Caramelpalooza 2012 Chefs Announced

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet. That’s all we can say about the line-up for Caramelpalooza 2012, the third annual caramel tasting event co-sponsored by Smeeks candy store and Chow Bella, going down Friday, March 2 at 7 pm. But don’t take our word for it — check out the list for yourself. Please, try…

Menu Sneak Peek: The Uprooted Kitchen Southwestern Kale Salad

Earlier this week we mentioned that The Uprooted Kitchen, a vegetarian food truck getting ready to start serving around town, plans to reveal its menu of salad bowls sometime in the near future. These bowls won’t be your standard lettuce with dressing B.S. They’re loading them up with hearty greens,…

In Season: Creamy Carrot Soup

Lately, in this In Season series, we’re taking a look at what I take home from Crooked Sky Farms each week and see what I’ve done with my CSA share, or part share. This week I’m using carrots and onions…

Valentine’s Day Dinner Roundup 2012

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. No, seriously it’s six days from right now. You have made dinner reservations, right? NO?! Well you better get to it. Good thing we know of a whole mess of restaurants that are celebrating the big V-Day. And guys — if the lady…

Portillo’s Is Coming to Arizona (and I Am So Flippin’ Happy)

Sheesh Portillo’s, what took you so long? That’s what a lot of Chicago transplants in the Valley may be saying to themselves upon hearing the news that the Chicago-area restaurant company is bringing its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, hamburgers, Maxwell Street Polish, salads, and desserts to several locations in…

Now Open: Big Jimmy’s Five Dollar Pizza

Hey Tempe, you have a brand new pizza spot and it may be the best five dollar pizza we’ve ever tasted. Located on Apache just east of Dorsey in the same complex as Food City, Big Jimmy’s is cranking out crazy good pizza for crazy cheap prices. It’s no Cibo…

New Food Truck Alert: The Uprooted Kitchen

If you’ve been wondering why nobody’s thought (much) to bring vegetarian and vegan food into the burgeoning food truck scene, we’ve got the answer: They have. Meet The Romanoffs: Erin and Chad, a pastry chef and occupational therapist, who will be hitting the streets in their 1968 vintage Avion trailer,…

Is CityScape Hurting Sens Asian Tapas and The Breadfruit?

A few years ago, downtown’s menu of dining options could be counted on one hand, but slowly, ever so slowly, that situation has been changing. With the arrival of CityScape, the high-rise residential, retail, office, and hotel complex in 2010, those in downtown now have more options of where to…

Upside-Down Apple Pie at Tuck Shop

Tuck Shop is literally tucked into the corner of 12th St. and Oak. With only a small neon sign, it’s easy to pass by this place without knowing what delicious food and comforting environment are inside.

3 Drinks for Your Worcestershire Sauce

​Yesterday we found out why Worcestershire Sauce is mixing it up with other stuff on the bitters shelf. Today, we give you three recipes in which the savory condiment is essential. Who knew there were that many? Bloody MaryThe most popular hangover curative around, the Bloody Mary was introduced to…

What Food Trends Do You See for the Valley in 2012?

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. Miss a question? Go here. From predicted national trends in cuisine like Scandinavian flavors, caneles,…

Chef Peter DeRuvo Leaves Cuoco Pazzo

After a little over four months at Cuoco Pazzo, the Italian restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale, chef Peter DeRuvo has left. Citing differences in the management and business operations of the restaurant with father/son owners and operators Mario Rana Sr. and Jr., who also owned Mad Chef Gastropub before it…

What’s Your Worcestershire Doing on My Bitters Shelf?

​During my probably-unhealthily-regular perusing of the liquor store shelves this week, I noticed something peculiar nestled amongst the bitters: a bottle of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce. What was my favorite steak condiment doing next to the likes of Angostura and Peychaud’s?…

From Chocolate to BBQ, 17 Festivals to Hit in Metro Phoenix

The Festival: Glendale Chocolate Affaire The Dates: February 3 – 5 The Theme: Chocolate, just in time for Valentine’s Day! What To Eat: Endless chocolate from more than 30 chocolatiers from across the country. There will be the usual suspects like chocolate dipped strawberries, chocolate ice cream, as well as…