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Posts Tagged ‘Downtown Phoenix’

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Grub Love: Pane Bianco’s MTB Sandwich

In Food: Italian/Pizza, Food: Sandwiches/Salads, Grub Love, Phoenix Food Blog, Phoenix: Midtown, Reviews on April 24, 2011 at 7:54 AM

Chris Bianco is very talented, we know. Slinging those iconic golden pies for the unyielding masses (almost) every night, the James Beard Award-wining chef’s notorious work ethic at his fabled Pizzeria Bianco has never seemed anything south of remarkable.

At Bianco’s sharper and more accessible cousin Pane Bianco, the chef manages to parlay his drive for the perfectly tailored pizza–an intuitive ratio of inspiration, meticulous ingredients and masterful execution–into one of the best sandwich shops in the city.

One of my absolutes at Pane Bianco is their peerless mozzarella, tomato and basil sandwich. Buttery, handmade buffalo mozzarella makes face time with minty basil and ripe, glossy tomatoes (both of which are house-grown), all gently pressed between doughy rounds of Bianco’s fine-tuned ciabatta-lite bread, blistered briefly in the kitchen’s sizable wood-burning oven. It’s Bianco’s nuanced skill, stockpiled for our effortless consumption.

Not one player shines brighter than its neighbor–the endgame of all moving parts; an education in simplicity done right.

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This edible affair is not monogamous, however. For my ode to Pane Bianco’s tuna sandwich (and dreamy rice pudding) in the Downtown Phoenix Journal, go HERE.

Pane Bianco | 4404 N. Central Ave | 602-234-2100 | Midtown Phoenix

Pane Bianco on Urbanspoon

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Now Open: Nobuo At Teeter

In Food: Japanese/Sushi, Food: Pan-Asian, Media, Phoenix Food Blog, Phoenix: Downtown, Restaurant News and Gossip, Reviews on August 9, 2010 at 7:17 PM

Lunch listings.

James Beard-rendered chef Nobuo Fukuda (“Best Chef Southwest,” 2007) returned to form last month, reengaging with a new Downtown eatery in historic Heritage Square, Nobuo at Teeter House. Concluding an anxious absence from the public’s regard since his previous gig at eulogized Scottsdale restaurant Sea Saw ended last June, Fukuda has been patiently amassing momentum in our shadows⎯dabbling in freelance cookery and related consulting at other restaurants around town (NOCA and Welcome Diner, come to mind)⎯waiting for an opportune moment. Well, fog cleared⎯such a fortuitous moment is upon us.

More relaxed than Sea Saw, Nobuo at Teeter House is not intended to be a straightforward copy of his former home. Still aiming for that surgical boundary between strict Japanese execution and the more limitless horizon of western sensibilities, expect a more relaxed roster of largely sharable menu items in this foodly vein⎯cross-Asian influences with near-obscure modern American undercurrents. Evocative of blue-collar taverns that also serve legit regional comfort food throughout Japan⎯izakaya⎯prepare for an atmosphere lacking vanity, pushing an understated, communal spirit.

Nobuo at Teeter House is now open for both lunch and dinner service, and in the coming weeks and months, Fukuda will re-introduce his once infamous omakase (chef’s choice) dining experience for select guests each night, by reservation only. A full menu of wine, beer and sake, also available. Full-throttle tea selection and pairings to come.

For a more in-depth feature on Nobuo at Teeter House by yours truly (including added details, menu highlights and photos) in the Downtown Phoenix Journal, go HERE.

Nobuo at Teeter House | nobuofukuda.com | 622 E. Adams St | 602-254-0600 | Downtown Phoenix

Nobuo at Teeter House on Urbanspoon

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Opening Soon: Verde

In Food: Mexican/Regional Mexican/New Mexican, Media, Phoenix Food Blog, Phoenix: Downtown, Restaurant News and Gossip on April 22, 2010 at 7:44 AM

Main dining area, circa two weeks prior.

Update 12/06/2010: Barely 7-months in, Verde is now officially closed for business.

Verde is coming.

Hostage to the city of Phoenix’s antiquated permitting process, Downtown’s newest dining gain is near-ready to serve. Verde is the eagerly expected, fast-casual Mexican eatery located on the southwestern corner of 1st and Garfield Streets. Sitting just south of Roosevelt Row among a growing collage of well-respected restaurants and watering holes⎯Matt’s Big Breakfast, Sens, PastaBAR, Royal at the Market, Roosevelt Tavern, etc.⎯Verde will easily benefit from certain geographic rewards.

Verde's tortilla room.

Driven by local industry veterans Joseph Aguayo (Tiburon) and Matt Avilla (Hillstone Group), Verde intends to a be a modern, serious snapshot of regional Mexican cooking. Think simple but sharp⎯tacos, slow-roasted meats, tortillas house-made daily in a custom wood-burning brick oven courtesy of Arizona-grown pecan wood, and an always rotating (and updating) roster of specials like tamales, menudo, moles, and so on. An eventual liquor license will allow for a modest selection of beers, wine and appropriate cocktails.

Takeaway window. Local food media wallpaper.

As of now, Verde will be open daily for lunch and dinner. Eventual late-night and breakfast menus soon to follow.

For a more in-depth feature on Verde by yours truly (including the restaurant’s sincere eco-friendly ethos) in the Downtown Phoenix Journal, go HERE.

Verde | verdeaz.com | 825 N. 1st St | Downtown Phoenix

Verde on Urbanspoon

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Justin’s Roundup: September 2009

In Justin's Roundup, Media, Personal Ramblings, Phoenix Food Blog, Restaurant News and Gossip on September 13, 2009 at 3:49 AM

Justin Eats Logo 2

For lack of a more clever moniker, I’m branding recently accumulated bullet-points under “Justin’s Roundup.” This will be the first such post of many like it to come, as an efficient way to relay pressing tidbits constantly amassing with more brevity. Think of it as a routine newsletter. Sort of. Here goes:

• Details are flowing in about Hillside Spot, the new gourmet specialty market and casual eatery in Ahwatukee (NWC 48th St. and Warner) helmed by the ever-controlled Gallo Blanco chef Doug Robson and former Olive & Ivy alumn Patrick Fegan. Located in the space vacated by the Coffee Plantation a couple of years ago, Hillside Spot currently serves breakfast and lunch, with a dinner menu being added in 2010.

• Five Guys’ first of two introductory Arizona locations is currently under construction on Mill Avenue in Tempe, inside a renovated space vacated by former java institution the Coffee Plantation. Expect the subsequent second location also in development to debut in Mesa, at Dana Park. After that, an eventual 40-50 locations are planned statewide. Gulp. My original story, go HERE.

• Smashburger’s first Arizona location is also currently under construction in Tempe, near University Drive and College Avenue. Opening date has been confirmed: Friday, October 2nd. Original story, go HERE.

• Downtown’s Public Market is close to unveiling its latest growth spurt next month with the Urban Grocery and Wine Bar. Opening tentatively set for the second or third week in October. For more in-depth info and pics by yours truly in the Downtown Phoenix Journal, go HERE.

• Royal at the Market, a stylish, pocket-sized coffee shop brought to us by some of the same principals behind the noble (and slightly larger) Royal Coffee Bar on Jackson St., just south of Downtown. Owners are hoping for a quiet, individual opening sometime in the next two weeks. For more in-depth info and pics by yours truly in the Downtown Phoenix Journal, go HERE. Update 10/05/2009: Royal at the Market is now open!

• As previously mentioned, Hula’s Modern Tiki in Midtown is now open. For more in-depth info and pics by yours truly in the Downtown Phoenix Journal, go HERE.

• St. Francis quietly opened its doors to the public last week, and I was there opening night. For more in-depth info and pics by yours truly in the Downtown Phoenix Journal, go HERE.

• The annual Arizona Restaurant Week begins this Saturday, Sept. 19th. With even more worthy eateries throughout Phoenix (and Tucson) added to the list this year, make reservations now. Every participating restaurant offers a unique three-course tasting menu, priced $29 per person, or $58 per couple. Folks, that’s a deal.

• Nobuo Fukuda continues his confidential sorting of Midtown real estate for his much anticipated, still as-yet-untitled new Japanese eatery. As many already know, his previous restaurant, Scottsdale’s nationally acclaimed Sea Saw, shuttered this past June. Since that unfortunate hemorrhage fans in the interim are being blessed with the chef’s freelance work. Notably, the recent dining event he hosted at Downtown’s Welcome Diner, and an upcoming gig at NOCA later this month. Expect the location of his new Midtown eatery to be publicly announced soon.

• Need new reasons to support local, independent restaurants? Check out the latest statewide campaign Dine 4 AZ.

• Adventurous local chef Matt Carter (Zinc Bistro, The Misson) humbly opened his new Downtown venture last month, the upscale Asian restaurant Nine|05, in a completely re-imagined indoor-outdoor space. Let the misinformation and remaining confusion end now—this restaurant’s concept, menu, décor and atmosphere are all new, unique, and completely unrelated to the location’s previous occupant: Fate, chef Johnny Chu‘s once-loved Asian bistro which shuttered a month prior (those “fatefully” sentimental can find the venerable Chu down the street at his subsequent concept Sens).

• Remaining open during construction, Sanctuary Resort’s trophy restaurant Elements (Executive Chef Beau MacMillan) finally began its planned renovation and expansion last month. To be completed by this winter, highlights include: new kitchen almost entirely exposed to the main dining room, a new bar area for solo diners (and parties wanting front-row seating to the kitchen’s action), and, thanks to the added feature of new floor-to-ceiling, folding glass windows surrounding the main dining space, a reconfigured indoor-outdoor experience will exist for patrons during Phoenix’s more pleasurably-weathered months.

• Precious, quirky independent candy shop Smeeks finally opened in late July on Midtown’s northern fringe. Brought to us by the same owners of neighboring Frances clothing boutique, Smeeks is located along the same commerical strip facing Camelback Rd., barely west of Central Ave.

• Do you remember Justin’s Grub of the Week? Yeah, me either. My weekly designation of foods loved and adored will be revisited in brief time. Does somebody smell burnt popcorn?

• New reviews, previews and impressions coming soon of 25 Degrees, Metro Brasserie, St. Francis (more in-depth coverage) and Postino Central.

(Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more.)

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Welcome to the Neighborhood, Luci’s

In Food: Coffee/Tea, Food: Market/Grocery, Phoenix Food Blog, Phoenix: North Central/Sunnyslope, Restaurant News and Gossip on May 14, 2009 at 5:14 AM
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(flickr/Scrap Arcs)

Update 12/07/2011: For my most recent ode to Luci’s (with a similar sentiment) in the Downtown Phoenix Journal, go HERE.

Each and every day, Phoenix is maturing.

From all reference points, urban life in Phoenix is becoming less and less like the cynical joke it was just 5-10 years ago. Though there will always be another new cheap suburb to move to, or a cancerous mega-development on the fringes to call home, the city’s center is solidifying.

While I would belt out a resounding “no thank you,” to those said disgusting fringe developments, it is an unfortunate reality of life here. Fortunately for us stubborn, merry urbanites, Phoenix’s incessant growth has finally begun to bear fruits where it really counts – in its heart.

One of the biggest symptoms of becoming a truly vibrant place is the proliferation of not merely independent businesses, but independent businesses with character, charm and style.

Let us welcome one of those newly-minted fruits – Luci’s Healthy Marketplace. Kudos are in order for owners (and natives) Ken and Lucia Schnitzer, for some urban TLC well done.

Though not overbearingly health-conscious, Luci’s does angle toward what is better for our bodies. After all, the new neighborhood market is named after Lucia, herself a survivor of breast cancer.

Located in North Central Phoenix, on Bethany Home and 16th St., Luci’s is the latest food magnet to set up shop near an intersection that has already become quite the hub of its own.

Über-popular nearby haunts include the Richardson’s family of restaurants, which in addition to its namesake restaurant, also include Dick’s Hideaway and the Rokerij (read: roke-er-y).

There is also Phoenix City Grille, a power-spot for local politicians. Famous (and politically inclined) regulars include former Arizona governor turned homeland guardian Janet Napolitano, and Arizona’s current senators, John McCain and Jon Kyl. Not to be outshone, Texaz Grill and the Golden Phoenix also come to mind as popular neighbors. The latter, being one the few remaining great, old-school Chinese restaurants in all of central Phoenix.

Essentially, the secret is out. The ‘hood is cool.

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(thehotsheetblog.com/GPCVB)

Luci’s sells a variety of items you’d find in a larger, corporate grocer, but it does so in an atmosphere that is unique, casual and hip-ly retro. Think La Grande Orange with a bit more variety in product, sans the trappings of the conspicuously status-aware.

Besides produce, meats, bread (thanks to Simply Bread), dairy and other tenets of a legitimate market, Luci’s also sells eco-friendly gifts, cosmetics, cleaning supplies and many other green household products.

There is a coffee bar serving organic, locally-roasted java, and a gourmet takeaway counter full of inexpensive eats prepared in-house at their charming demonstration kitchen. There is also a nice section of wines and beers.

Due to a quiet opening, Luci’s has already been in business for a short time. This weekend and the week after however – May 17th to 23rd – is the big “grand opening celebration.”

Luci’s Heathly Marketplace | lucishealthymarketplace.com | 1590 E. Bethany Home | North Central Phoenix | 602-773-1339

Luci's Market & Coffee Bar on Urbanspoon

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Goodbye Palatte, Hello Local Breeze

In Phoenix Food Blog, Phoenix: Downtown, Restaurant News and Gossip on May 4, 2009 at 11:21 AM
photo courtesy of David SB (phxrailfood)

(David Bickford/phxrailfood.com)

Update 5/9/2009: Local Breeze is now officially open for business (expect full review in the coming weeks).

For devoted Downtown diners, the loss of Palatte was definitely a surprise, but it was never entirely a shock.

To many patrons, the restaurant itself had an awkward internal flow, and its take on the popular fast-casual dining concept wasn’t always clear to everyone.

Also, remember that hodgepodge of a patio? I never understood that massive, completely ill-utilized space. Was all of that outdoor furniture for sale? Could customers sit anywhere? Could we just grab a drink, and lounge? So many questions for a concept intended to be so simple.

Why I liked Palatte was clear – it’s breakfast. They did a really good job at it. It was nice to find a place decent enough to forgo the weekend swarm at nearby Matt’s Big Breakfast without also forsaking satisfying morning grub. Their unique selection of breakfast scrambles in particular, were great. Anyone recall their sweet potato pancakes? I always found them to be one of the best items on the menu. Why again were they removed?

It was obvious to the most serious observers that the place was constantly in flux. Major kinks needed to be worked out, but they were constantly altering things that didn’t need attention to begin with – those annoyingly fluctuating hours, those strange deletions of popular menu items, and again, that god-forsaken patio.

Can I mention that patio just one more time?

In any event, I’ll digress. Patio or no patio, Palatte’s closing was probably for the best, despite my inclination for remorse.

Moving on to the new and positive: Local Breeze. That is the name of the new restaurant planned to occupy Palatte’s former space in the historic Cavness House in Downtown’s historic Roosevelt neighborhood. Original hopes were to open the restaurant this month, but like other similar dining developments right now, please take that with a big grain of kosher salt.

Those behind Local Breeze are some of the same folks who were behind the famed Pischke’s Paradise in Old Town Scottsdale. That is the name of the once-adored restaurant which fell victim to a (sort of) hostile takeover by local chef-heavyweight Robert McGrath. A change of hands that, in turn, ultimately couldn’t survive itself. Good intentions on McGrath’s part or not, karma can be unrelenting.

Sid Campbell, Pischke’s original chef, is now Local Breeze’s main man. Coming out of hiding, Campbell is creating a broad, “island themed” menu boasting lots of locally grown ingredients. For the remorseful Pischke’s followers (and for those who never had an opportunity to eat there to begin with), chef-owner Campbell also plans on immigrating old favorites from the now-defunct restaurant to Local Breeze’s menu. Most notably the Fire Island eggs and firecracker shrimp.

Local Breeze will serve lunch, dinner, as well as breakfast. Plans are also in the works for an ambitious drink list, with a heavy focus on local Arizona wines and beers.

Oh, and don’t forget about that patio. I will get a petition going if I have to.

Local Breeze | localbreeze.com | 606 N. 4th Ave | Downtown Phoenix

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Midtown Coffee, Matt Pool style

In Food: Coffee/Tea, Phoenix Food Blog, Phoenix: Midtown, Restaurant News and Gossip on April 29, 2009 at 1:35 AM
Matt Pool (photo courtesy of the Arizona Republic)

Matt Pool (Jill Richards/Arizona Republic)

Update 05/22/2010: Giant Coffee is finally, officially open to the public.

Critically adorned Downtown restauranteur Matt Pool (along with his wife Erenia) are in cahoots to open a slick new coffeehouse just south of PAM, near McDowell and 1st Street. They are hoping for an opening very soon.

Pool himself is the gentle giant behind such Downtown mainstays Matt’s Big Breakfast and the Roosevelt Tavern. Though there will be a small and limited food menu, Pool’s primary focus will be java and its many different, and might I add glorious, caffeinated incarnations.

The Link, by Merz Project.

The Link, by Merz Project.

It's derrier.

It's derriere.

The new coffee haunt will be located in the modern two-story office building that sits just south of Thai Hut, alongside our city’s suburban-ly underwhelming (yes, it’s true) Cancer Survivor’s Park. The stark-white, rehabilitated structure itself is the work of our favorite local hipster-architect consortium Merz Project, and it’s definitely a job well done.

Here’s to finding another favorite daytime watering hole to patronize that, you know, isn’t spelled L-U-X.

Giant Coffee | 1437 N. 1st Street | Midtown Phoenix

* A great preview of Giant Coffee was snapped by Arizona-Coffee.com

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Bianco Recipes Profiled in Martha Stewart Living

In Cooking, Entertaining, Food: Italian/Pizza, Media, Phoenix Food Blog, Phoenix: Downtown, Restaurant News and Gossip on April 23, 2009 at 7:09 PM
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(Marcus Nilsson/Martha Stewart Living)

In the current issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine, Martha’s explicit love affair with Chris Bianco shines on.

After dining at Pizzeria Bianco for the very first time while in Phoenix recently for Super Bowl XLII in early 2008, Martha Stewart experienced what so many one-time Pizzeria Bianco virgins have been gushing about now for years – pizza rapture.

As her favorite NFL team the New York Giants won in upset at the big game, Martha and her posse were enjoying a closed invitational dinner party at the famed Downtown pizzeria (read: must be nice). Since then, the domestic goddess has quite effectively become Bianco’s de facto PR representative. The accumulated endorsements by Martha Stewart has now officially trumped Oprah’s lone “Best Pizza in the Country” contest, in which Pizzeria Bianco was one of several nationwide winners a few years back. At this rate, Martha may be replacing Ms. Winfrey as our official president selector in 2012.

Mmm, or maybe not.

In any event, from appearing on her daytime network television show for a double cooking segment last year, to now being being featured in her flagship magazine Martha Stewart Living for the second time, our local pizza guru is continuing to reap the benefits of impressing an immortal lifestyle maven.

And, we can’t blame her for doing so. I know I definitely can’t get enough of the Wise Guy.

See some of his recipes online now at MarthaStewart.com

Pizzeria Bianco | pizzeriabianco.com | 623 E. Adams | Downtown Phoenix | 602-258-8300

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Sushi Downtown? Finally.

In Food: Japanese/Sushi, Food: Pan-Asian, Phoenix Food Blog, Phoenix: Downtown, Restaurant News and Gossip on April 21, 2009 at 10:42 AM

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In what seems to have been the only breed of restaurant to actually avoid Downtown over the past few decades, the ever-maturing culinary landscape of the area might finally be bearing some genuine fruit. No longer are Downtown or Midtown diners relegated to twenty-minute drives to Scottsdale, Tempe or north Phoenix for worthy sushi (Hana probably being the only, nearest exception), there is finally relief nearby.

Picture the exuberant grin running across my face.

Located on the ground floor of the fairly new lofts at 215 E. McKinley, Moira Sushi is staking its claim. Like comparable sushi restaurants in other parts of town, the atmosphere is modern and pleasing, aesthetically. Though Moira doesn’t have a physical bar area in which to patronize individually, they do have a full liquor license and robust cocktail list. Beyond raw seafood, the restaurant also offers a very strong menu of “hot” items.

I’ve only eaten there once so far, and it was just before closing. I definitely plan to again in the coming weeks after becoming interested with my initial experience (food, atmosphere, service). A formal review to come.

In the meantime, Moira is not only a promising new Downtown haunt–it’s a promising new Downtown haunt that serves sushi. It’s independent, it has character–support it folks, and spread the word. If we all do our part, owners plan to keep Moira open until 2am daily.

Talk about blasphemy. This is still sun-down bed-time Downtown we’re talking about here, right?

Moira Sushi | moirasushi.com | 215 E. McKinley | Downtown Phoenix | 602-254-5085

Moira Sushi on Urbanspoon

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