There’s no sign up yet, there’s a limited menu, and there’s still some decorating to be done, but last Thursday, a new independently-owned spot called Hippies Cove took over the space that formerly housed Tacos del Mar in Tempe (414 S. Mill Ave.). Owner John Newell, who owned Made Rite Diner in Phoenix about…
Just in time to get up and running for St. Patrick’s Day, the owners of Seamus McCaffrey’s have opened a new restaurant/watering hole in downtown, called The Turf Restaurant & Pub. The place opened quietly this past Saturday, and will continue its soft opening this week with evening-only hours, from 5…
The Downtown Phoenix Market just enlisted Quiessence to start showing up on Saturday mornings — hopefully Q’s just the first of many more restaurants to come. Beginning on Saturday, February 21, look for free recipe cards from chef Greg LaPrad, who’ll base his ideas on what’s fresh and available at…
I just got the word from chef Wade Moises that PastaBar, his new downtown restaurant, finally got its liquor license today. He’s working on the wine list as we speak. Apparently the lack of alcohol has kept some customers from making reservations; Moises expects things to pick up now that…
Food is always a huge attraction at the annual Matsuri — that is, the Phoenix Japanese Festival — and this year’s (which takes place this weekend) will be no different. Think yakisoba, teriyaki obento, makizushi, daifuku made with fresh mochi, anpan… jeez, I shouldn’t blog right before lunch, now, should I? (cue…
Scott and Greg Ziegler, the duo behind NYPD Pizza, are getting into the sushi biz with their new East-Meets-Southwest eatery, Banzai Cowboy, scheduled to open March 2 at Market Street at DC Ranch. The menu’s not available just yet, but they’ve hired 30-year veteran chef Fumiharu Hirose to handle the sushi…
Made Art Boutique has been having themed exhibitions for quite awhile now — usually revolving around a functional, common item done up in different whimsical ways by local artists. The latest is called Seasoned, and it’s all about salt and pepper shakers. Made enlisted local artists Joshua Dopp, Cyndi Coon (have you…
I’ve been pretty good about not gloating so much about Arizona winters, but now I just can’t help myself. It’s February, it’s going to be in the 70s this week, and some ice cream sounds pretty good right now. Anywhere else this time of year, free ice cream might sound…
Here’s something unusual that caught my eye: TV night at a local hangout. A couple weeks ago, Hollywood Alley started hosting No Reservations night on Mondays, and it’s exactly what it sounds like, three back-to-back episodes of Anthony Bourdain’s awesome eat-drink-travel show. That means you can hang out, grab a…
It’s not hard to find a good meal in the Coronado District. Drive up the stretch of Seventh Street between McDowell and Thomas, and you’ll find quite a few decent options, from casual (That’s a Wrap) to classy (Trente-Cinq 35). To get to the newest and most intriguing restaurant in…
It’s been a year since Kabuki, the SoCal sushi chain, made its Arizona debut, at the Tempe Marketplace. Kabuki eventually opened a second location at Glendale’s Westgate City Center. To celebrate its first birthday, the restaurant is offering several of its premium sushi rolls — including the Alaskan Roll (pictured…
Fat Tuesday isn’t for another week yet, but the countdown starts today at Metro Brasserie, the New Orleans-style French restaurant at SouthBridge in Scottsdale. Through midnight on February 24, executive chef Matt Taylor (who was a sous chef at John Besh’s New Orleans eatery Restaurant August) is cooking up several special dishes…
Seems like there are wine tastings going on all the time, from your neighborhood grocery store to the ritziest restaurants in the Valley. But how often do you get a chance to sample the harder stuff? And no, I’m not talking about whatever you’re carrying in that flask. This Sunday,…
No, sommelier Marnie Old and Dogfish Head brewery founder Sam Calagione won’t be in town this week to pimp their book He Said Beer, She Said Wine, but hey, who needs them? The folks at Changing Hands Bookstore are hosting a tasting party anyway, and it sounds like a good…
Creme brulee at Vincent’s In a press release this morning, the James Beard Foundation announced its preliminary lists of nominees for various categories in the prestigious James Beard Awards. There are 20 nominees in each category, and eight Arizona individuals and restaurants are among the elite group. Finalists will be…
Restaurants have you in their sights, dear budget-minded foodie. They know you’re just as hungry as ever, but that you don’t mind a sweet deal once in awhile. Not to mention, they sort of get off on the creative challenge of coming up with an appealing prix fixe menu that’ll…
You might think sushi and tempura when you think of Japanese food, but robata-yaki is also a huge part of the cuisine. It’s all of those aromatic grilled foods that taste so good with a cold Sapporo. Roka Akor is one of the few local Japanese restaurants that actually specialize…
All right, I’m having fun with headlines. But I couldn’t help but notice how many local “celebrity” chefs are listed in the “all-star” lineup of a charity event that just so happens to take place on Valentine’s night — one of the busiest nights of the year for most restaurants. It’s…
Just in time for the NBA All-Star festivities this weekend, Open Gallery Bar & Grill is opening its doors tonight. Owners Gary and Renetta Slone have been working hard to revamp the 7th Avenue space just north of Camelback that housed Tio Leo’s Mexican Grill & Cantina until last August. Now,…
I just got the word from Edible Phoenix publisher Pamela Hamilton that the quarterly mag has its official winners list for the annual Local Hero Awards, which recognizes people in the culinary community. Nominees and votes were collected online through mid-December. So congrats to the following folks who get this year’s…
Sometimes the best meal is just a little bit of wine, a little bit of cheese, and some good company. When I’m in the mood for that, I’ll raid the AJ’s cheese department to put together a nice plate of fromage. To go with it, I’ll seek out a great…
Hot wings are pretty typical happy hour fare, but here’s something out of left field: spicy frog legs. They just started serving them for happy hour at House of Tricks in Tempe. In case you’ve never tried frog legs before, the comparison to chicken is a fair one. Tricks jazzes…
