What’s in store for 2009? Will the world go to hell in a handbasket, or do we stand a chance of seeing our local restaurant scene flourish? I’m not psychic, so ask Joseph Anthony. He’s the astrologer who gives readings at Lisa G Cafe & Wine Bar every Wednesday night. And since…
Two new nightspot/restaurants opened late last month, right down the street from each other in Scottsdale. Pictured above, The Lodge, 4422 N. 75th St., is a ski-lodge-themed hangout that bills itself as a “quaint, Midwestern dive bar” amid the flashy Scottsdale nightlife district. Is townie-bar chic the new thing? I…
Saturday afternoon. The light rail trains are packed. It’s a good time for a pint. So some friends and I wound up at Sonora Brewhouse, just a few blocks’ walk from the train. And look at what was there to tempt us before we even got in the door –…
If you read Chow Bella, I have a feeling your priorities for New Year’s Eve might revolve around seeking out a great meal. And trust me, I know what a pain it can be to figure out what your options are — I am the queen of considering too many…
In short, the answer is a definite no. That’s according to Barrio Cafe’s own website, which currently has a can’t-miss-it notice to Barrio friends: “After many phone calls from our customers and friends, we just wanted to set the record straight. WE ARE NOT MOVING TO PARADISE VALLEY!We are staying…
A new Cajun restaurant in town? Now that’s something you don’t hear about very often. Cajun food is far too elusive in the Valley. Jennifer Landry Goff and Calvin Goff thought so, too. The couple moved to Arizona with their family in 1990, and after many years of dreaming about…
One of my friends had her hands full today with her two kids on winter break, which reminded me of some kids’ cooking classes I heard about recently. Next week, there’s a three-day class going on at Sur La Table at Kierland Commons, where kids age 8 and up will…
On Christmas Eve, after drinking half a bottle of Amy Silverman’s fantastic limoncello and spending several hours cooking up a storm in my tiny kitchen (the windows were fogged up when I was finally done!), I settled in front of the TV to watch The Darjeeling Limited and relax for a couple…
From cheap, authentic street tacos at Tacos Jalisco, which has a few different locations, to Barrio Café’s upscale spin on traditional tacos, there are plenty of places in the Valley to enjoy the quintessential south-of-the-border snack. But the heart of downtown Scottsdale — magnet to hungry tourists and nightclubbers alike…
One of the most compelling articles I’ve read in the past year was the indepth Vanity Fair piece about Monsanto’s genetically modified plant seeds. Scary stuff, indeed. Around the same time, I read Barbara Kingsolver’s fascinating book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, about her family’s year-long commitment to truly living off the…
Quel coincidence! A friend just stopped by for lunch at that new Mill Avenue pho joint I blogged about earlier today, Pho Thang Long. Apparently it’s run by the same people who own Pho Mesa, another fine spot for Vietnamese noodles (502 S. Dobson). Good to know. On a related…
In the last week, two brand-new Tempe restaurants have opened in the spaces where restaurants shut their doors last month. Upstairs at 414 S. Mill, in the spot that formerly housed the Coconut Club, there’s a new upscale lounge called Vintage Bar & Grill (480-297-2195), where they feature a tapas-style menu along…
Chef Michael DeMaria’s been a busy guy lately, but you wouldn’t know it from the looks of the Phoenix restaurant scene. Ever since he closed his restaurant Michael’s at the Citadel last year, he’s been conspicuously absent, working on a new joint called Trattoria M that was originally supposed to…
I have a dirty little secret: I never really liked Christmas ham! Which is why this “Seven Fishes” Christmas Eve seafood splurge at Quiessence sounds so delicious. (Here’s the menu.) It was inspired by a coastal Italian holiday tradition, where people would celebrate Christmas with a whole dinner of fish. And…
It’s better to receive than to give, if we’re talking about the incredible macarons at Essence Bakery Cafe. But if you’re in need of a surefire gift that’ll impress — or if you want to serve something besides cookies at your holiday get-together — these confections are the thing. Have…
It’s not far, but it’s still a move. The Cove Trattoria has left its old digs at the Scottsdale Seville, and after a short hiatus over the past few days, opens its doors tomorrow, December 20, at a bigger space in the same plaza (Indian Bend and Scottsdale Road). Also…
There’s no snow for a sleigh ride, but how about a carriage ride and some Christmas carols? The shops and restaurants along Stetson Drive will do their best to get visitors in the holiday spirit at a free event tonight, the first-annual Holiday Stroll at SouthBridge. For the kids, there will…
Here’s another good question from a pal: What’s open on Christmas? A few minutes after I got that email, I heard from PR whiz/gourmet cook/blogger Kirsten Shaefer from InterContinental Montelucia. Turns out, chef Claudio Urciuoli is going to be cooking up a special dinner menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Prado Christmas.doc …
Last month a dear friend was distraught when she missed out on NOCA’s fried chicken night. So this blog post is for her, in the hopes that her holidays are a little happier after getting her chix fix. Here’s the latest Sunday Supper schedule: Noca Sundays Dec – Jan.doc — Michele…
Here’s something for beer drinkers to look forward to in 2009: the debut of Odell Brewing Company’s beers in the Grand Canyon State. Starting in January, you’ll be able to find four different beers from this green, sustainable microbrewery out of Fort Collins, Colorado. There’s an English-style ale called the…
Ever since I heard of Faith Popcorn and trend forecasting, I have been fascinated with the notion of predicting the next big thing. Well The Food Channel has a crystal ball, too. Check out the new list of predicted food trends for 2009: 1.) Home on the Range — Downsized…
Recently, I was struck by some pleasant surprises at District, a downtown eatery that didn’t exactly give me high hopes from the get-go. And this week, I find myself considering the exact opposite kind of place: a restaurant where I couldn’t help but have inflated expectations. In business since late…
