First things first: If you haven’t seen Wes Anderson’s newest film, The Grand Budapest Hotel, by now, you’re really missing out. The director’s latest effort is beautiful, funny, quirky, and, best of all, involves food. Of course, it doesn’t feature just any edible creation, but rather a pastry that blends…
When Citizen Public House opened in 2011, there wasn’t really a craft cocktail “scene” in this town to speak of. The restaurant’s bar program, led by mixologist Richie Moe, was really the only one around. Of course, that’s changed in the past three years — as have things at the…
In Arizona, celebrating Easter becomes about more than the holiday itself. It’s also one of the last big hurrahs before the temperature creeps up to 100 degrees and stays there throughout the summer. That’s why we recommend booking a table for Easter brunch, especially if you can snag a seat…
The last time we checked in with Karl and Christine Boerner, the father-daughter duo behind Sunnyslope’s Karl’s Quality Bakery, the owners had secured a new location and were launching an Indiegogo campaign to raise money to get things up and running. That was back in January and though the Boerners…
Beer: Fire and Blood Brewery: Brewery Ommegang Style: Red Ale ABV: 6.8 percent Brewery Ommegang is onto something with this TV/beer thing, it would seem. Last month, Harvest Moon Brewing Company made millions of Trekkies ecstatic by releasing the first officially licensed Star Trek-themed brew, Vulcan Ale. Soon after, Dock…
The cronut fad has seemingly passed, but some little critters still can’t get enough of Dominique Ansel’s fad fusion pastry. Over the weekend, Ansel’s bakery closed after a video chronicling the New York bakery’s serious mouse infestation surfaced. Whether this is the official death knell of all things cronut obsession,…
It’s no secret: Here at Chow Bella, we’re all about pie. We’re already eager for Pie Social 2014, so you can keep your cute little cupcakes as long as we can have some flaky, buttery crust packed with sweet and savory fillings. But pie can be a harsh mistress for…
A new neighborhood spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, and drinks is coming to North Phoenix at 15530 North Tatum Boulevard, Suite 160, on the northwest corner of Tatum Boulevard and Greenway Road. Modern Grove Neighborhood Eatery & Market, an eatery and market, will celebrate its grand opening Tuesday, April…
You submitted nominations for awards given to the Valley’s emerging creatives and the results are in. Introducing our 2014 Big Brain finalists. Leading up to the Big Brain Award announcement and Artopia on April 25, Jackalope Ranch and Chow Bella will introduce the finalists. Up today: Stephanie Teslar. Stephanie Teslar has really outdone herself. While curating the cocktail…
Everyone who plans on ever dining out should be forced to serve, at least for a month or two. Then maybe folks would have a little more compassion for the fine ladies and gentlemen who take care of them from the greasy spoon diners to the upscale steakhouses. While we…
When my meal arrives, whether I’m patronizing Waffle House or a restaurant with real tablecloths, that signals to me that it is time to eat. That’s the green light that lets this little cow know it’s time to feed. But in some people, that gene is apparently mutated and signals…
Casablanca Lounge Tuesday, April 8 The 2014 Scottsdale Culinary Festival will kick off with the Opening Night Affair at Casablanca Lounge in Old Town Scottsdale. The event will be “a stylish salute to classic Hollywood,” with red carpet, vintage cocktails from Campari, small bites, magic, music, and a cigar lounge…
Think of your favorite dinner at a local Mexican joint — the guacamole uses lime juice, the margarita uses lime juice, and your favorite street taco is typically topped with a slice of lime, too. Many drinks and dishes in town use the green citrus, but recently, cartels in Mexico…
People are wistful about endings. “It’s the end of an era,” people will say when someone they loved dies or when the movie house they visited for decades is razed. In the 21st century, even a middling network television show ends with a much-ballyhooed Final Episode. The usual references to…
Mixologist Richie Moe has parted ways with Citizen Public House partner and executive chef Bernie Kantak. According to spokesperson and public relations representative Ty Largo, Moe and Kantak parted ways amicably over a month ago after an “incident that could not be overlooked.” “The gang 100 percent wishes Richie the…
I find trends in liquor to be both fascinating and puzzling. Lately, I’m left wondering how the hell marketing executives come up with ridiculous flavors of vodka. Nothing quite says “I’m using a fake ID” than trying to order a drink made with vodka that tastes like Froot Loops cereal…
When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions, share a few photos, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that…
There’s no need to run all over town just to get your hands on fresh, local produce. Not when you can sign up for a CSA, or community-supported agriculture. Maya’s Farm, a small enterprise run by Maya Dailey within The Farm at South Mountain development, offers CSA members a weekly…
It seems this tiny restaurant has fallen off the radar for many food lovers. But not for the local Paradise Valley/North Phoenix crowd. They still fill every table in the entire cozy dining room, even on random Tuesday nights, filling up on sushi and other Japanese specialties…
Rent, insurance, student loans – adulthood isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes it’s nice to revisit an easier time, when happiness was a stack of Oreos and a glass of milk after school. OK, anyone who thinks childhood was that simple doesn’t really remember it. Still, it’s…
Steak aficionados won’t have to wait much longer to dig into a 22-ounce bone-in rib eye at Steak 44, the newest restaurant to come from the Mastro’s family. The restaurant, located at 5101 North 44th Street (the former home of Cork ‘N Cleaver), will open at 5 p.m. Saturday, April…
With 90-degree temperatures looming in next week’s forecast, the season for sipping heavy, flavorful stouts is almost over. In fact, at a recent trip to Lost Leaf, several of the dark beers were sold out, further cementing the fact that it’s time to switch to IPAs, Hefes, and Pilsners. Just…
