Claudio Urciuoli

Nikki's Five Picks for Arizona Restaurant Week (May 18-27)

Arizona Restaurant Week -- the Spring 2013 Edition -- begins Saturday, May 18 and ends Monday, May 27 (which is Memorial Day, when most of us will be grilling burgers and drinking beer at home . . . but never mind). By the end of this week, ARW officially will be upon us: a 10-day eating extravaganz ... More >>

Ehren Litzenberger of BLD in Chandler on Mario Batali and Why It's Hard to Be a Three-Squares Chef

This is part two of my interview with Ehren Litzenberger, executive chef at BLD in Chandler. If you missed part one, where Litzenberger dished about simplicity, chocolate-covered grasshoppers and his beef with "foodies," read it here. See also: -- 11 Great Cooking Supply Stores in Metro Phoenix -- ... More >>

Ehren Litzenberger of BLD in Chandler on Simplicity, Chocolate-Covered Grasshoppers, and Who We Can Blame For "Foodie" Obnoxiousness

Ehren Litzenberger BLD 1920 W. Germann Road, Chandler 480-779-8646, bldchandler.com See also: -- Cork Earns Wine Honors From OpenTable -- Chou's Kitchen in Chandler Makes Travel Leisure's List of Best Chinese Restaurants in the U.S. This is part one of my interview with Ehren Litzenberger, execu ... More >>

Crudo and Noca Team Up for a One-Night-Only, 5-Course Cocktail Dinner Tour (Bus Included)

When it comes to one-of-a-kind culinary adventures, venerable East Phoenix restaurants Crudo and Noca serve them up regularly. But at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, the two are teaming up to bring 32 lucky diners a taste of the both of them. See also: - Get Your Tickets Now for the Arcadia Edible Garde ... More >>

Claudio Urciuoli on Nancy Silverton, Noma, and Italian Cooking

This is part two of my interview with Noca chef Claudio Urciuoli. If you missed Monday's interview, in which he dished about Olive Garden, truffle oil and the weirdest thing he ever ate (which pretty much tops everybody else's), read it here. See also: -- Noca Owner Eliot Wexler on Chef Claudio Ur ... More >>

4 Phoenix-Area Chefs to Watch and What Their Big-Name Bosses Say About Them

If you're any kind of food geek at all, you're already familiar -- by fork and good press -- with local celebrity chefs such as Chrysa Robertson, Chris Bianco, Kevin Binkley, Greg LaPrad and Charleen Badman. But what you're far less likely to know are the names and faces of the behind-the-scenes che ... More >>

Claudio Urciuoli on Olive Garden, Truffle Oil, and the Weirdest Thing He Ever Ate (Which Is Pretty Weird)

Claudio Urciuoli Noca 3118 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix 602-956-6622, restaurantnoca.com See also: -- Noca Re-Opens with New Look, New Breads and New Cocktail Program -- Noca Serves Up Wallet-Friendly Lunch with Nocawich This is part one of my interview with Claudio Urciuoli, the executive chef at ... More >>

Central Bistro Starts Off Right Down the Middle

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 >>

FnB and Noca Create Goofy Promo Video for Upcoming Fried Chicken Throwdown

Never mind that the Fried Chicken Throwdown scheduled for Sunday, October 21 at Noca is very nearly sold out. The two contenders -- in one corner, Charleen Badman of FnB, and in the other, a possibly reluctant Claudio Urciuoli of Noca -- and their backup men (namely Eliot Wexler of Noca and Pavle Mi ... More >>

Tastemaker No. 1

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

Tastemaker No. 2

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

Tastemaker No. 3

4: Cathy Hayes

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

5: Stephen Jones

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

Eliot Wexler Challenges Charleen Badman of FnB To Fried Chicken Throwdown at Noca

It sounds like the start of a politically incorrect joke: A White Girl, A Jew, An Italian and a Colombian going to battle over the greatness of FRIED CHICKEN. See also: Nine Favorite Spots for Fried Chicken in Metro Phoenix Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles' Big New Flagship Now Open for Business

6: Francesca Bianco

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

8: Bob McClendon

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

9: Eytan Zias

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

10: Joe Johnston

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

11: Chrysa Robertson

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

12: Dave Johnson

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

13: Michael Brown

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

14: Josh Hebert

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

15: Jim Cerreta Sr.

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

Nikki's Top Four Picks for Arizona Restaurant Week

See also: Kevin Binkley on Loving In-N-Out Burger See also: Noca Owner Eliot Wexler on Chef Claudio Urciuoli Restaurant Week begins September 15 and runs through September 23. And while it smacks of Black Friday, Christmas in July and all the other bargain bonanzas that attract the great unwashed, ... More >>

16: Bernie Kantak

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

17: Bryan Dooley

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

18: Sam Fox

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

19: Eliot Wexler

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

20: Natalie Morris

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

21: Peter DeRuvo

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

22: Claudio Urciuoli

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

Noca Re-Opens with New Look, New Breads and New Cocktail Program

See also: Noca Owner Eliot Wexler on Chef Claudio Urciuoli See also: Windsor and Churn: Behind the Design Scenes with Craig DeMarco, Lauren Baily and Daniel Germani What a difference a month makes! Owner Eliot Wexler closed Noca for summer hiatus the first of July. And today, he re-opens with a b ... More >>

74: Sacha Levine

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

Noca Owner Eliot Wexler on Chef Claudio Urciuoli: The Burrata Addiction, Tinkering With Dough, and "Adding Colors to the Palette"

A few weeks ago, a series of rat-a-tat news events left Valley foodies gripping their collective forks and then poking themselves with them to make sure what they were reading was true: chef Claudio Urciuoli had parted ways with business partner and James Beard Award-winner Chris Bianco, chef Matt T ... More >>

Chris Bianco Changes Up the Kitchen at Italian Restaurant, But Is That Enough?

When pizza guru/restaurateur Chris Bianco brought chef Claudio Urciuoli onboard to run his generically named Italian Restaurant -- which opened in Central Phoenix last January -- the partnership promised to be interesting, at the very least. Both men have earned stellar reputations for their meti ... More >>

Bianco's Italian Restaurant: Low-Key, Fabulous Food, and Sipping the Olive Oil Is Acceptable

​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, 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 items, and satis ... More >>

Chris Bianco's New Italian Restaurant (Called Italian Restaurant) Opens Today

Last October, rumors were flying, then confirmed, that legendary pizza master Chris Bianco was planning to open a up a trattoria in CenPho. Now, it appears the launch date is set -- TODAY. Monday, January 16, Bianco is opening his much-buzzed about new restaurant, called Italian Restaurant, in the ... More >>

Pane Bianco Delves Into Dinner With New Chef

Vatra Grillhouse to Become Kitchen 56

Vatra Grillhouse is now called Kitchen 56.​Will the third time be the charm for the restaurant at the southeast corner of Indian School and 56th Street? The recently renovated building, which used to be a garage, opened in August as Vatra Grillhouse, and, after getting a lukewarm response fro ... More >>

Chef Claudio Urciuoli Leaving Prado

Claudio Urciuoli Staff at Prado just got the announcement today: Chef de cuisine Claudio Urciuoli will soon be leaving his post at the Italian fine dining restaurant. "It has been a great journey and I'm very grateful for the opportunity that they gave me," says Urciuoli. "I have esta ... More >>

It's Restaurant Week. Do You Know Where You're Eating?

The third Arizona Restaurant Week is underway as we speak, with a huge variety of participants enticing newbies and regulars alike with three-course meals at a special price of either $29 or $39. The price depends on the place -- a spot like Roaring Fork will set you back $29, while something m ... More >>

Prado Lands on Esquire's "Best New Restaurants" List

​Food critic John Mariani's annual list of best new restaurants for Esquire magazine hasn't hit the streets yet, but it's already shown up on the web, courtesy of the Eating Las Vegas blog. For 2009, the lone Arizona pick in Mariani's roundup is Prado, chef Claudio Urciuoli's Spanish-themed ... More >>

Changes at Prado at the Montelucia

He's been on board for a while, but as of today, former Digestif front-of-the-house personality Pavle Milic has officially been named the new general manager of Prado, the fine-dining restaurant at the InterContinental Montelucia resort. Another well-known local talent, Paul Xanthopoulos, ... More >>

Prado at InterContinental Montelucia Resort Doesn’t Live Up to Its Atmosphere, Thanks to Lousy Service and Watery Paella

Prado, M Bar, Crave Cafe set to debut at new InterContinental Montelucia Resort

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