Italian Food and Cooking

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 >>

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 >>

14 More Valley Places to Wine and Dine Your Honey Bun on Valentine's

Remember last year when you swore you'd make Valentine's Day plans way ahead of schedule so as not to repeat the twelve-hour scramble of years past? It might be too late to get a reservation at the top spots in town, but you haven't missed the window entirely -- not yet. But put off calling around ( ... More >>

Happy Hour Report Card: Davanti Enoteca

The Spot: Davanti Enoteca 6316 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-659-1800 www.davantiscottsdale.com See also: -Happy Hour Report Card: Rusconi's American Kitchen -Pete DeRuvo Dishes on the Mouthwatering Italian Food He Grew Up On and Praises Three Local Chefs Hours: Happy Hour is offered 3 to 6 ... More >>

Shine: Eating in Scottsdale

Dolce Vita Italian Grocer Offers a True Taste of Italy

Dolce Vita Italian Grocer: Ninety-Nine Percent Exceptional Italian Eats

"I was desperate for the food I was accustomed to," Walter Bergamaschi says on why he and wife Marti decided to open Dolce Vita Italian Grocer in east Mesa. "Ninety-nine percent of what we sell and use here is imported from Italy. The other 1 percent," he jokes, "is the mistake of the supplier." If ... More >>

Davanti Enoteca: Believe the Buzz; It's Sensational

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 >>

Chef Peter DeRuvo Shares What's in Store at Davanti Enoteca

See also: Chef Peter DeRuvo to Head Kitchen at New Davanti Enoteca Early this summer we told you Chef Peter DeRuvo (of Sassi, then Prado and most recently Cuoco Pazzo) was getting ready to take on a new venture in Scottsdale. Well, the time is drawing near for Davanti Enoteca to open its doors to t ... More >>

Aiello's Salumeria and Isa's Pizza: Cornering the Market in Moon Valley

Chef Pete DeRuvo to Head Kitchen at New Davanti Enoteca

Pete DeRuvo -- the peripatetic chef who made a name for himself at Sassi, then moved to Prado and later left Cuoco Pazzo in a huff -- has landed a new executive chef position he's pretty psyched about. He has signed on with the Chicago-based Francesca's Restaurants Group, which will open its fourt ... More >>

Windy City Favorite Mia Francesca Now Open at DC Ranch

On the heels of the news that Portillo's is bringing its Chicago hot dogs, Italian Beef, and drool-worthy cake shakes to the Valley (woo-hoo!), another Windy City favorite has announced its foray into Arizona, as well. Known as the pioneer of the neighborhood trattoria and a Chicago institution for ... More >>

Vintage 95 Wine Lounge: Happy Hour Report Card

​The Spot: Vintage 95 Wine Lounge, 95 W. Boston St., Chandler, (480) 855-9463. www.vintage95.com The Hours: 4 to 6 p.m. every day, 4 p.m. to close Wednesdays The Details: Just down the block from Urban Tea Loft and The Bistro at Kokopelli Winery, Vintage 95 offers different daily specials s ... More >>

Chef Peter Deruvo of Cuoco Pazzo

Cuoco Pazzo ​Cuoco Pazzo may translate to "crazy chef," but the only crazy thing we noticed about Chef Peter Deruvo is his crazy humility and true passion for providing his guests with great food.   We sat down with Chef Deruvo in this week's Chef Talk to hear how he's handling his two ... More >>

Timo Fires Up Bread and Much More in Sunnyslope

32 Shea: Coziness, Comfort, Coffee, and Killer Cocktails

Ask the Critic: Where Should I Go For My Anniversary Dinner?

Heather HochLife is beautiful: Atlas Bistro's exquisite fare is worth sharing with the love of your life.​Lovebirds have been coming out of the woodwork! Two different pals recently asked me for recommendations on where to take their darling spouses to celebrate their anniversaries. My gut sa ... More >>

Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana: Rustic Pie Based on a Pizza Standard? We'll Bite

Marcellino Launches All-Day Pizza Bar

Marcellino and Sima Verzino want to feed you more than just pasta. Now pizza's on the menu. Just a month after Marcellino Ristorante Italiano started offering lunch service -- and with it, chef Marcellino Verzino's wood-fired pizzas -- the high-style SouthBridge spot is expanding its offering ... More >>

Marcellino's Now Serves Lunch and Pizza

​It sounds like things are going really well for Sima and Marcellino Verzino at their stylish new SouthBridge location of Marcellino Ristorante Italiano. The couple recently returned from a trip to Italy and are "thriving" after five months in business, they tell me. This week, they're ampi ... More >>

Coming Soon to Gilbert: Amarone Ristorante Italiano

​East Valley fans of Italian cuisine are about to get their taste of Amarone Ristorante Italiano, but that doesn't mean that the new Gilbert location will be a clone of its older sibling in North Scottsdale. Set to open this week (perhaps as soon as Friday) at 832 S. Greenfield (southwest co ... More >>

100 Favorite Dishes: Bruschetta From Postino

Hungry yet? We're working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley -- in no particular order.   Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. &nbs ... More >>

Savory Cupcakes? Check Out Tuck Shop's New Menu

​Last night was the unveiling of Tuck Shop's new summer menu, which I'm eager to try.Beer-battered cheese curds, watermelon salad with ricotta salata and basil, and pork t-bone with summer squash gnocchi, grilled green beans, and peach salsa all sound delicious, but the most intriguing new items a ... More >>

Calabria Italian Kitchen Reopens in New CenPho Location

​Calabria Italian Grocer & Deli was one of the original occupants of the renovated, historic Gold Spot building at Roosevelt and 3rd Avenue, so it was gloomy news when the casual neighborhood eatery closed up shop last September. Daniel Wayne's second location of Lola Coffee soon too ... More >>

Groupon: Unintentional Comedy?

How can you not love Groupon? I sure do. It's a daily deal delivered to your inbox, and some of the offers from local businesses are incredible. And it's free to join.But have you ever actually read some of these descriptions? Somebody is getting really creative in writing their copy. I actually loo ... More >>

Postino Central : Lunch $10 and Under

​We wanted a lunch that would transport us a little. A mid-day leisurely escape and Postino Central did the trick. The Postino Central location at Central and Colter opened just over a year ago, in March 2009.  A favorite ten-dollar lunch option is the bruschetta. At $12.75, it's p ... More >>

Fred's at Scottsdale Fashion Square Hits the Spot for Those Seeking Eats During Retail Therapy

Puro Gelato Launched By Roka Akor and Former Pure Sushi Owners

​I know it's officially spring because I've just gotten the first announcement of the year for a brand-new gelato shop. Puro Gelato just opened at Paradise Valley Mall, the creative collaboration of Hyun Wook Lee, former owner of Pure Sushi in Scottsdale, and JNK Concepts Restaurant ... More >>

Cielo Debuts Today at Mondrian Scottsdale

​It's official. Cielo, the brand-new Italian restaurant at Mondrian Scottsdale, opens tonight at 6 p.m. It replaces three-year-old Asia de Cuba, which served its last dinner there on Saturday. Executive chef Donald Lemperle remains in charge in the kitchen, and as it turns out, Italian food ... More >>

Battle of the Bruschetta

For a starter that appears on practically every restaurant menu, from Olive Garden to Postino, bruschetta (broo-SKETTA) is a remarkably appealing -- and mispronounced -- dish. The concept is simple: toast a slice of crusty bread and top it with pretty much whatever sounds fr ... More >>

Arlecchino Gelateria Becoming Grateful Spoon Gelato

Jordan Lynn will be using Moreno Spangaro's recipes at newly renamed Grateful Spoon Gelato.​Gelato master Moreno Spangaro, whom I profiled in a 2007 cover story, sold his business as of January 1 -- something he once considered unthinkable. After years of being solicited for his ... More >>

Recipe: Linguine con Vongole (White Clams Sauce)

The coastal spirit of Italy is alive at Phoenix restaurant Michelina's Ristorante Costa Compagnia, where the menu is full of seafood-centric dishes. One classic meal is Linguine con Vongole, a dish that may seem simple but is easy to taint with wine or cream sauce, says chef/owner Michelina DiSibio ... More >>

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 ... More >>

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

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 ... More >>

Monday Night Martha: Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

​Asparagus is no longer in season but that doesn't stop the Gutel household from gobbling it by the pound. Simply put, we adore asparagus and the best way to cook it is to roast it in the oven and then wrap each stalk in a thin slice of prosciutto. There's something about the combination of the cr ... More >>

The Parlor Has Transformed a Mid-Century Beauty Parlor into a Popular Pizzeria

Avalon Tantalizes Heat-Stricken Foodies with Coastal Cuisine

Amano Bistro Serves Italian Delicacies to Those Who Leave the Beaten Path

The Gelato Maker Opens in Scottsdale

It's going to hit 90 in the next couple of days; doesn't some gelato sound good right about now? That's what Yaron Cohen is hoping. The Israeli native and his Argentinian relative, Leo Faria, just opened their new shop, The Gelato Maker, last weekend. The two trained in a gelato shop in Barcelo ... More >>

Chef Wade Moises, Owner of PastaBar, Hopes His Italian Eatery Will Help Put the Corner of First and Pierce on the Map

Terroir Wine Pub and Bomberos Café Prove Not All Wine Bars Are Created Equal

Budget Beat: Fine's Cellar and Wine Bistro

Fine's bruschetta with house-smoked mozzarella: Wow.Happy New Year, Budget Beaters! It ain't a news flash when I say that times are tight as we enter the new year. After the missus and I put pencil to paper on New Year's Day to add up all the money we blew in '08, we decided that even the Budg ... More >>

Picnic-worthy: PLT at Cibo

This Sunday: Sassi Goes Hog Wild With Festa di Maiale

Cafepino makes grabbing pizza and a movie easy on Cine Capri patrons

La Piccola Cucina brings quick and tasty Mediterranean cuisine to central Phoenix

Like La Bocca Urban Pizzeria's crust, the pizza competition in Phoenix is stiff

A fine time to open a gelato shop