Brix Wine Spot in Cave Creek Closed; Brix Wine & Bistro Opening Soon

For those putting away their cowboy boots upon hearing the news that Brix, the Western-themed wine bar in Cave Creek, had shuttered on Sunday, take heart. The cork-poppin’ ain’t over yet. See also: – CLOSED: J. Alexander’s in Scottsdale – CLOSED: The Breakfast Joynt in North Scottsdale After five years…

New Conveyor Belt Sushi Spot Opens in Gilbert

Since Chandler’s Sushi Eye in Motion closed last fall, all’s been quiet on the kaiten-zushi, or conveyor belt sushi, front — at least until now. See also: – Postino Owners to Open Joyride Taco House in Gilbert in June – Hot Dogs & Pie: Mamma Toledo’s to Open Space Inside…

CLOSED: J. Alexander’s in Scottsdale

J. Alexander’s, the Tennessee-based chain of straightforward American fare in thirteen twelve states, has shuttered its Scottsdale location. See also: – CLOSED: The Breakfast Joynt in North Scottsdale – CLOSED: Every Baja Fresh in the Valley Opened in the fall of 2008, J. Alexander’s, located at 6186 North Scottsdale Road…

5 Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? We’ve got you covered. Check out what’s on our plate. See also: – Your Cheat Sheet to This Sunday’s Check, Please! Arizona Festival at CityScape – 8 Great Guacamoles in Metro Phoenix 29th Annual My Nana’s Best Tasting Salsa Challenge…

3 Ways to Cook Eggplant

If you asked 20-year-old me to predict how many ways middle-aged me would make eggplant, the answer would have been a big fat zero. Even though I was a kid who ordered the most offbeat thing on a menu, I drew the line when it came to eggplant. Someplace along…

Slice of the City: Downtown Pizza Lounge vs. Brooklyn NYC Pizza

No downtown is complete without a pizza rivalry. Downtown Phoenix may be lacking some things but this it has — and it’s a juicy beef because Downtown Pizza Lounge and Brooklyn NYC Pizza are located within a stone’s throw of one another. Who will win the taste test? See Also:…

DIY Almond Coffee Green Smoothie

I had to do a double take when I came across this recipe. I make green smoothies nearly every single day, and I like my coffee, too. Never had it occurred to me to combine them. It seems too good to be true, like it’s going to end up a…

Making the French Connection at Amuse Bouche in Surprise

Do you enjoy a bit of culinary torment now and then? See also: – The Best of the Cheese and Wine Worlds Converge at Ahwatukee’s Wedge & Bottle – Taquitos Jalisco: Easy Familiarity and Robust Flavor in Mesa If so, you should pay a visit some evening to Amuse Bouche…

20 Things No One Told You About Being a Chef in Phoenix

Welcome to Chow Bella’s Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you’d like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. Most of us are familiar with the less-glorious aspects of being a chef: the long…

Crepe Bar vs. La Grande Orange: Granola Showdown

Two restaurants known for their fresh and interesting take on breakfast — it only makes sense to put them up against each other. And, no, this is no battle of the crepes. That would be too easy. This is a battle of granola. A surprisingly versatile dish, granola is an…

5 Recipes for DIY Agua Frescas

Pick your favorite fruit or color and chances are there is a refreshing agua fresca to match. Pink, yellow, orange, red, white — a rainbow of glass jugs filled with sweet, icy, thirst-quenching beverages. And they are easy to make. See Also: -Scientists Show That A Single Sip of Beer…

CLOSED: The Breakfast Joynt in North Scottsdale

Today, fans of The Breakfast Joynt in North Scottsdale will be waking up to some sad news: The restaurant shuttered on Sunday. See also: – CLOSED: Mike’s Kitchen & BBQ Food Truck – CLOSED: Every Baja Fresh in the Valley The locally owned breakfast and lunch spot at 14891 North…

FnB’s Charleen Badman to Host Chinese Pop Up + Beer Pairing

Remember the giant shitstorm early last summer, when Pavle Milic of FnB innocently asked his Facebook buds which restaurant he should take his mom to for great fried rice? You’d have thought Western Civilization depended on the answer, as people stridently defended their positions on New York-style Chinese, local fried…