Aaron May

West of Western Feeds Downtown

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 >>

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 >>

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

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 >>

May Day

Going tapas

Scottsdale Culinary Fest Comprises 12 Events This Week

The Scottsdale Culinary Festival sounds monolithic, but the granddaddy among the Valley's culinary festivals is surprisingly multifaceted -- a dozen different events at 16 different restaurants and venues around town, ranging from casual tastings to semi-formal sit-down occasions.

Happy Hour Deals: Autostrada

What restaurant concept will they think of next? Autostrada is an Italian restaurant in north Scottsdale that, according to its Web site, is "inspired by the Italian car culture." All we know is that if Aaron May is involved, the food's gonna be good. Get in the old jalopy and head up to Scottsd ... More >>

Christopher Gross' Chef's Tour: A Recap

Sloane BurwellJames Porter gets Aaron May's autograph. After this weekend, it's time to replace "party like a rockstar" with "drink like a chef." Friday night is a bit of a blur for most (if not all) of the participants in a Chef's Tour of central downtown Phoenix restaurants (yes, and bars) dreamed ... 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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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

​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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

A Burger to Die For...Literally

We've heard rumors about crazy high-fat diet plans and free food for obese diners at Chandler's Heart Attack Grill since it originally opened in 2005. We figured we'd pop by for a Bypass (yes, that's what they call their burgers) and shed a little light on their high-calorie fare, even if it means w ... 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 >>

Silk Joins CityScape Restaurant Lineup

​Sushi restaurants are clearly not evenly distributed in the Valley. I can think of at least half a dozen, off the top of my head, that are in or around Old Town Scottsdale, but downtown Phoenix only has one, Moira Sushi. Later this summer, though, a new spot called Silk will bring the numb ... 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 >>

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 >>

Tilted Kilt Joins the CityScape Roster

​The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery is the latest business to sign on with the CityScape project, joining 14 other eateries in the works. This suburban chain with locations in Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Peoria will make the jump to Phoenix proper in the fall of 2010. The Tilted Kilt brings a ... More >>

Chef Aaron May's Iruna Fills a Tapas Void

​The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery is the latest business to sign on with the CityScape project, joining 14 other eateries in the works. This suburban chain with locations in Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Peoria will make the jump to Phoenix proper in the fall of 2010. The Tilted Kilt brings a ... More >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Shine 2010: Where to Party in Scottsdale

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 >>

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 >>

2010 Redux: Culinary Happenings

Crudo dished up beautiful plates of fish at the Devoured culinary fest.​In the spirit of tying up loose ends, we're recapping some of our favorite food-related finds of the year. We've already looked back on the Best Books, Battle of the Dishes, Just Offal, the Best R ... 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 >>

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 >>

Quick PHX: Food

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 >>

Nikki Buchanan Leaves Up Agency for Aaron May

PhoenixBites.com The new loaded dogs at Chase Field ​A round-up of tasty morsels from Valley food blogs. Nikki Buchanan blogged on The Wild Lavender that she has left her spot at Up Agency for a job as Aaron May's new in-house publicist.

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Vitamin T: A Sign of Life in Downtown

​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 >>

"Dine Out with the Chefs" Event Adds Bernie Kantak, Charlene Badman, and Aaron May

Bernie Kantak of Citizen Public House will be on hand at this year's event.​The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is stepping up its game this year for its sixth annual, "Dine Out With the Chefs," one of the Valley's most exclusive culinary events where guests get to mingle with local ... 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 >>

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain's Lunch & Learn Series Returns With Celebu-Chefs Aaron May, Robert Irvine, and Marcus Samuelsson

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain​When it comes to giving our brains something else to do this summer besides think about how crazy hot it is, award-winning chef Beau MacMillan of the Scottsdale resort, Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain, is bringing back his popular Lunch & Learn series with lots of ... More >>

Cheddar Jalapeño Biscuits and Sausage Gravy from Over Easy

​Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we're back - with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you'd like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 50: Cheddar Jalape ... More >>

Vitamin T Breakfast Starts Today: Buenos Días, Señor Ham & Egg Torta

Sara Dalton​Wake up, downtown Phoenix, your Mexican breakfast is ready. Vitamin T, celebu-chef Aaron May's home of tacos, tortas, and tequila in the Cityscape building, officially opens for breakfast today and my does it look tasty. Think smoked ham and oven-roasted chicken tortas, a breakfa ... More >>

What's the Most Unusual Item That's Been Ripped Off From Your Restaurant?

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. ​Salt and pepper shakers, flatware, tea light ... More >>

Valley Chefs Demonstrate How Not to Saber a Champagne Bottle

Chefs Matt Carter, Aaron May, James Porter, Christopher Gross, and Beau MacMillan give it their best sabers.​Looks as if a few notable Valley chefs may have benefited from our post last week on sabrage, the name given to the practice of opening a champagne bottle with a sword. The aftermath.& ... 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 >>

Over Easy Named One of America's Best Brunches by Travel Leisure

​Many of us in the Valley consider Over Easy, restaurateur Aaron May's concept of breakfast eats with some unique twists (with locations in Arcadia and North Scottsdale), our neighborhood go-to spot for a.m. goodness. Now, it looks like Travel Leisure, the travel magazine and website based i ... 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 >>