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Openings  ALMA Scottsdale Sheila Bryson, chef/owner of Soul Modern AZ Cuisine and Vic and Ola’s, has reopened ALMA West by Southwest, a restaurant she shuttered a few years ago at The Shops Gainey Village.  7001 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-687-2612, almascottsdale.com Angry Crab Shack Mesa-based Asian Cajun seafood restaurant opens its 12th location in Laveen. Currently open for takeout and delivery only. 6360 S. 35th Ave., Laveen, 602-975-1065, angrycrabshack.com AZ Pho & Grill West Chandler...

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If you’ve been waiting for Tempe’s Ghost Ranch to reopen since closing in July due to COVID, mark your calendars for early January 2021. The modern Southwestern restaurant will debut a whole new crew, including executive chef David Mora, who has done stints at The Boulders, Coppa Café in Flagstaff and Mariposa in Sedona, where he worked with chef-owner Lisa Dahl.    While Mora and the staff will be adding some new dishes and cocktails, the menu will retain many old favorites, from tacos and enchiladas to mesquite-grilled entrees, including trout, cowboy steak and pollo asado made with local Two Wash...

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It’s tamale time! Made from masa filled with a variety of shredded meats, cheeses, vegetables and chiles, tamales are wrapped in corn husks and then steamed. The savory packets originated in Mesoamerica (central Mexico through northern Costa Rica) and have been made and eaten for thousands of years. Tamales are more abundant around Christmas because they’re part of the celebration of Las Posadas, the commemoration of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter.      You can make your own, but the Valley is home to many...

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The Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, an advocacy group that aims to promote and protect the craft beer industry in the Grand Canyon State, is struggling to survive amid the coronavirus pandemic. The guild had to cancel the majority of its signature craft beer events such as Arizona Strong Beer Festival and Arizona Beer Week, which account for nearly 85 percent of its annual revenue. In an effort to continue operating, the guild came up with...

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FOUND:RE Hotel’s onsite restaurant, MATCH, recently rebranded itself from an upscale sit-down experience to a fast-casual counter service affair with a market and a more accessible cocktail program. Another exciting endeavor – the hotel and restaurant’s new Passport Series, which is designed to transport guests to different destinations around the globe without leaving the FOUND:RE grounds. The monthly event kicks off on Saturday, December 12, which will take guests on a trip to Germany. The...

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If you’re planning a winter escape to Tonto National Forest or the magnificent Tonto Natural Bridge, make a pit stop in Payson (paysonrimcountry.com), where three food and drink options recently opened. Danzeisen Dairy Creamery Store  Danzeisen Dairy owner Kevin Danzeisen partnered with friends Joe and Katie Klein of Payson to open the first extra-Valley Danzeisen creamery there in July 2020. Stop in to rest your feet and enjoy a milkshake, “Hot Cups” (hot chocolate-like treats,...

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Here’s another column about some new kids on the block. One day, driving down Elgin Road in Southern Arizona wine country, I noticed a banner that read “Twisted Union” hanging on Kief-Joshua Vineyard’s fence. I’d heard rumblings about Kief Manning looking to sell his winery and vineyard, and by the looks of this, he did. Twisted Union Wine Co. is composed of 14 partners. In fact, I know some of the folks involved because they...

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Got dinner plans on Saturday, December 12? You could cook a classic meal with North Italia chef Chris Curtiss from the comfort of your own home for a good cause. During the livestream cooking class, Curtiss will show participants how to prepare a Negroni and charcuterie board, followed by a main course of herb-crusted beef tenderloin with roasted Brussels sprouts, Cambozola polenta and an aged balsamic roasted pear crumble with vanilla mascarpone. Curtiss will send...

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The Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town debuted October 1, with the distinction of being the first hotel to open in Old Town in more than a decade. Located at the northeast corner of First Street and Marshall Way, the hotel boasts 177 rooms, 2,000 square feet of meeting space and two dining venues – all day dining at Cobre Kitchen + Cocktails and the Outrider Rooftop Lounge, featuring “posh plates” and locally inspired craft...