Seriously. Muffins and other sweet things comfort us. It all has to do with aroma, memory and sugar, according to the people who research these things. So if you want to feel better right now, run over to Big Apple Bagels in Anthem and grab some delicious, soul-soothing muffins.

Choose from Blueberry, Boston Cream, Cranberry Orange, Deep Dish Apple Pie, Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake, Lemon Poppy, Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate Chip, Carmelicious Crumb, Chocolate Marble, Cinnamon Cheesecake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Banana Nut, Cherry Cheesecake, Honey Oat Bran, Corn, Strawberry Banana Crumb and Lemon Bar. Available in Jumbo and Mini sizes.

The famous Pumpkin muffin is coming soon, according to owner Phyllis Berger.

Quiznos is bringing this classic sub back with a limited-time value pricing of $2.99 for a small and $5 for a large.

Five other large subs are also available for $5: Turkey & Cheddar, Roast Beef & Cheddar, Ham & Swiss, the 5 Meat Stack, and the Tuna Melt. These subs come with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise (and the 5 meat stack also has a smoky mustard).

Check out Quiznos.com for the full menu and pricing. Don’t forget that the Anthem Quiznos delivers between 11-2 and 5-7 daily for only a $2 delivery fee. If you're ordering online for a group, you can place your order and e-mail it to others to add to the order.

Visit the Anthem store at 3668 W. Anthem Way (next to Tutor Time), where they also offer three combo meals for $5. Combos include a regular drink, your choice of cookie or chips, and either a small Meatball, a small Turkey Ranch & Swiss, or a small Traditional. (This offer is available only in-store.)

Pari 2BA Model, a new modeling agency in Anthem, is holding its Grand Opening September 6 and 7, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Join the fun and take a tour of the one-of-a kind facility featuring an in-house catwalk, exercise and class areas, and photo and dance studio. Features of the day also include light refreshments, giveaways for kids, and Opening Day discounts and specials on classes and store items.

Shop 'n Dine Anthem discount cardholders will be able to take advantage of ongoing discounts. See current offers here.

The agency is located at 4225 W. Fortune Drive, Suite 100 (next to Havana Cigars). Visit their Web site to learn more.

Falafel, grape leaves, tabbouleh, lentil soup, yogurt cucumber salad, shish kekab, mujeddara, msa'ah — all available now at the new Cafe Afify on Anthem's west side. And we can't forget the sweet, exotic baklava.

The Lebanese Mediterranean restaurant is owned by Tarek and Samia Salameh, son and daughter of Youssef Salameh, who serves as manager. Afify is named after Youssef's mother.

The Salameh extended family runs the popular Cafe Barada in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which won Best of Boston 2007 Middle Eastern. Cafe Afify uses the same family recipes, right from the heart of Lebanon.

If you've ever experienced the warm hospitality of the Middle East, you'll feel right at home at Cafe Afify. Youssef's twinkling eyes and sincere greeting combine with the wood tables, upholstered chairs and hanging tapestries to create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the home-cooked cuisine.

Restaurant hours and location

In the mood for a fun lunch? Grab a yummy donut and one of the new sandwiches at Sweethearts Gourmet Donuts in Anthem. Choices include Sonoran chicken salad, tuna salad, ham and cheese or turkey and cheese on a freshly-baked croissant or sliced bread. (Definitely go for the croissant!)

Along with their signature hot coffees, Sweethearts also offers iced coffees and teas, smoothies, energy drinks, soda, milk and juice.

Store information

Ebisu Sushi & Grill is Anthem's new upscale, family-friendly, affordable Japanese restaurant. Now open after months of detailed planning and bringing in top chefs from Los Angeles and San Francisco, the word is out  — Ebisu has been well worth the wait.

Ebisu is open for lunch and dinner. Menu items include sushi and other seafood, chicken and beef dishes, appetizers, salads, noodles, soups, and desserts. Kids are welcome to feast on Teriyaki chicken and beef, ribs, chicken tenders, good old macaroni & cheese, and hamburgers.

Ebisu is located in the Crossroads Center near Fry's.

Restaurant information

Today is National Doughnut Day, and to celebrate this mouthwatering tradition, Phoenix FOX 10's Jayme King traveled to Anthem to feature Sweethearts Gourmet Donuts in Anthem, "Anthem's only donut shop."

Watch the segment

Store details

* Take advantage of the new "Free After Four" program: Buy two regular subs after 4 p.m. any day and get a FREE small sub!

Use this coupon to receive $2 off a regular or large Quiznos toasty sub after 4 p.m. weekdays or all day on the weekends. 

* For a limited time, you can get large Deli Favorite subs -- Oven Roasted Turkey & Cheddar, Tuna Melt, Roast Beef & Cheddar and Ham & Swiss -- for just $5. Quiznos says their large sandwiches give you 50 percent more meat than Subway's footlong.

* Get 10 percent off purchases with your Shop 'n Dine Anthem Discount Card (can't be combined with other offers).

Location and Hours

A cool new spot to enjoy fresh fruit blends and smoothies has opened in Anthem. Blend Smoothie Cafe, located near Tutor Time, also offers protein/energy blends, coffee blends, Thai, black and Chai teas, and eight flavors of Blue Bell ice cream.

The store features a variety of ways to keep you happy and comfortable while enjoying your drinks, including a spacious sitting area with couches, a flat-screen TV, and computers with free Internet access.

Hours and Location

The Taco Del Mar store in Anthem is closed temporarily and will reopen Monday, May 5. Just in time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

No matter what's happening with the economy, we can always enjoy life's sweet, delicious and affordable treats such as freshly made donuts. Luckily for Anthem, Sweethearts Gourmet Donuts offers more than 80 varieties, all made from scratch using 40-year-old family recipes. The shop also serves Java Rama Gourmet Coffee, made exclusively for Anthem.

The store recently changed their hours, and are now open Monday through Friday, 4 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Sunday 6 a.m.-noon. Sweethearts is located in the Safeway Plaza, near the Dara Thai restaurant.

If you're looking for ways to save, pop in Monday through Friday between 2 and 4 p.m. to enjoy half off all dozens. Or, download a coupon for $1 off regular priced dozens.

You can also get 10 percent off regularly priced items anytime when you use your Shop 'n Dine Anthem Discount Card.

Anthem has three Starbucks Coffee locations, with the latest store now open in the Anthem Crossroads shopping center at Gavilan Peak and Daisy Mountain.

The new location is near Madelyn's Restaurant and includes an outdoor patio with umbrella tables. The brightly colored, spacious interior features a bar where customers can sit and watch their coffee and other drinks being prepared.

A grand opening will be held next month.

Domino's Pizza in Anthem will donate 20 percent of carry-out and delivery orders made on Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 1 a.m., to the Chris Carson family. Chris, who has a wife and young daughter, was seriously injured in a truck rollover last October.

Please download and use this voucher, which is required for tracking purposes.

Learn more about Chris and his family.

See also the April 17 Arizona Republic article.

Domino's Pizza is located at 39506 N. Daisy Mountain Drive. Their phone number is (623) 551-1515.

Enjoy your favorite ice cream and support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at the same time. On April 30, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., participating Baskin-Robbin stores, including the Anthem location near Safeway, is reducing the price of small ice cream scoops to 31 cents.

Learn more

Bring the whole family to the Anthem Community Park on April 27, noon to 3 p.m., to enjoy lunch catered by Hog Wild Restaurant. Lunch includes hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, and chips. The restaurant, with locations in Cottonwood and Camp Verde, is owned by Anthem residents Dawn and Mike West.

The fundraiser benefits Audrey Thoenen, a local teen who has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare and crippling disease. Money is being raised to build a bedroom for Audrey on the ground floor of her family's two-story home. Other needs include a full-size van to accommodate a wheelchair lift.

For more information, call Teresa Oorin at (623) 551-8310.

ShopAnthemAZ.com is also donating $10 for each Shop 'n Dine Anthem Discount Card purchased on the site to benefit Audrey.