Easter is right around the corner, and if you’re still stocking up to make baskets, don’t worry. Local confectionary favorites are prepping freshly made sweets to brighten up your Sunday and take the worry out of planning for the holiday. From chocolate to caramel corn and bright pastel colors, this…
Since 2012 chef Jeff Kraus has been creating some of the Valley’s most imaginative cuisine at Crepe Bar in Tempe. Kraus fills the delicate pancakes with everything from local chorizo to apple coconut chutney to offer diners unique creations like the popular Papa K, which combines local ham, mushroom ragout,…
The number of food (and drink) festivals in this city has exploded in recent years. Phoenix is a bona fide food town. It’s exciting. It’s also daunting. If you’re a food lover, you’ve probably spent many weekends over the past few months stuffing your face with BBQ samples and dessert…
Do you know what we think every time we go to upscale pizza joint like Pomo and Pizzeria Bianco? “Man, we wish this pizza crust was actually made of breaded chicken.” Not. But Domino’s went ahead with the idea of replacing its dough, which is definitely passable anyway, with some…
Mid-April is upon us in the Valley, which means temperatures are beginning to hint at summer. The macho among us will make a point of bragging about not turning their A/C on until it hits such and such temperature, as if were a contest to see how much heat they…
If you’ve always wanted to own a farm but don’t have a good idea of where to start, this University of Arizona Cooperative Extension workshop would be a good place. The annual Turning Dreams into Reality: Starting a Farm in Arizona workshop will cover everything from what equipment a future…
Considering that “joyride” is defined as “a fast and dangerous ride, especially one in a stolen vehicle,” it would make sense to assume that Joyride Taco House delivers a pretty exciting meal. Unfortunately that doesn’t exactly hold true, particularly when it comes to the menu of modern Mexican eats. The…
Justin Pfeilsticker, executive sous chef at ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, has an enviable garden. He has passion for taking care of his produce and uses unusual (and often discarded) parts of the plant in his dishes. Lucky for you, Pfeilsticker gave us a sneak peek into his garden and…
No, your eyes don’t deceive you. According to Jeff Benkel, one of the owners of The Arizona Bread Company in Scottsdale, the bakery is making and selling Karsh’s rye bread. “It’s the real deal,” Benkle says. “I’m really happy with it.” The Arizona Bread Company, on the northeast corner of…
We’ve got some good news for fans of Classic Italian Pizza, the restaurant owned by chef Azhar Began that closed its doors last year. The pizzeria was a staple in south Tempe, famous for its wood-fired pizzas made with housemade mozzarella. It closed in January 2013 when Began realized his…
Wingstock 2014 Saturday, April 19 The “hottest festival in the Valley” is going down Saturday at the Mesa Amphitheatre. At Wingstock Arizona 2014, Valley restaurants (including House of Brews in Gilbert and The Vine Tavern & Eatery in Tempe) will compete for the title of “Wingstock King of Wings.” Entertainment…
Just when you thought the custom dessert world couldn’t get any weirder, Charlie Harry Francis has created an ice cream that’s not so much an aphrodisiac as it is a medically proven erectile disfunction treat. The self-proclaimed “edible inventor” recently made a Viagra-laced ice cream flavor called The Arousal. It’s…
If you haven’t been building your bitters collection, it’s time to start. Bill and Lill Buitenhuys, the couple behind AZ Bitters Lab, explain that chefs have spice racks and bartenders equip themselves with an arsenal of bitters, which act as the seasoning element to finish and round out any cocktail…
The Guilty Pleasure: Three certain pizza toppings. Where to Get It: Your favorite pizza joint. Take your pick. Price: How much does a three-topping pizza run at your favorite pizza joint? What It Really Costs: If your friends aren’t open-minded, nobody’s splitting this pie with you. Everyone has his or…
If you’ve got a bit of room in your yard and a hose or water source, you can compost and possibly save hundreds of dollars a year on soil and garden soil enhancers. “Composting is a pretty easy sell to anyone who is actively gardening. If someone is spending money…
If we said we never get a craving for Original ChopShop Co.’s kale Caesar salad every now and then, we’d be lying. The local restaurant focusing on healthy eats and pressed-to-order juices has been a hit already in both Scottsdale and Tempe. And now it’s time to get excited, Southeast…
There are plenty of reasons for hungry or thirsty shoppers to stop by Union at Biltmore Fashion Park these days. For one, there’s Short Leash Short Lease, the months-long pop-up from local food truck Short Leash Hot Dogs. Plus, there’s Juicd Life, the relatively new juice bar that serves cold-pressed…
Beth Howard really doesn’t see what all the fuss is about when people bake pies. To her, the process should be as simple as possible. From the meditative quality of making a lattice crust on an apple pie to the alluring ability of baking for different guys in her college…
We love all our local food trucks, but when it comes to fresh seafood options of the mobile variety, there’s really nothing better than the Maine Lobster Lady. The only problem? She skips town when things get hot (smart woman) and therefore cuts off our supply of super-fresh lobster rolls…
The laser-cut state love fad isn’t going anywhere quick. We’ve seen Arizona-shaped cookie cutters at ABC Cake Decorating Supplies, but now you can get your chop on Grand Canyon State-style, thanks to Epicurean. Whether you love the trend or are completely fed up with it, these home state pride kitsch-en…
The Spot: Nook 3623 East Indian School Road, Phoenix 602-651-1390 www.nookkitchen.com…
If you’re still looking for a unique way to celebrate Easter brunch this year, you might be interested in what they’ve got planned over at Caffe Boa in Tempe. Owners Jay and Christine Wisniewski are bringing some Croatian traditions to their restaurant by offering rotisserie-style all natural, whole spring lambs…
