The Spot: Los Olivos Mexican Patio, 7328 East Second Street, Scottsdale, 480-946-2256. www.losolivosrestaurants.com (Second location: Los Olivos Norte, 15544 North Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480-596-9787) The Hours: Old Town location: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Happy Hour: 4 to 7…
From now ’til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers — Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you’ll know; for others, it’ll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you’re here, check…
The Guilty Pleasure: (Double-) Dirty Grande Soy Chai Frappuccino The Place to Get It: Starbucks Coffee; countless locations Valleywide The Cost: $5 to $7, depending on how dirty you like it and how you pay What You’ll Really Pay: 350 calories with whipped cream, 240 without. Counts more as dessert…
Brian Lester, who co-owns the coming-soon breakfast and lunch eatery Squash Blossom with wife Carrie, tells me he isn’t concerned about his restaurant being located across the street from the popular Matt’s Big Breakfast in Central Phoenix. “I always see a line out the door,” he tells me. “Maybe some…
This is part two of my interview with Payton Curry, chef and co-owner of the soon-to-open Brat Haus in Scottsdale. Read part one of the interview with Payton Curry here. Favorite thing to eat growing up: Grandma’s lefse, freshly churned butter and sugar in the raw. Lefse is a Norwegian…
If there has been a shining light regarding the fast food fiasco (dump) going on at the corner of McDowell Road and Seventhth Avenue, it’s been Vovomeena. From DJ Fernandes, owner of the Tuck Shop and its next-door little sister Astor House, Vovomeena (named after his grandmother), will be a…
Heads up, Hahnefeld and other local restaurant critics: You may as well turn in your badges right now. The self-proclaimed “food expert in this town” is one Maxwell Jeffries, a 6-foot-4, 72-year-old ex-New Yorker with a shaved head who’s made three rave video reviews of Ray’s Pizza, Taste of India…
Around 250 shoppers descended on a recently opened supermarket called Priss in Süderlügum, Germany. The owner of the market had announced that the first 100 shoppers who arrived naked at the store’s grand opening could take home about $300 worth of groceries for free. The owner, Nils Sterndorff, was shocked…
Welcome to Vine Geeks, where Brian Reeder and Pavle Milic of AZ Wine Merchants take the drinking game quite seriously. Pay attention — you might just learn something. Many times, I’ve needed to crack a bottle of wine and found myself without the means to do so — or so…
Beer is a big deal in the Valley. From tastings and tappings to pairing dinners and more, there’s a different beer event to attend pretty much every night. Every week, we curate upcoming brew-related goings-on and lay them out for you here. Your calendar will be as full of beer…
Since he was a finalist on Bravo’s Top Chef Miami in 2009, Brian Malarkey has gone on to host TLC’s Mega Bites, made appearances on The Today Show, and opened five restaurants in San Diego (Searsucker, Burlap, Gingham, Gabardine, and Herringbone) as executive chef and partner. And now, a second…
From now ’til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers — Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you’ll know; for others, it’ll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you’re here, check…
Those who enjoy an island-style eat or rum-filled tropical cocktail at Hula’s Modern Tiki, the restaurant just a few city blocks from the light-rail stop at Central Avenue and Camelback Road, now have a new way to get cool besides striking a pose on Hula’s inviting patio. Twirl Frozen Yogurt,…
Even though the term wasn’t coined until the 1960s, soul food is an American tradition, especially in the South. Dishes such as hominy and grits, corn bread, black-eyed peas, collard greens, and chitterlings remind Americans of home and family and comfort. Here are seven spots in the Valley ready to…
This is part one of my interview with Payton Curry, chef and co-owner of Brat Haus, scheduled to open July 2. Come back on Tuesday for part two. Payton Curry Brat Haus 3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 602-738-1274 With his tousled curls, blue eyes, and rosy complexion, Payton Curry looks…
In a move that we’re hoping will continue with hilarious consequences, Polish cooks in Krakow have assembled the world’s largest lasagna to celebrate hosting Italy’s soccer team for the Euro Cup 2012 championship. According to Reuters, the lasagna took 10 hours to cook — hooray for food safety — and…
Every week, there’s a cornucopia of Phoenix food news, features, and reviews to report here at Chow Bella. If you’re like most people, you probably just don’t have the time to get to all of it. It’s kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won’t all…
This time of year is perfect to pull out the big guns for refreshing cocktails. You can keep your frozen Daiquiris and Margaritas, I’m reaching for Negronis right now. You might remember a few months ago when we discussed the classic Americano. Think of the Negroni as the advanced version…
Since opening last October, Timo Wine Bar has become known as a hip yet understated place to relax and enjoy an outstanding wine list along with fabulous wood-fired foods – and preferably a hot date. Along with Spanish-style tapas and farm fresh salads, the restaurant serves a wide variety of…
First, it was Stacy’s Smokehouse earlier this year, and now, a second barbecue joint has closed its doors in Scottsdale. Texas BBQ House, the second location of true Texas barbecue from owner and Texas expat Mike Pitt, located at 3748 North Scottsdale Road (Scottsdale Road and Second Street), has shuttered…
Got a fabulously creative idea that brings the culinary arts and science together? If so, Justin Beckett and the Arizona Science Center have a hefty chunk of change waiting for you. Inspired by his restaurant’s upcoming two-year anniversary and strong support from his Arcadia community, the chef and co-owner of…
Slow-cooked meats went fast at Chef Jose Garces’ Distrito Barbacoa Tasting Dinner Thursday night. The dinner, which was led by Chef Michael Fiorello, Culinary Director for the Garces’ Restaurant Group, served as both a barbacoa how-to as well as a preview for the restaurant’s upcoming prix fixe dinner menu…
