Michele Laudig

Top Five Japanese Restaurants in Phoenix

Jamie PeacheyCherryblossom Noodle Cafe.​When many people think about Japanese food they immediately snap their fingers and say, "Oh! You mean like sushi?" They are not wrong of course, but Japanese culinary traditions stretch far beyond raw fish on rice. Luckily for us the Valley is home to so ... More >>

Closed: Sunshine Moon Peking Pub

​Well, that was quick. Condolences are flying on Twitter and Facebook, after Sunshine Moon Peking Pub -- the newish Chinese spot that got good buzz from our former critic Michele Laudig and others -- abruptly announced today on its Facebook page that it's no more: Due to unforeseen circu ... More >>

Quick PHX 2011: Collector's Edition

February Restaurant Round-Up

Michele Laudig​ Goodbye January, Hello February! The Valley was busy this past month with the opening of 15 brand new eating and drinking spots. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to a few places as well. C'est la vie. RESTAURANTS OPENING IN JANUARY Fuego Tacos, 2501 E. Camelback Rd.Citizen ... More >>

2011 Top Food Trends: Home Cookin'

flickr.com/creative commons/Daniel Semper​ Last week local chefs shared restaurant predictions with Michele Laudig, and Wynter Holden mused about her high hopes for Steampunk cooking to trend in 2011. Taking a look closer to hearth and home, here are trends we think will influence the way we garde ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, November 18, 2010

Brunch Party Rocks Caffe Boa, Starting Saturday

Michele Laudig This is what I ate at Caffe Boa's brunch a few months back, and what I'd order again at this weekend's brunch party.​I can't help but notice when a press release pimps something that will "usher in a new era of day drinking". As if I wasn't already a fan of weekend br ... More >>

Cafe: El Coquito

​We don't know about you, but the rising temperatures are starting to bother us here at New Times. Alas, a cool dip in the ocean is simply out of the question; as Michele Laudig mentions in this week's "Cafe" column. Luckily we can, at the very least, sample island cuisine to fight the impendi ... More >>

Cafe: Loving Hut

​How can vegan food be tasty? We pondered this question as we picked up this week's "Cafe" column to find an answer. At the very least, Michele Laudig found some tasty options minus any and all animal flesh. Food Critic Michele Laudig on Loving Hut: First time around, I went with an open-min ... More >>

Stuffing Showdown: Italian Family Recipe

​From now 'til Thanksgiving, we'll be sharing various stuffing recipes -- all tested and taste-tested first-hand by Chow Bella contributors. On Thanksgiving Day, our "celebrity judge," New Times food critic Michele Laudig, will weigh in with her favorite of the lot. Today's is the last installment ... More >>

Stuffing Showdown: Quick & Easy Sweet Apple-Date Stuffing

From now 'til Thanksgiving, we'll be sharing various stuffing recipes -- all tested and taste-tested first-hand by Chow Bella contributors. On Thanksgiving Day, our "celebrity judge," New Times food critic Michele Laudig, will weigh in with her favorite of the lot. So far, we've seen recipes for Veg ... 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: Caffiend: Cartel Coffee Lab's Iced Toddy Open Casting in PHX for Next Food Net ... More >>

Follow Michele Laudig on Twitter

We eat. We tweet. New Times food critic Michele Laudig is working all the angles for you, Phoenix -- including Twitter, where you can follow her cravings. She's easy to find: @michelelaudig.  We've been on Twitter for a while now, and in between the tweets about Iran and Mark Sanford's ... More >>

Cafe: Phoenix Spas

We love the spa treatment, but as Food Critic Michele Laudig  points out in this week's Cafe column, apples and cucumber water do not satisfy us to the same degree as an hour-long massage. Luckily there are a few Phoenix spas that cater to our tummies.  Michele Laudig on feasting at spas: Some ... More >>

Cafe: Heirloom

How far will you drive for food? Certainly there are some tasty treats that no distance could separate a hungry enough mouth from. Unfortunately, Chef Michael DeMaria's latest venture, Heirloom, is not one of them. According to Food Critic Michele Laudig, driving all the way out to Heirloom's N ... More >>

Cafe: Chestnut Lane Cafe

There are many questions we like to be presented with when entering an eatery. Of these, deciding among coffee, pastry and sandwiches is the question we like best. Why you ask? Because our knee-jerk answer is "all three." That's why we're so excited about the focus of this week's Cafe column: Che ... More >>

Cafe: Pure Sushi

Jackie Mercandetti Maki? Nigiri? Raw? Cooked? We don't care what form sushi comes in as long as we can eat it. This week's Cafe column focuses on the newest locale for scarfing up this Japanese delicacy: Pure Sushi in Scottsdale Civic Center. Food Critic Michele Laudig on Pure Sushi: What do you g ... More >>

District Offers Discount to Light Rail Riders

Everybody's doing it, man. Riding the light rail, that is. Whether for a daily commute or just a joy ride, people seem to be packing the cars, and it's not even the free ride period anymore. The folks at District, the restaurant at the downtown Sheraton, hope even more people get into it for environ ... More >>

Monday Night Martha: Fleur de Sel Toffee

What is it about candy thermometers that are so intimidating? Is it that they look a little dangerous? It took a really easy but delicious-looking fleur de sel toffee recipe to help me overcome my fear of using one. The ingredients for the toffee are pretty much butter and sugar, plus a lot of pat ... More >>

Quiessence Serves Italian 'Seven Fishes' Dinner on Christmas Eve

I have a dirty little secret: I never really liked Christmas ham! Which is why this "Seven Fishes" Christmas Eve seafood splurge at Quiessence sounds so delicious. (Here's the menu.) It was inspired by a coastal Italian holiday tradition, where people would celebrate Christmas with a whole di ... More >>

NOCA Fried Chicken

Last month a dear friend was distraught when she missed out on NOCA's fried chicken night. So this blog post is for her, in the hopes that her holidays are a little happier after getting her chix fix. Here's the latest Sunday Supper schedule: Noca Sundays Dec - Jan.doc -- Michele Laudig

Cove Trattoria Reopens in Bigger Location Tomorrow

It's not far, but it's still a move. The Cove Trattoria has left its old digs at the Scottsdale Seville, and after a short hiatus over the past few days, opens its doors tomorrow, December 20, at a bigger space in the same plaza (Indian Bend and Scottsdale Road). Also new to the establishment is che ... More >>

Next Week: Get Your Local Shop On

You've heard it before: Spend your hard-earned cash at local businesses, and that money will benefit your community a lot more than if you'd blown it at a national retailer or a chain restaurant. But there's nothing wrong with a little reminder this time of year, when there's too much shop ... More >>

Green Features Vegan "ThanksLiving" Menu

By Michele Laudig I've hosted vegetarian guests for Thanksgiving before, and let me tell you -- it is a challenge to come up with something tasty that isn't just a meatless side dish like green beans or mashed potatoes. Sadly, there's no room for tofurky in my oven when I'm already roasting a real b ... More >>

Pure Sushi Opens in Downtown Scottsdale

By Michele Laudig The Scottsdale Civic Plaza Mall already has a nice variety of restaurants -- The Orange Table, Jewel of the Crown, AZ88, Asia de Cuba -- but now there's yet another reason to hit up the area when you're hungry. Last week, Pure Sushi opened its doors there, too (7343 E. Scottsdale M ... More >>

Prado and Other New Restaurants Opening This Week

Check Out the Best of Phoenix Issue Today

White truffle AND burrata alert!

Willo Bakery & Grocery closes unexpectedly

Cafe: Popping Corks

How do food critics keep from gaining weight?

This just in: Arizona Restaurant Week debuts this fall

Summer Guide 2008

Letters from the issue of Thursday, April 24, 2008

Your Art Detour 2007

Listings, maps, and special surprises

Letters From the Issue of Thursday, October 12, 2006

Letters

Letters from the week of May 20, 2004

Creep Show

Ghoulies get groovy at Alwun House

Playing Ruff

Pup and coming at Barktoberfest

Local Color

Rainbows Festival brightens Heritage Square Park

Obedience Cool

Shepard Fairey wages local campaign

American Beauty

Personal visions at eye lounge

Scenic and Heard

Band supplies soundtrack for SMoCA

Creatures of the Night

Zoo hosts party animals

Refuge Found

AZ Lost Boys Center opens doors

For Love and Money

Body Positive takes art to heart

Shamrock This Town

St. Paddy's Day revelry gets the green light

Party Arty

Art Detour rocks downtown

Vintage Style

Leave the box cutters at home

Power of 10

Kieslowski's The Decalogue makes its AZ première