American
The Mick Brasserie
In the summer of 2020, The Mick Brasserie quietly opened its doors and quickly became a neighborhood favorite. “I joke with the ownership that, as difficult as COVID was, they had the best soft opening,” […]
Articles by Christina Barrueta
American
Beautiful Patio Dining in Phoenix
Boasting an annual 300+ days of sunshine, the appropriately-named Valley of the Sun has no shortage of idyllic spots to enjoy al fresco dining. They make a perfect setting for brunch with friends on a […]
Beer
Baby Boy Cocktail Bar
In April of 2021, Baby Boy, a mobile bar housed in a 1970s Airstream trailer, opened at The Pemberton. The property is a collective of restaurants, bars, and retail shops surrounding the historic Sarah H. […]
American
Where to Eat and Drink in Sedona
Sedona is one of nature’s gifts—a town of mesmerizing beauty attracting visitors from all over the world. Long known for its majestic red rock landscapes, Sedona is also a culinary destination boasting talented chefs and […]
BBQ
Best BBQ in Phoenix
Barbecue. We’re not talking about gathering ‘round the grill for hot dogs and burgers, but traditional barbecue cooked low and slow with smoky richness. Ask for Phoenix’s best and you’ll hear plenty of passionate opinions, […]
Beer
Pa’La – Wood Fired Fare & More
More than a decade ago, I met Claudio Urciuoli when he helmed the kitchen at Prado at The Montelucia Resort. There, on many memorable evenings, he enlightened me on Controne beans, wild oregano from the Alburni Mountains […]
Cottonwood and Jerome
An Interview With Carlson Creek
“It’s just good to have something in your hands representative of your family at the end of the day,” observes Robert Carlson III in my book, Arizona Wine: A History of Perseverance and Passion. His […]
Mexican & Latin
Tacos Calafia Interview
“Tacos are universal,” says Adolfo Torres with a grin, “everybody loves tacos.” ¡Es verdad! In 2016, Torres and his family parked a trailer in Peoria and introduced Phoenicians to the Tijuana-style tacos they had been […]
Drink
The AZ F&B Workforce Crisis
“I’ve been a part of this organization for 20 years and it’s like nothing I’ve ever witnessed,” says Steve Chucri, CEO and president of the Arizona Restaurant Association. “I’m just amazed.” He’s referencing the current […]
Drink
Little Rituals Cocktail With Mezcal Naran
Mezcal, tequila’s smokier cousin, gets its rustic ancestral character from the roasting of the piña (the heart of the agave). The Carreño family has been producing artisanal mezcal in Oaxaca since 1904, a legacy that […]