There is a two-year anniversary party at San Felipe’s Cantina and you’re invited! …Well, for part of it. On November 10, the Tempe Marketplace Mexican eatery and bar will be hosting a party from 10 p.m. until closing that’s open to the public. Before that, from 8 to 10 p.m., there…
Whoopie pies are back! This classic dessert has resurfaced in grocery stores and restaurants across the nation, even being named a dessert trend to watch by the NY Times earlier this year. So what the heck is a whoopie pie? It’s basically creamy white frosting sandwiched between two round, cake-like chocolate cookies. Whoopie pies…
Like many local food fanatics, I’ve had mixed feelings about Yelp. And I still do. Some of the most venomous restaurant reviews, posted by users with no prior history on the site, come across as blatant trash-talking by competitors, while some of the blow-jobbish raves also seem like thinly veiled posts by a…
Last week: The British Open Pub in Scottsdale This week: Hint: This downtown Phoenix spot serves up giant soft drinks and contains a whole lot of history. Leave your guesses in the comments and check back next week for the answer…
In addition to the maître d’ or hostess, barkeeps are the cats who occasionally provide patrons with their first tastes of a particular establishment, like Old Town Scottsdale eatery AZ 88, where Hyatt pours it strong Monday through Friday during the daytime. “You’re generally the first person people see when…
Weird! You know I’m obsessed with neat old houses, so imagine how my jaw dropped when Sutra Midtown owner Matt Fritz told me that as he was expanding into the other side of the old factory building that houses his yoga studio — and will soon house a juice bar — he…
Earlier this week, LON’s at the Hermosa announced that acclaimed executive chef Michael Rusconi is leaving the fine dining restaurant at the Hermosa Inn. Where is Rusconi headed? Will the restaurant continue with Rusconi’s emphasis on seasonal cuisine that emphasizes sustainable ingredients? Will the next chef at LON’s be recruited from elsewhere or from…
In their weekly wine newsletter, Roger Carpenter and Phil Roberts announced that they’re leaving their current Chandler digs in December and moving their Aussie-themed restaurant, DownUnder Wines & Bistro, to an expanded space in Gilbert (1422 W. Warner, northeast corner at McQueen)…
Nosh on some of the Valley’s best food offerings while helping out kiddies at the Noche de Gourmet 2009 event, sponsored by the Active 20-30 Club of Phoenix. The annual shindig is a fundraiser sponsored by the “young professional men”‘s club, which does community service in the Valley. As you…
We’re noticing a trend in grocery stores lately — they’re all going totally nuts! Literally, that is. More and more local grocery stores are expanding their nut selections, venturing beyond stock bags of pistachios and cans of mixed nuts to bulk nuts, grind your own peanut butter stations and nut counters…
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’…
