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All the news that’s fit to nosh.      Genuinely Exciting: The Genuine, the long-awaited restaurant from Genuine Concepts (The VIG, Ladera Taverna y Cocina, Campo Italian Bistro & Bar, et al) opens this Thursday, April 28, on 16th Street north of Bethany Home Road, in the former The VIG Uptown space. Chef Jeremy Pacheco will helm the restaurant, with menu highlights including wood-oven-roasted mussels with orange blossom ale and Schreiner’s sausage, roasted chicken, pastas...

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When Espiritu opened last January, it was cast as a bar not a restaurant, a let’s-get-crazy play place for drinkers unashamed to admit they like getting a little toasty. Under the short cocktail menu (five regular cocktails and one daily special) is a section called “Shots & Other Mistakes,” featuring nine possibly bad decisions (their verbiage, not mine). Here, you’ll find wild concoctions given hilarious names and descriptions, including Yeetlejuice (Jaeger cold brew, pineapple amaro,...

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Photo by Jessica Jameson  Two iconic Arizona institutions have teamed up to bring a one-of-a-kind dinner series to the desert. Cloth & Flame creates temporary venues for events that combine culinary innovation and community involvement. Though the Phoenix-based event company puts together pop-up dinners in unexpected places, it’s ongoing partnership with Arcosanti actually makes perfect sense. Both enterprises honor the design, art, food and community that set the Grand Canyon State apart and aim to...

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THE SCENE “Hidden gem” is one of the most cliché phrases in a food writer’s tattered toolkit, but in S. Maranto’s case, it is literally true. The bright little bistro, a modern spin on a classic Italian American joint, is downright difficult to find in the sprawling Scottsdale 101 shopping plaza at Mayo Boulevard and the 101 – technically in Phoenix, though it’s literal steps from Scottsdale city limits. It’s smack-dab in a sea of...

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All the news that’s fit to nosh.  Flower Power: To honor National Autism Awareness Month, on April 14 Flower Child will donate 5 percent of its sales – up to $10,000 – to The Autism Community in Action. This year marks the restaurant’s third Give Back Day to TACA. It has raised more than $33,000 for the nonprofit since 2019. Reason enough to feast on the Flying Avocado wrap and gluten-free mac and cheese.  Meat...

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Local food and beverage maestros Mezcal Carreño and Los Sombreros recently partnered up to prepare a four-course meal and mezcal pairing to highlight the Mesa location of Los Sombreros’ brand-new mezcaleria, a cozy space with ample seating above the restaurant where guests can enjoy mezcal tastings, cocktails, mezcal-centric events and live music. The dinner, which took place on March 30, was the first event in the Mesa mezcaleria. The partnership between the restaurant and spirit...

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Crust Simply Italian, a local chain known for its Sicilian-style pizza and extensive pasta selection, recently launched a creative new concept called Calzone Connection. Calzone connoisseurs can now order specialty craft calzones for pickup or delivery from the Crust locations in Scottsdale and Chandler. A Gilbert location is also slated to open later this year. These aren’t your average Italian turnovers – small, doughy dishes typically filled with meat and cheese. Calzone Connection’s creations are...

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Whether you’re looking for a fancy brunch, a family-friendly lunch or a fast-casual dinner, there’s a fair share of fare at Valley restaurants this Easter (Sunday, April 17). Fired Pie With 18 locations across the Valley, it’s easy to pop into this popular fast-casual pizza place and order a custom pie. Even easier, all locations are offering 20 percent off orders on Easter Sunday when you use the discount code “BUNNY22.” This deal is available...

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Obon Bisutoro, a Japanese bistro specializing in sushi and ramen, officially opened its doors in Phoenix’s Biltmore Fashion Park in late March. I was recently invited to the restaurant – the third Obon concept in the Valley – for its soft opening. Walking into the dimly lit restaurant with complimentary Champagne in hand, I was amazed by the flawless interior design. Wood paneling is a signature décor element present in Obon’s two sister restaurants in...

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In the middle of a global pandemic, Dana Dumas, chef-owner of SugarJam The Southern Kitchen, took a leap of faith and moved her existing restaurant into a bigger space in the Scottsdale Airpark. The new 5,000-square-foot spot houses all aspects of her growing business: a full-service brunch restaurant, bar and bakery. The move proved to be a good one. “I‘m doing numbers that I had only dreamt about in my other location,” she says. As...

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Meatball Ferris Wheel at The Sicilian Butcher | Photo courtesy The Maggiore Group Spring has sprung in the Valley, and local restaurants and bars are celebrating the season with new menu offerings. Here are nine new menus to check out this month.  The Italian Daughter Expect traditional Italian delights with a modern twist on The Italian Daughter’s brand-new spring menu. We can’t wait to try the gnocchi fritto – fried stuffed gnocchi served with house-made...

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Carcara | Photo courtesy Sheraton Phoenix Downtown    Opening Andy’s Frozen Custard You’ll find frozen custard, sundaes, shakes and more at the Valley’s fourth location of Andy’s. 686 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, eatandys.com BEG Bakery & Creamery This Scottsdale bakery features butter-free, egg-free and gluten-free treats, including muffins, cupcakes, cookies and cinnamon rolls. 3030 N. 68th St., Scottsdale, begbakery.com Black Rock Coffee Drive through or order inside at Black Rock’s newest location at Block 7000....

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When you go to locally-owned breakfast and lunch eatery U.S. Egg, you’re probably thinking about tucking into a stack of pancakes or a fully loaded omelet with hash browns. But did you know that the restaurants also offer a soup du jour? Chef Mario Gebran recently shared his recipe for the restaurant’s chicken veggie soup. If you want to make a smaller batch, cut the ingredients in half. The recipe calls for onion, celery and...