Laura Hahnefeld

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.

Is it Proper Etiquette to Call a Chef "Chef"?

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.Many of us enjoy the fruits of a chef's labor, but when it comes to telling ... 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 >>

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.

Top Five Phoenix Food and Restaurant News 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. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... More >>

Top Five Phoenix Food Stories of the Week: Super Bowl Edition

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. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... More >>

Here's That Mexican Sushi Food Truck You've Been Asking About

Oh, hey, hi. How's your day going so far? You know that Mexican sushi food truck you're always going on about? Yeah, I found it. See also: Old Dixie's Food Truck Finds Brick-and-Mortar Home at Welcome Diner and A New Weekly Food Truck Event: Washington Wednesdays at CO HOOTS It's called Sushinola ... 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. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... More >>

Manifesto: Words to Live By

Chow Bella's One-Stop Guide to Eating Healthy in 2013

We feel your pain. No, really. Literally -- we feel pain. We drank so much egg nog during the month of December that we're not sure we're right in the nog anymore -- and don't get us started on all the pie, cookies, candy. Oh, and last night? We don't want to think about that. See also: -What Wi ... More >>

Top 5 Food Predictions for Phoenix in 2013

As another culinary year approaches, it's time to once again gaze into the crystal ball to predict the Valley's food trends for 2013. See also: Chefs, What Will the Top Food Trends for Phoenix Be in 2013? It's no secret that our food scene is slow to hop aboard the rest of the country's gastronom ... More >>

7 Restaurants Serving Brunch and Bloody Marys on New Year's Day

If you're one of the few who won't wind up with a massive hangover courtesy of New Year's Eve -- or if you're the type to be in bed before midnight regardless of the occasion -- celebrate the New Year with a delectable restaurant brunch. You can keep the party going from 2012 to 2013, or sleep in an ... More >>

The 10 Best Things I Ate in 2012

As 2012 comes to a close, it's time to look back on some of the most all-around stellar meals I had the pleasure of consuming in the Valley. See also: - 9 Best New Restaurants of 2012 in Greater Phoenix - 10 (Okay, 11) Best First Tastes of 2012 in Greater Phoenix From the fancy to the more famili ... More >>

10 (Okay, 11) Best First Tastes of 2012 in Greater Phoenix

Thanks to hundreds of new restaurants opening in the Valley this year -- including a cozy artisan pizza shop in Scottsdale, a vegan bakery downtown, and a trio of cuisines in East Phoenix -- there was plenty to chew on when it came to First Tastes, our column of initial impressions. See also: 9 Be ... More >>

9 Best New Restaurants of 2012 in Greater Phoenix

This year, the variety of new restaurants in the Valley has more breadth and depth than ever before: comfort-food-meets-gourmet in Scottsdale; artisan pizzas by a legendary baker in Central Phoenix; and knockout Italian eats in east Mesa. When I made this list, I wanted a selection of restaurants ... More >>

Chow Bella's Top 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. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... 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. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... 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. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... 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. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... 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. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... More >>

Macayo's Family Makes Good at Arcadia's Milagro Grill

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 >>

Is Organic Food Better For You Than Non-Organic Food?

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. Miss a question? Go here.The organic food industry continues to grow, and ... 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. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... More >>

Chow Bella's Top 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. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... More >>

What's the Most Overrated Food of 2012 So Far?

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. Miss a question? Go here.This year, it seems like we've seen more Angus be ... More >>

Zulu Caffé: Top Notch Cuisine Lands at Scottsdale Airport

Airports and good food usually don't mix -- kind of like orange juice and toothpaste. But Metro Phoenix airports are apparently trying to start a new trend. In Sky Harbor, local restaurants including La Grande Orange, Cowboy Caio (although we're not sure how the recent bankruptcy filing may impact ... More >>

What's Your Kitchen Entrance Jam?

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. Miss a question? Go here.It's no secret there's a connection between food ... More >>

Pita Jungle's New Ad Has Nothing to Do With Pitas or a Jungle: Discuss.

After you've finished giving your what-I-did-for-the-Fourth-of-July recap to your co-workers for the zillionth time, you're going to need something else to discuss. Here's a suggestion: Scottsdale-based Pita Jungle, the Mediterranean-inspired healthy eating chain with over 15 locations throughout A ... More >>

Chow Bella's Top 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. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... More >>

Laura Hahnefeld and Chow Bella Up for National Journalism Awards

Last month, we were excited to report that Chow Bella won best opinion blog from the Arizona Press Club. Now results are starting to come in from some national writing contests -- and there's cause for more celebration. Food critic Laura Hahnefeld is a finalist in the Association of Food Journalist ... More >>

Circle H Barbecue Fills a Neighborhood Void But Neglects Some Key Details

The neighborhood around Camelback and Seventh Avenue has another restaurant to enjoy courtesy of Arizona native Bill Sandweg. Sandweg first moved into the area with Copper Star Coffee and recently ventured into full-on food with Circle H Barbecue. Circle H serves up a variety of meat: pork, beef b ... More >>

The Seven Oddest Restaurant Bathrooms in Greater Phoenix

Our little band of Chow Bella writers is a diverse group, but we do have a few things in common. We all put our pants on one leg at a time, and we all gotta go. And we've all been to a lot of bathrooms in a lot of restaurants. Some, to put it mildy, offer a better experience than others. We don't wa ... More >>

Is the Foie Gras Controversy Justified?

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. Miss a question? Go here.Anthony Bourdain supports it, Wolfgang Puck's aga ... More >>

Resolution Guide 2012

New Year's 2011 in Metro Phoenix: One-Stop Guide to Where to Dine, What to Drink and Year-End Musings

​Looks like we made it. 2012 is just about here.If you're a last-minute planner, you're in luck. Here's Shannon Armour's guide to New Year's Eve dining (we're sure there are still reservations available somewhere) and Benjamin Leatherman's comprehensive list of where to party. Erica O'Neil fo ... More >>

Joe Arpaio in Bacon, Rainbow Pancakes, Oreo Cameos: Six Ways People Played with Their Food in 2011

​Along with her fine food writing skills, Phoenix New Times cafe critic Laura Hahnefeld has a knack for finding the oddest -- and most entertaining -- stories. From gruesome bread to sugary meat treats, thanks to her we saw it all in 2011. Here are some of her favorite finds from the past year (no ... More >>

Should Restaurants Be Required to Post Health Letter Grades?

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. Miss a question? Go here.A recent Zagat survey revealed 81 percent of dine ... More >>

Misfit Thanksgiving: Four New Times Writers Recall Their Most Memorable Turkey Days

Should Tipping Be Mandatory?

Welcome to Chow Bella's Bites & Dishes, where each week Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question or topic New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you'd like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. ​Last week, the Internet food community nearly po ... More >>

New Times Food Critic Laura Hahnefeld Featured in Best Food Writing 2011

​Our former Fry Girl, and now full-time food critic, Laura Hahnefeld, has some good news. She and another award-winning Village Voice Media writer, Jonathan Kauffman of SF Weekly, have had their work selected for this year's annual anthology, 2011 Best Food Writing, published by Da Capo.

Rainbow Chocolate Bacon Pecan Caramel Corn: Fair Food Showdown

  ​With the Arizona State Fair headed our way tomorrow, we at Chow Bella decided on our latest challenge: Create a "fair food" that kicks it up a notch No one dared to cook with bugs, but we did have some creative entries. Check back later this week, when critic Laura Hahnefeld will ch ... More >>

Triple Bacon Corn Monstrosities: Fair Food Showdown

  ​With the Arizona State Fair headed our way at week's end, we at Chow Bella decided on our latest challenge: Create a "fair food" that kicks it up a notch. No one dared to cook with bugs, but we did have some creative entries. Check back later this week, when critic Laura Hahnefeld w ... More >>

Everybody's a Critic, But Some Are Better Than Others. And Yeah, That Smarts.

www.etsy.com/shop/DawnS​Typically, here at Chow Bella, we prefer to sit back and let the conversation happen. We break the news, make the pronouncement, share the opinion. Then it's your job, reader, to hash it all out -- and of course let us know when we're wrong. But after the downright ... More >>

Horchata from Tacos Atoyac

Flickr- KernJustin Creamy horchata surrounded by its defining spices, like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise.​Tacos may very well be the perfect food, but let's face it, the standard Meximerican fare can get a bit stale after a while. Taco the Town is here to highlight some of the more unusu ... More >>

New Times Summer Guide 2011

Tri-Winning Trivets and Why Your Oven Doesn't Work, in This Week's Guess That Gadget

​See if you can guess today's gadget and check back next week for the answer, and to see if you've won a most-awesome prize. No cheatin', playa haters! Here are a few shots at this week's trickster, add yours to the comment box below: - Wizard's Club - Why Your Oven Doesn't Work - Why The Aliens ... More >>

Freak Fests, Filthy Thursdays, Strange Family Circus, White Mice, and More

Stephen Strange will go to the great beyond and back this weekend.​R.I.P. Stephen Strange, 1976-2010. The ribald and renowned local performance artist is apparently going to "die" sometime tomorrow night, probably in some profound and profane fashion that will likely involve one of his wacky stun ... More >>

Fast Food Fish Sandwiches in Fry Girl's Debut Column

​ ​Look, up in the sky! Er, make that behind the wheel of that car over there. It's neither bird nor plane, and it's certainly not that sappy-faced, beef-slinging Wendy character. No, it's Fry Girl! A new column in Phoenix New Times' print edition, where each week we'll bring you revie ... More >>

10 Things Under $10 This Weekend: X-Rated Santas, Modified's Farewell, and Free Shows

The Minibosses are scheduled to perfom on Saturday at Modified Arts.​ 'Tis the season for saving some scrilla, whether that means camping out in the cold to nab some doorbusters, or bring stingy when it comes to spending your entertainment dollar. Discount distractions and cheap thrills abound fro ... More >>

Budget Beat: Thai Basil