Chef Gio Osso is getting a lot of acclaim from his new restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale and it’s pretty easy to see why once you get a taste. From his artful presentation to his subtle hand at seasoning, his dishes showcase each component with confidence and finesse. Seared ahi…
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…
The place to get your torta fix undoubtedly is Tortas Paquime — near 24th Street and McDowell. The restaurant’s inexpensive Mexican sandwiches fill every need when hunger strikes. But did you know that there are other gems on the menu besides tortas? Just when you thought this place couldn’t get…
Arizona Aloha Festival Saturday, March 8 This weekend, the 20th annual Arizona Aloha Festival will go down at Tempe Town Lake, bringing Hawaiian and Polynesian culture to the Valley. In addition to live performances and tons of vendors (you know you want one of those dashboard hula girls), you’ll be…
It’s been nearly a year since we told you that Arcadia’s well-loved chophouse Cork ‘N Cleaver, which was damaged by a fire in 2010, would become a new restaurant under the operation of the well-known Mastro family. Jeffrey Mastro, Michael Mastro, Dennis Mastro, and Scott Troilo — who also own…
This spring, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival and the Scottsdale League for the Arts will honor outstanding members of the food and beverage community with induction into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame. Chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists, and other members of the culinary industry have been nominated for the awards, which are…
You might be turning to a Paleo diet or going on an Atkins kick to help you prepare for the rapidly approaching pool season. However, according to the Huffington Post, those high-protein diets are far more harmful to health than helpful for folks in their middle age, with negative effects…
While we noticed Asian-inspired cocktails making a showing from both Clever Koi and The Gladly at Devour’s Bartending Competition, one Valley bartender is infusing the flavors of the East into every cocktail he makes. You can expect mango, rose, and coconut flavors from Anthony Felsianes’ brand new cocktail menu at…
If you love Thai food but lament that pandanus leaves and pineapple can’t be grown easily in Arizona, cheer up! A recent trip to some cooking schools in Thailand brought me the revelation that in fact, there are many herbs and ingredients you can grow right in your backyard. Even…
While local food enthusiasts were battling the crowds and the rain at the Devoured food festival, I was happily devouring a flawless porterhouse steak at The Camelback Inn’s BLT Steak. When it comes to high-end steakhouses, I’ve always been loyal to Mastro’s, but I’m quite certain BLT Steak is as…
This is part two of our interview with Adam Brown, the executive chef of Noca in Phoenix. Brown’s been in charge of things since the restaurant resumed dinner services last month, after a months-long hiatus that began when the previous chef stepped down. On Tuesday, we heard from Brown and…
If you went to Devoured on Saturday then you might have already tasted some of the frozen creations from Doc’s Artisan Ice Creams. The frozen treat shop ran a booth inside the museum and gave out samples of 10 flavors of its sorbet. But if you picked anything other than…
Panera Bread, the bakery-cafe concept with more than 1,700 locations nationwide, will open its first Phoenix-area restaurant today. Phoenix first Panera Bread restaurant will be at 2845 North Central Avenue, on the southeast corner of Central and Thomas. The company purchased a majority stake in the Scottsdale-based Paradise Bakery company…
Now, we all knew Europe was snobby about cheese. According to NPR, one of the caveats of a new trade deal between the European Union and the United States could mean that American cheese makers would have to change their cheese classifications to remove any semblance of names that have…
The Spot: Angel’s Trumpet Ale House 810 North Second Street 602-252-2630 www.angelstrumpetalehouse.com…
The Guilty Pleasure: Chokladkrokant Bredbar Where To Get It: IKEA, Warner Road and I-10 Price: About three bucks a jar What it Really Costs: You can’t resist picking up a lamp and and end table while you’re there, can you? One of the best-kept secrets at IKEA, that titan of…
Heads up, cocktail lovers! Crudo co-owner and head mixologist Micah Olson has a few new things up his sleeve — namely a new seasonal cocktail menu and an extended happy hour menu. As you would expect, the new drinks feature lots of local and craft ingredients including AZ Distilling Co…
East Valley residents might know Randy Walters as the owner of Pittsburgh Willie’s, the hot dog spot inside Chandler’s Merchant Square Antique Mall. That shop closed its doors last month after a five-year run, but don’t fret, because as we told you in July, Walters has plans to open a…
Adam Brown Executive Chef Noca restaurantnoca.com This is part one of our interview with Adam Brown, the new executive chef of Noca in Phoenix. Brown, a former Noca sous-chef, was named executive chef in late January, taking the job that had been vacant since mid-2013 when former chef Claudio Urciuoli…
No longer just a thing of questionable meat byproducts and discarded parts, hot dogs have gone gourmet, and the results are as delicious as the meat choices are surprising. As home of the Sonoran dog, Arizona is an inventive place for hot dog toppings. Needless to say, you won’t find…
The eventual revamp of nutrition labels on food packaging has been rumored for a while now, but the wait is finally over. The layout and design of the new label is subtly different from the old labels, but it emphasizes healthy eating directives that both the FDA and first lady…
Imagine a magical land where the best Valley restaurants are crammed into one courtyard serving flavor-packed samples to grab your attention and win you over. That magical land happened Sunday at Devoured, where Phoenix’s top spots, including Crudo, Virtu, and FnB, set up shop at the Phoenix Art Museum for…
