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August 2026 Openings & Closings

Openings/ClosingsSeptember 2, 2026August 2026 Openings & Closings

Dining Review: Quiessence

Food ReviewsSeptember 2, 2026Dining Review: Quiessence

Dining Review: Il Forno Bello

Food ReviewsSeptember 2, 2026Dining Review: Il Forno Bello

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Food ReviewsDining Review of Buqui Bichi: Mexican Brewpub in Chandler

Craig OuthierNovember 3, 2023

Reminiscent of a Mexican Four Peaks, but with better comida.

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Food ReviewsDining Review of Toka Cafe & Grill: European Cuisine in Scottsdale

Nikki BuchananNovember 3, 2023

Don’t be misled by the menu’s familiar breakfast and lunch selections, surely designed for the area’s office and retail workers.

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Food ReviewsDining Review of Cubanitas Kitchen: Cuban Cuisine in Glendale

Nikki BuchananNovember 2, 2023

Owners Keeon Pullen, Angel Renteria and Lennis Rivas Montero have been turning out a limited selection of classic Cuban eats for just over a year now.

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Food ReviewsDining Review of Que Sazon: South American Cuisine in Downtown Phoenix

Craig OuthierNovember 2, 2023

Fabian and Julie Ocampo rise admirably to the challenge at their South American restaurant in Downtown Phoenix.

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Local ProductsGranola, Cocktails and Preserves: 3 Local Products to Try This Fall

Marilyn HawkesNovember 2, 2023

Natural energy bars and granola, to-go tiki cocktails and fruit preserves and butters from local makers.

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Craft BeerBeer of the Month: Alewife’s Pumpkin Pie from Desert Monks Brewing Co.

Craig OuthierNovember 1, 2023

There’s very little argument that this perennial offering from rising Gilbert brewer Desert Monks is one of the finest versions in America.

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Local ProductsLiquid Arizona: The Craftsman Amaro

Craig OuthierNovember 1, 2023

The beer mavens behind Two Brothers Artisan Brewing make Italy’s famously herbal liqueur the duce of its Arizona-based spirits program. 

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DiningHow to Tell the Difference Between Two Similarly-Named New Restaurants

Craig OuthierNovember 1, 2023

Whether it’s saturation or simple chance, almost-identically-named Valley restaurants are a thing these days.

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Happy HourHappy Hour Spotlight: Comida Mexicana

Leah LeMoineNovember 1, 2023

Don't miss items and best happy hour deals at 3 Valley Mexican restaurants: Casa Corazon, Serrano's and ALMA.

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Local ProductsPav on Juice: Arizona Wineries Ecstatic for 2023 Harvest

Pavle MilicNovember 1, 2023

A monthly look at Arizona wine with Valley dining impresario Pavle Milic.

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DiningEat Beat Interrogation with Chef Russell LaCasce of ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho

Marilyn HawkesNovember 1, 2023

LaCasce is proud of the positive culture he’s created at the iconic hotel’s signature restaurant, ZuZu, where he says teamwork, learning and creativity thrive.  

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Three BitesFeeling Salty: 3 Valley Chefs Give Anchovies a Delicious Revival

Marilyn HawkesNovember 1, 2023

Stigmatized as history’s least-popular pizza topping, the anchovy is enjoying a glorious renaissance in the hands of Mediterranean-minded Valley chefs. 

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Space CasePhoenix Woodworker Creates Elevated Cafe Experience at The Coffee Builders

Madison RutherfordNovember 1, 2023

A former storage space is transformed into a speakeasy-like coffee shop.

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Drink ThisDrink This: The Spice Queen at Fat Ox

Nikki BuchananNovember 1, 2023

This silky little number is a scotch-based riff on the Old Fashioned.

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DiningFeatures2023 Best New Restaurants

Editorial StaffNovember 1, 2023

Relive a red-letter year in Valley dining with our picks for the new restaurants most worthy of your immediate gustatory attention – from the Scottsdale sushi spot led by an old culinary lion to a pair of upstart Downtown diners that started on four wheels.

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Newer Posts

Older Posts

Recent Stories

  • Openings/ClosingsAugust 2026 Openings & Closings

    September 2, 2026
  • Food ReviewsDining Review: Quiessence

    September 2, 2026
  • Food ReviewsDining Review: Il Forno Bello

    September 2, 2026
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For more than 50 years, PHOENIX magazine's experienced writers, editors, and designers have captured all sides of the Valley with award-winning and insightful writing, and groundbreaking report and design. Our expository features, narratives, profiles, and investigative features keep our 385,000 readers in touch with the Valley's latest trends, events, personalities and places.

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  • About Us
Charles Lohrmann

As managing editor and associate publisher of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, Charles Lohrmann experienced astounding natural wonders, from canoeing in Deep East Texas to trekking into the remote canyonlands west of Del Rio to view Archaic rock art. From TPWD, Lohrmann moved to Texas Highways, the award-winning Official Travel Magazine of Texas, where he was editor and publisher, and directed coverage of destinations in every corner of Texas. As editor of Texas Co-op Power magazine, he guided content development — including travel, history and culture — for the largest circulation publication in the state of Texas, reaching more than 3.5 million readers. Now residing in Santa Fe, N.M., Lohrmann has also traveled throughout Arizona many times, in particular to the Hopi and Navaho tribal lands, as well as to the Tohono O’odham nation.

Jenna Watters

Jenna Watters was born and raised in Sedona, Arizona, which is where her love of music began. She started singing in church as a young girl, joined a traveling choir that toured all over Arizona, and even helped teach the choir her senior year at Sedona Red Rock High School. In 2005, she graduated high school and spent a couple years at Arizona State University before she decided to travel around Europe, and it was during her travels that she decided that a career in music was calling her name. She linked up with her friend, Daniel Watters and they began writing songs via e-mail and would meet up during holiday breaks back home to Sedona to play small coffee shop shows for their friends and family. Fast forward to 15 years later; Jenna now lives in Austin with her husband Daniel and their son Johnny and has achieved her dream of becoming a full time musician with their band, The Watters. She also sings in various other side projects in town and teaches yoga on the side. Both Jenna and Daniel’s families still live in Arizona and they often travel back home for holidays and shows.

Jennifer Baluch

Jenn is a celebrated food influencer and a stand out in Arizona’s culinary scene. Honored as Best Food Influencer and recognized for her TikTok and Instagram accounts by PHOENIX magazine’s Best of the Valley, Jenn has become a trusted voice for food lovers across the state.

Her journey began during the challenging days of the Covid-19 pandemic, when she started spotlighting local restaurants to support struggling businesses.

Since then, Jenn has earned a reputation for her expertise in authentic Mexican cuisine, her passion for mom-and-pop eateries, and her love of dive bars and hidden gems.

Her genuine love for food shines through in her videos, where her expressions while tasting each dish say it all-no words needed.

Known for her honest yet thoughtful reviews, Jenn has built a loyal audience that appreciates her down-to-earth personality and approachability.

When she’s not discovering Arizona’s best bites, you might find her snapping selfies with fans or sharing her latest food finds.

Brian Goddard

Brian Goddard is a Scottsdale/Phoenix based Photographer, Videographer and Designer with a focus on Architecture, Food, Travel, Adventure, Garden and Lifestyle Content Creation.

Brian began his career as a Graphic Designer, Art Director and Photographer for Organic Gardening magazine and Organic Style magazine at Rodale, in Pennsylvania, Disney Adventures magazine in New York City, before relocating to Arizona to Design and Art Direct Phoenix Home & Garden magazine and PHOENIX magazine.

Brian has a lifelong interest in Adventure, Culture, Travel, Cuisine, Plants and Lifestyle, which makes Arizona a perfect place to Live, Work and Play.