Those of us of a certain age remember fondly Sportsman’s Fine Wines, a longtime landmark on the southeast corner of Camelback Road and 32nd Street and one of very few decent wine shops in town. And some of us who love a good Caesar salad and a nice escargot have…
Don’t be surprised if you see it popping up on local menus: Bee Pollen is this season’s trending superfood. Here’s what you need to know about it…
As much as we wished that the rumors surrounding the closure of Gallo Blanco at The Clarendon Hotel were part of a cruel joke, owners Doug and Denise Robson announced on Facebook on Saturday that the restaurant will, in fact, close at the end of the month. The post on…
I write a lot about coffee, but I feel like I’ve done Chow Bella readers a disservice. My tendency has been to focus on the terroir of coffee, on who produced it, on how it got to the cup in front of me. But how often have I asked (or…
Things have been rough for the folks behind the Bill Johnson’s Big Apple family of restaurants for quite some time. On November 12 the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but that didn’t stop the restaurant’s locations in Mesa and North Phoenix from shuttering last year. That left only one restaurant…
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…
Hey there, Phoenix! We’re rolling out the grassy green carpet in honor of the biggest event to hit town since – well, since the last Super Bowl rolled through. The 49th annual celebration of all things professional football promises to be the grandest yet, and Phoenix New Times has it…
First, there was the man. Then there was a book, and a play, and now a film about Jack Durant, founder of Phoenix’s best-known steak house and, well before anyone thought to write about him, the subject of lots of really amusing rumors. But is the truth about Durant, a…
Whether you’re trying to show your out-of-town guest how totally bad ass downtown Phoenix can be or just hoping to get to know the area yourself, we’re pretty such you’re going to want to know about The DTPHX City Sampler. Starting on Friday, January 23 and running through Sunday, February…
Maine Lobster Lady Friday, January 23 Every summer we watch her go and wait impatiently for her return. We spend the hottest month of the year yearning for a the taste of fresh lobster in a buttery, toasted roll. Yeah, that’s right, we’re talking about the Maine Lobster Lady, who…
Westgate Entertainment District — the sprawling retail, dining, and entertainment destination in Glendale — will welcome four new restaurants to the scene this week. That means four new places for Valley locals to love and four places to accommodate the deluge of visitors who will descend on the area over…
The Guilty Pleasure: Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches Where to Get It: Pho 43, 43rd Ave and Thomas Price: $3.75 What it Really Costs: Somehow, regular macarons weren’t unhealthy enough yet. I’m a little dismayed that macaron mania seems to have come and gone. I’m not exactly surprised, though. They are…
Phoenix is about to get a lil’ taste of Chicago: next week, Two Brothers Brewing Company will open a taphouse at Scottsdale Road and Drinkwater. To welcome their beer brethren into town, Cartel Coffee Lab’s Scottsdale location will be hosting a “tap takeover” today, January 21st at 6 pm…
Chow Bella has immediate openings on our freelance staff for writers — including those looking to focus on cocktails, wine, or dessert. We are looking to pass the baton on columns including Dessert First, Hooch, and Vine Geeks…
Few are surprised that, in less than half a year, Vivo! Ristorante has established itself as one of the more refined dining spots in town. Its pedigree helps: Vivo! is the latest offering from Phoenix restaurateur Tomaso Maggiore, creator of Tomaso’s and a long list of other local restaurants. After…
Editor’s Note: this post has been updated to reflect a new committee meeting date. Four Peaks Brewing Co. and its owner, Andy Ingram, have a problem: The brewery is successful. It’s not an uncommon issue among the country’s top producers of craft beer, though a trivial one in states like…
So, you’re thinking about juicing. Maybe you’re still clinging to that New Year’s Resolution; maybe you’re just looking to rid your body of last night’s tequila. Whatever your motivation might be, Phoenix is #blessed with tons of local cold-pressed juice options. If you’re not yet ready to splurge on a…
There are two kinds of people in this world — those who eat the crust, and those who don’t. We’re not just talking about sandwich and pizza crust. In this case the crust in question is that of the traditional Chinese clay pot rice dish. In a cuisine full of…
Natalie Morris Professor Sustainable Food Systems program at Mesa Community College nataliermorris.com To those in the local food community, particularly those with an interest in sustainable food, the name Natalie Morris should be a familiar one. The trained chef turned entrepreneur created Good Food Finder, an online directory that identifies…
Now that 2014 has officially come and gone (and now that I’ve caught my breath from the holiday season), I’m ready to look back on the collection of new restaurants that joined our local scene in the last year. I ate all over the Valley in 2014, trying new restaurants…
Since the fall of 2012, Bertie’s Vintage has been serving kick-ass milkshakes and retro candy to the Arcadia neighborhood — all while also offering a side dose of awesome vintage shopping. Part soda fountain, part candy shop, and part vintage store, Bertie’s became a catch-all destination for diners and shoppers…
Barrio Urbano Dinner Friday, January 16 As of this week Barrio Urbano, located at The Yard in Phoenix, is open for dinner and serving a concise menu of appetizers and entrees. The selection includes dishes such as Toritos de Jaiba made with lump crab and goat and Oaxaca cheeses ($12);…
