Earlier this year we raved about the beautiful new spot that opened up inside Sam Fox’s The Yard. Lola Coffee, a second location of the well-loved downtown coffee shop owned by Daniel Wayne, brought fancy coffee offerings, Spanish tapas, and a sleek design to the table. But after about six…

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…

Taste Talavera: Backwards! Saturday, August 23 This weekend Talavera at the Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale is breaking your mom’s rule about no dessert before dinner. The upcoming installment of the restaurant’s Taste Talavera dinner series is called Backwards! and will offer a menu that turns the traditional idea of…

Add yet another local restaurant to the list of places going for a rebrand this summer. Every time we turn around, it seems another spot has gotten a face lift and a new name. This time, it’s The Sushi Room in Chandler’s turn to change things. The restaurant, which opened…

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…

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. It’s hard not to smile when you walk into Crepe Bar in Tempe. Everything from the walls…

For years, Mabel’s on Main was a go-to spot in Scottsdale for a well-crafted cocktail you could enjoy in a dramatic, high-style atmosphere. The dark wooden bar, leather banquettes, and hidden private room (or didn’t you know about that already?) made it a one-of-a-kind spot in Old Town. Now chef-partner…

The Chef: James Porter The Restaurant: Petite Maison The Animal: Octopus The Dish: Grilled octopus Maybe there’s something in the air or maybe octopus is just on trend right now, but for whatever reason we’ve noticed several restaurants around town have added the cephalopod mollusc to their menus. It’s a…

Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza of Barrio Cafe in Phoenix has a lot going on right now, including plans for a new restaurant in Gilbert and a fast-casual concept on the west side of town. What she doesn’t have to worry about anymore is Barrio Queen, the Scottsdale restaurant she opened…

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 it’s well-written, a menu is your map to a restaurant experience. It tells you what kind of food to expect and how much it’s going to cost. It might even give you a little insight into the chef and his or her vision for the restaurant. When it’s poorly…

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…

If you’re looking for another reason to hate on Chipotle — you know, in addition to the fact that it raised prices and then claimed we gave it permission to do so — here’s a good one: The chain has bullied a local restaurant into changing its name. As of…

Happy Birthday Julia Dinner at Christopher’s Friday, August 15 This weekend chef Christopher Gross of Christopher’s Restaurant and Crush Lounge is celebrating famous American chef Julia Child’s birthday with a special three course dinner. The Happy Birthday Julia menu will be available on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16…

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…

It’s been about only two months since Fuego del Mar (formerly Fuego Taco) closed its doors at Camelback Esplanade after a three-and-a-half-year run. But already a new restaurant has moved into the space and plans to open for business within the next week. The newest spot to come to the…

Patrick Karvis Executive Chef TapHouse Kitchen www.taphousekitchen.com There’s certainly no shortage of beer-focused restaurants opening around town these days. Which chef Patrick Karvis knows is making it difficult for his restaurant to stand out. “That’s the way it works,” the chef says with a shrug. “Five years ago it was…

The Guilty Pleasure: Croissant Donuts Where to Get It: Jack In The Box Price: $1.99 for 3 pieces What It Really Costs: The torture of going to a Jack In The Box drive-thru and screaming the words “one order of Croissant Donuts” at a speaker. Probably more than once. Ah,…

It’s been about two months since the highly-anticipated Scottsdale restaurant SumoMaya opened its doors, but already there are some changes coming to the restaurant’s kitchen. Chef Herb Wilson of Top Chef Masters fame has left the restaurant to pursue other opportunities outside the Valley. He’ll be replaced by chef Matt…

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…