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Photo by Paul Markow   Celebrated Valley chef Christopher Gross will open his highly anticipated eponymous restaurant at the Wrigley Mansion on March 23. Christopher’s at the Wrigley Mansion will not only highlight the James Beard Award-winning chef’s globally inspired gastronomic expertise, but will also showcase 180-degree views of the Valley via floor-to-ceiling windows and a retractable roof. Set adjacent to the historic Wrigley Mansion, the 26-seat restaurant will offer an intimate dining experience and...

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Local restaurants are getting in the St. Paddy’s Day spirit with special drink and dining deals. Whether you want a Kelly-green brew or some classic corned beef and hash, here’s where to dine in or take out this Wednesday, March 17.   Photo courtesy Evolve Public Relations & Marketing    Pedal Haus Brewery This East Valley (and soon-to-be Downtown Phoenix!) gastropub pairs elevated pub grub (think burgers and pizza plus an extensive gluten-free and vegan...

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J’Asada Tacos | Photo by Madison Rutherford   As a local reporter, I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with a slew of small business owners who have palpable passion and pride for their craft. It’s a pretty gratifying gig, one that I don’t take for granted. And when I see that mirrored in Valley restaurants, retail spaces and other institutions, it reminds me why I love what I do. One such inspiring instance is husband-and-wife...

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Vegan ramen | Photo by Madison Rutherford   Clever Koi has long been a favorite in the Valley dining scene for its fresh takes on Thai, Korean, Japanese and Chinese cuisine and inventive craft cocktails. In February, the Asian fusion hot spot unveiled four new ramen dishes at its locations in Phoenix and Gilbert, including updated versions of the pork and lemon chicken ramen and two brand new bowls – spicy kimchi and vegan shoyu....

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Renowned chefs, carefully curated menus and desert vista views. It’s all on deck this Easter Sunday (April 4) at these Valley resorts. Here’s the 411 on seven of our faves. Photo courtesy J Lauren PR   T. Cook’s What: A three-course brunch menu including turkey Benedict, fried chicken and waffles and more. When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Why: Celebrated Valley chef Lee Hillson in the kitchen, a complimentary glass of the restaurant’s famous Orangechello...

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Whether you’re a pinball wizard in Phoenix, a West Valley video game geek or an RPG expert in the East Valley, there are a slew of local spots where you can play your favorite games and get a drink while you’re at it. With the opening of two new game-themed bars in Mesa and Surprise, we put together a roundup of nerdy neighborhood hangouts across the Valley. Game (and drink) on! 8-Bit Aleworks This retro...

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We all love a good boozy brunch. Let’s be real, it’s all about the OJ and Prosecco, which just happens to come with a side of eggs Benedict. That’s why we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite mimosas around the Valley. Bonus: They’re all under $10, so you can get your bougie brunch on – on a budget. The Vig Breakfast and lunch classics get a stylish upgrade at The Vig, where you could...

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Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate side dish, but the creamy comfort food classic isn’t an afterthought at these Valley dining establishments – it’s the main event! Make it a meal at these seven local eateries. Pizza People Pub The mac and cheese at this charming gastropub made the cover of our November 2019 issue simply because it looks as good as it tastes! Pizza People offers 10 variations of the baked mac including spicy...

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Peanut butter and jelly. Macaroni and cheese. Matcha and vodka?! OK, it may not be an iconic duo… yet. But these local bars and restaurants are mixing green tea into their cocktails in such fun and creative ways that it might just be the next big thing. And because it’s loaded with antioxidants, sipping a green tea cocktail will technically improve brain function and prevent diseases. To your health! Shogun Powder from Highball We got...

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When multi-talented musician Ben Rector isn’t in the studio or on stage, he can be found on the fairway. In addition to being a stellar singer-songwriter and inventive instrumentalist, he plays golf with the best of them. In “normal” times, one of his favorite tour stops is Phoenix. We caught up with the Nashville-based linksman to discuss his favorite things about the Valley of the Sun – from its pristine golf courses to a certain...

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It’s 2021 and it’s no secret that we get the majority of our inspo online. From TikTok trends to Pinterest décor, social media is a one-stop suggestion hub for what to wear, where to eat and how to DIY. When it comes to dining inspiration, these Valley Instagrammers have their finger on the pulse, whether it’s where to find the best gluten-free grub near Gilbert, vegan goodies in Downtown Phoenix or sweet treats in Glendale....

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Myth: You’re out of luck if you have a sweet tooth and celiac sensitivity in Phoenix. There are actually a slew of bakeries and cafés around the Valley that offer gluten-free goodies. Here are a handful of our fave sweet treats sans what proteins. Nami This cozy café is a haven for those with dietary restrictions. Everything on the menu is 100 percent plant-based and most items are also gluten-free, including addicting, cake donuts in...

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Every year at the end of January, Girl Scout cookie season arrives and gives the next generation of young girls a chance to test out their entrepreneurial skills. This year, more than 6,000 Arizona Girl Scouts are participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. With fewer opportunities to set up booths and an ongoing emphasis on contactless pickup and delivery, the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council developed new and innovative ways for girls to safely sell cookies....

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Restaurants realize that sometimes you just need to do it for the ‘gram. Heck, Highball has a whole section of its menu dedicated to Instagrammable cocktails, and there are tons of eateries around the Valley with aesthetic atmospheres and photogenic fare. Here’s a handful to inspire your next hashtag. JOJO Coffeehouse @jojocoffeehouse We featured the mimosa and coffee flights at JOJO on the blog last fall and we still can’t get over how cute the...

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If UnderTow and Century Grand taught us anything, it’s that transportive restaurant environments enrich the dishes and drinks being served. Downtown-ish cocktail lounge Highball, set in the old SideBar space near the Willo Historic District, is no exception. In fact, Mitch Lyons – former beverage director for the immersive menus at the aforementioned Barter & Shake concepts – is the program manager at this sleek new speakeasy. Lyons has put together a fun cocktail catalog...