This is part one of our interview with Chef Lester Gonzalez of Scottsdale’s Cowboy Ciao. The Le Cordon Bleu grad has been working behind the scenes at this Valley institution for more than a decade — find out what keeps him going today. Tomorrow, we’ll share his take on last…
When Arcadia’s Cave & Ives Portico Grill shuttered in April, it didn’t take long for a new project, called The Attic, to take the place of the two-year-old Mediterranean-inspired restaurant from owners and brothers Cary and Ivan Morrow (Sacks Art of Sandwicherie) — in fact, it took one day. That’s…
The countdown to Best of Phoenix is on. Mark your calendar: This year’s issue will be on newsstands September 26. What better way to warm up than by asking some local “experts” to list their own personal bests? This week Joe Johnston — the guy who put the “Joe” in…
As of today, fans of European-style breads in Mesa have one fewer place to pick up a Norwegian rye or a rum raisin babka. On Wednesday, after eight years in business, Breadsmith of Mesa shuttered. Located in The Village at Las Sendas Shopping Center at Power and McDowell Roads, the…
After three-and-a-half years, chef Jeremy Pacheco is leaving Lon’s at the Hermosa, the luxury boutique resort in Paradise Valley. Responsible for bringing Lon’s into the farm-to-table movement, Pacheco made contacts with local farmers, cultivated the garden on the hotel grounds, and educated his culinary team on the importance of simple,…
The breakfast sandwich. Made popular by the fast food industry, perfected and customized in small breakfast joints around the corner from home, this is a morning choice we want on our plate. A meal designed to be eaten on the go, it is that epic melding of eggs, breakfast meat,…
Coney dogs, customizable burgers, and hand-cut fries smothered in chili and cheese are coming to Tempe — by way of Detroit — courtesy of David Najor. The Michigan native, whose started his career working for his family’s grocery stores in Detroit, came to the Valley a year and a half…
Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? Here are a few things we have on the books. A Cocktail Affair The word is pretty much out about the good eats coming out of the kitchen at Scottsdale’s Roka Akor, but there are quite a few things to…
Although the signage for the defunct Cave and Ives is still draped across the outside of the building, the gastropub is now called The Attic, and literally is an attic. The upstairs loft may be small, but it manages to fit in a bar and a patio for those cool…
The Guilty Pleasure: Strawberry Pop Tart Ice Cream Sandwich Where To Get It: Carl’s Jr., locations Valleywide The Price: $1.50 or so (depending on location) What It Really Costs: The damage all around is light, relatively speaking, about 320 calories. Months ago, in Chow Bella’s underground lair, we heard buzz…
The Fry Bread House, the Phoenix restaurant that, in 2012, won the James Beard Foundation’s America’s Classics award honoring legendary, family-owned restaurants across the country, is moving. Opened in 1992 by Cecelia Miller of the Tohono O’odham Nation, the place the Beard Foundation recognized for its “timeless appeal” currently is…
There are flashier country bars in the Valley — ones that try to impress with sprawling stages, dozens of high-def televisions, and more neon lights than Times Square. The Western keeps its cool without ever going over the top. The newest project from partners Tucker Woodbury, owner of The Vig…
Summer months can be hard on the restaurant biz, but this July, we welcomed a pair of county-themed bars and said both hello and goodbye to a pop-up restaurant worth popping into. We’ll have to bid adieu to a Tempe Mexican dining institution, but at least one Valley liquor store…
If you thought the craft beer community wasn’t alive and thriving in the Valley before now, you’re either not a beer drinker, or blind. Just take one look at the sheer number of craft breweries in metro Phoenix and Arizona. And while the brewers certainly deserve a lot of the…
Baseball fans in need of a little pub and grub pre- or post-game may want to check out downtown’s new Coach’s Corner Grill. Located at 333 East Jefferson Street, just steps away from Chase Field, the sports-minded spot comes courtesy of two of the owners of Coach & Willies, the…
Welcome to Chow Bella’s Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you’d like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. There might not be a cooler culinary gift during the summer than ice cream. From…
A large chunk of the United States seems to be hooked on Mexican sodas nowadays, but there is a whole range of Mexican drinks beyond Coca-Cola that are made with real cane sugar. Get out the bottle opener and take a drink…
Fans of mobile eats backed with a bit of booze may want to clear their calendars for what might be the first alcohol-centric food truck event in the Valley. From 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, August 17, Food Truck Caravan, the ongoing Saturday night meet-up of food trucks at Fifth…
Introducing “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. (And this week, New Jersey.) Enough with “sliders” already. Brisket sliders. Ahi sliders. Jewish sliders. (Looking at you, Chompies.) Short…
Looks like Tempe’s got not one, but two new spots for wallet-friendly Mediterranean food served up Subway-style. Following the arrival of Hummus Xpress in January, Tzikii Pita Grill, at 7510 South Priest Drive (Priest and Elliot Road), opened its doors in late March. Featuring eats like a family-recipe chicken shawarma,…
This is part two of our interview with Chef Renetto-Mario Etsitty of Tertio in Phoenix. Today he tells the Navajo story of hunger, shares his favorite childhood cooking memory and gives his not-so-gentle thoughts on cilantro. If you missed the first part of this week’s Chef and Tell in which…
What are you reading? Have an answer? You do now, it’s Gaining Ground. Whether you grew up on a farm, want to live on a farm, or just really like to grow food and raise animals, Gaining Ground will capture your attention and make you want to personally thank a…
