Co-owners Joseph Aguayo and Matt Avilla tell me they’re hoping to open their doors this Thursday. The project has had its ups and downs, which weren’t much of a surprise, given the renovation of the vintage 1930s building. Originally, they’d hoped to open late last year. I’ve been chatting with…
New acquaintances are always curious about the life of a food critic, and in particular, the supposed glamour that comes with the job. I can’t tell you how many times people have asked me about getting free food.The truth is, I go out anonymously, and I always pay for meals…
As even further proof that artisanal beer is making headway in the wine-centric world of fine dining, a handful of Valley restaurants have begun serving Estrella Damm Inedit, a beer developed by the legendary Spanish chef Ferran Adria, along with Juli Soler and El Bulli’s team of sommeliers. FnB, Posh,…
After years of building a reputation for gracious service and exquisite Italian food (just look at all of the Best of Phoenix awards devoted to them), culinary power couple Sima and Marcellino Verzino are about to leave behind their strip mall digs on Northern Avenue and open Marcellino Ristorante in…
How do you manage to try all that food and not blow up like Kirstie Alley? Ahh, such a popular question. I always have a bit of a food baby, but it’s really not that hard to keep the jean size in check.Rule number one: Just taste.If I’ve described half…
The Food Network has given a lot of love to Phoenix area restaurants over the past few years, but now another TV channel is about to showcase a slew of local food faves.TLC’s new series, Best Food Ever, premieres at 9 p.m. on May 3, and includes six hour-long episodes…
When I heard that Kathleen Vanesian was reviewing “Stare,” an exhibition of artist Chris Rush’s work currently up at Mesa Contemporary Arts, I was eager to see what the fuss is about. I’ll leave the art criticism to her, but I will say that Rush’s luminous portraits were astonishing, thought-provoking,…
Last month’s photo essay, Kitchen Ink, has spawned a slew of great photos of local culinary talent with tattoos as creative as the cooking. This week, Modern Steak chef Andrew Ashmore shows off the intricate design spanning the length of his arm. (Photos are by fave NT photographer Jamie Peachey.)…
Those little birds I heard from last week didn’t lie. Official word is out that former Canal chef Justin Beckett is teaming up on a new contemporary American restaurant with his wife, Michelle, and their good friends Scott and Katie Stephens. Together, they’ll open Beckett’s Table in the Arcadia space that’s…
After a Twitter conversation with local foodniks turned into “Hey, why doesn’t Posh step up and serve a late-night industry menu on Thursdays,” chef-owner Joshua Hebert met the challenge. Why Thursday? Well, there are already late-night options on Friday and Saturday. Last week was the debut, and I stopped by for some…
Hot on the heels of the second sold-out MF Tasty secret supper, I just got word that MF Tasty creator Eric Gitenstein (who’s the chef at the fabulous Lola Tapas) will be doing a special lunch at Welcome Diner on Monday, May 3, followed by another by-reservation dinner that night.I’ll have…
Paul Abercrombie must be a booze psychic.His new book, Organic, Shaken and Stirred, is full of delicious-sounding, organic, exotic cocktails that I want to drink all summer long. There’s the Arboretum, with vodka, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, agave nectar, orange bitters, basil leaves, and cucumber (that has my name all over…
There are quite a few restaurants serving foie gras in the Valley, but for some reason, Christopher’s Restaurant and Crush Lounge have become a favorite target of protesters who consider the production of foie to be animal cruelty. Chef-owner Christopher Gross says he’s had protesters show up at least six…
