This Week In Chow Bella

Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let's have one last look at t...

Revo Burrito, 4 stars

Revo Burrito serves up light, refreshing Mexican fast food in a casual setting.

3 IS ON OUR SIDE!

If you were watching Good Morning Arizona! on KTVK Channel 3 a couple of weeks ago (see clip here) you saw EATERAZ chatting with Tara Hitchcock about wine and spirits trends around the Valley, and today you saw us man-ing up with Scott Passmore about Sam Fox’s new spectacle, Modern Steak and Aaron May’s Mabel’s [...]

Tinderbox Kitchen - Flagstaff, AZ

I can’t remember the last time I was as excited about a new restaurant as Tinderbox Kitchen.  Located in Flagstaff, it’s the kind of place I would absolutely love to have somewhere close to my house.  We visited for lunch, and started with a luscious bowl of Butternut Squash Soup and a Trio of Cheeses complimented with a perfect chutney.  Mains consisted of a Steak Sandwich with Blue Cheese, and a Meatloaf Sandwich.  Best. Meatloaf. EVER!  Crispy on the outside, very smooth consistency inside.  Service was friendly and genuine. 

But, from what I’m told, dinner is the real star at Tinderbox.  With an emphasis on “American Comfort Food” done to a very high standard, I see many parallels with what’s also going on at Noca, another one of my favorites.  It’s not “complicated food” but, rather, simple food prepared to a high standard using excellent ingredients.  Although I haven’t yet been for dinner (will definitely visit soon, and it sounds like it’s worth the drive), I’d venture to say that Tinderbox Kitchen sets a very high standard not just for Flagstaff, which has far fewer “higher end” dining options, but for any major city. 

The interior is chic yet comfortable, with blacked-out tin ceilings and simple photography on the walls.  It was quiet at lunch, but I’m sure it’s got a great vibe at night, especially on a cold Flagstaff night. 

The menu changes regularly, but I’ve published a recent menu below.  Jalapeno Mac-n-Cheese with Duck Confit?  Yes, please.  House-made charcuterie?  Yes, please.  Winter Vegetable Pot Pie with White Truffle Oil?  Bring it on, now. 

Tinderbox has been open for six months now and, based on the reviews thus far, it has been a big success.  Quite honestly, I’ve never found much reason to visit Flagstaff.  The last time I was there we went skiing and my dad had to be taken by Ski Patrol down the mountain on a sled as a result of altitude sickness.  The time before that was for band camp at NAU…an experience I’d rather forget.  (My roommate routinely challenged me to a “dance off.”  My wife can attest to the fact that dancing is not something I do.)  

Thanks to Tinderbox Kitchen, I now have a reason to return to Flagstaff without the fear of a band camp dance-off.

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Tinderbox Kitchen

34 South San Francisco St.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: 928.226.8400

www.tinderboxkitchen.com

twitter: tinderboxkitchn (there is no "e" in "kitchen")

Nine|05

Remember the Who's 1978 album Who Are You, the last one recorded with the band's original lineup, including madcap drummer Keith Moon? The title track has been resurrected in recent years as the theme to CSI. Listen to the whole album, though, and the third track is "905," a synth-driven tale of a little boy struggling with his identity as a clone. It's purely coincidental for sure, but Downtown

A Cinn-fully Sweet Time!

By Caroline Vega, Guest Blogger, Foodies Like Us Stepping into Goody Two’s Toffee Shop evokes the magic of the childhood excitement I had when it was checkout time at the supermarket and choosing a candy bar was the hardest part of my Saturday. On a delightful Saturday morning I set foot into the impeccably clean and cheery [...]

Mon premier sandwich à Philippe

Wait, there’s nothing wrong with your browser! Loosely translated, the title means “My first sandwich at Philippe’s.” Hey, I don’t pretend to speak French; I have no idea how to pronounce it. However, from what I’ve been told, no trip to L.A. is complete without stopping by Philippe’s in Chinatown for a French Dip. Philippe’s [...]

Justin’s Roundup: September 2009

For lack of a more clever moniker, I’m branding recently accumulated bullet-points under “Justin’s Roundup.” This will be the first such post of many like it to come, as an efficient way to relay pressing tidbits constantly amassing with more brevity. Think of it as a routine newsletter. Sort of. Here goes: • Local rumors [...]