I’ve been seeing people forecast their trends for next year—protein will be supplanted by fiber, lab-grown meat, etc. Just for fun (and bragging rights if I get some of these right), here’s my predictions. Hojicha, matcha’s nutty, toasted sister, will grow in popularity. It’s already being offered more places in Phoenix, and that will increase in the next year. Cold foam on coffee and tea … Continue reading 2026 Food Trends Forecast
After having family come and go in the holidays, I was inspired to collect my favorite activities for out-of-towners around this time last year. This sat in my post drafts for too long, but as the weather’s cooling down, I felt I had to polish it up and share. Here’s what I would recommend to experience Phoenix if you’re here just for a weekend. You’re … Continue reading One Weekend in Phoenix
Sometimes, it’s hard to make it to happy hour. As someone who works til 5 most days, I never have a chance hit up deals that end at 5. Here are the best longer happy hours. Original Gravity Happy hour is 3-6 Tuesday to Saturday and all day on Sundays, with deals on drinks and select appetizers. My recommendation: the white sangria and the polenta … Continue reading Phoenix’s Longest Happy Hours
There are many spots to get a little spooky this October, but these are my favorites. Scottsdale offers a lot of additional options, but I think Phoenix businesses outshine anything there in terms of balanced drinks and reasonable prices. Bitter & Twisted Their menu doesn’t have too many seasonal changes, but it doesn’t need it. Their creative options and great presentation are consistent. This year, … Continue reading Where to Halloween in Phoenix
Here’s a current list of my favorite vegetarian dishes at not-exclusively-vegetarian restaurants. There are so many it’s hard to list, so I’ve broken them down by category. American Fried green tomato sandwich at Welcome Diner The roasted beets and the eggplant meatballs at Ocotillo Elote pasta at Valentine White pizza at Luana’s Anything veggie at FnB — their menu is always seasonal and rotating Smoked … Continue reading Best vegetarian dishes in Phoenix
You can buy on this list, tax included, with a $10 bill and get change back. I think it’s difficult to judge whether a splurge meal is worth it. I don’t know your budget or your personal taste; it’s impossible to say what more expensive restaurants will always be worth what they cost. This list, I can confidently promise, is all food worth the price … Continue reading Phoenix’s best food items under $10
Back in 2022, I posted about lighter food I recommend for the oppressively hot summer days. Some of those restaurants have since closed, so I figured it was time for an update. Ricemill A new addition to downtown in the CityScape area, this place does a build-your-own bowl with Asian-inspired flavors. It’s my new work lunch obsession, great for vegetarian options. The DinerSaur They’re primarily … Continue reading Keeping it Cool: Lighter Favorites for Summer 2025
You may or may not be familiar with the concept of “voting with your dollar,” but it’s something I believe in. The valley provides plenty of opportunities to do this— to support not just local businesses, but specific causes they align with. This is a list of a couple ways I like to do that. For instance, the only thing that makes a cupcake from … Continue reading Supporting Socially Conscious Businesses
Picture this: it’s Friday night and you didn’t make plans but you want to go out for dinner. Don’t get trapped waiting forever— go somewhere it’s easy to walk in. Everywhere on this list is a sit down, table service restaurant where you don’t need a reservation even for a weekend dinner. I will always love popular spots like Glai Baan, Rough Rider, and Valentine, … Continue reading Best No-Reservation Restaurants
As a sort of companion piece to my post of the best new spots that opened in 2024, I have to acknowledge the best places that were new to me this past year. The Persian Room I like everything about this spot, from the great flavor to the ambiance to the family style ordering. Que Hoang It’s always best to be skeptical of a restaurant … Continue reading Best new (to me) spots in 2024
Grace Gets Food 