Chicken fingers were once only a mainstay of sports bars and kids’ menus. Now, restaurants dedicated solely to them are popping up around town. A David and Goliath battle is brewing in the Valley. Will a chain that’s new to town fry the competition, or will the local mom-and-pop prevail?…
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, some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that have just opened,…
The past months have been busy for Gigi Vo, owner of Five R Cha Thai, the casual eatery of Thai cuisine whose name, R Cha, means horse. Last year, Vo opened up three locations: one in Mesa and a to-go spot in Tempe mid-year, and, in November, took over Downtown’s…
If you checked out the Gilbert Farmers Market on a recent Saturday, you might’ve bumped shoulders with Joe Johnston or Chef David Traina of Liberty Market – they’ve been shopping the aisles and chatting with vendors, compiling a casting list of ingredients that will be the star players in the…
Chow Bella does not intend heartless disrespect toward the loved ones of any suicidal junkie porn stars, particularly of the late Savannah née Shannon Michelle Wilsey, who reportedly took her porn name from her favorite film, 1982’s Savannah Smiles, which starred a little girl named Bridgette Andersen who also grew…
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 lettuces and seasonal fruit…
Last Saturday, CenPho’s That’s a Wrap!, the lunch spot specializing in good-for-you wraps, salads, and rice bowls, announced it would be soft launching a new dinner menu sans the tortilla coverings. Aptly titled “Unwrapped,” the new dinner menu starts after 5 p.m. and will focus on six healthy-themed plates between…
In many ways the exterior of The Breadfruit — tucked away on a quiet street and so unassuming that even walking right by, it could still go overlooked — reflects the amiable persona of its unpretentious chef. We met with Chef Danielle Leoni this week to get to know the…
If you’re a fan of the pizza at Humble Pie, the locally-owned pizza chain with three locations (Hilton Village, Desert Ridge, and Central Phoenix), you’ll want to make plans to stop by soon — as in TODAY — because Humble Pie is celebrating their fourth anniversary of za-dom by giving…
Coastal Mexican cuisine via California makes its way into the Valley in March when SOL Cocina, from the owners of Ra Sushi and The Mastro Group, moves into the former Parc Central space at Scottsdale Quarter. The sophisticated restaurant featuring upscale modern Mexican fare established its first location in Newport…
Editor’s Note, in the interest of full disclosure: While Chow Bella wasn’t directly involved, Phoenix New Times was a sponsor of the Street Eats Food Truck festival. From $5 parking to $4 samples (what happened to the $2 vouchers we were promised?!) Saturday’s Street Eats food truck festival at Salt River Fields…
Thanks to Nami, located in Cen Phoenix next to Green’s new 7th St. location, everyone now has a place to stop for ice cream and pastries regardless of dietary constrictions. And, they even have a full coffee bar too.
Last October, rumors were flying, then confirmed, that legendary pizza master Chris Bianco was planning to open a up a trattoria in CenPho. Now, it appears the launch date is set — TODAY. Monday, January 16, Bianco is opening his much-buzzed about new restaurant, called Italian Restaurant, in the Town…
What the skewer? Bonfire Grill and Bar, Old Town Scottsdale’s stylish restaurant of American wood-fired cuisine at 7210 East 2nd Street has been shuttered. Opened in March of last year where Furio used to be, Bonfire boasted a menu designed by chef Matt Carter of Zinc Bistro and The Mission…
When you’re looking for a classic dessert done right, what better place is there to go than a French restaurant? Enter Coup des Tartes, a French BYOB bistro that’s tucked into a charming house in Central Phoenix.
Yesterday we talked about buying your own barrel of tequila, which the Spotted Donkey Cantina at el Pedregal recently did. But what to do with it after you bring it home? Cocktails, of course. The Dulce Calor is a spicy new addition to Spotted Donkey’s menu made with cilantro simple…
Tired of the same old tired orange chicken and California rolls? Want to venture beyond the standard suburban-stale take-out? Here comes Chop PHX, with the Valley’s rarer Asian offerings. This Week: Haicheng Beef Meat Pies from Chou’s Kitchen (910 N Alma School Rd, Chandler) The Basics: Imagine a delicious Chinese…
What’s more American than apple pie? Hostess Cupcakes and Coca-Cola for breakfast, that’s what…
It’s getting closer. The potent pair behind FnB — front-of-the-house pro Pavle Milic and chef Charleen Badman — are planning to launch their three-concept dining, wine, and grocery experience at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Craftsman Court (in the Kiva Center) in Scottsdale by the end of the month…
So you say you have a nice collection of bottles of tequila at your home bar? Oh, and it’s top-shelf stuff? Yawn. Talk to us when you have your own barrel of tequila. In June of 2011, tequila distillery Tequila Herradura announced the launch of its Buy the Barrel program,…
Variations on the precise term for the cuisine du jour range from Scandinavian food to Nouvelle Nordic to Viking Vittles.
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, some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that have just opened,…
