Last week, I shared some of the dining highlights along the light-rail path. And while many of those restaurants have been around for years — and struggled as the streets in front of them were torn up during construction — some have cropped up more recently, almost as if in…
The full name, en francais, is the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie, and it sounds about as strenuous as a sporting event. And Roy Pell, executive pastry chef at the Phoenician, will be on Team USA (along with team captain David Ramirez from Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida,…
Family-owned Maizie’s Café & Bistro is a great example of the new wave of eateries that have opened up along the light rail path, a stylish, urban neighborhood joint that’s friendly and down to earth. The accessible American menu, available all day, features shareable starters, sandwiches, pizzas, and more; on…
Free live music, discounted bourbon, and a special lounge menu are three good reasons to start hitting up Bourbon Steak on Thursday nights, beginning on January 15. From 7 to 9 p.m. in the restaurant lounge, there will be performances from local blues bands (The Blue Zone will kick off…
Everybody’s doing it, man. Riding the light rail, that is. Whether for a daily commute or just a joy ride, people seem to be packing the cars, and it’s not even the free ride period anymore. The folks at District, the restaurant at the downtown Sheraton, hope even more people…
It’s only been open for two weeks, but Bantu Bistro has already gained some repeat customers in Central Phoenix. Located in the 7th Avenue spot that formerly housed Melrose Cafe (4447 N. 7th Ave., at Campbell; 602-604-2489), the eatery brings something new to the local dining scene: West African cuisine. Co-owner Emmy…
What is it about candy thermometers that are so intimidating? Is it that they look a little dangerous? It took a really easy but delicious-looking fleur de sel toffee recipe to help me overcome my fear of using one. The ingredients for the toffee are pretty much butter and sugar,…
Anybody want to buy a bistro? Madelyn’s chef-owner Brian Ford says he’s looking to sell his Anthem eatery, and it’s just about turnkey. “We were unfortunately pushed into closing our doors by our own bank, out of the blue, two days before Christmas,” Ford says. “They didn’t notify us, and…
Chef-owner Joshua Hebert was hoping that Santa would bring him a new restaurant, but instead, he got a New Year’s “baby”; Posh quietly opened on New Year’s Eve. Located inside the gorgeous Optima Camelview Village, the restaurant serves “improvisational cuisine,” which Hebert describes as a “very seasonally adaptive” take on…
A lot of excitement about the Metro light rail has revolved around the easy new connection between downtown Phoenix and downtown Tempe. And when it comes to dining options, that’s definitely a good thing, whether you’re a commuter, a student, or just a foodie-about-town. Hop off the train in either…
What the heck is a turf accountant? I had to Google that one. The American Heritage Dictionary says it’s a British term for a bookmaker licensed to take bets on horses. Huh. In downtown, though, Turf Accountant is the name of the new Irish pub set to open at 705…
What’s in store for 2009? Will the world go to hell in a handbasket, or do we stand a chance of seeing our local restaurant scene flourish? I’m not psychic, so ask Joseph Anthony. He’s the astrologer who gives readings at Lisa G Cafe & Wine Bar every Wednesday night. And since…
Two new nightspot/restaurants opened late last month, right down the street from each other in Scottsdale. Pictured above, The Lodge, 4422 N. 75th St., is a ski-lodge-themed hangout that bills itself as a “quaint, Midwestern dive bar” amid the flashy Scottsdale nightlife district. Is townie-bar chic the new thing? I…
Saturday afternoon. The light rail trains are packed. It’s a good time for a pint. So some friends and I wound up at Sonora Brewhouse, just a few blocks’ walk from the train. And look at what was there to tempt us before we even got in the door –…
If you read Chow Bella, I have a feeling your priorities for New Year’s Eve might revolve around seeking out a great meal. And trust me, I know what a pain it can be to figure out what your options are — I am the queen of considering too many…
In short, the answer is a definite no. That’s according to Barrio Cafe’s own website, which currently has a can’t-miss-it notice to Barrio friends: “After many phone calls from our customers and friends, we just wanted to set the record straight. WE ARE NOT MOVING TO PARADISE VALLEY!We are staying…
A new Cajun restaurant in town? Now that’s something you don’t hear about very often. Cajun food is far too elusive in the Valley. Jennifer Landry Goff and Calvin Goff thought so, too. The couple moved to Arizona with their family in 1990, and after many years of dreaming about…
One of my friends had her hands full today with her two kids on winter break, which reminded me of some kids’ cooking classes I heard about recently. Next week, there’s a three-day class going on at Sur La Table at Kierland Commons, where kids age 8 and up will…
On Christmas Eve, after drinking half a bottle of Amy Silverman’s fantastic limoncello and spending several hours cooking up a storm in my tiny kitchen (the windows were fogged up when I was finally done!), I settled in front of the TV to watch The Darjeeling Limited and relax for a couple…
From cheap, authentic street tacos at Tacos Jalisco, which has a few different locations, to Barrio Café’s upscale spin on traditional tacos, there are plenty of places in the Valley to enjoy the quintessential south-of-the-border snack. But the heart of downtown Scottsdale — magnet to hungry tourists and nightclubbers alike…
One of the most compelling articles I’ve read in the past year was the indepth Vanity Fair piece about Monsanto’s genetically modified plant seeds. Scary stuff, indeed. Around the same time, I read Barbara Kingsolver’s fascinating book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, about her family’s year-long commitment to truly living off the…
Quel coincidence! A friend just stopped by for lunch at that new Mill Avenue pho joint I blogged about earlier today, Pho Thang Long. Apparently it’s run by the same people who own Pho Mesa, another fine spot for Vietnamese noodles (502 S. Dobson). Good to know. On a related…
