Author: Jess Harter

Lido, a European-inspired lakeside restaurant and private events center, has opened in The Lakes – on Lakeshore, the half-miler between Rural and McClintock, just south of Baseline – in south Tempe. The space: Formerly home to The Watershed and, before

Arkansas-based fast-food chain Slim Chickens is taking another stab at the Arizona market after reaching an agreement to open 32 locations in this state. The menu: Chicken sandwiches, wraps, tenders, and wings. Sides include fries, fried okra, fried pickles, and fried

Morning Squeeze, a locally owned breakfast-and-lunch concept in downtown Tempe and Old Town Scottsdale, has opened a third location on the northwest corner of First Street and Washington in downtown Phoenix. The space: 3,400 square feet with a wrap-around patio,

Fu Belly, a family-run Vietnamese restaurant, has opened in the former Swaddee Thai Cuisine space on the southwest corner of Rural and Ray in west Chandler. The menu: Rice bowls, fried rice, pad Thai, rice noodle bowls, stir-fried egg noodles,

Sushi Crush, a casual sushi restaurant, has opened in the Kierland Village Center on the southeast corner of Greenway and 64th Street in north Scottsdale. The menu: Sushi and some Korean dishes. Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday,

North Italia, Sam Fox’s modern Italian concept, will open its first East Valley location at 11 a.m. Wednesday on the northwest corner of Santan Village Parkway and Williams Field at SanTan Village in Gilbert. The space: North will share a

Electric Pickle, a new pickleball-themed entertainment complex concept, will make its national debut near the northeast corner of I-10 and Warner – just south of Main Event – in south Tempe. What is pickleball? Combining aspects of badminton, ping pong,

Bourbon & Bones, the high-end Scottsdale steakhouse and bar that just opened a second location at Gilbert’s SanTan Village, announced it will launch a third location next year in Peoria. The location: 83 Marketplace on the southeast corner of 83rd

Tabe-Mono Sushi & Shabu has replaced 14-year-old (and recently sold) Sushi Ken near the northwest corner of 44th Street and Chandler in Ahwatukee. The menu: Sushi, rice dishes, noodle dishes, and broths. Drink options include beer, sake, and wine. Open:

Ghost Donkey, a mezcal and tequila bar that debuted in New York City in 2016, will take over a portion of the never-opened Punch Bowl Social space on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. The history: Punch Bowl Social, a Denver-based

Ling’s Wok Shop, a new wok-centric concept from the team behind Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill, has opened on the east corner of Hayden and Thompson Peak Parkway in north Scottdale. The menu: Rice bowls, such as kung

Valley-based Press Coffee will opens its ninth location in the 200 EVB office building on the northeast corner of Second Street and Van Buren in downtown Phoenix. The menu: Besides a full range of coffee drinks, there will be breakfast

A pair of music-themed concepts – Sottise Sound Room, a modern French bistro, and Off The Record, an upstairs cocktail bar – are coming to the historic Knipe House on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. The team: Chef TJ Culp

The Union Jack, a British restaurant, has taken over the former Skeptical Chymist Irish Pub on the southwest corner of the 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright in north Scottsdale. The food: The breakfast menu, including a full English breakfast, is