Update 05/25/2009: The restaurant officially opened today (at 11am).
As devout followers have been chattering about for nearly a year now, an interesting new pizzeria has slowly begun to take form along Camelback Rd., near 20th St., called The Parlor.
Thankfully, according to co-owners Dan Mei and his son Aric Mei, our need for additional patience may finally be coming to an end. If all goes well (and on schedule), they plan to open their new restaurant within just a matter of days.
Staking claim in the charming mid-century landmark that, for over the last half-century, housed longtime local beauty institution Salon de Venus, Parlor may prove promising for more than just its menu.
The structure itself has been virtually re-built from the inside out, a process undertaken not merely for safety and soundness, but for its environmental credibility as well.
Goodbye Salon de Venus, Hello Parlor.
Dan and his son Aric (a successful local artist and designer to begin with) are themselves proudly tied to strong heritage in the local pizza landscape. It was just over 25 years ago in fact, that their family originally debuted the popular Nello’s Pizza to the Phoenix area.
Though their family is no longer officially associated with the majority of Nello’s locations (they apparently only currently own the Ahwatukee location), their influential marks on the area’s pizza landscape can never go unnoticed.
Unlike Nello’s however, don’t expect Parlor to simply be a dressed up version of its ancestors – atmosphere or food-wise. Thank this in large part to seasoned local chefs Jared Porter and Jerry Alday.
With a past resume that lists associations with the likes of Olive & Ivy, Asia de Cuba, LGO, Vincent’s on Camelback, and Scottsdale’s now non-existent James Hotel and its flagship restaurant Fiamma Trattoria, Porter has a track record of preparing high-quality, often inventive eats.
Not to be overshadowed, Alday himself holds an equally worthy resume, having experience with LGO (like, who doesn’t anymore?) as well as Zinc Bistro.
Parlor’s artisan menu intends to be simple, but special. In addition to a diverse list of pies topped with ingredients both unique and familiar, the stylish, updated space will also serve a variety of sandwiches, salads and antipasti. And as everyone also keeps pointing out – a burger “or two.”
The restaurant plans to offer both a lunch and dinner menu, the latter of which will additionally offer special full entrees. Think homemade pastas, fish and maybe a steak or two. There will also be a kids menu. Finally, a diverse selection of brews on tap in particular will be on hand to round out the experience.
Expect a full review in the coming weeks.
Food photos and official menu provided by Parlor–
Parlor Pizzeria | theparlor.us | 1916 E. Camelback | Biltmore Arcadia | 602-248-2480
