Cafe Reviews

Cocina Chiwas serves honest Mexican food

Cocina Chiwas serves honest Mexican food

City of Spice brings big flavor to Indian food

City of Spice brings big flavor to Indian food

From Robots to Conveyor Belts, Kura Sushi Has its Charms. The Food Isn't One of Them

By Dominic Armato
Mar 30, 2023

Food Critic Dominic Armato shares his guide to defensive dining at this popular conveyor belt sushi bar.
‘For Love of the Food.’ Why Pop-Up Deli Little Pickle is a Big Deal

By Dominic Armato
Feb 16, 2023

This new pop-up deli serves bagels and pastrami unlike anything else in Phoenix.
Café Review: A French Legend Revisited

By Chris Malloy
Dec 31, 2021

Christopher Gross dazzles in the twilight of his career.
Discovering the Best Over-The-Top Churros In Phoenix

By Allison Young
Dec 14, 2021

From traditional to wild, these 10 Phoenix churro spots rock!
Cafe Review: Two New Phoenix Restaurants That Swing Big

By Chris Malloy
Aug 26, 2021

Two especially well-credentialed Phoenix restaurants have debuted in recent months.
Cafe Review: In Downtown Phoenix, Pa'La Is Evolving in an Unlikely Direction

By Chris Malloy
Aug 4, 2021

Italian merges into Japanese at chef Claudio Urciuoli's new second spot.
The Grill King of Grand Avenue: Chef Rene Andrade Finds His Sonoran Groove at Bacanora

By Chris Malloy
Jun 17, 2021

Rene Andrade’s deep passion for Sonoran food shines at Bacanora.
Here's Our Gut Reaction to Belly, the First Restaurant From Instrumental Hospitality Group

By Chris Malloy
May 13, 2021

The food’s solid, but Belly in Melrose still has some homework to do.
Cafe Review: Valentine in Melrose Delivers on Its Grand New Dream of Regional Cuisine

By Chris Malloy
Apr 8, 2021

"One of the most ambitious, beautifully weird, and best restaurants to open in recent memory. "
Cafe Review: Tru Tacos and Chilté Tacos Are Getting Creative With Tortillas

By Chris Malloy
Mar 11, 2021

And you will know us by the trail of colorful tortillas.
Cafe Review: Will the Next Generation of Phoenix Pizza Be Mobile?

By Chris Malloy
Feb 11, 2021

Trying out three low-volume, mobile pizza vendors on Phoenix's streets.
Cafe Review: Two Noodle Shops Opened Mid-Pandemic Do the Japanese Soup Right

By Chris Malloy
Jan 14, 2021

Two noodle shops opened mid-pandemic do the Japanese soup right.
Cafe Review: An Intimate Pop-Up Explores Thailand’s Regional Deep Cuts

By Chris Malloy
Dec 10, 2020

Alex and Yotaka Martin's Lom Wong provides glimpses of Thailand's roads less traveled.
Cafe Review: Que Chevere Is the Latest Sign of a Rising Mesa

By Chris Malloy
Nov 12, 2020

Que Chevere marks a great new addition to a maturing food scene.
Cafe Review: Francine Puts A Fresh Spin on Old French

By Chris Malloy
Oct 15, 2020

Trying out the ambitious new Francine ... and pondering indoor dining.
Cafe Review: A Song of Rice and Fire From Two New Japanese Eateries

By Chris Malloy
Sep 10, 2020

For our September café review, we visit two new Japanese eateries.
Cafe Review: Under-the-Radar Filipino Cooking Is Thriving in Phoenix

By Chris Malloy
Aug 13, 2020

Visiting Lutong Bahay, Phx Lechon Roasters, Deez Buns, and Toduken BBQ for ube pandesal, longsilog, and lechon.
Cafe Review: Journeying Through Phoenix’s Thriving Black Barbecue Scene

By Chris Malloy
Jul 9, 2020

In greater Phoenix, eating Black barbecue is a great way to provide support.
Cafe Review: Carrying Out at Two Ambitious New Italian Eateries

By Chris Malloy
Jun 11, 2020

We review Pizzeria Virtù and The Americano, two new restaurants from familiar faces.
Cafe Review: Sherpa Kitchen — the Valley’s First Nepali Restaurant

By Chris Malloy
Mar 26, 2020

Put Sherpa Kitchen, the Valley’s first Nepali restaurant, on your list of restaurants to support in these tough times.

More Cafe Reviews