Mike Bunker’s concoctions at The Mission in Old Town are often sweet, often strong, and almost always delivered with a touch of flair. “I feel like I have a good palate for cocktails,” he says. “And I like to drink, so it just fits.” The self-proclaimed mixologist and well-seasoned bartender…
Despite the stereotype, we journalists live off of more than stale coffee and cigarettes; a lot more. We cook very well here at New Times. We’re willing to bet that even the bespectacled food God Alton Brown would dub our eats “good.” Yet there are times when we just don’t…
By Wynter Holden Independence Day is fast approaching, and no doubt you’re either looking forward to attending someone else’s barbecue party or planning a menu for your own grilled feast. If you’re in the latter category — or are kind enough to offer up your grilling skills for a friend…
Unbelievable. We made it almost all the way to July without going up in flames. But now the heat is on, and compared to the balmy, record-breaking low temperatures of May and June, it feels more hellish than ever. Who wants to slave in the kitchen over a hot stove?…
Ooh, I can almost feel the grease on my fingers at the thought of another Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles. You heard me. Another Lo-Lo’s. In Scottsdale, if you’ll believe it. The expanded second location of Larry “Lo-Lo” White’s popular Phoenix soul food joint — frequented by sports celebs and nameless…
West of Western is no more at the Phoenix Art Museum, but the show must go on. The fifth annual installment of the popular culinary festival took place at the museum this past March. In March 2010, look for an all-new culinary fest at the museum called “Devoured,” sponsored by…
The Twilight Farmer’s Market in Glendale is the least farmer-y Farmer’s Market we’ve ever come across. When you may be expecting summer sun, gravel beneath your feet and cowboy hats abounding, Glendale has put together a chic outdoor gathering of vendors selling everything from your usual local veggies and fruits…
When a girl came up to Mike Bunker, asking the question he most dreads when he’s behind the bar, he gave her a drink he called “A Punch in the Head.” Funny, from a bartender who minored in Religious Studies in college. The girl told him: “Make me whatever you…
Talk about a sweet gig. Acclaimed pastry chef Tracy Dempsey has just signed on as “guest chef” at Udder Delights, a gourmet ice cream shop in Gilbert (1385 E. Warner Rd., 480-507-3859), in honor of National Ice Cream Month. Owners Sherene Robinson and Casey Stechnij enlisted Dempsey to create new…
Is Scottsdale so 2008? It’s a fair question, given all the Scottsdale-based restaurateurs who are eyeing central Phoenix for their newest ventures for 2010 and beyond. Chef Aaron May, Sam Fox, and Kyle Shivers are the latest to sign on at CityScape, the ambitious 1.8 million square foot downtown development that’s replaced Patriot’s Square…
Forty years ago, Leslie Curry changed her diet. She stopped eating processed foods and started eating the kinds of foods Madonna would famously advocate 3 decades later. It was macrobiotic, and it was, to put it kindly, out of the ordinary. Today, however, Curry feels vindicated. The proof? Now, a…
It’s simple-made-elaborate for Chef de Cuisine Jacques Qualin, the man in the kitchen at celebrity chef Jean-George Vongerichten’s J&G Steakhouse, which sits atop The Phoenician. “It’s a steakhouse but we don’t want to do like a basic steakhouse,” he said. “[So] we’re trying to play on the side dishes, and…
What’s cooking this weekend? Considering that Saturday is July 4th, we’re guessing some rich, tangy barbecued meats — or at least hot dogs and burgers on the grill. In this week’s Meal Ticket dining newsletter, get grilling tips from the award-winning Joe’s Real BBQ in Gilbert and find out where…
In a world teeming with celebrity chefs, Jacques Qualin isn’t particularly well-known. The J in J&G Steakhouse — the newish, top-of-the-bill restaurant at The Phoenician — stands not for Jacques, but for Jean-George, as in J&G’s creator, namesake, head chef and owner – Jean-Georges Vongerichten. But if you’re lucky enough…
More to love, baby. It’s always fun to report on a new restaurant opening, but this tidbit is particularly delectable because it’s all about tortas. Tortas El Guero, that is. Last week, the Mexican sandwich shop just opened its fifth Valley location, at 4121 E. Thomas Road (602-840-2889). It’s no…
You want to see locally owned restaurants thrive? Put your money where your mouth is. The folks at Local First Arizona would be happy to help. Once again, they’ve organized dozens of local businesses for the annual Independents Week — going on now through July 5. Visit the website, and you…
This is a slightly bizarre but delicious summer soup made of pureed watermelon and tomato. The soup is served cold and requires no cooking, so it’d make vegetarians, vegans and even the raw food crowd happy. The recipe comes from Epicurious by way of Self Magazine. Self says the soup…
Move over, Napa. Arizona’s young wine industry is currently undergoing a growth-spurt akin to a 12 year-old basketball player. For proof, see Michele Laudig’s cover story from last year, all about former Tool frontman and owner of Stronghold Vineyards in the Verde Valley. More evidence was available this past Saturday…
Locally-owned Jolta Java’s beverage menu reads like a wish list for sugar freaks: caramel espresso blends, fruity tropical teas, Italian sodas, smoothies, and whipped cream on pretty much anything you want. We decided to combine our quest for caffeine with a massive sugar rush by ordering Jolta Java’s Mexican Joltachino…
Hit print on this one, people. Or at least cut and paste. Here’s your guide to good happy hour deals across the Valley, with food and drink from around the world, at all levels of sophistication. Happy Monday. 1.Rosie McCaffrey’s 906 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix 602-241-1916 Good Irish pubs are…
This week we checked out the beers on tap at Santan Brewing in Downtown Chandler. Yup! We ventured far into the depths of Chandler to bring you this week’s update. At last weekend’s Craft Brewing Festival we ran into some Santan Brewers keen on their Strawberry Wit. To see what…
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: Caffiend: Cartel Coffee Lab’s Iced Toddy Open Casting in…
