Bowl of Greens vs. Mojo Bowl: Smoothie Smackdown

The Smoothie: It’s a simple and satisfying combination. Fruit, juice, maybe some yogurt, a scoop of protein powder — blend and drink. Easy to make, but hard to perfect. Instead of slaving over a loud blender trying to balance the flavors just right, sometimes we want to leave the dirty…

What Is the Future of Meat?

Welcome to Chow Bella’s Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you’d like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. For many years, meat’s been the star attraction of the American plate. But with the…

September Restaurant Openings and Closings in Metro Phoenix

Phoenicians welcomed a whole bunch of new restaurants last month, including the second location of Portillo’s and couple new vegan-friendly spots. And the month also saw a few makeovers completed. You can officially check out the fresh digs at T. Cook’s at the Royal Palms Resort, or grab a cocktail…

Crudo in Phoenix Rolling Out Brunch This Sunday

The Valley has plenty of joints offering familiar brunch dishes like pancakes and omelets. But the newest spot for one of our most favorite weekend indulgences has neither — nor would you expect it to. Crudo, chef Cullen Campbell’s home of modern Italian food in Phoenix, has announced it will…

Vintage Phoenix Q&A: Monica Heizenrader of MacAlpine’s

MacAlpine’s is it: the last of the vintage soda shops. First opened in 1928, the former Birch’s Pharmacy became MacAlpine’s Rexall Drugs 10 years later — a popular pharmacy with a lunch counter and soda fountain. In 1991, Monica Heizenrader bought it and has been running it, with her two…

Deciphering Fish Names on a Mexican Seafood Menu

Huachinalgo! Bagre! Mojarra! No, that Mexican seafood menu isn’t trying to insult you, nor is it in the middle of an Adam West as Batman showdown with his villain du jour (Holy fishy huachinango, Batman! That punch sure sent the Penguin into cold storage!). Ahem. Let’s forget that terrible joke…

10 Best Things I Ate in September

Another month, another look back at the best things I ate during September. From dishes like my new favorite carne asada taco to magnificent Mediterranean eats to a killer lasagna my dining companion likened to the work of the devil, here are 10 of the best things I ate this…

Everyone Knows About This Killer Taco Shop in Mesa, Right?

There are only two kinds of meat at Backyard Taco in Mesa — carne asada and pollo — and they’re both pretty amazing. Tender and cooked to perfection over mesquite charcoal with just the right amount of seasoning (so that you still taste the grill), they’re served with cabbage, onions,…

Paletas Betty in Tempe Introduces New Agua Vita Fresh Fruit Drinks

The Guilty Pleasure: Agua Vita Where to Get It: Paletas Betty, Tempe(and soon in Chandler) Price: $3 or $4 depending on size What it Really Costs: [reads the ingredients] Wait… this is good for you?! Not long ago, I found myself at the Chow Bella HQ underground lair, discussing recent…