Rich Heider, Stock My Bar!

​We seek expert advice on many things. When buying a home, you talk to a realtor. When choosing a car, you ask a car salesman friend if you’re getting a good deal. So why not ask a bartender for help when stocking the home bar? What with family visits, holiday…

Getting Fired Up at Timo Wine Bar

If you’re a fan of bread — golden and crusty and full of flavor — it is a good reason to visit Timo, the new-ish wine bar in Sunnyslope, but it isn’t the only one. There’s the intimate atmosphere, stellar selection of wine and beer, and affordable dishes of Italian-inspired…

Vaqueros Carne Asada to Open Second Location

Jose Isais, owner of Vaqueros Carne Asada on 1821 West Southern Avenue (Southern Avenue and 19th Avenue) in Phoenix is planning to open a second location of his restaurant on 24th Street just north of Osborn. Set to open in about a month, the new location, like the first, will…

Twin Peaks “Breastaurant” in Scottsdale Redefines a Woman’s Dream Job

ATTENTION, LADIES: Forget everything you’ve imagined your true dream job could be — it’s wrong! WRRRRRRONG! Twin Peaks, the Dallas-based “breastaurant” chain (an actual term used to describe restaurants that employ scantily clad women as waitresses), is busting into opening its first Arizona location this month and offering nearly 100″dream…

2011 Restaurant Openings and Closings

2011 was a busy year for the Valley restaurant scene. We added more than 100 new restaurants and lost just under 50. Just in case you forgot about some of the newcomers, or missed the news that one of your favorite restaurants closed, here’s a look back …  2011 Restaurant…

Chef Alford’s Honey Yuzu Dressing

This week we met up with Chef Jason Alford, who shared the story of his culinary roots from a small community in Oregon and discussed the evolution of Scottsdale’s London-imported Japanese restauraunt, Roka Akor. Today we’ve got his simple recipe for a Honey Yuzu Dressing featured on the New Year’s…

Timo Fires Up Bread and Much More in Sunnyslope

There is nothing quite like good bread. Golden and crusty and full of flavor, its aroma, especially when baking, can elicit excitement, instantly bringing us back to our childhoods. And it is at Timo where this centuries-old symbol of sanctity and nourishment can be had in slices, torn from an…

Coconut Oil: All About The Ultimate All-In-One Ingredient

We know that it’s delicious and healthful (depending on whom you ask), but did you know that coconut oil (now a house product at Trader Joe’s) is: anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and improves nutrient absorption? Move over Dr. Bronners, you think your products have a zillion applications? Well, check out all…

Duncan Family Farms Salad-A-Day Program

We mentioned Duncan Family Farms’ new program last year when we got to know them better. We thought it fitting to give their Salad-a-Day CSA another mention since it’s January and it’s time to get back on track with our healthful eating habits.  How it works, after the jump…

Chef Jason Alford of Roka Akor, Part 2

Yesterday we sat down to chat with Executive Chef Jason Alford of Scottsdale’s Roka Akor. Today he talks shop and explains the meaning of “omakase” and “shochu” and comments on his recent collaboration with Chef Nobuo Fukada of Nobuo at Teeter House. How did the event with Chef Fukuda go? When…

CLOSED: Both Locations of McCormick & Schmick’s

Somebody had to be the first restaurant to shutter in 2012, and it looks like McCormick & Schmick’s, the national seafood restaurant chain based in Portland, Oregon, has closed not one, but both of its Arizona establishments in Phoenix (2575 East Camelback Road) and Scottsdale (8777 North Scottsdale Road). The…

Chef Jason Alford of Roka Akor

Join us in this week’s Chef Chat as we venture inside Roka Akor, Scottsdale’s posh Japanese steak and sushi restaurant. You might be surprised to see that the man behind the magic at one of the Valley’s premier Japanese restaurants, Chef Jason Alford, is not actually Japanese. But doing things the traditional way is hardly…

Silvana Bistro to Open This Friday

On the heels of opening Barrio Queen, the casual Mexican eatery, tequileria, and bakery on December 26, Barrio Cafe owner and chef Silvana Salcido Esparza has announced she’ll open her latest restaurant, Silvana Bistro, this Friday, January 6, in the SouthBridge space in Old Town Scottsdale that previously housed Metro…

Ignite Food: Officially Happening and Accepting Submissions

Back in November, I reported that Jeff Moriarty, founder of Ignite Phoenix, was planning to launch Ignite Food. And today, that vision is a reality. With a desire to do for food what Ignite Phoenix has done for ideas — inspire, educate, and entertain — Moriarty announced the spin-off idea…

Five Ways to Eat Better in 2012

It’s a new year and we’ve made ourselves so happy and so sick on sweets and treats this holiday season — and it shows in that uncomfortable waistline snug and tug. We’ve got a remedy:…

Cheers to a New Year from Chow Bella

Phantom Cocktails from Ty Migota on Vimeo. Nice to see you here! We’re out popping corks, setting off fireworks and lining up some fabulous content for Chow Bella, the 2012 edition. Wishing you and yours a happy, safe New Year’s celebration. See you next year. Follow Chow Bella on Facebook and Twitter…