Talk about ambitious. The folks behind a new concept called Regions Bistro & Bar have not one but two locations in the works. The first, located in Scottsdale's 9400 Shea complex (9343 E. Shea), is set to open to the public tomorrow, while its sister restaurant at 690 S. Mill in Tempe (near Coffee Plantation) will open in mid to late March.
Chef Don Nason, who hails from New Mexico, has created two menus -- a set list of American comfort food dishes, and a rotating menu of regional American specialties that will change every month.
So on the regular menu, look for "Mom's Wild Mushroom Meatloaf," with buttermilk mashed potatoes and sweet pea succotash; roasted chicken with cornbread pudding; shrimp po'boys, and mac 'n cheese loaded with lump crabmeat. The debut monthly menu focuses on the Deep South, which means fried green tomatoes and okra with buttermilk pesto dipping sauce; pan-roasted catfish with red potato hash; peach cobbler; and "front porch tea" (sweet tea punched up with vodka). A full bar features wine, beer, and a dozen different specialty cocktails from different parts of the country.
Regions will be open for lunch daily, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and for dinner, from 5 to 10 p.m. (and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday).