How did we make it through Thanksgiving without alcohol-infused whipped cream?! Well, bring on Christmas — because we’ve found Whipped Lightning here in Phoenix and the liquor stores where you can get it opened this morning at 9. (And thanks to our sisters in Orange County and Houston for tipping…
Yichao Wang The artistic director of CloPet Theatr can be seen performing with Jester’Z improv this December and January What’d you eat for dinner last night? I ate at Hong Kong Gormet Buffet in Ahwatukee. Delicious though a bit pricey–but lots of yummy seafood, and great sushi as well! Favorite…
We know Phoenix Suns fans love their two free tacos from Jack in the Box when the team scores 99 points, but just in case the Suns don’t do the deed, US Airways Center has several new menu options that may win fans over. Levy Restaurants and US Airways Center’s…
Even if your oven sits cold all year, chances are you’re considering firing it up, right about now. As a holiday twist on our “What Are You Eating” feature on Chow Bella and “What Are You Wearing?” on Jackalope Ranch, for the next few weeks we’ll be bringing you “What…
We’re glad you showed up. We just weren’t expecting an audience on the old blog today. Not sure if you heard, but it’s Thanksgiving. We’re sort of on holiday as it were. Still, Chow Bella is not known for turning away an audience. For you loyal followers who took time…
The northwest corner of 16th Street and McDowell is like a Mexican mullet — La Hacienda Carniceria lunch business in the front, an outdoor fiesta in the back. The host of the party side? Rico’s Tacos. The celebration starts every day at 4 p.m., when La Hacienda closes its doors…
The dude at the Cheba Hut cash register doesn’t know me, but he grins and greets me like a friend who just showed up at his house party. “What’s up, mama?” Uh, isn’t it obvious, buddy? I have the munchies, big-time. I’m staring at the menu, dazed and confused (low…
Remember that scene in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where disgusting gum-chewing champion Violet Beauregarde gets her choppers on a piece of gum that tastes like a roast beef dinner, complete with tomato soup and blueberry pie? According to the Institute of Food Research, we’re not far off from a similar lazy man’s dinner…
Spiking the eggnog has a whole new meaning now that we’ve learned nutmeg, that unassuming spice grandma puts into just about everything during Thanksgiving, is considered a “psychoactive drug” according to the FDA’s Poisonous Plant Database.
Chef Aaron May’s Vitamin T opened last Friday, making it the eighth restaurant concept May’s launched along with Iruña, Over Easy and The Lodge. Just the thought of running eight restaurants wipes us out, but when we meet up with May at Vitamin T, he’s in rare form: Stretching on the outdoor patio, chatting with his business partner Quinn Goldsberry.
Rocher (FR: rock) When I was a kid we called these chocolate -coated bites haystacks. I stand corrected! These yummy little mounds can be made with your choice of ingredients, toasted nuts, golden raisins and chopped dried fruit. Christine Boerner provides a classic recipe for Rocher with a punch of…
Vitamin T. Aaron May’s eighth restaurant concept’s name has both a ring of familiarity and a healthy dose of cheese. What’s the daily recommended value of this new nutrient, you ask? According to May, it’s as much as you need to stay alert.
Luke Ciotta Ciotta is the drummer for local pop/rock group Absent Akridge What’d you eat for dinner last night? Pasta with vodka sauce and a Greek salad Favorite food: Hummus and pita Least favorite food: Anything deep-fried Favorite dessert: Rice Pudding…
The dreaded fear of running out of food for company, especially during the holidays, inevitably leaves us with more turkey than can be consumed during a Thanksgiving feast. For some of us, leftovers are premeditated; we look forward to our sandwich creations even more than our turkey dinner.Here are a…
Belinda Powell has been around pickles for almost as long as she can remember; she learned a special family recipe from her mother and grandmother at a very young age. In fact, when her grandmother died, she left about 30 family pickling recipes, which Powell gladly snatched up. But oddly, Powell –…
Nothing beats homemade gravy dripping over just carved turkey; a ladled puddle swirled on a mound of mashed potatoes, drizzled and mixed into bread stuffing. No need to rely on cans of goopy creamed soups or dehydrated over- salted packaged mixes. If you are using herbs and vegetables for another…
This weekend kicks off a new farmers’ market that will take place on the front lawn of the Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa every Sunday. The market will emphasize on producer-only farm products and will have 15 vendors set up, offering goods ranging from preserves (Cotton Country Jams) and honey…
Every week we watch Zach Fowle walk into the Chow Bella staff meeting and can’t believe he doesn’t weigh 500 pounds. The guy eats. Lots. Fast. That’s sort of his gig on his regular Chow Bella column “Feasts of Fury.” This week, the fury was released in the print version…
Dustin Christofolo opened his own restaurant, The House at Secret Garden, with the help of his mom, Pat, just years out of culinary school. Today, he shows off his talent in true Italian simplicity: Grilled Romaine Salad with a Lemon-Herb Dressing.
Our Thanksgiving motto is brine baby, brine! After experimenting from year to year with methods and recommendations for a satisfying bird, brining consistently delivers us a bird that cooks faster, is moist, and flavorful. Brining takes some forethought and planning, but it is a simple process. Meat or poultry is…
We blogged a couple weeks back about Amaro Pizzeria and Vino Lounge opening in Cave Creek, and even brought you a first look of the posh new digs. The new restaurant smell still hasn’t worn off at this locally owned joint. But the smell of wood-fired ovens and fresh-baked bread is…
When you’re a first-time restaurant owner, it doesn’t hurt to have a sense of humor. And for Chaka Chaka’s Charlie Blonkenfeld, a banana will do nicely. “I was experimenting with my jerk chicken sandwich, and my roommate wanted to put cheese on it,” Blonkenfeld says. “I told him, ‘Screw that…
