Ask any chef or great cook and they’ll tell you – it’s all in the tools. Home cooks could spend the rest of their lives amassing their collection, and truth be told – they often do. But what if you’re just starting out, on a budget, or widening your culinary…
“This might make hair grow on your chest,” the bald barista at Mocha Bianca tells me, as he prepares a mix of coffee and espresso he calls the “Depth Charger.””Of course,” he continues, rubbing his smooth dome, “It hasn’t worked on my head yet.”Mocha Bianca is just a few miles…
Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let’s have one last look at the blog posts from this week: Monday Night Martha: Exploding Chicken Cold Comfort From Crave…
It’s time to get your prix fixe on because the second-ever Arizona Restaurant Week starts Saturday. It’s a week long foodfest where diners can enjoy special three-course dinner menus at more than 100 Valley restaurants. “Arizona Restaurant Week is an opportunity for diners, foodies, you know, whoever, to experience restaurants…
A little dart of sadness pierced my black heart when I heard that the 61 year old Pink Pony Restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale closed. I loved passing by its salmon pink painted facade with old west saloon style writing…its silhouette of a bucking pony…and the two massive wooden doors…
Remember when we were complaining that there weren’t enough Asian restaurants in downtown Phoenix? Well, now there’s one more. It’s called Thai E-San and–if the menu is anything to go by–it looks like it might just do the trick. Thai E-San (translating to “North of Thailand”) provides a sample of…
Are gerkins, kimchi, fancy Dutch gouda and Chinese shumai on your shopping list? Then the House of Rice is the store for you. This tiny Scottsdale grocery and kitchen supply store stocks Asian and Dutch food. The combination might sound odd at first brush, but actually makes perfect sense: The…
We’re going to catch hell for this, but here goes anyway.Everyone knows Phoenix is famous for its pizza, specifically, for the almighty Pizzeria Bianco downtown. And while that’s all well and good, there’s another pizza story happening here. It’s a sad story that’s gone under-reported until today.Has anyone ever noticed…
Back in March we gave you the skinny on a new Downtown Phoenix restaurant coming from Chris and Craig Delaney called Hula’s Modern Tiki. Well hawaiian food enthusiasts, the time has come to gorge on such island delicacies as “luau pork” sandwiches and spicy thai fish cakes. Hula’s Modern Tiki opens…
Murphy’s Law states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. We can’t help but wonder if that concept was floating anywhere inside the brain of a bear who now makes his permanent residence (despite being thouroughly deceased) at the Murphy’s Law Irish Pub in Chandler. Was he perhaps…
Sid Campbell’s dining philosophy comes from his love of entertaining. The food should be an accent to the ambiance, adding flavor to the fun.His Firecracker Shrimp is the perfect dish for a relaxed evening with friends. The creamy, spicy sauce served over pan-seared shrimp is sure to impress and satisfy…
Can you remember the last time you had a salad with fresh, crisp spring greens, strawberries, goat cheese, candied walnuts, and pomegranate vinaigrette — from a drive-thru? What about coffee that didn’t taste like a foot? If you answered “never”, give D’lish Kitchen and Coffee House a try. We must admit we…
Funny how spending time in an Irish pub can boost your mood. It’s not only okay to forget about your stress, gab with friends, and laugh out loud; it’s pretty much mandatory. Murphy’s Law, a lively hangout in the heart of downtown Chandler, is just that kind of place, with…
Why is it that we think we can just read a recipe, buy all the ingredients, and cook a masterpiece on the very first try? I mean, come on, how many times have you botched putting together that Ikea table? Maybe it’s because I don’t really read all the directions…
Sid Campbell runs a restaurant a lot like people plan for a party. He takes special care to make Local Breeze an enjoyable atmosphere, because he says his restaurant is as much about the ambiance as it is about the tasty food.”It’s more about the feeling I’m trying to create,”…
Irie Jamaican Restaurant vs. The Breadfruit Authentic Jamaican GrillWe’re no expert when it comes to Jamaican patties, but we love, love, love them anyway. We’re talking about the crispy little meat pies filled with goodies like spicy ground beef, fish or vegetables. Jamaican patties are found in Jamaica, of course,…
In this Week’s Meal Ticket dining newsletter, we’ve got a hot tip on a cool date place where you can score twin lobster tails for under $20 — and enjoy free live music in a romantic setting. Love cheese? How about chocolate? Find out how you can satisfy both cravings at…
Anti-incest t-shirts, a collection of art, and bedazzled bras form the curious collection of wall-adornments that span Cup’O’Karma’s tiny interior. This small coffee joint, which is in the middle of in a strip mall across Southern Avenue from MCC, combines the good feeling of helping others with a good caffeine…
It’s fun to shop ’til you drop, but even better to shop up an appetite. Shopaholics are buzzing about the new Barneys New York opening at Fashion Square on October 15, but there’s plenty for restaurant-goers to look forward to as well. Three new eateries are set to open along…
This week we spend some time at cafés near other campuses in the Valley. Today, we’re featuring an ASU West campus coffee shop in Glendale with a couple of quirks.We’re not ones to whine about coffee and pastries. We recognize a good thing when we see it, and Next Coffee…
Yesterday I stopped by Lisa G for lunch and got a taste of some delicious ice cream made just a few doors down on 7th Street. Salted caramel with almonds, fresh mint with chocolate, and chocolate with cocoa nibs . . . all delish. Crave Artisan Ice Cream is now…
September might mean the beginning of fall anywhere else, but hey — it’s still hot here, so Zinc Bistro is still dishing up its special summer prix fixe dinner menu. We’re not complaining. Three courses for $28 sounds like a steal, and the menu, offered Sunday through Tuesday, changes weekly…
