It’s been a big year for chef Gio Osso and his new restaurant, Virtu Honest Craft. The restaurant was nominated for the James Beard Award Foundation’s “Best New Restaurant” award in February — and that’s on top of a heaping pile of love from local and national media alike. You’d…
Chandler is a sprawling suburb, so, based on square mileage alone, it makes sense that it would have a solid dining scene. Whether you realize it or not, this Southeast Valley city really has it all: a variety of awesome ethnic restaurants, a great local brewery, and an award-winning wine…
Chris Mayo Executive chef Central Bistro 3160 E. Camelback Road www.centralbistroaz.com Chris Mayo didn’t grow up with a dream of becoming a chef. He didn’t learn the basics of the craft as a child, at his mother’s hip. In fact, he thought he was going to be a firefighter –…
Thursday night, the Arizona Restaurant Association announced the winners of the second annual Foodist Awards during an event at the Montelucia Resort in Scottsdale. The awards celebrate “the most amazing tastes, faces and places in Arizona food and beverage.” Finalists were announced in early April with 30 chefs, restaurants, and…
If you live anywhere near the northwest corner of Ray and Rural Roads in Tempe and haven’t tried Hong Kong Asian Diner by now, you’ve been doing yourself a huge disservice. This family-run, strip mall spot has been in business for more than a decade and offers remarkably good Cantonese…
If you’ve been following our Ultimate Battle of the Ramen, then you already know about the upsets, drama, and good eats we’ve shared over the last month and half. For those just joining the action, here’s a quick review. We started our March Madness-inspired ramen battle last month by gathering…
Artopia Friday, April 25 This Friday night, we’re announcing the winners of the fifth annual Big Brain Awards at Artopia, a celebration with food, drinks, and, of course, art. We’ve already introduced you to all the finalists in the Culinary Arts category, which includes Aisha Tedros of A.T. Coffee Oasis,…
It’s been a long time coming — or at least it probably feels like it if you’re an ice cream fanatic — but the third location of Sweet Republic ice cream opened its doors yesterday in Central Phoenix. This newest Sweet Republic comes just over a month after the opening…
We’re calling it. It may only be April, but summer in Phoenix has pretty much arrived. We know because Chef James Porter’s Petite Maision has switched over to a dinner-only schedule, making it the first (we’ve heard) of the many restaurants in town that will either cut back to limited…
Get ready, people, because restaurateur Sam Fox seems confident that his newest restaurant concept is going to turn your entire life upside down. Opening Tuesday, April 29 near the northeast corner of 44th Street and Camelback, Flower Child, “is the start of a food revolution by Sam Fox” — at…
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 annual Dining Out for Life fundraiser will take place this week on Thursday, April 24. On that day, dozens of local restaurants have pledged to donate anywhere from 10 percent to 50 percent of their proceeds to the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. The money raised from diners on Thursday…
Chef Payton Curry of Brat Haus and Taco Haus isn’t playing nicely. The chef, clearly unhappy about a recent review of his restaurant Taco Haus written by local food writer Gwen Ashley Walters, outed the undercover restaurant reviewer on Twitter on Monday. Walters, who writes reviews for Phoenix Magazine and…
There are plenty of reasons for food lovers to like the Arcadia neighborhood — the central location, the ranch-style homes, the plentiful citrus trees, and, of course, the plethora of dining and drinking options. There’s no shortage of places to grab a bite or a cocktail in this Phoenix neighborhood…
In honor of the fifth annual Big Brain Awards, New Times is recognizing five Urban Legends, established creative pioneers who have made Phoenix a better, cooler place. Leading up to the Big Brain Awards announcement and Artopia on April 25, Jackalope Ranch, Chow Bella, and Up on the Sun will…
This fall Outstanding in the Field, the company that hosts unique outdoor dining events, will return to Gilbert’s Agritopia community. The company aims to “re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it” by hosting picturesque…
James Fox Executive Chef Bootleggers (Phoenix, Scottsdale) www.bootleggersaz.com It’s taken a while, but if you’re a fan of slow-smoked barbecue, then you’re probably already aware that we have a solid selection of ‘cue joints in this town. There are the standby options like Bryan’s Black Mountain BBQ in Cave Creek,…
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…
Cuttlefish Monday, April 21 Scottsdale’s seafood-centric Italian restaurant, Cuttlefish, has introduced a new lineup of daily specials, available five nights a week. On Monday nights diners can enjoy a 1 lb. char-grilled Maine Lobster and Linguine Nero Fra Diavlo for just $25, while Tuesday brings 40 percent off all wine…
The group behind American TapHouse in Gilbert has brought craft beer to Scottsdale with a second concept, TapHouse Kitchen. The restaurant opened a few weeks ago in the Hilton Village Center at 6137 North Scottsdale Road, in a space formerly occupied by Blue Wasabi. TapHouse Kitchen offers a menu modern…
Since 2012 chef Jeff Kraus has been creating some of the Valley’s most imaginative cuisine at Crepe Bar in Tempe. Kraus fills the delicate pancakes with everything from local chorizo to apple coconut chutney to offer diners unique creations like the popular Papa K, which combines local ham, mushroom ragout,…
The number of food (and drink) festivals in this city has exploded in recent years. Phoenix is a bona fide food town. It’s exciting. It’s also daunting. If you’re a food lover, you’ve probably spent many weekends over the past few months stuffing your face with BBQ samples and dessert…
