Locally Made: Bill Hutchison Solves the New Mexico Pepper Debate

​The secret to Bill Hutchison’s Kissed With Fire Salsa starts in New Mexico, where the official state bird is the roadrunner and the official state question is “red or green”?   The question refers to the New Mexico Chile, a pepper with a long and somewhat heated history in the…

So Much for Tutto . . .

No photos to share right now, dear readers, just a little rant. The other night I ended up eating dinner at Tutto, the Italian restaurant that Joseph Gutierrez opened in the space that used to be Digestif. I didn’t have an agenda, per se — just was curious to try…

New in CenPho: La Condesa Gourmet Taco Shop

16th Street might as well be called Taco Row, for all the Mexican restaurants lining the street between Washington and Indian School, but hey, there’s always room for me. The newest one in the neighborhood looks appealing because it’s not the typical Sonoran spot. Open since last Friday, La Condesa…

The Klute, What Are You Eating?

The Klute The co-host/founder of “The Poe Show”, the only annual celebration of Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday west of the Mississippi, hosts the Mesa Poetry Slam every Thursday at 8 p.m. at Queen’s Pizzeria in Mesa, which is free to attend, $1 to slam What’d you eat for dinner last night?…

Stealthy Table Unveils Debut Menu

The James Bond theme song is playing in my head as I type this.I just got a look at the complete menu for Stealthy Table’s inaugural covert dining event — “My Bloody Valentine,” scheduled for V-Day, of course — and it’s looking mighty fine. Pork belly? Cocoa nib-crusted short rib?…

Arizona State’s Budding Cake Boss

Working out of her mad-lab apartment kitchen, Gabi DiFerdinando never thought her cake hobby would make more than a few good birthday presents. More than 30 cakes later, she’s starting to change her mind…

Guess That Gadget

How well do you know your favorite cookhouse contraptions? Can you tell a melon baller from a cookie scoop? See if you can guess today’s gadget and check back next week for the answer. Here are a few of our guesses, add yours to the comment box below: – Nemo…

Beyond Bianco: 6 More Favorite Valley Pizza Spots

I’m a fan and regular reader of Sunset Magazine, with its timely mix of food, travel, and living articles, as well as it good-looking layout. Flipping through its pages and spotting region-specific gardening advice and profiles of beloved local restaurants and entrepreneurs always gives me a tiny jolt of Arizona pride…

Cakespy Deep-Fries Cupcakes

​Yes, you read that right, folks. Deep-fried cupcakes. Two trends collide, and while we haven’t tasted the results, we can guarantee this is not the next Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup you’re looking at. Still, we had to share, because frankly, it takes a lot to suprise us these days, jaded as we…

Closed for Business: Havana Cafe in Ahwatukee

As it is, Cuban food isn’t easy to come by in the Valley, and now a local Cuban favorite has scaled back due to the tough economy. Havana Cafe closed its five-year-old Ahwatukee location a week ago Saturday. Chef-owner BJ Hernandez continues to operate the flagship Havana Cafe on Camelback (4225 E…

Now Open at DC Ranch: Beauregard Food Co.

In the mood for Cajun food? You’re in luck. With Mardi Gras right around the corner, the timing is spot on for the opening of Beauregard Food Co., which debuted last Friday at DC Ranch in North Scottsdale. Owner Dan Brinton also is a franchise owner of Krispy Kreme Arizona,…

Closed For Business: Better Than Sex Cake Cafe

​ ​Another east side eatery bites the dust. The infamous Better Than Sex Cake Cafe in Historic Downtown Chandler went down last week, right on the heels of 98 South Wine Bar & Kitchen’s recent demise. When we heard the news, we were convinced the worried moms and religious fanatics who’d been complaining about the tiny…

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: Monday Night Martha: Big House Fantasy Soup Day Drinker:…

Pie Snob, Bertha’s and Iowa Cafe Say Let Them Eat Pie!

​According to the National Pie Council, – yes there is such an organization and you can even become a card carrying member – Saturday January 23rd is National Pie Day.  We’ve already heard whispers that pie is all the rage, and this is a trend we can sink our fork into.   Not interested…

NFL Playoffs: Home Is Where The Bar Is

There may not be enough beer in the Valley for Cardinals fans to drown their sorrows. But if you happen to be rooting for one of the better luckier teams still in the playoffs, here are four local bars fans of these teams can call home. Tempe’s Four Peaks Brewing…

Power Out? Save Your Food While Enjoying Takeout

Last night’s storm knocked out power in some sections of the Valley — and with more thunderstorms expected this weekend, some of you could be facing a few nights of candles and takeout. Oh, darn. We hate being without electricity, but really there’s no better excuse to try that new restaurant…

Gorgeous Sashimi at Sushi Roku

​If I could afford it, I’d eat sushi and sashimi about every other day, interspersed with Italian, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine. But the problem is, I’ve become such a Japanese food geek that I won’t eat just any raw fish, lest I get mad for wasting my hard-earned paycheck on…

Read This: Happy Lady Eats

Maybe the name has something to do with it, but the Happy Lady Eats blog is so darn charming that it can’t help but lift your mood to read it.Editor Joy Deangdeelert Cho, a visually creative foodie who applies her graphic design skills to making her blog into pure eye…

A Smoothie to Exorcise Your Demons

​Today is actress Linda Blair’s birthday.   Though she has gone on to perform in other films, Blair is best known for her role as possessed child Regan in the 1973 classic horror flick, The Exorcist.  No scene has grossed us more than that of Blair’s devilish character spewing a green…

The Provisional Poet: Battle of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Battle of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Fight, fight cups down the field, Fight with your peanut butter and cacao seeds and don’t ever yield. Original has milk chocolate, newcomer dark, One will be victorious, the other, a lark. Cheer, cheer for the orange and brown, Milk chocolate with peanut…