Local chef Beau MacMillan has had a six-month reprieve from some of his usual duties as executive chef of elements at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain as the resort’s signature restaurant gets a multimillion-dollar overhaul. During that time, he filmed the Food Network television series Worst Cooks in America, in which he and…
In the year 2000 we were supposed to see rocket cars and matter transporters. We didn’t quite make it there, but there were several advancements in food. Some are good, some are bad and some are just plain terrible, but for better worse, here are our favorite food trends for…
“Thai” this one on for size. Just when you thought you had mastered the various succulent varieties of Thai cuisine, Thai E-San is ready to throw you for a loop with pickled crags. That’s right, crabs. For more on these briny crustaceans check out this week’s cafe column. Food Critic…
There’s no absolute definition for curry, but suffice it to say it’s Pan-Asian/Indian comfort food. Roughly translated as “gravy” or “sauce,” traditional curry dishes from Thailand to India have found their way into the hearts and tummies of Americans. We do love comfort food, after all. What better way to…
Billy-Boy Wordsworth defined poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” Fitting then, we should apply this definition when we speak of fabulous fare. See if you can relate to this week’s victual verse and feel free to pen a few lines of your own, should you be so inspired…
When most people find something they can’t or won’t eat, they simply avoid it. As for me, I’ve pushed my palate as far as possible — gobbled up weird-looking sea critters that turned out to be scrumptious, masochistically consumed stinky fermented soybeans (natto), and forced myself to try liver, intestines,…
Two months ago, I found out about Verde, an intriguing new restaurant in the works from an established Valley chef who isn’t divulging his name until he’s ready to give notice with his current employer. (Given the construction delays he’s faced, I can’t blame him.) Located at 825 N. 1st Street…
Champagne will inevitably be poured, but how about coffee, too? It’s about time somebody shows some love for designated drivers, especially on the one of the biggest nights of the year for boozing. Dutch Bros. Coffee is doing its part to keep non-drinkers alert and toasty warm with a free…
OK, so we’re a little partial to this dish, since it’s named after us. We begged Chef Damon Brasch of the all-vegan restaurant Green to craft more “shrimp” specials, since our former favorite meat is not featured on the regular menu. This is what he came up with, and it was…
It’s the meal that keeps on feeding. No matter how many bites I took, it seemed I could hardly put a dent in this enormous plate of ossobuco Milanese at Avanti Restaurant, the swanky, old-school Italian spot on Thomas. Can you have too much of a good thing? Not as…
Yesterday, we chatted him up. Today executive chef Brian Feirstein, from Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, shares this recipe for Maryland-style crab cakes. The dish is super-simple and quick to make, but its beautifully plated presentation makes it seem way fancier. Here’s how to make it:…
Valley wine guru Tom Kaufman (Rancho Pinot, Humble Pie) is doing a lot of last-minute juggling, but if everything continues as planned, he’ll be officially opening The Living Room Wine Cafe & Lounge tomorrow night in Chandler. “If the searchlights are on, we’re open,” he says. Keep an eye out. Kaufman and his…
Now that I can’t have Afghan food anymore, I’m suddenly hungry for it. Of course. The Republic reports today that the Valley’s lone option for Afghan cuisine, Kabab Palace (710 W. Elliott Rd., Tempe), has been sold. The new owners are keeping the name but have turned the place into an Indian…
Looking for a healthy breakfast on the go? In this week’s Meal Ticket dining newsletter, we’ve got the scoop on a recently reopened restaurant that’s dishing up coffee, TV dinners and breakfast grub with a side of retro flavor. We’ll also have info on three new burger joints in the East Valley…
For Brian Feirstein, executive chef of Eddie V’s Prime Seafood in Scottsdale, making an impact on the customers goes beyond the kitchen. The Arizona native makes it a point to get to know his customers on a first-name basis and crafts unique dishes based on dietary needs–more than what you’d expect from…
A Pane Bianco mozzarella sandwich is the great inevitable for me. Like sashimi, pho, or a good steak, I can only hold out for so long before I get extremely antsy for it. Right before Christmas, on a day just a tiny bit too cold to be sitting outside, I finally…
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: – Onion…
John Greentree The member of Autonomous Dumpster Divers, Food Not Bombs Phoenix serves food every Sunday at Deck Park at 3 p.m. He’s also a freegan, and you can read more about his dumpster diving exploits here. What’d you eat for dinner last night? Rotini with tomato vegetable sauce, ginger…
Metro Brasserie, the SouthBridge eatery that brings Parisian flair via the Big Easy to Old Town Scottsdale, just announced a meal deal for 2010 with an easy-to-remember price: two courses for $20.10…
Sapporo will not be swimming with the fishes, thanks to Tavistock Restaurants, a boutique restaurant company based in Emeryville, California. Tavistock purchased the bankrupt Scottsdale sushi spot on December 22, promising “uninterrupted service,” according to a press release last week. Other restaurants in Tavistock’s portfolio include ZED451, Napa Valley Grille, Alcatraz…
Santa arrived early for Roger Carpenter and Phil Roberts, owners of DownUnder Wines & Bistro. Just before the holiday, they opened their new, expanded restaurant in Gilbert (1422 W. Warner, at McQueen). Just like at their previous location in Chandler, they’re still serving distinctive Aussie eats to go along with…
Yesterday I finally hit up the new weekend brunch at Postino Central, and it was pretty much exactly what I expected in the way of breakfast-y grub from the popular wine bar. Grilled focaccia with herbed butter and asparagus hit the spot, with thick, barely charred bread that soaked up…
