Chances are you’ll need a break from the family at some point today and unless you’re a die-hard holiday traditionalist, it’s fair game to break out the Christmas movies as of right…wait for it…now! We love the classics, of course, but it wouldn’t be the happiest time of the year…
Robotics startup Momentum Machines is trying to revolutionize the fast food industry by delivering “gourmet” burgers to customers through a completely automated burger machine. Momentum Machines promises to reduce not only the pesky costs of employing whiny fleshbags but also the floor space that traditional kitchens take up, something they…
Every week, there’s a cornucopia of Phoenix food news, features, and reviews to report here at Chow Bella. Instead of our normal week in review, we’ve decided to focus on thanksgiving-related stories. So, here’s a recap of the top five Thanksgiving stories of the past week or so. Happy Thanksgiving…
On a dry, hot morning in August, in a dirt lot you won’t be able to find on a typical map, Gayle Noline stands under a small tent and works the fryer — nothing more than a large saucepan of mega-hot oil — out of which some of the best…
I spent my first post-divorce Thanksgiving without my daughter (my ex and I were switching off years, and it was his turn), in Los Angeles with my boyfriend, in the apartment he shared with another twenty-something guy. It smelled a little bit like old socks. See also: -Tania Katan’s Gasoline-Soaked…
Beer: 16th Anniversary Ale Brewery: Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Style: American Strong Ale ABV: 13 percent Voltron knew it best: Giant robotic lions are all well and fine on their own, but combine them into one super-robot and no foe in the universe can defeat you. See also: – Firestone…
Word is, “in order to have a farm, you have to marry into it or inherit it.” See also: – An Urban Orchard in Phoenix: Grow Everything from Blood Oranges to Bonanza Dwarf Peaches – Autumn Means Apples Kelly Saxer, owner of the 250+ member Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce farm…
With the holidays in full swing, there’s lots of reasons to celebrate. But for the locally owned Duck and Decanter, better known as the Duck, there’s one more: Its 40th Anniversary. From 1 to 6 p.m., this Saturday, November 24, the legendary spot of stellar sandwiches is inviting its guests…
The chain-infested historic-district corner of Seventh Avenue and McDowell just got a little more classy. First came Vovomeena, the breakfast and brunch spot owned by the Tuck Shop’s DJ Fernandes, and now, a sophisticated boutique selling premium olive oils and balsamics called Olivastro. See also: Vovomeena: A Rose Between Two…
It’s Phoestivus for the rest of us at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market from 4 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, December 5 and 12. And by “the rest of us,” we mean anyone who would rather support local businesses this holiday season than shop at the big box stores. See…
We’re still recovering from the deep-fried free-for-all that is the state fair, but unlike that battered Twinkie, some fair foods actually have a history and place outside of the annual autumn festivities. Last year the Central Phoenix family-owned restaurant The Fry Bread House brought national attention to one of Arizona’s…
In these hyper-reflective times, photographing your food is almost as important as eating it. If you’re not on Instagram, what are you waiting for?! The filters make even your biggest kitchen disaster look downright delicious. See also: – Chow Bella’s Complete Thanksgiving Guide – Five Tips for Effective Food Photography…
Welcome to Chow Bella’s Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you’d like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. Miss a question? Go here. Many restaurants throughout the Valley are offering special meals for…
While a jumbo tub of hot buttered popcorn is one of our favorite snacks, we think a good movie deserves a little better company than junk food. Try out our movie and meal pairings for yourself — or feel free to suggest one of your own favorites in the comments…
As a kid I used to dread Thanksgiving leftovers. My parents, however, seemed to love them and would make us all feed off what seemed like an empty carcass for almost a week. Leftovers need not be so grim with Pinterest in your life. In fact, after taking a look…
Because coffee extracted from the feces of a tree dwelling cat wasn’t strange enough: Elephant dung coffee. This new coffee is being called “Black Ivory Coffee” and the Wall Street Journal is reporting that a four-cup serving will run you $35, making it only slightly more expensive than the triple…
Beer cocktails are nothing new. Remember the Boilermaker — a shot glass of whisky dumped in a beer? It was a blue collar, let’s-get-down-to-business kind of drink, a little déclassé compared to the la-ti-da beer cocktails made today. But then, why wouldn’t beer cocktails become more artisanal and interesting, given…
AndyTalk: Apples mean Autumn AndyTalk: The Winning Combo of Cauliflower and Mayonnaise Every year I ask myself why persimmons aren’t more popular. They’re usually in the smallest bin in the produce aisle (although they’ve been at Costco and Sam’s this year). The Fuyu varitey, which is what I’ve seen so…
The Guilty Pleasure: Smoked Sweet Potato Where To Get It: Joe’s Real BBQ Price: $5.49 ($8.49 with meat on top) What It Really Costs: It’s practically health food, until the magic words: Cinnamon butter. Food-loving folk everywhere adore the change to cold weather for one big reason: Seasonal food. As…
This is part two of my interview with Steven “Chops” Smith, executive chef at Searsucker. If you missed part one, where Smith dishes about the weirdest thing he ever ate and why he loves Japanese cuisine, read it here. See also: — Bernie Kantak Explains What’s Good About Food Network…
Some folks can’t wait to dig into a home-style Thanksgiving Day dinner. Others, well, not so much. See also: A Very Chow Bella Thanksgiving: Your Guide to Dining Out, Ordering In, What to Cook, What to Drink — and More — on the Year’s Biggest Food Day. So if you’re…
Pushing, shoving, possible lethal trampling. There’s no time like Black Friday, the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season, to see humanity at its very best. See also: At Crepe Bar, a New King of Crepes Is Crowned Best Crepes 2012 – Crepe Bar Which may be why Jeff Kraus…
