Don’t lie, you know you do it. You snap photos of every dish that arrives at the dinner table (most times repeatedly until you get the perfect shot) before you eat it — and make your friends wait until you’ve gotten a good pic of their dish too. It’s okay…
It’s been more than six months since Baby Kay’s closed its doors at Town & Country in Phoenix, at which time the restaurant announced plans to move into a new location nearby at 1582 East Bethany Home Road, in the former home of Richardson’s Cuisine of New Mexico. But now…
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…
Early this morning Umami in Tempe suffered a small fire that has the restaurant shut down due to fire, smoke, and water damage. The fire, which also caused the evacuation of about building 60 residents, was started by a small motor inside the ramen shop’s ice machine. At the time…
Johnny Chu’s RedThai Friday, March 21 Earlier this year, we told you that chef Johnny Chu, of Sochu House in Phoenix and T. Spot in Chandler, was planning to open two new spots in Phoenix. And as of this weekend, fans of the chef’s Asian cuisine will wait no longer…
Over the next two weeks, the Valley will host two barbecue festivals. Now, we’ve got big appetites over here at Chow Bella, but that’s still quite a lot of ‘cue for one city. So if you’re trying to decide which fest is for you, we’ve got an easy-to-understand rundown of…
Once upon a time in a land without Yelp and Twitter, restaurants fell into one of two categories: open or closed. But these days, the situation has become decidedly less black and white. In recent months, I’ve dined at a number of Valley restaurants that have decided to open their…
Late last year, former Lux baker Lindsey Magee opened a charming little sandwich shop on McDowell Road just west of 16th Street. From the outside, the shop might not look like much, but step inside and you’ll find a charming — and quite spacious — restaurant with cheery flowers on…
Last night the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North invited guests to experience the resort’s newest dining outlet, a bar and lounge designed to complement chef Mel Mecinas’ signature restaurant, Talavera. The new Onyx Bar and Lounge offers an upscale menu of small plates and entrées, as well as cocktails…
Last week we announced the finalists for New Times’ 2014 Big Brain Awards. The annual awards recognize emerging Phoenix creatives in five categories, including culinary. Today, we’re back with another announcement. In celebration of the fifth Big Brain Awards (time flies, huh?) New Times also will give awards to five…
We’re still working off those extra Devoured pounds — and mentally preparing for the six-day eating marathon that is the Scottsdale Culinary Festival — but sandwiched between those two events is another the Valley’s food festivals: AZ Wine & Dine, hosted by the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association. This year’s…
Last week we kicked off our Ultimate Battle of the Dishes ramen bracket that pits some of the Valley’s restaurants against each other in a tournament-style match up to find the city’s best ramen spots. In our first throw down we put Phoenix’s Hana Japanese Eatery against the Clever Koi…
This morning in Chicago, the James Beard Foundation announced the list of final nominations for the 2014 James Beard Foundation Awards. Last month, the foundation announced the long list of semifinalists — a list that included six Arizona chefs, restaurants, and restaurateurs. Kevin Binkley of Binkley’s Restaurant in Cave Creek…
Chris Collins Chef/owner Grassroots Kitchen and Tap (Phoenix, Scottsdale) www.grassrootsaz.com “I can’t paint you a picture. I can’t play the guitar. But I can run a really, really great restaurant.” For Grassroots Kitchen and Tap owner and chef Chris Collins, the restaurant industry is more than a business, it’s a…
Earlier this year we told you that J-Licious Food Truck was taking things brick-and-mortar with plans to open a restaurant on Roosevelt Row. Well, the time has finally come, and now owner and chef Jordan Keane and her mother, Lynne R. Kean (she goes by “MaMaJ”), are ready to open…
After nearly two years of operation, Squash Blossom, the breakfast and lunch spot located at 705 North First Street, has closed its doors for good. According to a post on Facebook last Friday, the restaurant shuttered as of Saturday, March 15. The restaurant had been closed the week of March…
Don’t worry Paradise Valley, the quick-service pizza gods didn’t forget about you. As of last week, Momenti Pizzeria has brought 12-inch personal pizzas to your North Phoenix/Paradise Valley neighborhood — specifically at 4740 East Shea Boulevard, Suite 109, on the northwest corner of Tatum and Shea. The restaurant is technically…
Dishcrawl: Old Town Scottsdale Tuesday, March 18 This Tuesday, Dishcrawl will lead a walking tour of three of Old Town Scottsdale’s dining and drinking destinations. And as much as we’d love to tell you where the tour will be going, the surprise is part of the fun. Starting at 7…
This Saturday, March 22 the fifth annual Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival will hit the streets of downtown Chandler, bringing together pit masters and craft brewers from around the country for a celebration of all things grilled and meaty. And organizers HDE Agency promise this year’s event will be…
Last night we got a taste of the latest venture from Tommy Plato, who owns the four-store mini-chain of Gelato Spots in the Valley. Above the Old Town Scottsdale location of Gelato Spot, Plato’s built an intimate restaurant with a cool retro vibe. Plato describes this new spot as “Mad…
Want to get involved with the Scottsdale Culinary Festival? Well, the Scottsdale League for the Arts is looking for volunteers to help out at the 36th annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival Great Arizona Picnic on Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13. Volunteers not only will get to feel good about…
Since last summer French Grocery has been serving up a taste of the Big Easy here in Phoenix. Owner Kevin Lentz was inspired to open the little French-Creole market and restaurant while living New Orleans. The original idea was to open a “cottage bistro” but things developed differently and what…
