Earlier this year, legendary Spanish chef Ferran Adria found himself out of the frying pan and into the fire, when the organizers of Documenta — a huge, once-every-five-years contemporary art show held in Kassel, Germany — invited him to be one of only two Spanish contributors. It’s an understatement to…
Stepping up to top toque at Mary Elaine’s after doing time as executive sous chef for The Phoenician (the resort has nine different restaurants, including Windows on the Green and The Terrace), chef de cuisine Frank Belosic plans to launch his new winter menu in early October. The final details…
Do you love Japanese food? So do Ben Bethel and Justin Lee. They’re the owner and manager, respectively, of The Clarendon hotel, and right now they’re working on a Japanese-inspired menu for C4, the hotel’s new eatery and bar, which is slated to open in a couple of weeks. It’ll…
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Udupi Cafe, the Tempe Indian eatery that’s won rave reviews in the past for its vegetarian cuisine, just got nailed again by the Maricopa County Health Inspector. What a shame. You’d think they would’ve tried to shape up, after their inspection back in May…
Ooh, I finally got a hold of the menu for next week’s big James Beard Foundation event, Taste America. Check out what Arizona’s culinary rock stars — all James Beard Award winners for Best Chef: Southwest — are planning for the foodie confab: Miniature Lobster Rolls with Celery-Tarragon Tartar Sauce…
I got a tip from a fellow chocolate freak that Chatham’s Fine Chocolates is about to make a big move — definitely in the right direction, IMHO. No offense to Hilton Village, but I’m psyched to hear that the Valley’s best chocolate purveyor is heading to central Phoenix very soon…
I hate it when I can’t quite put my finger on something. Having plenty of opinions — and putting them all in writing — usually comes pretty readily, but ever since my first visit to Union Wine Bar & Grill, the new Old Town eatery by the folks behind Rancho…
Here’s an email that just came in from a New Times reader: I have just finished reading your article. “Overdone”, in the Sept. 13 issue of the New Times. While I have never been to Stax, something in your article struck me as wrong. You mentioned that the server never…
Last night I had a great dinner at Lisa G — killer balls, as always, plus a few new surprises. Lately, Lisa’s been busting out with different specials. And lucky for me, I got there on pizza night (Wednesday). My table ordered up a couple of ’em as appetizers, and…
This whole burger trend has really gotten out of hand. Whatever happened to a nice, juicy hamburger, big enough to hold with both hands, and cooked just the way you like it? That’s a simple, sublime experience that really shouldn’t be messed with. But no, somebody had to go and…
Honest — I really was ready to head out to east Mesa to check out Thai Hut one of these days, but thankfully the owners moved their Thai restaurant right into central Phoenix, to McDowell Road just east of Central Avenue. They opened a few days ago, right across the…
I had a headline idea for this column before I even sat down to write it: “Crowded House.” But that would give you the wrong impression about Palatte, a new downtown brunch spot tucked into a renovated historic home, right behind Cibo. Yes, the place is barely two months old,…
I’d be down for dinner at Asia de Cuba anyway, but a really good mojito for five bucks sounds like extra motivation. Through September, the restaurant’s offering happy hour cocktail specials from 4 to 7 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays. They just debuted a bunch of new menu items, too, including…
I know, I know — it’s too hot, and you were planning on spending Labor Day weekend on the couch, watching the Food Network with cold Kilt Lifter in hand and a freezer full of paletas. Well, nobody’s stopping you, but here’s something that sounds a lot more fun, kind…
Many years ago, I dated a chef with a thing for chile peppers. He couldn’t get enough of the hot stuff, couldn’t shut up about habaneros and serranos, and usually ate jalapeños with everything from noodle soup to pizza. I loved his cooking, but the pepper thing drove me crazy…
Now that September’s almost upon us, get ready for the seasonal roll out of new menus and new chefs around town. One of the latest places to undergo a late-summer revamp is Bloom, at Gainey Ranch. Jason Frandsen recently took over as executive chef there, after working on the launch…
Any new Central Phoenix lunch option is cause for celebration, in my book — especially when it’s a restaurant I already enjoy for dinner. The fact that I’ll be able to eat moules frites more often only adds to my happiness. Starting next week, on September 4, Trente-Cinq 35 will…
It’s good to push your boundaries once in a while, and recently, I tested the limits of how far I’d travel for this column. The answer? About 40 miles from downtown Phoenix, to the southeastern reaches of Queen Creek. I know, I know — that’s a hike for just about…
I know, you don’t need somebody to twist your arm for some Thai food and a wine tasting, but doing indulging for charity is extra motivation to get out and mingle. Tomorrow night, Aug. 21, the Phoenix Corkscrews — an enthusiastic group of wine lovers who don’t care if you’re…
I don’t know if it’s because it’s been a long week, or what, but my ass is dragging this morning, and I’m looking forward to being holed up in my office indefinitely, with a big project to finish. It’s only 9, and I’m already fantasizing about taking a nap. On…
I’m usually good at keeping secrets, but when it comes to a great restaurant find, I just can’t keep my mouth shut. Apologies to my friends who consider Al-Hana Restaurant, at Baiz Market, a treasure that should stay well-hidden. I can’t tell you how many people have told me they’ve…
Ed Aiona Let the good times roll: Roshambo Winery makes a pit stop in Scottsdale tonight Right now, I envy the dudes from Roshambo Winery — you’d recognize their labels by their distinctive rocks-paper-scissors logo — who’re touring California and Arizona in their tricked-out Roshambus. These guys get to party…
