Author: Jess Harter

Piccolo Virtù, a second spinoff of owner-chef Gio Osso’s acclaimed Virtù Honest Craft, has opened in the former Nonna Urban Eatery space on the northwest corner of Main and Brown in Old Town Scottsdale. The menu: Shareable small plates, crudo dishes,

Old Town Ski Lodge, a new mini-concept from Square One Concepts, has opened on the upper level of its Wasted Grain nightclub in Old Town Scottsdale. The concept: Decorated as a comforting winter ski lodge, the hideaway offers drinks such

Texas-based Torchy’s Tacos, which made its Arizona debut in Phoenix in June, opens its third local location at 10 a.m. today in Queen Creek Marketplace on the southwest corner of Ellsworth Loop and Riggs. Menu highlights: 14 creative specialty tacos and

Chicago-based Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria opens its eighth Valley location – and its third full-service restaurant and bar – at 4 p.m. today at Tempe Marketplace. It’s the pizzeria’s fourth straight opening in the East Valley, following carryout/delivery locations in Mesa and

Flower Child, Sam Fox’s fast-casual health-focused concept, has opened its sixth Valley location at The Shoppes at Casa Paloma on the southeast corner of I-10 and Ray in west Chandler. The menu: Salads, bowls, entrées, wraps, and sides, nearly all

California-based chain Ike’s Love & Sandwiches has opened its 12th Valley location in the Fry’s shopping center on the northeast corner of Ellsworth and Riggs in Queen Creek. The menu: More than 800 sandwiches, many named for celebrities, featuring its

The Brass Tap, a Florida-based chain of craft beer bars, has returned to the Valley after a three-week absence with a new location on the southwest corner of Williams Field and Recker in Gilbert. The menu: Pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, tacos,

Pitch, an Italian restaurant launched in Nebraska 15 years ago, has opened its second Valley location on the northwest corner of Hayden and the 101 in north Scottsdale. The menu: Coal-fired pizzas and handmade pastas are the focus, but the

Ah-Wok-Tukee Asian Cuisine, a new wok restaurant, has opened next to Anytime Fitness on the northeast corner of Chandler and Desert Hills Parkway in Ahwatukee. The menu: Americanized Chinese wok dishes, including orange chicken, sweet and sour pork, General’s chicken,

The Green Woodpecker, a new beer hall concept from the founders of Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup, has opened at Park Central on the west side of Central about a quarter-mile north of Thomas in midtown Phoenix. Who’s behind it: Phoenix

Texas-based chain Whataburger has soft-opened its ninth East Valley location next to Dutch Bros. Coffee near the southeast corner of Power and Ray in southeast Mesa. Limited service: Only the drive-through is open; the dining room will open and delivery

First Watch, a Florida-based breakfast and brunch concept, has opened its 10th Valley location on the northwest corner of Signal Butte and U.S. 60 in east Mesa. The menu: Omelets, pancakes, waffles, salads, sandwiches, and more. ⏰ Open: 7 a.m.-2:30

Tipsy Chicken, an Asian fusion bar specializing in Korean fried chicken, has opened next to H Mart on the southeast corner of Dobson and Main in west Mesa. The menu: Korean fried chicken and Asian-inspired street foods. ⏰ Open: 5-11

Tucson-based fast-food chain Eegee’s opens its fifth Valley location today on the southwest corner of Bell and I-17 in north Phoenix. The menu: Sub sandwiches, chicken tenders, fries, salads, and eegees (its signature frozen fruit drinks). The space: The 2,300-square-foot restaurant