Category: Uncategorized

Tired of slow-moving bar servers? A new Scottsdale taqueria will unveil the city’s first self-serve beer system for customers. El Hefe Super Macho Taqueria, located near Axis-Radius and the W Scottsdale Hotel, will hold its grand-opening party March 23. Booths

Barrio Cafe chef-owner Silvana Salcido Esparza has confirmed the news that MXSW broke four days ago – that the acclaimed Mexican restaurant is moving into the former GrainBelt GrillHouse building in Gilbert. Barrio Cafe will share the building with a new

Carefree Resort & Conference Center has transformed a private dining area for meetings and convention groups into a Southwestern restaurant called Lariat Grill. The work is part of a multi-million-dollar renovation of the conference center, formerly the Cafefree Inn. Lariat Grill,

Just in time for March Madness, Majerle’s Sports Grill opens its fourth Valley location today in Old Town Scottsdale. Named for former Phoenix Suns player (and current Suns assistant coach) Dan Majerle, the first Majerle’s opened in 1992 in downtown

Canned beer fans rejoice! The first-ever Ameri”Can” Canned Craft Beer Festival will be held May 21 in downtown Chandler. Thirteen craft brewers – nine from out of state – already have signed up. At least 30 others are expected to

Just got a first look at the menus for Province, which will open its doors in the new Westin Phoenix Downtown on Thursday. Check out the breakfast, lunch and dinner (pictured: miso chile glazed Tasmanian salmon with edamame, spinach and

Chaka Chaka, the tiny eatery just south of Chase Field in Phoenix, has closed. Owner Charlie Blonkenfeld is doing private catering and can still be reached at the restaurant’s number or though the restaurants website. Closed for business: Chaka Chaka

New Times broke the news two months ago about ShinBay‘s reopening at the Scottsdale Seville, but now AZ Central has some additional details. When the much-anticipated contemporary Japanese lounge opens in April, it will seat 30. But chef-owner Shinji Kurita plans

It looks like the Valley is down to one fulltime restaurant critic – at least temporarily. Michele Laudig, restaurant critic and blogger for Phoenix New Times, has resigned after a decade at the paper, according to a memo that just

Bonfire Grill & Bar, the wood-fired grill taking over the former Furio space in Old Town Scottsdale, opens tonight. Chef Matt Carter (Zinc Bistro and The Mission) consulted on the menu, which features sandwiches ($11-$15) and meat-and-vegetable skewers ($14-$24) New in

J.B.’s Family Restaurants, a Tempe company started in 1961, has filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. JB’s operates 50 company-operated, franchised or licensed restaurants in Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. J.B.’s Family

Phoenix’s Barrio Cafe, considered by some the best Mexican restaurant in the Valley, plans to open a second location in Gilbert. Chef-owner Silvana Salcido Esparza (pictured), who was nominated for the James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest last year

Amarone Ristorante Italiano has closed after little more than six months at Warner and Greenfield roads in Gilbert, and already been reopened as Tutti Santi by Nina. It marks the sixth Valley location of Tutti Santi, which also is Italian

Last year, SanTan Brewing Company was involved in a well-publicized battle with Arizona State University over the name of the downtown Chandler brewery’s Sun Devil Ale (which eventually was renamed Devil’s Ale). Now SanTan is battling giant Boston Beer Company,

Valley landmark Mary Coyle Ol’ Fashion Ice Cream and Yogurt will close – barring a last-minute sale – by the end of May. Owner Bob Kelly says business has dropped off 30 to 40 percent at his 60-year-old central Phoenix business:

From the we-wish-this-was-a-joke file: Blair River, the 572-pound Mesa man who gained worldwide attention last fall when he was named the official spokesman of Chandler’s infamous Heart Attack Grill, has died at age 29. The cause of River’s unexpected death

Mellow Mushroom, an Atlanta-based pizza chain, will open its second Valley location March 14 at Mill and Seventh Street in downtown Tempe. Local franchisee Jay Beskind opened his first location in northwest Phoenix more than a year ago. The 8,000-square-foot

Cactus Moon Sports Grill – a sports bar, family restaurant, billiards hall and nightclub – has opened at Mesa Riverview. The 13,000-square-foot venue is the latest project of brothers Gary and Phillip Graham, who recently opened Denim & Diamonds in Mesa and

A new French restaurant, La Petite France, is scheduled to open March 5 at the Seville Shopping Center in north Scottsdale. The owners are Denis and Catherine Michel, who recently moved to the Valley from Strasbourg, France, which is close

Johnny Chu, chef-owner of Sens Asian Tapas in Phoenix, has been hired to create an Asian tapas menu for The Mint, a trendy restaurant and “ultra lounge” scheduled to open in Scottsdale’s nightlife district in April. The Mint, which takes