Try fire-roasted salsa, protein-based oats and hot cocoa bombs from local purveyors this month.
Desert DigestFood & DrinkIrish Soda Bread Recipe from Mediterra Bakehouse
Marilyn HawkesMarch 16, 2021
Photo courtesy Mediterra Bakehouse Most people attribute soda bread to the Irish, but the quick bread was first made by Native Americans. “They were some of the first to combine soda in bread,” says Nick Ambeliotis of Mediterra Bakehouse. The Irish began making soda (baking soda) bread in the 1830s when baking soda was introduced to the United Kingdom and is now associated with St. Patrick’s Day. If you want to try baking the...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkNew Bill Would Allow Return of To-Go Cocktails and Aid Ailing Hospitality Industry
Marilyn HawkesMarch 5, 2021
As the coronavirus pandemic passes the one-year mark, many Valley restaurants are still struggling to keep the doors open due to reduced capacity, high rents and beleaguered employees stretched to their limits. According to the Arizona Restaurant Association, 12 percent of Arizona’s restaurants have closed in the past year. To help Arizona’s ailing hospitality industry, Arizona State House Representative Jeff Weninger (R, Dist. 17), recently introduced HB 2773, that if passed, will allow restaurants and...
Opening A Su Salud Pita Jungle rolls out a virtual kitchen that features a “healthy-inspired” Mexican menu. Pick up at Pita Jungle’s Tempe location or have it delivered. asusaludaz.com Beard Papa’s The first Arizona location of Japanese cream puff chain Beard Papa’s recently opened at The Quarter. Choose a shell (s’mores, strawberry or crispy almond to name a few) and then select a custard filling (vanilla, green tea or chocolate) to complete your dream cream...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkQ&A with Fuel to Fit Chef-Owner Franchesca Gonzales
Marilyn HawkesMarch 2, 2021
Franchesca Gonzales left a successful career in commercial banking after 10 years because she’d lost her passion for the industry. “I took a leap and burned the boats and tried something different,” she says. Growing up in New Mexico, she watched the Food Network and always enjoyed cooking for her friends. So, Gonzales researched new career options and then launched Fuel to Fit, a nutritional packaged meal company that serves individuals and families as well...
Desert DigestFood & Drink4 Farm-Fresh Produce Boxes to Pick Up Around the Valley
Marilyn HawkesFebruary 19, 2021
For many, trekking to the grocery store or the farmers market during a pandemic can be problematic for a variety of reasons. Maybe you don’t want to be around that many people at once or perhaps you just don’t like other people touching your fruits and vegetables. Enter farm-fresh produce boxes that you can pick up at a specified location or have one delivered to your home. Many programs are under the CSA (Community Supported...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkQ&A with Humble Pie’s New Chef-Owner Jorge Gomez
Marilyn HawkesFebruary 12, 2021
Scottsdale neighborhood restaurant Humble Pie Pizzeria has a fresh look, a menu makeover and a new chef-owner, Jorge Gomez. Gomez has been a fixture in the Valley for years, helping to open restaurants for LGO Hospitality and Genuine Concepts. Trained at the Culinary Institute of Mexico, Gomez has also competed in Food Network shows – Guy’s Grocery Games and Summer Cook Off. Humble Pie’s second location is in Happy Valley. We recently checked in with...
Keep your eyes peeled and your palate poised for these eateries slated to open this year. Bourbon & Bones This contemporary steakhouse will debut a second location in Gilbert’s San Tan Village with a larger bar area, more private dining space and an outdoor patio lounge. (January 2021) Broth & Bao The long-awaited Broth & Bao from Born & Raised Hospitality (Clever Koi, Fellow Osteria & Pizzeria and Across the Pond) will offer build-your-own ramen...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkJanuary 2021 Restaurant Openings and Closings
Marilyn HawkesFebruary 3, 2021
Opening Barrio Queen Barrio Queen expands to the West Valley, opening its sixth location in the shuttered Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery. 7640 W. Bell Road, Glendale, 602-287-8226, barrioqueen.com Cold Beers & Pizza, Scottsdale The folks at Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers are venturing into new territory with pizza in Old Town Scottsdale. 4222 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-758-4994, coldbeers.com/pizza Copper 48 Copper 48 takes over Nico Heirloom Kitchen in Gilbert featuring seasonal menus. 366 N....
Attention fellow potato lovers: Tuesday, Feb. 2 is National Tater Tot Day. While many people turn up their noses at the thought of tater tots rather than french fries, I’m here to tell you that the deep-fried cylinder-shaped potato shreds need no defense. To wit, here are five places in the Valley to get tater tots. Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers This Valley-wide burger joint puts out two crave-worthy tater tot dishes: Original “Tot Chos” smothered...
Sure, the Stetson chopped salad is the Valley’s preeminent leafy entrée, with its tidy rows of air-dried corn, Israeli couscous, avocado, tomatoes, pepitas and currants all snuggled atop a bed of peppery arugula bathed in creamy basil buttermilk dressing. But plenty of other salads around town have developed a well-deserved cult following. Here are our best bets to depose the king. Turkey & Avocado Cobb at Flower Child Among the cornucopia of made-to-order salads on...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkThe Craftsman Cocktails + Kitchen Q&A with Chris Nicosia
Marilyn HawkesJanuary 22, 2021
Now that Valley restaurant veteran Chris Nicosia has a few months under his belt as executive chef and partner at The Craftsman Cocktails + Kitchen, we decided to check in and see how he’s doing. Nicosia spent close to eight years at now shuttered Sassi, a popular Italian restaurant in North Scottsdale, and before that, almost 12 years at Desert Mountain. Here’s what he had to say: Q: How’s your new gig now that you’ve...
Three BitesThree Bites: Grilled Romaine Salad
Marilyn HawkesJanuary 18, 2021
Grill-savvy chefs give the humble romaine salad a scintillating makeover.
Local ProductsThree Local Products to Try in 2021
Marilyn HawkesJanuary 18, 2021
Try small-batch chocolate, ginger beer and hatch chile rubs and sauces from local purveyors this month.
Is the tide turning for indie restaurants in the West Valley?