Downing a donut is a great way to get that sugar rush that’ll get you through your morning at work. (At least until you crash and absolutely, undeniably need another donut an hour later. Oh. Darn.) This week in Battle of the Dishes, we blind taste-tested vegan and gluten/dairy-free donuts to see…
Recently, I got an e-mail from a regular New Times reader who was looking for some good restaurants in the far East Valley. I mean really far — somewhere closer to Apache Junction than Tempe’s Apache Drive. “It’s not all chains on this side of town,” he wrote, urging me…
This is the sign out front of Tammie Coe Cakes today, where the doors are wide open and you can see workers putting final touches on a renovation that’s set to be finished for tomorrow’s reopening. (Was that a hot cocoa menu I saw in there? Hmm…)There’s going to be…
Saber Rouin’s father always wanted him to be a doctor. Rouin was born in the North African country of Tunisia. His story begins on the deck of a cruise ship, a Love Boat of sorts, where he launched his early culinary career, and met his wife. From there, he journeyed on…
What’s pastry chef Tracy Dempsey been up to since she left Digestif? Find out what desserts she’s whipping up at her new gig in Old Town Scottsdale in this week’s Meal Ticket dining newsletter. We’ll also have the scoop on two local Irish restaurants that offer more than just a spirit of craic (Irish…
Even as restaurateur Sam Fox’s culinary empire continues to grow, one of his spots has just gone indie. As of January 1, Chloe’s Corner, the pint-sized lunch counter at Kierland Commons, is under new ownership, purchased by general manager Ashly Young. This is the first time a Fox restaurant has been sold…
Looking for an upscale dining option before getting a culture fix at Mesa Arts Center? You’ll have to look a little bit harder now that S’Bistro has closed. A dispute over rent between chef-owner Brian Banasek and landlord Craig Pouty led to the shuttering, as reported in detail by The Trib…
Now that they’ve mastered mind-blowing authentic macarons, the talented folks at Essence Bakery Cafe are branching out to croissants. Chef-owner Eugenia Theodosopoulos says this is the first time her Tempe shop has offered freshly baked croissants and chocolate croissants. It’s no novice attempt, though. Theodosopoulos got some expert guidance from…
[jump] Chef Jay started by preparing the salad base, which had mandolin-sliced cucumber, cabbage, carrot and diced bell pepper in a sauce of Kewpie mayo (“After you try it, it’s the only mayo you’ll use,” said Carter), tahini, ginger and garlic. Soba noodles would be added later. …
As avid film buffs we think that nothing compares to catching a new release on the big screen while munching on a large tub of the theater’s finest. It seems we’re not alone, according to the National Popcorn Board, the average American consumes 52 quarts of popcorn per year. Today is National Popcorn…
How well do you know your favorite cookhouse contraptions? Can you tell a melon baller from a cookie scoop? See if you can guess today’s gadget and check back next week for the answer. Here are a few of our guesses, add yours to the comment box below: – Bowling…
Andrea Beesley-BrownThe Midnite Movie Mamacita is the film programmer for MADCAP Theaters, which presents The House of the Devil and Bronson Thursday, January 21 through Saturday, January 23. She’s also involved with International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival, the Phoenix Film Festival and Phoenix Comicon. What’d you eat for dinner last…
Why try to come up with a new concept when you can resurrect and refresh a time-honored Valley favorite? La Hacienda at The Fairmont Scottsdale was an iconic fine dining destination before it unexpectedly closed back in 2008, a high-profile victim of the recession. It was one of only two upscale…
If you’re thinking about eating Japanese food this week, do it on Tuesday, January 19. Sushi Roku, the stylish in-house restaurant at the W Scottsdale, is hosting a special day of fundraising to benefit Haiti earthquake relief efforts by the American Red Cross, Yele Haiti, and the Clinton Foundation. Dine…
Fox Restaurant Group has announced next week’s scheduled opening of a new gastropub concept at the Scottsdale Waterfront, called Culinary Dropout. Situated in a completely revamped space that used to house Pink Taco, the restaurant will open its doors on January 27…
Along with a $2 million remodel of the Hermosa Inn, Lon’s at the Hermosa has new kitchen leadership as well. The AAA Four Diamond restaurant has just named its new executive chef, Jeremy Pacheco, who comes on board after a two-month search; the previous exec chef at Lon’s was Michael…
Farewell to a place with real character. Word from a very reliable source is that Tempe favorite Efes Turkish Cuisine has closed; there’s no answer at the restaurant’s number during scheduled business hours. The six-year-old eatery was well-known for its exquisite kebabs, friendly service, and exotic, cozy Turkish decor…
After a weekend of private friends-and-family events, The Main Ingredient Ale House & Cafe finally opens its doors to the public tonight (2337 N. 7th St.) Owners Matt and Courtney Diamond have transformed the former Lisa G Cafe Wine Bar, which they purchased from Lisa Giungo back around Halloween, into…
At the Scottsdale Old Town Farmers’ Market this weekend, we caught up with Joe Garcia of La Vida Locavore and got the inside scoop on a new “covert culinary dinner” project called Stealthy Table. Basically, it’s like the food version of a rave — the location of the dinner’s a secret until one day…
The 67th Annual Golden Globes will air this evening on NBC. The fashion misfires, the bizarre acceptance speeches, and the stage exit stumbles – we relish the opportunity to watch the beautiful people at their best and worst.With Julie & Julia nominated for Best Picture in the Music or Comedy category,…
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: When Life Hands You Meyer Lemons, Make Pasta. Or…
Consider this a shout-out to all the caffeine-fueled, hard-working Americans out there who can’t get the day started without a cup of joe. We feel your adrenal-shot addiction and offer up this advice: Life is much too short to drink bad coffee. How does one make absolute sure they are…
