We gotta hand it to restaurant inspectors for the first “theme report” we’ve seen since starting Gross Out. A recent inspection, which earned Saddle Ranch Chop House in Glendale a “No Award” from Maricopa County, is all about hands. And fingers. From the report: …
True to its name, the brand-new Corona Cantina on Indian School has a full bar, and slings the drinks ’til 2 a.m. daily. But it’s a restaurant, too. The Mexican-inspired menu features everything from chimichangas, enchiladas, tacos, and tortilla soup, to burgers, bruschetta, wings, and salads. Dinner service runs until…
A restaurant opening early? When does that ever happen? In the wonderful world of Postino, where they’ve got it all figured out, apparently. The brand-new Postino Central, located in the renovated Katz Deli building at Central and Colter (5144 N. Central), just opened its doors a matter of minutes ago…
Wah wah wah… Today’s an anticlimactic day for some of the most talented people in the Arizona restaurant biz, as the James Beard Foundation announced its finalists for the 2009 awards. Nobody from this state was on the list. But the eight semifinalists who’d been in the running for various categories since the…
Hey buddy, can you spare a buck? If so, that dollar will buy you dinner at Bar Louie’s Tuesday night happy hour. The Glendale watering hole serves up one-dollar burgers from 6 p.m. until close on Tuesday nights (while supplies last), with the exception of game/concert/big event nights. The only…
If you want to schmooze with local political types, go to El Portal, County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox’s restaurant just south of downtown Phoenix. But you might not want to order anything to eat. We suppose it’s good to know that the county restaurant inspectors aren’t mincing words with a…
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: Coming Soon: Two Hippies Breakfast Joint So How Was…
Digestif’s chef Payton Curry (left) and GM Pavle Milic hug it out over some fresh mozz at last year’s Eats3 Pavle Milic, general manager at Scottsdale’s groovy Digestif, was a man with a plan. But in the words of John Lennon, “Life is what happens while you’re busy making plans.”…
What’s the best reason to ride the light rail into downtown this weekend (or sweet-talk somebody into being your designated driver)? There are too many to choose from. Don Julio, Patron, Jose Cuervo, Milagro, Campo Azul . . . These brands and dozens more will be showcased at Tequilaaz, a…
I know, I know. A Japanese restaurant doing burgers? How weird is that? But for a dollar during happy hour, I doubt anyone’s complaining about Roka Akor’s newest dish. It’s a three-ounce prime beef “baby” burger, topped with heirloom tomatoes, red onion, avocado, wasabi, and some mystery seasoning that they’re…
Ever since grocery-store tomatoes got as costly as meat, we’ve been garnishing our routine sandwiches with other things. If the love apple is a luxury anyway, might as well hold out for the ripeness, taste, and texture of a locally grown, recently harvested ‘mater like the ones currently available from…
Sometimes a scone and a killer latte are all you need to start the day on the right note, but sweets and caffeine aren’t always enough to fuel you through the morning. Wisely, the folks at Bomberos have figured this out, and are amping up their breakfast options beyond the…
What’s a fair price to pay for lunch at Geordie’s Restaurant & Lounge at the Wrigley Mansion? The question is more than just food for thought — it’s something you’ll actually need to figure out if you dine at the restaurant in the near future. Believe it. They’re letting customers…
Maki? Nigiri? Raw? Cooked? We don’t care what form sushi comes in as long as we can eat it. This week’s Cafe column focuses on the newest locale for scarfing up this Japanese delicacy: Pure Sushi in Scottsdale Civic Center. Food Critic Michele Laudig on Pure Sushi: What do you…
Seems like lots of restaurants pick weird nights of the week to offer any freebies. But chef Vincent Guerithault — a semifinalist for a James Beard award this year! — knows that we really like to hit the town on Fridays and Saturdays, so he’s giving us extra incentive to swing by his…
What do you get when you take the see-and-be-seen vibe of AZ88, add the pulsating music and blinding white glamour of Asia de Cuba, and roll it all up in a futuristic sushi mat? You get Pure, the chic new Japanese fusion restaurant that fits perfectly between its two neighbors…
Want to play hooky from work this afternoon? Or get an early jump on the weekend this Friday? Check out the complimentary wine tastings at Village Wine Cellar, one of The Shops at Gainey Village in Scottsdale (8877 N. Scottsdale Rd.). They’re held from 1 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday…
I’m gonna pretend I’m Diana Vreeland today. Why don’t you…. load up on caffeine before you brave the bar crowds in search of green beer tonight? The folks at Dutch Bros. Coffee are giving away free 16-ounce coffee drinks between 4 and 5 p.m. today. Hit them up at 1037…
Alright, peeps. I know a lot of you hit up the big two-day culinary festival at Phoenix Art Museum this weekend, because I ran into so many of you when I stopped by on Sunday afternoon. What did you think of it? I thought it was a fun convergence of different…
The cover of the latest issue of Saveur — a drool-inducing photo of ribs, in all of their charred, meaty glory — really got me craving some barbecue. Oh, you want some too? Well lucky us, a brand-new barbecue joint is set to open by the end of this month. Located in Cave…
Change can be good. That seems to be the case for Poco, the Scottsdale Spanish restaurant formerly known as Imagine Spain (7000 E. Shea; 480-991-3170). When I checked out the place last fall (read my review), I liked the paella but couldn’t stand the soulless surroundings. I wrote, “Imagine Spain does have…
Shangri La? Not the first image that comes to mind when you read the recent county restaurant inspection report for the so-named Chinese restaurant on Alma School Road in Mesa. Raw sprouts were too warm. There was no hand soap in the employee restroom. Opened cans of food were stored…
