Casablanca Lounge Tuesday, April 8 The 2014 Scottsdale Culinary Festival will kick off with the Opening Night Affair at Casablanca Lounge in Old Town Scottsdale. The event will be “a stylish salute to classic Hollywood,” with red carpet, vintage cocktails from Campari, small bites, magic, music, and a cigar lounge…
People are wistful about endings. “It’s the end of an era,” people will say when someone they loved dies or when the movie house they visited for decades is razed. In the 21st century, even a middling network television show ends with a much-ballyhooed Final Episode. The usual references to…
Mixologist Richie Moe has parted ways with Citizen Public House partner and executive chef Bernie Kantak. According to spokesperson and public relations representative Ty Largo, Moe and Kantak parted ways amicably over a month ago after an “incident that could not be overlooked.” “The gang 100 percent wishes Richie the…
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…
There’s no need to run all over town just to get your hands on fresh, local produce. Not when you can sign up for a CSA, or community-supported agriculture. Maya’s Farm, a small enterprise run by Maya Dailey within The Farm at South Mountain development, offers CSA members a weekly…
It seems this tiny restaurant has fallen off the radar for many food lovers. But not for the local Paradise Valley/North Phoenix crowd. They still fill every table in the entire cozy dining room, even on random Tuesday nights, filling up on sushi and other Japanese specialties…
Rent, insurance, student loans – adulthood isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes it’s nice to revisit an easier time, when happiness was a stack of Oreos and a glass of milk after school. OK, anyone who thinks childhood was that simple doesn’t really remember it. Still, it’s…
If you’ve got a craving for chef Johnny Chu’s spicy, bubbling bowls of broth, we’ve got some bad news. You’re going to have to wait because the chef’s hot pot and ramen restaurant, T. Spot in Chandler, has closed its doors for good. Chu re-branded the restaurant as T. Spot…
Arizona Barbecue Festival Saturday, April 5 This Saturday the “Biggest Honky Tonk in Town,” the fifth annual Arizona Barbecue Festival will take over Scottsdale’s Salt River Fields. The event will bring together more than 25 top barbecue purveyors, local restaurants, and numerous bars for an event that expects to draw…
Whether it’s a humble meal of eggs and toast or an elaborate dish of eggs Benedict and handmade pastry, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day and it’s the meal Snooze, and A.M. Eatery in Central Phoenix specializes in serving — every day until 2:30 p.m. The…
It’s hard to find fault with the unpretentious food writing of Mark Bittman and easy to follow recipes. But when his subject is corn tortillas, fault will be found, and not appreciated. Let’s point them out…
Spring is one of the best times in the desert and with it comes a fresh stock of great things for your garden. This warm weather is an inspiration to get growing and take on new projects. Whether you just like the practical stuff, or need fresh ideas, here’s what…
With all these awards flying around this week, it’s getting hard to keep it all straight. So here’s a refresher: The Arizona Restaurant Association created the Foodist Awards last year to celebrate “the most amazing tastes, faces and places in Arizona food and beverage.” Last year, the list of finalists…
Another month, another handful of painful goodbyes to Phoenix dining institutions have left us near heartbroken. However, with some exciting new restaurants hitting the scene this month as well, it almost makes up for having to let go of some favorites — almost…
In January we told you that Lola Coffee, the Roosevelt Row coffeeshop from one of the city’s best-known roasters Daniel Wayne, was headed for The Yard. And whether you love or hate Sam Fox’s giant dining and hangout space on Seventh Street, you’re going to want to come check out…
The Guilty Pleasure: The Waffle Taco, and other breakfast novelties. Where to Get It: Taco Bell, locations everywhere (participation may vary) Price: $1.99 for the Waffle Taco What it Really Costs: Greasy fingers and dismay. Those wacky kids at Taco Bell are at it again. After lots of testing 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…
Joe Absolor Chef, owner Clever Koi www.thecleverkoi.com You might already have heard the story behind the other half of Clever Koi’s culinary team. Chef Jared Porter, formerly executive chef of The Parlor, has been in the business since age 15. He won a full ride to culinary school at the…
The Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame has announced its 2014 winners. The list includes honorees in four categories: best chef, restaurateur, beverage master, and lifetime achievement…
It’s been about a year since we told you Changing Hands would come to Phoenix as a part of The Newton, the 17,227-square-foot mixed-use multi-tenant space to open in the space formerly occupied by Beef Eaters Restaurant on Third Avenue and Camelback Road. The bookstore’s second location also will include…
Local craft distillery Arizona Distilling Company received some exciting recognition this weekend when two of their three currently released spirits medaled in a national liquor competition. The San Francisco Spirits Competition recognizes international distilleries through extensive tasting panels by industry experts and this year saw the most ever entries with…
It’s been over a year since Phoenix’s The Parlor named Logan Stephenson executive chef following the departure of chef Jared Porter, who left the restaurant to open Clever Koi in midtown. And since then there’s been plenty written about how Porter’s been doing but little about how The Parlor’s been…
