic Cafe, and is located on Cave Creek Road, north of the 101 (20811 N. Cave Creek Rd.). Open daily from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the place serves…
For about a year and a half, Cartel Coffee Lab in Tempe has been slinging some great java. They definitely have put a premium on serving up quality coffee out of their funky strip mall home. They’re so crazy about coffee that they host occasional latte art showdowns between valley…
It’s too hot to cook, so just skip to dessert. That’s our philosophy, anyway. Besides, most summertime desserts have the added benefit of being cold, and anything that helps beat the heat is a winner. This week we offer you a daily guide to the sweet treats of summer, from…
So, you’ve read Julie & Julia and all of Ruth Reichl’s books, but you’re hungry for more? Fear not, summer reader. We’ve got a week’s worth of book recommendations for you, all food-related in one way or another, starting today with The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer 8. Lee. Speaking of…
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: Caffiend: Copper Star Coffee’s Coconut Mocha Richardson’s, RIP Chef…
Looks like the jury’s still out on what caused the Richardson’s fire two weeks ago, though investigators are getting closer to finding the cause, according to spokesperson Frank Salomon. Phoenix Fire Department Investigator Marika McCue has teamed up with three insurance companies, and expect to issue a report on what…
When brands go bust, local franchises suffer. In 2008 alone, seven of America’s best-known brands in the food industry have filed for bankruptcy in reaction to the slowing economy — leaving their local franchises fighting to stay afloat. In a new report from CNN, the pattern is clear. From the…
Another local gem has shut its doors recently: Second Line Creole Caribbean Cuisine. At least, we can probably assume that from the “closed” sign in the window during its usual business hours, and the disconnected phone number. New Orleans native Duma Shange had opened the south Phoenix restaurant back in…
We’ll admit it. A childhood built on eating Mexican food from the unending selection of generic joints strewn about Houston, Texas suburbia did not prepare us for the glory of New Mexican…er…Mexican. That’s why we’re looking forward to filling our mouths with chilies courtesy of Si Señor Restaurant as featured in…
It’s not over ’til it’s over. An earlier report by the Republic was premature; Canal at SouthBridge hasn’t closed quite yet. It will continue dinner service today through Saturday. Chef Justin Beckett will be offering the regular menu as well as a special $25 prix fixe menu…
We really should have started a restaurant death pool this summer. If only I’d been so organized, I would’ve put Canal at the top of the list — based on all the rumors of the SouthBridge restaurant’s excruciatingly sloooooow business. The place just closed, reports the Republic, likely soon to…
You’d think that my recent run-in with a jalapeño at a central Phoenix hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint would’ve killed my appetite for the spicy stuff. It did. That hideously hot little bugger brought me down within 15 minutes of eating it and wrecked me for a day. To be sure, I…
There’s been a lot of talking and tweeting today about yesterday’s blog post on the return of Counter Culture, this time, we’ve heard, to a prime location on Mill Avenue. Andres Yuhnke, co-founder of Counter Culture, told Chow Bella earlier this week that his business was a lock to reemerge on Mill. While…
With one post of her Facebook and another on her Twitter account yesterday, Lisa Giungo (of Lisa G Cafe Wine Bar) raised $250 and two plane tickets for her longtime friend and colleague, Lionel Geuskens. And that was just in one day, “so I know I can get him home,”…
It was less than 3 weeks ago that we announced they were downsizing. Valley foodies barely had time to pine away for the culinary stylings of Chef Payton Curry before word spread of the reopening of Valley favorite Digestif, tonight at 5. Reservations are coming in quickly, but if you…
