Tacos and burritos will always be reliable standbys, but when it comes to Mexican fast food that Phoenix does really well, tortas are my hands-down favorite option for a quick, cheap bite. What’s not to love about the scrumptious Mexican sandwiches? When they’re made right, tortas are one of life’s…
Aji sushi with scallion and ginger (left), and fresh katsuo with shiso, onion, and roasted garlic chips By Michele Laudig Do you have a favorite restaurant that is the first place you visit when you get money in the bank? Whenever I’m dying for payday and need a light at…
By Eddie Matney Uncorked and Unplugged event at Desert Ridge Marketplace. And you’ll find the Valley’s best and brightest supporting Make A Wish Foundation. And the Arizona Liver Alliance. And hosting private charitable events. We local guys give back. And the community embraces us. It’s good food, good karma and…
By Eddie Matney Let’s meet. I want your feedback. I want you to sit at my counter, challenge me to create a dish for you. I want to know what’s working. And god knows you’ll tell me if something isn’t. Seriously. Let’s do this Monday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m…
By Michele Laudig Here’s some more porno for foodies. A dear friend and I stopped by NOCA last night and couldn’t resist the night’s special, a lobster roll with a big pile of duck fat fries. My god, we were ecstatic. The meat was impossibly tender and sweet, mixed with…
By Michele Laudig Lunch at Digestif yesterday was quite a treat — an orgy of pancetta and Epoisse and homemade pastas. Although the menu is essentially the same format as it’s been, there were quite a few new interesting dishes I was curious about. I ended up with the tripolini,…
The stock market may be sinking, but at swanky new Sushi Roku, you can still party like it’s 2005. That was my stunned first impression of the super-trendy Japanese restaurant that opened a month ago at the W Scottsdale hotel. How to describe the decadence? Completely over the top. Good-looking…
By Michele Laudig Yes, it’s true. The team behind Urban Campfire is at odds over the future of the business. According to co-owner Robert Stempkowski, his business partner Stephen Wolff’s vision for the Tempe restaurant is so different from the original concept that Stempkowski says he “can’t participate in it.”…
By Michele Laudig What just happened? I heard from a couple of sources that chef Matt McLinn — former owner of the now-defunct Methode Bistro — just got fired from his postion as chef de cuisine of BLT Steak, celeb chef Laurent Tourondel’s fancy new steakhouse set to open at…
By Michele Laudig Are you a chef? Are you a glutton for punishment? And are you willing to let brilliant British chef Gordon Ramsay rip you a new one on national television? If so, hit up the Hell’s Kitchen casting session from 5 to 10 p.m. next Tuesday, October 7,…
By Eddie Matney Chef Eddie Matney is the owner of Eddie’s House in Scottsdale…
By Michele Laudig Tammie Coe. I’m an Obama girl myself, although I wouldn’t mind taking a big bite out of that shiny McCain-Palin cookie, too…
By Eddie Matney Chef Eddie Matney is the owner of Eddie’s House in Scottsdale…
By Michele Laudig Is it a bible? Is it a phonebook? Is it the September issue of W? No, it’s the New Times Best of Phoenix issue! The thing finally comes out today, and it is full of so much food and restaurant stuff that you won’t believe your eyes…
The restaurant name is so evocative: Imagine Spain. It has me thinking of a country that’s sophisticated, exciting, and naturally beautiful, where the good life is all about sharing fantastic food with friends in a warm, inviting atmosphere. “Convivial” is the word one of my pals used to describe the…
By Michele Laudig The 43-year-old chef who fed many happy customers at Different Pointe of View and Convivo and other Valley restaurants passed away last week in Dallas, Texas, according to an obituary today. How incredibly sad…..
By Michele Laudig So have you checked out any of the local restaurants participating in Arizona Restaurant Week? The first annual event got started on Saturday, and everybody was talking about it over the weekend. But don’t forget — it continues through the rest of this week. Technically that’s four…
By Michele Laudig Now this is different: A dessert shop specializing in rice pudding. You heard me. It’s a new joint at The Promenade in Scottsdale (southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Frank Lloyd Wright) called Miami Rice Pudding Co., and they serve up rice pudding in more flavors that…
By Eddie Matney Chef Eddie Matney is the owner of Eddie’s House in Scottsdale…
By Eddie Matney Arizona-grown? Tacos? Menudo? Carne Asada? Nobody ever thinks wine. We insiders have a feeling that’s going to change. For the first time for this fine state, the wine coming out of here looks promising. And we hear Jerome is on the brink of another boom…this one will…
Editor’s note: The below letter from chef Eddie Matney is in response to restaurant critic Howard Seftel’s review of Eddie’s House, in yesterday’s Arizona Republic. Dear Howard, It was just a few months ago that we were both so excited to date again. But you’re right. You have changed. You…
Dinner and a movie should be a no-brainer, but logistically, it’s not always as simple as it should be. Sometimes it takes some strategizing to get in, get fed, and get to the theater on time — especially when you’re seeing the hottest new film. And despite your best efforts,…
