Everyone who’s anyone in the Phoenix metro culinary scene, from local foodies to the stars of Hell’s Kitchen and Bravo’s Top Chef, turned out for this weekend’s Scottsdale Culinary Festival. Libations flowed at the Southwest Festival of Beers and inside the Robert Mondavi wine garden. Restaurant chefs whipped up crowd-pleasing…
The word on the streets is that Vinery 214, a new Mediterranean restaurant/wine bar on Roosevelt Row, finally opened its doors a few days ago. According to their website — a trainwreck if I’ve ever seen one — the menu includes a “Morocaan stuffed burger with spicey sweet potato fries,” “Fruite de Marie,” soups…
In the wake of the tens of thousands of people who flooded into the Scottsdale Civic Plaza this past weekend for the Scottsdale Culinary Festival (stay tuned for Jonathan McNamara and Wynter Holden’s coverage on Chow Bella today), it’s time to look to the other side of summer for the…
It’s been a while since I’ve strolled down Mill Avenue on a Saturday night. This past weekend, downtown Tempe’s main drag was nearly a mob scene, with people of all ages out on the town. No surprise, Mojo Yogurt seemed to be doing a brisk business. I’d never gotten a look…
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: Dutch Bros. ER-911 Big Feature on Chris Bianco…
Have you ever heard of the International Food Futurists? Me neither, but it sounds damn cool, like a space-age network of culinary spies. Can I join? Anyway, The Food Channel just released its predictions for the Top Ten Dessert Trends, based on research the website conducted with the International Food Futurists…
It’s going to hit 90 in the next couple of days; doesn’t some gelato sound good right about now? That’s what Yaron Cohen is hoping. The Israeli native and his Argentinian relative, Leo Faria, just opened their new shop, The Gelato Maker, last weekend. The two trained in a gelato…
Surely even the most casual of Phoenix foodies will begin to salivate at the mere mention of Kai at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa. But did you know that Kai has achieved Mobil Travel Guide’s 5-Star Rating in addition to AAA’s 5-diamond rating? That’s right, Phoenix. We’ve…
Update on last week’s post about summer market closings: Next month, the market at the Trilogy Golf Course at Power Ranch in Gilbert will move indoors to the ballroom, switch to first and third Wednesdays, and hang in there through June (which means April 22 outside, and May 6 and…
I’ve knocked back many a fine glass of Malbec at NOCA, and enjoyed some great cocktails there, too (like Hendrick’s gin with a spherical ice cube and a carafe of tonic). But it turns out that the restaurant’s food also goes really well with beer. To prove the point, they’ve done…
How often do you hear about sushi restaurants closing down? A lot less often than you hear of them opening up, I’d say. So here’s one of the rarities. Ten Sushi and Asian Fusion, a sleek spot in Cave Creek, is closing this weekend. Sunday is its last day in…
After a few weeks of palate put-offs, Food Critic Michele Laudig sinks her discerning fork into some beautiful cuisine crafted by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten at J&G Steakhouse. Food Critic Michele Laudig on J&G Steakhouse: Why do I like J&G Steakhouse so much? For me, this stylish spot successfully navigates…
A friend just sent me a link to today’s dining post in Tasting Table, a sort of Daily Candy-style food newsletter with New York, Los Angeles, and “Everywhere” editions. Phoenix got the “Everywhere” love, except Tasting Table’s four dining picks for this city were so predictable. I wish they would’ve…
Good for The Phoenician. I doubt anyone would argue that this city needed yet another high-end steakhouse, but the resort’s partnership with celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten was a really smart move. Why do I like J&G Steakhouse so much? For me, this stylish spot successfully navigates the fine line between…
I sort of understand why today would be a good day for restaurants to promote themselves. After you’ve done your time under a pile of paperwork — and perhaps coughed up some dough to Uncle Sam — you could use a free taco from Taco del Mar (print out a…
Just got the word from chef Matt Taylor at Metro Brasserie that the SouthBridge eatery has changed up its menu. A salad of green asparagus, morel cream, cured lemon, and fried corn; a pork pate banh mi (traditional Vietnamese sandwich on baguette); lardo-wrapped halibut; and duck breast with rhubarb, beluga…
Ever thought of pairing your spicy tuna roll with prickly pear ponzu, or creating a ceviche roll? If so, we’re impressed with your culinary adventurousness — and happy to introduce you to the new Banzai Cowboy Sushi Restaurant & Martini Bar at Scottsdale’s DC Ranch Market Street. This isn’t your…
The Scottsdale Culinary Festival sounds monolithic, but the granddaddy among the Valley’s culinary festivals is surprisingly multifaceted — a dozen different events at 16 different restaurants and venues around town, ranging from casual tastings to semi-formal sit-down occasions…
Got a craving for Pizzeria Bianco lately? Better get yourself down there asap — like, probably tonight — before too many people start cracking open their brand-new copies of Martha Stewart Living. The place is notorious for its wait, but I’m betting it will soon be even longer. Phoenix’s celebrated pizza…
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: LocavoreAZ Dinner at Superstition Farm is an a-moozing experience…
Big changes are happening on Stetson Drive. According to Mari Markogianis of Spaghetti Western Productions — the umbrella for Old Town Scottsdale faves Cowboy Ciao, Sea Saw, Kazimierz, and Digestif — Cowboy Ciao chef Bernie Kantak is leaving the restaurant sometime in the next two or three months to “spearhead a new…
As we move into the season of relentless, broiling sunlight, several of our local farmers’ markets very sensibly take a break until people start wanting to hang around outdoors again. (It’s also a challenge to keep human beings — let alone produce, dairy, or meat — fresh in a little…
