National Cassoulet Day Friday, January 9 through Sunday, January 11 On Friday Francophiles from coast to coast will pay homage to cassoulet, or classic French casserole, in honor of National Cassoulet Day. And to celebrate here in the Valley, look no further than chef Christopher Gross of Christopher’s Restaurant and…
The Guilty Pleasure: Country Fried Burger Where to Get It: Paradise Valley Burger Company, 40th Street and Bell Road Price: Seven bucks. What it Really Costs: Good luck resisting the sweets. For some reason, the coming and arrival of the new year has brought me a serious craving for good…
Ex-Windy City inhabitants may recognize the name Sanfratello’s; the family-style pizzeria has been serving pizzas, pastas, and dinner entrees on the south side of Chicago since the 1960s. Later this month, the restaurant will open its first Arizona location. The take-out and delivery restaurant will be located at 857 Warner…
I’m a fan of nouvelle cuisine and never balk at paying premium prices for fine food. But while Second Story Liquor Bar offers both the teeny portions of fussy food and the prices one expects from a four-star restaurant, it does so without benefit of fine cuisine or distinction. Uneventful…
It’s already been a couple of months since Blasted Barley Beer Co. in Tempe opened its doors on Mill Avenue and though the name has always indicated that the place brewed its own beer, there haven’t actually been any proprietary brews — until now. On Thursday, January 8 the brew…
When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions, share a few photos, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that…
If “try something new” is on your To Do list, you’re in luck. We know you have your favorite Mexican spot, but leave your comfort zone and you just might discover a gem. Here are 10 places we urge you to try…
If you find yourself in the East Valley on a Saturday morning, the Gilbert Farmer’s Market is a delicious place to get lost for a few hours. If you’re strictly on the hunt for local produce, this might not be your best Metro Phoenix option; while the market did feature…
It’s citrus season in Arizona and that means a mad dash to pick and use the bounty of fruit that’s popping up in backyards, front yards, and on neighborhood trees. But often — even after we’ve baked and cooked and preserved our butts off — we find ourselves with excess…
Last year we saw a dizzying array of new restaurants open around town and revisiting the story of each and every one makes one thing clear: it’s a great time to be a diner in our local food scene. Of course, there are sad stories of short-lived spots in last…
We’ve all been there. It’s barely January, and you’ve already exhausted every butternut squash, kale, and root veggie recipe in your arsenal. Throughout the first few weeks of fall, you tried in earnest to keep the spirit of winter vegetables alive; you roasted them, mashed them, stewed, and sautéed –…
After 10 years in the East Valley neighborhood, Chino Bandido in Chandler closed its doors for good at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31. The restaurant, somewhat of a local legend, serves a unique mash-up of Chinese and Mexican cuisines — oh, and kick ass snickerdoodle cookies…
In September, Phoenix New Times celebrated the cream of the crop with our 36th annual Best of Phoenix edition. Here are our top picks for markets in metro Phoenix. Best Market: French Grocery In the morning, French Grocery makes a perfect coffee stop, complete with locally roasted espresso from Tempe’s…
The Guilty Pleasure: Huge new menu additions. Where to Get It: Pizza Hut, at your door in about half an hour. Price: Right now, any non-stuffed-crust pizza for $12 if you order with the app What it Really Costs: Skinny crust? It’s a little better for you than usual! In…
Growing up near the Pacific Ocean, I’ve eaten my fair share of seafood. But I was a little unnerved when I unearthed an unidentifiable withered, round mystery from my bowl of haemul jungol – a bubbling seafood stew served piping hot at Hodori, a Korean restaurant in Mesa. The giant…
If you haven’t already bought your tickets for the 2015 Devoured Culinary Classic, then you might be in a bit of a pickle. Though tickets only went on sale to the public on Friday, December 26, general admission tickets for both days of the event are already sold out. The…
It’s only been a few weeks since Barrelhouse Kitchen and Cocktails excitedly welcomed a new head chef to the restaurant’s kitchen, but already, owner Kenta Usuzawa is back with news of a different kind. According to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Barrelhouse Kitchen and Cocktails is now preparing…
Betty-Jane Hernandez of Havana Patio Cafe: “You Just Have to Roll with the Punches” In 1991, when Betty-Jane (BJ) and Gilbert Hernandez opened Havana Cafe in a space just off Camelback Road, you couldn’t even get chorizo or black beans in this town. You could smoke inside restaurant dining rooms…
Since Henry’s Taiwan opened in Tempe last year, Taiwanese food in the Valley has been decidedly less difficult to find. After all the small, casual restaurant comes from Henry Ku, the chef and restaurateur “credited with putting Taiwanese food on the map in Seattle,” giving the spot some immediate credibility…
Mother Bunch Brewing has quickly worked their way into the Downtown Phoenix Food and Drink scene by way of their massive burgers, well-crafted cocktails, and impressive local tap list. But their menu also manages to challenge the notion that food served in a brewery must necessarily be the greasy, creamy…
Lunch at Pink Pony Today Starting today the Pink Pony in Scottsdale will be open at 11:30 a.m. for lunch daily. Chef Stephen K. Eldridge’s lunch menu includes a selection of starters, salads, and sandwiches such as the Achiote Chicken Sandwich ($11) with grilled chicken , coleslaw, Jack cheese, avocado,…
Chow Bella took a bite out of the holidays earlier this month with our annual “Eating Christmas” event at Crescent Ballroom. No worries if you missed it — catch the essays here through the holiday season. Growing up in a family that has had as much divorce and remarriage as…
