Lately I’ve gotten inquiries about who’ll be appointed the new restaurant critic at Phoenix Magazine, in the wake of longtime critic Nikki Buchanan’s much-talked-about dismissal. No one, as it turns out. Ashlea Deahl, the magazine’s editor, explained, “We don’t have any immediate plans to hire another full-time dining critic.” Instead,…
There’s a lot going on in the way of ethnic food lately. Here’s a mini-roundup of a few newcomers: In Ahwatukee, there’s an Indian spot called Curry Leaf Indian Grill (4825 E. Warner, in the Basha’s complex). Chandler’s San Marcos Plaza has a new Thai joint called Latitude Eight Thai…
A few days ago, I heard a rumor that Methode Bistro was going to be sold, and woot, there it is: chef Matt McLinn says the sale is already in the works. Sure, the economy’s pretty lame right now, but I wonder if there’s something up with that space. Have…
Some of my friends who’re into food (see? I didn’t say foodies!), are total spa fanatics, too. Hell, who wouldn’t like a nice belly rub after a big meal? (Oh, I wish they offered that…) Anyway, pals, this one’s for you: It’s Bliss Spa’s “You Be the Fudge” Battle of…
Considering everything that’s made a cultural splash so far in the 21st century — from extreme sports to religious extremism — it’s fair to say that these are pretty extreme times we’re living in, and cuisine is no exception. “Celebrity chef” has supplanted “rock star” as the most glamorous profession…
Now it’s official: the powers that be have banned the use of “foodie” here. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve abused the word in my writing. Moving forward, though, you’re going to start seeing a lot more names on Chow Bella, and “foodie” is hereby off-limits to NT writers. I’ve had…
A buck will hardly buy you anything these days, but on Wednesday, May 14, it’ll get you an Original RubyBurger at Ruby’s Diner, at Chandler Fashion Center. What’s the occasion? It’s Ruby’s 25th anniversary, and sometimes burgers trump birthday cake. The promo runs from noon to 8 p.m. For more…
They don’t call it “going whole hog” for nothing. This morning, chef Payton Curry from Digestif is getting two full pigs from Queen Creek, which he plans to use for his homemade charcuterie. Curry’s alluring pates, terrines, and rillettes have been the talk of the town since Digestif opened this…
Will the third chef be the charm for Luc’s (pronounced “luxe”), the fashionable fine-dining spot at El Pedregal? The big news is that executive chef German Sega (a Sea Saw alum) departed this past week, and has been replaced by Gio Osso, who’s been working as a cook at Luc’s…
What? Chef Christopher Gross already has a restaurant at Biltmore Fashion Park, you say. Actually, Mother’s Day was the last day for Christopher’s Fermier, his long-running bistro at the upscale shopping center at 24th Street and Camelback. Now he has a new spot called Christopher’s (on the ground level, next…
Here’s the lowdown from Joe Johnston, owner of Joe’s Farm Grill, which will be featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives next Monday night (May 19): We were contacted last Fall about being a part of “Drive-ins, Diners, and Dives” hosted by popular chef, Guy Fieri. In mid-December,…
We all chuckled about Kai’s baby lettuces harvested by the children of the Gila Crossing School, but here are the kids in person, in this video from the Food & Society 2008 Gathering for Good Food, along with Cindy Gentry from Community Food Connections, and Maya Dailey from the Farm…
There are only two chances left to check out Vincent Guerithault’s fabulous outdoor farmer’s market before the annual summer hiatus: this Saturday and next Saturday (May 10 and 17), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you haven’t gone yet, don’t miss out! It’s like a little slice of Southern…
I never thought I’d find myself looking forward to Arizona summers, but it’s actually come down to that — and I think it has a lot to do with all the specials that local restaurants and resorts roll out for locals. The latest is Bourbon Steak’s Summer Barbecue Series, running…
After rumors of Urban Campfire’s possible closing, and after all the drama that owners Robert Stempkowski and Stephen Wolff went though over getting a liquor license for their tiny Tempe barbecue joint, now there’s good news about the lawsuit they filed against the Greasy Tony’s folks, who used to occupy…
A pal in NYC mentioned a new noodle shop in the East Village that specializes in tonkotsu ramen, one of my all-time favorite noodle dishes. The highlight of this dish is its incredible broth, a milky, opaque pork-bone soup with a distinctive flavor — I could drink just that and…
Who needs a lunch break? Head up to Kierland Commons instead, where Molto Mario is gonna be conducting a Q & A in the Center Plaza at noon. Afterward, he’ll be signing copies of Italian Grill, his new book, at Sur La Table. For info, cal 480-998-0118…
On the streets of Tokyo, you can hear pachinko parlors before you even see them. Their sound is distinctive, a shimmering white noise created by thousands of little metal balls cascading through the pachinko machines. You’d almost mistake it for rushing water, if it weren’t for melodic, electronic bleeps and…
Full disclosure: Our receptionist called me about 15 minutes ago to tell me that somebody just delivered some cupcakes to the front desk. Wow — a dozen different cupcakes from Sprinkles! It has been a total feeding frenzy here in the New Times editorial department. My coworkers and I just…
A girlfriend and I took a jaunt to Cyclo for lunch today to catch up with Justina Duong, who’s been flirting with the idea of opening a second location of her popular Vietnamese restaurant in Central Phoenix. Well, I think she finally found her spot. It’ll be in the same…
I usually get a good feeling about a restaurant when I hear about it right after a friend has dined there. In the case of Plaza Grill, one of my foodie pals emailed me the same afternoon she had an “amazing” lunch there. Plaza Grill is only six months old,…
The latest buzz from photographer Wayne Rainey, who owns the Roosevelt Row art spaces Monorchid and Holgas, says Holgas will soon be getting a green renovation. In about three months, he says, it will reopen as a cafe selling organic cupcakes and coffee. The still-unnamed shop will be operated by…
