Food and Cooking

5 Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? Be sure to start the night off with a big dose of sugar, in the form of the fourth annual Caramelpalooza, tonight (Friday) at 7 at Biltmore Fashion Park. And after that, we've still got you covered. Check out what's on our plate. See also: - ... More >>

Top 5 Favorite Events at the 2013 Scottsdale Culinary Festival

Over 100 restaurants, dozens of chefs, 20 events, countless wine and spirit selections, and 35,000 hungry guests? It must be the Scottsdale Culinary Festival. See also: - Caramelpalooza 2013: An Illustrated Field Guide for April 5 - Friendly House Hosts 78th Annual Tamale Dinner This Friday at City ... More >>

The Coffee Chop Kicks Off Coffee Class Series at Crepe Bar in Tempe

Phoenix coffee connoisseur Perry Czopp knows a hell of a lot about coffee. He's made a commitment to helping others learn about the art of all things java through his business, The Coffee Chop. The Chop offers coffee tours and tastings, and he hosts regular competitions that pit local baristas again ... More >>

Short Leash Hot Dogs to Open Permanent Location in Downtown Phoenix

Short Leash Hot Dogs, the venerated food truck featuring gourmet hot dogs wrapped in a warm naan "bun," soon will have a permanent dog house -- so to speak. See also: - Short Leash Hot Dogs' Recipe in Eat St. Cookbook Out This Week - Six Phoenix Food Trucks, Rated "We've been mulling it over for q ... More >>

Green Chile Mac and Cheese Smackdown: The Main Ingredient vs. Roaring Fork

In Arizona, we want things done a certain way. We like our hot dogs Sonoran, our margaritas prickly peared, and our mac and cheese chock-full of green chiles. A classic dish of Americana delivered with a Southwestern spin is the comfort dish of many locals. So whose kitchen should you head to when y ... More >>

A Formidable Cuban Sandwich and More on Phoenix's West Side

Vegan Couple Brings Own Pasta to Restaurant, Gets Charged Double for Order, and Refuses to Pay

According to an article on a New Jersey news site, a vegan couple dining out at a local Italian restaurant says the restaurant's owner charged them twice as much as they should have been charged for two pasta dinners. The owner justified the price by the fact that the couple had brought their own wh ... More >>

Cuban Foods Bakery & Restaurant: Sandwich Cubanos and More on the City's West Side

Cuban Foods Bakery & Restaurant on the city's west side makes a formidable Cuban sandwich. See also: - Lamp's Wood-Fired Pizzas Shine in North Scottsdale - Pig & Pickle in Scottsdale: Gourmet Food Without the Price Tag Larger than those you may have had elsewhere, the plate-size sandwich is juicy ... More >>

"Arizona's Hottest New Patio" Opens in Tempe Today

Heads up, outdoor lounge-y types; "Arizona's Hottest New Patio" opens in Tempe today. See also: - Bink's Midtown Is a Must (Especially When It Comes to Veggies) - New Restaurant Opens at Chase Field: Think Barbecue, Sandwiches Wrapped in Tape Measures, and the "Hottest Wings in Baseball" Featuri ... More >>

Lunch Under $10 at The Rose & Crown Pub

We've always liked the look and feel of downtown Phoenix's cutest little Brit pub, the Rose & Crown. Located in a converted historic house in Heritage Square (across from Pizzeria Bianco), the bar caters to a relaxed crowd of people usually just chatting and sipping pints. Rose & Crown offers your c ... More >>

Bink's Midtown Is a Must (Especially When It Comes to Veggies)

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 >>

Psst, Wanna Buy an (Epic) Food Truck?

On November 29, 2012, Epic Hot Dogs, a food truck serving weenies from all over the world (sorry), sputtered out after just over a year of being in the mobile-kitchen business. See also: - Six Phoenix Food Trucks, Rated - Hao Bao Food Truck Hitting the Brakes -- For Now But that doesn't mean the t ... More >>

Sweet Republic's Helen Yung on Phoenix's Best Chinese Restaurants, the Perfect Ice Cream and How 9/11 Changed Her Life

This is part two of my interview with Helen Yung, co-owner and ice cream designer/maker at Sweet Republic. If you missed part one, where Yung talks about growing up in Hong Kong, investment banking, and the dish she thinks is overrated, read it here. See also: -- Chou's Kitchen in Chandler Makes Tr ... More >>

10 Best Things I Ate in March

March may already be in our rearview mirrors, but the 10 best dishes I ate last month are still very much on my mind. See also: 6 Phoenix Food Trucks, Rated and 10 Best Things I Ate in January From artisan pizza in North Scottsdale to a diner-style vegan breakfast in Phoenix to food truck fare on ... More >>

Short Leash Hot Dogs' Recipe in Eat St. Cookbook Out This Week

Phoenix isn't the only place that has fans of Short Leash Hot Dogs, the truck that in large part gave rise to the flourishing food truck scene that the city has today. The North American food truck scene has gained so much momentum over the past few years that there's a TV show to share the best of ... More >>

Go Ahead and Strut It, Surprise; The Newest Rito's Location Is Yours

Fans of Rito's, the tiny family-owned eatery in Central Phoenix and home to some of the Valley's best burritos, may be elated to hear the venerated restaurant has opened a new location. See also: - New Restaurant Opens at Chase Field: Think Barbecue, Sandwiches Wrapped in Tape Measures, and the "Ho ... More >>

The Cove Trattoria: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Cove Trattoria, 7001 North Scottsdale Road, #128, Paradise Valley, 480-951-8273, www.thecovescottsdale.com. See Also: - 11 Great Wine Bars in Metro Phoenix - Windsor in Phoenix: Happy Hour Report Card - Lamp Wood Oven Pizzeria Shines in North Scottsdale The Hours: Happy Hour is offered ... More >>

11 Great Wine Bars in Metro Phoenix

In a time that doesn't seem too long ago, Americans approached wine with a sense of dread. Stumbling over French names, listening to the intimidating patter of the sommelier (who had what looked like an ashtray hanging from his neck), smelling the cork, sipping and giving a nod of approval -- the wh ... More >>

Best Kitchen Pranks from Valley Chefs

Welcome to Chow Bella's Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you'd like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com.With today being April Fools' Day, there's a good chance many of us will ei ... More >>

New Restaurant Opens at Chase Field: Think Barbecue, Sandwiches Wrapped in Tape Measures, and the "Hottest Wings in Baseball"

Just in time for the Arizona Diamondbacks' opening day, Game Seven Grill, the new barbecue-style restaurant at Chase Field, will open its doors to hungry baseball fans. See also: - Chef Justin Beckett Opening Restaurant in Old Beef Eaters Building - Squid Ink Sushi Opening Second Location at Downt ... More >>

March Restaurant Openings and Closings in Metro Phoenix

Another busy month on the Phoenix food scene. We bid adieu to a handful of restaurants, including Chick Rotisserie & Wine Bar. But welcomed a fresh crop of new eateries, including a new Bink's location and the Salty Sow. See Also: --February Restaurant Openings and Closings in Metro Phoenix --Janu ... More >>

Five Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend

Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? We've got you covered. Check out what's on our plate. See Also: - Ten More Picks for Easter Brunch and Dinner in Greater Phoenix - Miu's Cuisine: Quite Possibly Your New Favorite Chinese Restaurant Wingstock 2013 Grab a stack of wetnaps an ... More >>

Two Scottsdale Restaurants Make OpenTable's List of Top 100 Hot Spots

When you're hot you're hot. And when you're the hottest restaurant in town, people take notice. See also: - Chou's Kitchen Makes Travel Leisure's List of Best Chinese Restaurants in the U.S. - Chef Kevin Binkley a Finalist for James Beard Award At least, that's what OpenTable did. The online res ... More >>

Crepe Bar's Jeff Kraus: Caramelpalooza Candymakers 2013

As the chefs competing in Smeeks and Chow Bella's fourth annual Caramelpalooza -- coming 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, at UNION -- get out the candy thermometers, we've got our pens ready to introduce you to the faces behind the caramel. Crepe Bar isn't the kind of restaurant people would be likely stumb ... More >>

Pretty Much Everything You Need to Know About Channel Eight's Check, Please! Arizona Festival at CityScape

One of the Valley's most popular local food shows is hitting the road -- specifically the streets of downtown Phoenix. See also: - Go lb. salt Launches Salt Education Series in Gilbert This Spring - Mark Tarbell, Beau MacMillan, & Barbara Fenzl to Team Up with Childsplay on April 13 From 11 a.m. ... More >>

Catch Local Food Trucks at the New Times Building This Friday

There's no shortage of places to grab a bite from a food truck these days. For many, especially those who work in downtown Phoenix, that next culinary adventure could be parked just outside your office door on any given day. If you find yourself near 12th Street and Jefferson, the Food Truck Meet ... More >>

Should Restaurants Include Gratuity as Part of the Bill?

Spotting the words "service included," "servizio incluso," and "service compris" on restaurant checks in most European countries means tipping isn't necessary (instead, a V.A.T. tax of 20 percent is added). But more and more restaurants in America are adopting this policy, causing the often distress ... More >>

Miu's Cuisine in Tempe: Quite Possibly Your New Favorite Chinese Restaurant

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 >>

A Basketful of Wine Recommendations for Easter

Easter means brunch and wine. Left: Luciano Frascarelli Jermann of Taggia and a Pinot Grigio recommended by Sarah Falconer, wine sommelier of Del Frisco's Grille/td> We love drinking wine at Easter time. And we're not talking about communion wine. Easter is a holiday known for its amazingly diverse ... More >>

A (Mostly) Gluten-Free Meal at Arcadia Farms

When I was in junior high, my family moved to Hawaii, and I was enrolled in a school where I was often the only white student in my classes. At lunch, I would play cards -- Hearts mostly -- with a group of Japanese girls who took pity on the new kid. Trouble was, like all the other kids, they spoke ... More >>

Jacques Qualin of J&G Steakhouse on Head Cheese, Being an Apprentice, and Daniel Boulud

Jacques Qualin J&G Steakhouse The Phoenician Resort 6000 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale 480-214-8000, jgsteakhousescottsdale.com See also: -- Matt Pool on Chris Bianco, Andreoli Italian Grocer, and Phoenix as a Food Town -- Chef Kevin Binkley a Finalist for James Beard Award This is part one of ... More >>

Dining Out for Life: Help Fight HIV and AIDS on April 25

We love dining out at local restaurants. Not only do we get to nosh on good eats, we also leave with a nice case of the warm fuzzies for giving our hard-earned dollars to a local business owners. See also: - Mark Tarbell, Beau MacMillan, and Barbara Fenzl to Team Up with Childsplay on April 13 - G ... More >>

Damn, "48 Hours in Phoenix" from Forbes Travel Guide, You Confusing

Last Wednesday, the folks over at Forbes put together a 48-hour itinerary of places to eat, stay, and play in Phoenix. (Hey, suits need vacations, too!) See also: - Chou's Kitchen in Chandler Makes Travel Leisure's List of Best Chinese Restaurants in the U.S. - Chef Kevin Binkley a Finalist for J ... More >>

Matt Taylor Becomes Head Honcho at Market Street Kitchen; Robert McGrath Stays On as Consultant

If you loved Matt Taylor's memorable Southern cooking at Metro Brasserie and Noca, here's a bit of good news: his new lunch and dinner menus -- loaded with Southern-inspired dishes he's given a decidedly eclectic spin -- roll out Wednesday, March 27 at Market Street Kitchen. See also: -- Matt Tayl ... More >>

Windsor in Phoenix: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Windsor, 5223 North Central Avenue, 602-279-1111, www.windsoraz.com. See Also: - Culinary Dropout at The Yard in Phoenix: Happy Hour Report Card - Butter Pecan and Vietnamese Coffee Ice Creams at Windsor/Churn - Windsor: Happy Hour Report Card The Hours: Happy Hour is offered daily fro ... More >>

Chris Curtiss Leaves NoRTH Fattoria Italiana for Bourbon Steak

Chef Chris Curtiss, who has spent the past 19 months implementing a house-made pasta program for Sam Fox's NoRTH Fattoria Italiana, is leaving Fox's organization to work for James Beard Award-winner Michael Mina at Bourbon Steak in the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess. See also: -- Chris Curtiss Dishe ... More >>

10 Places in Metro Phoenix to Get Great Pancakes

Despite our mother's best advice about breakfast, most of us give the all-important first meal of the day short shrift during the work week. We gulp down sugary cereal, grab a granola bar (which probably shouldn't be considered food, much less breakfast), or just settle for a few thousand cups of co ... More >>

Ten More Picks for Easter Brunch and Dinner in Greater Phoenix

Easter is less than a week away. Forget to make plans? You're not alone. Get in on the last-minute scramble to make reservations now before it's too late. To help you find the perfect restaurant for your family or friends, here are 10 more top picks for Easter brunch and dinner throughout the Valley ... More >>

Lon's at the Hermosa Picks Up a New Pastry Chef; Former One Heads to T. Cook's

It's the latest edition of "As the Resort Restaurant World Turns," folks. And this time, it's the pastry chefs doing the moving. See also: - Todd Sicolo Leaves Royal Palms; New Menu Stays in Place - Lee Hillson Leaves T. Cook's for The Phoenician "Completely revamping the dessert menu." That's th ... More >>

Pig & Pickle in Scottsdale: Gourmet Food Without the Price Tag

Chicken Pot Pie Fight: The Duce vs. Porte Cochere

This might be the last week we can handle hearty comfort foods before the heat imposes a salad-only diet on us. In honor of the waning winter, we put two local pot pie makers against each other to see which savory pastry is the tops. Chicken pot pies have several components that must be executed an ... More >>

After Two Years, Scottsdale's Chop and Wok Rises from the Ashes

Cheeky rock 'n' roll-themed Chinese restaurants don't die, they just wait two years before resurrecting themselves in a nearby location. See also: - Pallets, a Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese Restaurant, Opens on Roosevelt Row - Squid Ink Sushi Opening Second Location at Downtown's CityScape At ... More >>

CLOSED: Poblano in Central Phoenix

Poblano, the casual Mexican eatery in Central Phoenix, has shuttered. See also: - Cafe Posada in Gilbert Closing This Month - Hao Bao Food Truck Hitting the Brakes -- For Now Owned by Isamary Diaz and daughter Vanessa, who also operate three Armando's fast-food Mexican spots in the Valley, Poblano ... More >>

10 Easter Dining Options at Metro Phoenix Restaurants

Whether or not you celebrate Easter, with the holiday falling early this year (Sunday, March 31), a seasonal brunch or dinner is the perfect way to kick off spring. The following 10 restaurants are our top picks for Easter dining, thanks to menus that highlight local greens, succulent lamb, and fres ... More >>

Is the Michelin Guide Still Relevant?

Over a century old, the Michelin Guide, the star-ratings restaurant guide paid for by the French tire company, is arguably the best-known on the planet. See also: - What Are the Pros and Cons of Food Festivals? - What Are Three Cooking Skills Everyone Should Know? But recently, the guide has taken ... More >>

Phoenix Coney Island in Glendale Serves Up a Touch of Detroit

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 >>

10 Best Burritos in Metro Phoenix

The burrito is America's Mexican food, and here in Phoenix, we're lucky to have some of the nation's best -- fresh, flavorful, and more often than not, fearsome in size. Check out our list of 10 burritos that remind you why you choose to live in Arizona. See Also: - The World's First Airborne Mexi ... More >>

Pallets, a Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese Restaurant, Opens on Roosevelt Row

The once-vacant Canvas building, located on the northeast corner of Third and Roosevelt Streets in Phoenix, is showing some signs of life. See also: - Kevin Binkley to Open Bink's Midtown in Phoenix on Wednesday - Second Location of Essence Bakery Coming to Phoenix This Summer Last weekend, the se ... More >>

Cafe Posada in Gilbert Closing This Month

Minus one Mexican restaurant from the city of Gilbert after this month. Cafe Posada is shuttering. See also: - Hao Bao Food Truck Hitting the Brakes - CLOSED: Chick Rotisserie & Wine Bar in Arcadia The casual Mexican eatery on Ray Road owned by Oscar and Susan Lee first opened in 1999. The Lees s ... More >>

Culinary Dropout at The Yard in Phoenix: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Culinary Dropout at The Yard, 5632 North Seventh Street Phoenix, 602-680-4040, http://www.foxrc.com/. See Also: - Culinary Dropout: Happy Hour Report Card - 9 Great Places to Drink Outdoors in Metro Phoenix - Black Apple Mischief at Culinary Dropout The Hours: Happy Hour is offered fr ... More >>