February might be the month that Cibo, the so-cute wine cafe and pizzeria in downtown Phoenix, unveils its expanded dining room, but until then, its tasty new breakfast can be enjoyed throughout the rest of its bungalow home. Available on weekends only, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and courtesy…

On the heels of the news that Scottsdale-based P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. agreed to acquire a 51 percent majority interest in Arizona-based Fox Restaurant Concepts’ True Food Kitchen, the tentacles of another Fox property, Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar, are about to reach into every state east of the…

Since it started its advertising campaign last fall to crown the chimichanga as the state food of Arizona, Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen, the Phoenix-based, family-owned chain with locations in Arizona and Las Vegas, is continuing its push to make the deep-fried creation official. The Republic reports that Macayo’s, along with the…

After over a month’s worth of submissions, Ignite Food, founder Jeff Moriarty’s spinoff idea of Ignite Phoenix, has announced its lineup of presenters — each of whom will have five minutes to speak on a food- or drink-related topic. Headed up by customer relationship management consultant and foodie Chris Lee,…

Now here’s a peculiar pair. Yesterday, Nation’s Restaurant News reported that P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc., the Scottsdale-based company responsible for serving up mediocre Chinese fare at over 200 of its casual-dining locations and nearly 175 of its Pei Wei Asian Diners, has agreed to acquire a 51-percent majority interest…

Who doesn’t love walking the aisles of a Lee Lee International Supermarket? With locations in Peoria, Chandler, and Tucson, it’s the “Small World After All” of grocery stores, with scads of everything Asian — from jackfruit, Korean daikon, and six different kinds of choy — to Caribbean, African, Colombian, and…

When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions. Share a few photos, some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that have just opened,…

On the heels of the news that Portillo’s is bringing its Chicago hot dogs, Italian Beef, and drool-worthy cake shakes to the Valley (woo-hoo!), another Windy City favorite has announced its foray into Arizona, as well. Known as the pioneer of the neighborhood trattoria and a Chicago institution for 20…

When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions. Share a few photos, some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that have just opened,…

Tom’s Tavern & 1929 Grill in downtown Phoenix has seen almost as much history as the state of Arizona has. Originally the city morgue on Adams Street until namesake Tom Higley opened the business in 1929, the landmark tavern had been around for more than 80 years in various manifestations…

The thing to know about Tom’s Tavern & 1929 Grill is that after being on the brink of closing in 2010, it was rescued not by one of its primary clientele of local politicians and government movers and shakers, but by a far less likely source. Football. Arizona Cardinals football…

Love can be found in some strange places. At least, as my parents told me, that’s how I got my sister. TV love, however, at least in the form of The Bachelor, ABC’s reality series about a dude on a journey to find “true love,” happens in more sentimental spots…

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 laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. Miss a question? Go here. In the wacky world of restaurants it seems only fitting…

When I read Sunday’s Los Angeles Times article on L.A. Dodger and Phoenix native Andre Ethier’s love of hole-in-the-wall joints and trendy spots in the Valley, I can’t say I was all that surprised. During the regular season last year, I saw the outfielder, Gold Glover, and former ASU student…

Oh, dear, the restaurant location in the strip mall at 4034 North 24th Street (24th Street and Indian School), seems to be having a bit of an identity crisis. Last November, the location, which was formerly Two Hippies Pizza and Burger Joint and shuttered for about two months, looked as…

In November, The Phoenix Cheesesteak Company, a food truck started in 2009 by owner Ron Blom and his family, made the leap from four wheels to four walls at 2605 North Seventh Street in Central Phoenix (northeast corner of Seventh Street and Virginia) in the former home of Calabria Italian…

Sure, we’re used to enjoying the food of top-notch Valley chefs, but when’s the last time we chug-a-lugged their culinary styles in beer form? The craft beer experts at Scottsdale’s Sonoran Brewing Company are setting out to change that. They’ve teamed up with four, well-known Valley chefs as part of…

Fans of Bianco DiNapoli canned tomatoes, the organically grown plum-shaped beauties in yellow containers from taste maker Chris Bianco and California cannery expert Rob DiNapoli, already know the goodness they bring to foods like marinara sauce and salsa. Now, it seems as if folks in Chicago are destined to find…

Many East Coast transplants in the Valley might argue that getting a decent bagel in Phoenix is difficult, if not impossible, to find. Then there are others who say Hot Bagels & Deli comes pretty damn close. Hot Bagels & Deli, the little breakfast and lunch spot with three locations…