After keeping a low profile since he left his longtime chef position at Cowboy Ciao in 2009 — with the exception of his solo appearance at last spring’s Devoured Culinary Classic — this weekend Bernie Kantak returns to Old Town Scottsdale with the launch of his very own restaurant, Citizen Public…
With last night’s episode of Top Chef All-Stars, there was some serious hatin’ going on in the aftermath of the dim sum elimination challenge last week where EVERYBODY ON THE PLANET thought Two-Stitch Jamie was goin’ home. Nope. Still here. Still annoying. Plus, Dale and Teen Wolf Marcel are fighting…
Java junkies in the Biltmore area now have a stylin’ new spot to get their daily brew. I just got word from the folks at Biltmore Fashion Park that Royal Coffee Bar is now up and running at the shopping center.It’s the second location for architect Hayes McNeil’s coffee business, which…
Say you just worked to develop one of the most popular tech devices, ever. Whatcha gonna do now? Open a candy store on Mill Avenue, of course! Frank Ellis left Silicone Valley after working as part of the Amazon Kindle team. Exhausted and ready for a new adventure, he and…
The other day, I wondered whether Stan’s Metro Deli would really reopen. Unfortunately, this new sign in the window at the Mill Avenue restaurant answers that question…
Getting farm-fresh, antibiotic-free meats just got a little easier for Phoenicians.Prescott Valley Farms recently opened a tiny storefront to sell their own pork, lamb and chickens and outsourced elk, buffalo and French Rouge — all raised naturally.Clint Van Wuffen, owner of Prescott Valley Farms, exited a career in politics and started his…
Hear ye! Hear ye! As his first decree of 2011, the King has proposed that placing toppings atop a patty is passe and that the year of the stuffed burger will commence with his new, limited-time, Jalapeño & Cheddar BK Stuffed Steakhouse Burger. Now sayeth the new slogan, “In it…
Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Carefree Art & Wine FestivalCarefree kicks off its 18th Annual Fine Art and Wine Festival this weekend. Get your fill of art, jewelry, sculptures, world music and wine all in beautiful Downtown Carefree. Enjoy wine from several…
The holidays always feel like one long, strange trip, sort of like the scene in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory where the group goes on a psychedelic boat ride. In my version, theres a gravy-soaked turkey feast at the onset, colorful lights and a barrage of buttery cookies throughout…
I just got word that Check, Please! — the new Valley-centric food review show hosted by Renegade Canteen chef and James Beard Award-winner Robert McGrath — will not air at its regularly scheduled time tonight, in order for PBS Channel 8 to cover President Obama’s visit to Tucson.Tonight’s episode, which…
Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there’s more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those taboo edibles that don’t make the cut at your local grocer. Just Offal is here to explore these…
In the spirit of wine-drinking adventure, we bring you tips for busting out of your wine rut one glass at a time the easy way: At a restaurant, where you don’t have to commit to a whole bottle.
UNCORK THE ISSUE: How do I navigate a restaurant wine list?
SPILL THE JUICE: “If you are a lover of wine, love what you drink, learn what suits you and then branch out to become more experimental,” says Christine Wisniewski, the owner of Caffe Boa with her husband, Jay, and a certified sommelier.
Another year, another crapload of new menu items from Taco Bell. First up, the Beefy Crunch Burrito. Touted as “layers of seasoned ground beef, rice, warm nacho cheese sauce, reduced-fat sour cream [hahaha!] and Flamin’ Hot Fritos wrapped in a warm, flour tortilla,” the Beefy Crunch Burrito, or BCB, is…
Ramen has come a long way since the five-for-a-buck instant “noodle bricks” of our college dorm days. In Japan, ramen is a comfort food dish consisting of thin wheat noodles curled up in a rich broth. There are several types of ramen, and many regional variations, including the popular miso ramen, shōyu (soy…
It really is ironic. Just as Scottsdale Quarter is finally ushering in a slew of new restaurants this week (among them, Tanzy, Narcisse, Parc Central, and TK’s Tavern), one of the first places to open at the upscale North Scottsdale shopping complex is about to close its doors. I just got confirmation…
Yesterday, we spoke with 51-year-old Chef Michael DeMaria of Heirloom and M Catering. Today, our chat continues… Even though he’s cooked for celebs and can afford to stay in style, DeMaria isn’t afraid to rough it in a tent. In his spare time, he’s an avid fisherman who practices the…
Brandon Crouser has left the restaurant to take the executive chef position at Avalon, in South Scottsdale. He started the new gig a week ago.Before opening Crudo, Crouser (pictured at left) was the chef at creative BYOB Atlas Bistro, and says he’s already changed the menu at Avalon to reflect…
Mention Girl Scout cookies, and I can’t help but think back to the days of knocking on every door in my neighborhood, order sheet in hand, and hitting up every relative at my grandma’s house before Sunday dinner. These days, who needs to pound the pavement? Girl Scouts are so…
Have you given up on your New Year’s resolutions yet? Let us help you get there a little quicker by making some cheater donuts. This way you can enjoy the crispy fried taste without the risk of being caught in a donut shop by your friends that you made the…
Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Cave Creek Wine DinnerVino 100 in Cave Creek will be hosting a four-course wine dinner and cooking demonstration this Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.. This month’s dinner theme is “Chef Epstein’s All Time Favorite Foods” Resident…
The Spot: Papago Brewing, 7107 E. McDowell Rd., Scottsdale, 480-425-7439 http://www.papagobrewing.com The Hours: Score some craft beer for a wee bit cheaper from open to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. The Details: One buck off all 30 of their specialty drafts (most will run you about $3.50 after the discount),…
LynnRae Ries from Gluten Free Creations has been providing Valley restaurants with gluten free breads and sweets for seven years. Yesterday LynnRae shared the story of her motivation to provide great baked goods to others, like her, who have some form of gluten intolerance or other food allergies. You don’t…
