After four years in her pint-sized bakery and lunch spot on 40th Street, just north of Thomas, Bertha’s Cafe owner Beth Goldwater was not able to renew her lease. April 24 was her last day in business. “It was a blessing in disguise,” she tells me. She’s since found a new space,…
As we speak, the 22-person staff of Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar is meeting at Cowboy Ciao, learning the sad news that Saturday night was the last dinner service for the five-year-old Scottsdale eatery. Chef-owner James Porter mostly blames the economy, but also says he’s had issues with the landlords…
While other cities are gearing up for prime farmers’ market season, many of our locals are taking a vacay. Find out where you can snag fresh produce and organic goodies throughout the summer in this week’s Meal Ticket dining newsletter. We’ll also point you towards local pastries inspired by the…
Summer’s here and the slowdown is palpable. But the flurry of culinary and charity events that started in the spring hasn’t sputtered out yet. In fact, one of the longest-running ones takes place this Thursday night. Flavors of Phoenix makes its 18th annual go-round on May 21 at the Westin Kierland…
New-ish Irish pub The Turf is only open for breakfast on weekends and Mondays — which puzzled me for about two seconds until I thought about it. People are always doing a drive-by to see what the line’s like at Matt’s Big Breakfast, and these days, it’s always a crowd…
We’ve always been addicted to ice cream. Gelato is still going strong. And tangy Korean-style frozen yogurt is plenty popular. So I would not be one bit surprised if bing soo became the next frozen dessert trend in the Valley of the Sun. It’s a kind of Korean sundae, with…
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: Monday Night Martha: Cranberry Sorbet John Mariani Gives Scottsdale…
If you consider yourself a Slow Foodie, you need to find an excuse to get to The Deli in Queen Creek. A good friend recommended it to me awhile ago — he stops by on his routine visits to The Pork Shop — and when I saw him a couple weeks ago,…
When we think of delicious delicacies that are affordable and filling we reach for ethnic food. We’ve been known to toss down a few spring rolls. We’ve gorged on samosas. We’ve even been known to get down on a pate-laced Vietnamese sandwich. Leave it to Food Critic Michele Laudig to…
Emmy Ayafor, the Camaroon native and now former chef-owner of West African eatery Bantu Bistro, has left his CenPho restaurant and is searching for a new location in Phoenix to reopen his concept. Ayafor had opened Bantu in the former Johnny’s Uptown space in December, but after a recent dispute about taking…
It’s no surprise when a current sensation like Lady Gaga or Robert Pattinson (if only!) shows up to swarming mobs of fans. But the stars of yesterday can also draw packed houses — if they’ve got a cult following. And they put out this wacky infomercial. Over 500 fans flooded…
Congrats to Sweet Republic owners Jan Wichayanuparp and Helen Yung, whose year-old North Scottsdale shop gets a mention in Bon Appetit’s June Hot 10 list of the country’s “Best Ice Cream Shops.” Can’t say it really comes as a surprise — these hard-working ladies have earned the honors with homemade ice cream and…
From conversations with my friends to the pages of the New York Times, budget dining is as popular a topic as ever. Everyone’s on the lookout for a killer taco, a scrumptious hot dog, a bargain breakfast, or an irresistible happy hour special. I’m sure the economy is partly responsible,…
It’s a sure sign that summer’s here. Vincent’s Camelback Market, the charming mini-farmer’s market held in the parking lot at Vincent on Camelback, shuts down during the hottest months of the year. This Saturday, May 16, is the last day to indulge in pastries, tamales, fresh crepes, produce, cheeses, and more…
If you’re having a horrible day and you need something to turn it around, head to Scratch Pastries in Scottsdale and see if your first bite of a fresh salted caramel macaron doesn’t make you smile in spite of everything else. I stopped by for lunch today and was…
Some flowers make a cute and colorful edible garnish. Some, like roses and hibiscus, impart magical flavor through their essences. But the large and meaty squash blossom is practically an entree on its own and has enriched its local cuisines for centuries. The taste is much like young tender squash,…
So you’ve always wanted to try wild boar, elk or shark, but you aren’t willing to fork over the dough for a dish you’re not even sure you’ll like. We hear you. That’s why we’re profiling one East Valley restaurant where you can sample exotic meats minus the massive (and…
Restaurant critic John Mariani, who contributes to national publications such as Esquire, just published the first installment of a feature called “Scottsdale and Beyond” on his website. He visited Digestif, Estate House, Prado, and The Mission, and had good things to say about all of them (I have to add,…
I love a good Southwestern-style breakfast. Huevos rancheros, Southwestern eggs benedict, and anything with chorizo — all that chile heat gets me revved up and ready to face the day. Coffee helps too, of course. So I was delighted to read Sierra Bonita Grill’s new brunch menu, which looks absolutely…
Today is the first day in business for Lola Coffee, the hip hangout created by Daniel Wayne (formerly of Lux and Lola Tapas). House-roasted coffee is one good reason to go; homemade pastries by Danielle Librera of the recently closed Sweet Pea Bakery are another. And what about the location…
For the longest time, foodies scratched their heads in amazement that Phoenix didn’t have its own Restaurant Week, a popular annual event in other cities that entices people to explore local restaurants with special prix fixe menus offered just for the occasion. Then the long-awaited Arizona Restaurant Week debuted last fall,…
It’s a little piece of Pischke’s in Phoenix. Local Breeze, a new spot that quietly opened over the weekend in the former Palatte location (606 N. 4th Ave.; the official opening date is tomorrow), is run by an alumni of the popular but defunct Old Town Scottsdale institution. Owner Sid…
