Vincent Guerithault on Wolfgang Puck and Kevin Binkley

This is part two of my interview with Vincent Guerithault, chef-owner of Vincent on Camelback and Vincent’s Market Bistro. If you missed part one, where Guerithault talks about being an apprentice, famous people he’s cooked for and where he buys his macarons, read it here. Disclosure: I dated Vincent in…

10 Cool Things at the 2013 Phoenix Gluten-Free Expo

Okay. The expo was crowded, the lines were long, and people always seem to lose their sense of dignity when there are free samples of anything. But there was a lot to be happy about at the 2013 Phoenix Gluten-Free Expo held over the weekend at the DoubleTree Resort in…

3 Tips for Avoiding Beer Tragedies of the Mexican Variety

Not every day in Minervaland is filled with sweet young coconuts stuffed with tender seafood, juicy marinated papaya, and frosty cold cans of Tecate just itching to pop open and receive a finishing touch of salt and a lime squeeze. Tecate, that refreshing, totally drinkable, and, yes, unremarkable Mexican lager,…

Vincent Guerithault on Who He’s Cooked For and Where He Gets His Macarons

Vincent Guerithault Vincent on Camelback, Vincent’s Market Bistro 3930 East Camelback Road 602-224-0225, www.vincentsoncamelback.com See also: — Taste Maker #53: Vincent Guerithault — James Beard Award-Winning Celebrity Chef Teams Up with Phoenix’s Justin Beckett for Special Dinner (Spoiler Alert: Reality TV) This is part one of my interview with Vincent…

Mr. Pizza Opens in Mesa (and It Delivers)

What’s wrong with another pizza place in the Valley? Not a damn thing. And the newest entry comes with an English honorific and a Mesa address. See also: – Downtown’s Cibo Now Making Its Awesome Pizzas Available Pretty Much Anytime – Lamp Wood Oven Pizzeria Shines in North Scottsdale Mr…

10 Favorite Bakeries In Metro Phoenix

If you’re one of those people who bakes a pie to cheer up a friend, makes your specialty carrot/red velvet/whatever cake for everyone’s birthday, and routinely pulls together all manner of adorable goodies for your children’s school programs and bake sales . . . well, bully for you (and the…

CLOSED: Every Baja Fresh in the Valley After Today

Finish off that Burrito Ultimo® and take one long, last look at that salsa bar, folks. Baja Fresh is closing up shop in the Valley. See also: – CLOSED: Poblano in Central Phoenix – CLOSED: Cafe Posada in Gilbert Today is the last day of operation for all five Valley…

Five 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: – Astor House in Phoenix to Host “Mega-Authentic N’awlins Crawfish Boil” on Sunday, April 14 – Rough Draft’s Barrel-Aged Freudian Slip: Your Subconscious Will Love It (Free!) Feast…

Lip Chaser Delivers Mouth-to-Mouth Action at the Bar

Pucker up, Phoenix — a frisky new follow-up to the body shot is here, and it’s making its way to a liquor store near you. Lip Chaser, a patent-pending “kiss chaser,” is a product from a Tempe-based business aimed at targeting the promiscuous party scene with a line of candy…

The Secret to Perfect French Toast

See Also: AndyTalk: Four Riffs on Caprese Salad AndyTalk: Not All Bananas Are Created Equal . . . Take the Plantain French toast is not just bread, eggs, and milk. French toast is technically custard, at least when done right. When done wrong, it’s soggy bread and scrambled eggs or,…

Satisfying Street Eats and More at Taquitos Jalisco in Mesa

Looking for your next favorite spot of quick-service Mexican food in Mesa? Taquitos Jalisco might just be a place to pull over. See also: – A Formidable Cuban Sandwich and More on Phoenix’s West Side – Lamp’s Wood-Fired Pizzas Shine in North Scottsdale The small eatery has been quietly serving…

Caramelpalooza 2013: Judge’s Recap

The fourth annual Caramelpalooza is now but a memory. It was a grand time, with more sticky sweets on display than you can imagine. My time at the event was different from most, as I was invited to judge the competition. As the contestants were arriving and setting up their…

Taquitos Jalisco: Easy Familiarity and Robust Flavor in Mesa

If you’ve lived in the Valley long enough, you know your next great Mexican meal could come from just about anywhere. From numerous stands and food trucks dotting the city’s streets to hot-food counters inside supermercados to the countless fast-casual joints and restaurants in neighborhoods everywhere, the journey of finding…

Soup and Salad Skirmish: St. Francis vs. Carly’s

On the quest for a light and healthy lunch, there are many hurdles to overcome — the convenience of fast food, the breakroom doughnut box, and even the fatty richness of artisanal local joints. One of our go-to lunches is the soup and salad combo, which gives the energy you…

Is it Proper Etiquette to Call a Chef “Chef”?

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. Many of us enjoy the fruits of a chef’s labor, but when it comes to…