Desert DigestLocal Foodie News | September 2023
Sydnee WilsonSeptember 14, 2023
Desert DigestLocal Foodie News
Sydnee WilsonApril 14, 2023
All the news that’s fit to nosh. Wine and Dine Festival-Style: The Verde Valley Wine Festival is returning to Cottonwood for its sixth year. Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20, savor samples from a variety of the finest local wineries, restaurants and artisan vendors. The events will kick off with the First Crush VVWF Gala & Auction at the Old Town Cottonwood Clubhouse on Friday night from 6 to 9 p.m. The festival will...
Desert DigestLocal Foodie News
Leah LeMoineApril 25, 2022
All the news that’s fit to nosh. Genuinely Exciting: The Genuine, the long-awaited restaurant from Genuine Concepts (The VIG, Ladera Taverna y Cocina, Campo Italian Bistro & Bar, et al) opens this Thursday, April 28, on 16th Street north of Bethany Home Road, in the former The VIG Uptown space. Chef Jeremy Pacheco will helm the restaurant, with menu highlights including wood-oven-roasted mussels with orange blossom ale and Schreiner’s sausage, roasted chicken, pastas...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkLocal Foodie News
Leah LeMoineMarch 16, 2022
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...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkLocal Foodie News
Leah LeMoineJanuary 26, 2022
Photo by Jacob Tyler Dunn All the news that’s fit to nosh. Fry Baby: Back off, burgers. Hop along, hot dogs. Check you later, chicken fingers. French fries are once again emerging from their supporting role to take center stage at FRIED French Fry & Music Festival on Saturday, April 9. Downtown Phoenix’s Margaret T. Hance Park will host the potatopalooza, which has been on a pandemic hiatus since its debut in 2019. The...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkPhoenix Restaurant Snags No. 1 Spot on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat
Marilyn HawkesJanuary 21, 2022
Yelp’s ninth annual Top 100 Places to Eat in 2022 list came out this week and Cocina Madrigal in Phoenix snagged the top spot in the country. Owned by Latinx chef Leo Madrigal, Cocina Madrigal is known for hand-crafted dishes including al pastor tacos, beef birria enchiladas, achiote chicken burritos and made-to-order guacamole. The south Phoenix restaurant has been open since 2018 and first made the Top 100 list in 2019. Yelp determines which restaurants...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkLocal Foodie News
Leah LeMoineJanuary 21, 2022
All the news that’s fit to nosh. Egging Us On: Another high-profile athlete has joined the plant-based fray. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray recently announced a partnership with JUST Egg, the popular vegan egg alternative. In addition to billboards trumpeting the plant-based brand on the 101 near Westgate Entertainment District, Murray’s ambassadorial role includes a collaboration with Westgate restaurants The Lola and McFadden’s and Downtown Phoenix’s The Ainsworth on The Kyler sandwich. The JUST Egg...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkLocal Foodie News
Leah LeMoineNovember 4, 2021
Phoenix Pizza Festival | Photo courtesy Flargus All the news that’s fit to nosh. Pizza Party: The Phoenix Pizza Festival is back! To celebrate its sixth year, the fest has grown to include two days: Saturday and Sunday, November 13-14, at Margaret T. Hance Park. Limited tickets are available for $12 each – sold exclusively online – and attendees will be able to sample $2-$4 slices, full pies, drinks and desserts from 15-20 pizza makers, food trucks and vendors. Valley...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkLocal Foodie News
Leah LeMoineSeptember 29, 2021
The Sicilian Baker Halloween cannoli | Photo courtesy The Maggiore Group All the news that’s fit to nosh. Autumnal Abundance: It’s fall, y’all! And with this past weekend’s cooler temps, that’s starting to feel real and not just like a cruel calendar joke. Embrace the transition with seasonal specials from The Sicilian Baker including pumpkin pie cannoli with pumpkin-infused sweet ricotta filling (order as a special: large shell dipped in chocolate and decorated with edible pumpkins; available October 15-November...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkLocal Foodie News
Leah LeMoineSeptember 21, 2021
All the news that’s fit to nosh. La Chimichanga Más Grande del Mundo: Valley institution Macayo’s Mexican Food is gunning for world domination. This Saturday, September 25, at 10 a.m., Macayo’s team members at the Ahwatukee location will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the longest chimichanga on the planet. “We’re extremely proud to be the original developer of the world’s first chimichanga* – and to have it become our signature dish. In fact, since it was first created,...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkLocal Foodie News
Leah LeMoineSeptember 16, 2021
Photo courtesy Morning Squeeze All the news that’s fit to nosh. Grand Openings: A slew of food-and-bev establishments have recently opened. Some are opening this week! To wit: Morning Squeeze: The local breakfast and lunch joint is opening its third location this Friday, September 17. The Downtown Phoenix outpost is located at the corner of First and Washington streets. The eatery will include an indoor-outdoor bar, wraparound patio and a takeaway-friendly grab-and-go area. Open from 7...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkLocal Foodie News
Leah LeMoineAugust 18, 2021
All the news that’s fit to nosh. Cookies for a Cause: Love chocolate chip cookies? Love giving back? Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen has the dessert for you. The local gluten-free restaurant chain has partnered with Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) on a tasty fundraising effort. For every GF chocolate chip cookie sold at Picazzo’s five Valley locations (plus one in Sedona), Picazzo’s will donate $1 to support SARRC programs benefiting Arizonans with autism. “At Picazzo’s, we have many regular guests who have family members with autism, so we have been looking...
All the news that’s fit to nosh. Suns Mania: The Valley is rallying, indeed – with food and drink specials inspired by the Phoenix Suns’ arrival in the NBA Finals. Grab these deals while they last: PHX Beer Co. released a limited-edition craft brew called Shazaaam! West Coast IPA, in honor of beloved Phoenix Suns announcer Al McCoy’s famed catchphrase. Notes of mango and papaya energize this beer, which is available as a four-pack or on draft. Humble Pie and Humble Bistro are offering a “baller deal”...