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. So, here's a recap of some of the top stories from the week that you may have missed.
10 Best Breweries in Metro Phoenix
It's a pretty exciting time for craft beer in Arizona. Not only does Phoenix have more and more local bars offering craft brews from around the country, there's an abundance of breweries popping up around town. Ten years ago, we couldn't have made a list of our 10 favorite Phoenix-area breweries because there just weren't that many. Now, we can put our beer-geek boots on and drink down all the local brews in town to tell you which are the absolute best.
Here's our list of the best breweries in metro Phoenix.
--Heather Hoch
CLOSING: Sportsman's Fine Wines & Spirits in Phoenix at the End of August
At the end of August, the Biltmore corridor will come up one spot short of a place to score adult libations: Sportsman's Fine Wines & Spirits is shuttering.
A combination wine bar and liquor boutique, Sportsman's is known for its offerings of more than 3,000 brands of wine, an extensive selection of single malt scotches, and top-shelf spirits from all over the world. It also features a comfortable in-house bar and small-plate bistro as well as a staff of friendly and knowledgeable sommeliers.
According to the Arizona Republic, Valley chef-legend Mark Tarbell is expected to take over the space left vacant by Sportsman's, which is adjacent to his restaurant, Tarbell's.
--Laura Hahnefeld
Central Bistro Owner Opening Mexican-Asian Restaurant in Scottsdale
German Osio's at it again.
The restaurateur, who opened Central Bistro in East Phoenix last November, and North Scottsdale's Local Bistro in 2010, is planning to open his most ambitious venture yet this fall: a Mexican-Asian restaurant called Sumo Maya.
Check out the full story on Osio's Sumo Maya.
--Laura Hahnefeld
Brady Breese's 5 Best Salty Dishes in Metro Phoenix
The countdown to Best of Phoenix is on. Mark your calendar: This year's issue will be on newsstands September 26. What better way to warm up than by asking some local "experts" to list their own personal bests?
This week, Brady Breese of Urban Cookies ditches the sugar for the salt, as he shares his favorite savory dishes in town.
Check out Breese's favorite salty dishes.
--Brady Breese
Marco Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco on Heirloom Wheat and What Makes Great Bread
It doesn't take much to get Marco Bianco talking about the intricate science of bread baking. In fact, the simplest question (for example, "What do you do?") will be enough to set him on a speech about the importance of fermentation, perfect timing, and practice. Check out parts one and two of our interview with Marco Bianco here.
--Lauren Saria
