Local First Arizona’s current Buy Local Week promo got us thinking more about keeping our hard-earned dollars and cents in the local economy. Farmers markets are great, but they don’t stock all the sundries most folks need — so that means at least two grocery shopping trips every week. Ugh. That’s where CSAs come in handy. If…
A couple of weeks ago, we happened upon an unusual find at our local Sunflower Market on Southern and McClintock Rd. in Tempe. Plopped in their bulk section, right where we discovered the most amazing chocolate-covered dried cherries on a previous excursion, is a Sweet’s salt water taffy island…
A few weeks ago, we reported on the upcoming opening of former Digestif GM Pavle Milic’s new restaurant, FnB, in Sea Saw’s old spot at 7133 E. Stetson Dr. in Scottsdale. The moment Milic was waiting for has now arrived. FnB (which stands for Food & Beverage, a hat-tip to…
Cannibals, cops, bird flu: All three of these things have grabbed headlines before, but probably not simultaneously. That’s where comic book creator John Layman comes in. His runaway hit series Chew follows the adventures of Tony Chu, a detective turned FDA agent who lives in a world where chicken meat…
Black Friday sales are underway. Folks are waking up from their food comas. And relatives have literally left the building, inevitably sticking you with tons of leftover food. You could be lazy and just resign yourself (and your family) to dry turkey sandwiches, or a straightforward revisitation of last night’s dinner. But if you’re not in…
Today is the infamous Black Friday, and even if you’re not braving the Wal-Mart madness or the bumper cars of a mall parking lot today, you’ve likely got shopping on the brain. What auspicious timing for Local First Arizona to introduce Buy Local Week, where you can scap up restaurant gift certificates,…
If you thought Sarah Palin’s new memoir was only good for kindling or toilet paper, think again. A first edition of Darwin’s The Origin of the Species netted 35,000 pounds at auction. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles No. 1 is worth more than four grand. So when everyone else inevitably tosses…
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a name can be worth a million bucks. Would anyone notice a singer named Brian Warner or Stefani Germanotta? Hell, no. But change their names to Marilyn Manson and Lady Gaga and you’ve got a couple of moneymakers. Local cartoonist Dave…
Enough with the chocolate lava cakes, already! Here’s a tip: When Dominos rolls out a dessert, it’s time to take it off your Michelin-starred restaurant’s menu. While we’re suckers for anything sweet, we much prefer the delicate flavor of flan, the creamy custard that was making its way onto colorful ceramic dessert plates long before…
Executive Chef Beau MacMillan of elements at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain is somewhat of a local legend. He’s been on NBC’s The Today Show three times. He cooked at The James Beard House. He even beat Chef Bobby Flay with his delicious Kobe beef dishes on a 2006 episode of Iron Chef. …
From now ’til Thanksgiving, we’ll be sharing various stuffing recipes — all tested and taste-tested first-hand by Chow Bella contributors. On Thanksgiving Day, our “celebrity judge,” New Times food critic Michele Laudig, will weigh in with her favorite of the lot. So far, we’ve seen recipes for Vegan Stuffing and Hot…
Here’s a free association quiz for you. We say the word “holiday” and you say what pops into mind. Plump, juicy turkey? Gifts? Candy canes and stockings? Family? How about liquor? Well, we suppose that depends on just how stressful your family’s holiday gatherings can get. Three Olives Vodka is offering two funky flavors for…
Last night, hundreds of teenage girls, moms with wistful romantic longings and a handful of dudes (most of whom were clearly dragged there by little sisters or girlfriends) gathered in Surprise for the Twifans.com and CullenBoysAnonymous “New Moon Rising Over Arizona” party and midnight premiere of the next film in the Twilight…
Ok, the title may be a little deceiving. We here at New Times will not be cooking your Thanksgiving feast for you. (Trust us, that’s a good thing.) We are, however, ready to point you in the direction of some traditional — and not so traditional — Thanksgiving sit-down meals around town. Reservations are generally…
Saddle Ranch Chop House vs. Bison Witches Deli Now that fall has arrived (yes we know it’s still 65-70 degrees, but that’s sweater weather to most Phoenicians), there’s nothing that satisfies our bellies like a nice steaming bowl of chili. This week, we hit up two local restaurants to see whether their meat-filled versions warmed…
Food Network star Guy Fieri is taking his show — and his rock and roll attitude — on the road with The Guy Fieri Road Show, a 21-city tour that combines Guy’s love of music and his passion for food. The tour will hit the Mesa Arts Center on Friday, December 18, with tickets…
It’s understandable why some galleries prefer hosting solo exhibits. With group shows, the gallery has to solicit, select, and arrange for works to be delivered. It’s difficult dealing with one artist on deadline, much less 10 or 20. And the curator (or juror) has to somehow make works of varying…
If PETA really wants to stop cruelty to animals, the organization should go after dog owners who shove their poor pooches in purses or dress them in humiliating outfits. Pink sweaters? Bumblebee Halloween costumes? It’s the canine equivalent of sending your kid to school in suspenders and ankle waders. According…
When it comes to art, nature can be an awesome subject – or a totally boring one. We’ve seen a zillion photos of the Grand Canyon. Thomas Kinkade’s landscapes are now relegated to coffee mugs and T-shirts. And you can only look at so many of Bob Ross’ happy little…
Just because something is inexpensive doesn’t mean it’s crap. Toy trucks that cost 50 cents in the 1920s now sell for thousands. McDonald’s coffee stomped pricey Starbucks in taste tests. And Valley photographer Neal Winter uses cheap-ass plastic cameras – Holgas – to take gallery-worthy pictures. “There isn’t much attention…
Suburban life is a yawn. Moms taxi their kids to ballet class; people plant flowers or walk dogs. Then again, if movies and TV are any indication, you might want to break out the binoculars, because your neighbor’s likely a serial killer or a bored housewife bedding the handyman. Photography…
All manner of fantastical creatures, from fairies and elves to green men and mermaids turned out for the annual Phoenix Faerie Festival this past Saturday at Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Goodyear. It wasn’t nearly as crowded as some of the Valley’s other dress-up fantasy events, but those who were there seemed to enjoy the festivities.
