Bourbon Steak chef, Chris Curtiss, will take on Cowboy Ciao's, Lester Gonzalez, in the kitchen…

Mexican cuisine has been popular for a long time, but my recent travels around our country have persuaded me that fish tacos are big now in a way they never were before.

Regardless of your interest in the culinary arts, it’s hard not to find Alton Brown, the Iron Chef commentator and host of “Good Eats,” entertaining. With a wacky blend of science, gastronomy and humor that’s entirely unique, it comes as no surprise that his national tour, “Alton Brown Live,” is selling out quickly.

Here’s something fun for fans of TV cooking competitions like “Top Chef” and “Chopped.”

My approach to food is pretty simple. I firmly believe that if you can eat it, you can grill it.

NEW YORK — Oh the pull of that elusive reservation at the hot new restaurant. And double-oh the sweet and fatty decadence of a well-made dessert. Combine the two foodie emotions and you've got the Cronut.

My family has been weaning itself from red meat for years. We still love it, but the portions and frequency are less than they used to be. Still, when I started planning a Father's Day menu for my husband and my dad, I thought it might be nice to bow to tradition by turning to the Batman and Robin of manly fare — steak and potatoes.

AMADO

Summertime is burger time. And it's so easy to throw a few beef patties on the grill. Not much is required in the way of embellishment, yet they have a big happiness return.

Whether you've just bought a shiny new grill or pulled your old one out of winter hibernation, step No. 1 before embracing grilling season is to clean and season it.

When it comes to packing a picnic basket, sandwiches are almost always the stars of the menu. And why not? They are easy to eat with your hands, pack well and are versatile enough to keep everyone happy.

When salsa overtook ketchup as America's favorite condiment in the 1990s you had to know that "taco night" wasn't far behind.

Lloyd Melton is the owner of Biscuits Restaurant, 1235 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, (480) 497-0321, and 4623 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix, (480) 209-1850 or BiscuitsAZ.com

Burgers and potato salad are traditional fare at Memorial Day picnics, but it's also fun to shake things up every now and again with an unexpected new flavor. And if the recipe for said dish is as easy as it is lip-smacking? So much the better for the cook, who would much rather be relaxing in the sunshine with guests than fretting over complicated details.

A Scottsdale restaurant planned to reopen Tuesday night after it temporarily shut its doors following an embarrassing reality TV experience.