Like many local food fanatics, I’ve had mixed feelings about Yelp. And I still do. Some of the most venomous restaurant reviews, posted by users with no prior history on the site, come across as blatant trash-talking by competitors, while some of the blow-jobbish raves also seem like thinly veiled posts by a…

Weird! ​You know I’m obsessed with neat old houses, so imagine how my jaw dropped when Sutra Midtown owner Matt Fritz told me that as he was expanding into the other side of the old factory building that houses his yoga studio — and will soon house a juice bar — he…

Earlier this week, LON’s at the Hermosa announced that acclaimed executive chef Michael Rusconi is leaving the fine dining restaurant at the Hermosa Inn. Where is Rusconi headed? Will the restaurant continue with Rusconi’s emphasis on seasonal cuisine that emphasizes sustainable ingredients? Will the next chef at LON’s be recruited from elsewhere or from…

In their weekly wine newsletter, Roger Carpenter and Phil Roberts announced that they’re leaving their current Chandler digs in December and moving their Aussie-themed restaurant, DownUnder Wines & Bistro, to an expanded space in Gilbert (1422 W. Warner, northeast corner at McQueen)…

The Valley’s got steakhouses galore and burger joints in every direction, but if you’re looking for vegetarian food — whether you don’t eat meat or you just like to mix things up — it can be an exhaustive search. So how is it that Chandler has two very tasty, completely…

Local newcomer St. Francis just got some sweet national coverage in Food + Wine’s blog. It’s always great for the local restaurant scene when a Valley restaurant gets these kinds of props, and I’m definitely happy to see chef Aaron Chamberlin get the attention for his labor of love. But I’m still…

After the extended Halloween weekend hangover — chock full of too many S’Mores, wine, asskickingly strong microbrews, nachos, and various fried things — something light sounded appealing. I’m so lacking in vitamins these days. So I immediately thought of Sapna Cafe…

There’s no doubt that Joe’s Farm Grill is already a southeast Valley destination. Owner Joe Johnston converted his old family farmhouse into a Jetson-worthy burger joint, and the relaxing setting is a welcome reprieve from the city. But a free hamburger? That’s even more reason to visit. Head out today,…

Don’t be surprised if you see a familiar, affable face and shiny chrome dome at a local restaurant sometime in the near future. Travel Channel star Andrew Zimmern was scheduled to land in Arizona with his crew this week, filming a new episode of Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World. He’ll be…

Go Jan and Helen! The ladies of Sweet Republic — North Scottsdale’s charming artisanal ice cream shop, which we awarded “Best Ice Cream” in this year’s Best of Phoenix issue — have gotten their product into Whole Foods in Scottsdale. Over the next week, they’ll be stocking the rest of…

Are you sensing a pattern here? As in, my obsession with sweet, edible, funny things? Oh yes, it’s bad. Don’t believe me? I’m writing this as I sit next to a melted LP vinyl dish full of chocolate-filled Hello Kitty marshmallows. But that’s not what I wanted to tell you about. My latest…

Caffe Boa owner Jay Wisniewski told me that new chef Payton Curry would eventually be changing up the menu at the upscale, wine-centric Tempe restaurant. I guess in Curry’s world, “eventually” happens fast. Fresh from his departure from the now-shuttered Digestif, he’s already launched a brand-new menu of dishes inspired…

Flight attendants-turned-restaurateurs Robert McCarville, Tom Vigil, and Randy Betnar sold Coronado Cafe two weeks ago, and the new owners of the charming eatery, tucked into an historic 1915 bungalow on 7th Street, have a few changes in store. Co-owner Diane Stackwick has lived in Arizona for a decade, but she…

You probably saw my post about Lisa G closing over the weekend — where I mentioned new owner Matt Diamond — but now that I’ve had a chance to chat with Diamond, I have more details for you. So he’s got a serious wine background. He’s traveled to various wine…

It’s not very often that cupcakes make me laugh, but I saw these little dudes in the case at Tammie Coe on Halloween morning, and couldn’t resist getting one to go with my latte. They’re probably all gone by now, because Thanksgiving’s the next big holiday to pimp. And I’m…

It’s Saturday morning. I really haven’t had enough coffee yet. But there’s nothing like big news to wake me up, and today’s word is a shocker. Lisa G Cafe & Wine Bar is closing. Tonight — Halloween — is the last night of service.Owner Lisa Giungo tells me, “It actually came…

Good morrrrrrning, sunshine! What an eye-opener at Conspire this morning — a large latte with four shots of espresso to get my brain cranked up, plus some sweets to share. Vegan doughnuts are a Conspire staple that I can’t resist, while the pumpkin-chocolate chip cupcake with cream cheese icing was…

Ooh, here’s some exciting news — there will soon be a superstar in our midst. The term “celebrity chef” gets thrown around a lot these days, but there’s no question that Thomas Keller truly is one. Whether you think The French Laundry in Yountville, CA, is the best restaurant in…

I promised not to name him yet, because he hasn’t given notice with his current employer. But if I could tell you who’s opening a stylish new downtown Mexican restaurant called Verde this coming month, I would most certainly put this chef’s name in bold letters. That’s what I did…

Seasonal. Local. Organic. Those three words always seem to go together, and you hear them more and more. They’re the unofficial mantra of the Slow Food Movement, which was founded 20 years ago when delegates from 15 countries signed a manifesto against fast food, fast life, and the erosion of…

Effin’ A, they’re calling it FnB. Restaurateur Peter Kasperski has teamed up former Digestif GM Pavle Milic — who just gave notice at Prado — and chef Charleen Badman of Rancho Pinot to open another gastropub in the Stetson Drive space that was the longtime home of Sea Saw, and…