61: Chickpea Ceviche at Bombay Spice

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope…

Jonathan Vallo of The Duce, Part One

Equal parts Anthropologie and old Hollywood movie set, The Duce is an ambitious attempt at recreating an entire city neighborhood. Think New York or Chicago in the 1940’s. Complete with news stand, soda fountain, coffee bar, organic grocery market, various other retail nooks and perhaps most important a restaurant and bar,…

Ernesto Moncada, What Are You Eating?

Ernesto Moncada The author, poet, improviser and actor with experimental theater ensemble Arcana Collective and The Empty Frames Experiment conducts and produces the variety show Firestage at the Firehouse every Third Friday, hosts the monthly live talk show Grand Avenue Live! at The Trunk Space, and acts as host for…

Chef Marcellino Verzino’s Tuna Tartare

Last week’s Chef Chat was with Marcellino Verzino of Marcellino Ristorante. Below is a simple, light, summer recipe of his that you can make on your own at home. Buon Appetito! Tuna Tartare (Serves four: antipasto portion) Ingredients: ½ lb. fresh Ahi tuna juice of 1 lemon 1 tbsp fresh…

This Week In Chow Bella

Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let’s have one last look at the blog posts from this week: S’more Please Sundaes Craig Chenery, What Are You Eating?…

Where Am I Eating?

Talk about a breakfast of champions. It was far too early to be up on a Tuesday morning, but a weekly breakfast with a great friend is a must do. Any sleep sacrificed was quickly forgotten when the waffle arrived. Considering there aren’t too many breakfast joints around town, this…

62: Spiced Skirt Steak at Tuck Shop

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope…

Cafe: Verde

There are plenty of places in town to get a taco. That’s just fine with us. When we heard there’s a new joint in town to get various fillings wrapped in a tortilla, we started salivating. Food Critic Michele Laudig on Verde: The rice was fragrant with cilantro and a…

63: Rib Eye Philly at SanTan Brewing Company

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope…

Marcellino Verzino of Marcellino Ristorante, Part Two

The couple believe that their restaurant is an extension of their home. Therefore when people come in, they are treated like guests. Hospitality is a priority, and the decor of the restaurant reflects that. From the wooden furniture, to the unusual and inviting mustard colored table cloths, there is a…

George’s Famous Gyros: Gettin’ Greeky Wit It

On the day I visited George’s Famous Gyros in Scottsdale, George and company were celebrating their four-year anniversary with free gyros for the taking. This Fry Girl bit, then asked owner George Salvaridis how he was planning to celebrate. “I’m taking the team to the F1 Race Factory, then we’re…

George’s in Scottsdale Gives Diners Gyro Euphoria

George Salvaridis has a Plan B and it’s tasty as hell. Salvaridis, 28, bargained on becoming an airline pilot, but he grounded himself in 2006 to open George’s Famous Gyros in Scottsdale. He became a restaurateur at 24, barely older than his family’s 20-year old tzatziki recipe, and altogether too…

64: Albacore With Black Truffle at Crudo

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope…

Sugar Cookie Wars: Sweet Cakes vs. Cake Cafe

Last week, I had a craving for one of my favorite childhood snacks: sugar cookies. While I could’ve gone to the grocery store for some take-and-bake dough, let’s face it, only 50% of the dough would’ve ended up in the oven. The other half would’ve been hoovered straight out of the package…

Marcellino Verzino of Marcellino Ristorante, Part One

Chef Marcellino Verzino is anything but average. While he’s one of the best known Italian chefs in the state, his reputation extends across the world. Hailing from Italy, the cuisine featured at his restaurant, Marcellino Ristorante pays respect to the styles associated with each separate region of the country. He’s…

65: Slice at Jimmy & Joe’s Pizzeria

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope…

Craig Chenery, What Are You Eating?

Craig Chenery The performer with The Gentleman’s Club Improv can be seen regularly throughout the Valley as a part of The Torch Theatre. What’d you eat for dinner last night? Last night, I ate my wife’s homemade tika massala, fresh naan bread and beef samosas with korma sauce. Favorite food:…

66: Lee’s Combination at Lee’s Sandwiches

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope…