Katie Johnson

Casual gardeners, organic enthusiasts, and quite a few Mother's Day weekend duos made their way to the Arcadia Edible Garden Tour over the weekend. From 9 to 1 on Saturday visitors explored the outdoor works of 9 green neighborhood homes including Sweet Life Garden and the Farmyard. 

Overall, the tour did its part to raise awareness of CSA's, sustainability, and the home-grown movement as well as give guests the chance to ooh and ah over gardens that made our own green thumbs look more like a dull chartreuse.

See Also:
- Singh Farms Farmer's Market in Scottsdale: What We Bought, What We Skipped, and What We're Still Lusting Over
- Arizona Farmer+Chef Connection Conference on June 10 at Desert Botanical Garden
- Arcadia Edible Garden Tour in Downtown Phoenix, 5/11/13 (Slideshow)

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Heather Hoch

The classic, not monster-style, burger from Legends.

If you've driven past Coach & Willie's near the stadiums downtown recently you may have noticed the banners covering the old signage that say Legends Sports Bar and Restaurant. While the official grand opening celebration isn't until February 15, Legends has been busy repainting, remodeling and generally sprucing up the joint.

The new menu at Legends, to be revealed at the grand opening, will be similar, but pared down from its former book-size with some added Mexican flare, different wines and fresh new options. They've also added a five pound "Legendary Monster Burger" which comes with a pound of fries and a challenge: finish it in 20 minutes or pay over $25. The burger has five patties, each with American cheese, ham, pulled pork, grilled chilis and onions and topped off with a fried egg.

While we're excited to take the Legendary Monster Burger challenge as soon as possible in a Man vs. Food style display of gluttony and competitive spirit, if you just want to check out the new digs, we suggest you hit up the grand opening bash, which will have a free buffet, live music, happy hour drink pricing and a meet and greet with Roger Clyne, who will be promoting his Mexican moonshine.

Legends' grand opening will take place February 15 from 5 to 10 p.m.

Blue Desert Interiors

Do you enjoy drooling over newly remodeled kitchens? How about donating money to a good cause? Well, you can check both off your list on February 23 at the 1st Annual Kitchen & Tasting Tour, hosted by the Arizona Chapter of the Lymphoma Research Foundation in Scottsdale.

See Also:
"Celebrate Green" March 16 with Dinner at Double Check Ranch -- Buy Discounted Tickets Now
Is Your Garden a Mess After the Phoenix Cold Snap? An Expert Has Tips for Recovery.

This self-driven tour happening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will feature upscale homes, chefs, and designers with all proceeds benefiting the Lymphoma Research Foundation, the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to providing funding for research and service in the lymphoma community.

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Jackie Mercandetti

Tasty crêpes and even more delicious celebrity gossip from Hollywood's golden age finally come together in a night to benefit ASU's Center for Film, Media and Popular Culture at the "Dishing On Oscar: Award Tales with Taste" event. The best part is that it's all happening at one of our favorite new eateries-- Crêpe Bar.

See Also:
- 2013 Best Picture Oscar Nominees
- Crêpe Bar: Artistry, Discipline, and Nutella Courtesy of Jeff Kraus
- Django Unchained and Dinner at Baby Kay's

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Karl's Quality Bakery via Heard Museum on Facebok

Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? We've got you covered. Check out what's on our plate.

See Also:
5 Sweet Spots for Valentine Treats in Metro Phoenix
Botanica at the Farm at South Mountain Opens Feb. 1

Haute Chocolate Market & Festival at the Heard Museum

The good people at the Heard Museum understand that there's no such thing as too much chocolate; which is why they'll be kicking off their upcoming exhibit, Chocolate, Chili and Cochineal: Changing Taste Around the World with, what else, a chocolate festival. Happening this Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m., the Haute Chocolate Market & Festival will feature local chocolatiers, chocolate wine, live entertainment and more. Tickets are $30 online and $35 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit the Heard Museum online.

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Julia Baker Confections Facebook

The Super Bowl is this Sunday, and for the anxious holiday planner that can really only mean one thing: Valentine's Day is right around the corner.

Rather than half-assing it with some predictable drug store purchase of candy and a card, we suggest you show a little love to local business this year and give your sweetheart something his or her taste buds will truly remember. Here is Chow Bella's guide to five creative confections around Metro Phoenix.

See Also:
Fourteen Valley Restaurants to Take Your Sweetie Pie to on Valentine's Day
Matthew Weston of the Royal Palms in Phoenix Talks Dessert Wines

Julia Baker Confections

Putting the class in classic, Julia Baker Confections is your home for high-end chocolates. Along with her national acclaim and growing celebrity client list including Oprah, Elton John, and U2's Bono, Executive Chef and CEO Julia Baker recently opened a flagship store at the Biltmore Fashion Park. There you can find boxed gifts of assorted luxury chocolates (18 pieces for $45 or 48 pieces for $120) and decadent cake truffles (box of 9 for $35) For more information or to order through the website, visit Julia Baker Confections online.

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gardenfly.com

A detailed diagram of how Gardenfly works.

If you're like us, you have about 300 too many grapefruits right about now and your friends are pretty sick of you pawning them off on them. Maybe you've got the opposite problem: no grapefruits easily accessible to you, without some late night grand theft citrus. Luckily, there's now a local website that connects gardeners to buyers online.

See Also:
- Best Way to Learn How to Make Your Garden Really Grow
- When Life Throws Lemons (and Other Citrus-y Stuff), Chrysa Robertson Makes Limoncello
- Chow Bella's Gift Guide for the Gardener

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Love is in the air -- and as with other airborne pathogens, you'd prefer to keep a safe distance. For the Hallmark haters and the Valentine adverse, Chow Bella has put together a list of the 5 least romantic cocktails around. Order one for yourself or send some over as a gritty gesture to the PDA couple at the bar -either way, the satisfaction will feel a lot like stepping on Cupid's arrow.

See Also:
- 3 Hot (Literally) Cocktails in Downtown Phoenix
- Dwayne Allen of Rum Bar Gives a Tasty Tutorial on Rum

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SASSI

Valentine's Day is approaching and to get you in the lovey-dovey mood, Chow Bella has picked out ten local love potions around the Valley. Try a few or try them all, just be sure not to leave an impromptu message on your ex's phone -- after all, alcohol love makes us do crazy things.

See Also:
--Fourteen Valley Restaurants to Take Your Sweetie Pie to on Valentine's Day
--Matthew Weston of the Royal Palms in Phoenix Talks Dessert Wines

SASSI - Amore Smooch- $16

The Amore Smooch is by far SASSI's most seductive cocktail. Godiva White liqueur, Svedka Cherry Vodka, and Crème de Cacao are served in a stemless martini glass filled with crushed ice and 2 fresh rose petals, then garnished with 3 Svedka Cherry Vodka-infused cherries, half dipped in chocolate. Amore Smooch? Try, Amore Full-On Make Out Session.

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Central Bistro on Facebook

When one door closes another one opens -- fortunately for you, you can stumble through both on Sunday, February 3.

As the Waste Management Phoenix Open marks its last day, Phoenix's Central Bistro will be unveiling a brand new brunch menu. To celebrate, the restaurant specializing in modern French and Italian fare will be offering a special Brunch and Bus package.

See Also:
24 Food and Drink Festivals in Metro Phoenix
Fourteen Valley Restaurants to Take Your Sweetie Pie to on Valentine's Day

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