Earlier this week, LON’s at the Hermosa announced that acclaimed executive chef Michael Rusconi is leaving the fine dining restaurant at the Hermosa Inn. Where is Rusconi headed? Will the restaurant continue with Rusconi’s emphasis on seasonal cuisine that emphasizes sustainable ingredients? Will the next chef at LON’s be recruited from elsewhere or from…
In their weekly wine newsletter, Roger Carpenter and Phil Roberts announced that they’re leaving their current Chandler digs in December and moving their Aussie-themed restaurant, DownUnder Wines & Bistro, to an expanded space in Gilbert (1422 W. Warner, northeast corner at McQueen)…
The Valley’s got steakhouses galore and burger joints in every direction, but if you’re looking for vegetarian food — whether you don’t eat meat or you just like to mix things up — it can be an exhaustive search. So how is it that Chandler has two very tasty, completely…
Local newcomer St. Francis just got some sweet national coverage in Food + Wine’s blog. It’s always great for the local restaurant scene when a Valley restaurant gets these kinds of props, and I’m definitely happy to see chef Aaron Chamberlin get the attention for his labor of love. But I’m still…
After the extended Halloween weekend hangover — chock full of too many S’Mores, wine, asskickingly strong microbrews, nachos, and various fried things — something light sounded appealing. I’m so lacking in vitamins these days. So I immediately thought of Sapna Cafe…
There’s no doubt that Joe’s Farm Grill is already a southeast Valley destination. Owner Joe Johnston converted his old family farmhouse into a Jetson-worthy burger joint, and the relaxing setting is a welcome reprieve from the city. But a free hamburger? That’s even more reason to visit. Head out today,…
Don’t be surprised if you see a familiar, affable face and shiny chrome dome at a local restaurant sometime in the near future. Travel Channel star Andrew Zimmern was scheduled to land in Arizona with his crew this week, filming a new episode of Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World. He’ll be…
Running a restaurant is a lot like entertaining guests at home for chef David Traina, our Chef Chat subject for this week. He keeps the dishes on the menu simple with ingredients he knows and loves.Several of the dishes at Liberty Market are things Traina would serve right out of…
Babaloos Cuban Cafe vs. Havana Cafe Created by immigrant laborers at the turn of the 20th century, the Cuban Sandwich is a tasty alternative to Plain Jane ham and cheese. Some versions have salami, some have lettuce and tomato, but the basics are the same: pork, spiced ham, cheese and…
Sometimes shopping at farmers markets can be overwhelming, and you end up packing 10 reusable bags full of fresh fruits and veggies but don’t know where to start once you get to the kitchen. Learn just how to turn all that produce into perfection at the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers’…
Phoenix is known as a home of transplants, with much of its population having relocated from elsewhere in the country (or in the world). But if you’re a Chicago native or an East Coaster, you’ll feel right at home in a Glendale restaurant that specializes in Philly cheese steaks and…
Go Jan and Helen! The ladies of Sweet Republic — North Scottsdale’s charming artisanal ice cream shop, which we awarded “Best Ice Cream” in this year’s Best of Phoenix issue — have gotten their product into Whole Foods in Scottsdale. Over the next week, they’ll be stocking the rest of…
Are you sensing a pattern here? As in, my obsession with sweet, edible, funny things? Oh yes, it’s bad. Don’t believe me? I’m writing this as I sit next to a melted LP vinyl dish full of chocolate-filled Hello Kitty marshmallows. But that’s not what I wanted to tell you about. My latest…
Chef David Traina seems very relaxed in his restaurant Liberty Market, which is surprising because the Gilbert hotspot opened just over a year ago. It’s safe to say that his hospitable nature is the key to his success.Traina runs Liberty Market with his wife Kiersten and his business partner Joe…
Find out what comedian Amy Donohue loves to eat.
Caffe Boa owner Jay Wisniewski told me that new chef Payton Curry would eventually be changing up the menu at the upscale, wine-centric Tempe restaurant. I guess in Curry’s world, “eventually” happens fast. Fresh from his departure from the now-shuttered Digestif, he’s already launched a brand-new menu of dishes inspired…
Flight attendants-turned-restaurateurs Robert McCarville, Tom Vigil, and Randy Betnar sold Coronado Cafe two weeks ago, and the new owners of the charming eatery, tucked into an historic 1915 bungalow on 7th Street, have a few changes in store. Co-owner Diane Stackwick has lived in Arizona for a decade, but she…
You probably saw my post about Lisa G closing over the weekend — where I mentioned new owner Matt Diamond — but now that I’ve had a chance to chat with Diamond, I have more details for you. So he’s got a serious wine background. He’s traveled to various wine…
It’s not very often that cupcakes make me laugh, but I saw these little dudes in the case at Tammie Coe on Halloween morning, and couldn’t resist getting one to go with my latte. They’re probably all gone by now, because Thanksgiving’s the next big holiday to pimp. And I’m…
It’s Saturday morning. I really haven’t had enough coffee yet. But there’s nothing like big news to wake me up, and today’s word is a shocker. Lisa G Cafe & Wine Bar is closing. Tonight — Halloween — is the last night of service.Owner Lisa Giungo tells me, “It actually came…
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: Oysters and Bloody Marys at Casey Moore’s CRAVE Arizona…
Scottsdale’s Old Town Farmers Market is back and reportedly going to be bigger than ever. How big? Well, just about double the size of last season’s.Big name local produce growers McClendon’s Select, Seacat Gardens, and Maya’s Farm will all be selling fresh fruits and veggies at the market, something other…
