Get excited. We are. That’s because we’ve got the list of a dozen chefs already signed up to compete in Caramelpalooza 2012, which will take place Friday, March 2, at Smeeks candy shop in central Phoenix, from 7 p.m. til the caramel runs out. We’re extending the deadline a bit, because…
Last year — in some sort of wacky, sugar-fueled, lost-our-mind moment — we made candy conversation hearts from scratch. And they actually worked. (You can see the post and recipe here.) So now the question: What sort of Valentine confection would we tackle this year? Macarons are way too hard, sugar…
Hold onto your dental work, Phoenix. It’s that time again. Caramelpalooza 2012 will take place Friday, March 2, at Smeeks candy shop in central Phoenix, from 7 p.m. til the caramel runs out. And we’re looking for chefs interested in participating in this year’s third-annual caramel tasting, co-sponsored by Smeeks…
I’ve never been much for book clubs or New Year’s resolutions. Invite me to your book club meeting and tell me we’re reading Ann Patchett’s latest novel, and even if I’ve had that book sitting on my nightstand for months — even if I’m already halfway through it — suddenly…
When the Sydell Group in New York announced last year that it had purchased a hotel property in Scottsdale, Manhattan could probably hear the squeals of delight coming from New Times’ Phoenix office.Sydell owns the New York and Palm Springs properties managed by the Ace Hotel chain — the gold standard…
The results are in! We’ve got two pairs of tickets for Saturday’s Street Eats Food Truck Festival and we’re ready to give them away. The winners are Jessica Crouse and Heather Anderson. Find out all about Jessica and Heather’s dream food trucks after the jump…
We’ll never look at IHOP the same. By the looks of it, Pancake Quest 2012, held yesterday at Perk Eatery, was a sweet success. We’re chasing after info including just who was there and most important, who won, and will get that to you as soon as we’ve got…
By now you’ve likely got your calendar marked for the first big food truck event of 2012. But do you have your tickets yet? From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this Saturday, January 14, at Salt River Fields near Talking Stick Resort, the Street Eats Food Truck Festival, presented by…
As if living here weren’t embarrassing enough, it seems Macayo’s has started an advertising campaign a petition drive to make the chimichanga Arizona’s official state food. Really?! It’s still unclear that the deep-fried burrito can even claim its origins in Arizona (at least, the Tucson/Phoenix battle continues to sizzle — even…
Looks like we made it. 2012 is just about here.If you’re a last-minute planner, you’re in luck. Here’s Shannon Armour’s guide to New Year’s Eve dining (we’re sure there are still reservations available somewhere) and Benjamin Leatherman’s comprehensive list of where to party. Erica O’Neil found lucky black eyed peas. Don’t forget…
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. Here are a few of Laura’s…
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 low points in what’s now Phoenix food history. …
Laurie Notaro Boy, are we full. 2011 was a year of great new restaurants, delicious morsels — and many new recipes to try. Here are a few of the favorites Chow Bella shared with you this last year. 10. Laurie Notaro’s Chicken Pot Pie Not only was our favorite funny lady kind enough…
Considering the bad economy continues to top the headlines, the restaurant industry in Phoenix fared pretty darn well in 2011. Some restaurant closings — like the notoriously icky Eddie’s Pizza in Tempe — were, frankly, overdue. And sure, we lost a slew of Marie Callender’s and Krispy Kremes, but that’s…
Along with her fine food writing skills, Phoenix New Times cafe critic Laura Hahnefeld has a knack for finding the oddest — and most entertaining — stories. From gruesome bread to sugary meat treats, thanks to her we saw it all in 2011. Here are some of her favorite finds…
We may have shown you this one before — it’s a favorite around here — but it bears re-watching, particularly if you’re stealing a few well-deserved moments to yourself this holiday. Sweet dreams from Chow Bella!Follow Chow Bella on Facebook and Twitter. …
It’s the home stretch, folks! Tonight marks the mid-point of Hanukkah and, of course, tomorrow night the stockings get stuffed and so do you — if you aren’t already. We’ve had fun, this holiday season, gathering suggestions of where to dine, what to drink, cook and buy, and of course which…
Our latest Chow Bella showdown: a traditional holiday cookie exchange. Today: our final entry, Amy Silverman’s “The Holidays Really Take Their Toll (House) Cookies.” Let’s face it: You’ve made it this far in the holiday season and all you really want right now is a stiff drink (we’ve got…
The first night of Hanukkah is history, meaning that by now you’ve probably fried up your fair share of latkes — or, if you’re like me, narrowly avoided a fist fight at Trader Joe’s yesterday afternoon over the last two boxes of frozen potato pancakes. So now what? Seven more…
2011, as you might recall, started off with a horrific bang. A man with a gun took aim at U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at a Safeway just outside of Tucson, and — well, you know the rest. My colleague Paul Rubin and I did a story a few days later about…
A big man has a small cut on his finger. The boss is concerned. Work on a prep line in a restaurant and sooner or later, you’re going to cut your finger. But we’re not talking about any ordinary restaurant, and this employee’s no ordinary prep line guy. He’s a…
Aw, shucks. Here at New Times and Village Voice Media, we’re more accustomed to telling you all about the best places to eat, drink and otherwise enjoy life in Phoenix (traditionally in our annual Best of Phoenix issues, which hits the stands each September) than bragging on ourselves, but hey — this…
