Restaurants

This week Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza answered the question we were all asking about her new Barrio Urbano breakfast concept: who will provide the coffee?…

Follow Chow Bella on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest…

After two years of serving craft brews and bites to the north Scottsdale neighborhood, Fate Brewing Company is ready to expand. According to a post on the brewery’s Facebook page, Fate Brewing Company plans to open a an even larger second location in south Scottsdale sometime next year. Owner and…

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…

Last month, eight of Valley dining spots failed to pass county health inspections, and though some of the violations seem harmless enough, others might have you squirming in your seat. Let’s put it this way, you won’t catch us at the spot where the health inspector spotted several live and…

The Guilty Pleasure: Cookies & Creme Cookie Butter Where to Get It: Trader Joe’s Price: $3.69, are ya out of your mind? What it Really Costs: Like you needed more fattening food around for the holidays. One of my very favorite treats to have around the house is Biscoff Spread…

We’re going to need a moment to get over this one, folks. Because while there are a number of solid options for Chinese cuisine around town, there was only one place where you could pay $8 for an excellent and sizable portion of succulent roasted duck. And unfortunately for us…

Festiv-Ale Saturday, December 6 Beer lovers looking to support a good cause this weekend can head to the Icehouse in downtown Phoenix for Fetiv-Ale, a beer tasting event to raise money for the non-profit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. General admission to the event costs $75 and includes a 4 oz. souvenir…

Hey, what are you doing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16? Wrong answer. You’re heading downtown to Crescent Ballroom to hear some of the Valley’s best writers bite down on the holidays, in the form of “Eating Christmas” — our third annual Christmas/Food mash-up. Here’s the lineup:…

If there’s one lesson to be learned from last month’s best bites, it’s that a dish doesn’t have to be big to make a lasting impression. Whether we’re talking about a side plate, an appetizer, or a simple pastry, sometimes it’s the smallest morsels that make the most powerful memories…

Wine lovers looking for interesting buys and a good deal will have a lot to appreciate about a wine membership program launched by a familiar local wine shop. Red Goat Wine, which operates as a division of AZ Wine Merchants, will give members access to a curated list of wines…

Tempe residents with a soft spot for pancakes and coffee will be happy to hear that the wait is almost over for the newest location of Snooze, an A.M. Eatery. The second Valley location of the Denver-based chain will open its doors next week on Wednesday, December 10. Snooze fans…

In the ’70s, my friends and I ate at La Rosa, a Glendale diner that served both Mexican and Chinese food — not only because we liked both chow mein and chimichangas, but because we thought it was hilarious that a restaurant would offer two such diverse cuisines. Although fusion…

Last month we welcomed quite a few new dining spots into the local dining scene. The newcomers include a second restaurant from Michael Babcock and Jenn Robinson (Welcome Diner) and a new restaurant concept from chef Silvana Salcido Esparza. In November we also said good-bye to a few of our…

We’re going behind the scenes and getting up close and personal with some of the Valley’s favorite chefs, learning what it takes to make one of their best-known dishes. Welcome to The Trail. It’s finally December and temperatures have finally started to dip. At Crudo that means it’s just about…

Arizona Bacon Fest Saturday, November 29 What’s even better than bacon? Unlimited amounts of bacon. And that’s what you’ll find this weekend at the Arizona Bacon Festival at Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse. This is a strictly non-vegetarian event where more than two dozen local restaurants will offer bacon enthusiasts…

In the highly quotable 2006 film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Rick Bobby, French Formula One driver Jean Girard tries to force Ricky Bobby into saying that he loves crepes or else he’ll break his arm. His response: “Wait, are those the really thin pancakes? Oh my God, I love…

Follow Chow Bella on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest…

Thanksgiving dinner is cool and all, but let’s face it, Thanksgiving leftovers are really what make the holiday great. Since you’ll probably be eating turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes for two weeks after Thanksgiving anyway, we checked in with 15 Valley chefs and restaurant owners to see how they like…

Is it a breakfast food or a dinner entree? Some questions about chicken fried steak will really never be answered, but there’s one thing a lot of people agree on: It’s delicious. From the texture of the creamy gravy hitting the crunchy breading to the blend of spices that hit…

While most of the nation is buried under snow and ice, we Phoenicians are finally able to enjoy the simple things, like wearing socks and being outdoors without fear of frying. One thing many of us take for granted is our ability to get great local fruits and vegetables during…

The Guilty Pleasure: The annual batch of limited-time holiday Pringles flavors. Where to Get It: Walmart for the new ones, your favorite grocery for the others. Price: A buck fifty, give or take. What it Really Costs: I’m starting to wonder who the hell comes up with these flavors. The…