This week, we’re chatting with Blaise and DJ Aki of The Sushi Room in Chandler. The father-son team has been working together since as long as 18-year-old DJ Aki was old enough to help his dad with his catering business. On Monday, we got the scoop on how this Hawaiian…
If you’ve seen Forgetting Sarah Marshall, in which Jason Segel’s character lives out his dream of creating an all-puppet Dracula musical, then you might have a pretty good idea of what a puppet satire of 50 Shades of Grey would look like. Imagine people dressed in black acting out sexy…
This fall will be the 10th anniversary of Lisa Starry’s A Vampire Tale, the cult classic that Starry and her troupe have taken to Edinburgh and back as of this summer. Over the years there have been more than a few changes to the production, as Starry’s tweaked her choreography…
Many months ago, we allowed ourselves to get just a little bit excited about the prospect of a second location of Tempe’s Essence Bakery Cafe. Back then, we reported that owners Gilles Combes, husband of Essence Bakery chef and owner Eugenia Theodosopoulos, was “cautiously optimistic” about acquiring a space in…
A new study shows that working through lunch might not be as bad for you as once thought. In fact, in certain situations it can be less exhausting, the study shows. So if noshing while working isn’t what’s bringing you down, then what is the new key to ultimate workplace…
There are a few Greek festivals in the Valley and this weekend saw the celebration of A Taste of Greece festival held at Chandler’s St. Katherine Church. The three-day event might not be the biggest Greek fest, but delivers on authenticity and spirit. See our slideshow of the event. All…
Blaise and DJ Aki Chefs The Sushi Room www.sushiroomaz.com 480-821-9000 A restaurant called The Sushi Room in Chandler probably isn’t where you’d expect to find some of the city’s most authentic Hawaiian cuisine. But thanks to the restaurant’s chef, Blaise Aki, this Japanese joint is turning out impressive versions of…
Central Phoenix residents watch out because Rancho Pinot and FnB’s Sacha Levine is invading your ‘hood for a series of pop-up dinner events this fall. Levine, who works full-time at Rancho Pinot in addition to working at FnB, is partnering with Colleen Frisbie, who works the front of the house…
All-Day Happy Hour at Cafe Bink Today Today, Cafe Bink in Carefree is celebrating the new season with all-day happy hour specials. Chef Kevin Binkley and his crew also will host a BBQ Pig Roast on the patio. The drink specials will include half-off all beer, wine, and well drinks,…
Thank Safeway for the official demise of the Cronut trend, which took all of five seconds to be replaced by the burger trend (see: ramen burger, Umami Burger), which is slowly but surely being replaced by an obsession with doughnuts. And now, we can thank Southern California’s Umami Burger for…
This Saturday, October 5 we’re hosting a blow out party to celebrate our Best of Phoenix issue. And if you don’t already have your tickets, unfortunately you’re out of luck. As of yesterday the 14th annual Best of Phoenix A’fare is officially sold out. For those who got your tickets…
When the Jade Bar at Santuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa reopens next week the bar is poised to become yet another power player in the Valley cocktail scene. In addition to a pretty extensive — ok, a complete physical make over, the new Jade Bar will offer impressive craft…
You might be able to get a passport, but you definitely won’t be audited by the IRS during the government shutdown. And, at least for now, women and children who receive federally funded nutrition assistance through the Arizona Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program will continue to be able to…
Oktoberfest celebrations continue this weekend with beer-fueled parties going down in Chandler and Phoenix. If you’re looking for something more charitable to fill your time, you may want to check out Food Fight, a culinary tasting event to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix and the Arizona…
It’s not just about which of your favorite national parks is shuttered. Should the government shutdown continue, dozens of U.S. food facilities will go uninspected. Because while the FDA will continue manning all meat- production facilities with full-time inspectors, the administration will be unable to continue the majority of its…
Phoenicians welcomed a whole bunch of new restaurants last month, including the second location of Portillo’s and couple new vegan-friendly spots. And the month also saw a few makeovers completed. You can officially check out the fresh digs at T. Cook’s at the Royal Palms Resort, or grab a cocktail…
We’re really wishing our gag reflex had an on/off switch right about now because after reading (and checking out photos) of how Derek Nance eats, our stomachs are feeling a bit queasy. Five years ago, Nance began having trouble eating. For reasons unknown to him and his doctors, he lost…
This is part two of our interview with Sacha Levine, former sous chef at FnB who now works at Rancho Pinot. She still makes time to help out her mentor Charleen Badman at the old spot and turns out her own line of pickles products, which are sold at Bodega…
Valley food aficionados might remember the annual Cooks and Corks event, though it’s been a while since the culinary fete made it into the Scottsdale Culinary Festival lineup. This year, the party’s back on, though the revised rendition means there will be a few changes. The one-night event is designed…
Stephanie Smith is in her mid-30s and lives with her boyfriend Eric. They’ve been together for two years and have traveled the country, met each other’s parents, and “hosted many a dinner party” together. And just over a year ago, he told her, “Honey, you’re 300 sandwiches away from an…
Sacha Levine Cook Rancho Pinot, FnB Restaurant ranchopinot.com, fnbrestaurant.com This is part one of our interview with Sacha Levine of both Rancho Pinot and FnB Restaurant. When she’s not serving as wingwoman for her mentors Chrysa Robertson and Charleen Badman, she’s pickling all sorts of seasonal veggies and things for…
District American Kitchen 5-Year Anniversary Today Today, District American Kitchen at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix Hotel celebrates five years in business by bringing back five of their most popular dishes and cocktails. The special birthday menu includes two appetizers, two entrees and one dessert: a BLT salad, duck quesadilla, Nimbus…
