Food poisoning isn’t always the unfortunate result of eating at dives. The recent closure of England’s famed Michelin-starred restaurant The Fat Duck, run by cutting-edge chef Heston Blumenthal, shows that even the world’s poshest dining destinations can have a really bad bout of bad luck. According to CNN, possibly 400 customers…
Did I live in Chicago in a former life? Because the thought of a good Italian beef sandwich, drenched in meaty juice, sounds insanely appealing right now. A Chicago-style hot dog with the works sounds good, too. I’m getting all hungry at the thought of a brand-new Luke’s of Chicago opening…
One dollar for a full lunch? Consider it food for thought. A mere buck is the farmers’ and ranchers’ share of the cost of the ingredients that go into the meal served at the annual Arizona Agricultural Day, which takes place this Saturday, March 7, at Superstition Farm in Mesa…
If you’re in the habit of getting your Indian food fix at Tandoori Times’ Old Town Scottsdale location (there’s also one in Glendale), you’ll have to get used to driving a little further north. The restaurant is currently in the midst of vacating its 5th Avenue digs and heading up…
No wonder there were rumors. A couple months ago, I’d heard that the acclaimed Barrio Cafe was moving to Paradise Valley, and I just wasn’t buying it. Come on — can you see chef-owner Silvana Salcido Esparza, a pierced and tattooed CenPho gal, leaving her 16th Street digs? Nuh uh. She…
Funny how as St. Patrick’s Day approaches, it forces aspiring pub owners to pick up the slack and get their doors open in time for the beer-centric holiday. For example, consider last week’s timely opening of The Turf downtown. Another new place just might be open for St. Patty’s, too…
Sometimes good food is all the reason I need to get excited about a restaurant. At Daily Dose in Old Town Scottsdale, that’s just the beginning. How about an atmosphere that’s as comfy in the evening as it is in the a.m.? Caring service that sends you home with a…
Just got that word that last week’s three-day Spring Training BBQ, held on the patio at Asia de Cuba, went over so well that the restaurant has decided to continue hosting the parties through the rest of the Spring Training Season. They’ll be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on…
Somebody recently mentioned restaurant closings to me, and I had to wrack my brain to think of the most recent casualties. For now, the news is actually pretty upbeat — the last month has seen a flurry of new restaurants opening in the Valley. Here’s the lowdown. Second Line Creole…
He’s outta there. Regions Bistro & Bar was about to open its first location in Scottsdale last week when executive chef Don Nason threw in the towel. A PR rep for the restaurant told New Times he had some “things come up”; rumor has it that Nason and the restaurant’s GM both walked…
Freaking hilarious! A friend just sent me a blog link that has me laughing so hard I just had to share it. It’s called This Is Why You’re Fat, and its food porn at its most obscene. This collection of “deliciously gross food” from across the blogosphere is simultaneously disgusting,…
If you’ve been to the Downtown Phoenix Public Market anytime in the last three years or so, chances are, you’ve encountered Anna Kletkke and her long-running food stand, Sapna Chill Out Cafe. Her tasty soups and salads have been a huge hit, especially since she’s big on vegetarian options. Now you…
Did your April Bon Appetit land in your mailbox yet? Mine just did, and I was happy to see Scottsdale’s chic Roka Akor included in restaurant editor Andrew Knowlton’s list of ten best new places for sushi. Sure, the place stands out from the crowd more for its unusual robatayaki…
Wasn’t it just New Year’s Eve? Weren’t we just shivering in our sweaters and jackets? All of a sudden it’s March, and it feels like summer’s right around the corner. No complaints from me, buddy. I love this time of year, not only because of the balmy weather, but because…
I don’t get people who hate Las Vegas. What’s not to love about a city devoted to modern-day Roman-style excess, with interesting restaurants at every turn? I just got back from a long weekend there, and I can’t think of any better destination to take you far away from the daily b.s…
How do they make such tasty Thai food at Malee’s? Incredibly, the folks at this long-running Old Town fave are willing to give you the lowdown on how they make some of their most popular dishes — for a price, of course. That price ($60) includes a two-hour cooking class…
Spring Training is the occasion, but even if you’re not headed to a Cactus League game, hit up the after-party at Asia de Cuba, where there will be a shindig out on the patio with live music, drink specials ($3 domestic bottles, $4 sangria, $5 mojitos and margaritas), and selections…
A little live jazz and a bite to eat — sounds like a fun night out, no? That’s the idea behind Doc’s Place Music & Supper Club, which held its grand opening celebration last weekend. The restaurant/nightspot is located in the former Johnny’s Uptown space at the northeast corner of…
Feeling adventurous? Then get yourself to Posh, a contemporary American restaurant in Scottsdale where I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I mean that literally. Posh calls its food “improvisational cuisine,” so even though you can specify your cravings, you won’t know exactly what dishes you’re getting until they arrive at…
A hip new breakfast joint in Sunnyslope’s Moon Valley happened to score one of the Valley’s most cutting-edge chefs to helm its kitchen. The restaurant’s called Scramble, and it opened its doors in the former Le Peep space on February 9. And I’d say that with chef German Sega’s fine…
Designer Janis Leonard — known for her thought-provoking art installations at Scottsdale’s AZ88, as well as the posh revamp of Hanny’s — is no stranger to buzz. But recently her work has turned a few more heads than usual, and some folks are seeing it as downright scandalous. The latest of…
Talk about ambitious. The folks behind a new concept called Regions Bistro & Bar have not one but two locations in the works. The first, located in Scottsdale’s 9400 Shea complex (9343 E. Shea), is set to open to the public tomorrow, while its sister restaurant at 690 S. Mill in…
