Restaurant Scouting

We finally have some new details on the new joint venture of well-known East Valley chefs Adam Allison (Handlebar Diner, Brightside Burgers) and Jeff Kraus (Crêpe Bar) in downtown Mesa.

The concept: The chef simultaneously announced on social media they’ve just signed the lease for a fast-casual, farm-to-table restaurant and market called Tortoise and the Hare.

The space: A former antiques and collectibles shop next to the Smitholator Cookie Shop near the northwest corner of Main and Macdonald, across the street from the Nile Theater.

Opening: Sometime in 2023.

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The Food Network’s Bobby Flay is bringing his burger chain, Bobby’s Burgers, to The Crystal, a new food hall inside Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

The space: The restaurant will be located in the terminal’s eighth concourse, used exclusively by Southwest Airlines.

The menu: Seven speciality burgers, a veggie burger, a fried chicken sandwich, and sides.

Opening: First quarter of 2023.

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A question frequently asked by MXSW readers – including three so far this week – is whether Lucky’s Lou’s or Original ChopShop is moving into the former California Pizza Kitchen building at Dana Park in Mesa.

The confusion: Some readers have seen signage indicating Lucky Lou’s is moving in. Others have seen signage that Original ChopShop is coming. (For a long time, there also was a third sign saying the building was still available for lease.)

The answer: The building is being split into two different restaurant spaces. It’s similar to the way the formerly ‘‘jinxed’’ Mahogany Run building in downtown Gilbert was split into two spaces for Postino and Joyride Taco House in 2014.

The timeline: Lucky Lou’s hopes to debut its new all-day concept, Lucky Lou’s American Kitchen, at Dana Park by early November. Original ChopShop hopes to open by the end of this year.

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Gio Osso, the chef behind acclaimed Virtù Honest Craft and Pizzeria Virtù, is opening a third Old Town Scottsdale restaurant, Piccolo Virtù.

The space: It’s moving into the Nonna Urban Eatery space on the northwest corner of Main and Brown.

The menu: Not yet announced, but most likely Mediterranean-inspired fare.

The pedigree: Among other honors, Virtù Honest Craft was nominated for a prestigious James Beard Award as the country’s Best New Restaurant in 2014.

Planned opening: By the end of this year.

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Pop Pot, a California-based chain of Taiwanese hot pot and tea shops, is moving into the recently closed China Magic Noodle House next to the Lee Lee International Supermarket on the northeast corner of Dobson and Warner in Chandler.

The menu: 18 different hot pots (pictured), plus a variety of small plates. Beverages include classic teas, milk teas, and fruit teas.

Opening: No date has been announced.

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If you were as saddened as I was by the 2020 closure of The Breadfruit & Rum Bar in Phoenix, here’s some good news: The acclaimed Jamaican restaurant is making a comeback of sorts.

Where: Nationally renowned Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour in downtown Phoenix is turning over its kitchen to The Breadfruit, which will replace Gemini Pizza, a New York-style pizzeria that took over the kitchen in April but recently moved out of the bar.

The history: The Breadfruit operated for 12 years on the northeast corner of First Avenue and Pierce before closing in March 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic.

The menu: The Breadfruit co-owner and chef Danielle Leoni’s popular dishes included jerk chicken (pictured) and curried shrimp with plantains. No word yet on what will be on the menu at Bitter & Twisted.

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Several MXSW readers have asked why construction hasn’t begun on the Portillo’s location that the Chicago-based fast-casual chain said would open by the end of this year at SanTan Village in Gilbert. They weren’t very happy with the answer.

The reason: The chain’s fifth Valley restaurant, which will be on the southeast corner of Williams Field and Santan Village Parkway, is still in the planning stages. Construction now is expected to start in April.

The space: The building will feature a retro automotive garage theme, indoor seating for 180, and a patio.

Menu highlights: Portillo’s is best-known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, Italian sausages, and chocolate cake.

Other Valley locations: Tempe, Scottsdale, Glendale, and Avondale. (Another is in the works for Queen Creek.)

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Mox Boarding House, the Seattle-based restaurant and board games concept that’s been working on a Chandler location for nearly three years, again has pushed back its tentative opening.

The space: It’s taking over the former Social Box Neighborhood Eatery, which closed in 2017, on Alma School between Warner and Ray.

The food: Besides more than 600 board games, Mox will offer a menu of sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, and craft beers.

The timetable: After numerous delays since early 2020, Mox had hoped to finally open by the end of this year. It’s now planning/hoping to open next April.

Did you know? Mox gets its name from jewels in the game ‘‘Magic: The Gathering,’’ which was invented in Seattle.

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