Talk to a Texan about barbecue and the discussion gets serious — fast. The eyes squint ever so slightly, the arms fold, and short nuggets about smoking with oak, dry rub, and the quality of meat are spoken of in a slow, matter-of-fact tone that sounds both polite yet final…
You’d think if you owned a bar exclusively dedicated to rum, you’d be happy to hear that the world’s oldest spirit was suddenly très-trendy. Well, not so much if you’re Dwayne Allen, co-owner of the Rum Bar in downtown Phoenix. In fact, this generally-genial Jamaican native was downright perturbed at…
It appears America’s Taco Shop, the colorful Mexican eatery owned by Terry and America Corrales Bortin, is going the way of the franchise. After spotting a fourth America’s Taco Shop (there are currently two in Phoenix and one in Tempe, and, according to azcentral.com, one will be opening soon in…
Last week, Jeff Kraus, owner and chef of Truckin’ Good Food (named one of the nation’s “Top 10 Most Influential Food Trucks” by the Huffington Post) launched a new concept that will bring his culinary know-how right to your front door. Called Experience Gastro, Kraus describes it as, “a multi-sensory…
As we find ourselves trapped in the dog days of summer, we once again turn to our good friend ice cream for solace during these humid times. But we don’t want just any ol’ ice cream piled into a lackluster bowl. We want our cold friend sandwiched between two chocolaty homemade…
It certainly still feels like summer, but for many of us the most important part of summer (vacation) is now a distant memory, as work and school move into high gear. Stay tuned as Chow Bella brings you tales from some of our favorite folks’ summer travels. Eric Schaefer blogs…
Chef Jeff Smedstad of Elote Cafe was cooking with foraged foods long before it was trendy. We asked him about that yesterday. Today we’re talking about blackberries. Last week he needed to get fresh foraged blackberries to the table fast. Foraged foods tend to have a “thin” shelf-life, meaning that their…
The intersection of Seventh Avenue and McDowell Road — an intersection that touches the F.Q. Story, Willo, and Encanto-Palmcroft historic districts — has been neglected by developers ever since SideBar, Pei Wei, and Starbucks moved in a few years ago. Not anymore. Progress is back, baby, and it (still) doesn’t…
In the kitchen with: Caroline Van Slyke Making: Home-canned applesauce Caroline Van Slyke greeted us from her Phoenix ranch-style home on a humid Saturday morning with bright red lips and the kind of ruffled polka-dotted apron that makes you think of what your grandmother might have looked like had you…
Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we’re back – with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 27: Lee’s…
Travis Ladue is a senior graphic design student at Arizona State University and a graphic designer at TunnelBravo (where The Arrogant Butcher went to have their identity created). You might have seen his “Tour de Taste” summer promo logo for Fox Restaurants. This Eagle Scout will safely guide us through…
Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Barrio Beer Tasting Calling all beer lovers — Cave & Ives is hosting a free, yes free, beer tasting tonight. From 6 to 8 p.m. guests can sample a variety of handcrafted brews from Tucson’s Barrio Brewing…
The Spot: The Arrogant Butcher, Cityscape, 2 E. Jefferson #150, Phoenix, 602-324-8502The Hours: 3 – 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Bar only. The Details: The Arrogant Butcher is another one of Sam Fox’s “concept” restaurant. The idea behind this particular concept is “urban grill meets updated comfort food.” While the…
Whether you’re a CSA devotee, a farmers’ market weekender or consider ketchup a veg, we’ll bring you fresh inspiration for how to prepare our local produce. This week’s harvest: Pinto Beans Speckled “painted” pinto beans are a staple in kitchens of the Southwest. Did you know that you don’t have…
It certainly still feels like summer — but for many of us, the most important part of summer (vacation) is now a distant memory, as work and school move into high gear. Stay tuned as Chow Bella brings you tales from some of our favorite folks’ summer travels.Anthony Redendo is…
Uh-oh it looks like it’s back to Gus’ for late night/early morning pizza delivery. Eddie’s Pizza, the pizza/gyro/hooka lounge that stayed open till 5 a.m. has been shut down due to non-payment of rent. No big loss, if you ask us. If any of you happened to have had the…
Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we’re back – with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 28: New…
The Arizona Taco Festival, the state’s biggest celebration of the classic Mexican dish, is now in its second year and has announced the first round of taco teams who’ll be competing for trophies, cash, and the coveted title of “Best Taco in Arizona” on Saturday, October 15, at the Scottsdale Waterfront…
Like canning, foraging is making a comeback in popular culture and in the rarified airs of gourmet cooking. Urban foragers, such as those featured last week in this New York Times article, are driven to use food that’s going to waste in foreclosed property. But here in Arizona, traditional foragers have been…
Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives? Petite Maison Turns Two Happy Birthday Petite Maison! Chef-owner James Porter opened the doors to his tiny eatery two years ago, bringing homey bistro fare to Old Town Scottsdale. Join the celebration at Petite Maison this…
Beer: 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA Brewery: Stone Brewing Co. Style: Black IPA ABV: 10.8 percent I wasn’t kidding when I said black IPAs were everywhere. Adding to this growing group of uncooperatively-colored and hoppy brew, Stone Brewing Co. recently released their Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA to celebrate 15…
It certainly still feels like summer, but for most of us the most important part of summer (vacation) is now but a distant memory, as work and school move into high gear. Stay tuned as Chow Bella brings you tales from some of our favorite folks’ summer travels. First up:…
