Food and Cooking

Restaurant in Spain Lets Unemployed Customers Work for Their Meals

If you've ever forgotten your wallet, you've probably spent at least a few seconds wondering just what would happen if you ate at a restaurant but couldn't pay. Would they really make you roll up your sleeve and clean some dishes to make up for the cost? Would they have you take out bins of sticky, ... More >>

Ex-Kai Chef Michael O'Dowd Opens Renegade by Mod in Scottsdale This Friday

Even if you've never heard of chef Michael O'Dowd, you've most certainly heard of Kai, the AAA five-diamond and Forbes Travel Guide five-star restaurant that O'Dowd, during his 10-year reign at the culinary destination, put on the map. See also: - New Breakfast Spot, Snooze AM Eatery, Coming to Cen ... More >>

5 Desserts That Pastry Chef Rachel Miller Is Totally Over

I love sweets. Obviously. As a pastry chef, I fully understand giving the people what they want. But I also believe in challenging the diner to try something new, expanding their taste buds and minds. See also: - Sugar Rush: Confessions of a Wild West Pastry Chef, and the Launch of a New Column ... More >>

Has Service in Restaurants Become Too Casual?

Is the level of service at restaurants on the decline? Restaurant critic Alan Richman seems to think so and has accused several NYC restaurants of going too far out on the casual dining limb by providing careless service. See also: - Should the Food Industry Separate the Accomplishments of Female ... More >>

Royal Palms Closes T. Cook's For Summer to Renovate, Operates Out of Pop-Up Called Cervantes Bistro, Hires New Executive Chef

The executive chef position at T. Cook's at the Royal Palms felt like a revolving door for a while there. Long-timer Lee Hillson left for The Phoenician last August, replaced by Todd Sicolo (formerly at the Arizona Biltmore) in October, who turned around and left himself just four months later -- bu ... More >>

Baby Eels Reappearing on British Menus for the First Time in 30 Years

This season, fishermen in the U.K. have been able to pull extremely high numbers of elver eels out of Britian's River Severn. The baby eels, sometimes called glass eels, used to be a cheap regional treat but high demand boosted prices in the '70s and '80s, making the little worm-like fish too pricey ... More >>

CLOSED: Davanti Enoteca in North Scottsdale

The city of Scottsdale takes another punch to the restaurant-scene gut today -- and this one's a doozy: Davanti Enoteca has shuttered after just nine months. See also: - CLOSED: Indulge Burgers & More in Scottsdale - CLOSED: Cask 63 in North Scottsdale The fourth location of the Italian restaurant ... More >>

Kelly Fletcher of House of Tricks on Thomas Keller, Chris Bianco, and What They'll Say About Him When He's Dead and Gone

This is part two of my interview with Kelly Fletcher, executive chef at House of Tricks in Tempe. If you missed part one, where Fletcher praised his favorite local chefs, told us about the best food he's had this year and predicted what will be the next big thing, read it here. See also: -- Chris B ... More >>

10 Things in New York City the Phoenix Food Scene Will Never Have

Arizona has an up-and-coming food scene, and there's a lot to be proud of, for sure. But when Chow Bella published a list of things that make Phoenix a better food town than New York City, I just had to laugh. The difference in size alone makes the two incomparable. Since moving back to New York six ... More >>

SoChu House in Phoenix: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: SoChu House 2801 North Central Avenue, Phoenix 602-340-9777 www.sochuhouse.com See Also: - Pig & Pickle in Scottsdale: Happy Hour Report Card - Tastemakers 2012: Johnny Chu - Miu's Cuisine: Sichuan Food That's Anything but Familiar

Amy's Baking Company Grand Re-Opening Event in Scottsdale, 5/21/13

There were plenty of spectators outside of Amy's Baking Company in Scottsdale on Tuesday night. Dozens of people and cars lingered around the parking lot, keeping a safe distance from the infamous restaurant and it's owners, waiting for emotional fireworks at the restaurant's anticipated grand re-op ... More >>

16 Favorite Places in Metro Phoenix to Eat at the Bar

Restaurant bars stopped being strictly bars years ago. Nowadays, many people consider them the best seats in the house for a casual dinner that doesn't require reservations, waiting, or a deep reservoir of patience. Because most of them operate on a first-come, first-served basis, customers are free ... More >>

New Breakfast Spot, Snooze AM Eatery, Coming to Central Phoenix

A Colorado import is making its Phoenix debut, breakfast-style, at 2045 East Camelback Road, in the Town & Country Shopping Center in Phoenix. See also: - Scottsdale's Pomo Pizzeria Moving to Downtown Phoenix - Sam Fox's New Seafood Spot, Little Cleo's, Opens at The Yard in North Central Phoenix S ... More >>

Kelly Fletcher of House of Tricks on Lori Hashimoto, the Boys at Citizen, and the Next Big Thing

Kelly Fletcher House of Tricks 114 E. Seventh Street, Tempe 480-968-1114, houseoftricks.com See also: -- House of Tricks: Happy Hour Report Card -- Quiessence Chef Greg LaPrad Leaving the Farm at South Mountain for Sonoita This is part one of my interview with Kelly Fletcher, executive chef at Ho ... More >>

3 Reasons Why the AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival Is the Best in Arizona

I tolerate the douchery of the Great Arizona Beer Festival. I enjoy the charitable nature of the Beer for Brains Rare Affair. I love the drunken shenanigans and alcohol-heavy drink that flows freely at the Arizona Strong Beer Fest. See also: - 2013 AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival in Scottsdale ... More >>

The Chipotle Patron Margarita: You Get What You Pay For

Did I just spy a cocktail shaker behind the cashier at my local Chipotle? Why, yes, I did. Chipotle has rolled out a new Patron Margarita, a margarita "so good, you'll forget you're drinking from a plastic cup." Their words, not mine. I just had to see that shaker in action and find out more about ... More >>

Five Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? We've got you covered. Check out what's on our plate. See also: - Food Truck Caravan Rolls into Downtown Scottsdale Starting This Saturday Night - Drive-Thru Tacos and Tapas Come to Peoria (By Way of Las Vegas) Schnepf Farms Peach Festival ... More >>

Good Gravy! Welcome Diner in Downtown Phoenix Serves Up Southern Charm

Sam Fox's New Seafood Spot, Little Cleo's, Opens at The Yard in North Central Phoenix

Fans of The Yard, restaurateur Sam Fox's 53,000-square-foot dining and hangout space on Seventh Street in north Central Phoenix, can now add seafood to the multi-use urban mix. See also: - Jobot Owner John Sagasta Opening Ice Cream Shop in Downtown's Roosevelt Row - Z'Tejas to Debut New Taco Restau ... More >>

CLOSED: Cask 63 in North Scottsdale

As of Monday, there's now one less restaurant at the Shops at Gainey Village in Scottsdale. Cask 63 American Eatery & Wine Bar has shuttered. See also: - CLOSED: X-Tapa Joe's in North Scottsdale - Cheuvront Restaurant in Phoenix to Close at the End of May The lunch and dinner concept from partner ... More >>

Quiessence Chef Greg LaPrad Leaving the Farm at South Mountain for Sonoita

It's the end of an era. Chef Greg LaPrad -- the talented farm-to-table chef who made Quiessence a destination restaurant and kept it in the media spotlight for eight years -- plans to wrap up his eighth and last season at the restaurant on Saturday, June 15. Sister restaurant Morning Glory Cafe clos ... More >>

Summer Mixology Classes with Travis Nass at the Last Drop Bar, Starting May 19

There are a few great mixologists in the Valley, and most cocktail connoisseurs would say Travis Nass is, hands down, one of them. He and his handlebar mustache have been creating quite a name for the Last Drop Bar at Lon's at the Hermosa Inn as a place to get unique drinks. See also: - Tastemake ... More >>

Matt Taylor of Market Street Kitchen on John Besh, Michael Mina, and the Best Southern Restaurants in the U.S.

This is part two of my interview with Matt Taylor, executive chef at Market Street Kitchen. If you missed part one, where Taylor dished about Brad Thompson, Robert McGrath and what he likes and dislikes about the Southern Cooking trend, read it here. See also: -- New Southern-Style Cooking Spot Com ... More >>

Scotch Chef's Table at Cafe ZuZu in Scottsdale on May 20

A Mr. Ron Burgundy once said, "I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly." And if, like Mr. Burgundy, you're a fan of the stuff, then you might just be thrilled to know that Cafe ZuZu at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale will be having a scotch-filled chef's table ... More >>

Four Peaks SunBru: A Can-tastic Gold Medal Winner

Beer: Sunbru Brewery: Four Peaks Brewing Co. Style: Kolsch ABV: 5.2 percent If you people are any part the beer geeks you claim to be, you'll journey outside your homes on Saturday, May 18, into the increasingly balmy summer air and over to the AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival. You'll get to lis ... More >>

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 >>

Matt Taylor of Market Street Kitchen on Robert McGrath, Brad Thompson, and the Trend He Hates (You'll Be Surprised)

Matt Taylor Market Street Kitchen 20825 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale 480-278-7044, marketstreetkitchen.com See also: -- Matt Taylor Becomes Head Honcho at Market Street Kitchen; Robert McGrath Stays On as Consultant -- Maple-Rye Creme Brulee at Market Street Kitchen This is part one of my interview ... More >>

The Western in Scottsdale Off to a Good, Boot-Scootin' Start

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 >>

Food Truck Caravan Rolls Into Downtown Scottsdale Starting This Saturday Night

When it comes to the food truck revolution, the city of Scottsdale has been slow to come to the cabal. See also: - Short Leash Hot Dogs to Open Permanent Location in Downtown Phoenix - Six Phoenix Food Trucks, Rated But thanks to the Edible Exchange, a caravan of food trucks will roll into downto ... 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. So, here's a recap of some of the top stories from the week that you may have missed. Aaron Chamberlin's ... More >>

Chandler's Living Room Wine Café Expanding to Northwest Valley

Northwest Valley folks looking for a new place to lounge with a glass of wine soon will be able to add The Living Room to their list. See also: - New Korean Barbecue Spot Opens in Glendale - Z'Tejas to Debut New Taco Restaurant Concept in Old Phoenix Church Restaurateur Tom Kaufman (owner of the H ... More >>

CLOSED: X-Tapa Joe's in North Scottsdale

Oh, Joe, say it ain't so. X-Tapa Joe's, the North Scottsdale Mexican restaurant, has been X'd out: The restaurant has shuttered. See also: - Cheuvront Restaurant in Phoenix to Close at the End of May - CLOSED: Busters on the Lake in Scottsdale Located at 7500 East Pinnacle Peak Road, the lively M ... More >>

3 Easy Recipes That Call for Nut Butters

Forget peanut butter. There are all sorts of nut butters just waiting for your morning toast. More important, every jar of cashew or pumpkinseed butter is the secret ingredient to thicken your sauce, bring depth to your salad dressing, or turn tortilla chips into fancy hors d'oeuvre. See Also: And ... More >>

The Original ChopShop in Scottsdale Caters to the Healthy Crowd

Bink's Cafe and Bink's Midtown Host New All-You-Can-Eat Pig Roast Every Saturday and Sunday

Although the phrase "all you can eat" doesn't necessarily come to mind when referring to the cuisine of (Stiffed!) James Beard Award-nominated chef Kevin Binkley, it's good to know when considering the new Pig on the Patio event going on every weekend at two of his three restaurants: Cafe Bink and B ... More >>

Central Bistro's Andrea Volpi Offers Tips on Cooking with Wine

You've probably seen the meme about wine and cooking: "I tried cooking with wine for the first time last night. After 5 glasses, I forgot why I was in the kitchen." Even if this is you, have no fear. General "cooking with wine" rules including things like "don't use cheap wine," or use a dry whit ... More >>

Fest of the Best

Tea Time

Toddy Takedown: Press Coffee Roasters vs. Cartel Coffee Lab

Toddy-style brewed iced coffee is better than hot drip for a few reasons. First of all, the acidity levels are lower in cold-brewed coffee, making it more drinkable in those indigestion-filled crunch times. It's also higher in caffeine, which means you pretty much only need one cup to keep you going ... More >>

Chandler's Barrelhouse Rolls Out with a Few Bumps

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 >>

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 >>

Chef Christopher Gross Introduces New Petites Bouchées (Little Bites) Menu at Crush Lounge in Phoenix

Christopher's and Crush Lounge, the Biltmore Fashion Park restaurants of James Beard Award-winning chef Christopher Gross, have always been spots to score top-notch French-inspired eats. See also: - Tastemakers 2012: Christopher Gross - 10 Best Spots for Fries in Metro Phoenix And last week, Gro ... More >>

Mother's Day in Metro Phoenix: 12 Recommendations Based on Time, Budget, and Location

Sunday is Mother's Day, and (especially if you don't do it throughout the year) you'd better find a way to honor the woman that gave you life. Brunch is the traditional meal of the holiday, and there are plenty of those in the Phoenix area if your mom loves waffles, omelettes, and bacon. But there a ... More >>

Pig & Pickle in Scottsdale: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Pig & Pickle 2922 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale 480-990-1407 www.pigandpickle.com See Also: - Bink's Midtown in Phoenix: Happy Hour Report Card - Scottsdale's Pig & Pickle a Culinary Power to the People - Perk Eatery and Barrio Cafe Scheduled for Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in ... More >>

Pomo Pizzeria Heading to New Home in Scottsdale

In a couple of weeks, fans of Pomo Pizzeria, the stylish Scottsdale spot serving certified authentic Neapolitan pizza (complete with a stamp of approval from the Italian trade group Associazone Verace Pizza Napoletana), will need to travel north to score their favorite artisan pies. See also: - Lam ... More >>

Where to Eat and Drink in Hermosillo, Mexico

A few weeks ago, I started counting the years since I've visited my hometown of Hermosillo. After removing my socks so the writing may continue, and hitting the very high number of 10 fingers and 7 toes, I was glad to have toes to spare, but I panicked at my increasing age and resolved to stop the c ... More >>

New Korean Barbecue Spot Opens in Glendale

West Valley residents looking for Korean barbecue and other specialty dishes can now head to Koryo Korean BBQ at 10040 North 43rd Avenue in Glendale (inside the Great Skate Mall). See also: - Bao Bing, the Cool and Fruity Asian Treat, Gets Its Own Shop in Central Phoenix - New Conveyor Belt Sushi S ... More >>

Grab Your Favorite Dining Buddy: Arizona Spring Restaurant Week Is Almost Here

Twice a year, the Arizona Restaurant Association tries to entice us into dining out for 10 days straight by getting more than a hundred local restaurants to offer prix-fixe menus for $30 or $40. And every year, twice a year, it pretty much works. See also: - April Restaurant Openings and Closings ... More >>

Ten FIDY, Oskar Blues and the Canned Beer Apocalypse

Beer: Ten FIDY Brewery: Oskar Blues Brewery Style: Imperial Stout ABV: 10.5 percent As we inch ever closer to the third annual AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival our discussion of aluminum cylinders continues, and it's only right that at this point we bring up Oskar Blues. See also: - 2013 Ameri ... More >>

Kevin Binkley Stiffed (Again) at the 2013 James Beard Awards

Tonight, the James Beard Foundation Awards, also known as the Oscars of the culinary world, announced this year's winners at the Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City. See also: - Vincent Guerithault on Wolfgang Puck and Kevin Binkley - Bink's Mid ... More >>