If you haven’t been watching MasterChef Junior so far, know that you’ve been missing out on probably the best cooking show on television right now. Why? Because it’s physically impossible not to smile when you see the infamous chef Gordon Ramsay sitting cross-legged and praying before an oven for a…
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…
“It almost feels as though I am destined to never open a restaurant from ground-up,” chef Silvana Salcido Esparza wrote in a message to Chow Bella on Thursday night. Yet again, she’ll be taking over a space abandoned by a shuttered restaurant. This time Esparza’s taking her talent and unique…
For the past two years, we’ve been eyeing a restaurant on Van Buren just west of Seventh Avenue. There are bars on the windows and the building doesn’t really look inviting. Then there’s the name: International House of Food. The painted lettering on the building promises American, Mexican, and Chinese…
The Guilty Pleasure: Frito pie on a pizza. Where to Get It: The Papa John’s delivery guy. Price: $12 for a 14-incher. What it Really Costs: How much is a bottle of Tums? I’m quite intrigued by Papa John’s R&D department. Every now and again, they release an oddball specialty…
Plant This Movie Trailer from Emily von W. Gilbert on Vimeo.”Plant This Movie” Screening Tomorrow Head to The Farm at Agritopia in Gilbert tomorrow to check out a screening of “Plant This Movie,” a new film that “explores the zeitgeist of urban farming around the world.” The event will begin…
Every year you probably say to yourself, “I’m going to learn to make tamales for the next holiday season.” Then the just before that year is up, you conclude that it’s too much of a task and you’re not sure where to even begin. Now, none of that matters, thanks…
Since 2007, Boulders on Broadway has been a destination for bike riders, beer drinkers, and students looking for a chill place to hang out. Founded by Erick and Rochelle Geryol, the spot is known for its ski lodge vibe, extensive beer list, and menu of Chicago-style pizzas, calzones, and more…
Though we’re already charging into the month of November, I have to admit I’m still reeling from the drama of last last month. Saying good-bye to some well-loved spots — including Noca, The Local, and soon, Petite Maison — made October seem at times like a never-ending slew of bad…
The good news is that there were very few eateries that scored poorly on health inspections last month. In fact, we saw a lot of “A” ratings looking through the inspection list. Though many local spots have either kept high standards or cleaned up since their last health inspector visit,…
When it comes to Arizona landmarks, you can hardly ignore Monti’s La Casa Vieja. Located in the historic adobe Hayden House on Mill Avenue, the restaurant is not only the oldest eatery in Tempe, but also the oldest continually occupied building in metro Phoenix. The steakhouse been open since 1956…
October was a dramatic month for the Valley dining scene. We said good-bye to the short-lived but well-received downtown restaurant, The Local, and learned that we’d never see Eliot Wexler’s Noca open again. This week will be your last chance to dine at chef James Porter’s Petite Maison in Scottsdale;…
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…
Jeffrey Amber Executive Chef Forge Pizza 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix www.theforgepizza.com “I want it to be a pizza party,” says chef Jeffrey Amber of the three-week-old Forge Pizza Phoenix. “I want it to be fun.” The 1,500 square foot eatery is the third Forge Pizza location to come from…
I rave so often and so loudly about Tuck Shop, my friends believe I’m an investor in the popular restaurant. And I dine so frequently at Vovomeena, the staff and I are on a first-name basis. But I admit to having abandoned Astor House, a smallish eatery in the Coronado…
Last month Phoenix New Times celebrated the cream of the crop with our 36th annual Best of Phoenix edition. Here are our top picks for places to get dessert in metro Phoenix. Best Candy Store: Super Chunk Sweets and Treats Since opening late last year, Super Chunk Sweets and Treats…
As we told you earlier this summer, Tempe will soon be home to the second location of Sam Fox’s ambitious mutli-use complex called The Yard. Like the original Phoenix location, The Yard Tempe will include a new location of Fox’s Culinary Dropout restaurant and a few other local businesses. In…
If seeing the dark, empty space at 1011 North Third Street — you know, the space that used to be The Local — has been bumming you out, you’ll be happy to know it won’t be like that for long. A new modern taquería drawing talent from several local chefs…
There are a lot of reasons to love brunch. For starters, it’s an acceptable reason to drink before noon and secondly — well, actually, do you need another reason? North Scottsdale residents looking for a new place to get their brunch on can now head to The Standard, the market/bar/restaurant…
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…
Dia de los Muertos Celebration Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2 This weekend Barrio Queen Tequileria in Old Town Scottsdale will be offering a variety of dining and drinking specials in honor of Dia de Los Muertos. The restaurant and bar will have deals such as $10 Hibiscus Margaritas…
East Valley residents with a love for country music and southern eats will have quite a drive to get their fix now that Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill has closed at Mesa Riverview. The restaurant and bar is moving all the way up to North Phoenix, specifically…
