Obon Bisutoro, a Japanese bistro specializing in sushi and ramen, officially opened its doors in Phoenix’s Biltmore Fashion Park in late March. I was recently invited to the restaurant – the third Obon concept in the Valley – for its soft opening. Walking into the dimly lit restaurant with complimentary Champagne in hand, I was amazed by the flawless interior design. Wood paneling is a signature décor element present in Obon’s two sister restaurants in...
In the middle of a global pandemic, Dana Dumas, chef-owner of SugarJam The Southern Kitchen, took a leap of faith and moved her existing restaurant into a bigger space in the Scottsdale Airpark. The new 5,000-square-foot spot houses all aspects of her growing business: a full-service brunch restaurant, bar and bakery. The move proved to be a good one. “I‘m doing numbers that I had only dreamt about in my other location,” she says. As...
Meatball Ferris Wheel at The Sicilian Butcher | Photo courtesy The Maggiore Group Spring has sprung in the Valley, and local restaurants and bars are celebrating the season with new menu offerings. Here are nine new menus to check out this month. The Italian Daughter Expect traditional Italian delights with a modern twist on The Italian Daughter’s brand-new spring menu. We can’t wait to try the gnocchi fritto – fried stuffed gnocchi served with house-made...
Carcara | Photo courtesy Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Opening Andy’s Frozen Custard You’ll find frozen custard, sundaes, shakes and more at the Valley’s fourth location of Andy’s. 686 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, eatandys.com BEG Bakery & Creamery This Scottsdale bakery features butter-free, egg-free and gluten-free treats, including muffins, cupcakes, cookies and cinnamon rolls. 3030 N. 68th St., Scottsdale, begbakery.com Black Rock Coffee Drive through or order inside at Black Rock’s newest location at Block 7000....
When you go to locally-owned breakfast and lunch eatery U.S. Egg, you’re probably thinking about tucking into a stack of pancakes or a fully loaded omelet with hash browns. But did you know that the restaurants also offer a soup du jour? Chef Mario Gebran recently shared his recipe for the restaurant’s chicken veggie soup. If you want to make a smaller batch, cut the ingredients in half. The recipe calls for onion, celery and...
Cory Oppold | Photo by Ian Cahill/Precision Photography AZ Former Food Network Chopped champion Cory Oppold has worked everywhere, it seems. His resume is impressive. After graduating from Scottsdale Culinary Institute, he started his career at Different Pointe of View, later working as sous chef at Binkley’s, chef de cuisine at L’Auberge and executive chef both at Tarbell’s and Atlas Bistro. Now, at last, he’s opening his own Modern American restaurant in Scottsdale, and he’s...
Planting a vineyard involves a great deal of work, from establishing the water source to developing the irrigation and trellis infrastructure. There’s also the small matter of deciding what to plant. When my team at Los Milics Vineyards was making these important decisions three years ago, we reached out to local winemakers to find out what would do well in our part of the world. Graciano made the cut. Native to the Rioja and Navarre...
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All the news that’s fit to nosh. Tea Party: Fancy a spot of tea? Head to Mountain Shadows on April 21 to celebrate National Tea Day with the new Library Teapot. Conceived as an addition to the resort’s Library Coffee Cart (with specialty coffee drinks holding court with design books), the Library Teapot will feature Royal-Tea, a custom tea concoction created by Allison DeVane of Phoenix company Teaspressa. Royal-Tea combines Teaspressa Charles Grey...
March is National Frozen Food Month! Keep a chill supply of local essentials from these Valley brands. Pierogi Channel an Eastern European grandma and fry up some frozen pierogi ($9.99-plus/dozen) from Mesa dumpling emporium All Pierogi. allpierogi.com Pizza Order take-and-bake (or take-and-freeze) personal pizzas ($5.50-$7) at Saffron JAK’s North Phoenix bakery and café or its Downtown Phoenix outpost at Walter Station Brewery. saffronjak.com Ice Cream Stock up on pints ($10) of your favorite flavors (vanilla,...
Please drink responsibly and don’t contribute to amateur hour. Cheers!
Photo courtesy Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort All the news that’s fit to nosh. Architecture of a Great Meal: After shuttering dining institution Frank & Albert’s, the legendary Arizona Biltmore reconceived its space and recently debuted McArthur’s. The new restaurant is named after the resort’s lead architect, Albert Chase McArthur, a disciple of consulting architect Frank Lloyd Wright. “McArthur’s is a direct tribute to the heart of Arizona Biltmore, which is Albert Chase McArthur,” general...
Local restaurants are getting in the St. Paddy’s Day spirit with special drinking and dining deals. Whether you want a Kelly-green brew or some classic corned beef and hash, here’s where to get your fix this Thursday, March 17. Chompie’s We love Chompie’s for its world-famous bagels and giant black and white cookies, but this St. Patrick’s Day, we’re looking forward to its traditional all-you-can-eat Irish feast. Here’s the deal: Corned beef, broiled red potatoes,...
THE SCENE When one of your work perks is trying new restaurants and menus, you quickly become the go-to gal for friends’ dining inquiries. Not a week passes that I don’t get a few imploring Facebook messages or frantic texts asking for food recommendations. “I’m in Tempe for an appointment. What’s the best place for a quick lunch?” “In-laws visiting this weekend and they hate fish and spicy food. Any recs in the North Scottsdale...
New releases from some of our favorite local craft breweries.
