Category: Changes

🇲🇽 Century Grand’s acclaimed cocktail den Grey Hen Rx has a new identity. After teasing the concept with a one-day pop-up in February, the Phoenix bar has officially retired its Chinese apothecary theme, ‘‘ME Lee,’’ and gone full-time with ‘‘Wicked

🚫 Republic National Distributing Company, one of the country’s largest wholesale wine and spirits distributors, has filed a WARN notice with the state of Arizona disclosing plans to lay off 211 employees at its Phoenix facility. The move follows RNDC’s

🐐 When I first saw the news pop up on my feed Wednesday, I told myself it had to be an April Fool’s prank. Wendell Crow, the Valley’s most beloved artisan cheesemaker, putting his Buckeye goat dairy up for sale?

🍗 Goodbye, CC’s on Central. Hello, Blue Plate Co. But no need for fans of Sharon Cunningham’s Southern and Cajun comfort food to panic. It’s just the latest reiteration of her midtown Phoenix restaurant located in an office building near

🍷 Ever since the sad passing of The Farish House founder and chef Lori Hassler after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer, I’ve been worried about the future of the restaurant, one of the true gems of downtown Phoenix’s dining

🥕 Desert Roots Kitchen, the popular vegan cafe that serves globally inspired cuisine made from local ingredients, has closed its operation at Rainbow Bliss Botanicals in Tempe. The deli-style eatery had moved into the retail store last June after losing

❤️ The Valley’s food and drink scene has started 2026 fairly gloomily – from the death of legendary restaurateur Lee Cohn to the closings of several longtime restaurants and breweries – so let’s enjoy an upbeat story today. An outpouring

🚧 Red, White & Brew, an east Mesa staple beloved since 2002 for its open kitchen and easygoing vibe, has unveiled its first major remodel, swapping its darker look for bright peppercorn gray, new booths and tables, an upgraded waiting

🔨 The Americano, an upscale Italian-inspired steakhouse in north Scottsdale, has reopened following a full interior transformation featuring rich jewel tones, brass and marble details, lush greenery, and a mural centerpiece by local artist Timothy Brennan. In addition, chefs Beau

☕️ Coffee Plantation in central Scottsdale has unveiled major renovations and a revamped menu. Originally launched in downtown Tempe in 1989 by restaurateur Joe Johnston, the coffee shop quickly became one of the most popular gathering spots in the Valley.

🍝 DiMaggio’s, a very good Italian restaurant in south Scottsdale, is moving into a new home this week. Owners Brandon and Michele Gioffre, who rebranded The Blind Pig as DiMaggio’s last year, closed that space on the southwest corner of

🚧 Over Easy has closed its location near the southeast corner of Gilbert and Warner in Gilbert for two weeks of remodeling. The 13-year-old eatery is scheduled to reopen Thursday, Sept. 25. Phoenix-based Laurshan Construction is handling the remodeling, which

👨‍🍳 Well-known Valley chef Mark Tarbell has been tapped to take over a popular Phoenix restaurant. The Desert Botanical Garden’s Gertrude’s Restaurant – known for its garden-driven dishes, seasonal cocktails, and beautiful setting –  ended its 19-year partnership with the

🍝 Tratto, Chris Bianco’s acclaimed Italian restaurant in Phoenix, is going home. Bianco launched Tratto in 2016 next to his Pizzeria Bianco at Town & Country, an open-air mall on the southeast corner of Camelback and 20th Street. During the

👨‍🍳 Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails, which opened in February in north Scottsdale, has hired celebrated chef Alex Stratta to head its kitchen. Belmont, located on the northwest corner of Pima and Pinnacle Peak, is the first restaurant from new hospitality

🥕 The Uprooted Kitchen, one of the Valley’s top planet-based restaurants, has announced it will not renew its lease at Barnone in Gilbert next year. When their current lease expires in November 2026, owners Erin and Chad Romanoff (pictured) plan

Santo Arcadia closing, seeks smaller space 🔥 Santo Arcadia, a grill-focused modern Mexican restaurant and bar that was a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in the country, is shutting down May 31 after 16 months in business.

🥐 Proof Bread, a bakery that started in a Mesa garage and now has three Valley storefronts, is expanding its northeast Phoenix location. The additional 1,150 square feet, which will bring the total of 5,950, will allow the bakery to to

🦞 Cajun Breakfast Joint, which opened last summer in Chandler to rave reviews, has relocated to the former Tempe Eats food hall. The food hall launched in February 2024 on the southeast corner of Mill and Southern, offering 10 different

🦩 Yumbar, a casual restaurant and bar at The Royale in Phoenix’s Melrose District, celebrates its one-year anniversary Saturday with a party and a new name – Royale Kitchen & Cocktails. The Royale, a community-centric complex, is home to several businesses