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.

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.

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