Author: Jess Harter

Two new eateries have opened in the Albertson’s plaza at 19th Avenue and Northern, according to New Times: Golden Valley Uzbek and Mediterranean Cuisine is a halal restaurant offering blinchik, somsa, palov, kebab, shawarma and baked goods. Lady Diana’s Bakery offers

Award-winning Pizzeria Bianco, infamous for its two- and three-hour waits in the evening, finally begins its long-awaited lunch hours today. Doors open at 11 a.m. The big question: Will there be a line all day until the 10 p.m. closing

Rancho de Tia Rosa, the popular Mexican restaurant, has opened its third full-fledged East Valley restaurant at Germann and Dobson in Chandler. The restaurant, open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, is in a small complex on the northeast

La Fonda Mexican Restaurant at Alma School and Queen Creek roads in Chandler has closed, but the original location on Scottsdale Road in north Tempe remains open. La Fonda, known for its warm chips and tasty salsa, was founded in 1967. The

Sunshine Moon Peking Pub, which opened its doors in Old Town Scottsdale in November, announced on its Facebook page it’s closing tonight: Due to unforeseen circumstances, we sadly announce the closing of our restaurant tonight at 10 PM. We are

[portfolio_slideshow] Eddie Moore, who worked for the U.S. State Department all over the world, faces perhaps his most difficult diplomatic challenge in converting East Valley diners accustomed to Sonoran-style Mexican food into fans of Mexico City street food. Rosa Blanca

[portfolio_slideshow] BLD – an acronym for Breakfast Lunch Dinner – is the new all-day restaurant from the owners of Chandler fine-dining restaurant Cork. Not only is it much more casual than its older sibling, it’s also much less expensive. Most

Gelato 64, a Chandler gelato store that offers 175 flavors on a rotating basis, has added a second location by buying Gelato Premio in Gilbert and changing its name. The new Gelato 64 is on Gilbert Road just south of the 202.

A trio of Valley notables learned tonight they’re the newest members of the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame: Eugenia Theodosopoulos, chef-owner of Essence Bakery Café in Tempe, was honored as Pastry Chef Extraordinaire. Chrysa Robertson, chef-owner of Rancho Pinot in Scottsdale,

Oregano’s Pizza Bistro, which just opened its ninth Arizona location in Chandler, is already working on No. 10. The popular Phoenix-based chain is taking over the former Jerry Tucci’s Brick Oven Pizzeria building at Paradise Valley Mall. No date has been

After 37 years, Taste is shaking things up. Saturday’s culinary fundraiser, which has been held for several years at Kierland Commons, moves to the Scottsdale Waterfront and is being rechristened The Original Taste. The event, which runs 7 to 10

Old Town Scottsdale’s newest nightlife – er, make that “daylife” – destination Spanish Fly Mexican Beach Club opens at noon Saturday. Formerly Drift Lounge, the property has undergone a $2 million renovation that includes addition of a full-size pool, indoor/outdoor

Mozart Café & Bakery, an all-day restaurant that uses only kosher dairy products, has opened near Scottsdale and Shea in Scottsdale. The menu focuses on healthy Mediterranean dishes – grilled, not fried – and fresh-baked challahs, croissants and pastries. Mozart, which

Six Valley food and beverage veterans have joined forces to open Garage Public House in the former Vine Tavern space in Ahwatukee. According to co-owner Doug Collins (Tavern on Mill): It’s going to be more upscale than a sports bar,

Pizzeria Bianco, legendary for its multi-hour waiting lines, will begin serving lunch April 12. The downtown Phoenix pizzeria, helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Bianco, currently offers two seatings per night Tuesday through Saturday. Pizzeria Bianco to open for

Chef Payton Curry (pictured on left), who recently left Caffe Boa, has been sending out cryptic tweets this week about a new restaurant he intends to open. On Monday: I just found a location for my Therapy. We will be

Coal Burger, a self-proclaimed “burgeria with a conscience” from the people behind Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, is the latest restaurant to open at Scottsdale Quarter. The menu features grass-fed beef patties cooked in a coal-fired oven. A Classic Coal Burger with lettuce,

City Market Deli has opened near Indian School Road and 68th Street, its second location in Scottsdale and third in the Valley. The sandwich shops, which moved from Detroit to the Valley after the recession hit, offer sandwiches, wraps, salads,

Finalists for the 2011 James Beard Awards, the culinary world’s equivalent to the Oscars, have just been announced, and Arizona laid a giant goose egg. Again. Kevin Binkley (left) of Binkley’s Restaurant in Cave Creek, Silvana Salcido Esparza (right) of

Elements chef Beau MacMillan survived just two rounds Sunday night on the Food Network’s “Chopped All-Stars,” bowing out with his entree course. The competition pitted MacMillan, an “Iron Chef America” victor and former co-host of the network’s “Worst Cooks in