11: Amaebi at Shimogamo

Hungry yet?We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular orderLeave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make…

12: Rustica Pizza at Cibo

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series…

13: Garlic Dip at Pita Jungle

​ Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion…

Different Pointe of View: Good Stuff for Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week was a good excuse to multitask: Catch up with a good friend and enjoy a delicious dinner, too. Last night, we checked out Different Pointe of View after my pal saw my blog roundup of where-to-go ideas earlier this week. What I liked about the Restaurant Week menu…

14: Tableside S’Mores at Frank & Albert’s

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series…

15: Delux Burger at Delux

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series…

Dig In! With Slow Food, This Saturday

What a great idea: Foodies volunteering for a good cause. Get a little dirt under your fingernails, enjoy good company, and you’ll even get fed.This Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon, the local Slow Food convivium will join others around the country for a “Dig In!,” where they’ll “break ground…

16: Tagliatelle at The Parlor

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series…

17: Banana Cream Pie at Cork

​ Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion…

Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza Cooks For Political Fundraiser

“I always watched politics like sports,” says Barrio Cafe chef-owner Silvana Salcido Esparza. “But SB 1070 was the straw that broke the camel’s back.” Nowadays, the acclaimed culinary talent — who was a semifinalist for a James Beard Award this year — is getting more politically involved, speaking out against…

18: Morning Glory Benedict at Morning Glory Cafe

​ Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion…

Crave Culinary Festival Changes Dates to 2011

Almost nonchalantly, the message went out on Twitter yesterday afternoon: “Crave AZ announced today that it is moving its scheduled lineup of events from late October to the weekend of January 28-30, 2011.” But that’s huge news, actually. A high-profile culinary event at SouthBridge in Scottsdale is pushing out its…

19: AZ Sweet Shrimp Po’Boy Sliders at District American Kitchen

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series…

20: Oaxaca Special at Carolina’s

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series…

New in Cave Creek: Amaro Pizzeria & Vino Lounge

That’s the concept from two hospitality pros –alumni from Kazimierz World Wine Bar and Estate House — who are making their mark on the dining scene in the North Valley with the opening of their new restaurant, Amaro Pizzeria & Vino Lounge. Owners Frank Vairo and Tagan Dering launched the…

21: Chicken Tikka Masala at Guru Palace

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series…

It’s Restaurant Week. Do You Know Where You’re Eating?

The third Arizona Restaurant Week is underway as we speak, with a huge variety of participants enticing newbies and regulars alike with three-course meals at a special price of either $29 or $39. The price depends on the place — a spot like Roaring Fork will set you back $29, while…

Drinking Wine at Lunch is Not a Crime

Dear Postino, I dig your new bumper stickers! Thank you for sending me a big envelope with a stack of them — I’m hoarding a few for myself, and giving the rest to my favorite people. Last night I had some bruschetta and wine with a friend at Postino Central,…

This Weekend: Pillsbury Wine Tasting Room Grand Opening

Looking for a weekend road trip idea? I suggest a jaunt up to Cottonwood, where winemaker Sam Pillsbury is hosting a grand opening party for his new wine tasting room and gallery. Once you make it there, you’ll be ready for a good glass of wine. On Saturday and Sunday,…

Ask the Critic: Which is Worse . . .

A few days ago, I was sitting in a restaurant with my editor, trying to talk about work and Best of Phoenix and life in general, and the setting seemed perfect: a nearly empty restaurant with enough peace and quiet to hear ourselves think. Except that the staff was overzealous,…

22: Hirame Carpaccio at Nobuo at Teeter House

Hungry yet?We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular orderLeave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make…