Subject: Culture and Lifestyle

• Chocolate Alert! Eleanor Joseph Truffles Land in your Grocery

  Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals and stave off aging, and a glass of wine a day can reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. So that fistful of dark chocolate medallions and glass of Cabernet you'll be downing tonight are totally healthy!

  October 30, 2009

• Phish Live 8: Photos From Day 1

  ​Phish Halloween Indio, California = Pumpkin carving contest. ​Phish takes the stage playing "Party Time" in Indio, California for their Live 8 Festival. The reunited Vermont jam band is combining two of their biggest traditions, a massive festival and a Halloween concert that features the band playing another artist's album in its entirety. What does all this mean? Lots and lots of hippies sleeping in tents on the lush grass of Empire Polo Club.

  October 31, 2009

• Caffiend: Jolt Orange Blast

  E. Groves​Since it was introduced in 1985, Jolt Cola's had a well-deserved reputation as one of the world's most caffeinated sodas, proudly standing by its motto of "All the sugar and twice the caffeine" -- at least until the cane sugar in the original recipe was replaced with high fructose corn syrup. Now the tag line is "All the flavor and twice the caffeine."And oh, how many flavors Jolt has added to its line since its birth 24 years ago. There's Cherry Bomb, Citrus Climax, White Lightning,

  November 2, 2009

• Halloween, Shake!, Sadisco*, Phish and Zombies Over the Weekend

  ​The Final Shake! at the Rogue After five long years of indie/rock/electro/etc. dance tunes, celebrity guest DJs and stylish drunks gyrating on the dance floor, Shake! finally let out its death rattle. Fortunately the old dame went out with a bang and not a whimper Saturday night, yielding an army of creatively-costumed partygoers intent on drinking, dancing and making out one last time...see photos ​Sadisco* at Chaser's You think your Halloween was scary? You should have been at S

  November 2, 2009

• Coronado Cafe Under New Ownership

  Flight attendants-turned-restaurateurs Robert McCarville, Tom Vigil, and Randy Betnar sold Coronado Cafe two weeks ago, and the new owners of the charming eatery, tucked into an historic 1915 bungalow on 7th Street, have a few changes in store. Co-owner Diane Stackwick has lived in Arizona for a decade, but she hails from Baltimore, and owned a successful Maryland restaurant for several years. Her son and his wife are also co-owners; Christian Holt is the new chef and Misti Jones brings her wine

  November 2, 2009

• Amy Donohue, What Are You Eating?

  Find out what comedian Amy Donohue loves to eat.

  November 3, 2009

• Tweet n' Eat: Five Foodies to Follow

  ​Before the Internet, restaurants had to rely on TV and newspaper ads and word of mouth (OMG, how totally prehistoric!) to pimp their daily specials. While these archaic delivery methods are still around, now diners can find daily food specials with the click of a mouse on sites like Facebook and Twitter -- that is, if they know which Valley restaurants/chefs/etc. are reliable Twits, er, Twitterers.   Here are five of our faves: District's Ha

  November 3, 2009

• Your Ticket to Wine on Tap and Chicago-style Eats

  ​Phoenix is known as a home of transplants, with much of its population having relocated from elsewhere in the country (or in the world). But if you're a Chicago native or an East Coaster, you'll feel right at home in a Glendale restaurant that specializes in Philly cheese steaks and Chicago-style dogs. Which one? You'll have to read this week's Meal Ticket dining newsletter to find out. We'll also have info on a Phoenix restaurant that's the first in Arizona to pilot a new "wine on tap"

  November 4, 2009

• Battle of the Cuban Sandwiches

  Babaloos Cuban Cafe vs. Havana Cafe Created by immigrant laborers at the turn of the 20th century, the Cuban Sandwich is a tasty alternative to Plain Jane ham and cheese. Some versions have salami, some have lettuce and tomato, but the basics are the same: pork, spiced ham, cheese and pickles on toasted bread. We headed to two authentic Cuban cafes in SoPo/Ahwatukee to test out their versions of this popular 'wich.  In one corner: Babaloos Cuban Cafe  1241 E. Chandler Blvd. in&nbs

  November 4, 2009

• Pop Couture

  November 5, 2009

• Go Phish: Hippie Music Is on the Downswing — and That Sucks

  November 5, 2009

• Eat

  November 5, 2009

• Woodlands Vegetarian and Café Krishna Pack Chandler With Ethnic Vegetarian Specialties

  November 5, 2009

• Recipe: Apricot Glazed Chicken from Liberty Market

  Heather Hoch This tasty dish is a dinner menu-only item, so here's the recipe to try it anytime.​Running a restaurant is a lot like entertaining guests at home for chef David Traina, our Chef Talk subject for this week. He keeps the dishes on the menu simple with ingredients he knows and loves.Several of the dishes at Liberty Market are things Traina would serve right out of his home kitchen. But one dish has more sentimentality than the rest. The apricot glazed chicken has ties to how

  November 4, 2009

• Free Boating on Town Lake

  November 5, 2009

• Are Grocery Stores Going Nutty?

  We're noticing a trend in grocery stores lately -- they're all going totally nuts! Literally, that is. More and more local grocery stores are expanding their nut selections, venturing beyond stock bags of pistachios and cans of mixed nuts to bulk nuts, grind your own peanut butter stations and nut counters where customers can sample nuts and take them home by the pound. Make your own nut butter at the Chandler Whole Foods store.Whole Foods in Chandler, for example, has six grind

  November 5, 2009

• Chef Michael Rusconi is Leaving LON's

  Earlier this week, LON's at the Hermosa announced that acclaimed executive chef Michael Rusconi is leaving the fine dining restaurant at the Hermosa Inn. Where is Rusconi headed? Will the restaurant continue with Rusconi's emphasis on seasonal cuisine that emphasizes sustainable ingredients? Will the next chef at LON's be recruited from elsewhere or from the local talent pool?Unfortunately, no information is currently available on Rusconi's future plans or who will replace hi

  November 5, 2009

• 10 Things to Know If You're Dining Out

  ​As a server at several restaurants over the course of 5 years, you learn a lot about the business. It may just seem like a casual dining restaurant, but oftentimes the hospitality business is one of the most dramatic out there and has a lot of nuances diners might not even know about. Here are 10 things to keep in mind if you're going to eat at a restaurant. 10. Give your feedback on the restaurant's website While it's obvious you can always tell a manger in-person what you think, s

  November 6, 2009

• Welcome Diner Open Tonight for First Friday

  ​Just a quick reminder that Welcome Diner has special hours for First Friday. They'll be serving food from 6 p.m. to midnight. Specials on the menu include watermelon from Crooked Sky Farms and eggplant from Maya's Farm. If you're down wandering around Roosevelt Row, hit up Rusty Spoke bike co-op on 5th Street for the lowdown on how to get a pedicab to the diner.

  November 6, 2009

• Caffiend: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's Iced Pumpkin Latte

  ​'Tis the season for coffee shops to start peddling their holiday flavors. Christmas shoppers looking to stay wired while standing in long lines will be running for peppermint, pumpkin, and apple spice-flavored caffeine concoctions.  The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is one of many java outlets offering seasonal drinks. I wanted to try the ice-blended Spiced Pumpkin drink, which is what I ordered at the Tatum & Shea location, because it looked like a yummy frozen treat. But after the bar

  November 9, 2009

• Monday Night Martha: Rum Vanilla Cream Pie

  ​ We've harbored a fantasy of opening our own food truck that only serves up pie and coffee. Phoenix Novembers would be perfect for this endeavor. And while we don't actually have a pie truck, we are always eager to try a new pie recipe. Which brings us to this week's Monday Night Martha, where we take on Rum-Vanilla Cream Pie. Martha describes this as a, "traditional 1950s style cream pie". Mmm, sounds good. Plus the recipe calls for 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon golden rum. We're in.First

  November 9, 2009

• Free Blooming Onion at Outback

  There's nothing we love more than food. Except maybe FREE food. While Outback Steakhouse isn't the kind of small, indie business we usually pimp here on Chow Bella, we ​have to admit they make a pretty awesome Bloomin' Onion appetizer. Sliced and fried till golden brown, the everyday onion ends up looking like some exotic Thai flower with petals splayed open to expose a creamy dip center. The normally spicy onion takes on a more subtle, sweet taste. Hungry yet? Al

  November 10, 2009

• Chef Talk: Matt Alleshouse, Tommy V's

  Nicki Escudero Chef Matt Alleshouse at Tommy V's​ When most chefs were graduating culinary school, Tommy V's Osteria Pizzeria's Matt Alleshouse was already cooking up delicacies at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. The 29-year-old, currently the head chef at the newly opened Tommy V's, has been in the Valley for more than 10 years. He got his start as an intern at the Biltmore, eventually moving up to head chef at the resort's upscale Wright's and working with Smith

  November 10, 2009

• Talking Turkey in this Week's Meal Ticket

  ​Tired of the same boring traditional turkey dinner for Thanksgiving? Try something different this holiday. In this week's Meal Ticket dining newsletter, we've got the scoop on unusual holiday feasts, from a meat-free faux turkey dinner to the infamous "Turducken," a Cajun treat that's three meats in one. We'll also have info on a new romantic Italian restaurant that's heating up the town with modern twists on classic comfort foods and a French bistro offering tasty, u

  November 11, 2009

• Recipe: Tomato Caper Braised Halibut from Tommy V's

  Nicki Escudero Tomato Caper Braised Halibut​When head chef Matt Alleshouse of Tommy V's Osteria Pizzeria created this recipe, he was looking to put a new twist on an old meal--the hunters-style dish. Typical hunters' dishes are made in one pot, cooked with the meat the hunter caught. It's a technique that's been used hundreds of years, but in this case, Alleshouse uses halibut instead of a land meat. "It's almost like peasant food, and to me, that's where everybody got their

  November 11, 2009

• Booze Cruise

  November 12, 2009

• Concorso Arizona Italian Sports and Exotic Cars and Bikes Show

  November 12, 2009

• Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue Does Pulled Pork That's Worth the Drive to Cave Creek

  November 12, 2009

• Ra Sushi's New Dishes

  Jonathan McNamaraRa appetizers.​Let's just get this out of the way: Ra Sushi is not Japanese cuisine. Not proper Japanese cuisine anyway. That being said, it can be delicious as I found out at a new menu tasting at Ra Sushi in North Scottsdale last night.

  November 11, 2009

• More on Pavle Milic's FnB, Opening Soon

  ​The moment Pavle Milic has been waiting for is almost here. If all goes as planned, he'll finally be opening his own restaurant, called FnB, sometime around the 23rd of this month. That's not even two weeks away, and Milic couldn't be more excited.

  November 12, 2009

• Genmaicha to Combat the Food Coma

  ​I drink more tea than I want to admit -- I must horde at least a dozen different kinds at any given time. Lately genmaicha is my fixation. I bought this particular Ito-En brand "Oishii O-Cha" at Lee Lee, where you'll find genmaicha from several different makers.

  November 13, 2009

• Draft Magazine's The Big Pour...Or At Least What We Remember From It

  Jonathan McNamaraDelicious Fat Tire. See more shots in our Big Pour slide show. ​What do you do when faced with multiple beers from multiple breweries? That's right, drink 'em all! That's precisely what we (attempted) to do at Draft Magazine's The Big Pour last weekend. The beer festival took place at The Waterfront in Scottsdale and attracted a crowd of folks ranging from Tempe riff-raff to Ed Hardy-clad Scottsdale denizens with such attractions as George Wendt of Cheers fame and Evercl

  November 16, 2009

• Chef Talk: Greg LaPrad, Quiessence

  It's hard to believe Greg LaPrad, executive chef and owner of Phoenix's farm-to-table sensation, Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar, almost didn't make it as a chef. Nicki Escudero Greg LaPrad at Quiessence​The 28-year-old, originally from Connecticut, got his start cooking weekend meals with his father when he was a kid, but his parents weren't too keen of his chef aspirations, instead encouraging him to hit the books. "I think at the time, the idea of cooking wasn't reall

  November 17, 2009

• This Week's Meal Ticket is a Touchdown

  ​Sports fans have it easy when it comes to choosing restaurants -- sports bars are practically on every corner here in the Phoenix Metro. But finding an upscale restaurant where you can get your sports fix is another story. In this week's Meal Ticket dining newsletter, find out which new steakhouse offers gourmet eats and a sports-themed menu to boot. We'll also have a roundup of special places to take your family for Thanksgiving brunch or dinner, so you can make reservations before they

  November 18, 2009

• Recipe: Red Wine Braised Beef with Winter Squash "Mash" and Apple Gremolata from Quiessence

  You're lucky, readers--this recipe was crafted just for you by Chef Greg LaPrad of Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar. Nicki Escudero Red Wine Braised Beef with Winter Squash "Mash" and Apple Gremolata​LaPrad made this dish using ingredients currently available at Quiessence, which rotates its menu daily. The dish uses a braising technique, which is applicable to many different cuts of meat. That's important to LaPrad, since Quiessence uses the whole animal, rather than one part

  November 18, 2009

• Postino Starts Brunch Service This Weekend

  ​Good things are happening at Postino, Phoenix's ever-popular wine bar. Brunch is the biggest thing -- starting this Saturday, Postino Central will be serving brunch (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays). The menu looks as scrumptious as Postino's nighttime, wine-friendly fare . . .

  November 18, 2009

• Tomaso’s Spin-Off Tommy V’s Dishes Up Italian on Camelback and 32nd Street

  November 19, 2009

• On Cutting Hair and Killing Gringos

  November 19, 2009

• Battle of the Meat Chili

  Saddle Ranch Chop House vs. Bison Witches Deli Now that fall has arrived (yes we know it's still 65-70 degrees, but that's sweater weather to most Phoenicians), there's nothing that satisfies our bellies like a nice steaming bowl of chili. This week, we hit up two local restaurants to see whether their meat-filled versions warmed our hearts or cooled our spirits. In One Corner: Saddle Ranch Chop House9375 W. Coyotes Blvd., Glendale 623-889-7770 A heaping bowl of co

  November 19, 2009

• Let Us Do Thanksgiving For You

  Ok, the title may be a little deceiving. We here at New Times will not be cooking your Thanksgiving feast for you. (Trust us, that's a good thing.) We are, however, ready to point you in the direction of some traditional -- and not so traditional -- Thanksgiving sit-down meals around town. Reservations are generally required. http://www.flickr.com/photos/yangping/ / CC BY 2.0 Sushi for Thanksgiving? Well, at least you won't be sleepy afterwards.​ ​If yo

  November 19, 2009

• Cafe: Tommy V's Osteria Pizzeria

  ​When out-of-state friends come to visit, they're surprised and amazed when we take them out for Pizza. "Pizza?" they say, "In the desert?" Absolutely. Everyone knows Bianco's has great pizza, but this week's cafe column has us jonesin' for a new spin on pizza pie. Food Critic Michele Laudig on Tommy V's Osteria Pizzeria: The crust was lightly crisp and distinctly not bubbly, unlike so many other gourmet pizzerias in town. Right now, I think Tommy's needs to perfect the level of char --

  November 19, 2009

• Stuffing Showdown: Hot Italian Sausage Stuffing With Thyme

  Jonathan McNamara Where is my fork!?​From now 'til Thanksgiving, we'll be sharing various stuffing recipes -- all tested and taste-tested first-hand by Chow Bella contributors. On Thanksgiving Day, our "celebrity judge," New Times food critic Michele Laudig, will weigh in with her favorite of the lot. Yesterday we checked out Nicki Escudero's vegan "sausage" stuffing. Today's recipe is anything but vegan.

  November 20, 2009

• New in Tempe: Sleepy Dog Saloon & Brewery

  ​Just in time for the weekend, there's a brand-new microbrewery to quench your thirst in Tempe.Sleepy Dog Saloon & Brewery, located at 1920 E. University, is set to open Saturday, November 21. Owner Rob Sizemore's original brews include Puppy Pale (pale ale), Irish Setter (Irish red), Hound (hefeweizen), and Scottie (Scottish strong ale), with other varieties in the making. Sizemore started out as a home brewer, and now brings nine years of experience to his new business.Business hour

  November 20, 2009

• Alchemy Restaurant Set to Reopen Next Week at CopperWynd Resort

  ​CopperWynd, the AAA Four Diamond resort in Fountain Hills, took such a beating in the recession that it suspended operations earlier this year. That included a shuttering of its restaurant, Alchemy. But there's a new chapter in the story. On Tuesday, November 24, Alchemy will reopen with a new chef/co-owner, Paul O'Connor. Menu details aren't available yet, but I'm told it will be a new concept.  The restaurant itself has not been remodeled, although the lobby bar will now

  November 20, 2009

• Caffiend: Carly's Jamaican Coffee

  ​I was tired from moving and hauling furniture all day Sunday, and I desperately needed a caffeine kick, so I checked out the menu at a place close to my new home downtown -- Carly's on Roosevelt Street. This artsy cafe has always been one of my favorite places to grab some fruity imported beer, but I noticed a couple coffees on Carly's menu listed under "After Dinner Drinks." I decided to give the "Jamaican Coffee" a try.Call me stupid (or maybe I was just exhausted and thoughtless), but I ha

  November 23, 2009

• Stuffing Showdown: Quick & Easy Sweet Apple-Date Stuffing

  From now 'til Thanksgiving, we'll be sharing various stuffing recipes -- all tested and taste-tested first-hand by Chow Bella contributors. On Thanksgiving Day, our "celebrity judge," New Times food critic Michele Laudig, will weigh in with her favorite of the lot. So far, we've seen recipes for Vegan Stuffing and Hot Italian Sausage Stuffing. Today, we're adding a sweet stuffing to the mix.  Photo by Jonathan McNamara Got a sweet tooth? You'll eat this stuffing up...​

  November 23, 2009

• Apple, Leek and Butternut Squash Gratin

  ​I don't know about you, but for us Thanksgiving is all about the sides. Sure, the turkey is important but it's the sides that make it all sing. Which is why for this week's Monday Night Martha we thought we would try out a potential new Thanksgiving side dish: Apple, Leek and Butternut Squash Gratin. The recipe called for 2 leeks, a pound of butternut squash and a pound of apples such as Gala, Cortland, Baldwin or Macoun. Hmmm, we love leeks, love butternut squash and love apples. What th

  November 23, 2009

• Brandon Huigens, What Are You Eating?

  ​Brandon Huigens The singer for Male Pattern Radness, co-producer for the monthly Femocracy Comedy Variety Series and executive producer/contributor/resident cartoonist of Modest Proposal Magazine and www.mpempire.com performs Saturday, December 5 at The Celebrate Christmas Sweaters Comedy Music Extravaganza at Plazma. What'd you eat for dinner last night? I had some crispy french fries and canned spaghetti. There was a sale at Fry's. Later, my wife and I had some Flip-It c

  November 24, 2009

• Chef Talk: Michelina DiSibio, Michelina's

  Back when Michelina DiSibio was 11 years old and living in Gesualdo, Italy, she wasn't too happy when her father pulled her out of school and had her work at home. She wanted to be a doctor, but thankfully for local diners, that was the start of her life as a chef and owner of Michelina's Ristorante Costa Compagnia, a Phoenix Italian restaurant that recently celebrated its 24th anniversary. Nicki Escudero Michelina DiSibio at her restaurant ​ DiSibio learned how to cook from

  November 24, 2009

• Fresh Baked Gifts: Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Filling

  'Tis the season to start shelling out some major dough to buy presents for friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances, distant relatives... Need we go on? However, if you're a crafty gift-giver with some extra time, you can save the dough and bake some awesome presents. These treats are made to impress, so no one will accuse you of being cheap, though you may be.Heather Hoch​This week's Fresh Baked Gifts is a handheld dessert that's perfect for Thanksgiving. The whoopie pie has been a popul

  November 24, 2009