Designer Janis Leonard — known for her thought-provoking art installations at Scottsdale’s AZ88, as well as the posh revamp of Hanny’s — is no stranger to buzz. But recently her work has turned a few more heads than usual, and some folks are seeing it as downright scandalous. The latest of…
Talk about ambitious. The folks behind a new concept called Regions Bistro & Bar have not one but two locations in the works. The first, located in Scottsdale’s 9400 Shea complex (9343 E. Shea), is set to open to the public tomorrow, while its sister restaurant at 690 S. Mill in…
There’s no sign up yet, there’s a limited menu, and there’s still some decorating to be done, but last Thursday, a new independently-owned spot called Hippies Cove took over the space that formerly housed Tacos del Mar in Tempe (414 S. Mill Ave.). Owner John Newell, who owned Made Rite Diner in Phoenix about…
Just in time to get up and running for St. Patrick’s Day, the owners of Seamus McCaffrey’s have opened a new restaurant/watering hole in downtown, called The Turf Restaurant & Pub. The place opened quietly this past Saturday, and will continue its soft opening this week with evening-only hours, from 5…
The Downtown Phoenix Market just enlisted Quiessence to start showing up on Saturday mornings — hopefully Q’s just the first of many more restaurants to come. Beginning on Saturday, February 21, look for free recipe cards from chef Greg LaPrad, who’ll base his ideas on what’s fresh and available at…
I just got the word from chef Wade Moises that PastaBar, his new downtown restaurant, finally got its liquor license today. He’s working on the wine list as we speak. Apparently the lack of alcohol has kept some customers from making reservations; Moises expects things to pick up now that…
Food is always a huge attraction at the annual Matsuri — that is, the Phoenix Japanese Festival — and this year’s (which takes place this weekend) will be no different. Think yakisoba, teriyaki obento, makizushi, daifuku made with fresh mochi, anpan… jeez, I shouldn’t blog right before lunch, now, should I? (cue…
Peas that have been canned or frozen are vastly inferior to a freshly harvested springtime pea. They might as well be completely unrelated vegetables. When people first try the fresh ones, they usually say something like, “These are the best peas I’ve ever tasted in my entire life.” Now’s the…
Scott and Greg Ziegler, the duo behind NYPD Pizza, are getting into the sushi biz with their new East-Meets-Southwest eatery, Banzai Cowboy, scheduled to open March 2 at Market Street at DC Ranch. The menu’s not available just yet, but they’ve hired 30-year veteran chef Fumiharu Hirose to handle the sushi…
Made Art Boutique has been having themed exhibitions for quite awhile now — usually revolving around a functional, common item done up in different whimsical ways by local artists. The latest is called Seasoned, and it’s all about salt and pepper shakers. Made enlisted local artists Joshua Dopp, Cyndi Coon (have you…
I’ve been pretty good about not gloating so much about Arizona winters, but now I just can’t help myself. It’s February, it’s going to be in the 70s this week, and some ice cream sounds pretty good right now. Anywhere else this time of year, free ice cream might sound…
Here’s something unusual that caught my eye: TV night at a local hangout. A couple weeks ago, Hollywood Alley started hosting No Reservations night on Mondays, and it’s exactly what it sounds like, three back-to-back episodes of Anthony Bourdain’s awesome eat-drink-travel show. That means you can hang out, grab a…
It’s not hard to find a good meal in the Coronado District. Drive up the stretch of Seventh Street between McDowell and Thomas, and you’ll find quite a few decent options, from casual (That’s a Wrap) to classy (Trente-Cinq 35). To get to the newest and most intriguing restaurant in…
I’m not sure when the last time I had a Mountain Dew was, but the last time I remember enjoying one was back when the brand’s Code Red flavor came out. I have vivid memories of using the stuff to wash down Flamin’ Hot Cheetos while listening to The Writing’s…
It’s been a year since Kabuki, the SoCal sushi chain, made its Arizona debut, at the Tempe Marketplace. Kabuki eventually opened a second location at Glendale’s Westgate City Center. To celebrate its first birthday, the restaurant is offering several of its premium sushi rolls — including the Alaskan Roll (pictured…
Fat Tuesday isn’t for another week yet, but the countdown starts today at Metro Brasserie, the New Orleans-style French restaurant at SouthBridge in Scottsdale. Through midnight on February 24, executive chef Matt Taylor (who was a sous chef at John Besh’s New Orleans eatery Restaurant August) is cooking up several special dishes…
Seems like there are wine tastings going on all the time, from your neighborhood grocery store to the ritziest restaurants in the Valley. But how often do you get a chance to sample the harder stuff? And no, I’m not talking about whatever you’re carrying in that flask. This Sunday,…
Look, if you’re going to name a business “Dirty Drummer” and serve food at it, better make sure it’s clean, that’s all we’re sayin’. The DD on Beck Avenue in Chandler failed a recent county restaurant inspection. Now, it’s not the worst report we’ve ever seen, but again, given the…
No, sommelier Marnie Old and Dogfish Head brewery founder Sam Calagione won’t be in town this week to pimp their book He Said Beer, She Said Wine, but hey, who needs them? The folks at Changing Hands Bookstore are hosting a tasting party anyway, and it sounds like a good…
Creme brulee at Vincent’s In a press release this morning, the James Beard Foundation announced its preliminary lists of nominees for various categories in the prestigious James Beard Awards. There are 20 nominees in each category, and eight Arizona individuals and restaurants are among the elite group. Finalists will be…
The curious little kid in us really comes out when we see a funky new fruit or vegetable. (It makes fixing dinner a bit more interesting, too.) One of the loveliest oddities available right now is romanesco, a mysterious relative of cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage. Did you know that all…
“OOOOH!” a colleague said, after learning that a recent inspection at the Washington Street outpost of the famed Los Dos Molinos restaurant revealed reused chip bowls. “That’s always my worst fear — that you’ll get that bowl with someone else’s cuticle pieces and other stuff from their fingers in it.”…
