The Edit

Start with a National Taco Day practice run, then plan your October 17–18 Taco Fest weekend with chefs, taco makers, music and a day-by-day guide.

Where to stay, eat, sip, shop and play in Old Town Scottsdale, from iconic hotels and destination dinners to Arizona wine, galleries and a pink-sundae finale.

Lick Me by Michela Mezzetti is the summer vanilla I took a detour for in San Gimignano. A creamy, playful gourmand with whipped cream, fiordilatte gelato, powdered sugar, iris, vanilla, amber, and a little Italian mischief, paired with the San Gimignano wine that turned into a winery stop and a case order.

Some restaurants become more than a reservation. Pretty Penny has become one of my most trusted Phoenix recommendations, the kind of place I chose to close one year and open the next. With food from Chef Steven “Chops” Smith, cocktails with intention, a Page Springs wine collaboration, and a team led with grace and heart, this downtown Phoenix favorite reminds me why I love telling local food stories.

Mother’s Day does not have to be complicated. It just has to feel considered. This Arizona guide helps you find the right celebration by mood, from resort brunches and Scottsdale favorites to downtown Phoenix buffets, East Valley picks, road-trip ideas, and fragrance gifts Mom will actually remember.

Discover Heritage Kitchen & Cocktails in North Scottsdale, where Chef Christopher Brugman blends precision, balance, and modern American flavors into one of Arizona’s rising dining destinations.