Everybody’s doing it, man. Riding the light rail, that is. Whether for a daily commute or just a joy ride, people seem to be packing the cars, and it’s not even the free ride period anymore. The folks at District, the restaurant at the downtown Sheraton, hope even more people…
It’s only been open for two weeks, but Bantu Bistro has already gained some repeat customers in Central Phoenix. Located in the 7th Avenue spot that formerly housed Melrose Cafe (4447 N. 7th Ave., at Campbell; 602-604-2489), the eatery brings something new to the local dining scene: West African cuisine. Co-owner Emmy…
Happy New Year, Phoenix. Here’s one last look at 2008 with the top five blogs as determined by the sheer number of eyes that read them. Catch the top three slots after the jump. 5 – Liberty Market set to open in Gilbert The charming stretch of Gilbert Avenue that…
Anybody want to buy a bistro? Madelyn’s chef-owner Brian Ford says he’s looking to sell his Anthem eatery, and it’s just about turnkey. “We were unfortunately pushed into closing our doors by our own bank, out of the blue, two days before Christmas,” Ford says. “They didn’t notify us, and…
Chef-owner Joshua Hebert was hoping that Santa would bring him a new restaurant, but instead, he got a New Year’s “baby”; Posh quietly opened on New Year’s Eve. Located inside the gorgeous Optima Camelview Village, the restaurant serves “improvisational cuisine,” which Hebert describes as a “very seasonally adaptive” take on…
A lot of excitement about the Metro light rail has revolved around the easy new connection between downtown Phoenix and downtown Tempe. And when it comes to dining options, that’s definitely a good thing, whether you’re a commuter, a student, or just a foodie-about-town. Hop off the train in either…
As far as I knew knew up until a few weeks ago, Crush came in two flavors: Orange and Grape. Recently I was visiting my family in Ohio when I came across Pineapple, Peach, Strawberry and Tropical Punch. Shocking! Then, I did a little more research and found out that…
What the heck is a turf accountant? I had to Google that one. The American Heritage Dictionary says it’s a British term for a bookmaker licensed to take bets on horses. Huh. In downtown, though, Turf Accountant is the name of the new Irish pub set to open at 705…
What’s in store for 2009? Will the world go to hell in a handbasket, or do we stand a chance of seeing our local restaurant scene flourish? I’m not psychic, so ask Joseph Anthony. He’s the astrologer who gives readings at Lisa G Cafe & Wine Bar every Wednesday night. And since…
Two new nightspot/restaurants opened late last month, right down the street from each other in Scottsdale. Pictured above, The Lodge, 4422 N. 75th St., is a ski-lodge-themed hangout that bills itself as a “quaint, Midwestern dive bar” amid the flashy Scottsdale nightlife district. Is townie-bar chic the new thing? I…
Saturday afternoon. The light rail trains are packed. It’s a good time for a pint. So some friends and I wound up at Sonora Brewhouse, just a few blocks’ walk from the train. And look at what was there to tempt us before we even got in the door –…
If you read Chow Bella, I have a feeling your priorities for New Year’s Eve might revolve around seeking out a great meal. And trust me, I know what a pain it can be to figure out what your options are — I am the queen of considering too many…
In short, the answer is a definite no. That’s according to Barrio Cafe’s own website, which currently has a can’t-miss-it notice to Barrio friends: “After many phone calls from our customers and friends, we just wanted to set the record straight. WE ARE NOT MOVING TO PARADISE VALLEY!We are staying…
A new Cajun restaurant in town? Now that’s something you don’t hear about very often. Cajun food is far too elusive in the Valley. Jennifer Landry Goff and Calvin Goff thought so, too. The couple moved to Arizona with their family in 1990, and after many years of dreaming about…
One of my friends had her hands full today with her two kids on winter break, which reminded me of some kids’ cooking classes I heard about recently. Next week, there’s a three-day class going on at Sur La Table at Kierland Commons, where kids age 8 and up will…
On Christmas Eve, after drinking half a bottle of Amy Silverman’s fantastic limoncello and spending several hours cooking up a storm in my tiny kitchen (the windows were fogged up when I was finally done!), I settled in front of the TV to watch The Darjeeling Limited and relax for a couple…
From cheap, authentic street tacos at Tacos Jalisco, which has a few different locations, to Barrio Café’s upscale spin on traditional tacos, there are plenty of places in the Valley to enjoy the quintessential south-of-the-border snack. But the heart of downtown Scottsdale — magnet to hungry tourists and nightclubbers alike…
One of the most compelling articles I’ve read in the past year was the indepth Vanity Fair piece about Monsanto’s genetically modified plant seeds. Scary stuff, indeed. Around the same time, I read Barbara Kingsolver’s fascinating book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, about her family’s year-long commitment to truly living off the…
Quel coincidence! A friend just stopped by for lunch at that new Mill Avenue pho joint I blogged about earlier today, Pho Thang Long. Apparently it’s run by the same people who own Pho Mesa, another fine spot for Vietnamese noodles (502 S. Dobson). Good to know. On a related…
In the last week, two brand-new Tempe restaurants have opened in the spaces where restaurants shut their doors last month. Upstairs at 414 S. Mill, in the spot that formerly housed the Coconut Club, there’s a new upscale lounge called Vintage Bar & Grill (480-297-2195), where they feature a tapas-style menu along…
Chef Michael DeMaria’s been a busy guy lately, but you wouldn’t know it from the looks of the Phoenix restaurant scene. Ever since he closed his restaurant Michael’s at the Citadel last year, he’s been conspicuously absent, working on a new joint called Trattoria M that was originally supposed to…
I have a dirty little secret: I never really liked Christmas ham! Which is why this “Seven Fishes” Christmas Eve seafood splurge at Quiessence sounds so delicious. (Here’s the menu.) It was inspired by a coastal Italian holiday tradition, where people would celebrate Christmas with a whole dinner of fish. And…
