East Valley Tribune - Food & Drink

Paradise Bakery & Cafe to open Monday in Queen Creek

Sat, 17 May 2008 01:30:50 -0700

Quick – how many Paradise Bakery & Cafe stores are in the Valley? On Monday, it’ll be 33 as the Scottsdale-based chain opens its first Queen Creek restaurant.

Oasian Noodle Bar closes across from Dana Park

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:19:05 -0700

Oasian Noodle Bar, which opened in September 2005 on the northeast corner of Val Vista Drive and Baseline Road in Mesa, has closed. The restaurant offered noodle and soup dishes highlighting the flavors of Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Latitude Eight makes impressive debut in Chandler

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:21:51 -0700

A five-course tasting menu for just $13? No, it’s not a misprint. That’s what it costs at Latitude Eight Thai Grill, a very promising new addition to downtown Chandler’s burgeoning dining scene.

D'Arcy McGee's to open May 22 at Tempe Marketplace

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:20:30 -0700

D’Arcy McGee’s, a Canadian chain of Irish pubs and restaurants, will open its first Arizona location May 22 next to the Harkins Theatres at Tempe Marketplace.

Recipe: T. Cook's at Royal Palms' Pasta Dolci Tropicale

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:35:25 -0700

T. Cook’s at Royal Palms has introduced several new spring/summer menu items featuring avocados, ranging from chilled avocado soup to avocado tempura.

'Readers choice' restaurant awards spark online backlash

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:27:19 -0700

Our competitor in downtown Phoenix hasn’t even run its annual Readers Choice Awards in print yet, but the online version already is prompting quite a backlash from Valley diners. (Check out the discussion on Chowhound’s forum here.)

Get free McDonald's chicken biscuit or sandwich Thursday

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:26:26 -0700

McDonald’s is giving away free Southern-style chicken biscuits and chicken sandwiches on Thursday, May 15. All you have to do is buy any medium or large drink, and you’ll get a free chicken biscuit between 7 and 10:30 a.m. or a free chicken sandwich between 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

From the Cellar: Sangria offers a change of pace

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:18:07 -0700

And I thought I was creative in the kitchen. I just read through "101 Sangrias and Pitcher Drinks" by Kim Haasarud (Wiley Publishing) and was blown away by her use of exotic ingredients like ginger, hibiscus and sake, among others, in the classic summer drink.

Queen Creek's Cravings defies expectations

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:17:35 -0700

It’s hard to figure out Cravings by Gecko Grill, a strip-mall Mexican restaurant that is approaching its one-year anniversary on the northeast corner of Ellsworth and Ocotillo roads in Queen Creek.

VIDEO: Krispy Kreme open again in east Mesa

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:56:37 -0700

After closing for two years, Krispy Kreme opens its doors again by Superstition Springs.

Sprinkles' upscale cupcakes come to Scottsdale

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:37:39 -0700

Just a couple years ago, it seemed like a bizarre idea: An unknown pastry school graduate who wanted to open a Beverly Hills boutique selling … cupcakes?

Joe's Farm Grill appears Monday on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:34:21 -0700

Joe’s Farm Grill will be featured on the Monday, May 19, episode of the Food Network’s popular “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” The episode was filmed at Joe Johnston’s Gilbert eatery in December.

Princess resort's La Hacienda to remain open through 2008

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:33:20 -0700

It was sad day for East Valley foodies when the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess announced in March that its AAA four-diamond Mexican restaurant La Hacienda would close in April.

Dad's Dog House favorites revived at Hawgs 'N' Dawgs

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:21:30 -0700

Dad’s Dog House, a ramshackle Tastee-Freez-turned-hot-dog-shack on University Drive, was a Mesa institution for decades, regularly drawing crowds than lined up out the door for an inexpensive meal.

Canal to offer gourmet 'TV dinners' on Tuesdays

Sun, 11 May 2008 18:05:26 -0700

Canal, the fashion-themed restaurant at SouthBridge in downtown Scottsdale, is starting a “Tv dinner” promotion on Tuesday nights. Chef Justin Beckett will offer his takes on ’50s Swanson faves while Canal’s wall of projection screens televise black-and-white classics like “Giligan’s Island” and “Happy Days.”

Fine's Cellar to host $25 tasting of red wines

Sun, 11 May 2008 18:06:48 -0700

Fine’s Cellar, the Old Town Scottsdale restaurant and wine retail shop opened earlier this year by former Sportsman’s Fine Wines founder Michael Fine, will hold of summer red wines from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24.

Scottsdale Culinary grad makes final 7 in 'Top Chef'

Sat, 10 May 2008 22:34:24 -0700

I recently learned Stephanie Izard, one of seven contestants remaining on the Bravo TV show “Top Chef,” is an alumnus of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute.

Mesa police to serve Famous Dave's BBQ on Tuesday

Sat, 10 May 2008 22:38:35 -0700

Volunteers from the Mesa Police Department will serve barbecue to customers from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que at Mesa Riverview.

Tucson chef Janos Wilder publishes chile rellenos cookbook

Sat, 10 May 2008 22:40:22 -0700

Janos Wilder, the James Beard Award-winning chef from Janos Restaurant and J Bar in Tucson, has published a cookbook, “The Great Chiles Rellenos Book.”

10 picture-perfect East Valley patios that also pamper palates

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:57:03 -0700

Ten years ago, readers would regularly call Get Out this time of year looking for East Valley restaurants with good patios. There just weren’t that many.

Valley's wine-and-dine market expands

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:46:17 -0700

As the Valley's population has boomed for the past two decades, it's become a more sophisticated food and wine market.