Matt Taylor

Gio Osso of Virtu on the Ungers, Beau Mac and the Unnecessary Hype Around Farm-to-Table

This is part two of my interview with Gio Osso, chef-owner of Virtù Honest Craft in Scottsdale. If you missed part one, where Osso dished about his favorite local restaurants and whether or not he should be considered an Italian chef, read it here. See also: -- Juice Core Opens Fresh Juice Shop i ... More >>

Gio Osso of Virtù on His Favorite Local Restaurants and What Kind of Chef He Might Be

Gio Osso Virtù Honest Craft 3701 North Marshall Way, Scottsdale 480-946-3447 www.virtuscottsdale.com See also: -- Gio Osso Will Open Virtù Honest Craft in Scottsdale June 7, With Grand Opening June 13 This is part one of my interview with Gio Osso, chef-owner of the brand new Virtù Honest Craf ... More >>

Market Street Kitchen in Scottsdale Introduces Sunday Brunch

Market Street Kitchen (MSK) in North Scottsdale is jumping on the brunch bandwagon. See Also: -Pig & Pickle in Scottsdale Starts Brunch This Sunday (And We've Got the Menu) -New Breakfast Spot, Snooze AM Eatery, Coming to Central Phoenix

Steve Freidkin of TEXAZ Grill On Great Texas Restaurants, the Terlingua Chili Cook-Off and His Last Meal On Earth

This is part two of my interview with Steve Freidkin, owner and operator of TEXAZ Grill. If you missed part one, where Freidkin dished about chicken fried steak, his favorite local deli and two local chefs he admires, read it here. See also: -- TEXAZ Grill's Chicken Fried Steak is a Classic Guilty ... More >>

Steve Freidkin of TEXAZ Grill On Chicken-Fried Steak, His Favorite Local Deli, and the Two Local Chefs He Most Admires

Steve Freidkin TEXAZ Grill 6003 N. 16th Street, Phoenix 602-248-7827, texazgrill.com See also: -- Free Ice Cream: Sweet Republic's Five Year Anniversary on Wednesday, June 12 -- Next Up on Diner's, Drive-Ins and Dives: Tempe's Curry Corner and The Duce in Downtown Phoenix This is part one of my in ... More >>

Michael O'Dowd of Renegade by MOD on His Favorite Cheap Eats, the Great Thing About Being a Chef and What Should Be Written on His Headstone

This is part two of my interview with Michael O'Dowd, executive chef and co-owner of Renegade by MOD in Scottsdale. If you missed part one, where O'Dowd dished about what he's up to at Renegade and how he feels about comfort food, read it here. See also: Late-Night Italian Restaurant Now Open in Ol ... More >>

Former Kai Guy Michael O'Dowd on What He's Up to at Renegade by MOD and the Problem with Comfort Food

Michael O'Dowd Renegade by MOD 9343 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale 480-614-9400 See also: -- Ex Kai Chef Michael O'Dowd Opens Renegade by MOD in Scottsdale this Friday This is part one of my interview with Michael O'Dowd, executive chef and co-owner of Renegade by MOD. Come back Tuesday when O'Dowd dis ... More >>

Jeremy Pacheco of Lon's on His Guilty Pleasure and an Embarrassing Moment in the Kitchen

This is part two of my interview with Jeremy Pacheco, executive chef of Lon's and the Hermosa Inn. If you missed part one, where Pacheco dished about Nobuo, craft beer and Pig & Pickle, read it here. See also: -- Royal Palms Closes T. Cook's for Summer to Renovate, Operates Out of Pop-Up Called Cer ... More >>

Jeremy Pacheco of Lon's on Nobuo and the Trend That's Finally Going Away

Jeremy Pacheco Lon's at the Hermosa 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley 602-955-7878, hermosainn.com See also: -- Summer Mixology Classes with Travis Nass at the Last Drop Bar -- Lon's at the Hermosa Picks Up a New Pastry Chef; Former One Heads to T. Cook's This is part one of my interview w ... 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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

11 Favorite Salads in Metro Phoenix

Summer is just weeks away, which means it's panic time for those of us who packed on the lbs. over the winter. Yes, of course, we should've seen this coming, and what the hell happened to that exercise regimen we felt so enthusiastic about back in January? Now there's no place to run and certainly n ... 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 >>

Maple-Rye Crème Brûlée at Market Street Kitchen

While it's true that Market Street Kitchen at DC Ranch is best classified as a neighborhood restaurant, it's a neighborhood restaurant aimed at a pretty sophisticated audience. See also: Rich Heider Whips Up Heavenly Hot Chocolate Cocktails at Market Street Kitchen How else to explain a legit c ... More >>

Top Five Must-See Shows in Metro Phoenix This Weekend

Curious about what's going on around town this weekend? Need some suggestions where to rock, dance, or krump in the Valley of the Sun? Don't fret: These are our Five Shows to See This Weekend.

The Growlers

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 >>

Chefs Robert McGrath and Matt Taylor to Debut Signature American Dishes at Market Street Kitchen Tomorrow

Are there high expectations for Market Street Kitchen, the new restaurant of American fare at DC Ranch in north Scottsdale? You might say that. Times two. See also: Matt Taylor Joins Robert McGrath at Market Street Kitchen, Slated to Open in September "Rustic, Urban American Fare" Coming to Scotts ... More >>

Matt Taylor Joins Robert McGrath at Market Street Kitchen, Slated to Open in September

See also: Chef Robert McGrath Leaves Spotted Donkey Cantina When Matt Taylor said adios to Noca in May, foodistas who'd come to love his elegant spin on Southern classics worried he'd leave the state, just as he did when he left Metro Brasserie for Bellagio in Las Vegas. Lucky for us, he's staying ... More >>

Noca Owner Eliot Wexler on Chef Claudio Urciuoli: The Burrata Addiction, Tinkering With Dough, and "Adding Colors to the Palette"

A few weeks ago, a series of rat-a-tat news events left Valley foodies gripping their collective forks and then poking themselves with them to make sure what they were reading was true: chef Claudio Urciuoli had parted ways with business partner and James Beard Award-winner Chris Bianco, chef Matt T ... More >>

Chef Matt Taylor Leaves Noca

Chow Bella has confirmed that the chef at one of the most popular restaurants in town is suddenly gone for good -- and during Restaurant Week. Awkward. Late Wednesday afternoon, the rumor leaked that chef Matt Taylor was no longer at Noca. I called Taylor on his cell and left a message. No answer. ... More >>

95: Eric Schaefer

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

Three Ways to Eat Your Way Through Arizona Restaurant Week

Sure, it may be called Arizona Spring Restaurant Week, but this nine-day sup-fest -- from Saturday, May 19, through Sunday, May 27 -- takes place when the Valley starts heating up and the restaurant business starts slowing down. In Phoenix and beyond, about 90 eateries are offering three-course di ... More >>

What's Been Your Most Epic Fail in the Kitchen?

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.Spills, the occasional fire -- wait, there's no b ... 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 >>

Mark Tarbell, Tracy Dempsey, and Matt Taylor Help Kick Off Winter Chef Series at Phoenix Public Market

Welcoming in the winter season, a new line-up of Valley chefs and taste makers has been set to host Phoenix Public Market's Winter Chef Series, two-hour demonstrations and cooking classes featuring a variety of memorable meals and culinary personalities. Mark Tarbell, chef and owner of Tarbell's, t ... More >>

New Noca Chef Matt Taylor in the Kitchen Since Sunday: Did Southern Simple Supper, Created a "Nocawich," Working on Bar Bites

NocaSouthern Simple Supper second course: chicken fried Berkshire pork loin, white grits, pickled watermelon rinds, chicory glace.​New Noca chef Matt Taylor, the 27-year-old who's worked with four James Beard award winners and was previously at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas with ce ... More >>

Noca Celebrates Third Anniversary With Special Offer on Sunday and a Favorite Dishes Menu

Jackie Mercandetti ​In addition to hiring new executive chef Matt Taylor, Noca, the force of modern American cuisine in Central Phoenix, now has another reason to celebrate: their third anniversary. This Sunday, July 31st, the Noca team will be serving the menu from their first-ever fried chi ... More >>

Noca's New Chef Is 27 Years Old, Has Worked with Four James Beard Award Winners, and "Killed" the Tasting, Says Owner Eliot Wexler

Jackie Mercandetti ​Usually, phone calls at 2 a.m. in the morning bring no good, but for Noca owner Eliot Wexler, this one was a welcome wake-up. Chef Matt Taylor​The call came from 27-year-old chef Matt Taylor. Taylor, currently working at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas wit ... More >>

Chef Talk: Christopher Mayo of Metro Brasserie

​​Christopher Mayo may be a fresh face at Metro Brasserie (he was named executive chef when Matt Taylor left in November), but he's certainly no food-scene virgin.  At the tender age of 20, Mayo opened Grilled Expedition at Desert Ridge. Later he split for culinar ... More >>

This Week In Chow Bella

Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let's have one last look at the blog posts from this week: Chef Christopher Mayo Replaces Matt Taylor at Metro Brasserie What's Cooking ... More >>

Chef Christopher Mayo Replaces Matt Taylor at Metro Brasserie

​A little bit of buzz was starting to brew about Scottsdale's Metro Brasserie, whose executive chef, Matt Taylor, recently left town to work for Michael Mina in Las Vegas. Why hadn't they announced his replacement? What's going on over there? Apparently, they were just taking their time fil ... More >>

Metro's Matt Taylor Heading to Vegas

​After a few weeks of speculation that Metro Brasserie chef Matt Taylor was heading to glitzier pastures -- Vegas, baby -- word is out that he's given notice with restaurant owner Fred Unger and will soon be heading to Sin City to head the kitchen at Michael Mina at the Bellagio.Prior to opening M ... More >>

Sunday: Dine Out With the Chefs at Scottsdale Center

J&G Steakhouse​Start saving your appetite now.This Sunday will be a splurge worth blowing your diet for, courtesy of more than 20 high-profile chefs from across the Valley who'll be dishing up mouthwatering tastings at Scottsdale's fourth annual Dine Out With the Chefs event.The festiviti ... More >>

Recipe: Chilled Cucumber Buttermilk Soup with Blue Crab and Dill Salad from Metro Brasserie

Lauren GilgerChilled Cucumber Buttermilk Soup with Blue Crab and Dill Salad at Metro Brasserie.​It's all about doing things right for Matt Taylor. In the kitchen of Metro Brasserie & Bar in Old Town Scottsdale, his staff of 12 guys is loose and laid-back during the day. But, in the kitchen, ... More >>

Chef Talk: Matt Taylor, Metro Brasserie

Lauren Gilger Executive Chef Matt Taylor in Metro Brasserie in Old Town Scottsdale.​A traditionalist and an up-and-comer at once, 25-year-old Matt Taylor is probably the youngest executive chef around, and he's one of the most well known. Taylor is a curious combination of discipline and e ... More >>

August 4 In Blogs: Sheriff Joe, Souls of Mischief, Metro Brasserie, and John McCain

​In the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries: Feathered Bastard: Sheriff Joe Arpaio Inspires Children's Crusade Against Him This Friday, August 7 Up on the S ... More >>

Metro Brasserie & Bar Has a Way to Go Before It's Considered Scottsdale’s French Connection

Metro Brasserie Celebrates Mardi Gras

Fat Tuesday isn't for another week yet, but the countdown starts today at Metro Brasserie, the New Orleans-style French restaurant at SouthBridge in Scottsdale. Through midnight on February 24, executive chef Matt Taylor (who was a sous chef at John Besh's New Orleans eatery Restauran ... More >>

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Healthy mind, healthy body --or at least better alcohol