Cafe: Hillstone

Changing is a risky venture at best. A band’s first album may be critically acclaimed. If they change their style after that, they’ll lose some of the audience that earned their initial success. If they stay the same, they’ll get boring. So must it be with restaurants. Either you change…

Brewed For Battle: Double IPA

At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…

Mike Maas Brings “godzenmonsters” to Perihelion Arts

Mike Maas’ studio space looks like a pop culture shop exploded. It’s eye candy for any classic Universal Monsters fan and or kid who grew up watching a dozen cereal bowls worth of weekly Saturday morning cartoons. Between his tidy desk and drafting table on either end of his place…

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: Food and Fun at the 2011 Winter Fancy Food…

Brewed For Battle: Winter Warmers

At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…

Cafe: Jimmy Woo’s and Sunshine Moon Peking Pub

There are several joints for a little chinese food in this town. To stand out, you need to stand out; you need to prove you’re better than the rest. That’s why we’re taking on the two restaurants in this week’s cafe column. Food Critic Michele Laudig on Jimmy Woo’s and…

X Japan Signs With EMI, Plans New Tour

Just a few short months ago, I watched X Japan play their first U.S. performance ever in front of hundreds of sunburned Lollapalooza attendees.It was a dynamite performance, but mostly because of pyrotechnics – not the audience reaction. The band followed up with a very successful, if short, seven date…

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: New at CityScape: Jimmy John’s Pop the Soda Shop…

Brewed For Battle: Scotch Ales

At what point does one elevate from merely drinking beer to being a full-on beer snob? Answer: when you feel compelled to tell other people what to drink. And the inevitable result of this peculiar ailment is the beer argument. In the spirit of all great beer-related discussions, we present…

A Novel Approach to NaNoWriMo

It’s nearly midnight and I’m sitting in an IHOP. Somewhere in the dark of the East Valley night, trick-or-treaters are cataloguing their confectionery haul. Me? I’m sipping stale coffee with a room full of would-be famous, published writers waiting for the clock to strike 12 and officially kick off National…