I was determined, while dining at Gertrude’s, not to be distracted by the chatter of tourists seated at tables on either side of mine at this Desert Botanical Garden hotspot. Fortunately, the food on Gertrude’s recently redesigned menu was mostly so dreary, it was impossible to think of much else…
Each year, thousands of coffee professionals around the world congregate to crown a new Barista Champion. This year three fantastic individuals from Phoenix will be traveling to Rancho Mirage, California for a chance to be crowned the Southwest’s Best Barista. This event feeds into the United States Barista Competition, which…
Stephen Eldridge Executive Chef Pink Pony 3831 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale www.pinkponyscottsdale.com /www.facebook.com/pinkponyscottsdale You can’t talk about dining in Old Town Scottsdale without mentioning the Pink Pony. After all, the steak house has been a part of the restaurant scene since for more than 60 years. You can imagine that…
Last month we released Best of Phoenix 2014, recognizing some of the best restaurants and bars in the Valley. Many of the most memorable things I ate and drank in September come from places included in the Food & Drink section of the issue though some dishes are from new…
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…
If you never made the trek up to Citizen R+D, we’re sorry to report that ship has sailed. The speakeasy-style bar, which opened in 2011 and was located above Citizen Public House, has closed — that means no more crazy flaming cocktails or vodka turning to gin before your eyes…
We’ve got some bad news for fans of Iguana Mack’s in Chandler — but good news for those who like their lunch with a side of community giving. A new restaurant called Social Box Neighborhood Eatery will be opening later this month at 1371 North Alma School Road in Chandler…
All Pumpkin Menu at Petite Maison Friday, October 3 though Sunday, October 5 Fall is officially here and that means an abundance of pumpkin flavored…everything. This weekend you can kick off your pumpkin binge eating with an All Pumpkin Menu at Petite Maison. The $45, four-course meal includes dishes such…
New Orleans is known for its hurricanes — yes, the scary rain ones, but also the cocktail. Pat O’Briens is the usual place to grab one, but when it’s about 1,500 miles away, it’s best to find a spot close by that makes them well. A typical hurricane is a…
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…
It’s a sad day for ice cream loving Phoenicians. According to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Mary Coyle’s Ice Cream Parlor has closed its doors for good. In 2011 the restaurant and ice cream shop flirted with closure only to be a saved at the last minute by…
New Times’ annual Best of Phoenix A’Fare is just around the corner and there’s still time to get your ticket to the party. On Saturday, October 4 we’ll be celebrating the best that our city has to offer with food, drinks, and live entertainment. In keeping with this year’s theme,…
In July we told you that longstanding Scottsdale breakfast spot Orange Table would be closing its doors for a complete overhaul, that it would reopen as a new restaurant with a new owner. Though the new management promised to keep much of the menu and staff the same, we knew…
Thanks to all of you who entered our contest to win a free pair of tickets to the 15th annual Best of Phoenix A’Fare. And here’s some good news: We had so many entries, we decided to give away two sets of tickets instead of one! The party will be…
My grandmother referred to it in the singular: calamaro. I saw her prepare squid only once, in the late 1970s while visiting my parents and me from her home in Ohio. I watched Grandma while she cleaned the ugly thing, removing the body from the tentacles; cutting the body in…
Phew! We think we can declare the dreaded summer slump officially over. That’s because, with a very busy Arizona Restaurant Week wrapping up and only two spots on our closing list, it looks like most of our favorites have made it through the dead zone and into fall. While it’s…
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.
Things have been quiet on the Crazy Amy front, but this weekend, the infamous couple exploded back onto the national scene in a big way. According to a 911 call to the Scottsdale Police Department, Amy’s Baking Company owner “Samy” Salomon Bouzaglo threatened a customer with a knife on Saturday…
You might think making cheese is a dirty job but it’s surprisingly easy and with just a trip to your local beer-making store you’ll have everything you need to make your own gouda, chèvre or gruyère. The artisanal craft of making cheese is a handy skill to have because, who…
In the mushy-yet-magical coulee that is my imagination, Pumpkin Spice exists as a rejected sixth Spice Girl. Yoga-pantsed, Ugg-booted, and sexy-baby-voiced, poor P.S. just literally can’t even function as a flavor. Pumpkins are a thing. Pumpkin Pie Spice is a thing. But “Pumpkin Spice” is a myth that we seem…
Heads up, Tempe night owls and bar-goers. There’s a new dining option located off Mill Avenue that’s going to be serving pastries, crepes, and more until 2:30 a.m. on weekends. The restaurant and bakery called Delice Bistro opened Thursday at 690 South Mill Avenue, at Centerpoint on Mill…
The Guilty Pleasure: Two new flavors of Oreos. Where to Get It: Caramel Apple flavor at Target. Pumpkin Spice flavor everywhere. Much like pumpkin spice flavor in general these days. Price: About $3 a box. What it Really Costs: The usual danger of a box of processed cookies suddenly disappearing…
