Cornmeal Crusted Calamari from Kitchen 56

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. 81: Cornmeal…

“Breastaurants” Are Bursting With Profitability

(Insert hilarious breast-related intro quote here.) According to Entrepreneur magazine, “Breastaurants” (yes, an actual term used to describe restaurants that sport scantily clad women as waitresses), are becoming one of the fastest- growing segments of the hospitality industry. And although sales figures for this nay-nay niche aren’t available (they’re lumped…

Family Feud: 5 R Cha vs. Thai Elephant

When we noticed a new Thai spot opened next to Thai Elephant we had to ask ourselves, Why on earth would a Thai restaurant open right next door to an existing Thai restaurant? As if there weren’t enough choices for Thai food in Tempe already, 5 R Cha went and…

Lisa G at Arcadia Marketplace, Part 2

Yesterday, Lisa G set the record straight about her family history and why she sold her namesake restaurant. Today she shares tricks, pet peeves, and gives some advice for aspiring female chefs. At home, do you cook for yourself? No! Once in a while I will but I am so tired…

The Dragon Roll from Stingray Sushi

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 82: The…

Crave Ice Creams and Beer Trading In Your Summer Guide

While we have no idea whose big idea it was to schedule bikini season during one of the best eating and drinking portions of the year, we can assume that they’re evil. Summer is the season for BBQ and popsicles; for buckets of popcorn at all-night movies; for flipping burgers…

Vote Your Favorite Local Restaurant Into Zagat’s 2012 Guide

Pissed off that New York, L.A. and Chicago restaurants always get the glory — and half the entries in most national dining guides — while Phoenix gets totally ignored (Pizzeria Bianco aside)? Then put your fingers where your mouth is.New York-based Zagat, the company behind one of the restaurant industry’s…

Lisa G at Arcadia Farms’ Marketplace

This week, Lisa Giungo (jun-go) — affectionately known around town simply as Lisa G and famous for her Bowl of (meat)Balls — sets the record straight about the closing of her namesake restaurant, reveals secret techniques, and shares a sandwich recipe some may remember from Lisa G’s. Born and raised in Philadelphia…

Filet and Crab Cake from Cheuvront

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. 83: Filet…

In Season: Eggplant

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: Eggplant Eggplant is voluptuous, it feels good in your hands and tastes incredibly comforting – especially with lots of garlic. They…

Guy Fieri The Road Show — It’s Happening Tomorrow

Just in case you’ve been living under a rock or need a friendly reminder, the spiky-haired Food Network star Guy Fieri will be on stage at Mesa Arts Center tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.. The National Pork Board (what’s a “pork board”?) sponsored event promises to bring “the best elements of…

Cochinita Pibil from Taberna Mexicana

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. 84: Cochinita…

Homemade Tofu

 first taste of fresh tofu in Northern California, and I was immediately taken by the mellow flavor and creamy texture. It was nothing like the store bought, mostly firm tofu I had been cooking with. Like a taste of freshly prepared ricotta cheese compared to store bought ricotta, the difference is…

This Week In Chow Bella

Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let’s have one last look at the blog posts from this week. Hot Bollix Spicy Potato Balls from Rula Bula Cakey…

La Grande Boeuf: Dinner and a Movie

​ ​Film: La Grande Bouffe (1973) Entrée: Roast Beef with Spicy Tomato Sauce and Spiral Pasta with Mushrooms and Artichokes Popcorn: Decadent Dark Chocolate Brownies with Popcorn and Butterscotch Chips Beverage: Whatever you want,  just make sure there’s lots of it. Get a bite, after the jump…

Boba: A User’s Guide, Part One

. Wondered what this increasingly popular, bizarre beverage is all about? You’ve come to the right blog post.  Boba teas, also known as “bubble tea,” are cold, sweet drinks packed with ice and small “pearls” of chewy tapioca (the boba), the perfect remedy to that 110° afternoon burn. Get details…