Claire Lawton

Chow Bella Named Best Feature Blog by Arizona Press Club

Chow Bella writers were honored at the Arizona Press Club's annual awards banquet, held Saturday night at the Duce in downtown Phoenix. Chow Bella was named Best Metro Feature Blog. In addition, New Times' food blog also took home second place in the feature blog category and a third-place award f ... More >>

Big Brain Awards 2013

Phoenix New Times Needs a New Music Editor

Dear readers, let's get this out of the way: In nearly every possible way, being the music editor of the Phoenix New Times/Up on the Sun has been my dream job. No joke: I've chatted with Brian Wilson (it was a terrible conversation, and my chat with Al Jardine was much better, but still); I had the ... More >>

15 Metro Phoenix Restaurants to Visit During Spring Training 2013

Spring Training is almost upon us, which means winter is officially over and it's time to break out the shorts. This right here is the weather we Phoenicians live for, the reason we endure five hellish months of summer and severe cases of cabin fever . . . just for the few all-too-brief months of ba ... More >>

Resolution Guide: Manifesto -- Local Creatives and Their Words of Wisdom

Manifesto: Words to Live By

9 Best New Restaurants of 2012 in Greater Phoenix

This year, the variety of new restaurants in the Valley has more breadth and depth than ever before: comfort-food-meets-gourmet in Scottsdale; artisan pizzas by a legendary baker in Central Phoenix; and knockout Italian eats in east Mesa. When I made this list, I wanted a selection of restaurants ... More >>

May I Now Present the Awards for the Chow Bella Halloween Candy Showdown

The best thing about being the judge for the 2012 Chow Bella Halloween Candy Showdown is, well, being the judge for the 2012 Chow Bella Halloween Candy Showdown. Bring on the sugar rush, Baby. With the challenge being to whip up a dessert incorporating their favorite Halloween candy, my fellow scri ... More >>

Make Your Own Candy Sushi: Chow Bella's Halloween Showdown

Trick... or treat? For the latest Chow Bella showdown, our writers whipped up a dessert reminiscent of, or incorporating, their favorite Halloween candy. Check back all week for recipes; on Friday our critic Laura Hahnefeld will pick her favorite. Today: Ando Muneno's candy sushi For this competi ... More >>

Barrio Cafe: Good -- But Glorified -- Mexican Food

Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changi ... More >>

Realeza Michoacana Paleteria and Neveria: The Ice Palace of Confection

Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changi ... More >>

Tortas El Guero: Life-Changing Mexican Sandwiches

Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changi ... More >>

Mariscos Ensenada: Hold On to Your Margarita to Escape the Hyper Tension

Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changi ... More >>

La Condesa: Great Eats, but that Wait is Rough

Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changi ... More >>

Dulceria Mayra's y Mas: Small Place Packs a Huge Party

Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changi ... More >>

Top Five 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 >>

La Cocina Economica: Bringing Familia from the Kitchen to the Table

Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changi ... More >>

Pro's Ranch Market: Contents of a Fiesta Under One Roof

Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changi ... More >>

Salsitas: Blame it on the Alcohol

Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changi ... More >>

Asadero Norte de Sonora: Family Friendly and Fit for a King

Hey readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changin ... More >>

New Times' Staff Writers and Designers Receive Top Honors from Arizona Press Club, Including for Investigative Reporting, Immigration Coverage and Cover Illustrations

Phoenix New Times won 30 journalism awards, including first-place awards for investigative reporting, immigration coverage, news and opinion blogging and design, from the Arizona Press Club on Saturday night. Staff writer Paul Rubin received a first place Don Bolles Award for Investigative Reportin ... More >>

Big Brain Awards 2012: Meet This Year's Finalists

PR's Newest Rhetorical Twist: Advertisements Become "Murals"

Caramelpalooza 2012: The Winners!

Hundreds of you came out to lick, crunch, chew and otherwise gobble caramel confections prepared by 18 of the Valley's finest chefs Friday night, all part of the third annual Caramelpalooza, co-sponsored by Smeeks and Chow Bella. We might be a little biased, but we think it was our best 'palooza ye ... More >>

Shopping

An Artist Statement by El Mac (VIDEO)

​During his recent visit to Vietnam, El Mac (who, full disclosure, we'll always consider a local artist -- no matter where he moves) recorded his artist statement for the Viet Nam The World Tour. Included in the short film are behind-the-scenes looks at one of his more recent murals in H ... More >>

10 Favorite Galleries in Metro Phoenix

​There are plenty of reasons to check out local artwork beyond it being one of the designated "days" our community has become so fond of. First Friday, Third Friday, Final Friday, Third Thursday, Second Saturday -- just leave the house already. Dozens of great places open their doors to cool ... More >>

The Valley's Dining Scene Has Plenty to Love

Have you seen the Phoenix New Times Resolution Guide 2012 yet? You might want to give a read. It's packed with thoughts on resolving to love the Valley through the city's art, architecture, nightlife, and more -- all from my fellow scribes and friends Amy Silverman, Robrt L. Pela, Benjamin Leatherma ... More >>

Breeze's Phoenix Bird Mural

It's about time Phoenix sees some serious mural love. In the interest of giving credit to their artists and because we're losing track of the times we've said, "Whoa, when did that go up?", we bring you Mural City, a series on the murals springing up around town -- their artists, their hosts an ... More >>

New Year's Eve at Crescent Ballroom, Scottsdale Clubs, and The Compound Over the Weekend

Welcome to 2012. Now that you've recovered from your hangover, check out some of the First Night craziness and more around the Valley.Photo by Melissa FossumNew Year's Eve Pahtay at Crescent Ballroom​Selecting the right spot to welcome the New Year can be a challenge since most bars are loud, pack ... More >>

Amy M.'s Snickerdoodles and Spritz Cookies

Our latest Chow Bella showdown: a traditional holiday cookie exchange. From now through Christmas, we present Chow Bella's 12 Days of Christmas Cookies. Today we bring you two recipes: Amy Morris' Snickerdoodles and Spritz cookies. Snickerdoodles! Fun to say, and delicious. These are my husband's fa ... More >>

Karen Bayless Feldman's First Jewish Christmas

Claire Lawton​Christmas comes a little early to Chow Bella this year -- in the form of some darn good holiday storytelling. Today, Karen Bayless Feldman shares the story of her first Jewish Christmas, spent (where else?) in a Chinese restaurant. When the police officer apologized for my C ... More >>

Nicole's Mini Pans

Our latest Chow Bella showdown: a traditional holiday cookie exchange. From now through Christmas, we present Chow Bella's 12 Days of Christmas Cookies. Today: Nicole Smith's Mini Pans. Tedd Roundy Nicole's serving 'em up.​Some people say, "I'm turning into my mother" like it's a bad thin ... More >>

New Times Writers, Photographers, and Designers Win AZ Press Club Awards

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, April 7, 2011

At This Point, What's the Point of Art Detour?

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, October 21, 2010

Big Brains: Check Out the Talented Finalists for Our First-Ever Awards for Emerging Creatives

The Parlor Pizzeria: Behind the Scenes with Owner-Designer Aric Mei

photo by Claire Lawton​ When Aric Mei stumbled upon Salon De Venus on Camelback Road, he had no intention of getting a haircut.  In hot pursuit of a location for his new restaurant, Mei met Ted and Mary Williams, who were in their 80s and looking to hand over ownership of the building ... More >>

Boa Bistro's Daily Pulled Mozzarella

photo by Claire Lawton​Sous Chef Nick Sheley of Boa Bistro in Mesa joined us for this week's Chef Talk. When Sheley's not preparing the next plate to leave the kitchen, he's getting the restaurant ready for its next cooking class. In late March, Boa opened its kitchen doors for sessions led by exe ... More >>

Sous Chef Talk: Nick Sheley of Boa Bistro (part two)

photos by Claire Lawton​ Yesterday we heard from Sous Chef Nick Sheley of Boa Bistro. Today the conversation continues. Sous Chef Nick Sheley's no stranger to working with local farmers -- he used to be one. Sheley grew up on a farm in Iowa, which he says was a big influence in his love for ... More >>

Chef Talk: Eric Gitenstein of Lola Tapas (part two)

photo by Claire Lawton​ Yesterday we heard from Chef Eric Gitenstein of Lola Tapas. Gitenstein joined the Lola team and now works with owner Felicia Ruiz on menu items and seasonal concepts. Coming up? Gitenstein says they're working on bocadillos, or Spanish sandwiches and a gaspacho-inspired t ... More >>

Chef Talk: Eric Gitenstein of Lola Tapas

photo by Claire Lawton​Eric Gitenstein was the kind of kid with food on his brain; after realizing he spent more time thinking about his restaurant jobs than his university classes, he made a culinary escape from traditional study. After culinary school, Gitenstein tested out a few local kitchens ... More >>

Chef Talk with Stacy Phipps of Stacy's Smokehouse (part two)

Claire Lawton Stacy Phipps and his mother in the Smokehouse kitchen. ​Yesterday we sat down with Stacy Phipps of Stacy's Smokehouse. Today, the conversation continues. Want to hear more about Stacy's favorite kitchen tool and what's next? Read on.Where does your culinary inspiration come fr ... More >>

Chef Talk with Stacy Phipps of Stacy's Smokehouse

Claire Lawton​Stacy Phipps is ready for a challenge. No, really. He wants to challenge every barbecue master in the Valley to a cook off. "I want Don and Charlie (they won our Best Of Ribs in 2009). I want the guys from Honey Bears. I'll even take Bobby Flay." Anyone up for it? Phipps opened ... More >>