In February, the Valley welcomed a slew of intriguing expansions (from out of town and from closer to home) and bid farewell to a few exciting new spots and old favorites. Backyard Taco Family-run taco shop with six locations in the East Valley has opened an outpost in Laveen. 7730 S. 59th Ave., Laveen, backyardtaco.com Bagelfeld’s This wildly popular bagel bakery has set up a second location in Tempe. Be sure to order...
Three Valley restaurants recently made the cut on Yelp’s yearly Top 100 Places to Eat list, a nationwide ranking based on ratings, volume of reviews and user submissions. But do they pass the PM test?
Best known as the chef-owner of CRUjiente Tacos, a Valley favorite that closed after a nine-year run in May 2025, Rich Hinojosa is turning the pag
When my boss at PHOENIX asked for an update on my winery project, Los Milics Vineyards, it hit me: It’s been eight years since my wife, Ita, and I moved to Sonoita-Elgin to break ground.
The countdown begins for craft cocktail and spirits enthusiasts: Arizona Cocktail Weekend kicks off a week from today. The Southwest’s premier booze celebration runs from February 27 to March 2 this year. Its three signature events are returning: Cocktail Carnival, Top Bars Invitational and Last Slinger Standing competition (all ticketed; 21 and older). Additional events, special deals and educational programming will be offered at more than 80 participating Arizona bars. See the full schedule of...
2nd location to open later this year
Owner: Funding dries up after threats from HOA.
Shut down by a fire last year, an Arcadia restaurant has reopened for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Two visits in, I’m completely smitten with Neutral Ground Lounge, the cozy but sophisticated restaurant and bar tucked away in The Marilyn boutique office complex on Thomas Road and 46th Street. I love the assonance of “ground” and “lounge” as well as the New Orleans-centric history behind the term. See, in NOLA, “neutral ground” denotes the grassy median that separates opposing lanes of traffic, but long before cars superseded horses, the term was used in...
From chefs to restaurants to cocktails, a dozen in Arizona are up for food's biggest awards.
New microbrewery set to take over the old Oro Brewing Company space this spring.
Downtown Mesa brewery will serve its final pour on January 25.
40 Love Chef Ryan Pitt oversees the kitchen of Old Town Scottsdale’s newest celebrity-endorsed, upscale lounge and restaurant in the former Kelly’s at Southbridge space. Look for modern American cuisine with French technique and Japanese ingredients. 7117 E. Sixth Ave., Scottsdale, 40lovegroup.com Aristocrat Coffee Roasters Downtown Chandler now has a roastery that serves coffee drinks and pastries. The shop gained fame last summer (while under construction) when it hosted a pop-up wedding for newlyweds whose...
Although the 2025 harvest wrapped up for most Arizona winemakers back in September and October, the work doesn’t stop – it just moves indoors.
Sushi was not on Esther Boado’s brain when she first worked in restaurants to cover expenses in college.
