Sometimes the internet takes a break from its usual offering of ridiculous celebrity gossip, people attempting to dance, and angry cats to bring us something truly wonderful. This week, Chompie’s, the New York-style deli chain operating in the Valley since 1979, released two videos of its founders, Lou and Lovey…
The McRib. Sandwich of Legend. It comes as swiftly as it goes, like a wayward lover in the night only to pop up again like a mouth-watering souvenir from the past. Since its debut on McDonald’s menu in 1981, the McRib had claimed a truly special place in fast-food history. It’s…
If you have been to Siam in Glendale or, more recently, Thai E-San in Central Phoenix, then chances are, you have tasted Pete (or, in Thai, Tossapis) Pholtosa’s offerings of classic Thai cuisine as well as specific dishes from his home in northeastern Thailand. Now, Pholtosa’s resurfaced with Pete’s Thai…
Some meals are meant to be solo adventures, reserved reflections on flavors executed with slow, thoughtful bites in the quietude of an intimate setting. This was not one of them. The thought occurred to me when the steaming sticky rice arrived in a small bamboo basket. Like children suddenly permitted…
We hear that Prince Harry, a.k.a. The Real Prince Charming, is now just an hour and a half away near Gila Bend for the final leg of his Apache helicopter training. We know he’s already made a couple road trips to San Diego during his stay in El Centro so we’re…
Paul Lindsay appears to be on the fast track at the La Grande Orange dynasty. On Monday, the former chef of La Grande Orange Pizzeria and the Arcadia Room was promoted to executive chef of Chelsea’s Kitchen. Lindsay started at Chelsea’s Kitchen before being transferred to LGO and the Arcadia…
Welcome to Chow Bella’s Bites & Dishes, where each week Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question or topic New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you’d like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. Miss a question? Go here. With the rise of celebrity chefs…
Been to the Pink Spot lately? Looks like they’ve been busy. The all-day breakfast, coffee, and scoop joint in Phoenix has recently added lunch to its arsenal of eats in the form of six varieties of made-to-order wraps with ingredients like caramelized onions, croutons, pesto and cilantro cream sauces, and…
Jennifer Woods Debate all you want about the merits of bread pudding. Here’s a trend we can all embrace: chef gardens. They’re popping up all over town, most recently on the rooftop of the downtown Phoenix Sheraton, on behalf of the hotel restaurant, District American Kitchen. This is no farm, true, but…
Green New American Vegetarian has a new location in Central Phoenix. What happens when two carnivores check it out and eat a vegan lunch?
Jeff Moriarty, founder of Ignite Phoenix, wants to do for food what Ignite Phoenix has done for ideas: inspire, educate, and entertain. “We want Ignite Food to include all aspects of growing, preparing, and eating food,” says Moriarty. “We would like to hear from not just some of the amazing…
Jon Lane hasn’t owned a restaurant before, but he’s worked in several of them. “My dad owned a banquet facility and I’ve worked in fast food, fine dining, and was a bar tender for Four Peaks and Dos Gringos for a while,” he says. “If you’re in the restaurant business,…
When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions. Share a few photos, some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that have just opened,…
After seven years, Market Bistro, the family owned lunch and dinner eatery of pizzas and sandwiches (not to be confused with Vincent Market Bistro), has shuttered both of its locations. The Moon Valley location, on 777 East Thunderbird Road, opened in 2004 and the Kierland location, at 6501 East Greenway…
True Food Kitchen’s website states, “We believe that simple, fresh, pure ingredients create the most memorable and satisfying meals.” So, their dessert has to be good, right? Not only that, but several of their desserts are vegan and/or gluten free.
Here’s a little tip: If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck make sure you’re actually buying local. Just because someone is selling produce out of a stall does not mean they didn’t ship their cantaloupes in from California and are passing those costs on to you…
The rosy red hue of an apple, the rustic brown of braised short ribs, the unrefined greens of leaf lettuce — BOOOOORRRRR-ING! Now you can change the color of everything you eat (as long as it’s to gold, silver, red, or blue) thanks to Esslack, a tasteless, non-toxic, edible spray…
When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions. Share a few photos, some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that have just opened,…
This week, Serious Eats, the website and blog created by food critic and author Ed Levine and winner of two James Beard awards, released its first publication entitled, “Serious Eats: A Comprehensive Guide to Making and Eating Delicious Food Wherever You Are.” The new book features recipes as well as…
NOOOOOOOOOOOO! This can’t be. How can Cathy’s close? Who is going to make the cake for my wedding if I find some sucker to marry me? Damn it. This really puts a wrench in my imaginary plans. After almost 37 years in business, Cathy Bua has shut the doors to…
The one thing all pies have in common is crust. Despite the ubiquity at the bottom of every pie, a good crust is often hard to find. The problem for most people is that they do not make enough pies to become crust-proficient. The solution is a foolproof crust.
Rise and shine, breakfast lovers! If the first meal of the day is as important to you as it is to me, you’ll need to check out my review of Perk Eatery in Scottsdale. These folks know breakfast — lunch, too — and they’ve got some of the best pancakes…
