Doug Czufin and Bruce Lazarus of Sam’s Cafe are now the new owners of another Biltmore restaurant, Steamers Genuine Seafood, and from the sounds of it, they’ve really changed things up.The lunch and dinner menus have been tweaked, with lower pricing as well as new dishes, the decor’s gotten an…
Today, I’m geeking out over the latest post on The Japanese Food Report, an excellent blog that feeds my insatiable cravings for Japanese culinary esoterica. They’re talking about the sophisticated technique for butchering fish that extends the process of rigor mortis in the fish, and thereby enhances its umami (that is,…
It’s really kind of surprising that more people don’t talk about Essence Bakery Cafe — it’s one of the best places for lunch in Tempe, situated in that building on University that was the longtime home of Sabuddy (R.I.P.).I stopped by for a bite and was tempted by the most…
Meetup is like the adult version of afterschool activities: You find a group you like, sign up to join and then spend your afterhours getting together and doing something related to whatever activity/interest you have in common. It’s an easy way to meet new friends, especially when you move to a…
Who says you have to wait until the sun goes down to have a good time? On a recent weekday morning, feeling sick from downing a can of baked beans, oysters in oil, and three cans of Budweiser only a few hours before or, as my away-on-a-ski-trip hubby would later…
If you’re looking for a gift for your favorite foodie, or just someone who needs to start learning how to not burn toast in the kitchen, the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa is offering several cooking classes and wine tastings through the end of the year–and we can think of a couple…
Living in Central Phoenix, I’m not about to state any allegiance between East Valley and West Valley restaurants. I’ll go wherever there’s good food to be had. But I can’t deny the overwhelming surplus of self-consciously hip sushi spots in the East Valley, where the trend is toward sleek and…
There’s a gorgeous Christmas tree at The Urban Tea Loft in downtown Chandler, but it’s not any ol’ decoration. It’s all to raise money for breast cancer research, and through the end of the year, the tree in the cafe serves as a reminder to people that the search for a cure lives…
This Italian dish comes from Sassi’s executive chef Peter DeRuvo, whom we profiled in yesterday’s Chef Chat. He says there are several things to keep in mind when making his Paglia Fieno Pasta: Don’t burn your garlic, make sure every clam you have is open, don’t overdose on the lemon…
We’ve never been a big fan of typical American breakfast fare — we love eggs but prefer them in the afternoon, pancakes are heavy, and cereal leaves us cold. We much prefer savory dishes and variety, which is why we have found our happy place in dim sum. In Cantonese,…
Looking for a quiet dinner spot that’s a little off the beaten path? In this week’s Meal Ticket, we’ve got the scoop on a newly revamped restaurant in Carefree that’s dishing up Mexican specialties like Cochinita Pibil and Mole Poblano. We’ll also have info on a new bar & grill in Chandler that’s…
The fact that Christmas is right around the corner and it’s gift-giving season is certainly a good excuse to visit Red Hot Robot, but seriously, wouldn’t you want to buy these crazy toys for yourself? I dropped by a few days ago and found myself giggling at every turn, from happy,…
For my dad’s annual visit to Arizona last weekend, I wanted to take him out to a nice dinner at someplace where the food would be great and the atmosphere would be comfortable — anything too trendy wouldn’t suit him one bit. So we hit up Caffe Boa in Tempe, which…
In New York City and Chicago, there are hot dog carts on every corner. Philly is home to the Pastrami Dog. Nathan’s boasts the famed footlong frank. Hot dogs are everywhere on the East Coast, in all styles and sizes. It’s a little more difficult to track down a footlong here in the…
It’s difficult to find all-vegan restaurants in the Valley, so we’re stoked Green New American Vegetarian serves up tasty animal-free eats in Tempe. The order-at-the-counter spot is really affordable, too. No individual item costs more than $10. The selection includes pizzas, sandwiches and salads. We’re addicted to Green’s spicy buffalo…
Billy-Boy Wordsworth defined poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” Fitting then, we should apply this definition when we experience fabulous fare. See if you can relate to this week’s victual verse and feel free to pen a few lines of your own, should you be so inspired. McRib…
Yesterday, Brewmaster Uwe Boer opened a door in to his home-brewing past by tapping a new seasonal at Sun Up Brewing. Named by a Sun Up staffer, The Nut Before Christmas Brown Ale is an English Brown ale that uses mostly ingredients produced in the GMT time zone. We had…
Three years ago, the folks behind the Scottsdale Culinary Festival invited local foodies to make nominations for its Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame, whose winners are selected by private committee and then feted at the culinary fest’s awards dinner. It was the first time in the award’s history that nominations were open…
Let’s say this up front: The new Stingray Sushi at Biltmore Fashion Park — a spinoff of the original in Old Town Scottsdale — is not opening any day now. But it seems to be moving forward. The news that the hip, retro-inspired eatery (from the same folks who own tiki-tastic…
You don’t need to twist my arm to read menus, especially when the food is French and the setting is charming Petite Maison in Scottsdale. The restaurant tweaks its offerings pretty much daily, but these new lunch and dinner menus are what the restaurant’s PR gal Wendy Goldman calls “a…
How well do you know your favorite cookhouse contraptions? Can you tell a melon baller from a cookie scoop? See if you can guess today’s gadget and check back next week for the answer and another noodler…
Sick of rum cakes that don’t deliver on the rum? We are, too. Luckily we know a recipe that has been a family favorite for as long as we can remember. The recipe came straight from mom’s secret stash, and we got permission to share it with you.The recipe is…
