Let me apologize to the cult of Coup Des Tartes: Your little gem is just way too wonderful to keep a secret. This intimate French bistro has been around for nearly a decade, and yet it still seems off the radar. Of course, local foodies are familiar with the place…

I can’t skip town and spend the weekend in Tucson, but if I could, I’d head straight for this: the Tucson Slow Food Film Festival, on January 12-14. There’s a different theme at a different restaurant each night (with feature films to match). and Saturday afternoon has a packed lineup…

Chow Bella’s been going strong for over a month now, and so far I think people are eating it up. Are you? If so — or if not — I’d love to hear your feedback. Hit me up with comments, emails, and tasty tidbits for the blogosphere…

Finish up those Xmas cookies and make way for the next overly commercialized, fattening food holiday The timing is just too weird. I write a roundup of some healthy eating options around town, and then a copy of the new Sur La Table catalog lands on my desk, with a…

Zuzu busts out of its comfort zone The menu at Cafe Zuzu, that sleek little restaurant inside the Hotel Valley Ho, always struck me as really comfort food-y, full of homey, guilty pleasures — homemade potato chips with blue cheese fondue being my prime example. But it looks like executive…

Getting dressed this morning, I looked in the mirror and realized I’ve been getting into the holiday spirit a little too much — I’m starting to look like I’m “great with child.” But I’m pretty sure my curves-gone-wild aren’t signaling a bun in the oven. Nope, I’m pleasantly plump from…

I like you, too: Hostess with the mostest Amy Sedaris I did my fair share of socializing — and eating — over the long weekend, but most of the time, I enjoyed sunny afternoons at home with a stack of fun, new-ish books. After having it on my must-read list…

Tony Blei The man behind (or rather, in front of) The Roosevelt: Matt Pool Good things are happening. Last night I met up with a bunch of friends at the brand-spanking-new downtown tavern, The Roosevelt, and we were all in awe. “This is perfect,” murmured one. “Oh god, First Fridays…

One of my dear friends loves to chime “Nerd alert!” in the same kind of sing-songy voice that you’d say, “Yoo hoo!” Sometimes I find myself parroting her, blurting out remarks in my best soprano. This same friend — a total brainiac Renaissance woman if ever there was one –…

I have to start wondering about the food when all people have to say about a restaurant is how neat it is. “Oh, it’s so Arizona!” “That place is really cool in an old-school way.” “You gotta check out the bar.” That’s fine and all, but what about your dinner?…

When I think of Drift Lounge, Old Town Scottsdale’s tiki-rific late-night hangout, I think of sipping fruity, oversized run cocktails out of a shrunken-head-shaped mug. It’s sort of like the bastard kid of Trader Vic, with a mod-meets-thatched-hut ambiance — cool blowfish lamps hanging from the ceiling, groovy seating, and…

Let’s hope third time’s the charm for the third restaurant in three years at 713 E. Palo Verde Road, near 7th Street and Bethany Home. I just got word from Jeff Ward, the new owner of Cafe del Sol, that big changes are in store for the tiny eatery: “We…

I wanted to fall in love. For years, I’ve been curious about a certain elegant stranger with the whole package: good looks, exquisite taste, and an impressive pedigree. I knew it would take money to get acquainted with this seductive presence, but for the effort, I’d be rewarded with a…

Kids’ beer: Now all you need is a pack of candy cigarettes Here’s more edible wackiness with weird packaging, this time from Fujiya Market in Tempe. Not sure which product cracks me up more, so I’ll share both with you. First, “Kodomo no Nomimono,” an apple-flavored soda from Japan. The…

I don’t know if it was the alignment of the planets or total coincidence, but China Chili’s back in action. The beloved downtown Chinese restaurant’s been on hiatus for the last few months, and I happened to name-drop it in my latest column (the folks who own the restaurant I…

Sometimes all it takes is a taste of something — or even just the scent — to transport me to another place. I think of sangria-fueled New York dinner parties when I eat ropa vieja, the tomatoey Cuban beef dish. Fresh cilantro in a hot bowlful of pho reminds me…

Have another drink, guys: Anarchy Santa Claus and the world’s best introverted dart thrower share a moment of celebration Oops, I meant to say punch FOR your coworkers. Nothing like a delicious little drink to take the edge off after a long day on the job, and there’s no better…

I want candy: Who knew that chocolate goes so well with so many unusual flavors? I don’t always shop sensibly. When I really do go grocery shopping, I break the bank. But most of the time, I have a cupboard full of edible things that don’t quite add up to…

I talked with Paper Heart owner Scott Sanders yesterday afternoon, and he gave me official word: the place isn’t closing after all. Turns out, the community really rallied around the place when Sanders brought up the strong possibility of shutting down at the end of 2006. Things are looking up…

When Malcolm Gladwell wrote The Tipping Point a few years ago, he pointed to fashion trends like Hush Puppies as evidence of how trends reach critical mass in the same way viruses spread through the population. But he may as well have been writing about restaurants. People B.S. about all…

My weekly column is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot to devour in this town, and with this brand new blog, readers can finally start digesting it all, bite by bite. I’ll be hitting the streets for more restaurant action, special events, recipes, reviews, shopping adventures, gossip,…

oprah.com Chris doesn’t give in when Gayle asks for extra toppings “Is this pizza really that good?” “How long did they say the wait is?” “Damn you, Oprah!” I couldn’t help but eavesdrop a little bit on a recent visit to Pizzeria Bianco. It was a Saturday night, and I…