Laura Hahnefeld

Tucker Woodbury Has Big Vig Plans -- Downtown, Flagstaff, and North Scottsdale -- Plus a Country Western Bar in Old Town

Tucker Woodbury has been keeping himself mighty busy lately. He and his partner, Jim Riley, have been refurbishing the historic house at Fillmore and 4th Avenue most recently occupied by Local Breeze and slated to become The Fillmore Vig by the second week in July, if all goes well. See also: -- Th ... 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 >>

20 Things No One Told You About Being a Chef in Phoenix

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.Most of us are familiar with the less-glorious aspects of being a chef: the ... More >>

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 >>

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 >>

Distrito Gets Neutered: From Colorful and Lively to Brown and Boring, This Makeover Ain't Makin' Sense

Two weeks ago, Old Town Whiskey, Jose Garces' upscale saloon inside The Saguaro hotel in Old Town, shuttered to be used as event space. But unbeknownst to Garces' fans, his modern Mexican restaurant just down the hall was undergoing an arguably worse fate: getting its cojones cut off. See also: - ... More >>

What's the Most Traumatizing Experience You've Had With 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.It's happened to all of us at one time or another: an incident with food th ... More >>

Is it Rude to Take Photos of Your Food in a Restaurant?

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.Thanks to social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, it' ... More >>

Quiche at Amuse Bouche in Surprise: Even Better Than Homemade

The Guilty Pleasure: Quiche Lorraine Where To Get It: Amuse Bouche, Bell Road and Cotton Lane, Surprise The Price: $9.99 What It Really Costs: Pick your favorite. A) This ain't diet food. B) In case you missed it the first time (unless you live in Glendale or Peoria): Bell Road and Cotton Lane. C) H ... More >>

Top Five Phoenix Food Stories of the Week: Mardi Gras 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 >>

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 >>

12 National Food Trends We'll See in Phoenix in 2013

Everybody likes to say that Phoenix is years behind "real" food and drink towns, and for an embarrassingly long time, that was absolutely true. Lately? Not so much. I've read a slew of end-of-the-year predictions about what we Americans will be eating and drinking next year, and in many cases, we've ... More >>

What Will the Top Food Trends for Phoenix Be in 2013?

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.Soon, 2013 will be upon us and so will a new year ... More >>

Chow Bella's 12 Most Popular Phoenix Food and Restaurant Stories of 2012

Can we all agree that we should sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of 2012? If you're like us, you probably need a refill of eggnog and a shoulder massage. While you're sipping that nog, and enjoying that massage (whether imaginary or real) come with us on a tour through the most-read stories of th ... More >>

What's Your Biggest Holiday Cooking Screw-Up (And How Did You Fix It)?

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.Holiday cooking catastrophes are nothing new, but ... More >>

Oh, My, Bertie's of Arcadia Is Retro-Riffic!

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 >>

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 >>

Pumpkin Ginger "Pop Tart" at Angels Trumpet Ale House

Since opening two months ago, Angels Trumpet Ale House has gotten rave reviews from beer geeks all over town. With over 30 beers on tap, that's no surprise. On the other hand, the bierhaus has received very mixed feedback for its food. Conceptually, the menu sounds great, although fairly safe. They ... More >>

Make Your Own Candy Corn: Chow Bella's Halloween Showdown

Trick... or treat? For the latest Chow Bella showdown, our writers whipped up a dessert reminiscent of, or incorporating, their favorite Halloween candy. Check back all week for recipes; on Friday our critic Laura Hahnefeld will pick her favorite. First up: Amy Silverman's DIY Candy Corn There a ... More >>

What's the Best Way to Send Food Back at a Restaurant?

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.We've all been there: hungrily taking the first b ... More >>

Nine Favorite Spots for Fried Chicken in Metro Phoenix

See Also: Chicken & Waffle Warfare: Lo-Lo's vs. Louisiana Fried Chicken Falling somewhere between mac & cheese and chocolate chip cookies, fried chicken is near the very top of our favorite comfort foods list. And even though we can't eat this culinary treat very often, that doesn't stop us from d ... 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 >>

Are Restaurants Getting Noisier?

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.There's always a buzz when it comes to the culina ... More >>

How Is Your Restaurant Dealing With Rising Food Costs?

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.Sure, the world has its fair share of problems. B ... More >>

When Is a Recipe Truly Yours?

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.For many of us, we couldn't care less if Mom's ap ... More >>

Today: Phoenix Public Market Spotlights Refugee Farmers for World Refugee Day

Phoenix Public Market will, in addition to its normal lineup, host refugee farmers, businesses, and artists from 4 to 8 p.m. today at its open-air market. Today is World Refugee Day, and this event is intended not only to highlight the difficulties faced by refugees but also celebrate the good that ... More >>

Chow Bella's Top Phoenix Food Stories of the Week

Every week, there's a cornucopia of new 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 thi ... More >>

Chow Bella's Top Phoenix Food Stories of the Week

Every week, there's a cornucopia of new 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 thi ... More >>

What's the Best Cooking Advice You Got from Your Mom?

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.Maybe they gave us some great recipes, showed us ... More >>

Award Winners at The "Pretty Good" Great Arizona Picnic

We heeded Laura Hahnefeld's advise and mapped our route through the Scottsdale Culinary Festival's Great Arizona Picnic on Sunday. With close to 50 food vendors, a plan was needed for stomach and pocketbook capacity. Food vendors who offered a choice of a single taste at $2 to $3 or a multi-course p ... More >>

What's Your Favorite Cookbook?

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.Inspiration, information, mouth-watering photogra ... More >>

Where Do You Stand on the "Pink Slime" Issue?

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 meat industry calls it "lean, finely textured ... More >>

"Nostalgia of Baseball" at Pink Pony

Last week, Laura Hahnefeld highlighted three restaurants in "How the Valley's Legendary Restaurants Keep Up With the Times," which covers everything from Phoenix's culinary history to what it takes to keep a restaurant in business for over half a century. One small mention and tantalizing photo dese ... More >>

What's the Most Expensive Ingredient You've Used?

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 that top-notch chefs and restauran ... More >>

Thoughts and Predictions for the 2012 Food Scene

Chow Bella's One-Stop Holiday Guide: Eat, Drink, Cook, Shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/monkeyrope​It's the home stretch, folks! Tonight marks the mid-point of Hanukkah and, of course, tomorrow night the stockings get stuffed and so do you -- if you aren't already. We've had fun, this holiday season, gathering suggestions of where to dine, what to drink, ... More >>

Scene Over Cuisine: Six Valley Restaurants that Aren't All That

​ ​For her latest review in the current edition of New Times, our restaurant critic Laura Hahnefeld headed to Scottsdale to check out the sushi -- and the scene -- at Pearl, a place better known for racy pictures of pearl thongs than anything racy on the plate. That got us thinking -- w ... More >>

What Chef Would You Most Want to Cook For?

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. Miss a question? Go here.​They're masters at thei ... More >>

Lemon-Thyme & Blackberry Snow Cones: 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 will choo ... More >>

Flame On: 10 Spicy Dishes in the Valley That Really Bring the Heat

Follow Friday: Breakfast On the Brain

Royal Coffee ​It's that time again. We've compiled a small but meaningful list of great Twitter accounts for any Phoenix foodie to follow. If you're like us, you love breakfast at all times of the day. If you're looking for the latest scoop from some of the best breakfast spots in the Valley ... More >>

Five Favorite Breakfast Joints in Phoenix

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rebeccaheartsny Mom always said breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and who are we to argue? Whether you're just waking up or never went to sleep, a big plate of something delicious is vital -- and we're full of ideas about where to get it. Here are Chow ... More >>

Rockaroke, Suns Viewing Party, Domo, Deathface, and Other Memorial Day Weekend Thrills

Expect to see this kinda scene at the Sail Inn in Tempe tonight during rockaroke.​The Yucca Tap's loss is the Sail Inn's gain. In case you're not up on the comings and goings of the Valley's music scene, local legends the Zen Lunatics packed up their popular -- and award-winning -- rockaroke nigh ... More >>

Cheap Thrills, The Ramones, Roller Girl Tryouts, and More

​Been missing your weekly dose "dancing and debauchery" via Jared Alan and Sean Watson's weekly Cheap Thrills party? The DJ duo has some fantastic news. Not only will the event be landing at a new home this fall, it's also making a brief return this weekend for a special one-off. I spoke with ... More >>

Budget Beat: Cheese 'N Stuff

All hail Cheese 'N Stuff. If you live anywhere near the corner of Camelback and Central, you owe it to yourself to check out this charming, old-school sandwich shoppe. Heck, even if you reside farther afield, Cheese 'N Stuff may be worth the drive -- while you're in the 'hood, do some browsing at Me ... More >>

Budget Beat: Lil' Mama's Soul Café

Budget Beat: Paisley Violin

Budget Beat: Sabuddy Israeli Restaurant

Budget Beat: Cherryblossom Noodle Cafe