🍷 Gilbert’s wine lovers have a new neighborhood spot to know. Bottles & Boards celebrated its grand opening over the weekend on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Baseline.
It takes over the strip-mall space formerly home to Wine Down Lounge in a deal facilitated by The Restaurant Brokers.
The concept comes from husband-and-wife team Frank and Amber Shulman, who bring years of wine and spirits industry experience to the venture, alongside co-owner Michele Caporali.
Local bar pro Michael Rossi rounds out the team, running day-to-day operations and crafting a wine-based cocktail program that puts a creative spin on the usual wine bar formula.
Expect a curated list of bottles and by-the-glass pours, paired with artisan charcuterie boards made for sharing. The vibe is approachable over pretentious – a place to bring friends, try something new, and linger a while.
Open 4-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 4-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Modern Margarita closes in Chandler
🚫 Modern Margarita has shuttered its south Chandler lounge on the southwest corner of Gilbert and Ocotillo, less than four years after opening.
It marks the second failed attempt at a Chandler outpost – an earlier downtown Chandler location opened in 2016 but closed after a fire the following year.
The stylish spot, known for Mexican small plates and craft margaritas, still has one fan base: the original High Street location in northeast Phoenix remains open.
The Whining Pig closes in Gilbert
🚫 Just a week after celebrating its 10th anniversary, The Whining Pig has closed its Gilbert location on the southwest corner of Val Vista and Williams Field.
The closure follows the shuttering of the north Scottsdale outpost in 2023 and the Ahwatukee location in 2024, leaving just three Whining Pig locations remaining across the Valley, all in Phoenix.
No word yet on a replacement tenant.
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