Food ReviewsThe Genuine
Nikki BuchananNovember 4, 2022
The new flagship restaurant from Genuine Concepts sets sail with an ambitious but underrealized menu.
Food & Drink
Desert DigestFood & DrinkDecember 7, 2022November 2022 Restaurant Openings and Closings
Openings 85°C Bakery Café Look for breads, cakes, sweet treats and sea salt coffee at this new to Arizona franchise next to 99 Ranch Market in Chandler. 1912 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 85cbakerycafe.com Artichoke Basille’s Pizza New York-based pizzeria opens a third Valley location at Desert Ridge Marketplace, featuring eight pizza varieties, slices and “not pizza” starters and entrees. 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, artichokepizza.com Barstool Scottsdale Sports bar inspired by the Barstool Sports website...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkDecember 7, 2022Eater’s Triangle: Chandler Sushi Crawl
Food ReviewsWren & Wolf
Nikki BuchananNovember 4, 2022
Ensconced under a Downtown high-rise, this otherworldly modern American eatery preys on our hunger for elegant, citified dining.
Food ReviewsJollof Smiths
Nikki BuchananNovember 4, 2022
Three new West African restaurants in Phoenix send our critic into an exploratory tizzy.
Drink ThisFrom Our PartnersFrom Scotland to Scottsdale: Westin Kierland Celebrates Grand Reopening of Scotch Library
Madison RutherfordNovember 2, 2022
Whether you consider yourself scotch-curious or a seasoned connoisseur, the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale is excited to invite everyone to experience the grand reopening of its Scotch Library.
DiningFeaturesBest New Restaurants 2022
Editorial StaffNovember 1, 2022
A high-toned Indian charmer in Chandler. A Sonoran playboy in Mesa. Separated-at-birth siblings from the Thai countryside. Find them all in this globally oriented salute to the year’s 10 most spectacular culinary bows in Greater Phoenix, plus honorable mentions, best-in-show picks and more.
Desert DigestFood & DrinkRigatoni Vodka Recipe from Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen
Marilyn HawkesOctober 24, 2022
Chef Rocco Pezzano, owner of Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen in the Desert Ridge area, says that pasta with vodka sauce is making a comeback. “This (dish) used to be popular in the ’80s and then disappeared. Now it’s coming back and the younger generation loves it,” he says. Pezzano offers a couple of tips: Don’t put oil in the water, because oil coats the pasta and then the sauce won’t adhere; and use a short,...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkSix Questions with Kai’s Chef de Cuisine Drew Anderson
Marilyn HawkesOctober 24, 2022
Chef de Cuisine Drew Anderson has taken over the kitchen at Kai, the celebrated restaurant honoring Native American cuisine at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass. Anderson incorporates “the essence of the Pima and Maricopa tribes” in his cuisine and uses local products and seasonal produce from the Gila River Indian Community whenever possible. The award-winning restaurant has the distinction of being the only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star restaurant in Arizona....
Desert DigestFood & DrinkFirst Dish: Pita Jungle’s Seasonal Kitchen Crafts Menu
Madison RutherfordOctober 21, 2022
High Plains Mediterranean Drifter Garbanzo Tostada | Photo by Madison Rutherford It’s no secret that local Mediterranean chain Pita Jungle likes to keep things fresh. It hangs its hat on garden-fresh ingredients that cater to vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diners. But even its meat-centric meals are made with wholesome, healthy lean proteins. So, it’s also no surprise that the kitchen likes to keep things fresh by switching up its menu seasonally. About three or four...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkHottie Sandwich Recipe from Chickadees Chicken and Fries
Marilyn HawkesOctober 21, 2022
If you’re hankering for a hot chicken sandwich, but don’t feel like going out, we’ve got a solution for you: Make yourself a spicy sandwich at home. To help you out, we spoke to Miguel Banuelos, executive chef at Chickadees Chicken and Fries, an Old Town Scottsdale spot that opened on Labor Day weekend. He graciously shared one of the chicken sandwich recipes with us. Banuelos offers a couple of tips when making the sandwich...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkTastes Better from Scratch: Phoenix Blogger Lauren Allen Pens Cookbook
Marilyn HawkesOctober 21, 2022
Phoenix-based food blogger Lauren Allen grew up in a home where her mom cooked everything from scratch. So when she went off to college, Allen was surprised that many of her fellow students didn’t know how to cook or appreciate good food. “It was weird for me to meet other college girls my age who didn’t even know how to boil water,” Allen says. “I wanted to teach people that cooking is easy. You can...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkChef Claudio Urciuoli Parts Ways with Pa’La to Focus on New East Valley Venture
Nikki BuchananOctober 14, 2022
In a move that surprises no one who knows him, chef Claudio Urciuoli has left Pa’La and Pa’La Downtown, the Italian-influenced, seafood-centric restaurants in which he partnered with Omar Alvarez of Tortas Paquime. As you may recall, the two opened the first Pa’La on 24th Street in late 2017, followed by a larger, full-service Pa’La Downtown — where the kitchen was (and is) helmed by Jason Alford – in 2021. He has amicably parted ways...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkFirst Dish: Society by EVO
Kristy DurkinOctober 13, 2022
From EVO owner Nick Neuman and his partners Lee Baron, Randy Feldman and Dominic Scappaticci comes a chic, floral fantasy in the heart of Tempe. I have been wondering for years if EVO in Old Town Scottsdale would ever expand and open another location, and when I received an invitation to try Society by EVO, I happily accepted. Located in the Cornerstone Plaza strip mall near Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, to say the space...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkSeptember 2022 Restaurant Openings and Closings
Marilyn HawkesOctober 10, 2022
Opening Bamboo Asian Kitchen This new spot at Christown Spectrum Mall has all your favorite Asian dishes to go or dine in. 1818 W. Montebello Ave., Phoenix, bambooasiankitchenaz.com Belly A popular Phoenix restaurant sets up shop at Epicenter, featuring a modern take on Southeast Asian cuisine and drinks. 3150 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert, 480-500 6464, bellyphx.com Big’s American Sports Bar & Grill Belly up to the bar and watch your favorite sports teams and choose...
Desert DigestFood & Drink3 Local Food-Related Philanthropic Events to Attend this October
Scianna GarciaOctober 10, 2022
Eat and drink for a good cause this month at these three food-centric charity events around the Valley. Make-A-Wish Arizona at Ocean 44 Be one of the first 200 guests to purchase a meal from Ocean 44 in Scottsdale on Monday, October 10 starting at 5 p.m. to support Make-A-Wish Arizona. The Valley’s top trio of steak and seafood restaurants will continue its tradition of donating 100 percent of nightly proceeds to the organization. Ocean...
Desert DigestFood & Drink5 Local Beer-Centric Oktoberfest Celebrations
Scianna GarciaOctober 6, 2022
Oktoberfest has officially kicked off in Germany and celebrations can be found just about anywhere in the world. Here are a few events where you can take part in the festivities in Phoenix this month. Oktoberfest at Pedal Haus Brewery With locations in Downtown Phoenix, Tempe and Chandler, this locally owned and operated brewery recently launched a special Oktoberfest food menu and annual Oktoberfest beer. At Pedal Haus Tempe and Downtown Phoenix, you can look...