Come January 30, Michael Savoie will have plenty to celebrate. That date will mark the first anniversary of GrainBelt GrillHouse, his comfortable, upscale-casual eatery in downtown Gilbert. And to anyone familiar with the building that houses the restaurant, that’s surely no small achievement. Over the past several years, 302 North…
I doubt you’ve ever questioned how seriously the Japanese take their fake food, but just in case you have, check out this Iron Chef-style fake food contest. From the glistening plastic meat for a mock shabu-shabu display, to the faux piece of ebi tempura that’s actually a computer flash drive…
Restaurateur Tom Kaufman, the wine expert behind two Valley favorites — Rancho Pinot and Union Wine Bar & Grill — says he’s shooting to open his newest operation this Thursday, the 17th, at the Hilton Village (6149 N. Scottsdale Rd.). It’s called Humble Pie, and although the menu’s not available…
Leccabaffi chef-owner Michael Lepore has teamed up with vocalist Khani Cole (who’s been a featured performer at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort for more than a decade) and her husband Mike Florio to turn the restaurant into a swanky jazz venue called Voce Ristorante & Lounge. They expanded into…
It’s not a big stretch to compare restaurants to relationships. Finding a great new place is like having a crush. You notice an intriguing stranger, flirt with the idea of stopping by, get seduced by the food, and end up craving more. You might keep it secret for a while,…
Here’s a link to a great interview with my favorite globe-trotting, smart-assed, chef/author/TV star. I never get sick of this guy. In the middle of reading this, I laughed so loudly that I’m sure my coworkers think I’m a freak. Enjoy…..
Ooh, my teeth are turning purple just thinking about Old Town Scottsdale’s newest eatery, a wine-centric boutiquey bistro called Fine’s Cellar that debuted last Wednesday. It looks promising — not only because of the menu, but also because of its pedrigree. Proprietor Michael Fine is the founder and former owner…
As of yesterday afternoon, representatives from the Phoenician said they had no information that Mary Elaine’s, finally, would close after months of rumors that the resort’s legendary upscale dining establishment would become a new concept from celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who has a partnership with Starwood Hotels. But now they…
Word was getting around that Welcome Diner, one of downtown’s grooviest little eateries — and I really do mean little — was closed. And as it turns out, owner Peter Hearn was planning on closing at the current Roosevelt Street location (a cute metal Valentine diner from the early 20th…
Break an egg, er, leg, Aaron. Sol y Sombra’s chef Aaron May has branched out into the breakfast biz, and the new place just opened last Friday. It’s called Overeasy, and it’s all about the most important meal of the day. I don’t know about you, but some fluffy pancakes,…
If 2008 goes according to plan, then I just might find a big ol’ sack of coal under the Christmas tree at the end of the year. Lately, I’ve gotten so many holiday well-wishes that I’ve started to take them literally. Have a happy New Year? Don’t mind if I…
Call me sadistic. I take a lot of pleasure in bragging about the weather in Arizona, especially this time of year. When my friends and family back East are busy salting the driveway or digging themselves out from under a foot of snow, it feels good — although, admittedly, kind…
The people at Lonely Planet have figured out that I love travel, or that I love books, or that I like giving away free stuff on my blog from time to time. Whatever the reason, I have copies of the new Lonely Planet Encounter series — groovy mini-guide books with…
Four Peaks’ latest seasonal beer, the Winter Wobbler, has only been on draft since last week, and already the supply’s down to about 200 gallons. “We say it’s ‘On and gone,'” says owner Andy Ingram. The Winter Wobbler changes every year. Last year’s was a licorice-flavored stout, while the 2007…
Can you believe I wrote my college admissions essay about how coffee was going to take over the world? Me neither. But somehow it worked. Not only did I get into the university of my choice, my prediction came true — sort of, at least. In 1992, I was a…
Just in time for a holiday toast, there’s a new, er, old bar that just debuted down on Grand Avenue. It’s Chez Nous Cocktail Lounge, avec une nouvelle maison. The funky, old-school local favorite lost its longtime digs (sniff, sniff) to new development at 7th Ave and Indian School, but…
My latest solution to turning a shitty day into a semi-good one: Soup. Okay, it wasn’t really a completely shitty day — for the most part, it was pretty productive. But this afternoon I talked to my Dad and got some very depressing news. Super-sad-but-goddamn-I-gotta-be-optimistic news. I thought I’d run…
They got me by the title of this one: I Like Food, Food Tastes Good: In the Kitchen With Your Favorite Bands. (Remember that old Descendents song that they named this after? I haven’t heard it since the cassette player days. Ahh, nostalgia.) Anyway, it’s a fun concept and an…
Pamela Hamilton from Edible Phoenix magazine just dropped me a line to invite Chow Bella readers to nominate their favorite culinary and agricultural personalities for this year’s Local Heroes awards. Here are the five categories: Farmer/Rancher/Forager (2006 winner, Bob McClendon); Restaurant/Chef (2006 winner, Chrysa Kaufman of Rancho Pinot); Food Artisan…
I was surprised to hear our brown-eyed, soft-spoken waiter raise his voice, sounding highly annoyed. “Hey, we could open the window and let it go out,” he said sternly to the man across the room, who was busy thrashing at an unwelcome bee that had happened to buzz through the…
As if Daniel Wayne doesn’t work hard enough cooking up a storm in the kitchen of his restaurant, Lola Tapas, now he says he’s going to be working the espresso machine there every morning, too. Tentatively starting Monday, December 17, Lola Tapas will be open as Lola Coffeebar from 7…
This morning, I chatted with Erenia Pool about the latest news at Matt’s Big Breakfast: the Food Network’s profiling them, too! (See my post from last week about Joe’s Farm Grill.) I couldn’t wish the attention on sweeter people. Guy Fieri and the crew from Diners, Drive-ins and Dives filmed…
