Five Guys Burgers and Fries

BOUNCING BACK

The Valley has seen a spate of high-profile restaurant closings this year. In Scottsdale alone, Autostrada, Sol y Sombra, Fusion, Six, Mickey’s Hangover, Pink Pony and Quilted Bear wilted over the summer.

But James Porter, who shuttered Tapino last spring, bounced back in August, opening Petite Maison in the former Baby Kay’s space in downtown Scottsdale. The classic French restaurant opened for dinner in August and in September also started serving breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch.

In central Phoenix, Chef Aaron Chamberlin – with a résumé that includes working for Jean-Georges Vongerichten and being a driving force with LGO Hospitality – was set to open St. Francis at 111 E. Camelback Road in September. (St. Francis is a play on “San Francisco,” a city that figured prominently in Chamberlin’s background.) It was designed by architect Wendell Burnette and will feature wood-fired cuisine.

Also, Scottsdale’s SouthBridge was gearing up this fall to open the state-of-the-art Chef’s Loft decked out by Viking Range Corporation that will host a culinary school with classes by renowned national chefs. The space also will be used as a set for lifestyle television shows, documentaries and commercials.

More Links in the Chains
Even chain restaurants have seen closings of late, but some are expanding. The Melting Pot was heating up to open its third Valley location in the Citadelle Plaza in Glendale, and East Coast-based Five Guys Burgers and Fries plans corporate-owned stores by year’s end in Mesa’s Dana Park and Tempe’s Centerpoint. They’ve been around since 1986 and are known for their bare-bones menu (burgers, hot dogs, fries) with up to 15 free sandwich toppings.

Shocking News
Dave’s Electric Brewpub was prepared to power up its second location in September. Popular Bisbee beermeister Dave Harvan teamed with Tempeans Christina Cenzano; her dad, Scott Burge; and his business partner, Dave Hoffman, to build a smaller facility near Arizona State University at College Avenue and Fifth Street. They’ll feature American fare with Southwest flair, as well as craft beers and a mega-patio, but this is no college hangout: Cenzano says the target market is late-20s-and-up, ASU faculty, staff and alumni, and locals.

Shop, Eat, Drink
By now we should be able to shop, eat and drink at Urban Grocery Store and Wine Bar adjacent to the Downtown Phoenix Public Market. Cindy Gentry, director of Community Food Connections, stresses that the reason for the project is to help local purveyors grow their capacity, but we’re excited about the café, which boasts homemade soups, salads and sandwiches made with “the best of what’s in season,” she says. The store will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and will sell local meat, produce, wine, beer and grocery staples.

Lori Eccles, owner of retailer Sun Devil Liquors in Mesa, has revamped the back room in her cute wine cellar and created a larger lounge with sofas and TVs. She eventually plans to add live music and a warming kitchen for nosh items such as bruschetta. The room seats 26 and is available to rent for private parties.

Eccles’ brother Greg Eccles, who owns Tops Liquor in Tempe, planned to open his tasting room, Taste of Tops, in September. It should feature 500 beers, 12 drafts, 10 red wines, 10 whites and six or eight appetizers.