These days, if “real estate” and “restaurants” are in the same sentence, it’s probably not an optimistic one. All around the Valley, the limping economy has amounted to closures, canceled projects, and indefinitely postponed openings. But not all the casualties came about because of the real estate crash. Some of…
The most titillating news I’ve heard in a while is that James Beard Award-winning chef Robert McGrath — formerly of Roaring Fork and Pischke’s Blue Ribbon — is now on the payroll of Entertainment U.S.A., the parent company of upscale strip club Christie’s Cabaret and 15 other venues across the country…
Of the last five restaurant inspections completed at Tomaso’s Italian restaurant on East Camelback Road in Phoenix, five resulted in a failing grade. At the most recent inspection, in early March, the inspector noted dried food debris on the interior of the microwave and surfaces of the slicer. The meat…
Can’t wail ’til dinner to pop the cork? No prob. One of Phoenix’s finest BYOBs, Coup des Tartes, just started a weekday lunch service (11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday). And even if you’re not up for a little day drinking (a girl can dream, can’t she?), this…
We gotta hand it to restaurant inspectors for the first “theme report” we’ve seen since starting Gross Out. A recent inspection, which earned Saddle Ranch Chop House in Glendale a “No Award” from Maricopa County, is all about hands. And fingers. From the report: …
True to its name, the brand-new Corona Cantina on Indian School has a full bar, and slings the drinks ’til 2 a.m. daily. But it’s a restaurant, too. The Mexican-inspired menu features everything from chimichangas, enchiladas, tacos, and tortilla soup, to burgers, bruschetta, wings, and salads. Dinner service runs until…
A restaurant opening early? When does that ever happen? In the wonderful world of Postino, where they’ve got it all figured out, apparently. The brand-new Postino Central, located in the renovated Katz Deli building at Central and Colter (5144 N. Central), just opened its doors a matter of minutes ago…
Wah wah wah… Today’s an anticlimactic day for some of the most talented people in the Arizona restaurant biz, as the James Beard Foundation announced its finalists for the 2009 awards. Nobody from this state was on the list. But the eight semifinalists who’d been in the running for various categories since the…
Hey buddy, can you spare a buck? If so, that dollar will buy you dinner at Bar Louie’s Tuesday night happy hour. The Glendale watering hole serves up one-dollar burgers from 6 p.m. until close on Tuesday nights (while supplies last), with the exception of game/concert/big event nights. The only…
If you want to schmooze with local political types, go to El Portal, County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox’s restaurant just south of downtown Phoenix. But you might not want to order anything to eat. We suppose it’s good to know that the county restaurant inspectors aren’t mincing words with a…
Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let’s have one last look at the blog posts from this week: Coming Soon: Two Hippies Breakfast Joint So How Was…
Digestif’s chef Payton Curry (left) and GM Pavle Milic hug it out over some fresh mozz at last year’s Eats3 Pavle Milic, general manager at Scottsdale’s groovy Digestif, was a man with a plan. But in the words of John Lennon, “Life is what happens while you’re busy making plans.”…
What’s the best reason to ride the light rail into downtown this weekend (or sweet-talk somebody into being your designated driver)? There are too many to choose from. Don Julio, Patron, Jose Cuervo, Milagro, Campo Azul . . . These brands and dozens more will be showcased at Tequilaaz, a…
I know, I know. A Japanese restaurant doing burgers? How weird is that? But for a dollar during happy hour, I doubt anyone’s complaining about Roka Akor’s newest dish. It’s a three-ounce prime beef “baby” burger, topped with heirloom tomatoes, red onion, avocado, wasabi, and some mystery seasoning that they’re…
Ever since grocery-store tomatoes got as costly as meat, we’ve been garnishing our routine sandwiches with other things. If the love apple is a luxury anyway, might as well hold out for the ripeness, taste, and texture of a locally grown, recently harvested ‘mater like the ones currently available from…
Sometimes a scone and a killer latte are all you need to start the day on the right note, but sweets and caffeine aren’t always enough to fuel you through the morning. Wisely, the folks at Bomberos have figured this out, and are amping up their breakfast options beyond the…
What’s a fair price to pay for lunch at Geordie’s Restaurant & Lounge at the Wrigley Mansion? The question is more than just food for thought — it’s something you’ll actually need to figure out if you dine at the restaurant in the near future. Believe it. They’re letting customers…
Maki? Nigiri? Raw? Cooked? We don’t care what form sushi comes in as long as we can eat it. This week’s Cafe column focuses on the newest locale for scarfing up this Japanese delicacy: Pure Sushi in Scottsdale Civic Center. Food Critic Michele Laudig on Pure Sushi: What do you…
Seems like lots of restaurants pick weird nights of the week to offer any freebies. But chef Vincent Guerithault — a semifinalist for a James Beard award this year! — knows that we really like to hit the town on Fridays and Saturdays, so he’s giving us extra incentive to swing by his…
What do you get when you take the see-and-be-seen vibe of AZ88, add the pulsating music and blinding white glamour of Asia de Cuba, and roll it all up in a futuristic sushi mat? You get Pure, the chic new Japanese fusion restaurant that fits perfectly between its two neighbors…
Want to play hooky from work this afternoon? Or get an early jump on the weekend this Friday? Check out the complimentary wine tastings at Village Wine Cellar, one of The Shops at Gainey Village in Scottsdale (8877 N. Scottsdale Rd.). They’re held from 1 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday…
I’m gonna pretend I’m Diana Vreeland today. Why don’t you…. load up on caffeine before you brave the bar crowds in search of green beer tonight? The folks at Dutch Bros. Coffee are giving away free 16-ounce coffee drinks between 4 and 5 p.m. today. Hit them up at 1037…
