“I Will Not Exercise!” One Writer Resolves

​Tell the truth: How long did your New Year’s diet last? Yeah, ours too. Here at Phoenix New Times, we take a while to contemplate our resolutions — so just this week, we published our annual Resolution Guide. If you’re feeling guilty about those fries you just scarfed, sidle up…

Cafe: D’Vine Bistro and Wine Bar

We’ll admit it. As much as we’d like to think we’re culinary adventurers constantly in hot pursuit of the next, undiscovered eatery, we tend to hang about the same ten or twelve joints. But given this week’s Cafe column is about a far-flung eatery not worth the drive, perhaps we’re…

Now Open in Arrowhead: The Melting Pot

Are you fond of fondue? Now you can get your dip-and-swish fix at the Valley’s third location of popular fondue house The Melting Pot, located in the Citadelle Shopping Center at 19420 N. 59th Avenue (at Utopia). At nearly 6,200 square feet, with seating for almost 200 people, it’s the largest…

It’s Raining, Cadillac Ranch is Pouring . . . Cheap Drinks

​Who can resist a weather-centric special? Especially when it involves booze?Not me. I talk a good game about wanting a cup of hot tea, but I would not refuse a Jameson’s Irish Coffee if one mysteriously appeared in front of me.This week’s crappy weather is reason to celebrate at Cadillac…

New Farmers’ Market Opens at Roka Akor

​How many farmers’ markets does it take to make Phoenix healthy? Or screw in a light bulb? Seriously, we’re starting to feel like farmers’ markets are going the way of Starbucks. There’s one practically on every corner — or at least, it feels that way when you’re deciding between eight farmers’ markets all on…

Submit Pie Recipes for New Channel Eight Cookbook

​Got a mouthwatering pie recipe that you’re dying to share with fellow cooks?KAET Eight, the local PBS station, is accepting recipe submissions for a new cookbook, called Eight Cooks: P is for Pie. From savory meat pies and pot pies to the whole spectrum of dessert pies, they’re including every recipe…

Battle of the Donuts… Or Rather, Fauxnuts

Downing a donut is a great way to get that sugar rush that’ll get you through your morning at work. (At least until you crash and absolutely, undeniably need another donut an hour later. Oh. Darn.)    This week in Battle of the Dishes, we blind taste-tested vegan and gluten/dairy-free donuts to see…

Tammie Coe Reopens Thursday

This is the sign out front of Tammie Coe Cakes today, where the doors are wide open and you can see workers putting final touches on a renovation that’s set to be finished for tomorrow’s reopening. (Was that a hot cocoa menu I saw in there? Hmm…)There’s going to be…

Locally Made: Saber Rouin is Doctor Hummus

​Saber Rouin’s father always wanted him to be a doctor. Rouin was born in the North African country of Tunisia. His story begins on the deck of a cruise ship, a Love Boat of sorts, where he launched his early culinary career, and met his wife. From there, he journeyed on…

Tracy Dempsey Desserts Debut in This Week’s Meal Ticket

What’s pastry chef Tracy Dempsey been up to since she left Digestif? Find out what desserts she’s whipping up at her new gig in Old Town Scottsdale in this week’s Meal Ticket dining newsletter. We’ll also have the scoop on two local Irish restaurants that offer more than just a spirit of craic (Irish…

Fox Restaurant Concepts Sells Chloe’s Corner

Even as restaurateur Sam Fox’s culinary empire continues to grow, one of his spots has just gone indie. As of January 1, Chloe’s Corner, the pint-sized lunch counter at Kierland Commons, is under new ownership, purchased by general manager Ashly Young. This is the first time a Fox restaurant has been sold…

Closed for Business: S’Bistro in Mesa

Looking for an upscale dining option before getting a culture fix at Mesa Arts Center? You’ll have to look a little bit harder now that S’Bistro has closed. A dispute over rent between chef-owner Brian Banasek and landlord Craig Pouty led to the shuttering, as reported in detail by The Trib…

Parisian Croissants Debut at Essence Bakery Cafe

Now that they’ve mastered mind-blowing authentic macarons, the talented folks at Essence Bakery Cafe are branching out to croissants. Chef-owner Eugenia Theodosopoulos says this is the first time her Tempe shop has offered freshly baked croissants and chocolate croissants. It’s no novice attempt, though. Theodosopoulos got some expert guidance from…

Nine 05 Chefs Matt Carter and Jay Bogsinske Demo New Dish

[jump] Chef Jay started by preparing the salad base, which had mandolin-sliced cucumber, cabbage, carrot and diced bell pepper in a sauce of Kewpie mayo (“After you try it, it’s the only mayo you’ll use,” said Carter), tahini, ginger and garlic. Soba noodles would be added later. …

Pop Goes the Perfect Snack

As avid film buffs we think that nothing compares to catching a new release on the big screen while munching on a large tub of the theater’s finest. It seems we’re not alone, according to the National Popcorn Board, the average American consumes 52 quarts of popcorn per year.  Today is National Popcorn…

Guess That Gadget

How well do you know your favorite cookhouse contraptions? Can you tell a melon baller from a cookie scoop? See if you can guess today’s gadget and check back next week for the answer. Here are a few of our guesses, add yours to the comment box below: – Bowling…

Andrea Beesley-Brown, What Are You Eating?

Andrea Beesley-BrownThe Midnite Movie Mamacita is the film programmer for MADCAP Theaters, which presents The House of the Devil and Bronson Thursday, January 21 through Saturday, January 23. She’s also involved with International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival, the Phoenix Film Festival and Phoenix Comicon. What’d you eat for dinner last…

La Hacienda Reopens at the Fairmont Scottsdale

Why try to come up with a new concept when you can resurrect and refresh a time-honored Valley favorite? La Hacienda at The Fairmont Scottsdale was an iconic fine dining destination before it unexpectedly closed back in 2008, a high-profile victim of the recession. It was one of only two upscale…

Tuesday: Sushi Roku Helps Haiti Fundraising Effort

If you’re thinking about eating Japanese food this week, do it on Tuesday, January 19. Sushi Roku, the stylish in-house restaurant at the W Scottsdale, is hosting a special day of fundraising to benefit Haiti earthquake relief efforts by the American Red Cross, Yele Haiti, and the Clinton Foundation. Dine…

Next Week: Culinary Dropout Opening in Scottsdale

Fox Restaurant Group has announced next week’s scheduled opening of a new gastropub concept at the Scottsdale Waterfront, called Culinary Dropout. Situated in a completely revamped space that used to house Pink Taco, the restaurant will open its doors on January 27…

Lon’s at the Hermosa Names New Executive Chef

Along with a $2 million remodel of the Hermosa Inn, Lon’s at the Hermosa has new kitchen leadership as well. The AAA Four Diamond restaurant has just named its new executive chef, Jeremy Pacheco, who comes on board after a two-month search; the previous exec chef at Lon’s was Michael…