Damn, I’m an alliteration wizard today, huh? And to think, our freakin’ breakroom vending machines don’t even have Diet Coke right now. So check it out — Jenny Flake from Gilbert just competed as one of 15 finalists in Southern Living’s big annual recipe contest. And although she didn’t end…
Okay, well Chloe’s Corner is already here, sort of. Remember The Counter, that groovy little cafe/lunch counter/hipster boutique/gourmet mini-market across from Anthropologie at Kierland Commons? I always thought it was the quirkiest, most accessible eatery among the Fox Restaurants repertoire. It hasn’t gone anywhere. Last time I stopped by, a…
You know good weather and good eating are on the way when Vincent’s Camelback Market opens up after its summer hiatus. Held Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the parking lot right next to Vincent’s on Camelback, it’s one of my favorite weekend pitstops for fresh veggies, homemade…
I have always found it strange that the Valley lacks the kind of grab-and-go spots that are so popular in other big cities. Places that take the humble deli to a higher level, with mountains of mouthwatering gourmet food that’s tastier than most of us could ever hope to make…
Here I am again, blogging on an empty stomach — oh, the masochism! And now my sweet tooth is screaming out for dessert, since I just spent the last half hour reading posts on the darling Seattle-based dessert blog, Cakespy. You think you’re obsessed with cupcakes and frosting and sugary…
If you want to eat Japanese food day in and day out, without eating the same dish twice, you’ll have a hard time doing it in Phoenix. Yes, Japanese restaurants are cropping up like weeds, especially in the northeast Valley, but if you’re looking for something the busts out of…
Did you happen to read the New York Times yesterday? Local food blogger Seth Chadwick was a quoted source in the cover story for the Sunday Styles section — and his name showed up in bright, bold letters in the accompanying artwork. Sweet! The piece was about how bloggers can…
How often do you go out for German food? Probably not that frequently, considering there are only a handful of places in the entire Valley that serve it. I admit, I don’t indulge in it that often, either. But not because it’s too exotic. If anything, it’s too close to…
Finally — it’s almost here. The annual Best Of issue is about to hit the streets, and let me tell you, it will be one big mamma-jamma. My hands are ready to cramp up just thinking about it. (Ladies, have you ever seen the September issue of W magazine? This…
Earlier this year, legendary Spanish chef Ferran Adria found himself out of the frying pan and into the fire, when the organizers of Documenta — a huge, once-every-five-years contemporary art show held in Kassel, Germany — invited him to be one of only two Spanish contributors. It’s an understatement to…
Stepping up to top toque at Mary Elaine’s after doing time as executive sous chef for The Phoenician (the resort has nine different restaurants, including Windows on the Green and The Terrace), chef de cuisine Frank Belosic plans to launch his new winter menu in early October. The final details…
Do you love Japanese food? So do Ben Bethel and Justin Lee. They’re the owner and manager, respectively, of The Clarendon hotel, and right now they’re working on a Japanese-inspired menu for C4, the hotel’s new eatery and bar, which is slated to open in a couple of weeks. It’ll…
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Udupi Cafe, the Tempe Indian eatery that’s won rave reviews in the past for its vegetarian cuisine, just got nailed again by the Maricopa County Health Inspector. What a shame. You’d think they would’ve tried to shape up, after their inspection back in May…
Ooh, I finally got a hold of the menu for next week’s big James Beard Foundation event, Taste America. Check out what Arizona’s culinary rock stars — all James Beard Award winners for Best Chef: Southwest — are planning for the foodie confab: Miniature Lobster Rolls with Celery-Tarragon Tartar Sauce…
I got a tip from a fellow chocolate freak that Chatham’s Fine Chocolates is about to make a big move — definitely in the right direction, IMHO. No offense to Hilton Village, but I’m psyched to hear that the Valley’s best chocolate purveyor is heading to central Phoenix very soon…
I hate it when I can’t quite put my finger on something. Having plenty of opinions — and putting them all in writing — usually comes pretty readily, but ever since my first visit to Union Wine Bar & Grill, the new Old Town eatery by the folks behind Rancho…
Here’s an email that just came in from a New Times reader: I have just finished reading your article. “Overdone”, in the Sept. 13 issue of the New Times. While I have never been to Stax, something in your article struck me as wrong. You mentioned that the server never…
Last night I had a great dinner at Lisa G — killer balls, as always, plus a few new surprises. Lately, Lisa’s been busting out with different specials. And lucky for me, I got there on pizza night (Wednesday). My table ordered up a couple of ’em as appetizers, and…
This whole burger trend has really gotten out of hand. Whatever happened to a nice, juicy hamburger, big enough to hold with both hands, and cooked just the way you like it? That’s a simple, sublime experience that really shouldn’t be messed with. But no, somebody had to go and…
Honest — I really was ready to head out to east Mesa to check out Thai Hut one of these days, but thankfully the owners moved their Thai restaurant right into central Phoenix, to McDowell Road just east of Central Avenue. They opened a few days ago, right across the…
I had a headline idea for this column before I even sat down to write it: “Crowded House.” But that would give you the wrong impression about Palatte, a new downtown brunch spot tucked into a renovated historic home, right behind Cibo. Yes, the place is barely two months old,…
I’d be down for dinner at Asia de Cuba anyway, but a really good mojito for five bucks sounds like extra motivation. Through September, the restaurant’s offering happy hour cocktail specials from 4 to 7 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays. They just debuted a bunch of new menu items, too, including…
