Every week, there's a cornucopia of new Phoenix food news, features, and reviews to report here at Chow Bella. If you're like most people, you probably just don't have the time to get to all of it. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this case, your day. So, here's a recap of some of the top stories from the week that you may have missed.

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Every week, there's a cornucopia of new Phoenix food news, features, and reviews to report here at Chow Bella. If you're like most people, you probably just don't have the time to get to all of it. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth . . . or in this case, your day. So, here's a recap of some of the top stories from the week that you may have missed.

More >>

Every week, there's a cornucopia of new Phoenix food news, features, and reviews to report here at Chow Bella. If you're like most people, you probably just don't have the time to get to all of it. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth . . . or in this case, your day. So, here's a recap of some of the top stories from the week that you may have missed.

Chris Bianco Changes Up the Kitchen at Italian Restaurant, But Is That Enough?

When pizza guru/restaurateur Chris Bianco brought chef Claudio Urciuoli onboard to run his generically named Italian Restaurant -- which opened in Central Phoenix last January -- the partnership promised to be interesting, at the very least.

Both men have earned stellar reputations for their meticulous sourcing, and both have definite opinions about what Italian food is and isn't. As it turns out, their opinions regarding the direction this particular Italian restaurant should take simply were too different to make the alliance work.

Read the full story about changes at Bianco's Italian Restaurant.

-- Nikki Buchanan

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Claire Lawton

Lola Coffee on Roosevelt Street

​A regular coffee shop spot is a sacred (and often secret) thing. All-too-often the lighting is bad, the music is loud, and the a/c vent seems to be at just the right angle to totally freeze the table -- and you.

We've spent our fair share of time in local coffee shops, and we'll admit to being a little territorial about our favorite spots.

So take note and sit where you want, but we'll be grabbing one of the chairs below ...

1. Head of the family table at Lola on Roosevelt Sure, Lola coffee's known for its artistic lattes, great lighting, and the huge bouquet of fresh-cut flowers that rests in the center of the family table. Now, you just have to catch the seat at the head of that very table (closest to the register) to soak in all three -- and to get a good gander at the New York Times, carefully spread on the table each morning. 

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The La Vida truck's hiding a secret...

​At the Scottsdale Old Town Farmers' Market this weekend, we caught up with Joe Garcia of La Vida Locavore and got the inside scoop on a new "covert culinary dinner" project called Stealthy Table. Basically, it's like the food version of a rave -- the location of the dinner's a secret until one day prior to the event.

​ ​On the day of the event, the La Vida Locavore truck will pull up to the mystery site with the evening's guest chefs in tow. "It could be anyplace," says Garcia. "It could be a private residence, a gallery, a cemetery!"

La Vida Locavore is kicking off the series with a fun "My Bloody Valentine" themed four-course dinner on Sunday, February 14. The menu's still a mystery, but we're guessing tartare will make an appearance. And maybe some kind of gooey cherry dessert...

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Phoenix can be a much divided town. There are the Scottsdale types and the West Siders, the conservative natives and the influx of liberals, the sushi eaters and those who would rather chug a live goldfish than eat sashimi. We doubt that the bridge between Arpaio supporters and detractors will be bridged anytime soon, but there's hope for those folks who haven't quite warmed to the idea of uncooked fish.

Kabuki's Poke Tuna with spicy ponzu.

​​Kabuki, a casual Japanese restaurant with locations in Southern California, Arizona and Las Vegas, is adding seven new menu items specifically tailored for Arizona palates. What does that mean? Think spicy, Mexican-influenced sauces. Salsa. And bubbling cheese, great for first timers wary of more traditional sushi. These new dishes will only be available at the Glendale and Tempe Marketplace locations. Take that, LA! 

Lobster Dynamite -- lobster tail with mushrooms baked in a creamy sesame mayo sauce -- is Japanese comfort food.

​ ​We were actually the first in the nation to sample the new additions, and we're bringing them straight to you. 

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​Getting a job after you've left prison may not be the easiest thing in the world. So some restaurants around the country are focusing on hiring ex-cons to serve food.

Gadling.com reports that one eatery in Chicago, hilariously called Felony Franks, serves up hot dogs, steak sandwiches and more, brought to you by former criminals.

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