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Drink ThisDrink This: Infinite Play at The Ends

Nikki BuchananSeptember 3, 2024

Inspired by the travels of Anthony Bourdain, The Ends in Old Town Scottsdale will top many must-try lists this fall.

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Food ReviewsDining Review: Barley & Smoke Brings Sophistication to West Valley

Nikki BuchananSeptember 2, 2024

Secreted behind a brewery, this food-forward speakeasy has West Valley tongues wagging.

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Food ReviewsDining Review: Uchi Has That Winning Vibe

Nikki BuchananSeptember 1, 2024

Conceding greatness to a high-end restaurant chain from Texas is always a bitter pill – but this new sushi hot spot in Old Town is sweet from start to finish.

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Desert DigestFirst Dish: Full Speed Chicken & Ribs

Nikki BuchananJuly 15, 2024

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Drink ThisDrink This: Miss Illinois from Platform 18 at Century Grand

Nikki BuchananJuly 5, 2024

Each of the roughly 20 new cocktails at Platform 18 is inspired by Prohibition-era New York City. The view from the train windows now depicts the Manhattan skyline – and the drinks are just as transportive.

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Food ReviewsFood Review: Carbon & Salt Taco Shop Offers High-Quality, Generous Portions

Nikki BuchananJuly 5, 2024

This spacious, modern-looking taco shop, specializing in charcoal-grilled meats, has one of those noun-plus-noun names that, for once, conveys its intent, given that al carbon means “cooking over coal” in Spanish.

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Food ReviewsFood Review: Little Snitch in Scottsdale is a Vibe

Nikki BuchananJuly 5, 2024

Wallpapered and shabby-chic, multi-flowered and chandeliered, Little Snitch is an ultra-feminine haven specializing in elaborate coffee drinks, pretty cocktails, baked goods and brunch.

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Food ReviewsDining Review: Cielo Rojo is a Great Addition to Calle 16 Food Corridor

Nikki BuchananJuly 5, 2024

Exit Barrio Café, enter this excellent new Guanajuato-style restaurant on fabled Calle 16.

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Food ReviewsDining Review: Beginner’s Luck Has Our Critic Completely Smitten

Nikki BuchananJuly 5, 2024

This all-day diner in Old Town from chef Bernie Kantak does everything well – and breakfast perfectly.

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Food ReviewsDining Review: Kembara Leaves Our Critic Surprised and Delighted

Nikki BuchananJuly 5, 2024

Chef Angelo Sosa takes Valley diners on a long overdue culinary tour of Malaysia, Indonesia and other Far East climes at his instantly essential new resort restaurant.

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Food ReviewsDining Review: Le Âme

Nikki BuchananMay 10, 2024

Sam Fox’s latest restaurant is arguably also his greatest – and if you drink too much, you can always crash upstairs.

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Food ReviewsDining Review: Viet Fusion

Nikki BuchananMay 10, 2024

This is a mainstream restaurant geared toward wimpy Americans on a budget.

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Food ReviewsDining Review: Ava Bakery

Nikki BuchananMay 10, 2024

Ashkan and Diana Taheri’s small Persian bakery and restaurant was nominated for a 2024 James Beard Award.

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Food ReviewsDining Review: Santo Arcadia

Nikki BuchananMay 10, 2024

The latest from the Espiritu crew is not yet the well-oiled Mexican machine you might expect.

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CocktailsDrink ThisDrink This: Brazilian Punch

Nikki BuchananMay 7, 2024

This feminine, refreshing concoction from San Diego import Ambrogio15 offers an exotic trip to Brazil by way of Mexico.

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Charles Lohrmann

As managing editor and associate publisher of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, Charles Lohrmann experienced astounding natural wonders, from canoeing in Deep East Texas to trekking into the remote canyonlands west of Del Rio to view Archaic rock art. From TPWD, Lohrmann moved to Texas Highways, the award-winning Official Travel Magazine of Texas, where he was editor and publisher, and directed coverage of destinations in every corner of Texas. As editor of Texas Co-op Power magazine, he guided content development — including travel, history and culture — for the largest circulation publication in the state of Texas, reaching more than 3.5 million readers. Now residing in Santa Fe, N.M., Lohrmann has also traveled throughout Arizona many times, in particular to the Hopi and Navaho tribal lands, as well as to the Tohono O’odham nation.

Jenna Watters

Jenna Watters was born and raised in Sedona, Arizona, which is where her love of music began. She started singing in church as a young girl, joined a traveling choir that toured all over Arizona, and even helped teach the choir her senior year at Sedona Red Rock High School. In 2005, she graduated high school and spent a couple years at Arizona State University before she decided to travel around Europe, and it was during her travels that she decided that a career in music was calling her name. She linked up with her friend, Daniel Watters and they began writing songs via e-mail and would meet up during holiday breaks back home to Sedona to play small coffee shop shows for their friends and family. Fast forward to 15 years later; Jenna now lives in Austin with her husband Daniel and their son Johnny and has achieved her dream of becoming a full time musician with their band, The Watters. She also sings in various other side projects in town and teaches yoga on the side. Both Jenna and Daniel’s families still live in Arizona and they often travel back home for holidays and shows.

Jennifer Baluch

Jenn is a celebrated food influencer and a stand out in Arizona’s culinary scene. Honored as Best Food Influencer and recognized for her TikTok and Instagram accounts by PHOENIX magazine’s Best of the Valley, Jenn has become a trusted voice for food lovers across the state.

Her journey began during the challenging days of the Covid-19 pandemic, when she started spotlighting local restaurants to support struggling businesses.

Since then, Jenn has earned a reputation for her expertise in authentic Mexican cuisine, her passion for mom-and-pop eateries, and her love of dive bars and hidden gems.

Her genuine love for food shines through in her videos, where her expressions while tasting each dish say it all-no words needed.

Known for her honest yet thoughtful reviews, Jenn has built a loyal audience that appreciates her down-to-earth personality and approachability.

When she’s not discovering Arizona’s best bites, you might find her snapping selfies with fans or sharing her latest food finds.

Brian Goddard

Brian Goddard is a Scottsdale/Phoenix based Photographer, Videographer and Designer with a focus on Architecture, Food, Travel, Adventure, Garden and Lifestyle Content Creation.

Brian began his career as a Graphic Designer, Art Director and Photographer for Organic Gardening magazine and Organic Style magazine at Rodale, in Pennsylvania, Disney Adventures magazine in New York City, before relocating to Arizona to Design and Art Direct Phoenix Home & Garden magazine and PHOENIX magazine.

Brian has a lifelong interest in Adventure, Culture, Travel, Cuisine, Plants and Lifestyle, which makes Arizona a perfect place to Live, Work and Play.