Author: Jess Harter

🥘 San Idli, a restaurant specializing in traditional, plant-based fare rooted in the southern regions of India, has opened on the northwest corner of I-17 and Bell in north Phoenix. As its name suggests, idli (soft, steamed rice cakes) are

🍣 Zu Izakaya, a Tempe-born kitchen and bar offering Asian fusion cuisine and sushi, has opened a fourth location in the Fry’s Marketplace shopping center on the southwest corner of Gilbert and Baseline in Gilbert. In addition to sushi rolls,

🍸 The Henry, Fox Restaurant Concepts’ upscale-casual New American concept, opens its third Valley location today on the southwest corner of Scottsdale and the Loop 101 in north Scottsdale. Menu highlights span breakfast staples like the Original Egg Sandwich and

🥩 Uppercut, a 16-seat counter offering a 14-course steak omakase, has opened inside Cleaverman, the four-month-old upscale steakhouse at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix. It’s the latest concept from Pretty Decent Concepts, whose other brands include Wren & Wolf,

🍷 Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, a Chicago-based chain of Napa-inspired ‘‘upscale casual’’ wine bars, opens its fifth Valley location today on the southeast corner of McDowell and 107th Avenue in Avondale. The restaurant features the chain’s own winery, producing

🧇 Urban Waffle, a coffee house and waffle bar, has opened at Superstition Springs Center on the northeast corner of U.S. 60 and Superstition Springs Boulevard in east Mesa. The concept, which got its start at Valley farmers markets, is

🌮 Ajo Al’s, a popular local chain of Mexican restaurants, has opened its first East Valley location near the northeast corner of Gilbert and Baseline in Mesa. The family-operated restaurants offers a menu of Sonoran-style dishes. Highlights include smoked street

🥟 Din Tai Fung, the world-renowned Chinese restaurant whose original location in Taiwan has received multiple Michelin stars, soft-opens – by reservation only – today at Scottsdale Fashion Square. The official grand opening of its first Arizona location is scheduled

🍕🍺 San Diego-based Best Pizza & Brew has landed in the East Valley, opening its first Arizona location in downtown Chandler. The growing pizza-and-beer concept has taken over the former Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup building next to The Sleepy Whale

🇮🇳 Dakshin, a restaurant specializing in the bold, spice-driven cuisine of southern India, has opened at Desert Ridge Marketplace in north Phoenix. The new restaurant highlights dishes from the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh

🇵🇭 Kusina, a strip-mall eatery specializing in Filipino comfort foods, has opened at the Arrowhead Fountains Center near the southwest corner of Bell and the Loop 100 in Peoria. Menu highlights include Crispy Kare-Kare (fried pork belly with creamy peanut