Since Lara Mulchay’s shop, Petite Fromage, “went on hiatus” in 2010, Valley cheese lovers have not so patiently waited for her return. She’s back, with a little help from a giant hotel corporation and a new concept called Craft+Culture…
Last year we lost several local dining institutions including Karsh’s Bakery, Monti’s, Havana Cafe, and Mary Coyle’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlour. We know we’ll probably never see some of those bygone restaurants again, but there’s at least hope for one of the sweetest shuttered spots. Mike Stoffey, who owned…
Sixteen talented competitors from around the Southwest gathered at Bitter & Twisted in downtown Phoenix last night for the Iron Chef-style bartending competition Last Slinger Standing. And though Phoenix bartender Tim LaFavre of Bitter & Twisted made it to the final round of the competition, it’s Denver bartender Brittany Wangsness…
Joey Bruneau Executive Chef Nabers 825 N. 54th Street, Chandler www.nabersaz.com He’s been working in the kitchen for more than 15 years, but chef Joey Bruneau once considered pursuing a career in art. He even received a full scholarship to attend the Art Institute of Phoenix, where he would have…
It’s been quite a while since Peter Kasperski, owner of Cowboy Ciao and Kazimierz World Wine Bar, announced plans to turn the former FnB restaurant space into Counter Intuitive. The original idea was for the space to be a quick-service restaurant by day, bar at night, and an extension of…
Got a post-season hankering for hot wings? We’ve got you covered. Today we’re hosting a cock fight, putting JT’s in Arcadia up against Long Wong’s on West Indian School to see which lights our fire. In this corner: JT’s Bar & Grill The setting: JT’s is the quintessential small bar…
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, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that…
First there was The Whining Pig, a less than 500-square-foot beer and wine bar located on the northeast corner of Bethany Home Road and 16th Street in Phoenix. Then came The Pig’s Meow, a second, larger spot located in Arcadia that opened last fall. Now Greg Malkin, the former bankruptcy…
Scottsdale-based Pomo Restaurant Group recently announced plans to open a fourth location of Pomo Pizzeria in Glendale. The restaurant already has two locations in Scottsdale and Phoenix, as well as a third location that’s currently under construction in Gilbert. The newest Pomo Pizzeria will take over the space formerly occupied…
It’s always a good time for a hot dog. Especially if it’s wrapped in bacon, topped with freshly grilled onions and more. Some call them Sonoran dogs, some call them street hot dogs. Either way, we love it when we happen upon a hot dog stand and it turns out…
Strong Beer Festival Saturday, February 14 This weekend kicks off Arizona Beer Week and on Saturday the festival’s marquee event, the Strong Beer Festival, will take over Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix. The event brings together dozens of craft breweries that will pour hundreds of different types of beers…
Every spring, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival and the Scottsdale League for the Arts honor some of the Valley’s top chefs, restaurateurs, and mixologists with induction into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame. Last year’s winners included well-known names such as Chef of the Year Aaron Chamberlin of St. Francis, Beverage…
The Guilty Pleasure: Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Core ice cream Where to Get It: In theory, your favorite grocery. In practice, I’ve only seen it at Walmart. Price: About $4, same as all the other Ben & Jerry’s flavors wherever you buy them. What it Really Costs: Three times the…
Just in time for Mardi Gras, the southeast Valley will be getting a new destination for Southern eats such as crawfish, etouffee, and gumbo. On Saturday, February 14 a new restaurant called Creole Cajun Bistro, located at 5070 S. Gilbert Road in Chandler, will open its doors to the public…
Fans of House of Tricks in Tempe may notice a few changes to the restaurant’s lengthy lunch menu. Earlier this year the restaurant removed a few items from the lunch selection and replaced them with new dishes. The changes include taking away the restaurant’s popular PB&J sandwich, which was made…
Sometimes a room is just a room. Other times, it’s a warning that you’re about to pay $20 for a pretty good hamburger. Located on the Phoenician resort’s golf course, Relish Burger Bistro’s ambiance screams “hotel restaurant!” Facing a window is recommended: The nice views of the golf course are…
Alexis Schulze knows a thing or two about how to trick people into eating their veggies. The Arizona native owns Nekter Juice, a California and metro Phoenix based chain that specializes in making healthy food taste like a treat. She’s also a mother of two boys and was a teacher…
For the last year Bink’s Midtown, which opened in March 2013, and Bink’s Scottsdale, which opened in December 2013, have earned reputations as great places for seasonal American cuisine. But neither restaurant has really established itself as a destination for cocktail enthusiasts — at least, not until now. Mixologist Richie…
Cory Oppold Executive Chef Juan Zamora Sous Chef Atlas Bistro 2515 N. Scottsdale Road www.atlasbistrobyob.com Since opening in 2002, Atlas Bistro has established itself as a must-go destination for adventurous diners. Thanks to the ever-changing menus of contemporary cuisine, food enthusiasts know they can count on a seasonally influenced fare…
With its delicate flavor, yet meaty texture, ahi tuna is a contradiction. Though this ingredient is a restaurant staple, it is at its absolute best when left barely touched by its preparer. The introduction of bolder ingredients to the modest fish can overwhelm it. Instead, ahi tuna effortlessly holds its…
Late last month we told you about local filmmaker Travis Mills and his plan to make a feature film about legendary Valley restaurant owner, Jack Durant. Mills just needed $100,00 to make the movie, called Durant’s Never Closes, which he hoped to raise on Kickstarter. Arguably there’s good reason to…
Looking back at the best bites of last month makes me confident in saying that 2015 should be quite a delicious year. Two of my most memorable dishes from January come from collaborations between local chefs, and I have a feeling that the trend of kitchen collaborations isn’t going anywhere…
