Alegría: The Happiest of Snacks

The beauty and taste of food may be half in how you describe it and what you name it. In that case, the simple Mexican snack called alegría (happiness or joy), may be one of the most beautiful foods available. Learn how to make your own happiness…

Arizona Aloha Festival 2014: Shaved Ice and Spam Musubi

This weekend Tempe Beach Park is filled with food, music, dancing and jewelry celebrating the cultures of the Pacific Islands at the Arizona Aloha Festival. Marking its 20th anniversary, there was no shortage of good food, refreshing sweets and long lines at the event Saturday. It continues today, Sunday, March…

5 Things to Order at Tortas Paquime That Aren’t Tortas

The place to get your torta fix undoubtedly is Tortas Paquime — near 24th Street and McDowell. The restaurant’s inexpensive Mexican sandwiches fill every need when hunger strikes. But did you know that there are other gems on the menu besides tortas? Just when you thought this place couldn’t get…

5 Best Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Arizona Aloha Festival Saturday, March 8 This weekend, the 20th annual Arizona Aloha Festival will go down at Tempe Town Lake, bringing Hawaiian and Polynesian culture to the Valley. In addition to live performances and tons of vendors (you know you want one of those dashboard hula girls), you’ll be…

Here Are the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame 2014 Nominees

This spring, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival and the Scottsdale League for the Arts will honor outstanding members of the food and beverage community with induction into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame. Chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists, and other members of the culinary industry have been nominated for the awards, which are…

5 Thai Ingredients You Can Grow Yourself in Metro Phoenix

If you love Thai food but lament that pandanus leaves and pineapple can’t be grown easily in Arizona, cheer up! A recent trip to some cooking schools in Thailand brought me the revelation that in fact, there are many herbs and ingredients you can grow right in your backyard. Even…

The 40-Year-Old . . . Vegetarian?

While local food enthusiasts were battling the crowds and the rain at the Devoured food festival, I was happily devouring a flawless porterhouse steak at The Camelback Inn’s BLT Steak. When it comes to high-end steakhouses, I’ve always been loyal to Mastro’s, but I’m quite certain BLT Steak is as…

Adam Brown of Noca in Phoenix: “This Has Always Been Home”

This is part two of our interview with Adam Brown, the executive chef of Noca in Phoenix. Brown’s been in charge of things since the restaurant resumed dinner services last month, after a months-long hiatus that began when the previous chef stepped down. On Tuesday, we heard from Brown and…

IKEA’s Chocolate Toffee Spread Is Like Nutella, Only Better

The Guilty Pleasure: Chokladkrokant Bredbar Where To Get It: IKEA, Warner Road and I-10 Price: About three bucks a jar What it Really Costs: You can’t resist picking up a lamp and and end table while you’re there, can you? One of the best-kept secrets at IKEA, that titan of…

Vovomeena vs. Snooze: Eggs Benedict Battle

The world is divided into two groups of people: Those who don’t particularly care for eggs Benedict and those who are obsessed with the dish. This edition of Battle of the Dishes is for the latter. Count us among the obsessed, which is why we were thrilled with our latest…