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Phoenicians welcomed a whole bunch of new restaurants last month, including the second location of Portillo’s and couple new vegan-friendly spots. And the month also saw a few makeovers completed. You can officially check out the fresh digs at T. Cook’s at the Royal Palms Resort, or grab a cocktail at their new Mix Up Bar. In central Phoenix, Coronado’s Astor House reinvented itself as a neighborhood BBQ joint; read on to check out what we thought of the new concept.
See also: 10 Most Chef-Anticipated New Restaurants in Greater Phoenix
Openings
- Good Donuts, Gilbert
- Wine Warehouse, Scottsdale
- T.Spot (inside Tien Wong), Chandler
- Portillo’s, Tempe
- Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co., Gilbert
- The Cutting Board Bakery & Café, Mesa
- Pizza People Pub, Phoenix
- Astor House: Coronado ‘Cue & Southern Speakeasy, Phoenix (formerly “Astor House”)
- T. Cook’s & Mix Up Bar , Paradise Valley
- Sol Diablo Cantina Kitchen, Tempe
- Red Hut Coffee, Phoenix
- The Breakfast Joynt, Scottsdale
- La Ristra , Gilbert
- Whole Foods, Phoenix
“Good Donuts offers more than 25 varieties of traditional doughnuts as well as doughnut holes and large-sized doughnuts (think apple fritters and bear claws nearly the size of catcher’s mitts). Coffee and breakfast and lunch sandwiches served up on a choice of croissant, bagel, or biscuit are available as well. There’s even Thai tea and smoothies in flavors like mango, green tea, and taro.”
“Offering an extensive selection of wine and beer as well as a bar, the locally owned Wine Warehouse of Scottsdale, which opened Thursday, September 12, is located at 17025 North Scottsdale Road (Scottsdale and Bell Roads), close to Kierland Commons.”
“For those who fantasize about real-deal ramen and Asian teas, T.Spot, the new space inside Tien Wong, the casual hot pot restaurant in Chandler, might be the place of your dreams.”
“Built from the ground up, the 8,219 square foot restaurant includes a patio and — like all Portillo’s — will come packed with vintage memorabilia reflecting owner and founder Dick Portillo’s love of history — especially Chicago history.”
“On the heels of last week’s opening of Huss Brewing Co., the Tempe brewery from husband-and-wife-team Jeff and Leah Huss, comes a second East Valley brewing establishment ready to kick up the craft when it comes to local ales.“
“Opened last week and located at 2235 South Power Road, just south of Baseline Road, The Cutting Board will feature vegetarian- and vegan-friendly food along with juices, gourmet coffees, and house-made breads and pastries.”
“After closing temporarily a few weeks ago Astor House, the adorable neighborhood spot for small plates and cocktails, announced it would be re-opening this week but with a totally new persona. That persona comes in the form of a barbeque menu. And this weekend guests got a preview of just what the reinvented Astor House has to offer.“
“Officially unveiled last Monday, T. Cook’s newly remodeled interior emphasizes a more vibrant color scheme as well as adding features such as an interactive kitchen, a glass-enclosed wine and tequila tasting room, and a new private al fresco dining experience within the property’s historic Orange Grove.”
“We designed Sol Diablo to be Tempe’s costal, urban taco retreat,” says co-founder and owner Spike Lawrence. “The patio may be in the desert, but once you’re beneath the decades-old trees, listening to live music, enjoying soulful street tacos under the blue sky or the star-filled sky, you’re in paradise.”
“Red Hut Coffee, located on the northwest corner of Seventh Street and Roosevelt, is brand-new to the neighborhood — and already facing scrutiny, backlash, and a boycott after a Facebook post by owner David Marsh.”
“The Breakfast Joynt, the locally owned breakfast and lunch spot that closed its North Scottsdale location in April after five years, is ready to (sun)rise again.”
“A new bar and casual restaurant might be the Camelback Whole Food location’s most interesting standout. Called Twenty Highland Tavern, it will feature indoor and patio seating, a rotating selection of more than 36 craft beers on tap (with at least 20 local options), six wine taps, cocktails, and dishes made with local produce and sustainable meats.”
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Closings:
- Rock-N-Roll Fingers, Tempe
- Mambo’s Restaurant, Queen Creek
- 5 Star BBQ & Grill, Mesa
“Rock-N-Roll Fingers, the Valley’s only locally owned spot specializing in chicken fingers of the fresh-not-frozen kind, has shuttered.”
“Mambo’s, the family-owned restaurant serving traditional comida dominicana in Queen Creek, has shuttered.
Courtesy of former New Yorker Eddie Taveras and his family, Mambo’s, which opened under a year ago, brought the food and flavors of the Dominican Republic to a former pizza joint in Queen Creek.”
“Mesa residents now have one fewer option for pulled pork, brisket, and racks of ribs — 5 Star BBQ & Grill has shuttered.
The ‘cue joint, owned by Jim and Joanne Hauer, who started 5 Star as a barbecue-focused catering company in 2009, opened in a former Taco Bell on Country Club Drive, just north of Mesa’s Main Street, in September of last year.”
