Restaurants and Food Services

Colbert on Yelp: "The Critical Palate of Zagat With Not Having Anything Better to Do"

Monday night on The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert joined the chorus of people who like to hate on Yelp, the business-review site. Colbert called Yelp a social media site that combines the "critical palate of Zagat with not having anything better to do." See also: - Is Yelp Fair to Restaurants? - ... More >>

First Arizona Portillo's Opens Next Week in Scottsdale

Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled Maxwell Street-style Polish sausages, cake shakes -- it can only be Portillo's, the Illinois-based restaurant chain in business since 1963 and beloved by Chicago transplants throughout the Valley. See also: - Opening Weekend at Morning ... More >>

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony in Phoenix: A Different Kind of After Dinner Drink

For most of us the ceremony of drinking coffee means brewing a pot of joe in the morning and sipping it over the daily news, or more likely as we run out the door on our way to work. But in Ethiopia a coffee ceremony is one of the most integral parts of community life. The hours-long process takes ... More >>

Food Explored Through Photos at ASU's Sustenance Exhibit

Twelve photographers. Twelve diverse viewpoints about what we eat and where it comes from. One exhibit that brings both together along with food-related films and discussions from restaurant owners and food growers in the community. That's the basis of Sustenance, the new exhibit opening Tuesday, S ... More >>

Absolutely Fabulous

Get a Free Caffeine Fix to Celebrate the Ninth Dutch Bros. in Metro Phoenix, Opening Sept. 8 in Mesa

Free is always better and since we'll readily admit we're only a half-step down from installing a permanent caffeine IV, free coffee really gets us going. See also: Five Ice-Cold Caffeine-Packed Drinks in Metro Phoenix Saturday, September 8, the newest Dutch Bros. Coffee will celebrate its grand ... More >>

School Spirit

Ballroom Glitz

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 t ... More >>

Pink Slime Oozes its Way Into School Lunches

​Now that fast food companies have ditched the bright pink ammonia-treated meat goop AKA "Pink Slime," there seems to be an unused abundance of the stuff. So where's all that disgusting pink goo going to go? To feed hungry dogs in shelters? In the trash? Or maybe meat companies will just stop ... More >>

Biltmore Offering After-Dark Dinner Deals Through July 31

Biltmore Fashion ParkBlack Chile's enchiladas are part of the Biltmore's "After Dark" deal.​We're thrilled that Arizona now has two Restaurant Weeks -- one during the spring season and another in fall. But it kind of sucks that you have to wait around for months just to partake in the event's dini ... 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. Coming Soon: Payton Curry's "Curry-ousity" Food Nerd Alert! Oxford English Dic ... More >>

Jimmy Woo's and Sunshine Moon Peking Pub Rebel Against the P.F. Chang Army

Dump the Dive

No more sticky floors at Sticky Fingers

What to Hit and Miss on Holiday Fast Food Menus

Day Drinker: Your Watering-Hole Ideas Needed!

Who says you have to wait until the sun goes down to have a good time? ​Since December of last year, we Day Drinking gal pals have covered 14 drinking establishments catering to those enjoying a libation or two in the morning hours. From dive bars to sports bars to casual neighborhood watering ho ... More >>

Behind the Bar: Eric Carfagnini of Culinary Dropout

​ It's no wonder Eric Carfagnini enjoys bartending at Culinary Dropout. Just shy of three months old, the restaurant/bar prides itself on taking traditional cocktails and serving them up with a twist. With house-made ingredients like ginger agave syrup and a Guinness reduction, manning the ... More >>

Sonic Youth

Run like the wind at annual marathon

Tavistock Restaurants Acquires Sapporo in Scottsdale

Sapporo will not be swimming with the fishes, thanks to Tavistock Restaurants, a boutique restaurant company based in Emeryville, California. Tavistock purchased the bankrupt Scottsdale sushi spot on December 22, promising "uninterrupted service," according to a press release last week. Other ... More >>

Tonight: Taste of the Biltmore

It will be an all-you-can-eat extravaganza for charity tonight, when the third annual Taste of the Biltmore party takes over the National Bank of Arizona Corporate Center (6001 N. 24th St.) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Participating restaurants from the upscale 'hood include Donovan's, ... More >>

Dine4AZ Campaign Starts Today

Regular readers of Chow Bella already know we're big on putting your money where your mouth is. Now Governor Jan Brewer is helping to push the same message as part of a statewide campaign to "kick-start the economy" through dining out at local restaurants.   Dine4AZ, launched today by Shamrock ... More >>

Backstreet Boys Canceled

By Martin Cizmar I sure would hate to be a bartender at the Chandler TGI Friday’s tonight: The Backstreet Boys show at Dodge Theatre this evening has been canceled – CANCELED – at the last minute. Due to illness. “The Backstreet Boys and Live Nation sincerely apologize for any inconvenie ... More >>

Gross Out: Roaches, Slime and Bad Hand Washing at Texas Roadhouse on Stapley

Bartenders & Baristas: Bill Sandweg at Copper Star Coffee

Flashback to the 90s: Buca di Beppo goes retro

Remembering Dig Dug

See how far they’ve truly come at "ZAP! Vintage Video Games"

Somewhat social Super Bowl Sunday at Modified

BEST WAY TO KEEP THE KIDS HAPPY DURING DINNER

Wikki Stix

BEST CLUB FOR SWING

MacAlpine's Soda Fountain and Coffee Shop

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT

Tao Garden

Best Upscale Mexican Cuisine

La Hacienda

Best Twilight Drink

Acacia - Four Seasons Resort

Best Brunch

Marquesa

Best Place To Be A Bobo

Anthropologie

Norman Abates

Legendary restaurateur Norman Fierros skips out on the check

Best Place to Expect the Unexpected

Chary's Place
20 West Adams
602-712-1918

Best Pasta

Il Pescatore
13802 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 151, Scottsdale
480-951-8450

Second Helpings

Weight to Be Seated

Dispute over dining coupon feeds obesity discrimination claim against The Vine

Second Helpings

Second Helpings

Second Helpings

Second Helpings

Second Helpings

Bean a Long Time Coming

Starbucks, the high-powered gourmet coffee-house chain, finally finds grounds for expansion into Arizona

Second Helpings

Second Helpings

Second Helpings

SECOND HELPINGS

SECOND HELPINGS