Hana Tamago at Hana Japanese Eatery: Eat This Now

How a chef handles an egg has always been a sort of standard test in the kitchen. Can a chef take a basic ingredient and turn it into something special? In the case of the Hana Tamago at Hana Japanese Eatery, the answer is “yes.” “There’s not too many things…

3 Best Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Kelly Beef Tasting Dinner Friday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 It’ll be a little bit of trek for diners to get up to Coppa Cafe in Flagstaff, but if this seven course Kelly Beef Tasting Dinner is anywhere near as good as chef Brian Konfal’s usual fare then we…

Gabriele Bertaccini of iL Tocco Food: “Life Is About Beautiful Things”

Gabriele Bertaccini Owner, Executive chef il Tocco Food www.iltoccofood.com Gabriele Bertaccini looks more like an Italian clothing model than a hardworking, über successful chef. But if you get him talking about cooking, dining, and Italian cuisine, it becomes immediately clear that he’s much more than just a handsome face and…

3 Best Places to Eat and Drink This Week in Metro Phoenix

Cowboy Ciao Tuesday, October 14 Friendly competition between local wine experts is nothing new to Cowboy Ciao. In fact, the restaurant regularly hosts Sommelier Showdowns that pit two wine professionals against each other in a contest to pick a better pairing. This month the restaurant is shaking things up from…

Burger N Fries in Scottsdale: Good Patties, Great Custards

When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions, share a few photos, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that…

Let’s Face It, The Commercial Kitchen Is Still A Boys’ Club

Next month some of the Valley’s top women chefs will gather in the kitchen at Chrysa Robertson’s Rancho Pinot restaurant to cook food and to make a stand, to show everyone that great, talented women chefs exist. And furthermore, that they deserve to be recognized. It’s not the first time…

The Simple Farm to Host Pumpkin Patch on October 17

Since owners Lylah and Michael Ledner decided to close The Simple Farm — which is also the couple’s private residence — to the public in August, there’s been limited opportunity to see the cute urban farm and visit the Ledners’ Nubian goats. The good news is that later this month…

5 Best Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake Friday, October 10 This weekend Oktoberfest is in full swing around the Valley and the biggest celebration will be held at Tempe Town Lake over the next three days. Starting tomorrow you’ll be able to find a half dozen beer gardens with scores of beers…

After Six Months, The Local in Downtown Phoenix Has Closed

It was a bright but short run for The Local. The downtown Phoenix restaurant opened on Roosevelt Row this spring, and almost exactly six months to date from its official opening, it has shuttered. “We poured our hearts and souls into it, but at the end of the day if…