More dining news
5 top restaurant trends for 2009
What are the five top restaurant trends you can expect to see in 2009?
Celeb dish: Eric Byrnes
Diamondbacks left fielder Eric Byrnes tells us which restaurants he considers a home run.
Dining deals: The Old Spaghetti Factory, Sassi, District
Dining deals at The Old Spaghetti Factor, Sassi and District American Kitchen and Wine Bar.
Dine-around deal: Canal, Estate House, Metro
Developer Fred Unger's three SouthBridge restaurants - Canal, Estate House and Metro Brasserie on Stetson Drive in Scottsdale - are now offering a dine-around package for $49.
News: Bomberos, Good Eats Grocer, Tapino and more
Good Eats Grocer is taking over Dish's spot, Bomberos is thriving, James Porter continues locavore quest and more dining news.
2008 a rough year for Arizona restaurants
After a year of empty tables, Valley restaurants are looking forward to being busy on New Year's Eve.
Turf Accountant Irish Restaurant & Pub opening downtown
A new Emerald Isle watering hole, Turf Accountant Irish Restaurant & Pub, is coming to downtown Phoenix.
Tiburón opens in Litchfield Park
Seafood-starved diners in the far West Valley have a new place to drop their lines. Ambitious Tiburón (Spanish for "shark") has opened in the shadow of the White Tank Mountains in Litchfield.
Dining deals: Malee's Thai Bistro, Razz's, the Latilla
Dining deals at Malee's Thai Bistro, Razz's, the Latilla.
Celeb dish: Eddie Matney
Chef Eddie Matney cooks up a list of his choice spots for a meal. (Besides his own restaurant, Eddie's House, of course!)
Michael DeMaria debuting Heirloom
Welcome back, Michael DeMaria. His new restaurant, Heirloom, is coming to Market Street at DC Ranch at the end of January. It’s taking over the spot that has been housing Flo’s Hong Kong.
First bite: J&G Steakhouse
After only a few days all of J&G's cylinders are firing. This place is off to a fabulous start.
Dining news: Luc's, Sportsman's, Arcadia Fine Wine
Since opening in August, 2007, Luc's at el Pedregal in Carefree has had its share of challenges, with multiple chefs and changing concepts. Finally, on Monday, the eclectic restaurant closed, a victim of the economy and a fickle dining public.
Fogo de Chao coming to Scottsdale
Fogo de Chao, a churrascaria (barbecue steakhouse) whose roots go back 30 years to Brazil (where there are six branches), is opening its 13th American outlet tomorrow, Dec. 18, in Scottsdale.
Dining deals: Dave and Buster's, The Salt Cellar, Portland's
This week's dining deals at Dave and Buster's, Portland's and the Salt Cellar.
Superstar chef Vongerichten preps J&G Steakhouse
High wattage chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten opens steakhouse at Phoenician.
Luc's closed, to reopen as Bistro G
The rocky economy continues to take its toll. Luc’s has closed its doors.
Dining news: Daily Dose, Breakfast Joynt, Festa di Natale, more
News about Daily Dose, Breakfast Joynt, Festa di Natale, Uncle Louie and Slow Food Phoenix's annual holiday dinner on Sunday at Atlas Bistro.
Taste test: Holiday shakes
National fast food chains are beefing up their winter menus with frozen seasonal drinks. Chick-Fil-A even sent out a press release announcing their first holiday-themed shake. We put these shakes to a taste test.
Celeb dish: Conor Jackson, Mark Reynolds, Chris Snyder and Miguel Montero
Downtown Phoenix experiences dining boom
The economy may be down, but more entrepreneurs are opening more downtown Phoenix restaurants and bars than ever before. |
Seftel: 'Top Chef' winner Stephanie Izard cooking at Digestif
Last season’s "Top Chef" winner (and Scottsdale Culinary Institute alum) Stephanie Izard will be preparing an eight-course meal at Digestif on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Celeb dish: Antonio Smith
Cardinals defensive end Antonio Smith gives us the lowdown on which restaurants are his first round picks.
Dining deals: Switch, Ticoz, Fez; Yard House, Roka Akor
Get $5 gourmet dishes at Switch, Ticoz Resto-Bar and Fez, plus lunch and beer at Yard House and a six-course robatayaki meal at Roka Akor.
Restaurateur Valli dies
Jim Valli, one of the Valley’s pioneering restauranteur, died last Sunday, Nov. 30, at age 56. The cause was liver cancer.
Seftel: The nuance of menu writing
The difference between success and failure may be something you’ve never given much thought to: writing the menu.
Peoria's Chef-to-Chef service delivers without the hassles
Peoria resident's Chef-to-Chef service aims to deliver fresh produce without the hassles and limited selection of farmers' markets.
Glendale's Lily’s Café is back
Lily's Café - a Glendale landmark that closed after the death of chef/owner Zip Hernandez - is reopening as Fajardo's Café.
Celeb dish: Shane Doan
Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan fills us in on the five restaurants in his power play (plus one alternate just for kicks.)
Dining Deals: Bombay Spice, The Grill at Fairmont Scottsdale, Maizie's Cafe
Dining deals this week at Bombay Spice, The Grill at the Fairmont Scottsdale and Maizie's Cafe.
Seftel: Fox's Blanco Tacos opens
Restaurant impresario Sam Fox's latest concept, Blanco Tacos + Tequila, is now open at the Borgata in Scottsdale.
Sonoma County Grape Camp seduces Arizona wine lovers
Arizona oenophiles live like winemakers — stompimg grapes, mixing their own blends and enjoying plenty of fine food and wine — at California's Sonoma County Grape Camp.
Seftel: Sabuddy Israeli Restaurant closing after 12 years
Sabuddy, the Israeli/Middle Eastern restaurant that enjoyed a 12-year-run (first in Tempe, and for the past 2+ years in Scottsdale), is closing its doors Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Celeb dish: Clive Cussler
Author Clive Cussler, acclaimed worldwide as "The Grandmaster of Adventure," gives us the inside story on his favorite restaurants.
Dining deals: Fox Restaurants, Upper Deck Sports Grill, Bar Louie
Seftel: Hanny's department store reopens as restaurant
The man behind AZ88 hopes cocktails, wine, low-cost food and late-night hours will turn the historic building into a downtown Phoenix hot spot.
First Street Ice House postponed
The economy is taking its toll on at least a couple of long-awaited new restaurants.
Seftel: Cheesesteak at Noca
The Japanese wagyu cheesesteak, a new weekly Thursday special at Noca in Phoenix, will take your mind off the Great Depression of 2008, and just about everything else, too.
Maurizio Benforte to open Italian restaurant Amarone
Maurizio Benforte, who earlier this year launched well-regarded Pizza a Metro, is opening a traditional Italian restaurant called Amarone.
Celeb dish: Brandon Webb
Arizona Diamondbacks ace pitcher Brandon Webb tells us which five restaurants get prime spots in his rotation.
Dining deals: Kona Grill, Javino's, Logan's Roadhouse
Seftel: Ocean Prime at CityNorth
CityNorth, the massive new Desert Ridge development near the Loop 101 and 56th Street, is set to launch an upscale surf-and-turf restaurant this Thursday, Nov. 13.
Seftel: Havana Cafe easy on wallet
We’re all watching our dining-out dollars these days, hoping to get a little more bang for our bucks. One place to consider: Havana Patio Café.
Dining news: Mozzarella Mondays at Rancho Pinot, Noca, more
Mozzarella Monday. It's got a nice ring to it, and so Rancho Pinot chef-owner Chrysa Robertson is introducing her own version starting Nov. 17.
Seftel: Asada Desert Grille opening
It’s not a great time to open a new resort restaurant. But tough economy or no, Xona Resort Suites (formerly Resort Suites Scottsdale) is launching Asada Desert Grille on Friday, Nov. 7.
Celeb dish: Roger Clyne
This week, Tempe singer-songwriter Roger Clyne gives us the lowdown on his favorite Valley spots. Clyne and his band, the Peacemakers, are longtime Valley favorites who released their latest album, Turbo Ocho, this year.
Dining deals: Fleming's, RigaTony's, Kabuki
Dining Deals at Fleming's, RigaTony's, and Kabuki
Seftel: Urciuoli launches Prado
Tuesday, Nov. 4, Claudio Urciuoli launches Prado, the showcase restaurant at the swanky, new Montelucia resort in Paradise Valley.
Save at Joe's Farm Grill, Splurge at Tapino's
Out of cash? You’re in luck at Joe’s Farm Grill. Rolling in dough? Check out Tapino’s white truffle dinner.
Sushi 101
sushi is a unique culinary experience that can be intimidating to newbies. Here's a guide to the basics.
Eats3 wrap-up
By the time the After Party for Eats3 got underway at 10:30 p.m. last Saturday, organizing team leader Peter Kasperski had clocked in what he estimated at two hours sleep since the culinary festival's kick-off bash started at 9 p.m. Thursday.
Celeb dish: Max Crumm
This week, Max Crumm, a Desert Vista High School and Valley Youth Theater alum who starred as Danny Zuko in the Broadway production of Grease, tells us which restaurants are the ones that he wants.
Seftel: AAA announces 2009 ratings
AAA has announced its restaurant diamond ratings for 2009. It’s a stupefyingly inept list larded with has-beens and never wases.
Dining deals: Saddle Ranch, Salty Señorita, Sushiya
Dining deals from Saddle Ranch Chop House, Salty Señorita and Sushiya.
Howard Seftel grades restaurants at Eats3
Last Saturday’s Eats3 food festival wasn’t for the faint of artery. (The “3” stands for food, wine and spirits.) This first-time Scottsdale event, held on the bridge linking the Scottsdale Waterfront and SouthBridge project, looks to have a happy future. It was every bit as impressive as the West of Western festival.
Fast-food bowl: What wins, loses
Are bowls the hot new thing when it comes to fast food? Could be. Ever since KFC debuted its Famous Bowls line, we've noticed more bowls appearing at restaurants with drive-through windows, with Jack in the Box being the latest to join the fray.
Seftel: Sam Fox preps True Food
The indefatigable Sam Fox (Bloom, Sauce, The Greene House, North, Olive & Ivy, Chloe’s Corner), isn’t letting the international economic meltdown keep him from expanding his restaurant empire.
Crazy Ed's becomes Silver Spur, Daily Dose opens, more
Crazy Ed's Satisfied Frog; Silver Spur Saloon; Daily Dose; Elements
Celeb dish: Ali Vincent
Ali Vincent, winner of season five of NBC's The Biggest Loser, gives us the skinny on her favorite home town spots.
Seftel: Sens opens downtown
The downtown dining scene gets a cutting-edge boost tonight with the opening of Sens. Heading the operation is chef/owner Johnny Chu, who six years ago bravely pioneered the downtown territory at Fourth Street and Roosevelt with Fate.
Westgate farmers market a hit with shoppers in Glendale
Glendale began as an agricultural community and has evolved into a sports and entertainment powerhouse. But one facet of the city's roots is enjoying a revival: farmers markets.
The 'Bertos' bonanza
The sheer number of 24-hour Mexican takeout spots with "-berto's" in their name is no coincidence.
Deals: Talavera, White Chocolate Grill, Dos Gringos
Dining deals at Talavera, White Chocolate Grill and Dos Gringos.
Seftel: Mekong Plaza opens in Mesa
According to census figures, there are about 120,000 people of Asian descent in Maricopa and Pinal counties. Every single one seemed to be at the grand opening Saturday of Mekong Plaza, the new Asian indoor mall in Mesa. Other nationalities were also very well represented.
Eats3 good news for Valley dining
Eats3, being held Oct. 23 through 25 at SouthBridge, is the start of what looks to be many good things for the Valley's dining scene.
Seftel: The Mission opens
It’s a challenging time to launch a new restaurant. But for The Mission, opening today, it doesn’t seem like Mission: Impossible.
Celeb dish: Emma Stone
This week, Emma Stone, star of The House Bunny and Superbad and an alumna of Phoenix's Valley Youth Theatre, tells us which restaurants she thinks deserve top billing.
New chef at The Latilla; Chakra 4; restaurant week
The Latilla's new chef; Chakra café, Miami Rice Pudding, and Tossed all open; Restaurant Week feedback
Deals: Four Peaks, FEZ, Boomer's
Dining Deals at Four Peaks, FEZ and Boomer's.
10/23-25: Eats3 showcases Scottsdale's finest fare
Scottsdale, already known for its fine dining, wants to emphasize the point with a festival featuring the best of what the city has to offer.
Batch of restaurants close
Chandler has three fewer restaurants: Say goodbye to 56 East, 98 South and three-month-old Kizake.
Brunch is back at the Marriott Camelback Inn
The Sunday brunch is back at the Marriott Camelback Inn, starting this Sunday, Oct. 12.
10 intriguing restaurants plan to open
These don’t seem like the best of times to be launching a new restaurant. But Valley entrepreneurs still believe in the future. Here are ten intriguing places that plan to open their doors before the end of the year.
Sea Saw owners put plans on hold
The sky isn't falling on SouthBridge and restaurateur Peter Kasperski, but things aren't working out as originally planned.
Celeb dish: D-Backs manager Bob Melvin
Each week, we'll be asking Valley celebrities and notables to dish on their favorite places to dine. This week, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin tells us which restaurants are at the top of his lineup.
Restaurant mogul Sam Fox takes Sauce to Chandler
Restaurant mogul Sam Fox is moving into Chandler with Monday's opening of Sauce, a gourmet pizza and wine place, in Downtown Ocotillo at Dobson and Queen Creek roads.
Deals: Eddie's House, Don and Charlie's, Papa John's
Dining Deals at Eddie's House, Don and Charlie's and Papa John's.
BLT Steak to launch at Marriott Camelback Inn
BLT Steak - a high-end, high-energy New York-based steakhouse - is set to launch this Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Marriott Camelback Inn.
J. Alexander's opens at the Borgata
Just opened: J. Alexander’s, a Tennessee-based chain in 13 states whose menu proudly announces, “straightforward American food.”
Dining news: Second location for McCormick & Schmick's
The cavernous space that was Thaifoon within The Shops at Gainey Village in Scottsdale gets a new life Oct. 13, when it reopens as McCormick & Schmick's.
Celeb dish: Wayne Gretzky
Phoenix Coyotes head coach and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky lets us in on which restaurants he thinks are "Great Ones."
Changes to Sea Saw, Shell Shock plans
The sky isn’t falling on SouthBridge and restaurateur Peter Kasperski. But things aren’t working out as originally planned.
Deals: Cork, Sassi, Valle Luna
Dining Deals at Cork, Sassi and Valle Luna
Seftel: Prep for West of Western
Is it too early to look forward to the Valley’s premier foodie event, the West of Western Culinary Festival? Absolutely not.
Cookies, candidates collide at Tammie Coe
Pollsters, take note: The Barack Obama cookies are slightly outselling the John McCain variety at Tammie Coe Cakes in downtown Phoenix.
Celeb Dish: Peter Mueller
From fine dining to fast food, Carl's Jr. to Kai, everybody has their choice hangouts and preferred picks, including celebs.
Daily Dose on track; Foodbar turns Metro; Sweet Republic ice cream
Daily Dose café; Foodbar-turned-Metro; Sweet Republic ice cream; LUC's new menu; Fogo de Chão.
Deals: Quiessence, Monti's, House of Tricks
Dining deals at Quiessence, Monti's La Casa Vieja and House of Tricks.
Seftel: Jeffrey Beeson dead at 43
Among the obituaries in today’s Arizona Republic is an announcement of the death of Jeffrey Beeson on Sept. 15 in Dallas, from a diabetic coma. He was 43.
Seftel: Quiessence opens for lunch
One more reason to celebrate the coming of autumn: Quiessence, the outstanding restaurant at the bucolic Farm at South Mountain, is now open for lunch.
Seftel: Estate House's new menu
Chef Gio Osso, who recently took over the kitchen at the Estate House, is introducing his new menu over the next few weeks.
Sneak peak at new Sassi menu; Chinese sushi; Tomato festival; Cafe Ted
Sassi executive sous chef Peter DeRuvo has been busily setting up his own kingdom, and now, with his recent promotion to executive chef, is unveiling a new experience.
Celeb dish: Dan Haren, Orlando Hudson, Augie Ojeda, Chad Tracy
Next on deck, we hear from four Diamondbacks players on the Valley spots most likely to be recommended in the clubhouse.
Deals: Stockyards, First Watch, Jalapeno Inferno
Dining deals at Stockyards, First Watch, Jalapeno Inferno.
To 9/26: Arizona Restaurant Week
Arizona Restaurant Week makes its debut Sept. 20-26, with nearly 100 Valley restaurants offering three-course menus for $29 per person or $58 per couple, excluding beverages, tax and tip. Eateries offering the flat-rate meals run the gamut, from high-priced steak houses and old-school Italian and Greek cafes to restaurants serving Thai, tacos, sushi, tapas and ceviche.
News: Mad Coyote Joe at Taste of Cave Creek
It's been a while since Arizona's Mad Coyote Joe has been in the spotlight, but fans know him as author of The Sonoran Grill. You can catch him live at Taste of Cave Creek, from 6 to 10 p.m. on Sept. 25 at the new Stagecoach Village.
Celeb dish: Bertrand Berry
This week, Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry tells us his favorite places to tackle a meal.
Seftel: Different Pointe finds groove
After almost a year of turmoil, it looks like the folks at swanky Different Pointe of View have gotten their act together.
Deals: Cowboy Ciao, Estate House, Cadillac Ranch
Dining deals at Estate House, Cadillac Ranch and Cowboy Ciao.
Seftel's First Bite: Sushi Roku
My dinner at Sushi Roku, the flamboyantly glam L.A. import that just opened in the frighteningly hip W Hotel, played out like a real Hollywood production: Almost everything about the evening seemed genuinely phony.
Seftel: Midtown dining boom
Folks in midtown Phoenix may have thought life couldn’t get any better after they found out second branches of Postino Winecafe and Cyclo were coming to the neighborhood.
Seftel: Postino to open in central Phoenix
This is a very good time to be living in midtown Phoenix. Light rail is already having a big effect.
Slow Food Nation draws 50,000 in San Francisco
At Slow Food Nation in San Francisco last weekend, some 50,000 culinary-minded souls gathered for the largest celebration of American food in history.
Seftel: Fine Thai at Satara
There are lots of unfilled dining-concept niches in the Valley. But now there’s one less: new Satara, in Peoria, is aiming to plug the finer-dining Thai gap.
Seftel: Foodbar's identity change
The Foodbar, which closed down several weeks ago, will have an entirely new identity when it reopens later this fall.
Seftel: Sheraton restaurant to debut
The final touches are being applied to the behemoth new downtown Sheraton, on the corner of Van Buren and Third Street.
Dining deals at Noca, Uncorked
Dining Deals at Noca and Uncorked Wine Bar.
Seftel: McGrath's REM in trouble
REM, James Beard Award-winner Robert McGrath’s follow-up to Roaring Fork, is on the ropes. Blame the economy, which has forced two sets of investors to pull out of the project over the past few months.
Painted Horse, Voltaire reopening; deals at Off the Vine
Reopening restaurants; 'sushi in bed'; Dine out with the Chefs; Off the Vine
Seftel: Imagine Spain opens
It’s hailed as one of the world’s greatest cuisine. But if you want Spanish fare in this town, you have very few options. But now there’s one more: Imagine Spain, which just opened in Scottsdale in the storefront that used to house Radda Caffe Bar.
Celeb Dish: Lin Sue Cooney
Channel 12 News anchor Lin Sue Cooney , a food lover and Valley resident for 20-plus years, gives us the scoop on her top five favorite restaurant picks.
Seftel: Chef Dimas out, Osso in at Estate House
The Estate House, Fred Unger's fine-dining showplace at SouthBridge in Scottsdale, is headed in a new direction.
5-course meal, extended happy hour, chic dinner
Dining deals at The Landmark, RA Sushi and Asia de Cuba.
Seftel: Sunday brunch at Phoenician
The Phoenician is getting ready to launch its Sunday brunch on Sept. 14. It will be held in Il Terrazzo, the renovated restaurant that used to be called The Terrace.
Seftel: Prado at Montelucia
The details about the showcase dining room at the new Intercontinental Montelucia Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley are finally emerging. It’s going to be called Prado, named after the famous Madrid museum.
News: Phoenix Cooks, Restaurant Week, Eats3
Big events for your upcoming culinary calendar.
Seftel: Humble Pie to expand
The slumping economy is causing many restaurant owners real anguish this summer. But not Tom Kaufman. He’s getting ready to expand.
Celeb dish: Dave Pratt
This week, KMLE 107.9 morning show host and Valley radio mainstay Dave Pratt lets us in on which restaurants get "the Morning Mayor's" vote.
Dining deals at Chompie's, Roy's, Gennaro's
Dining deals at Chompie's, Roy's and Gennaro's.
Seftel: Marco's gives customers voice
These days, restaurants that don’t have a website put themselves at an enormous competitive disadvantage. But the best websites don’t merely give you basic details, like name, address, phone, hours and menu. They also give you a reason to linger.
Seftel: La Hacienda shut down
La Hacienda, one of the Valley’s premier Mexican restaurants since 1987, has suddenly been shut down.
Hundreds cheer Dunkin' Donuts' return to the Valley
After months of construction and renovation, Dunkin Donuts threw open the doors Friday morning at nine locations across the Valley, two of those in Mesa.
Johnny Chu is breathing life into downtown
Five years ago, people thought Johnny Chu was nuts to close down his successful Tempe restaurant and open one in downtown Phoenix.
Deals: Dunkin' Donuts, Malee's, Farrelli's
Dunkin Donuts us finally back, and with a bang.
Organic labels not always honest
Many Valley restaurants promote their local, organic cuisine. But are they really serving it?
Seftel: Brunch at Bourbon Steak
Bourbon Steak, the high-end steakhouse at the Fairmont Scottsdale, is launching its Sunday brunch on August 17.
Celeb Dish: Chris Parker
Each week, we'll be asking Valley celebrities and notables to dish on their favorite places to dine. Next up, Mix 96.9 Morning Show host Chris Parker tells us which restaurants are at the top of his chart.
2 restaurants' wine choices earn high marks
Wine lists at Tempe's House of Tricks and Caffe Boa impressed Wine Spectator judges, who honored them with the coveted Award of Excellence for 2008.
Seftel: Beard House stops in Phoenix
New York’s James Beard House, which brings in the country’s best chefs to cook for Big Apple foodies, occasionally takes its dinner shows on the road. And the next road stop is Phoenix, on Thursday, Sept. 4, at T. Cook’s.
Phoenix Cooks tasting event, Urban Chefs and Ice House
Phoenix Cooks, Urban Chefs and Ice House.
Deals at Chipotle, Brio Tuscan Grille and McGrath's Fish House
Free food at Chipotle and great deals at Brio Tuscan Grille and McGrath's Fish House.
Celeb Dish: Todd McFarlane
Comic book artist, toy entrepreneur and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane lets us in on which restaurants draw his applause.
Simmer down now, tableside shows are a treat
Is food prepared tableside a treat or is it unnecessary spectacle?
Malee's offers anniversary deals
Malee's Thai Bistro celebrates an anniversary and offers deals to customers. "I've had a ball," says owner Dierdre Pain.
Seftel: Arrowhead Grill debuts
Arrowhead Grill is only the fourth prime-grade steakhouse west of Central Avenue.
Celeb Dish: Daron Sutton
L.A. has The Ivy and New York has Nobu, but what about Phoenix? Each week, we'll be asking Valley celebrities and notables to dish on their favorite places to dine.
Seftel: Goodyear's Bistro Bernard
Frenchman Bernard Chirent calls his fare “American French cuisine.” No doubt that’s marketing ploy – Goodyear is not San Francisco -- designed to make skittish West Valley mainstreamers more comfortable.
Dining deals at 3 Tomatoes, Sapporo and Capital Grille
Summer specials at 3 Tomatoes & a Mozzarella, Sapporo and The Capital Grille.
Seftel: K-Rico reopens in Chandler
The owners are new, and so is the location. But K-Rico, the Valley’s only Puerto Rican outpost, is back for its third go-around, this time in Chandler.
Caffeinated quaffs boosting cold-beverage market
Matt Montoya, 18, of Mesa, tried coffee for his morning jolt when he started working about a year ago. But he didn't like drinking something hot in the morning and now relies on energy drinks.
Slow food movement makes its mark
Plan a trip to San Francisco over Labor Day weekend, and join the 50,000 or so culinary-minded souls expected at Slow Food Nation, the largest celebration of American food in history.
Several restaurant openings delayed
It looks like a couple of high-profile restaurants are going to have their openings significantly delayed.
Celeb dish: Mark Grace
Each week, we'll be asking Valley celebrities and notables to dish on their favorite places to dine. First up, Diamondbacks announcer Mark Grace.
Kokopelli Winery & Bistro opens in Surprise
Kokopelli Winery & Bistro opened its doors to the general public Monday evening. The retail merchandise portion of the outlet is expected to account for nearly 65 percent of the venue's sales.
Taneko out, Sam Fox in at Borgata
Prepare for some signage changes at the Borgata: Say goodbye to P. F Chang’s Taneko Japanese Tavern. Say hello to Sam Fox’s Blanco Tacos + Tequila.
This week's dining deals
Dining deals at Los Sombreros, Water's Edge and Bobby's.
Seftel: Fine-dining Filipino
The Valley's latest Filipino restaurant is Gingerroot, in Chandler, where chef/owner Susan Bilas runs the operation.
Seftel: Foodbar closed for renovations
The upscale market/café concept, which came to Scottsdale last year in the form of Dish and the Foodbar, is experiencing some turbulence.
Dining news: Cristopher's
News about Christopher's & Crush Lounge, Uncle Louie's, Sanctuary, Upstairs, Downstairs.
Dining news this week
From twist to jerk? No, it’s not a spasm, but the transformation of chef Carlos Manriquez’s (Atlas Bistro , Mucho Gusto ) short-lived Twisted into a Caribbean café serving the spicy meat.
Seftel: 2 high-value dining deals
A sinking economy in the middle of the summer doldrums: This scenario is not exactly a Valley restaurant owner’s dream come true. But the combination works to the advantage of folks who still have disposable income.
Seftel: 3 new restaurants coming
No matter how bad the economy, it seems the Valley’s restaurant spirit cannot be crushed. Three spaces vacated earlier this year have already found hopeful new tenants.
Cooks and Corks for all cooks
This is the ultimate indulgence for those who love to cook.
Tacos and Tequila not the usual taco shop
Owner John James describes Chandler’s Juan Jaime’s Tacos and Tequila as an “upscale, modern-style taco shop.”
No tacos at a Mexican restaurant?
For more than 30 years, Rito's has offered a basic menu and some to-die-for food.
Phoenix restaurants celebrating Earth Hour
For one hour Saturday evening, these Phoenix restaurants are joining the cause and coming up with creative ways to dine in the dark. From eco-tini’s to green menus, these restaurants are making a statement.
