New Chef, New Tastes at Chelsea’s Kitchen

It had been quite a while since I’d been to Chelsea’s Kitchen, and ages since I’d heard anyone talk about it. But I stopped by recently when I’d heard good things about new executive chef Bruce Kalman, who’s keeping some menu faves for the regulars but playing around with daily…

A First Look at Chef Beau MacMillan’s New Kitchen

Most locals know Chef Beau MacMillan as the guy who bested Iron Chef Bobby Flay. MacMillan’s headed back to Food Network in January for a new show called The Worst Cooks in America, where he and Chef Anne Burrell attempt to whip some of the most pitiful home cooks into shape via a cooking…

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: Dive Bar Dinner Club: Chino Bandido Takee Outee Sets…

Jell-O Showdown: Sparkling Grapefruit Pie

Not satisfied with competing in the art of making stuffing, the Chow Bella staff is at it again. This show down is all about Jell-O. Jell-O? The last time we consumed Jell-O sans alcohol was fifteen years ago at a cousin’s outdoor wedding reception when Great Aunt Betty, mistaking her…

Now Open: CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar at Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain

Upscale American cuisine with a Southwestern spin is the house specialty at CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar, which opens today at Tucson’s new Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. Chef Joel Harrington, formerly of Fearing’s Restaurant in Dallas, incorporates plenty of regional ingredients in his dishes, such as barbecued quail and pulled rabbit…

10 for 2010: Food Trends for College Kids

For me, college was mostly a blur of all-day breakfast at Tom’s (the diner storefront always pictured in Seinfeld episodes), roast beef sandwiches from the student center, and bagels from anywhere I could get ’em. But college kids these days are eating a lot more sophisticated grub, it seems. Sodexo,…

Make This: Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

SavorySweetLife.com blogger Alice just posted an incredible-looking recipe for salted hot caramel hot chocolate, with a porn-worthy photo to boot. Wow, does it ever look delish . . . The genius thing about it is that created her own version of the drink after she got addicted to the Starbucks…

Lola Coffee Opens For Third Friday

Coffee fanatics have been waiting for the opening of Lola Coffee on Roosevelt, the second location of Daniel Wayne’s popular java joint, and it’s finally here. Stop by the historic Gold Spot building at 1001 N. 3rd Ave. (the entrance is actually on Roosevelt) between 7 and 10 p.m. tonight. Wayne’s done…

Cafe: Yen Sushi

We weren’t always into sushi, but we loved Japanese fried chicken. During a year-long stint in the land of the rising sun, we would often drive our Daihatsu Mira (think of it as a mini Mini) to this tiny sushi shop to order karaage, which this particular shop served with…

Carnivores and Vegans Unite at Posh on New Year’s Eve

Posh chef-owner Joshua Hebert has more than just New Year’s Eve to celebrate on December 31. It also happens to be his restaurant’s first anniversary.Situated on the ground level of the Optima Camelview condos, the fine-dining spot is known for its lack of a traditional menu. Instead of ordering a la…

Check it Out – Open Book Cafe at Burton Barr Central Library

Whoever said you can’t get something for nothing hasn’t been down to the Phoenix Public Library lately. We’ve been feeling little light on cash these days, so we’re browsing the books, perusing the DVDs, and catching up with a few favorite magazines, all free of charge with our handy library…

Steamers Gets an Overhaul From New Owners

Doug Czufin and Bruce Lazarus of Sam’s Cafe are now the new owners of another Biltmore restaurant, Steamers Genuine Seafood, and from the sounds of it, they’ve really changed things up.The lunch and dinner menus have been tweaked, with lower pricing as well as new dishes, the decor’s gotten an…

How Do the Japanese Butcher Fish?

Today, I’m geeking out over the latest post on The Japanese Food Report, an excellent blog that feeds my insatiable cravings for Japanese culinary esoterica. They’re talking about the sophisticated technique for butchering fish that extends the process of rigor mortis in the fish, and thereby enhances its umami (that is,…

Steak Sandwich at Essence Bakery Cafe

It’s really kind of surprising that more people don’t talk about Essence Bakery Cafe — it’s one of the best places for lunch in Tempe, situated in that building on University that was the longtime home of Sabuddy (R.I.P.).I stopped by for a bite and was tempted by the most…

Yen Sushi and Sake Bar Rocks Their Rolls

Living in Central Phoenix, I’m not about to state any allegiance between East Valley and West Valley restaurants. I’ll go wherever there’s good food to be had. But I can’t deny the overwhelming surplus of self-consciously hip sushi spots in the East Valley, where the trend is toward sleek and…

Your Meal Ticket to Carefree Dining

Looking for a quiet dinner spot that’s a little off the beaten path? In this week’s Meal Ticket, we’ve got the scoop on a newly revamped restaurant in Carefree that’s dishing up Mexican specialties like Cochinita Pibil and Mole Poblano. We’ll also have info on a new bar & grill in Chandler that’s…

Kooky Food-Themed Toys at Red Hot Robot

The fact that Christmas is right around the corner and it’s gift-giving season is certainly a good excuse to visit Red Hot Robot, but seriously, wouldn’t you want to buy these crazy toys for yourself? I dropped by a few days ago and found myself giggling at every turn, from happy,…

Sweetbreads at Tempe’s Caffe Boa

For my dad’s annual visit to Arizona last weekend, I wanted to take him out to a nice dinner at someplace where the food would be great and the atmosphere would be comfortable — anything too trendy wouldn’t suit him one bit. So we hit up Caffe Boa in Tempe, which…

Battle of the Footlongs

In New York City and Chicago, there are hot dog carts on every corner. Philly is home to the Pastrami Dog. Nathan’s boasts the famed footlong frank. Hot dogs are everywhere on the East Coast, in all styles and sizes. It’s a little more difficult to track down a footlong here in the…

The Provisional Poet: McDonald’s McRib

Billy-Boy Wordsworth defined poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” Fitting then, we should apply this definition when we experience 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. McRib…

Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame Solicits Nominees

Three years ago, the folks behind the Scottsdale Culinary Festival invited local foodies to make nominations for its Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame, whose winners are selected by private committee and then feted at the culinary fest’s awards dinner. It was the first time in the award’s history that nominations were open…