Heads up, outdoor lounge-y types; "Arizona's Hottest New Patio" opens in Tempe today.
See also: - Bink's Midtown Is a Must (Especially When It Comes to Veggies) - New Restaurant Opens at Chase Field: Think Barbecue, Sandwiches Wrapped in Tape Measures, and the "Hottest Wings in Baseball" Featuring seating for 130, three fire pits, a bar, food, and a backdrop of Tempe Beach Park and Tempe Town Lake, the new patio, called Tempe's Front Porch, is located at 100 South Mill Avenue.
The address, interestingly enough, happens to be the same as Monti's La Casa Vieja, the oldest restaurant in Tempe. Which makes sense because Tempe's Front Porch is Monti's La Casa Vieja. The 2,000-square-foot patio of Monti's La Casa Vieja. With a different name. For some reason. Who knows? The world is a confusing place.
Is it too late to offer up "Monti's Front Porch" or, hell, can we just say, "Hey, Monti's now has a patio"?
Sadly, yes. But it seems there's an explanation behind the new concept.
"It's going to be a completely different concept," a public relations representative for Tempe's Front Porch (TFP) tells me, "Still owned by the same owners as Monti's, but with its own menu, staff, décor, and different demo -- a younger and hipper crowd, I suspect."
To bring in this new customer base, TFP will feature a traditional lunch menu as well as a tapas-style dinner menu of modern Latin cuisine by Monti's executive chef Jimmy Hernandez. There also will be a specialty drink menu,13 revolving craft beers on tap, and a happy hour every day from 4 to 7 p.m.
Tempe's Front Porch Dinner Menu
Ahi tuna ceviche + avocado relish + roasted red pepper sauce + fried chicharrones $14
Big Time Beef Nachos -- Braised beef "birria style" + cheddar cheese + pinto spread + tomatoes + jalapeños + guacamole + sour cream $12
Kobe beef sliders + strawberry jam + cheddar cheese + jalapeños + bacon $10
Prime rib quesadilla + roasted corn and basil relish $12
Spicy salmon tartar + fresh cucumber + avocado relish + red chili oil $11
Lobster & corn + crema + scallions + chili piquin $14
Chicken adobe + pickled red onion + crema + corn cakes $8
Chorizo deviled eggs + salsa frita + potato straws + whole grain mustard $8
Shrimp and crispy calamari campechana + tortilla trio $12
Legacy Tasting -- Bistro cut NY strip + pinot noir demi + kale chips $14
Sweet potato and crispy shoestring fries + chipotle ketchup + honey roasted garlic aioli + cinnamon marshmallow cream sauce $7
Blackened prime rib antichuchos + sweet & spicy tamarind glaze $12
Bar Snacks
Bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed dates + port wine demi sauce $4.5
Honey + ancho chile roasted nuts $3.5
Truffled heirloom + Parmesan popcorn $3
Street-style chicharrones $3
"Extra dirty "local olives" $4.5
Feel-good mashed + bacon chips $4.75
Happy Hour Menu 4 to 7 p.m. daily
Street Tacos -- Short rib or Chorizo $5
Frito Delight -- Fried cauliflower + queso fresca + buffalo sauce $5
Crisp Garden Round + cool citrus cucumber ranch $5
Chicken lollipops + sweet and spicy buffalo sauce + celery juice $5
Yukon gold potato chip + braised beef + caramelized onions + salsa verde + crema $5
Tempe's Front Porch 100 South Mill Avenue, Tempe 480-967-7594 www.facebook.com/TempesFrontPorch
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Note: Weekend hours may expand at a later date)
