7 Tips for Taking Better Food Photos

Let’s all be honest for a second. It’s not just technology-obsessed millennials who photograph their food anymore. We all live in the age of food porn. At some point or another, we’ve all been guilty of patiently fighting off hunger as we try to get that perfect snapshot of our…

Casey Hopkins-Johnson of Welcome Chicken + Donuts on Her Favorite Doughnut, Her Feelings About Krispy Kreme, and the Restaurant’s Next Collaboration (Hint: Butterscotch Pudding)

Casey Hopkins-Johnson Head baker Welcome Chicken + Donuts 1535 E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix 602-258-1655 facebook.com/welcomechickenanddonuts You have to get up early to get a doughnut from Welcome Chicken + Donuts. On the weekends, some varieties will be sold through before the lunch customers even start to arrive. But if you…

Shimogamo vs. Harumi: Sushi Smack Down

Typically here at Chow Bella we love pitting similar dishes from two different restaurants against each other for a traditional Battle of the Dishes. But this time around, the stakes have risen. In this battle, it is not simply a fight for the best dish, but a fight for the…

Cheesecake with Rosemary Caramel at Tarbell’s in Metro Phoenix

It’s hard to not like a place when you are treated well. Showing up in t-shirts and flipflops to a white tablecloth establishment is a big no no, even in Phoenix, but we did it unknowingly. When Mark Tarbell, the owner/chef/mastermind of Tarbell’s, stops by your table to make sure…

Kale & Clover in Scottsdale Does Health Food Right

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…

Trending Veggie Alert: Romanesco Broccoli

Don’t be surprised if Romanesco starts popping up on metro Phoenix menus. This crazy-looking vegetable is quickly becoming a farmers market favorite, and plenty of local growers would love to put it on your table. Here’s a brief introduction to what it is and how to use it in your…

3 Best Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Gilbert Food Court Friday, March 13 Tomorrow the Gilbert Food Truck Food Court will move to a new location and launch as the Gilbert Food Court and Market. After outgrowing its previous space, the weekly food truck roundup has relocated to the Gilbert Park and Ride parking lot at 119…

The Normal Diner vs. Essence Bakery: Clash of the Quiches

Like the holy trinity, the triple threat or the trifecta, all good things come in three. For the simple quiche, this rule holds true. When you mix together eggs, cream and cheese, nothing can go wrong. Here at Chow Bella, we fully support that breakfast for lunch life, and find…

Empanadas for Dessert at Republica Empanada in Mesa

This week we ventured to downtown Mesa to sample some sweet empanadas at Republica Empanada. We really liked the clean, open interior, but on a beautiful Arizona day it’s hard to resist the outdoors. The patio at Republica Empanada is small with just a couple picnic tables, but with a…

3 Best Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Happy Hour at Little Cleo’s Today In honor of National Absinthe Day (which is today, by the way) Little Cleo’s Seafood Legend at The Yard in Phoenix is launching a new happy hour that features deals on shellfish, champagne, and, of course, absinthe. The restaurant’s new happy hour includes $1…