Food + Beverage

International Chef Now Home in Arizona

Wigwam Executive Chef Christopher McLean Dishes on His Culinary Career Article by Susan Lanier-Graham | Photography by Wigwam Arizona Christopher McLean fell in love with the military as a child when his mother, a performer, traveled with Bob Hope, entertaining the troops. After finishing school, he worked as a Russian translator for Army Intelligence for eight years. His time studying language at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, changed his life trajectory.  "I fell in love...

Food + Beverage

Seasonal Sips

Mochilero Kitchen’s Fresh New Fall Cocktails Article by Holly Morgan | Photography by Emily Piranio Photography Mochilero Kitchen in Peoria ( Peoria.MochileroKitchen.com ) is making waves in a sea of Mexican food spots. This isn’t just another restaurant—it’s a farm-to-table haven where fresh, vibrant ingredients meet the rich traditions of Mexican cuisine. Sibling duo Meliza Miranda and Jorge Cota had a vision: to create a place where the familiar comfort of classic dishes meets the...

Food + Beverage

Southwest Style Chili

Chef Christopher McLean Shares His Favorite Chili Recipe Article by Chef Christopher McLean Chef Christopher McLean, Executive Chef and Beverage Director at The Wigam, says he once served his favorite chili recipe on a mountaintop to the cast and top crew of the Lone Ranger movie. It was also a favorite in a cooking class that Neil Armstrong attended in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Now, he wants to share it with you so you can enjoy Chef McLean's Southwest Style Chili.  Ingredients 1/2 onion ...

Auto + Marine

Nissan Sentra 2.0 SR

Sporty Nissan Redefines Compact Sedan Performance Article by Angel Fuchs | Photography by Nissan Motor Corporation The 2024 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SR CVT stands out with a blend of sporty design and everyday practicality. Equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), this compact sedan delivers a dynamic driving experience while maintaining impressive fuel efficiency. I recently drove a two-tone gray and black model for one week and was...

Home + Design

New NW Valley Homes

Lennar Homes Expands into the Northwest Valley with Three New Communities Featuring Lennar's Signature Next Gen and Premier Home Models Article by Julie Frisoni | Photography by Lennar Homes Prospective new home buyers are increasingly drawn to the Northwest Valley because of its natural beauty, proximity to Lake Pleasant Regional Park, convenient access to the freeway system, and, most recently, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) plant located near Interstate 17 and Loop 303. ...

Food + Beverage

Dinnertainment Awaits at Kasai

Delectable Dishes, Hand-Crafted Cocktails, and "Dinnertainment" Make Kasai Japanese Steakhouse Park West Fun for Everyone Article by Susan Lanier-Graham | Photography by Dana Gibbons Photography Kasai Japanese Steakhouse Park West is not your typical old-school teppanyaki restaurant. You'll discover modern cooking with exceptional flavors and ingredients combined with theatrical cooking for the ultimate Dinnertainment.  Kasai at Park West I first experienced Kasai many years ago at the...

Style + Beauty

West Valley Guide to Style

5 Local Boutiques Can Help You Find Your Unique Style Article by Susan Lanier-Graham Amor Collective Amor Collective ( AmorCollectiveAZ.com ), at Northern and the 101, is a unique incubator space for 37 start-up Latina-owned businesses. Shop for everything from cosmetics and bath products to clothing and accessories.  Jules & JC Check out Jules & JC ( JulesAndJC.com ) in Park West for the latest women's styles, shoes, and accessories. You can also find fun and stylish home decor...

Style + Beauty

Fall Fashion Tips

Local Boutique Owners Offer Tips for Rocking Fall Styles Without Overheating or Breaking the Bank Article and Photography by Nichole Eckman Achieving that quintessential fall style while staying cool can be challenging here in Arizona. Terra Cactus Boutique ( Terra-Cactus.com ) offers many stylish options to transition your summer wardrobe to fall while staying on budget! Boutique owners and sisters Giovanna and Tanya Calleros emphasize staple pieces for a versatile wardrobe.  “We love an...

Auto + Marine

Small and Stylish

Fiat 500e Inspired by Beauty Redefines Automotive Elegance and Efficiency Article by Angel Fuchs | Photography by Stellantis North America Cute, tiny, and ultra-feminine, the 2024 electric Fiat 500e Inspired By Beauty is pretty inside and out. It may be small, but it's big on aesthetics. I've never seen anything like it, and from the looks I got while driving it, neither have most other drivers on the road. The gorgeous rose-gold hue draws plenty of stares, and it's loaded with details like...

Home + Design

Coastal California Design Gets a Glow-Up

Urbane Interiors Helps Incorporate the Colorful Change into Our Arizona Lifestyle Article by Susan Lanier-Graham | Photography by Sunday Stills Studio/Rachel Smak The coastal California interior design trend took the world by storm. The aesthetic maintains its foundation in a light, bright, laid-back look, featuring white walls, pale neutrals, and furnishings with an unstructured, casual silhouette. But all of that is subtly changing.  "While I don't see the California coastal trend headed...