Roughly one year ago, The Craftsman Cocktails and Kitchen was in the works. With the COVID-19 crisis not yet in sight, business ventures were going as planned, and smoothly at that. When the pandemic took the world by storm, however, the owners and investors decided it was best to slow things down and push plans back. The Craftsman finally set an opening date for several months … [More]
Z’Tejas Continues to Sizzle
Operating and maintaining a lasting restaurant is a challenge. As new establishments open, food and dining trends come and go; how do you continue to stay exciting and popular, even during a pandemic? Z’Tejas Southwest Grill has been shaking up margaritas and sizzling Southwestern food for more than 30 years in the Valley. We believe our team members and the indulgen t … [More]
Superstition Downtown: Uniquely Pairing Mead and Food
Superstition Downtown is the world’s first mead-and-food-pairing restaurant, a collaboration forged between chefs and mead makers, and we are so excited to offer a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Opening a restaurant in 2020 was filled with challenges from the international pandemic and corresponding government shutdowns disproportionately targeting the service industry. In … [More]
Get Back to Lunch in Downtown Phoenix
There’s no disputing that 2020 has pushed us to rethink the way we live, work and play. It has also left us with an insatiable appetite for the things we relish. High up on that list is taking in a leisurely midday break with colleagues and friends to catch up over a delicious alfresco lunch on an airy patio. Much like its namesake, which is known for rebirth and … [More]
Kasai Japanese Steakhouse: The Food, the Fire, the Fun
The hospitality industry is all about bringing people together and creating lasting memories. If this pandemic has taught this industry anything, it’s how to creatively think outside the box when it comes to keeping everyone safe while not compromising on the experience. When COVID-19 caused us to have to shut down, we decided to begin the construction of some upgrades … [More]
Mr. Mesquite Taqueria: Mexican Street Food Experience
The restaurant industry is a tough one in even the very best of times, but anyone navigating 2020 can attest that this year has created even more challenges and hurdles for today’s hospitality business owners. It wasn’t something my brother and I, who are Phoenix natives, expected to face so soon after launching our first Mr. Mesquite Taqueria in Old Town Scottsdale in 2015 — … [More]
Angry Crab Shack: Asian Cajun Serves Its Communities
Operating a restaurant during a global pandemic brings its fair share of challenges. Despite the obstacles, Angry Crab Shack did not concede to the crisis; instead, we displayed our resilience by facing the new economic and situational realities head-on through our philanthropy and community support, enhancing guest experience, adapting restaurant operations and strengthening … [More]
S & V Urban Italian: Spreading Out with Its Family Recipes
A pandemic is a tough time to open a new business, especially a restaurant. But that is not stopping S & V Urban Italian from achieving its goal of opening a second location. Located on Shea Blvd just east of the 101, the local Italian restaurant has been a staple to central Scottsdale. S & V Urban Italian first opened its doors in spring 2011 and since has cornered … [More]
Joe’s Diner: Adapting and Overcoming Challenges One Bite at a Time
I’ve been working in the restaurant and food industry all my life, beginning with helping my grandmother at her place when I was just 11 years old. I’ve had jobs all over the world as a private chef; my own commercial kitchen in Chicago burned down to the ground before I even opened it; and we opened Joe’s Diner in Phoenix in August 2010 — at the tail end of a recession. It’s … [More]
Pita Jungle: A New Vision and Mission
We believe Pita Jungle’s mission has never been more relevant: Placing every American within affordable reach of food that is healthful, freshly made and delicious. In addition to all mitigation efforts that reverberate around us — from the top pertinent authorities to whatever tall-tale prescription your Aunt Gertrude might have told you about — what is often omitted is the … [More]
Square One Concepts: What’s on the Plate Is Serving Customers
Square One Concepts, like many in the restaurant business, has run the gamut during the pandemic. We were shut down, then opened with limited-menu curbside takeout at some locations, then opened all locations for takeout and now we’ve opened our dining rooms at limited capacity. It’s been a roller coaster. And I hope it’s something that never happens again. It’s basically … [More]
Founded on Healthy
Pickup is the “eating out” dining of choice these days, but some fast-food concepts were founded on healthful take-out options from the get-go. NOTE: Call for hours during COVID-19 shutdown. d’Lite Healthy On The Go Founded by a Valley couple more than a decade ago to marry healthful ingredients and preparation with convenience. Menu caters to a full range of dietary needs … [More]
The Dressing Room: Food with a Taste of History
All the wonderful things that deserve to be told about this enticing eatery in the trending Roosevelt Row area of Downtown Phoenix will be shared as soon as we all get our lives back into our familiar patterns. At this time, however, the story is all about great food and great service. Pivoting at this time of uncertainty to address the needs of a public who want to enjoy … [More]
Running Late
Some of our favorite lunch stops are open only to 2 or 2:30. And then there’s that long pause until fine dining opens at 5. How about some great mid-afternoon lunching? Taco Guild Unique historic setting with many of the former church’s beautiful architectural elements. Mon. – Thurs.: 11a – 11p; Fri.: 11a – midnight; Sat.: 10a – midnight; Sun.: 10a – 10p 546 E. … [More]
PHX Beer Co: Tapping into Greatness
When PHX Beer Co’s owners set out to augment their excellent brewery and taproom, they put the same care into developing a unique restaurant experience, which starts at the front door crafted for PHX Beer Co incorporating kegs and styled steel hardware. An idyllic location on the lake in the back of the Mercado del Lago shopping center provides an enjoyable setting, whether … [More]
Pomelo’s Welcoming ‘Home’
Pomelo is the fine dining element on the property of Luci’s at the Orchard. Nestled into the residential community on 12th Street just north of Glendale Avenue in Phoenix, Luci’s is an unobtrusive destination — which is exactly what owners Jerry Mansoor and Ken and Lucia Schnitzer intended. To catch people’s eyes, “we have a water tower instead of intrusive signage on the … [More]
Restaurants Take Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge
Too many people equate “Girl Scouts” with “ Girl Scout cookies.” The program is far more comprehensive and defies a simple summary, but it’s true that the cookie sales program keeps Girl Scouts in the public eye. Girl Scout cookies have come a long way from when, baked at home by the Girl Scouts themselves for fundraising, they were also evidence of culinary skills. Local … [More]
OEB Breakfast Co. Raises the Bar for Breakfast – and Lunch
Breakfast is more than a meal as OEB Breakfast Co. serves it up — it’s an experience. And that is exactly what Chef Mauro Martina intended when he launched his concept in Canada in 2009. This past holiday season, he ventured out of Canada to bring OEB to Scottsdale, having fallen in love with this area over the course of many visits to the annual Barrett-Jackson Car Auction in … [More]
