(This article was originally written for and published by Fabulous Arizona). Written by Ali Dugaw  Springtime is undeniably the best time to experience the great outdoors, live music, wine festivals and cultural events in the Valley. Check out these nine spring festivals in Arizona. March 23: Desert Sol Jam Music Festival Scottsdale Desert Sol Jam Music Festival at Scottsdale Civic Center will feature food, drinks and seven bands with Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers headlining. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The JoyBus, a local nonprofit that delivers meals to homebound ..read more

(This article was originally written for and published by Fabulous Arizona). Written by Ali Dugaw  The NCAA men’s basketball season will crown a champion at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium on Monday, April 8, and there will be no shortage of local spots to catch the games leading up to the championship. Here’s an all-you-need-to-know guide on where to watch March Madness in Arizona, which begins Tuesday, March 19. Backyard at Desert Ridge Catch the tournament at this new 8,000-sq.-ft. indoor/outdoor restaurant in Desert Ridge Marketplace. Backyard boasts four 18-ft. LED ..read more

(This article was originally written for and published by Fabulous Arizona). Written by Ali Dugaw  Nothing quite captures the essence of summertime as effectively as a classic barbecue, featuring succulent chicken, golden corn and juicy watermelon. The seasonal menu at True Food Kitchen reimagines these nostalgic favorites with new dishes that combine many of summer’s most bountiful flavors in peak season.   Among the new appetizers on the True Food Kitchen summer menu is the street corn flatbread, inspired by elote, a traditional Mexican street food wit ..read more

(This article was originally written for and published by Fabulous Arizona). Written by Ali Dugaw  A love for tea isn’t required to enjoy a tea party at Drink Me! Tea Room in Tempe but an appreciation for gluten-free and plant-based treats is a must. The allergy-friendly tea room promises a safe experience for both those with Celiac disease and vegans. The owner’s personal food allergies served as the driving force behind the creation of this unique space, where anyone with dietary needs can enjoy the delights of an afternoon tea–worry-free. Guests who join the Tempe h ..read more

(This article was originally written for and published by Fabulous Arizona). Written by Ali Dugaw  Italian food lovers in North Scottsdale have a new bistro in the neighborhood. Sugo Bistro occupies the ground floor in SOHO Scottsdale, a live-and-work loft community just north of WestWorld. The Italian scratch kitchen, created by Arizona chef Robert Conneway, opened at the end of April in Scottsdale. Sugo means “sauce” in Italian, and the menu features a variety of handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas and bruschetta boards. Because authenticity is important to Chef Conneway, n ..read more

(This article was originally written for and published by Fabulous Arizona). Written by Ali Dugaw  Indulging in a blissful day by the pool is a quintessential summer pleasure. Yet, for individuals with gluten intolerance or Celiac disease, the mere glimpse of poolside menus can evoke disappointment, as they are often dominated by gluten-laden finger foods like crispy chicken fingers and juicy hamburgers.  Luckily, the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas are havens of exquisite resorts embracing diverse dietary needs. Be it an out-of-town adventure or a refreshing local e ..read more

(This article was originally written for and published by Fabulous Arizona). Written by Ali Dugaw  If you’ve been to Old Town Scottsdale lately, chances are you’ve probably spotted a group of women walking in wigs and boas – or maybe sparkly cowboy hats and boots. They were more than likely en route to Wine Girl Scottsdale. Scottsdale has become one of the top bachelorette party destinations in the United States, and Wine Girl is a must-do on the celebratory agenda. Outside the white-and-pink-hued bar, a big chalkboard lists the name of every bride visiting that day. I ..read more

(This article was originally written for and published by Fabulous Arizona). Written by Ali Dugaw  Cactus League spring training games are a popular event in Arizona, drawing thousands of fans from around the country. With more and more people finding out they have dietary restrictions, it’s important to have some gluten-friendly options at Cactus League games. Luckily, some of the ballparks have stepped up to the plate by offering a variety of gluten-free options for fans. Here is our guide to gluten-free dining at spring training games. Salt River FieldsSalt River Fields Scott ..read more

It’s an exciting time for our state with the Super Bowl in Glendale and the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, both happening the same week! There will be thousands of visitors flocking to our beautiful state and some are inevitably going to need to find allergy-friendly meals but don’t want to sacrifice the fun vibes. Here are five gluten-free restaurants in the Phoenix area you must try. Picazzo’s Healthy Kitchen ItalianPicazzo’s Healthy Kitchen Italian Glendale, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Gilbert Picazzo’s is a family-owned restaurant that uses mostly organic, whole food ..read more

(This article was originally written for and published by Fabulous Arizona). Written by Ali Dugaw  It’s a brand new year and the perfect timing for the “eat more veggies” message Flower Child is sending to Chandler. The healthy, fast-casual restaurant opened a new location at The Shoppes at Casa Paloma, the sixth in Arizona. Located off the I-10 and Ray Road, the local eatery from Fox Restaurant Concepts offers a selection of salads, bowls, entrees, wraps – nearly all of which are gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan-friendly. Diners can also find lemonades, komb ..read more