Every week, there's a cornucopia of Phoenix food news, features, and reviews to report here at Chow Bella. If you're like most people, you probably just don't have the time to get to all of it. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this case, your day. So, here's a recap of some of the top stories from the week that you may have missed.
Federal Pizza Opening Monday, October 22, in Central Phoenix (And We've Got the Menu)
Commence drooling, pizza fans. Federal Pizza, the latest restaurant from restaurateur Craig DeMarco and his Upward Projects team, is set to open on Monday, October 22.
Located at 5210 North Central Avenue in Central Phoenix, in the historic First Federal Savings & Loan building, Federal Pizza will join three of Upward Project's other restaurants in the neighborhood: the casual and patio-awesome restaurant and ice cream shop Windsor & Churn and the wine bar Postino Central.
--Laura Hahnefeld
8 Tips on Mixing the Perfect Cocktail from 4 Local Mixologists
What does the cocktail enthusiast with no bartending experience need to know to make an awesome craft cocktail? Lynne Rossetto Kasper -- the sonorous talk show host of NPR's The Splendid Table asked that question of four of the Valley's top mixologists at the Hotel Palomar last weekend, and she got some terrific answers.
Kasper had come to Phoenix to help NPR (and affiliate station KJZZ) with their fund drive, hosting a cocktail-education event that drew a crowd of mostly older listeners whose interest in craft cocktails is dubious. Truth is, most of them were probably there to see their favorite foodie in the flesh. And Kasper was everything her fans imagined she'd be.
Kasper asked each mixologist to give two pieces of advice to novice cocktail-makers, and here's what they said:
--Nikki Buchanan
Six Favorite Places to Take Cooking Classes in Metro Phoenix
There comes a time in everyone's life when they have to learn to cook more than scrambled eggs and frozen pizzas. For those of us who grew up in homes that relied on take-out and frozen foods, this can be a particularly hard transition.
But fret not, there are plenty of places in Phoenix where you too can learn the art of top-notch cooking. Or at least the skills necessary to avoid an unforgivably embarrassing date night.
Here are six places in Phoenix where you can learn to cook a passable meal (well, technically five, but all good cooking requires good alcohol).
--Eric Tsetsi
Five Terrifyingly Delicious Halloween Cocktail Recipes, Including Black Vodka (Yes, Really)
It's time to start taking your Halloween party planning seriously. If you're like me, you wait til the last minute and then scurry around in a panic trying to find things that are already sold out. Don't be like me. Use this Pinterest-inspired list to fuel the most important part of a successful party - the beverages, and start gathering the stuff now!
The above photo is of the "classic" candy corn vodka. Every Halloween party should have some. While you could probably find the ingredients for candy corn vodka even at the very last minute, making it requires thinking at least three hours in advance -- as that's how long it takes to infuse. Find the specific candy corn vodka instructions and cordial recipe at the Inquisitr.
Here are a few more Halloween cocktails to try.
--Laura Gill
What Will Get Someone Blacklisted From a Restaurant?
Welcome to Chow Bella's Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you'd like to ask? E-mail [email protected]. Miss a question? Go here.
Gentle laughter, clinking glasses, soft music -- restaurants should be a happy place. But what happens when they're not? What happens when a guest creates a disturbance in the restaurant force? Obviously, someone's got to go. But when is enough enough? And what would make it so severe that they could never come back?
See what local restaurant owners have to say about who gets the boot.
--Laura Hahnefeld
Don't forget to check out Chow Bella's continuing list of 100 Tastemakers.
