Chocolate and wine. We can’t think of two better things to spend an evening tasting. Well, we’re in luck. Chef Travis Watson, of Avalon in Scottsdale, is offering one night of just that: Chocolate and wine tasting, complete with petit fours, truffles and pairings, not to mention a how-to and…
It was a joke, but you’ll understand how disconcerting it was. You’ll also understand how it continued to be disconcerting when approximately thirty seconds later he popped out of the the kitchen to yell “thirty seconds” at us. Here’s the point: we went back this week despite the risk of being…
This is the time of year when folks in Phoenix head for cooler pastures, and it’s time to travel the world if you can. But, if your vacation this summer is a staycation, you can still feed your inner globetrotter by heading to India, Africa, and Russia — via several…
Will there be a stampede for chicken and waffles tomorrow morning when Larry “Lo-Lo” White opens a second location of his popular soul food joint in Scottsdale? Get there bright and early when the doors to the brand-new Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles open at 7 a.m. on Friday, August 7…
Everybody’s a freakin’ genius celebrity chef in this town. Right? I just happened to look at the Twitter profile of a local chef who’s apparently been fed a steady diet of baloney about his alleged greatness, and now seems high on the fumes of his own b.s. Said chef pompously refers to himself in…
Three months ago, when chef James Porter abruptly shuttered his restaurant Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar, he promised to return later this summer with a brand-new, more budget-friendly French country bistro in Scottsdale. Now, he’s ready to deliver. Petite Maison is officially opening its doors at 5 p.m. on Sunday, August…
Change can be good. Back in March, locals mourned the unexpected loss of Palatte, a charming, casual brunch spot located just blocks from downtown, in the roughly century-old Cavness House. At the time, the closure seemed to be a poignant reminder of the recession, leaving a void in the area’s…
Costco vs. Sam’s Club The economy is rough these days and we could all use a free meal. If you head to your nearest bulk goods store on the weekend, you’ll find a glut of free samples that would fill anyone. But which bulk store has the better samples going…
July was yet another tough month for the local restaurant scene. Among the recent casualties were the high-profile SouthBridge eatery, Canal; CenPho Belgian spot Trente-Cinq 35, and Richardson’s, a local institution that was destroyed by fire. Next door to Richardson’s, newcomer Luci’s Healthy Marketplace faced an unfortunate setback as well,…
Who knew a movie about cooking could generate so much buzz? The Julia Child and Julie Powell biopic comes to the big screen this weekend. The hotly awaited film weaves the memoirs of both Child and Powell and it’s garnered largely positive early reviews. If you want to get in…
It’s all about doing things right for Matt Taylor. In the kitchen of Metro Brasserie & Bar in Old Town Scottsdale, his staff of 12 guys is loose and laid-back during the day. But, in the kitchen, things change. “When we’re actually cooking, there’s a set way we do things,”…
This is the time of year when folks in Phoenix head for cooler pastures, and it’s time to travel the world if you can. But, if your vacation this summer is a staycation, you can still feed your inner globetrotter by heading to India, Africa, and Russia — via several…
A traditionalist and an up-and-comer at once, 25-year-old Matt Taylor is probably the youngest executive chef around, and he’s one of the most well known. Taylor is a curious combination of discipline and ease, both a risk-taker and a culinary purist. Maybe that’s how he got to be the head…
He’s already hit a home run with Postino Central, the just-north-of-Camelback eatery that’s a spinoff of his ultra-popular Arcadia wine bar. Now restaurateur Craig DeMarco has his sights on something practically across the street. DeMarco is excited about the circa 1940 building at Central Avenue and Oregon, a small strip…
Do you like things hot — we’re talking eye-watering, tongue-tingling, sear-the-roof-of-your-mouth spicy? In this week’s Meal Ticket dining newsletter, find out which Valley restaurant offers a muy caliente Inferno burrito, plus mouthwatering 99-cent margarita specials. We’ve also got the scoop on a “magical” and very romantic Valley restaurant that’s reopening next week after a…
Yes, Phoenix — this city will come back to life pretty soon. Things feel slow right now, but at least there’s a big culinary event right around the corner, ushering a whole season of activities for food fanatics. Phoenix Cooks! is the shindig to put on your calendar. Scheduled for…
This is the time of year when folks in Phoenix head for cooler pastures, and it’s time to travel the world if you can. But, if your vacation this summer is a staycation, you can still feed your inner globetrotter by heading to India, Africa, and Russia — via several…
After a few months’ hiatus, popular Mill Avenue coffeehouse Three Roots is back in business, under new ownership (it didn’t go co-op after all). Besides a fresh coat of paint, new flooring, and other repairs, the bohemian spirit of the place remains the same. Even many of the same vegan…
This really puts the “welcome” in Welcome Diner. James Beard Award-winning chef Nobuo Fukuda is testing out dishes for his in-the-works restaurant this coming Saturday (August 8) at Welcome Diner (924 E. Roosevelt). It’s the second such night he’s hosted since closing Sea Saw in early June. Although Fukuda’s new izakaya…
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: Summer Beer Quest Week Nine Local Lyricist Maja Rapping…
Oh Mickey, what a pity. It’s the end of an era for Scottsdale nightlife, as Mickey’s Hangover has closed its doors, according to the Trib. In case you’ve never knocked back a beer while hanging out on one of its thrift store couches, Mickey’s was sort of a tongue-in-cheek place to…
Some people have problems with commitment. People do change after all and the person you love today may turn into a psycho hose beast tomorrow. But through the assistance of close friends or the sage advice of one’s elders we work through commitment issues and find deeper connections than we…
