Morocco

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 >>

The Original ChopShop in Scottsdale Caters to the Healthy Crowd

Healthy Highs and Lows at Scottsdale's Original ChopShop Co.

Think of the Original ChopShop Co., located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Scottsdale Road in Old Town Scottsdale, as a kind of casual convenience mart for the health-conscious. See also: - Miu's Cuisine: Sichuan Food That's Anything but Familiar - Surprise's Amuse Bouche: Excellent French Cuis ... More >>

Searsucker Scottsdale's Steven "Chops" Smith Headed to James Beard Awards: Here's What's on the Menu

Following in the contrail of Crudo chef Cullen Campbell, another Phoenix chef is headed to New York City for some James Beard culinary fun: Steven "Chops" Smith of Searsucker Scottsdale. See also: - Kevin Binkley, Searsucker, and Short Leash Hot Dogs Among Winners of the 2013 Foodist Awards - The 2 ... More >>

Barrelhouse American Kitchen & Cocktails Opens in Chandler

Bartender Kenta Usuzawa, who has pushed beverage of various sorts as bartender, sommelier, and/or bar manager at Tapino, Petite Maison, and Tottie's Asian Fusion (both locations), took the entrepreneurial plunge last week, quietly opening his own restaurant -- Barrelhouse American Kitchen & Cocktail ... More >>

Top Five Must-See Shows in Phoenix This Weekend

We're just a little bit biased about the best way to spend your weekend here in Phoenix. New Times' Carnaval Electrico with Cold War Kids, Mergence, Hanni El Khatib, and more, is clearly awesome, but get this: There's other cool things going on around town. No joke. Rampage Fest at the Sail Inn is k ... More >>

R3hab @ Axis/Radius

New Late-Night Salad and Sandwich Shop Opens in Old Town Scottsdale

Restaurants touting fresh salads and sandwiches are nothing new, but if you're on the go and want to eat healthy, it's nice to know when there's a new one in the neighborhood. And (bonus) this one stays up late. See also: - Quick Service Pan-Asian Restaurant Chain from Canada Opens First Store in ... More >>

New Restaurant and Wine Bar, Nosh Arizona, to Open This Month in Chandler

Not only is Nosh Arizona planning on hosting tastings for its wine -- one day, the restaurant that describes itself as "a cozy, small plate gastro pub and Pico-winery," hopes to make its own. See also: November Openings and Closings Opening later this month and located at 4080 West Ray Road (in t ... More >>

Nine Dishes from Metro Phoenix Restaurants We'd Love to Make at Home (Recipes, Please -- Hint, Hint)

When it comes to some of our favorite restaurants, we wish the chefs would just buckle down and put together a cookbook already. Maybe an entire book of recipes is a bit much to ask for, but how about sharing a few? So we put together a wishlist of local restaurant dishes that we would give our righ ... More >>

Healthy World Cuisine Breakfast and Lunch Spot Now Open in Tempe

The list of food styles for Tempe's new Desert Roots Kitchen reads like a global grocery list: American, Asian Fusion, Brazilian, Caribbean, Ethiopian, Moroccan, Thai, etc. But the new breakfast and lunch spot, which opened Monday at 414 South Mill Avenue (Mill and Fifth Street, in the former home ... More >>

Veggie Burger Battle: Hillstone vs. FEZ

Veggie burgers have come a long way since yesteryear's pre-processed, cardboard-flavor hockey pucks. Nowadays, they are made-in-house masterpieces full of whole grains, spices, and tasty stuff like black beans and mushrooms. And you can find them in one form or another on many restaurants' menus. ... More >>

Here's a Sneak Peek at Payton Curry's Menu for Brat Haus

With a "coming soon" announcement first reported in January, Brat Haus, an artisan sausage and craft beer concept from restaurateur Dave Andrea (formerly with Old Town Tortilla Factory, Wild Noodles, and Fat Slim's BBQ), has been keeping diners' curiosities fed with several events and social media u ... More >>

Three Things to Eat, Drink, and Bake this Weekend

Happy Memorial Day weekend! Time for barbecues! And pool parties! And drinking beer out of cans! All in honor of the fallen souls who protected our country. We're pretty sure most of you will be hit the road to escape the heat this weekend, but if you're planning on sticking around, there's plenty ... More >>

10 Favorite Gelato Spots in Greater Phoenix

The origins of gelato -- Italian ice cream made with less butterfat, a higher density, and served slightly warmer than its American counterpart -- date back to frozen treats made from mountaintop snow and ice in ancient Rome and Egypt. Thankfully, for those of us in search of the frozen sweet trea ... More >>

The Spices in Chakra 4's Moroccan Nomad Stew Are Good -- and Healthy

Most restaurants won't sell you the spice blends that they use in their renowned dishes, but that's one of the many things that sets Chakra 4 Herb & Tea House apart. The staff is passionate about the ingredients used, especially their medicinal properties, so the food they serve is as good for you ... More >>

Israeli Couscous with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Preserved Lemon

Lately, in this In Season/Meatless Monday series, we've taken a look at what I take home from Crooked Sky Farms each week and see what I've done with my CSA share, or part share. This week, I'm using roasted sweet potatoes, but you could use anything like butternut squash, carrots, or beets. I love ... More >>

Last Night at AZ Wine & Dine: Balsamic-Braised Short Ribs, Salted Caramel Chocolate Lollipops, and Much More

Are you the kind of person who rushes home from the grocery store to eat a tiny nibble of every single thing you bought? It's okay; I'm like that too. If you are, you might think a tasting event featuring lots of bites from many restaurants is for you. But for me, the usual problem with tasting ev ... More >>

Premium Olive Oil Shop Now Open at Biltmore Fashion Park

Calling itself, "the premium olive oil experience," Oliv, a new boutique and tasting room featuring over sixty flavors of olive oils and balsamic vinegars, is now open at the Biltmore Fashion Park. Open since late December and founded by Awie and Isabeau du Toit, who own a olive farm in South Afri ... More >>

Ten Favorite Vegetarian Entrees in Metro Phoenix

Phoenix isn't exactly known for vegetarian food, but the Valley has several unique, passionate vegetarian-friendly restaurants. Don't worry, you won't find any salads or veggie burgers on this list.

Flavor-Packed Vegetarian Food at Chakra 4

The name of Chakra 4 Herb & Tea House is somewhat misleading in that it offers so much more than dried leaves. While you're there, stay and have a healthy, flavor-packed lunch or dinner.

Ten Favorite First Date Restaurants

Hello Phoenix Cibo's Patio = Perfect First Date Spot​So you convinced that special someone -- or maybe that special someone that you've never actually met but you have a really strong connection with via instant messenger -- to actually go out to dinner with you. Where are going to take the ... More >>

Hippopotamus Fritter Recipe from The Fresh Baked Freak; Pen and Fork Reviews The Food of Morocco by Paula Wolfort

A round-up of tasty morsels from Valley food blogs. We're so excited when we stumble upon a really great local food blog. We need more of them, people. And if you have one you've been keeping secret, please let us know. This one we found is smart, funny, healthy, delicious and interesting - and the ... More >>

Your New Favorite Gardening Magazine: Wilder Quarterly

Ola Wiberg​For those of you missing the garden sections of the recently deceased ReadyMade magazine, take heart, there's a new publication on the horizon and according to Trend Central, it's "poised to become the indie authority on the natural world." Ooo, gardening goodness! Wilder Quarter ... More >>

Il Vinaio's Arizona Wine & Tapas Dinner and Fresh Green Bean Salad in Today's Eater's Digest

bakedbree.com​Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Arizona Wine & TapasThis Friday, Mesa's Il Vinaio will be hosting a wine & tapas dinner featuring four great Arizona wines paired with four great tapas plates. Apple honey bruschetta with b ... More >>

In Season: Carrots

Whether you're a CSA devotee, a farmers' market weekender or consider ketchup a veg, we'll bring you fresh inspiration for how to prepare our local produce. This week's harvest: Carrots ​Jennifer Woods​ Easter is this month and with the bunny coming and all, we thought we'd feature the beloved ... More >>

1: Braised Leeks With Mozzarella at FnB

​We've spent all summer making ourselves drool over Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley -- presented in no particular order, mind you -- all in anticipation of our blockbuster Best of Phoenix issue, out tomorrow. From burgers to bourekas to banana cream pie, there's ... More >>

12: Rustica Pizza at Cibo

​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 sectio ... More >>

46: Sticky Toffee Pudding at St. Francis

​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. Visit our siste ... More >>

Now Open in Arcadia: Vatra Grillhouse

​East Indian School is really hoppin' right now. Along with last week's openings (Maui Dog and Loving Hut) and another spot coming soon (Beckett's Kitchen Table), the latest debut is Vatra Grillhouse (at the southeast corner of Indian School and 56th Street). "The name Vatra means "fire" ... More >>

What's Selling: Revolver Records

Ratatat's LP4​Revolver Records is often known for having some of the more unconventional lists for their ten best selling records of the week. (Once, their #1 slot was occupied by recordings of street music from an outdoor market in Morocco.)This week, indie cool takes over, with Ratatat on top, T ... More >>

Five More Food Fixes for Phoenix

laweekly.com​Typically, the fur really flies over on our brother blog, Up on the Sun, while things stay pretty staid around here at Chow Bella. But our esteemed food critic, Michele Laudig (who also happens to be our former music editor), keeps telling me that Phoenix is way ... More >>

Cook Like an Iron Chef with Michael Symon Starts With Dissing The Food Network

​Iron Chef Michael Symon breaks out of Kitchen Stadium this Thursday with his new show on The Cooking Channel, Cook Like an Iron Chef. Symon, who owns Lola, Lolita, Bar Symon, and the B Spot restaurants in Northeast Ohio, as well as Roast in Detroit, says the show is for people who've watched ... More >>

92: Moroccan Nomad Stew at Chakra 4

​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. Visit our sister blog, J ... More >>

What's Selling: Revolver Records

​One of the coolest things about reading What's Selling every week is seeing how people in different parts of town at different record stores in the same city buy such drastically different kinds of records. Revolver Records attracts a lot of the die-hard vinyl consumers in CenPho, and their taste ... More >>

Grilled Eggplant Salad at Sapna Cafe

​After the extended Halloween weekend hangover -- chock full of too many S'Mores, wine, asskickingly strong microbrews, nachos, and various fried things -- something light sounded appealing. I'm so lacking in vitamins these days. So I immediately thought of Sapna Cafe.

Chakra 4 Herb & Tea House Makes Bingeing Good For You

Sapna Café Brings Calcutta Egg Rolls, Gypsy Stews, and Other Fare Fit for Globetrotters to Downtown Phoenix

Prado at InterContinental Montelucia Resort Doesn’t Live Up to Its Atmosphere, Thanks to Lousy Service and Watery Paella

Overdone

Hidden in Plain View

The "little French place" done right

Liège Largess

Belgian endeavor

Hat Trick

About as Moroccan as Mo Rocca

You Grow, Grill

Maxie's World Grill moves into bigger digs

On Tapas the World

Ibiza Café dishes Euro flair

Working Girl Blahs

Cafe Santa Fe's New Mexican cuisine tastes like the same old thing

Best Selection of Ethnic Art

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