Whether you’re a CSA devotee, a farmers’ market weekender or consider ketchup a veg, we’ll bring you fresh inspiration for how to prepare our local produce.This week’s harvest: Basil “It was believed in Greek and Roman times that to have a good basil crop, you’d have to yell loudly and…
Last week, Caffe Boa owner Jay Wisniewski said local celebu-chef Payton Curry, Caffe Boa’s executive chef for a year and a half, was “getting expensive” after business started to decline at the Tempe location — and that there was a “backlash” among diners who, in addition to not liking or…
We’re halfway through summer and despite the heat and haboobs, the Valley restaurant scene is hanging in there. A few brave souls tempted fate and opened the doors to their new locations this past month, but sadly we lost some restaurant friends along the way. Restaurants (and other Food-Related Establishments)…
Sustainable urban agriculture has a new face. It’s 1/1000th of an acre and in the back of a pick-up truck. Ian Cheney, co-author of King Corn, has created a new documentary titled Truck Farm. Truck farm is described as a “whimsical, musical documentary about the quirky world of urban agriculture.” …
Check back later this week for a recipe. What are you looking to bring to the table at Center Bistro?It was previously a coffee spot, a quick breakfast spot, lunch. We’ll expand out into dinner, full liquor license, catering….We have a big event center on the third floor. We’re going…
Last month we sat down to chat with Talking Stick Resort and Casino’s Samuel Murillo, who had blown the competition out of the water with his Southwest Paella at the regional competition hosted by the American Culinary Federation. Last week, Chef Murillo headed to Dallas to compete against four other…
Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we’re back – with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 44: Kung…
Sheesh — take forever, landmark Phoenix restaurant. Since last October’s fire that shut down Cork ‘N Cleaver, the Arcadia chophouse that’s been around since 1978, reconstruction efforts have been taking their sweet time — but there finally seems to be an end in sight. An employee at neighboring Taylor’s Cafe…
Last week, corporate coffee house giant Starbucks stuck its new non-coffee coffee drink, the “Refresher,” on menu boards across the nation. The drink is meant to be a refreshing alternative to coffee for the warm summer months — but we have to ask, isn’t that what iced tea is for? The Refresher…
Update: After this piece was published, Wisniewski called to clarify that Payton Curry wasn’t overpaid, but was getting expensive. Charleen Badman, Bernie Kantak, Silvana Salcido Esparza — who needs ’em? Jay Wisniewski, owner of Caffe Boa, the Italian-inspired eatery in Tempe, is convinced you don’t need a big-name chef to…
Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we’re back – with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 45: Red…
The Downtown Phoenix Partnership unveiled the second annual Downtown Dining Guide Wednesday at the recently opened Westin Phoenix Downtown. It was a chance to graze on offerings from six downtown restaurants and learn about what’s up next for the downtown dining “district,” ambitiously dubbed “Arizona’s Urban Heart” after the name…
Don’t believe us? Read on. Here’s our list of the Top Seven Fictional Chefs. 7. Jack Bourdain (Bradley Cooper – Kitchen Confidential) Before Bradley Cooper became the boring/mean guy in The Hangover and Anthony Bourdain was spewing his jaded worldview on a global scale, there was Fox’s short-lived Kitchen Confidential…
Folks, the TV love just keeps on comin’ for Valley tastemakers. Air time for Sweet Republic and Paletas Betty happened over the last couple of weeks, Urban Cookies (OllieCake) announced they’ll be on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, and now, Silvana Salcido Esparza, owner and chef of Barrio Cafe, is getting…
Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we’re back – with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 46: Tableside…
If you’ve been thinking about a visit to FnB lately, better start making reservations in a hurry. The Scottsdale eatery of eclectic American comfort food courtesy of front-of-the-house pro Pavle Milic and chef Charleen Badman, will close on Monday, August 1, for a monthlong staff sabbatical. Let’s hope that nasty…
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Relax. Now open them. What sits before you is tasteful tranquility. A white bowl of pleasing, pale green liquid, succulent pink shrimp, scallops, calamari tinged with shades of purple, and small, light gray clams. Tingling your nose is a mild aroma with just…
Forget half-price slushes at Sonic: Ice-cold gazpacho may be the perfect summertime treat. Both satisfying and refreshing, gazpacho has adopted many forms, but most commonly it is a chilled, tomato-based raw vegetable soup usually featuring garlic, olive oil, stale bread, and vinegar for light tartness.The soup is an ideal way…
Rise and shine, Coronado. In just a few weeks you’ll be able to wake up to the sweet smell of coffee roasting in your neighborhood. If you remember the old Drip coffee shop location and Toast Boutique, you’ll be able to find Perc Up Café. Three women, who live in…
In the kitchen with: Anthony Spinato Making: Get Meaty Pizza This week, Chow Bella gets a behind-the-scenes look into the fifth–and newest–location of Spinato’s Pizzeria in Ahwatukee. After the lunch rush on a recent summer day, Spinato’s has a sleepy, quiet vibe to it. One family shares a pizza in the larger dining…
Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we’re back – with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 47: Bob’s…
Sweet Republic last week, Paletas Betty yesterday, and now this? Phoenix is gettin’ some major TV time. ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY TV GODS, FOR THEY HAVE SMILED DOWN UPON OUR HUMBLE VALLEY. Seriously, nice to see. Urban Cookies, the neighborhood bake shop of organic, gourmet goodies in Phoenix, is set…
