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Seafood in the desert?! Don’t knock it ‘til you try it, and we recommend giving it a go at Angie’s Lobster, a new drive-through concept from the folks who founded local healthy fast-food chain Salad and Go. Tony and Roushan Christofellis sold the salad biz this summer to focus on their new endeavor, a fast and efficient seafood restaurant boasting lobster meals with fries and a drink for under $10. The first location opened in...

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In 2008, Sadhana Raj founded a small vegan eatery in Chandler with little more than a rice cooker and a $20 plug-in griddle. In 2014, she moved to a larger space on Guadalupe Road in Tempe, substantially scaling her “botanically inspired” fare and fresh-squeezed juice. She quickly garnered a group of devoted fans, who came for her healthy food and stayed for the strong sense of community. Last week, the Valley bid a reluctant farewell...

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Kim Thao interior | Photo by Nikki Buchanan   Kim Thao is not one person but two: Kim Tran and Thao Nguyen, who met in a doctor’s office, became friends and decided to launch a Vietnamese bakery, market and take-out operation together. Kim is the cook; Thao runs the front of the house, and from the looks of things, they’ve already been embraced by the community since their mid-October opening. It’s easy to see why....

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‘Tis the season for holiday imbibing! Eat, drink and be merry at these four festive pop-up concepts at local bars and restaurants. Feliz Navidad Cantina at Salt and Lime Modern Mexican Grill This over-the-top pop-up concept was first introduced last year. It’s even bigger and better in 2021, complete with floor-to-ceiling Christmas decorations, festive food and drinks, servers decked out in holiday garb and weekly visits from Santa and the Grinch. The pop-up will run...

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Roasted Chilean Seabass | Photo by Madison Rutherford   The iconic Arizona Biltmore resort recently reopened, revealing a $70 million renovation that included Renata’s Hearth, an upscale, Latin-influenced eatery that debuted on May 18. Combining Old World mystique with a distinctly modern identity, Renata’s Hearth (née Wright’s) presents a full sensory experience – from enticing aromas and bold flavors to ornate décor and pleasant sounds. During my visit, a live flutist and guitarist serve as...

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Commuter Egg Sandwich and Espresso Tonic | Photo by Madison Rutherford I have never traveled to Tulum or Scandinavia, the two locales that inspired Kähvi Coffee + Café in Downtown Phoenix. I have, however, gleaned some ideas on a recent visit to the new coffee bar. The concept, which opened in July, is the brainchild of prolific restaurateur Julian Wright of Fork & Dagger Hospitality and is spearheaded by operating partner and industry vet Samia...

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On Nov. 18, Pedal Haus Brewery opened a new location in the MonOrchid building in the Roosevelt Row Arts District. The new restaurant (Pedal Haus number three for owner Julian Wright) covers 6,000 square feet and includes indoor and outdoor seating, live music and happy hour specials. Since Pedal Haus is known for its award-winning beers, we recently caught up with head brewer Derek “Doc” Osborne to learn more about Pedal Haus beer. How did...

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Photo by Nikki Buchanan    Vegetarian Chili at Welcome Diner Usually, my chili craving kicks in around the time I break out the first sweater, but this fall has been so balmy that I just couldn’t wait — especially when I saw the descriptor on WD’s menu: house veggie chili topped with pimiento cheese and diced onion. It was the addition of pimiento cheese that sold me on this dish, but as it turned out,...

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Opening Aftermath Bar + Kitchen You’ll find modern American cuisine at this new eatery, including shareable plates and entrees and a nice selection of cocktails, beer and wine. 1534 E. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix, aftermathphoenix.com Babbo Italian Eatery An eighth Valley location of this family-owned restaurant has opened in Goodyear. 15705 W. McDowell Rd., Goodyear, 623-440-2117, babboitalian.com Bap and Chicken Korean fried chicken and bibimbap headline this west Chandler restaurant’s menu. On Thursdays they feature...

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St. Francis was an Uptown Phoenix institution of sorts, serving as both a community gathering place and a solid place to enjoy gourmet global fare. Nestled in a historical building on Camelback Road just east of Central Avenue, its name was derived from a neighborhood land deed dating back to the mid-1930s and was originally owned by the Brophy family. St. Francis’ former chef, Aaron Chamberlain, made his mark on the area through a menu...

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All the news that’s fit to nosh.   Rock Lobstah: Tony and Roushan Christofellis – the genius couple behind the Valley’s favorite healthy fast-food joint, Salad and Go – have a new drive-thru darling. Angie’s Lobster opens today, November 30, at 835 W. Baseline Rd. in Tempe. Tony Christofellis was inspired by his mother, Angie, who had a career in seafood restaurants culminating in owning her own eatery, Angie’s Seafood, just outside of Boston. Angie’s Lobster will offer lobster finger or lobster roll meals – wild-caught Maine and Canadian crustaceans only – with fries, a...

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Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers | Photo courtesy J. Martin Harris Photography   All the news that’s fit to nosh.   Burgerversary: Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers is celebrating a decade of frosty brews and juicy burgers this month. To mark its milestone anniversary, the local chain – with 12 locations Valleywide and a 13th set to open in Maricopa later this year – will be offering a $10 Burger & Beer deal from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday throughout the month of November. “After 10 years...

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Photo by Nikki Buchanan   Burratina, Prosciutto and Focaccia at Pa’La Downtown My beau and I put away course after delicious course at Pa’La Downtown recently, where executive chef and partner Jason Alford (a Roka Akor alum) turns out Japanese-inspired or Middle Eastern-inflected seafood dishes as well as the Italian classics for which chef and co-owner Claudio Urciuoli is best known. This is just one of many favorites, a simple dish that has Urciuoli written...