I should probably preface this by saying I am not a big fan of burgers. It’s been nearly a decade since I last ate meat, and even before my vow to be a vegetarian in my late teens, I didn’t particularly care for most protein. But when I was offered a hosted lunch at the new Aioli Burger on Bell Road, something intrigued me. Perhaps it was the fry flight. I had seen pictures of...
With five Valley locations, Upward Projects’ Postino WineCafe is a staple in the Phoenix dining scene. Its sixth location will open in the burgeoning neighborhood of South Tempe on September 16. It will feature the same delicious menu for dine-in, pickup or delivery and a unique display of local art and décor. Here are four things to look out for when the restaurant opens to the public. Ample space for socially distanced dining Located in...
Many people know Alex Stratta as a Michelin-starred, James Beard award-winning chef. His storied career includes stints at Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician, the eponymous Alex restaurant inside the Wynn Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and most recently as executive chef of Wright’s at Arizona Biltmore. After enjoying top billing at many fine dining restaurants locally and in Las Vegas, Stratta is pivoting and opening a casual restaurant, Stratta Kitchen in Scottsdale. The restaurant,...
Kaleb Copenhaver believes that passion is the most important ingredient when it comes to making pizza. “You can buy the good flour, good products and a good oven, but you can’t buy the passion,” says the 22-year-old chef and entrepreneur. “That’s the most important thing.” Copenhaver’s passions include pizza and music. He recently rolled his two obsessions into one with his new culinary concept, Reel Pizza Pies, slated to open in Surprise in early April....
Aioli Gourmet Burgers started six years ago as a food truck. Now, the team behind Aioli has four food trucks and a fast-casual brick and mortar in Phoenix, with a second location slated to open in April inside of Fry’s Marketplace in Litchfield Park. Aioli is the brainchild of three lifelong friends who combined their collective skillsets to create culinary success. “One’s a chef, I was in a marketing background, the other one had a...
Larry and Sandy Shore want to put an innovative spin on the traditional dining experience. That’s why their new concept, Twist Bistro & Gallery, is so aptly named. The restaurant and art gallery is set to open in northern Scottsdale in mid-March. Larry is a chef and Sandy is an artist, so Twist is an ode to their respective passions. “It’s something about the soul touching of creating that both me and Sandy really love,”...
Newly gentrified RoRo gets an airy, agreeable, millennial-friendly restaurant all its own.
Like some enchanted upscale reimagining of Pita Jungle, this spot-on Mediterranean import from L.A. could ignite a dining renaissance at the beleaguered Esplanade.
The Americano Restaurant, Pomo Restaurant Group’s newest outlet, is set to open in North Scottsdale on February 5, taking limited reservations until their grand opening in March. The kitchen will be headed up by executive chef Matthew Taylor, who is also executive chef at Mora Italian, and chef de cuisine CJ Kahley. The Americano will offer antipasti and pasta as well as steaks cooked over wood fire, a raw bar and caviar service, an innovative...
A chic new restaurant has materialized in the heart of Downtown Phoenix. The newly opened Josephine sits inside a refurbished historic house off of Portland and 3rd streets, offering globally inspired cuisine, craft cocktails and an extensive wine selection. I was invited for an introduction experience and I was dazzled. The 1919 historic bungalow is a choice location for Josephine. The matte-black exterior boldly stands out among the surrounding city buildings and looks oh-so dapper....
GuacStar Kitchen and Cantina, a new one-of-a-kind plant-based restaurant and bar, is coming to Tempe in early March. This full-service Cantina will be located at the Cornerstone Mall across from Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. “Everything is going to be edible art,” says executive chef Vincent Contreras. “It’s not going to be a plant-based restaurant, it’s just going to be a great restaurant.” GuacStar will feature Mexican-inspired cuisine that is completely plant-based, and the majority...
Scottsdale Fashion Square is becoming the ideal spot for foodies with new restaurants popping up everywhere you turn. The latest addition, Zinqué (pronounced zinc-kay) had its grand opening this past week and I was lucky enough to snag an invite to their media event. The relaxed but stylish Euro-inspired restaurant mimics cafes found in the South of France, Italy and Spain where guests can start with a latte and end with a glass of wine....
Get to this sensational, butcher- and baker-run restaurant in Uptown Phoenix as soon as humanly possible.
Fronted by a pair of dining vets, this new Arcadia eatery is part Mexican, part New American and all awesome.
Kaleidoscope Juice, a local health and wellness company, will open its eighth Valley location in Gilbert next month. Kaleidoscope offers fresh-pressed juices, nutritious smoothies, coffee, acai bowls, grab-and-go salads and gluten-free baked goods. It uses high quality, organic ingredients that are locally sourced when possible. The new location will feature a walnut wood bar, banquet seating and a community table. It will also include a baking production area that will allow the company to expand...