By Amy Silverman A bottle of Excedrin was improperly stored at Sluggo’s Sports Grill in Mesa — one of many things the restaurant inspectors noted after a recent visit. I’m guessing Sluggo had some headache when he read the inspection report. The raw eggs were stored above the watermelon. Dishwashing…
By Michele Laudig Admit it, you can’t get enough of Phoenix Ranch Market (you’re hooked on those aguas frescas, right?). Well, the people behind it are on to you. In fact, they’re opening their fifth Phoenix location tomorrow, November 12. The doors will open at 11 a.m. at 3223 W…
By Michele Laudig Yes, it really is a reflection of the tough times. I just got word that after six and a half years in business, Malee’s Thai Bistro offically closed its Desert Ridge location. Last Wednesday was its last day. According to owner Deirdre Pain, the Desert Ridge Malee’s…
By Amy Silverman If you really want to quell your appetite, read “no award” inspection reports for meat markets. From the most recent report for Lam’s Market on West Indian School Road: THE DUNGESS KRABS OBSERVED STORED IN MURKY/TURBID WATER INSIDE TANK. Turbid water? Can’t be good…
At Plaza Grill in north Phoenix, the first-rate Mexican food totally speaks for itself. That’s a wonderful thing, considering that almost everything else about this restaurant is so low-key. Not only would you have a hard time discerning what kind of cuisine this place serves, you might not even notice…
By Amy Silverman The Quilted Bear on Scottsdale Road has had its share of run-ins with Maricopa County restaurant inspectors lately. Several recent reports reflect a “No Award” rating, and the most recent was pretty bad. The worst of the litany of complaints: OBSERVED CHEF ENTER EMPLOYEE RESTROOM WITH GLOVES…
By Michele Laudig Intercontinental Montelucia and its signature eatery, Prado. (Check out the warm fingerling potato and grilled octopus salad, at left.) I’ve blogged some details about the resort already, but just to refresh your memory, this is the Spanish-inspired restaurant headed up by chef de cuisine Claudio Urciuoli. Although…
By Michele Laudig I was going to wait until the next time NOCA had Fried Chicken Night to show you my photos from last Sunday, when they rolled out their secret-recipe fried chicken. Eliot Wexler’s gone so far as to create a special Simple Supper schedule for the month of…
By Michele Laudig It always feels like there’s a party going on at Tradiciones, but tomorrow (Nov.1) I’m sure it’ll be more festive than ever with the first annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration starting at 6 p.m. In honor of Day of the Dead, there will be a display…
By Michele Laudig Of course I don’t expect you to read Italian. “Festa di Maiale” means “Festival of the Pig,” which means that Sassi’s big shindig this Sunday, from 2 to 6 p.m., will be a porcine party extraordinaire. In Italy, it’s a traditional celebration of butchering the family pig…
By Michele Laudig I don’t need a sunny day as an excuse to do lunch at Cibo, the cozy pizza restaurant tucked in an historic house in a mostly residential neighborhood just a blocks from the heart of downtown. But let me tell you — when the weather’s this gorgeous,…
By Amy Silverman One of my gripes with The Phoenician — the tony resort with the Phoenix name, the Scottsdale address (I think they changed the city boundaries to accomodate themselves) and the dangerous past (TP was opened by Charlie Keating, John McCain’s former BFF) — is that the place…
By Michele Laudig If you’re all about eating and shopping locally, then this party’s for you. It’s Local First Arizona’s fourth annual Certified Local Fall Festival, happening this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Duck & Decanter (16th St. and Camelback). There will be free food, shopping, live…
Lighten up, sushi purists: A little kitsch can do you good sometimes. That’s my take on TeHaru Sushi and Sushi Eye in Motion, two sushi restaurants that’ve lately introduced Valley locals to a more playful side of Japanese food culture: kaitenzushi. That means “conveyor-belt sushi,” and, just like you’d imagine,…
By Amy Silverman I know sex is supposed to be dirty. Call me a prude, but the concept just doesn’t translate when it comes to food, even at a place called the Better Than Sex Cake Cafe. I admit I found the name of the Chandler restaurant intriguing, when I…
By Michele Laudig Brian Yaeger has it all figured out…
By Jonathan McNamara I’m not too sure about you, but it’s a rare event that a waiter in a restaurant runs out to ask me if “two percent organic milk” is okay for my latte. Sure, on a Starbucks run “half-calf, full foam, double shot, two percent, organic” or some…
By Michele Laudig Good times. Saturday’s Eats3 Arizona Grand Tasting turned out to be a mighty fine way to spend a gorgeous, sunny October afternoon — friendly people, tons of the best restaurants in town serving up more delicious dishes than one could possibly eat, all kinds of good wines…
By Jonathan McNamara See shots from Sens in our slideshow. If Sens Asian Tapas and Sake Bar was going for an authentic Japanese bar experience, they definitely gave it to their patrons on opening night. Guests were packed tighter than a Tokyo subway during rush hour in the bar located…
By Michele Laudig executive chef Michael Stebner is still staying in the fold with Fox Restaurant Concepts, which owns The Greene House, at Kierland Commons, as well as True Food Kitchen, set to open Monday, October 27, at Biltmore Fashion Park. True Food Kitchen is the anticipated new concept spawned…
By Amy Silverman Like Chelsea’s Kitchen a couple blocks away, Fenix Eatery & Bar on Camelback Road recently received back-to-back “no award” ratings…
My rediscovery of one of the classiest restaurants in Tempe happened, ironically, by way of a rock concert. I had plans to see a national act with a couple of friends who’d bought tickets months ago. Since these gals have families and busy careers, the show was a rare treat…
