Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza is no longer a part of Barrio Queen, but that doesn’t mean the restaurant’s owners don’t have big plans for the Mexican restaurant concept. Barrio Culinary Concepts, parent company to Barrio Queen restaurant in Scottsdale, has solidified plans to open a second Barrio Queen in Gilbert…

Felicia Ruiz Natural Chef Recently we’ve been talking about the local dining spots of former days and our trip down memory lane connected us with chef Felicia Ruiz, who many will know from Lola Tapas. Ruiz ran the well-loved restaurant until June 2010 and when it shuttered, many a Phoenician…

Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing some of our favorite food folks’ “Personal Best” lists. This year we’re bringing back our list of 100 Favorite Dishes. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments…

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…

The Guilty Pleasure: Hostess’ Summer of Twinkies flavored Twinkies Where to Get It: Walmart Price: $2.50 for a box of 10 What It Really Costs: Having irreversibly greasy fingers for the rest of the day Like so many others, I felt a little twinge of panic when Hostess announced it…

Moises Treves, the chef often credited with introducing Valley diners to Central Mexican cuisine, died last week. It’s been more than a decade since the local food pioneer sold his Phoenix restaurant, Such Is Life, but the mark Treves made on the Valley food scene can still be seen –…

The West Valley hasn’t exactly been a destination for ambitious chefs looking to make their mark in the local culinary scene. But with a new restaurant coming to downtown Glendale, that may start to change. Later this fall, Cuff, a New American Restaurant, will open its doors at 5819 West…

It seems the Valley just isn’t ready for internationally inspired burritos via a drive-thru because after less than six months Fusion Burrito in Gilbert has closed its doors for good. The restaurant served a menu of burritos stuffed with off-the-wall toppings including meatballs, mashed potatoes, and chicken salad. As an…

Weekend Brunch at SumoMaya Saturday, August 30 Scottsdale’s hottest fusion restaurant, SumoMaya Mexican-Asian Kitchen, has launched weekend brunch with new dishes, select lunch items, and plenty of booze. The brunch menu includes items such as Spiced Pecan French Toast topped with vanilla crema and caramel-like cajeta sauce ($12); Green Tea…

Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing some of our favorite food folks’ “Personal Best” lists. This year we’re bringing back our list of 100 Favorite Dishes. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments…

Since man first learned to harness the power of fire, humans have been using it to cook food. It started with an ostentatious show of roasting whole animals over an open flame — an unabashed demonstration of how humans now possessed power over both nature and the rest of the…

We’ve got some bad news for those of you who never got the chance to check out the charming The Simple Farm in Scottsdale. The urban farm — which is also the private residence of owners Lylah and Michael Ledner — is no longer going to be open to the…

Last week, we told you about Phoenix resident Jeffrey Peterson, who took to social media with a claim that he had been asked to leave Pane Bianco for speaking Spanish. The restaurant, which has been open since 2004, is one of several in town owned by James Beard Award-winning chef…

Aaron Pool Owner, founder Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soup 3313 N. 7th St. www.gadzooksaz.com When you hear the word “Gadzooks,” you probably don’t think of food. Toys, maybe. Or a children’s clothing store. But a place for a good meal isn’t likely to be the closest association. “People assume it’s going…

Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing some of our favorite food folks’ “Personal Best” lists. This year we’re bringing back our list of 100 Favorite Dishes. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments…

Yesterday a Phoenix resident took to social media with a serious accusation against one of the Valley’s most famous restaurants. Last night Pane Bianco responded on its Facebook page and today chef Chris Bianco spoke about the matter with Chow Bella. Jeffrey Peterson, a technology entrepreneur and investor, posted on…

In 2013, Pomo Pizzeria made two big moves. After losing their space at The Borgata in Scottsdale (the entire shopping center is being demolished to make room for condos), Pomo opened a new restaurant in downtown Phoenix. Then, in October, the restaurant group relocated to an ambitious new Scottsdale location…

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…