Aaron May

Praying Monk Starts "Summer School" for Beer, Offering Four Classes Taught by Beverage Expert and New GM Dave Johnson

When Davanti Enoteca closed its doors a few weeks ago, long-time wine sommelier and beverage guru Dave Johnson was put out of work -- but he's found a soft place to land. And he's not wasting any time at his new gig as GM and Director of All Things Beverage at Aaron May's Praying Monk. See also: - ... More >>

Celebrity Chef Charity Dinner at Praying Monk in Scottsdale on March 10

Under normal circumstances, we'd have to log quite a few miles in order to enjoy plates created by Aaron May, Christopher Gross, Matt Carter, and Josh Herbert in one night. And that's assuming we'd be able to stuff ourselves with that much food. It won't be a problem, however, on March 10 when the ... More >>

Aaron May Opens Over Easy Locations in Mesa and Gilbert

When chef-restaurateur Aaron May and his partner-dad Brad opened the first Over Easy in 2007 in a former Taco Bell on 40th Street, they had an instant hit on their hands. Even though they'd added on a small shaded patio -- bigger than the restaurant's interior -- they still had long waits on the wee ... More >>

Chow Bella's Top Phoenix Food Stories of the Week

Every week, there's a cornucopia of Phoenix food news, features, and reviews to report here at Chow Bella. If you're like most people, you probably just don't have the time to get to all of it. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... More >>

With Praying Monk, Aaron May Continues to Go His Own Way

Aaron May's Praying Monk in Scottsdale Plays Out Like a Punk Rock Show

If a restaurateur could be likened to a music genre, then chef Aaron May is punk rock. The well-known Valley chef and restaurateur does what he wants, the way he wants to, and with zero apologies. And his newest venture, Praying Monk, in Old Town Scottsdale, plays out like a punk rock show. The sc ... More >>

What Valley Chef Deserves a Comedy Roast?

Welcome to Chow Bella's Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question 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.Comedy roasts, first made popular by The Friars C ... More >>

Five Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend

Cobbler on Quack at Cowboy Ciao There's no better dessert (not even pumpkin pie) to put you in the mood for fall. Country Velador, pastry chef at Cowboy Ciao, came up with this genius pairing: traditional apple cobbler with duck fat ice cream. Based on taste alone, you'd never guess that duck fat i ... More >>

Aaron May Dishes About Why He Pisses People Off and Describes His Last Supper (You'll Love the Dessert)

This is part two of my interview with Aaron May, chef-partner of Praying Monk, Over Easy, The Lodge, Mabel's on Main and May's Counter in Tucson. If you missed part one, where May talks about whether he's a chef, a restaurateur or a party boy -- and what I learned (full disclosure) in a year of work ... More >>

Aaron May Dishes On Being a Chef, a Restaurateur and a Party Boy

Aaron May Praying Monk 7217 E. 1st Street, Scottsdale 480-398-3020 www.scottsdalemonk.com See also: -- Celeb Chefs Matt Carter, Beau MacMillan and Aaron May Cooking Up Four-Course Brunch at Superstition Farm -- Aaron May Heads Kitchen at Former Renegade Canteen, Now Called Renegade Tap Kitchen -- ... More >>

Aaron May Heads Kitchen at Former Renegade Canteen, Now Called Renegade Tap Kitchen

See also: Chef Robert McGrath Leaves Renegade Canteen See also: Aaron May's Praying Monk Opens as Vitamin T Closes When Robert McGrath flew the coop at Renegade Canteen last fall, he left a celebrity chef void in the kitchen. But that's been filled in recent weeks by Chef Aaron May, the brains and ... More >>

Celeb Chefs Matt Carter, Beau MacMillan, and Aaron May Cooking Up Four-Course Brunch at Superstition Farm

In what may be the biggest and brunch-iest news of the year, celebu-chefs Matt Carter (Zinc Bistro and The Mission), Beau MacMillan (Elements at Sanctuary), and Aaron May (Praying Monk, Over Easy, and Renegade Tap & Kitchen) are joining forces to whip up a four-course brunch for hungry guests at Sup ... More >>

Kentucky Fried Quail Conundrum: The Praying Monk vs Blue Hound Kitchen

When we saw Kentucky Fried Quail pop up on the menu at Aaron May's newest venture, Praying Monk, we were intrigued and pretty excited to try one of these little birds covered in batter and deep fried. Come on -- deep fried quail?! It sounds great! And then we saw the same dish make an appearance o ... More >>

Are Food Festivals Worth It?

Thousands of people, lots of restaurants, and the plastic cups -- my god, the plastic cups! For many parts of the country, food festivals are in full swing this time of year. We've most likely had a taste or two at several, but what do those on the other side of the booth think? This week, Valley ... More >>

Fuego CityScape Replacing Aaron May's Shuttered Vitamin T

Despite chef and restaurateur Aaron May's contention that there had been a miscommunication when he was locked out of his taco shop in downtown's Cityscape at the end of April after a landlord-tenant dispute regarding back rents, his restaurant, Vitamin T, opened for nearly a year and a half, has of ... More >>

Praying Monk: Embrace the Familiar (and the Beer), Avoid the Novelty

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, and dish about 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, sampling a few item ... More >>

Chef Aaron May Popping Up for Dinner at Sam Fox's Bar North

Somewhere between chef and restaurateur Aaron May opening Praying Monk in Scottsdale (and being locked out of his taco shop, Vitamin T, at CityScape after a landlord-tenant dispute) and restaurateur Sam Fox announcing the addition of a seafood concept to his second Arizona Culinary Dropout location ... More >>

Aaron May's Praying Monk Opens as Vitamin T Closes

Chef-restaurateur Aaron May got a little surprise late last week from RED Development, the commercial real estate company behind CityScape in downtown Phoenix. The larger-than-life owner of Vitamin T, a taco shop situated on the east end of the mixed-use complex, was locked out of his space after a ... More >>

$1 Tequila Shots, $1 Tacos and More Crazy Deals All Week at Vitamin T

​This week marks the 1 year anniversary of the opening of Aaron May's Mexican street food restaurant, Vitamin T. To celebrate a successful first year at CityScape (no small feat) and the completion of their new expansion, they're giving taco and tequila lovers everywhere a present we just can ... More >>

Iruña Shutting Its Doors This Saturday: Will Be Replaced By New Aaron May Concept

​If you're a fan of Iruña, restauranteur Aaron May's lounge-worthy spot of classic Spanish tapas in Old Town Scottsdale, your last chance to dine will be today and Saturday. May's closing Iruña, which opened in May of 2010, to make way for a new concept set to open in early March of this y ... More >>

Aaron May, What Are You Listening To?

Aaron May​Aaron MayThe chef owns Over Easy (additional location here), The Lodge, Mabel's on Main, Iruna and Vitamin T, as well as May's Counter in Tucson. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? The Grateful Dead channel on Sirius. The cla ... More >>

Vitamin T: A Sign of Life in Downtown

Now Open: Copper Blues at Stand Up Live

​Stand Up Live's sister restaurant, Copper Blues, is now open at the downtown retail/restaurant/office mecca know as CityScape. The new addition is actually located under the same roof as the upscale comedy club, which we think makes it more of a Siamese twin then sister. Whatever the case, i ... More >>

Flavors of Phoenix 2011 and Chicken Pizza in Today's Eater's Digest

bunsinmyoven.com​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Flavors of Phoenix 2011Get your wallets out for this event. The 20th Annual Flavors of Phoenix is happening this Thursday. Thirty of the Valley's top chefs, including Aaron May, Beau Mac ... More >>

Chef Aaron May at Monti's Tomorrow With Special Spanish-Inspired Menu

​Famed Valley chef, restaurateur, and Sasquatch Burger inventor Aaron May will be the featured guest at Monti's La Casa Vieja from 5 to 10 p.m., tomorrow, May 24. As part of the restaurant's Celebrity Chef Series, which has included the likes of Executive Chef Beau MacMillan of elements at Sa ... More >>

Score FREE Breakfast and a Dozen Eggs at Over Easy This Week

Over Easy Get this free on Wednesday.​Chef Aaron May -- the guy behind the infamous Sasquatch Burger -- spent the weekend before last braving the rain and getting cozy with crowds at the annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival. If that isn't enough to make you like him, check this deal out.&n ... More >>

Tonight: Posh Hosts Chef Aaron May and Writer Megan Finnerty

Aaron May is tonight's guest chef at Posh in Scottsdale.​It's sort of like musical chairs, isn't it? At Posh's Monday "Chef for a Night" dinners, chef-owner Joshua Hebert lets someone else into the kitchen to come up with the night's offerings. And at tonight's event, that someone is chef A ... More >>

Local Restaurant Peeps' Predictions for 2011

What cuts of meat will you be eating in 2011?​Helen Yung, Sweet Republic co-ownerI think it'll be the year of gourmet food trucks. It started this year but will make a huge jump in 2011, with well-regarded restaurants joining the game.Craig DeMarco, Postino ownerMy short list: ... More >>

Aaron May's Vitamin T Opening Delayed at CityScape

​The original headline said, "Coming Soon to CityScape," but it turns out that the opening of Aaron May's new Mexican joint, Vitamin T, isn't happening quite soon enough.Originally scheduled for tomorrow -- with much anticipation by Downtowners hungry for things like carne asada tacos with avocado ... More >>

This Week In Chow Bella:

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: Fry Girl Faces Freaky Fair Grub Pumpkin Showdown: And the Winner Is . . . Cha ... More >>

Coming Soon to CityScape: Aaron May's Vitamin T

​Chef Aaron May is finally expanding his empire to Downtown Phoenix, adding Mexican food to his roster of half a dozen other restaurant concepts that run the gamut from upscale tapas to casual American breakfast fare.Vitamin T is the name of his new spot set to open November 12 at CityScape, the n ... More >>

Over Easy Reopens in New Arcadia Location

​The tiny little former Taco Bell next to The Vig made a great first home for chef Aaron May's retro breakfast joint, Over Easy, but now the restaurant is ready for more hungry diners in its expanded, newer spot.Located at 4730 E. Indian School, #123, the new Over Easy has expanded hours -- from 6 ... More >>

Chef Aaron May's Iruna Fills a Tapas Void

Over Easy Moving to New Arcadia Location

​After more than two and a half years in business, and spawning a second location in North Scottsdale, chef Aaron May's breakfast joint Over Easy has finally outgrown its original digs.Currently based in a renovated Taco Bell at 40th Street and Indian School, the restaurant will soon be moved just ... More >>

Meat Up at This Weekend's AZ BBQ Festival

​I doubt the AZ BBQ Festival will be a one-off event. Those guys over at the EaterAZ blog, Rick Phillips and Dave Tyda, have done a bang-up job with organizing and promoting their brand-new culinary festival, which takes place this weekend at the Scottsdale Waterfront. I drove ... More >>

Chef Aaron May's Iruña Coming Soon to Scottsdale

The Old Town Scottsdale space that used to house Pischke's has been dark for nearly two years, but soon it promises to become a vibrant new presence in the local dining scene.   Iruña, a new restaurant from chef Aaron May, will tentatively open around the 1st of May. Since the shutt ... More >>

New in Scottsdale: Mabel's on Main

​Chef Aaron May says he was "being cat and mouse about it," but his new gastropub Mabel's on Main opened quietly a week ago, in the Old Town Scottsdale space that used to house Mabel Murphy's (7018 E. Main). Right now, there are a dozen "gourmet bar snacky" menu items -- braised pork belly wi ... More >>

Coming Soon: Mabel's on Main

​I've talked to chef Aaron May about a number of his restaurants over the past few years, but I'm not sure I've ever heard him sound as excited as he does about Mabel's on Main, the old-school-chic watering hole he's opening sometime around December 1. "For me, after Sol y Sombra and Over E ... More >>

You Pick It: Schnepf Farms

Schnepf Farms​Schnepf Farms may have gotten a reputation for hosting rowdy music festivals, but that isn't what is attracting fall foodies. Schnepf is another great example of an Arizona you-pick-it farm, and it's a lot easier to get to than Buckelew or Apple Annie's.Currently, the ... More >>

Over Easy Expands to Scottsdale

​Rumors have been floating around for a couple of months that chef/restaurateur Aaron May would be opening another location of his breakfast spot, Over Easy. Indeed, it's true -- and it'll be happening later this month at North Scottsdale's Ice Den skating complex, reports the Trib today ... More >>

Sasquatch Burgers Draw Patrons to Aaron May's The Lodge

Closed For Business: Autostrada

​According to a representative from Market Street at DC Ranch, chef Aaron May's casual Italian restaurant Autostrada closed two nights ago. There is a sign on the door inviting customers to visit May's neighboring tapas restaurant, Sol y Sombra. I wasn't able to reach May yet today, and the ... More >>

Chef Aaron May Closing Sol y Sombra This Sunday

Goodbye, DC Ranch. That's pretty much the sentiment coming from chef Aaron May, who closed his casual Italian restaurant Autostrada on Wednesday, and now tells me he will be closing his other DC Ranch eatery, Sol y Sombra, this weekend. Sunday brunch will be the last service. "It's a tough place to ... More >>

Chef Aaron May's "Mabel Murphy's" Coming to Old Town Scottsdale

Chef Aaron MayYesterday we announced Chef Aaron May's plans to open a noodle house and Mexican restaurant as part Downtown Phoenix's CityScape project. As it turns out, the good chef is cooking up something else in Scottsdale. Last week, May closed on the building formerly known as Green Bay Packer ... More >>

July 18 In Blogs: George Gascon, Train Tracks, Smeeks Candy, and Toll Roads

In the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries: Feathered Bastard: George Gascon vs. Joe Arpaio: The New Yorker's William Finnegan on Joe's Mesa Raid Comment Up o ... More >>

CityScape: Chef Aaron May and Mojo's Among Nine New Tenants Announced Today

Jonathan McNamaraChef Aaron May serves hungry Phoenicians at the CityScape topping out press conference. How do you get 500 Phoenicians to stand outside in the heat at 8 a.m.? If you're Cityscape, you get local chef Aaron May to make them breakfast. May will be bringing an "Asian noodle house" and ... More >>

Local Celeb Chefs Bail On Their Own Restaurants for V-Day

All right, I'm having fun with headlines. But I couldn't help but notice how many local "celebrity" chefs are listed in the "all-star" lineup of a charity event that just so happens to take place on Valentine's night -- one of the busiest nights of the year for most restaurants. It's a night wh ... More >>

Chef Aaron May's Autostrada Opens Tomorrow

What to do this Saturday? Well, if you want to hit up the very newest place in town, there's Autostrada, a casual Italian spot at DC Ranch. Tonight's their last night of "friends and family" service, and tomorrow is their first full day open to the general public. This is the long-awaited new resta ... More >>

Over Easy isn't a revolutionary breakfast spot, but it'll treat your hangover

May Day

Going tapas