October Restaurant Openings and Closings in Metro Phoenix

October was a dramatic month for the Valley dining scene. We said good-bye to the short-lived but well-received downtown restaurant, The Local, and learned that we’d never see Eliot Wexler’s Noca open again. This week will be your last chance to dine at chef James Porter’s Petite Maison in Scottsdale;…

10 Best Places for Dessert in Metro Phoenix

Last month Phoenix New Times celebrated the cream of the crop with our 36th annual Best of Phoenix edition. Here are our top picks for places to get dessert in metro Phoenix. Best Candy Store: Super Chunk Sweets and Treats Since opening late last year, Super Chunk Sweets and Treats…

The Yard Tempe Will Include New Location of Aaron May’s Over Easy

As we told you earlier this summer, Tempe will soon be home to the second location of Sam Fox’s ambitious mutli-use complex called The Yard. Like the original Phoenix location, The Yard Tempe will include a new location of Fox’s Culinary Dropout restaurant and a few other local businesses. In…

Paz Modern Taqueria to Open on Roosevelt Row Next Week

If seeing the dark, empty space at 1011 North Third Street — you know, the space that used to be The Local — has been bumming you out, you’ll be happy to know it won’t be like that for long. A new modern taquería drawing talent from several local chefs…

The Standard in Scottsdale Is Now Serving Brunch; Here’s the Menu

There are a lot of reasons to love brunch. For starters, it’s an acceptable reason to drink before noon and secondly — well, actually, do you need another reason? North Scottsdale residents looking for a new place to get their brunch on can now head to The Standard, the market/bar/restaurant…

3 Best Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Dia de los Muertos Celebration Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2 This weekend Barrio Queen Tequileria in Old Town Scottsdale will be offering a variety of dining and drinking specials in honor of Dia de Los Muertos. The restaurant and bar will have deals such as $10 Hibiscus Margaritas…

Hey, ’90s Kids, Surge Soda Is Back!

The Guilty Pleasure: Surge soda. Where to Get It: For now, exclusively on Amazon.com. Price: $14 for a 12-pack. What it Really Costs: New bigger cans mean even more empty calories per serving! If you are of a certain age, you may well remember Surge soda. It was Coca-Cola’s attempt…

Battle of the 2014 Arizona State Fair Corn Dogs

In my humble (but correct) opinion, the quintessential carnival food is the corn dog. I know I can get a (barely passable) corn dog from a number of outlets around town, but there’s nothing like savoring a hand-dipped corn dog while basking in the lurid lights of the Arizona State…

Focoso Serves Wood-Fired Neapolitan Pizza from a Food Truck

Robert and Jessie Gall have named their oven Blue. Not everyone names their kitchen equipment, but Blue isn’t your ordinary oven. Should you get the chance to see Blue, which isn’t out of the realm of possibility because Focoso customers are often invited on board the food truck, you’ll instantly…

3 Best Places to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Phoenix Food Day Friday, October 24 Tomorrow you can head to Ceasar Chavez Plaza in downtown Phoenix to help celebrate healthy, sustainable, and affordable food at Phoenix Food Day. The free event will bring 50 exhibitors representing restaurants and local food groups to offer attendees food samples, nutrition information, gardening…

Kelly Fletcher’s The Revival Revamps Menu from New American to Mexican

Earlier this summer, Tempe said goodbye to long-standing Mexican restaurant Mucho Gusto to make room for a new concept from well-known local chef Kelly Fletcher. After closing down for a month of renovations, the restaurant re-opened as The Revival, a neighborhood spot with an eclectic menu of internationally inspired fare…

5 Tips from Chef Mel Mecinas on Growing Restaurant-Quality Produce

If you hear “pumpkin spice” and think “harvest,” chances are you’ve been growing some veggies for at least a season or two. If you’re looking to take your harvest to the next level, you’re in the right place. We talked to Chef Mel Mecinas of Talavera at Scottsdale’s Four Seasons…