Sam Fox

First Taste: True Food at Biltmore Fashion Park

Arpaio to Display "Day-in-the-Life" Photos in Scottsdale Exhibit and Charity Auction

More Restaurants Open Around Town

By Michele Laudig Economy be damned, somebody's still got the confidence to open their doors! Now hopefully customers will keep coming out to spend some dough. (Me? I'd subsist on pretzels if it meant I could still eat foie gras.) Anyway, I just got a call from the ever-charming Maurizio Benforte ... More >>

Chef Who? Local Businesses Don't Know Local Chefs

Regular Chow Bella readers should easily be able to rattle off names of Phoenix's elite chefs like Eddie Matney and Michael de Maria, but according to the O'Neil Associates/ASBA Arizona Economic Indicators Monitor, the average joe on the street has no idea.  Three thousand local businesses we ... More >>

Eight AZ Names Among James Beard Nominees

Creme brulee at Vincent's In a press release this morning, the James Beard Foundation announced its preliminary lists of nominees for various categories in the prestigious James Beard Awards. There are 20 nominees in each category, and eight Arizona individuals and restaurants are among t ... More >>

No Beard Love For AZ

Wah wah wah... Today's an anticlimactic day for some of the most talented people in the Arizona restaurant biz, as the James Beard Foundation announced its finalists for the 2009 awards. Nobody from this state was on the list. But the eight semifinalists who'd been in the running for vario ... More >>

True Food stumbles in its Delivery of Dr. Andrew Weil's Healthful Diet

Wah wah wah... Today's an anticlimactic day for some of the most talented people in the Arizona restaurant biz, as the James Beard Foundation announced its finalists for the 2009 awards. Nobody from this state was on the list. But the eight semifinalists who'd been in the running for vario ... More >>

Ivy League

A multi-tasking marvel

Commons Killer

Conceptual like a Fox

Pie-Faced

Pizza guy gets lucky

Zinburger: Coming Soon?

I hardly recognize Biltmore Fashion Park anymore. Haagen-Dazs is gone. Now the windows are covered up and adorned with a big sign announcing that Zinburger -- a spinoff of restaurateur Sam Fox's Tucson eatery -- is "coming soon." But the Republic reports that it's not opening until Januar ... More >>

Lots of New Local Eateries in the Works

AZCentral's list of 20 new restaurants scheduled to open by the end of the year has suddenly been changed to 15 since the story was posted yesterday. Not hard to figure out which five are now missing -- it's the restaurants on Jackson that Bernie Kantak is planning. Should we rea ... More >>

New Restaurants Sign on at CityScape

Is Scottsdale so 2008? It's a fair question, given all the Scottsdale-based restaurateurs who are eyeing central Phoenix for their newest ventures for 2010 and beyond.  Chef Aaron May, Sam Fox, and Kyle Shivers are the latest to sign on at CityScape, the ambitious 1.8 million sq ... More >>

Fred's, Modern Steak, and Marcella's Opening Soon

​It's fun to shop 'til you drop, but even better to shop up an appetite. Shopaholics are buzzing about the new Barneys New York opening at Fashion Square on October 15, but there's plenty for restaurant-goers to look forward to as well. Three new eateries are set to open along with the mall ... More >>

Modern Burger, Bourbon Steak, and Other Carnivore Eateries Attract Budget-Conscious Patrons with Mouth-Watering Burgers

​It's fun to shop 'til you drop, but even better to shop up an appetite. Shopaholics are buzzing about the new Barneys New York opening at Fashion Square on October 15, but there's plenty for restaurant-goers to look forward to as well. Three new eateries are set to open along with the mall ... More >>

Next Week: Culinary Dropout Opening in Scottsdale

​Fox Restaurant Group has announced next week's scheduled opening of a new gastropub concept at the Scottsdale Waterfront, called Culinary Dropout. Situated in a completely revamped space that used to house Pink Taco, the restaurant will open its doors on January 27.

Fox Restaurant Concepts Sells Chloe's Corner

​Even as restaurateur Sam Fox's culinary empire continues to grow, one of his spots has just gone indie. As of January 1, Chloe's Corner, the pint-sized lunch counter at Kierland Commons, is under new ownership, purchased by general manager Ashly Young. This is the first time a Fo ... More >>

Know Your Buzzwords: What the Hell is a Gastropub?

The new Culinary Dropout gastropub in Scottsdale.​It sounds like something you'd want to get surgically removed from your small intestine, but the term "gastropub" is actually a combination of the words pub (short for "public house") and gastronomy (the study of the relationship between cultur ... More >>

Battle of the Bruschetta

For a starter that appears on practically every restaurant menu, from Olive Garden to Postino, bruschetta (broo-SKETTA) is a remarkably appealing -- and mispronounced -- dish. The concept is simple: toast a slice of crusty bread and top it with pretty much whatever sounds fr ... More >>

Modern Steak Is Delicious -- If You Don’t Mind the Wait

For a starter that appears on practically every restaurant menu, from Olive Garden to Postino, bruschetta (broo-SKETTA) is a remarkably appealing -- and mispronounced -- dish. The concept is simple: toast a slice of crusty bread and top it with pretty much whatever sounds fr ... More >>

James Beard Foundation Announces Award Semi-Finalists

​Congratulations are in order for an elite group of Arizona chefs and restaurants included in the list of 2010 James Beard Award semifinalists, which were just announced by the James Beard Foundation this morning. The nominees were chosen from among 21,000 entries from across the country ... More >>

Spiked! and Slashfood's KitKat "News" in Today's Eater's Digest

An early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives. ​ Spiked! Is returning this spring to the Desert Botanicals Garden. Starting March 4th the DBG will be hosting 8 nights of local music, food and drink. The $25 ticket will get you all access to the gardens, a f ... More >>

First Taste: Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar

courtesy of FOX restaurant conceptsBurgers and bottles of wine, oh my!​It may be their shared Germanic roots -- or their common Midwestern ubiquity. But for some reason, we've always associated burgers with beer and beer with burgers.But not anymore. Now we're thinking burgers and wine, baby!The g ... More >>

Beard Awards Bypass AZ in Finalists List

Oh, the anticipation of Twitter.This morning, the James Beard Foundation live-tweeted the finalists for its prestigious culinary awards.Nobody from Arizona made the cut. There were five finalists for each category.In the running was Sam Fox of Fox Restaurant Concepts (Outstanding Restaurateur), ... More >>

Champagne Cocktails: Bubbles Bubbles Everywhere!

Diddy and Cristal (before it was racist).​Champagne isn't just for wedding toasts and hip hop videos anymore. What was once generally reserved for special occasions is now popping up on drink menus all over the country in cocktail form, and the standard brunch Mimosa is just the tip of the spa ... More >>

Tilted Kilt Joins the CityScape Roster

​The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery is the latest business to sign on with the CityScape project, joining 14 other eateries in the works. This suburban chain with locations in Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Peoria will make the jump to Phoenix proper in the fall of 2010. The Tilted Kilt brings a ... More >>

11 New Restaurants Announced at Scottsdale Quarter

​Along with the debut of a new Nike flagship store at Scottsdale Quarter this week came an announcement of the North Scottsdale mall's fall/winter 2010-2011 restaurant lineup. Eleven new restaurants are in the works, joining Oakville Grocery, Brio Tuscan Grill, and Primebar: Coal Burger: coal-fire ... More >>

Shine 2010: Where to Eat in Scottsdale

​Along with the debut of a new Nike flagship store at Scottsdale Quarter this week came an announcement of the North Scottsdale mall's fall/winter 2010-2011 restaurant lineup. Eleven new restaurants are in the works, joining Oakville Grocery, Brio Tuscan Grill, and Primebar: Coal Burger: coal-fire ... More >>

Local Restaurant Peeps' Predictions for 2011

What cuts of meat will you be eating in 2011?​Helen Yung, Sweet Republic co-ownerI think it'll be the year of gourmet food trucks. It started this year but will make a huge jump in 2011, with well-regarded restaurants joining the game.Craig DeMarco, Postino ownerMy short list: ... More >>

Russell Pearce, Phil Gordon, D-Backs and even New Times to Crowd the Arrogant Butcher

http://www.etsy.com/shop/YeeHaw?ref=seller_info​It's being billed as "one of the most comprehensive series of grand opening events in Valley restaurant history," but to be honest, the line-up for Sam Fox's Arrogant Butcher is giving us a serious case of heartburn. Jason Rose -- the pu ... More >>

CityScape: Too Soon to Call it ShittyScape?

​I left town for a whirlwind week back East -- unplugged from web, email, and social media -- and returned this weekend to big news I'd missed out on: that LGO Public House was pulling out of CityScape. Stunning, yes. But surprising? I hate to say it, but I'm not surprised at all. Almo ... More >>

Now Open at CityScape: The Arrogant Butcher

​You'll be forgiven if you thought that CityScape's latest restaurant, The Arrogant Butcher, was already open to the public. The place has been booked with VIP parties for days. But, in fact, it officially opens its doors today. Whether people come out in droves to dine at Sam Fox's ne ... More >>

Culinary Dropout: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Culinary Dropout, 7531 E Camelback Rd. Scottsdale, 480-970-1700,  http://www.foxrc.com/culinary_dropout.html The Hours: Happy Hour runs from 3 to 6 pm, M-F in the bar and on the patio. The Details: The gastropub idea is catching on everywhere. Sam Fox offers a pre-packaged  ... More >>

This Bites

The Spot: Culinary Dropout, 7531 E Camelback Rd. Scottsdale, 480-970-1700,  http://www.foxrc.com/culinary_dropout.html The Hours: Happy Hour runs from 3 to 6 pm, M-F in the bar and on the patio. The Details: The gastropub idea is catching on everywhere. Sam Fox offers a pre-packaged  ... More >>

CityScape's New Oakville Grocery: Lifeline, or Anchor?

​The signs for Oakville Grocery are up at Phoenix's CityScape development, and according to the PR machine the store is "in its final phases of construction and design." The California-based gourmet market shuttered the doors of its Scottsdale Quarter location this past January after a little ... More >>

Sam Fox Shoots but Doesn't Score with The Arrogant Butcher

​The signs for Oakville Grocery are up at Phoenix's CityScape development, and according to the PR machine the store is "in its final phases of construction and design." The California-based gourmet market shuttered the doors of its Scottsdale Quarter location this past January after a little ... More >>

Cafe: The Arrogant Butcher

​CityScape is a double-edged sword. Sure, we're stoked there's a bit more to do and see and eat downtown, but a lot of these joints aren't exactly destinations worth a drive from Tempe or Scottsdale. Enter Sam Fox's latest eatery The Arrogant Butcher. Is the latest Fox concept restaurant worth ... More >>

Sam Fox's New Restaurant Gets Even More Arrogant with their Meat

Uberculture via Flickr Can this help Arizona crawl out of the red? ​The Arrogant Butcher publicity machine is at it again. When the Sam Fox eatery first opened at downtown's CityScape in mid-February of this year, the place was flooded with VIP parties that made it look like the most popula ... More >>

Barrio Cafe, La Grande Orange, Cowboy Ciao and Cartel Coffee Coming to Sky Harbor

WFairchild via Flickr You'll soon be able to grab Cartel's coffee on the "fly."​Earlier this week, we blogged about the upcoming restaurant changes at Sky Harbor International Airport's Terminal 4. Deliberations were underway for the initial restaurant "Master Concessionaire" recommendation ... More >>

New NoRTH Location Being Built in Arcadia, May Serve Breakfast

Construction's under way for a new NoRTH location at 40th Street and Camelback Road.​What used to be a hand car wash (and a damn good one, too) on 40th Street and Indian School Road in Arcadia has been leveled, making way for a new NoRTH location, courtesy of restaurateur Sam Fox. The new res ... More >>

Barrio Cafe, Cartel, LGO and More Ready to Take Off at Sky Harbor

IdeationA sneak peek at what's in store for Terminal 4.​Back in May, Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport announced their selection of HMS Host's locally-focused proposal for a new cache of restaurants inside Terminal 4 as the first of two restaurant "master concessionaire" contracts to be awarded for the ... More >>

Sam Fox to Take Over Oakville Grocery at CityScape

Bye Bye Oakville Grocery ​CityScape announced today that restaurant mogul Sam Fox will be adding a new gourmet market to his roster -- and it just so happens to be in the exact same spot as CityScape's recently opened Oakville Grocery. Sam Fox, of Fox Restaurant Concepts, and Ashley Youn ... More >>

Laura Hahnefeld Looks at the Year of the Food Truck

Bye Bye Oakville Grocery ​CityScape announced today that restaurant mogul Sam Fox will be adding a new gourmet market to his roster -- and it just so happens to be in the exact same spot as CityScape's recently opened Oakville Grocery. Sam Fox, of Fox Restaurant Concepts, and Ashley Youn ... More >>

Five Awkward Moments in the Phoenix Food Scene, 2011

  http://www.etsy.com/shop/missive Let's pick 2011 apart, shall we?​Well, folks, 2011 has come and (just about) gone and we're left to chew the fat. It was a year filled with great new restaurants and some fun moments -- and some awkward ones, too. Let's look back on a few high l ... More >>

Laura Hahnefeld's Year in Food: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Beckett's Table joined in the pie craze of 2011.​In addition to food trucks making the scene in a big way in 2011 (see the article here), the year in food for the Valley was chock-full of other newsworthy goodies as well -- even chef Payton Curry managed to slip in a last-minute announcement.  ... More >>

The Arrogant Butcher's Ego Boost

​ The Arrogant Butcher created a bloody buzz when it opened early last year in downtown Phoenix, featuring the kind of high-concept restauranteur Sam Fox is now known for in these parts. Design never takes a backseat to the food in a Fox restaurant, so it's no surprise that Arrogant Butcher' ... More >>

Chloe's Corner Now Open at CityScape

​Out with the Oakville, in with the new. Last October, Oakville Grocery Co., the ex-eatery and gourmet groceries spot at Downtown's CityScape, saw some controversy when the Arizona Republic reported its owner and operator, Michael A. Webb, was booted out in under three months by CityScape's d ... More >>

Sam Fox to Open Second Culinary Dropout in Phoenix

The restaurant will occupy the space of this old motorcycle shop.​From hiring ex-Noca chef Chris Curtiss to run his new NoRTH location in Arcadia last November, to taking over the Oakville Grocery Co. space at CityScape in October to open Chloe's Corner with co-owner Ashly Young last week, res ... More >>

Message to the New Restaurant at the Camelback Esplanade: Good Luck

​It's no secret that Camelback Esplanade, the mixed-use development on the southeast corner of Camelback Road and 24th Street, hasn't exactly been the most successful place to put a restaurant. Tough to see from Camelback Road, parking hassles (you're either walking from across the street or ... More >>

Chloe's Corner at CityScape: Lunch Under $10

Shelby Moore The hot-pressed Albacore Tuna melt incorporates tomato and cheddar cheese, served on cranberry walnut bread. There's a Gosling's Ginger Beer to sip on.​Chloe's Corner earned its stripes serving straightforward diner fare -- panini-pressed meat and cheese sandwiches, salads, and ... More >>