Getting a job after you’ve left prison may not be the easiest thing in the world. So some restaurants around the country are focusing on hiring ex-cons to serve food. Gadling.com reports that one eatery in Chicago, hilariously called Felony Franks, serves up hot dogs, steak sandwiches and more, brought…
As a former MC for mostly-defunct Valley hip-hop ensemble Antedote, the gifted lyricist (who went by the moniker Many Pieces) was renowned for his silver-tongued flows and fly rapping ability. These days, however, the 33-year-old has been impressing patrons aplenty at the Old Town eatery and martini bar with his…
While taking pre-holiday cooking classes is an option, a lot of folks don’t have the cash to throw down for them — especially if you’re the one saddled with the Turkey Day grocery bill. Good thing the seasonal food technique classes at Williams-Sonoma are FREE
The Valley’s got steakhouses galore and burger joints in every direction, but if you’re looking for vegetarian food — whether you don’t eat meat or you just like to mix things up — it can be an exhaustive search. So how is it that Chandler has two very tasty, completely…
Local newcomer St. Francis just got some sweet national coverage in Food + Wine’s blog. It’s always great for the local restaurant scene when a Valley restaurant gets these kinds of props, and I’m definitely happy to see chef Aaron Chamberlin get the attention for his labor of love. But I’m still…
After the extended Halloween weekend hangover — chock full of too many S’Mores, wine, asskickingly strong microbrews, nachos, and various fried things — something light sounded appealing. I’m so lacking in vitamins these days. So I immediately thought of Sapna Cafe…
There’s no doubt that Joe’s Farm Grill is already a southeast Valley destination. Owner Joe Johnston converted his old family farmhouse into a Jetson-worthy burger joint, and the relaxing setting is a welcome reprieve from the city. But a free hamburger? That’s even more reason to visit. Head out today,…
Don’t be surprised if you see a familiar, affable face and shiny chrome dome at a local restaurant sometime in the near future. Travel Channel star Andrew Zimmern was scheduled to land in Arizona with his crew this week, filming a new episode of Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World. He’ll be…
Running a restaurant is a lot like entertaining guests at home for chef David Traina, our Chef Chat subject for this week. He keeps the dishes on the menu simple with ingredients he knows and loves.Several of the dishes at Liberty Market are things Traina would serve right out of…
Nicki EscuderoSenorita No-MeataCute little central Phoenix spot That’s a Wrap! has a variety of tasty wraps, bowls and salads. The best part is, you can almost always get lunch for under $10 here, since entrees range from $7-$7.75, and everything is pretty healthy. Our lunch of a Senorita No-Meata wrap ($7.25), made…
Babaloos Cuban Cafe vs. Havana Cafe Created by immigrant laborers at the turn of the 20th century, the Cuban Sandwich is a tasty alternative to Plain Jane ham and cheese. Some versions have salami, some have lettuce and tomato, but the basics are the same: pork, spiced ham, cheese and…
Sometimes shopping at farmers markets can be overwhelming, and you end up packing 10 reusable bags full of fresh fruits and veggies but don’t know where to start once you get to the kitchen. Learn just how to turn all that produce into perfection at the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers’…
Phoenix is known as a home of transplants, with much of its population having relocated from elsewhere in the country (or in the world). But if you’re a Chicago native or an East Coaster, you’ll feel right at home in a Glendale restaurant that specializes in Philly cheese steaks and…
Go Jan and Helen! The ladies of Sweet Republic — North Scottsdale’s charming artisanal ice cream shop, which we awarded “Best Ice Cream” in this year’s Best of Phoenix issue — have gotten their product into Whole Foods in Scottsdale. Over the next week, they’ll be stocking the rest of…
Are you sensing a pattern here? As in, my obsession with sweet, edible, funny things? Oh yes, it’s bad. Don’t believe me? I’m writing this as I sit next to a melted LP vinyl dish full of chocolate-filled Hello Kitty marshmallows. But that’s not what I wanted to tell you about. My latest…
Before the Internet, restaurants had to rely on TV and newspaper ads and word of mouth (OMG, how totally prehistoric!) to pimp their daily specials. While these archaic delivery methods are still around, now diners can find daily food specials with the click of a mouse on sites like Facebook and Twitter — that…
Chef David Traina seems very relaxed in his restaurant Liberty Market, which is surprising because the Gilbert hotspot opened just over a year ago. It’s safe to say that his hospitable nature is the key to his success.Traina runs Liberty Market with his wife Kiersten and his business partner Joe…
Learn how to make a Spiced Caramel Apple Martini from Meritage Steakhouse at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.
Find out what comedian Amy Donohue loves to eat.
The Arizona State Fair always seems to attract some rather eccentric food vendors. There are a few running themes in fair fare this year, though. First, if you can batter something like a corn dog, it can be deep-fried and subsequently sold at a booth. Second, food is better sold…
Caffe Boa owner Jay Wisniewski told me that new chef Payton Curry would eventually be changing up the menu at the upscale, wine-centric Tempe restaurant. I guess in Curry’s world, “eventually” happens fast. Fresh from his departure from the now-shuttered Digestif, he’s already launched a brand-new menu of dishes inspired…
Flight attendants-turned-restaurateurs Robert McCarville, Tom Vigil, and Randy Betnar sold Coronado Cafe two weeks ago, and the new owners of the charming eatery, tucked into an historic 1915 bungalow on 7th Street, have a few changes in store. Co-owner Diane Stackwick has lived in Arizona for a decade, but she…
