If you’ve been sitting on an idea for a food or drink concept but don’t have the money to get your idea off the ground, then you may want to listen up. Marriott International has launched a new program called Canvas, under which the hotel giant will offer help to…
As of Monday, chef Silvana Salcido Esparza’s newest restaurant is (soft) open to the public. For now Barrio Urbano, located at The Yard in north Central Phoenix, is serving breakfast seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. — though Esparza says she expects to launch a dinner…
Bitter & Twisted Tuesday, January 6 This week Bitter & Twisted chef Bob Tam will debut a new weekly special that’s sure to appeal to fans of his Asian-inspired cuisine. Called Kaiju Fried Chicken ($18) the dish features a two-day brined half chicken fried in tempura batter and covered with…
It’s citrus season in Arizona and that means a mad dash to pick and use the bounty of fruit that’s popping up in backyards, front yards, and on neighborhood trees. But often — even after we’ve baked and cooked and preserved our butts off — we find ourselves with excess…
Last year we saw a dizzying array of new restaurants open around town and revisiting the story of each and every one makes one thing clear: it’s a great time to be a diner in our local food scene. Of course, there are sad stories of short-lived spots in last…
After 10 years in the East Valley neighborhood, Chino Bandido in Chandler closed its doors for good at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31. The restaurant, somewhat of a local legend, serves a unique mash-up of Chinese and Mexican cuisines — oh, and kick ass snickerdoodle cookies…
Uptown Farmers Market Grand Opening Celebration Saturday, January 3 This Saturday the Uptown Farmers Market, held weekly on the southeast corner of Central and Bethany Home Road, will host a grand opening celebration with live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and prize giveaways. Expect more than 60 vendors including Arizona Microgreens, Double…
Triyar Entertainment Group, the folks behind popular local spots such as Maya Day + Nightclub and W Scottsdale, have opened a new dining, drinking, and partying concept in the heart of Scottsdale’s entertainment district. Called Dakota, the new restaurant/bar is located at 7301 East Indian Plaza and aims to be…
Crudo $45/four courses On New Year’s Eve Crudo in Phoenix will be serving a four course dinner for just $45 a person. The options for the first course include yellowtail or ahi tuna crudos, while course two includes selections such as burrata with pancetta and arugula; grilled mozzarella with tomato,…
Growing up near the Pacific Ocean, I’ve eaten my fair share of seafood. But I was a little unnerved when I unearthed an unidentifiable withered, round mystery from my bowl of haemul jungol – a bubbling seafood stew served piping hot at Hodori, a Korean restaurant in Mesa. The giant…
If you haven’t already bought your tickets for the 2015 Devoured Culinary Classic, then you might be in a bit of a pickle. Though tickets only went on sale to the public on Friday, December 26, general admission tickets for both days of the event are already sold out. The…
It’s only been a few weeks since Barrelhouse Kitchen and Cocktails excitedly welcomed a new head chef to the restaurant’s kitchen, but already, owner Kenta Usuzawa is back with news of a different kind. According to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Barrelhouse Kitchen and Cocktails is now preparing…
Betty-Jane Hernandez of Havana Patio Cafe: “You Just Have to Roll with the Punches” In 1991, when Betty-Jane (BJ) and Gilbert Hernandez opened Havana Cafe in a space just off Camelback Road, you couldn’t even get chorizo or black beans in this town. You could smoke inside restaurant dining rooms…
Next month the Beer for Brains Foundation’s annual Epicuread event will return to pit local chefs against each other in a contest to create the best food and wine/beer pairing possible. Twenth local chefs will be paired with 20 local wineries and breweries and this year the stakes for the…
Since Henry’s Taiwan opened in Tempe last year, Taiwanese food in the Valley has been decidedly less difficult to find. After all the small, casual restaurant comes from Henry Ku, the chef and restaurateur “credited with putting Taiwanese food on the map in Seattle,” giving the spot some immediate credibility…
Kazimierz World Wine Bar Tuesday, December 30 We can’t think of a better way to wind down at the end of the year than by listening to live music while sipping on a glass of wine — and conveniently, you can catch a live show at Kazimierz World Wine Bar…
Lunch at Pink Pony Today Starting today the Pink Pony in Scottsdale will be open at 11:30 a.m. for lunch daily. Chef Stephen K. Eldridge’s lunch menu includes a selection of starters, salads, and sandwiches such as the Achiote Chicken Sandwich ($11) with grilled chicken , coleslaw, Jack cheese, avocado,…
We know you’re still busy trying to coordinate present exchanges and New Years Eve parties, but while you’ve got your calendars out you might as well mark a few important dates for next year. Yes, it’s only December but the Scottsdale League for the Arts has already announced the dates…
In 2014, there were too many good bites to remember — and some I’d be happy to forget. But each dish on this list stands out not only for the flavors achieved by talented chefs, but also as a memorable experience that revolved around food. Some dishes are unlikely to…
Those who frequent downtown Phoenix are almost undoubtedblty familiar with La Tolteca Mexica Foods. Not only is the building — with its bright green, red, and white sign — hard to miss, the restaurant also has a reputation for serving an affordable Mexican lunch and an impressive array of market…
We’re going behind the scenes and getting up close and personal with some of the Valley’s favorite chefs, learning what it takes to make one of their best-known dishes. Welcome to The Trail. “I don’t eat tamales all year long, so when I do, I go with lard,” says chef…
Joyride Taco House Tuesday, December 23 Both the Phoenix and Gilbert locations of Joyride Taco House are serving up some sweet deals on Tuesday nights. From 2 p.m. to close you can get $2 tacos in varieties such as braised beef, shrimp, chicken tinga, baja fish, and more. The Tuesday…
