Silvana Salcido Esparza’s Barrio Queen Now Open

, boasting Mexican food and tequila galore (soon to be over 350 varieties!) in Old Town Scottsdale. We also got a sneak peek of the new menu crafted by Chef Silvana of Barrio Café fame, packed with everything from menudo and tlayudas to tamales and tacos. Now we’re bringing you a taste…

The Five Most Memorable Things I Put in My Mouth in 2011

That’s right, laugh it up. Although the title of this post wasn’t my idea, I did consume a fair share of noteworthy eats in 2011. Whether crazy-delicious, crazy-exotic, or just crazy-crazy, many have managed to make quite an impression. Here are five of the most significant.  5. Pan-Seared Scallops from…

Sweet (Christmas) Dreams from Chow Bella

We may have shown you this one before — it’s a favorite around here — but it bears re-watching, particularly if you’re stealing a few well-deserved moments to yourself this holiday. Sweet dreams from Chow Bella!Follow Chow Bella on Facebook and Twitter.   …

Chow Bella’s One-Stop Holiday Guide: Eat, Drink, Cook, Shop

It’s the home stretch, folks! Tonight marks the mid-point of Hanukkah and, of course, tomorrow night the stockings get stuffed and so do you — if you aren’t already. We’ve had fun, this holiday season, gathering suggestions of where to dine, what to drink, cook and buy, and of course which…

Zach Fowle’s Orange Christmas

Christmas comes a little early to Chow Bella this year — in the form of some darn good holiday storytelling. Today, Zach Fowle shares a sweet, citrus-tinged tale. Over the years, as my tastes changed, so did the contents of my Christmas stocking. The candy canes, packs of Starburst and…

Giving Back: A Donation to the Association of Arizona Food Banks

Here at Chow Bella, we understand how important it is to give (and receive) the perfect foodie gift. So this season, we’re helping out by offering 21 food- and drink-focused gift suggestions, one each work day until Christmas, from a local business or provider. You get scads of rock-star ideas,…

Amy S.’s The Holidays Really Take Their Toll (House) Cookies

Our latest Chow Bella showdown: a traditional holiday cookie exchange. Today: our final entry, Amy Silverman’s “The Holidays Really Take Their Toll (House) Cookies.”   Let’s face it: You’ve made it this far in the holiday season and all you really want right now is a stiff drink (we’ve got…

New Year’s Eve Dining Round Up

Christmas is right around the corner — and we hope that all of your baking, wrapping, and planning needs have been met, because it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to do for the ever-so-important last night of the year.    To help you narrow down your New Year’s Eve…

Crambambull (a.k.a. Beernog)

​We talked a little bit last week about eggnog, but if you’ve spent more than 20 minutes at Chow Bella you know that I’m a beer guy. A good beer offers a bigger body and complementary flavors that will bring your nog to the next level. Plus, beernog has an…

Tableside Guacamole from The Mission

​Tacos may very well be the perfect food, but let’s face it, the standard Meximerican fare can get a bit stale after a while. Taco the Town is here to highlight some of the more unusual Mexican finds in the Valley.  This week: Tableside Guacamole from The Mission ​¿Como se…

Pam Swartz’s Perfect Food Day

Photo courtesy Pam Swartz ​You have probably seen the flashy purple and red dining guide at bookstores under the local section titled, Dine Out Phoenix. It’s the creation of Pam Swartz, who had been a travel and wedding writer for years but got so many requests for food recommendations, that…

Karen Bayless Feldman’s First Jewish Christmas

Christmas comes a little early to Chow Bella this year — in the form of some darn good holiday storytelling. Today, Karen Bayless Feldman shares the story of her first Jewish Christmas, spent (where else?) in a Chinese restaurant. When the police officer apologized for my Christmas being ruined I…

For the Local Beer Lover: Four Peaks Gift Card

Here at Chow Bella, we understand how important it is to give (and receive) the perfect foodie gift. So this season, we’re helping out by offering 21 food- and drink-focused gift suggestions, one each work day until Christmas, from a local business or provider. You get scads of rock-star ideas,…

Amy M.’s Snickerdoodles and Spritz Cookies

Our latest Chow Bella showdown: a traditional holiday cookie exchange. From now through Christmas, we present Chow Bella’s 12 Days of Christmas Cookies. Today we bring you two recipes: Amy Morris’ Snickerdoodles and Spritz cookies. Snickerdoodles! Fun to say, and delicious. These are my husband’s favorite and if you mention…

32 Shea: Coziness, Comfort, Coffee, and Killer Cocktails

32 Shea is the kind of restaurant where you could easily spend hours — the temperature is perfect, the seating comfortable, and its small size means the occupation of a few tables or barstools creates an intimate scene almost immediately. One might even feel, upon opening the door to its…

10 Chinese Restaurants in Metro Phoenix Open on Christmas Day

Nothing beats kvetching about holiday commercialism over a plate of orange chicken and fried rice. To honor this grand Jewish tradition–and give other families that accidentally scorch the holiday ham beyond recognition a place to go–we’ve compiled a helpful list of local Chinese food restaurants that will welcome Jews and…

Poll: What’s Your Favorite Holiday Drink?

It’s that time of year again: Time to navigate the thorny realm of holidays with the relatives. There are many ways to cope with the dread of sitting around the dining room table for hours, but there’s nothing quite like a stiff drink to help ease the uncomfortable conversations about…

Nicole’s Mini Pans

Our latest Chow Bella showdown: a traditional holiday cookie exchange. From now through Christmas, we present Chow Bella’s 12 Days of Christmas Cookies. Today: Nicole Smith’s Mini Pans. Some people say, “I’m turning into my mother” like it’s a bad thing. Yeah, so there are a few traits I’ve been…