For years, husband-and-wife team Danielle Leoni and Dwayne Allen have brought a little piece of the Caribbean to downtown Phoenix at their Jamaican restaurant The Breadfruit and Rum Bar. Allen, a Jamaica native, helped introduce Leoni, who was born in Illinois, to the vibrant island cuisine, and now she says she’s ready…
Look for the single red light bulb. That’s the advice we got from someone who visited downtown Phoenix’s newest watering hole, Melinda’s Alley, during its debut on Friday, January 1. The new bar is a speakeasy in the modern sense of the word, which is to say it’s not an…
The World Health Organization caused a stir in October when it issued a statement saying eating red meat is linked to a higher cancer risk, even placing red meat in the same carcinogen category as smoking. The story elicited all sorts of reactions — ranging from serious stories about how…
Press Italian Street Food owner T.J. Coffey may not be Italian, but he says the food his truck serves is Italy’s traditional street fare — with a personal, in his case, American twist. He was inspired to start the truck by his love for Italian cuisine, and after cutting his teeth…
Just over a year after reopening in Tempe, Orange Table appears to have closed for good. The restaurant has not been open since early December, its website has been taken down, and during several attempts to call the restaurant we’ve not yet been able to get an answer. The restaurant,…
Last week, Old Town Scottsdale’s Rehab Burger Therapy rung in the new year by announcing plans to open a second location. According to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook, the beach-themed burger joint will open a new restaurant in Tempe, specifically at 21 East Sixth Street, Suite #146, just off Mill Avenue. …
As of this week, Valley residents have a new destination for excellent pastries and coffee. And it’s not some newly-opened bakery or restaurant, but rather well-loved local sweet shop Super Chunk Sweets and Treats, which expanded its hours and menu as of yesterday. Now, in addition to sweet and savory…
Despite being a city where nearly everyone is from somewhere else, Phoenix isn’t necessarily known for its ethnically cohesive neighborhoods. However, as the food scene here continues to grow, it becomes increasingly clear that there are pockets of strong international culinary scenes. One such pocket is in North Phoenix, which…
On a recent Saturday afternoon in Old Town Scottsdale, the galleries and bistros on Main Street were mostly empty and somber-looking in the gray December weather. But Craft 64, the pizza and craft beer joint that opened in March near the Hotel Valley Ho, was flush with music, chatter, and…
As the year came to an end, almost a dozen restaurants in the metro Phoenix area received a failing grade on county health inspections. From cans of non-refrigerated condensed milk to plain old dirty kitchens, these restaurant infractions might have you thinking twice before dining out. Here are the 11…
The Guilty Pleasure: The Sinaloa Dog Where to Get It: La Pasadita Hot Dogs Price: $3.29 What it Really Costs: The cost of a three-day juice cleanse, to flush the remnants of nacho cheese out of your system. Bacon-wrapped hot dogs have been a street food staple in Hermosillo, Sonora…
New spots for coffee, cocktails, and even Colombian hot dogs—metro Phoenix, you were lucky last month. December saw the openings of new bars like Dirty Martini and the Bee’s Knees. We also said goodbye to Tempe ramen spot Umami and a place for craft beer in Scottsdale. Openings Street Coffee,…
Where: The Brown Bag When: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Dish: Spicy Asian Beef Wrap Price: $11.54 (including tax and tip) The Setting: The Brown Bag, a family owned deli at 7575 N. 16th Street in Phoenix is a very…beige restaurant. The color…
The Guilty Pleasure: White Fudge Oreos Where to Get It: Grocery Stores Price: $2.98 (although it looks like they’re sold out in some spots) What it Really Costs: The realization that Santa Claus probably has diabetes. If you’re in search of a dessert to help you get over that post-Christmas…
When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions, share a few photos, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that…
Chefs, like most people, appreciate a standby lunch spot. From pho and sushi to killer sandwiches at Noble Eatery, discover where metro Phoenix chefs are eating and what they’re ordering at their favorite lunch spots in town. What’s your go-to spot for lunch and what do you order? Sadhana Raj,…
So you say you like fast food, but how much do you really like fast food? As in: Are you dedicated enough to your favorite drive-through chain to rock clothing designed by a fast food joint? Because it’s one thing to have a t-shirt with a chain’s logo or an…
Phoenix food lovers, set your DVRs for Thursday, January 7 at 7 p.m. Because that’s when the sixth season of Arizona PBS’ Emmy-winning series Check, Please! Arizona is set to debut. As always, James Beard Award-winning chef Robert McGrath will host the show, which profiles local restaurants recommended by program viewers. In…
The Guilty Pleasure: The Kraken Where to Get It: DCM Bar at DeSoto Central Market Price: $18 What it Really Costs: Any sense of perspective about Blood Marys. Henceforth, you will be disappointed when there’s not a burger or a whoopie pie (or both at once) attached to your brunch drink. …
The Place: Most Wanted Taco Shop 9822 N. 7th Street www.mostwantedtacoshop.com The Setting: Most Wanted Taco Shop in Sunnyslope is perhaps better identified as the restaurant formerly known as Santos Lucha Libre. It used to be a quirky Mexican wrestling themed restaurant with vibrant pink and turquoise walls, mask-sporting mannequins,…
If you’ve ever been to The Clever Koi, then you’ve most likely been greeted by Nick Campisano. As a partner and general manager of the restaurant, Campisano’s job centers around creating a welcoming ambiance, and he has a cool demeanor that immediately puts guests at ease. But as alluring as…
Phoenix, you’ve got a wonderful food scene. But even Valley chefs and restaurant owners have to admit that we’ve got some holes that deserve to be filled. While some people may be hoping for better late-night dining options and fewer restaurant chains, I’ve got my own wish list of things…
