Photo by Aimee Smith Wake up! Fever Dream Coffee is now open. Downtown’s newest caffeine provider is perched on the porch of Pemberton PHX. The aesthetic is an Instagrammer’s dream, from the cosmic sign to the colorful pastries. The muffins topped with edible flowers are almost too pretty to eat, at least not until you’ve had a photo shoot with them. In addition to standard coffee drinks, Fever Dream’s Magic Coffee menu includes spicy...
Photo by Leah LeMoine THE SCENE I am embarrassed by how many times I have driven by locations of Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen without giving it a second thought. I think for many years I assumed it was a gluten-free version of Panera Bread – an unremarkable chain bakery/cafe. Why would I go out of my way to eat there when I could support our homegrown bakery/cafe, Wildflower? Then my friend Elaina started working with Picazzo’s. She told me it was locally owned...
Last time I wrote about Los Milics Winery was back in September of 2020 – after the hurricane known as “harvest.” Construction on our winery in the Southern Arizona town of Elgin was completed and my wife, Carla (pictured), and I processed 36 tons of fruit by ourselves. From our vineyard a few miles away in Elfrida we got some beautiful Graciano, Grenache and Mourvèdre. However, the Tempranillo from that site was not yielding the...
Photo courtesy Morning Squeeze Egg lovers, this one’s for you: Friday, April 16, is National Eggs Benedict Day. Classic eggs Benedict is a splurge-worthy dish on its own merit – poached eggs and ham smothered in hollandaise sauce layered on a toasted or grilled English muffin. Tradition aside, there are many interpretations of this dish, which is said to have been invented in 1894 by a Wall Street broker named Lemuel Benedict at New...
Hard to believe it’s been nearly 25 years since Phoenix City Grille brought its brand of casual-but-sophisticated urban dining to North-Central Phoenix. One constant through it all: the restaurant’s now-iconic signature pasta dish, which isn’t so hard to whip up at home. 1 1/2 cups penne pasta, cooked 2 tbsp. olive oil 6 oz. raw chicken breast, diced 1/4 cup Chardonnay or other white wine 1/4 cup chicken stock 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 tbsp. roasted...
Food trucks morphing into brick-and-mortar operations is becoming more and more popular. Just ask the team behind Aioli Gourmet Burgers, which started six years ago as a restaurant on wheels. Now, the award-winning burger joint has three stationary eateries across the Valley, including inside Fry’s Marketplace in Litchfield Park. Its sister company and fellow mobile culinarian, Modern Tortilla, is now following in its footsteps. The Aioli team’s second food truck concept is now setting up...
Photo courtesy Red Havas All the news that’s fit to nosh. Tucson Takeover: After years of anticipation, Tucson fast-food icon eegee’s is opening its first Valley location. The eatery, which specializes in subs, grinders, specialty french fries, soft pretzels and its signature eegee frozen fruit drink, will open this summer at the southwest corner of Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. “We’re very fortunate that there’s already so much anticipation around our expansion,” says eegee’s CEO Ron Petty. “Our brand affinity in Tucson...
Though many people don’t know that Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, they are familiar with the parades, music, food and drinks that accompany this day of Hispanic heritage. Honor history by indulging in a few drinks and traditional dishes at these local haunts. Los Sombreros pollo fundido | Photo courtesy Elaina V. Public Relations Los Sombreros Though Cinco de Mayo falls...
Beer and ramen? We like the sound of that. Such are the dual passions of multi-versed culinarian Tyler Smith, who hopes to open the Kitsune Brewing Co. and Ramen Shop in Cave Creek later this year. In the meantime, Smith has joined forces with Simple Machine Brewing Co. in North Phoenix to can his first generation of brews, becoming Arizona’s first African American commercial brewer in the process. (Know the cans by the elegantly spare,...
Food festivals may be scarce this spring, but you can still make the most of the season with al fresco dining courtesy of these mobile culinarians. Hot Pot Caribbean Cuisine Chandler’s premier Caribbean eatery now has a food truck ferrying its beef patties, jerk chicken and curry goat all around the Valley. hotpotcuisine.com Goat & Ram Track down this pizza mobile for inventive spins on pie like the Wurst Pizza Ever: roasted garlic cream, bratwurst,...
Liberty Market Strawberry Shortcake | Photo Courtesy Knife & Fork Media Group Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9 and local restaurants are celebrating with multi-course meals, exclusive menu items and novelty cocktails. Here’s a running list of restaurants celebrating Mom this May with sustenance – and lots of Champagne, natch. Ember at We-Ko-Pa Raise a glass for moms everywhere with a complimentary Bellini, mimosa or glass of Champagne, plus an elaborate brunch including an...
Fresh, customizable food for a good cause? Where do I sign up? The answer is Fresh Taste Meal Prep, a local meal delivery service that was recently launched by the team behind Valley foodie favorite Aioli Gourmet Burgers. Fresh Taste brings fully cooked and freshly prepared dishes directly to your door, and in turn supports local nonprofits focused on feeding the hungry. Here’s how it works: Order meals online for weekly delivery or pickup. For...
