Commotion of a “losing a Phoenix landmark” kind happened today at Oaxaca Restaurant and Cantina, the downtown Phoenix Mexican eatery near the state Capitol. Police were on site as items were being moved out of the restaurant — this after a sign was placed on the door that stated “closed…

If you’re a good little fashion hard-liner, the post-Labor Day moratorium on white clothing and accessories is to be taken seriously — which makes us wonder if Narcisse Champagne & Tea Lounge is throwing their First Annual White Party as one last hurrah for the coolest color of summer. At…

Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we’re back – with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 23: Jewish…

If you’re hankerin’ for a little blackened salmon with your Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, or an Oreo mudslide with your Contagion, you won’t have long to wait. The new AMC Dine-In Theater in Central Phoenix, the cineplex on the second level of The Esplanade, will open its…

Maui Dog, the colorful eatery of island-inspired dogs, burgers, and sliders on Indian School Road and 36th Street in Central Phoenix, may be looking for a new home after just one year — thanks to his rent situation. Maui Dog owner John Stamatakis says he’s looking for a new location…

Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we’re back – with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 24: Parrillada…

Heads up, froyo freaks! The Chill Frozen Yogurt is moving into the space of the former Tall Girl Shop (a moment of silence, please, for inseams of 34″ and over), in the strip mall at North 16th Street and East Bethany Home Road (next to Fleur de Teas and Phoenix…

On a recent drive down Scottsdale Road, south of McKellips, I noticed a small sign by the road for Villa Peru Restaurant. Located at 1857 North Scottsdale Road in Tempe, this new Peruvian eatery was too tempting not to pop by — and, boy, was I in for a treat…

Tired of the photo-heavy focus of Foodspotting? Is Nosh just not doin’ it for you? Frustrate not, food app fans, Forkly has arrived on the scene. Launched on Tuesday, Forkly is a new iPhone app with a focus on ratings. “Like” an item? Was it “just okay?” Based on your…

The other night, I happened upon a new ice cream shop in the strip mall on Camelback (Camelback and 7th Street), in Central Phoenix, between H.B. Hanratty’s Pub and Two Hippies Beach House. Called Sweet Sensation and only open a week, the owner told me he’s serving Blue Bell Ice…

Talk to a Texan about barbecue and the discussion gets serious — fast. The eyes squint ever so slightly, the arms fold, and short nuggets about smoking with oak, dry rub, and the quality of meat are spoken of in a slow, matter-of-fact tone that sounds both polite yet final…

It appears America’s Taco Shop, the colorful Mexican eatery owned by Terry and America Corrales Bortin, is going the way of the franchise. After spotting a fourth America’s Taco Shop (there are currently two in Phoenix and one in Tempe, and, according to azcentral.com, one will be opening soon in…

Last week, Jeff Kraus, owner and chef of Truckin’ Good Food (named one of the nation’s “Top 10 Most Influential Food Trucks” by the Huffington Post) launched a new concept that will bring his culinary know-how right to your front door. Called Experience Gastro, Kraus describes it as, “a multi-sensory…

The intersection of Seventh Avenue and McDowell Road — an intersection that touches the F.Q. Story, Willo, and Encanto-Palmcroft historic districts — has been neglected by developers ever since SideBar, Pei Wei, and Starbucks moved in a few years ago. Not anymore. Progress is back, baby, and it (still) doesn’t…

The Arizona Taco Festival, the state’s biggest celebration of the classic Mexican dish, is now in its second year and has announced the first round of taco teams who’ll be competing for trophies, cash, and the coveted title of “Best Taco in Arizona” on Saturday, October 15, at the Scottsdale Waterfront…

La Condesa, the stylish little eatery of Mexican fare in Phoenix, has just gotten an additional punch of panache — it’s added a bar. And not just any bar, this one was custom made in Mexico, is accompanied by cowhide-covered stools, and fits perfectly with La Condesa’s rustic interior and…

Think dining outside in the summer sun sans misters is a lost cause? You might want to read this. Hillstone, the Central Phoenix restaurant and part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group which includes Houston’s in its offerings (the old Houston’s just down the street closed and was reborn as Hillstone…

Ncounter, the new breakfast and lunch spot on Mill Avenue courtesy of Thom Coker and his wife, Kathy, owners of T.C. Eggington’s in Mesa, was bustling with activity when I recently popped by. It’s a hip but friendly place with a decidedly clean decór, a palette of grays, and pop…

Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we’re back – with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 30: Al…