Once upon a time in a land without Yelp and Twitter, restaurants fell into one of two categories: open or closed. But these days, the situation has become decidedly less black and white. In recent months, I’ve dined at a number of Valley restaurants that have decided to open their…
Late last year, former Lux baker Lindsey Magee opened a charming little sandwich shop on McDowell Road just west of 16th Street. From the outside, the shop might not look like much, but step inside and you’ll find a charming — and quite spacious — restaurant with cheery flowers on…
The Guilty Pleasure: Two new flavors of Pringles. Where to Get It: Walmart, locations everywhere. Price: $1.50 a tube. What It Really Costs: See “Where to Get It”. There are certain signs that a trendy food is getting long in the tooth. One of the surest signs is when fast…
Last week we kicked off our Ultimate Battle of the Dishes ramen bracket that pits some of the Valley’s restaurants against each other in a tournament-style match up to find the city’s best ramen spots. In our first throw down we put Phoenix’s Hana Japanese Eatery against the Clever Koi…
Welcome to “Schaefer,” in which Eric Schaefer — a local guy with a big (but discerning) appetite and a sense of humor to match — takes on the Phoenix food scene. Ask even the most educated New Yorker to identify the center of the universe and he’ll answer, “New York…
This morning in Chicago, the James Beard Foundation announced the list of final nominations for the 2014 James Beard Foundation Awards. Last month, the foundation announced the long list of semifinalists — a list that included six Arizona chefs, restaurants, and restaurateurs. Kevin Binkley of Binkley’s Restaurant in Cave Creek…
Chris Collins Chef/owner Grassroots Kitchen and Tap (Phoenix, Scottsdale) www.grassrootsaz.com “I can’t paint you a picture. I can’t play the guitar. But I can run a really, really great restaurant.” For Grassroots Kitchen and Tap owner and chef Chris Collins, the restaurant industry is more than a business, it’s a…
After nearly two years of operation, Squash Blossom, the breakfast and lunch spot located at 705 North First Street, has closed its doors for good. According to a post on Facebook last Friday, the restaurant shuttered as of Saturday, March 15. The restaurant had been closed the week of March…
Longing for the “good old days?” If you happen to listen to country music these days, you’ve likely heard a song by Miranda Lambert with the lyrics “Whatever happened to… Doing it all by hand?…It’s only worth as much as the time put in…. it all just seemed so good…
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On a clear night you can press your face against the cold airplane window at 35,000 feet, look into the distance, and, if you know what you’re looking for, spot airports as far as your eyes can see. Look for alternating bursts of green and white light, beacons at every…
Last night we got a taste of the latest venture from Tommy Plato, who owns the four-store mini-chain of Gelato Spots in the Valley. Above the Old Town Scottsdale location of Gelato Spot, Plato’s built an intimate restaurant with a cool retro vibe. Plato describes this new spot as “Mad…
Since last summer French Grocery has been serving up a taste of the Big Easy here in Phoenix. Owner Kevin Lentz was inspired to open the little French-Creole market and restaurant while living New Orleans. The original idea was to open a “cottage bistro” but things developed differently and what…
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…
In about a week basketball fans will begin obsessing over their March Madness brackets, trying to predict which college teams have the talent and luck to take the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship. And here at Chow Bella we’re kicking off a tournament of our own: an Ultimate Battle…
If you’re visiting local nurseries in hopes of picking up new starter plants for your garden, you’re typically confronted with an array of tomatoes, peppers, and basil. But this spring, follow our lead and try planting something new and different. We love rosemary, lavender, and zucchini as much as the…
For years, Kitchen Switchin’ in north Central Phoenix was a go-to place to discover gently used kitchenware treasures at deep discounts. And that’s still the case — sort of. The shop closed recently, but as of this month, it’s back under a new name and new owners, Terri Mainwaring and…
It’s hard to see the logic in the name Pallets Food and Bar until you go there. By name alone, it would seem to make more sense that the name be “Palates,” a reference to the sense of taste. Or even “Palettes,” a potential reference to the fact that the…
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire Saturday, March 15 Phoenix’s 31st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire will kick off this Saturday at 10 a.m. with a parade and faire at the Irish Cultural Center on the west side of Hance Park. The faire will include three stages with…
Just months after opening Ingo’s Tasty Food across from La Grande Orange Grocery, LGO Hospitality has announced plans to open another restaurant in the Arcadia neighborhood. The new restaurant will be located at 4225 East Camelback Road, currently the home of a small complex called Camelback Court. That building –…
This is part two of our interview with Perry Rea, owner of Queen Creek Olive Mill. Today, the certified olive oil sommelier explains the differences between good and bad extra virgin olive oil and gives us advice on how pick good oil. If you missed part one, in which we…
Like burgers? So do we — particularly when they feature ingredients like white truffle aioli, homemade falafel, and applewood bacon onion jam. And the best part is that you don’t have to head to a sit-down restaurant to get these kinds of gourmet burgers anymore. A new food truck, Aioli…
