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Model Sara Ward wears a candy dress, courtesy of designer George Johnson and Candy Addict, at the Third Thursdays Girls’ Night Out “walking fashion show” in downtown Tempe. The dress is made with M&Ms, jelly fruit slices, gummy bears, licorice wheels and salt

La Piazza Al Forno in Glendale is the third Arizona pizzeria to receive official certification from the Verace Pizza Napoletana, a sort of Italian pizza police. The VPN sets standards for making authentic Naples-style pizza. Only 35 U.S. pizzerias have passed,

With National BBQ Month just around the corner, the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort has converted its Hole-in-the-Wall – a 1940s ranch house that offered Western-themed fare like rattlesnake and chicken-fried elk – into a BBQ restaurant. Taking advantage of a vintage outdoor

Tio Oso’s, the Mexican restaurant that took over the former Uncle Bear’s location on Power Road south of Pecos in Queen Creek last July, has been converted into the Thirsty Cactus Cantina. The new owners are Mark Setterington, who ran Margaritaville

If you’re planning a party for next week’s Royal Wedding – and let’s face it, who isn’t? – Honey Moon Sweets in Tempe has created a Royal Wedding sweets menu, including: Individual Prince and Princess cakes ($20 for pair, pictured)

Cycle, the pop-up restaurant at downtown Phoenix’s Lexington Hotel, has announced its guest chefs for the next six weeks: April 22-23: Jeff Kraus in kitchen, Carte Blanche food truck (Friday only) April 29-30: Chef Gio Osso (rustic Italian) in kitchen, Sunshine & Spice

More than a dozen state attorneys general – including Arizona’s Tom Horne – have asked Pabst Brewing Co. to change or discontinue Blast, the company’s new fruit-flavored malt beverage with 12% alcohol. The alcohol in one 23.5-ounce can is equal

The Lodge and SanTan Brewing are pairing up for a three-course wild game dinner at the Old Town Scottsdale restaurant at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 27. Cost is $30. 1st course: Handmade venison sausage & tender cabbage poached in SanTan’s

Windsor, the much-anticipated Phoenix “neighborhood bar and restaurant” from Postino founder Craig DeMarco, has released its menu. Located on Central Avenue just north of Camelback, Windsor is scheduled to open Monday. Some of the menu highlights: Appetizers Double Dip: Cobb dip

Denver-based Smashburger will open its sixth Valley location next to Harkins Theatre at Tempe Marketplace. The fast-casual burger restaurant, which takes over the former Stella’s Kitchen space, is scheduled to open May 25. The first Arizona location opened near ASU in

TEXAZ Grill is celebrating San Jacinto Day – 175 years ago today Texas declared independence from Mexico – with a “Remember the A la Mode!” promotion: Every customer today receives a free Dixie cup of Blue Bell ice cream. Sam

Bittersweet chocolate French toast, a special for Easter brunch at The Herb Box in Scottsdale.

A master pizzaiolo from Italy is expected to determine today whether La Piazza Al Forno in Glendale deserves official certification from the Verace Pizza Napoletana. Only 35 pizzerias in the United States have met the strict requirements that respect the tradition of

After MXSW posted the info for Papago Brewing’s 10th Anniversary Beer Dinner earlier today, it apparently didn’t take long for beer fans to notice a huge conflict on May 14: The Arizona Society of Homebrewers’ Springfest is the same day.

The Arizona Republic reports federals agents are raiding Chuy’s Mesquite Broiler restaurants in Arizona and California today. A spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement says Chuy’s owner Mark Evenson of Paradise Valley and his son, Christopher Evenson of Oro Valley, hired illegal

Papago Brewing Company is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a five-course dinner at 6 p.m. May 14 at Grayhawk Golf Course in north Scottsdale. Each course will feature a beer-infused food paired with another beer. Cost is $75 per person.

Several Valley community groups are organizing an Earth Day Picnic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Civic Space Park in downtown Phoenix. The event, which will feature live music and performing arts, is described as “an opportunity for all local

Cheba Hut is celebrating “Weed Day” by offering a four-inch “nug” sub with chips and a drink – served on a collectible 420 frisbee – for just $4.20 today. There’ll also be live music and lots of shwag giveaways at all Valley

The Arizona Restaurant Association has announced the first-ever Arizona Spring Restaurant Week will be launched in May. From Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 22, diners will be able to enjoy special three-course meals for either $30 or $40 per person

Eddie’s House in Scottsdale is celebrating Passover by offering a special four-course Passover dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. today through Monday, April 25. Cost is $44.95 for adults and $19.95 for children 12 and under. The menu includes (with

Channel 12 personality Tram Mai (pictured) and the Four Seasons Scottsdale’s Talavera have put together a “Flavors of Japan” fundraising dinner for the country’s earthquake and tsunami victims. The four-course dinner, which will take place in the resort’s demo kitchen,

Zaytoon Kabob Bistro, which offers a large menu of Mediterranean and Persian food, has opened a second Valley location at 48th Street and Chandler Boulevard in Ahwatukee. A number of kabobs – beef tenderloin (pictured), ground beef, lamb, chicken, shrimp

When chef Payton Curry left Caffe Boa back in February, owners Jay and Christine Wisniewski announced the restaurant would bring back several “classic” entrees from the pre-Curry days. Now, one of the most-anticipated items – Boa Aglonotti, raviolis filled with grilled and marinated

Cowboy Ciao owner Peter Kasperski (left) and Acme Wine Marketing owner Jim Kopp (right) will compete in a Sommelier Showdown at 7 tonight at Cowboy Ciao. For $65 (plus tax and tip), diners can enjoy five food courses paired with

Just in time for Easter Sunday, downtown Phoenix newcomer Province is launching brunch service this weekend. From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sunday, the restaurant at the Westin Phoenix Downtown will offer items like tortilla soup ($6), house-roasted

Queen Creek Olive Mill has introduced a line of pasta sauces – Simply Red Sugo Marinara, Arizona Chipotle Arribiata, White Truffle & Wild Mushroom and Puttanesca – to its retail offerings. The sauces are $7.99 apiece.

Young’s Farm, the defunct farm and produce stand near Dewey famous for its sweet corn for 60 years, is back in business. The 300-acre Yavapai County farm closed five years ago to make way for a housing development, plans for

We hadn’t been to one of Liberty Market‘s popular Community Dinners yet, so when the Gilbert restaurant teamed up with Chandler’s SanTan Brewing Monday we decided to check it out: [portfolio_slideshow]

Over Easy is serving free breakfast platters Wednesday morning. Well, not entirely free. You need to bring in at least five non-perishable food items for St. Mary’s Food Bank. In return, you’ll receive two eggs, bacon, toast, hash browns and coffee,

Postino founder Craig DeMarco is scheduled to open his new concepts – Windsor and Churn – Monday, April 25, on Central Avenue just north of Camelback in Phoenix. Windsor is a restaurant with a menu of what DeMarco calls “glorified

Jimmy Peng of Scottsdale devoured more than 16 slices of pizza in 15 minutes to win Flancer’s Pizza-Eating Contest for the second time in three years. Peng was the 2009 champion, but finished second to Thomas Gilbert of Las Vegas

The Strand, a fast-casual Italian eatery, is scheduled to open in July at CityScape in downtown Phoenix. Ernest Vega, a former regional manager for fast-casual Italian pioneer Pasta Pomodoro, and Jimmy Carlin are behind the concept. The pair also have a

Approximately 30 people will see how much pizza they can eat in 15 minutes during the 11th annual Flancer’s Pizza-Eating Contest at 11 a.m. Sunday. Last year’s winner, Thomas Gilbert of Las Vegas, set a record by consuming 18 slices –

Sam’s Club is hosting a three-day “Spring Taste of Sam’s Club” promotion this weekend at all of its locations nationwide. Both members and non-members are invited to enjoy special food tastings from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Sunday.

Stone Brewing head brewer Mitch Steele is doing a round of promotional appearances and tastings in the Valley today: 1-2 p.m.: Taste of Tops in Tempe 4:30-5:45 p.m.: Papago Brewing in Scottsdale 6:30-7:30 p.m.: Moto in Phoenix San Diego-based Stone

Congrats to Eleazar Felix, who out-ate 10 other contestants in La Tolteca‘s 5-Pound Torta Eating Contest on Thursday. Felix, who was only able to finish half of La Tolteca’s massive new sandwich in the allotted 10 minutes, won $300. He also

Four Peaks Brewing kicks off a new promo called “The Sun & The Moon” at 4 p.m. today. Get a pint of Sunbru with a shot of Roger Clyne‘s Mexican Moonshine tequila for just $8, and listen to Roger Clyne

The MXSW staff has been around long enough to remember when any discussion about fine dining in the Valley inevitably would include Top of the Rock in Tempe. Sadly, it’s been almost two decades since the Buttes Resort’s showcase restaurant

Arizona has its first Native American wine: Fire Mountain. Jamie Fullmer, a member of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, has enlisted winemaker Eric Glomski to make three varietals from grapes grown on ancestral lands in Arizona and California. Glomski owns Page Springs Vineyards

Bad news if you’re a fan of Colorado-based Avery Brewing Company. The craft brewery announced it’s pulling its beers out of Arizona and seven other states. The reason, according to Avery: It can’t keep up with production demand. Besides Arizona,

McDonald’s is testing two new chicken sandwiches – the Jalapeño Cheddar McChicken Sandwich and the Cheddar Onion McChicken Sandwich – in select markets. The sandwiches, suggested price $1.49 each, were supposed to debut next week, but already have surfaced in Los Angeles

Here’s something you don’t see every day: Former Peoria sports bar McDuffy’s has been turned into a church – but will be run as a restaurant six days a week. According to the Republic, three couples leased the vacant space

Anderson Valley owner Trey White, who bought the Boonville, Calif., craft brewery from founder Ken Allen last year, visits Scottsdale’s Papago Brewing from 6-8 tonight. A trio of special AVBC beers will be on tap: Gatlin Damnosus: A blend of

Not all of Arizona’s national – or, in this case, international – press is bad. According to a Travel section story in the Toronto Sun tabloid newspaper, Arizona is “a locavore’s delight.” The story highlights Joe’s Farm Grill, the Orange

Ahwatukee’s Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery taps its latest seasonal ale, a saison called Liquid Sun, at 6:30 p.m. today. Traditionally, saisons are low-alcohol (around 3.5% ABV) pale ales brewed for summer by farmhands (“les saisonniers”) in French-speaking regions of southern Belgium.

Through Feb. 14, 2012, the Stockyards (pictured circa 1947) is offering seasonal, three-course Arizona Centennial Menus based on recipes collected over the past six months by the Centennial Taste of Arizona project. The menu items are designed to showcase the range

Joyce Vineyards from California’s Carmel Valley will be featured at a four-course wine dinner at Crudo at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19. The menu: 1st course: Butterfish crudo with pickled green garlic, olive oil and arugula. Paired with Santa Lucia

With the recent news Rock Springs Cafe, located about 30 miles north of the Valley, will start selling its famous pies at The Duce in downtown Phoenix, New Times sent a correspondent up I-17 to check out the pastries. Their

Looking for a way to help victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami? Make a donation to the American Red Cross on your bill at Ra Sushi between now and May 10 and Ra will match it up to $250,000.

Monti’s La Casa Vieja continues its monthly Culinary Masters Series with guest chef Matt Carter (Zinc Bistro, The Mission) on Tuesday, April 24. From 5 to 10 p.m., Carter’s menu will include: Entrees Crispy crab cakes, spicy aji ricotto slaw,

More than 50 premium tequilas will be available for sampling at the second annual Tequilazona, which takes place 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Tempe Marketplace. Food will be provided by TMP restaurants like Cadillac Ranch, Dave & Buster’s, San

Many restaurateurs wince at the mere mention of consumer-review websites like Yelp or Urban Spoon. The owners of Miele’s Italian Bistro in Tempe, however, have put out this call on their Facebook page: Review Miele’s for a chance to win

Looking to pig out? Cork in Chandler is doing a special four-course “A Taste of Pork” tasting menu from 4-9 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $35 per person, plus tax and tip. You can add three wine pairings for another $15. The

Great news for pie fans! The Rock Springs Café & Saloon, longtime destination of pie lovers from the Valley, will start selling its famous pastries at The Duce in downtown Phoenix next month. Despite its remote location – about 30

Relate, which two months ago debuted as San Diego’s first “pop-up” restaurant, will come to Posh in Scottsdale on Monday, April 25. Pop-up chefs, such as Relate’s Dan Moody (pictured), use temporary spaces to create unique dining experiences, only to

Carmel’s Coffee & Bakery has opened in the former Chestnut Lane Café space on the southwest corner of Camelback and 44th Street. Carmel’s uses coffee from Phoenix’s boutique Cartel Coffee Lab. Baked goods include muffins, pie and scones.

A few seats remain for Il Vinaio‘s five-course Maryhill Winery dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The Washington winemaker will present  six wines. Cost is $75 per person. The menu: Reception (6 p.m.): Rose of Sangiovese 1st course: Geoduck sashimi withViognier

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

The restaurant industry has been buzzing for months about Chipotle‘s not-so-secret plans to develop an Asian-themed fast-casual concept. This morning, the Denver-based chain sent out a press release with a few details about the first restaurant, which will open this

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

The Arizona Biltmore’s Frank & Albert’s is doing a four-course dinner paired with beers from Four Peaks Brewing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28. Cost is $42 plus tax and tip. The menu: 1st course: Tillamook cheddar beer soup, crispy cheese

Cycle, the downtown Phoenix “pop-up” restaurant that launched 10 days ago, is looking for guest chefs, bartenders and food trucks to participate. The concept has gotten off to an inauspicious start: The scheduled chef bailed before opening weekend, and there

Christopher’s and Row Eleven Wine Company will team up for a four-course wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19. Cost is $55 per person, plus tax and tip. Row Eleven, founded in 2004, crush grapes from Santa Barbara County

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

Friday The six-day Scottsdale Culinary Festival continues with tonight’s Eat, Drink & Be Pretty Party. The Sam’s Club National BBQ Tour kicks off tonight in Gilbert and continues Saturday. Saturday Buffalo chicken wing lovers will want to check out Wingstock

Thirty local teams will compete in the inaugural Sam’s Club National BBQ Tour, which kicks off tonight and concludes Saturday at Sam’s Club in Gilbert. Co-sponsored by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, the tour will include 20 more local competitions.

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

Ever wonder where and when Valley street food trucks are going to show up. You can follow the Phoenix Street Food Coalition and its members on Twitter: Phoenix Street Food Coalition Short Leash Hot Dogs Sunshine and Spice Hey Joe

Citizen Public House chef Bernie Kantak, beverage director Richie Moe and some other staffers will be wearing kilts today – which happens to be “Wear a Kilt to Work Day” – to raise money for The Foundation for Burns & Trauma. By

Paletas Betty, the Mexican ice pops store in downtown Chandler, has come up with two new flavors: amanecer and atardecer, which translate as “sunrise” and “sunset.” Amanecer is pineapple with bursts of raspberry, while atardecer is pineapple with notes of blueberry.

Waste Not is a Valley non-profit that collects an average of 6,000 pounds of excess perishable food daily from restaurants, grocers and various food purveyors and delivers it to more than 100 agencies that feed the hungry. This month, they’re teaming

Warm orzo salad with duck ($12) and Kael’s Kickin’ Grilled Cheese with bacon and tomato ($10) are the features of tonight’s “staff meal,” 10 p.m.-midnight, at Petite Maison. The Red Cup special is a “Mellon Ball” ($5).

[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

The Beer for Brains Foundation’s second annual “Big Rare Beer Event” is looking for a better name, and if your suggestion is selected you’ll win two tickets. The Nov. 5 event – which will feature more than 75 rare beers, single

The eighth annual Forks & Corks – not to be confused with this weekend’s Cooks & Corks – runs 5:30 to 8 tonight at CityScape in downtown Phoenix. The event will feature food from 27 Valley restaurants such as T. Cook’s,

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.

This week’s specials at Phoenix Public Market, which runs 4-8 p.m. today and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday: $1 off Sonoran Brewery’s 22-ounce bottles of Victoria IPA (reg. $6). Brewed in Scottsdale at the Pinnacle Peak Patio Steakhouse. Urban Oven assorted

Looks like Cycle, the much-publicized “pop-up restaurant” in downtown Phoenix, will be more of a “pop-up bar” for its second weekend incarnation. Instead of a guest chef, it will feature guest bartender Micah Olson, who will be making five $9

SanTan Brewing‘s seasonal Sex Panther, a chocolate barley wine that was unleashed in January, is back – at least for a day or two. The Chandler microbrewery saved one keg, which it will tap at 11 a.m. today. It’s served with

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,

Sharp-eyed MXSW readers probably have noticed the new “Happy Hours” tab in the menu bar above. We’re taking the happy hours and other special deals at Valley restaurants, wine bars and brew pubs, sorting them by day and city, and

Just days after the opening of Spanish Fly Mexican Beach Club in Old Town Scottsdale, a developer has announced plans for another high-end beach club at nearby Stetson Drive and Wells Fargo Avenue. Developer Shawn Yari says a former medical office

Liberty Market has announced its next monthly Community Dinner will be Monday, April 18, and feature the beers of Chandler’s SanTan Brewing Co. Chef David Traina will prepare a five-course meal to be paired with five SanTan ales. SanTan brewmaster

Mexican restaurant/bakery/market La Tolteca has introduced a new menu item and it’s big – literally. The 5-Pound Torta is a massive sandwich whose components include eggs, chorizo (sausage), al pastor (marinated pork), carne asada (marinated beef), milanesa (breaded meat), lettuce,

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

Culver’s, the Wisconsin-based fast-food chain famous for its ButterBurgers and cheese curds, is planning to open four more Valley locations by the end of the year: On Cave Creek Road, just north of the 101, in north Phoenix (scheduled to

If it’s April, it’s time for Flancer’s annual fundraisers for the Wounded Warrior Project, which aids injured service members. There are three events this year: Smoke and Barrels, a cigar and microbrew tasting, on Wednesday. Spill the Wine, Eat that

Nikki Buchanan reports on her Wild Lavender blog she’s accepted an offer to become chef Aaron May‘s in-house publicist – her third new job in the past year. May’s restaurants include Iruña, Over Easy, The Lodge, Mabel’s on Main and

A special premiere of “The Pat Tillman Legacy,” produced by Fox Sports Arizona, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Uncle Bear’s Grill and Bar in Chandler. Tickets are $10, with all proceeds from the event

Culinary festival season continues with the six-day Scottsdale Culinary Fest, which starts Tuesday. The events: Kickoff party: Tuesday at W Scottsdale’s Shade lounge Chef Tribute Dinner: Wednesday at J&G Steakhouse Chocolate & Wine Experience: Thursday at Talking Stick Resort’s Degree

Chick-fil-A restaurants throughout the Valley are celebrating Complimentary Breakfast Week. A different menu item is being given out each morning until 10:30 a.m.: Today: Chicken biscuit Tuesday: Chicken breakfast burrito Wednesday Spicy chicken biscuit Thursday: Chick-n-Minis (3 count) Friday: Sausage

In honor of college basketball’s Final Four this weekend, Eddie’s House in Scottsdale is offering some four-related specials: Friday: East Coast Clams “4 Ways”: Steamed Ipswich Clams, Baked Stuffed Quahog Clams, Cioppino Style Littlenecks and Fried Belly Clams ($25) Saturday: Dover Sole “4 Ways”:

The owner of ASU hangout Barney’s Boathouse plans to open a second location of the restaurant and bar in Old Town Scottsdale this summer. Chris Barnett has signed a 10-year lease for the two-story building with a rooftop patio that

Friday Chef Payton Curry unveils his temporary restaurant at Welcome Diner during downtown Phoenix’s First Friday. Cycle, a three-month series of “pop-up” restaurants, launches at the Lexington Hotel in Phoenix. Saturday The newly rechristened Original Taste makes its debut at

April Fool’s Day hoaxes have been around for more than a century. Here are five of the best involving food or drink: Swiss Spaghetti Harvest (1957): The BBC reports Swiss farmers are enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop, showing footage of Swiss

Heart Attack Grill spokesman dead at 29 Los Dos Molinos opens in Ahwatukee This Saturday: Chandler’s Great American BBQ fest vs. Scottsdale’s AZ BBQ fest Michele Laudig leaves New Times Silvana Salcido Esparza: ‘I’m not opening a Barrio Cafe in

D’vine Bistro and Wine Bar in Chandler is offering three-month memberships in its Wine Club for half-price through Sunday. For just $15 (normally $30) per month, members get two bottles of wine each month from a selection of two reds

Payton Curry, who starts a three-month gig at downtown Phoenix’s Welcome Diner tonight while he looks for a permanent space for his new restaurant, has unveiled his menu: White truffle oil popcorn, $4 Fresh pulled mozzarella, oven-dried tomato, pesto, $12