Last month saw the closing of the one and only Saladworks in Arizona, but we welcomed two new pizza outlets and one Chandler neighbor bar and grill. Plus, fall is just around the corner and that means a whole slew of new eateries to look forward to. For now, here are the goodbyes and hellos from last month.
Openings
"Chef Bernie Kantak, Andrew Fritz and mixologist/bar master extraordinaire Richie Moe, the triumvirate responsible for Scottsdale's Citizen Public House, took what was formerly Ruth's Chris Steak House in the Biltmore area and have created a space, menu and hefty assortment of cocktails that people are sure to be talking about far beyond this weekend."
- The Attic, Arcadia
- Huss Brewing Co., Tempe
- The Brooklyn Cafe, Scottsdale
- Nabers, Chandler
- Bombay Spice, Phoenix
- Kick Ass Kakes, Biltmore
- Freshii, Tempe
- Fired Pie, Phoenix
- Saffron Jak Original Stone Bread Pizza (food truck)
- One-Eighty Q (food truck)
"When Arcadia's Cave & Ives Portico Grill shuttered in April, it didn't take long for a new project, called The Attic, to take the place of the two-year-old Mediterranean-inspired restaurant from owners and brothers Cary and Ivan Morrow (Sacks Art of Sandwicherie) -- in fact, it took one day."
"Huss Brewing Co. comes courtesy of husband-and-wife team Jeff and Leah Huss, who spent over three years working to bring their dream of owning a brewery to life (Jeff is a graduate of the Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology and former head brewer for BJ's Brewery in Chandler and Leah's been the managing partner at Scottsdale's Papago Brewing Co. since 2001)."
"In July, chef-owner David Antonelli announced he was giving Voltaire Restaurant, the 30-year-old fine-dining spot of classic French cuisine in North Scottsdale, a much-needed makeover."
"Chandler-ites who enjoy live music, comfort food, and craft beer might want to meet their new neighbors this week -- interestingly enough, in the form of a bar and restaurant called Nabers."
"Kick Ass Kakes, the cake-centric shop in Central Phoenix owned by artist-chef Jay Murphy -- who made CNN news in January for his lifesize Lady Gaga cake -- is expanding its sweet offerings."
"Arizona State University students in Tempe starved for good-for-you eats like salads, wraps, and the occasional mint and pineapple smoothie need to look no further than their own campus."
"A new build-your-own pizza and salad concept has planted its pepperoni in the Valley. Called Fired Pie, the fast-casual local restaurant chain comes courtesy of Fred Morgan, Rico Cuomo, and Doug Doyle, three restaurant industry vets who, according to FastCasual.com, worked together for more than 15 years at California Pizza Kitchen..."
"Made with ingredients like pork belly bacon from The Meat Shop, uncured pepperoni from California-based Zoe's Meats, and the Khademi's signature turkey sausage, look for pizzas from Saffron Jak to include the J-Mex with roasted corn, squash, black beans, purple potato, and cotija cheese; the Super Greeky featuring olives, cherry tomatoes, pepperocinis, Medjool dates, and feta; and a creation called the Chicken and Waffle House with housemade fried chicken, maple bacon, country gravy, and mozzarella."
"In addition to barbecue sandwiches like The Holy Cow featuring brisket, pickled red onion slaw, and sauce, and the Hot Chick..n..Salad made with smoked chicken, Gouda, and tomato, One-Eighty Q also serves up dry-rubbed ribs, mac 'n' cheese topped with shredded pork or chopped brisket, and Poore Brothers Potato Chips smothered in green chili chorizo beans and cheese."
Closings
- Saladworks, Scottsdale
- Bombay Spice, Phoenix
- Gelato Spot, Scottsdale
- Dottie's True Blue Cafe, Scottsdale
- McDuffey's, Chandler
"After just eight months, Saladworks, the largest fresh-tossed salad franchise concept in America, has shuttered its only Arizona location."
"Bombay Spice Grill, the healthy fast-casual restaurant chain of Indian food owned by JNK Concepts (Roka Akor) is on the move. After five years, the company, which currently has Bombay Spice Grill locations in Chicago and Tempe, is closing its original Bombay Spice Grill & Wine off Tatum and Shea (think a full menu and table service) on Tuesday, August 20. It will re-open as the quick-service model Bombay Spice Grill, on Thursday, August 29, at 4720 East Cactus Road, outside the Paradise Valley Mall."
"Dottie's True Blue Cafe in Scottsdale, the second location of the famous 20-year-old diner in San Francisco from chef-owner Kurt Abney, has shuttered."
"Originally opened just off Tempe's Mill Avenue in 1988, McDuffy's, describing itself as "a great neighborhood sports grill where you can come watch any game you can think of" was known for its walls of televisions, bar eats like wings, burgers, and pizza, and 20 on-tap brews."
