Opening
A Modo Mio Cucina Italiana
This family-run restaurant, under the helm of chef/owner Dominico Cavallo (Mimi Forno Italiano in Laveen), puts out pizza, house-made pasta dishes and chef’s special entrees. The restaurant also includes a bakery, deli and coffee shop.
1042 N. Higley Rd., Mesa, omodomiocucinaitaliana.com
Authentic EthioAfrican
A second location for this Ethiopian restaurant, featuring meat and vegetarian stews, house-made cheeses and injera.
6989 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, authenticethioafrican.com
The Bar
A friendly neighborhood bar with “topnotch beverage offerings and provisions,” has opened uptown at Seventh Avenue and Missouri.
5504 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, thebarphx.com
Blanco Cocina + Cantina
Novus Place on the east side of the ASU campus is now home to a seventh Valley location of Fox restaurant Concept’s Sonoran-style Mexican restaurant, featuring tacos, fajitas, margaritas and tequila.
697 S. Novus Place, Tempe, blancococinacantina.com
Carolina’s Mexican Food
A Chandler location of the very popular Carolina’s just opened. Be sure to try a dish with the handmade flour tortillas that put Carolina’s on the map. Added bonus: A drive-through window.
1972 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, carolinasmexicanfood.com
Casa de Julia
Cocktails and modern Mexican food for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch in Downtown Phoenix’s Luhrs Tower.
45 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, casadejuliaphx.com
Condesa
Cocina 10 at Crescent Ballroom has moved to a new space with a new name. Look for Mexican favorites and cinnamon-sugar donuts atop Valley Bar.
130 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, condesaphx.com
Copper State Taphouse
Enjoy local craft beers along with a small menu of sandwiches and pizzas while watching sports or just socializing with friends. In the former Papago Brewing spot.
1033 N. Dobson Rd., Mesa, copperstatetaphouse.com
Edo Japanese Grill
Fast-casual, Canadian-based restaurant serves up Japanese-inspired teppanyaki meals, customizable bento boxes and Tokyo fried chicken. New to Arizona.
2780 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, edojapanesegrill.com
El Camino
Old Town Scottsdale has a new smash burger joint and late-night hangout in the former Merkin Vineyards space.
7133 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, elcaminoarizona.com
Feta Cowboy
From the Pita Jungle folks, a counter-service restaurant featuring bowls, handhelds (burritos, pitas) and dips with Mediterranean/Southwestern flair.
1840 E. Warner Rd., Tempe, fetacowboy.com
Flower Child
Flower Child is now at Novus Place on the east side of ASU’s Tempe campus, serving up healthy fare, from salads and bowls to entrees and wraps. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes available.
697 S. Novus Place, Tempe, iamaflowerchild.com
French Toast Café
Open for breakfast and lunch, this café has an impressive menu that includes everything from French toast and omelets to burgers and salads.
7641 E. Guadalupe Rd., Mesa, frenchtoastcafe.com
Hope’s Brunch House
Fadil and Hope Memedi and their partners Gazmend and Ayten Alitovski have opened a brunch eatery with a giant menu of egg dishes, pancakes, crepes, skillets, wraps, paninis, salads, burgers and more.
2508 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, hopesbrunchhouse.com
iThai Bistro
A lot of great choices at this Thai restaurant that took over the Ah-Wok-Tukee space, from Thai marinated chicken to Pho to red curry.
1420 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix, ithaibisstro.com
Kill Club
From Jocque Concepts (The Montauk, Diego Pops), a new restaurant and bar in the former Philadelphia Sandwich Co. in Old Town Scottsdale.
7318 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, 480-264-5906
La Cocina
Inspired by the “iconic dining experiences Of Southern California,” La Cocina offers a full complement of Mexican dishes, including fajitas, tostadas, burritos and enchiladas plus margaritas (more than 60 different tequilas) and beer to wash it down.
32527 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, lacokitchen.com
The Melt
Look for cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and macaroni and cheese at this new-to-Arizona, California-based restaurant.
12650 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, themelt.com
Mi Corralito
Peruvian charbroiled chicken has come to Chandler. The restaurant, in the former Tacos Chiwas space, also serves lomo saltado, arroz chaufa and other Peruvian dishes.
2160 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, 480-340-4250
Neon Spur
Welcome to “your new favorite neighborhood dive,” that has a 1970s Western vibe, where you can sip craft cocktails and beer to enjoy with American comfort food. Menu by chef Beau MacMillan.
680 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, neonspurdive.com
North Italia
This popular Italian restaurant recently opened a fifth Valley location at Novus Place in Tempe on the east side of ASU’s campus. Open for lunch and dinner.
697 S. Novus Place, Tempe, northitalia.com
Omatase Japanese Kitchen
Sushi, sashimi, ramen, curry and udon are on the menu at this counter-serve Japanese eatery in the food court at Asiana Market.
1135 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, 480-876-4131
Over Easy
A 17th location for this Valley favorite breakfast spot in the GSQ district of downtown Goodyear.
1845 N. Globe Dr., Goodyear, eatatovereasy.com
The Public Grill
For a fusion of American, Caribbean and New England cuisine, The Public Grill will be your new go-to. Steak tips, garlic herb roasted chicken, sandwiches and tacos make up the eclectic menu.
4815 E. Main St., Mesa, thepublicgrill.com
Royale Kitchen & Cocktails
Melrose’s Yumbar has morphed into Royale Kitchen & Cocktails, with a full menu of drinks and food that includes bar bites, burgers, entrees and weekend brunch fare.
635 W. Glenrosa Ave., Phoenix, royalekitchenphx.com
Sweet Paris Creperie & Café
This Texas-based creperie and café has opened its first Arizona location at Scottsdale Quarter. Look for sweet and savory crepes, waffles, soups, salads, paninis, hot drinks and milk shakes.
15147 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, sweetparis.com
Tacos Chilango
Location number three for this Mexico City-style street food eatery. Look for a variety of tacos, quesadillas, tortas and burritos.
2320 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, tacoschilango.com
Top One Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine
A second location for this hot pot eatery that also serves bao, dumplings, noodles, fried rice and wok dishes along with sizzling barbecue entrees.
4990 S Gilbert Rd., Chandler, toponeaz.com
Closing
Family-friendly Buca di Beppo, has closed its Scottsdale outlet, leaving only the Mesa and Peoria locations in Arizona.
ComicX at Desert Ridge Marketplace has called it quits after five years.
The iconic Durant’s steakhouse on Central Avenue has been sold to the Mastro family and their business partner Scott Troilo. The restaurant is closed for several months to update the kitchen.
Aaron and Jared Pool have closed their Gadzooks restaurants in Tempe and Chandler due to “shifting times,” but the Phoenix, Arcadia and Gilbert outlets remain open.
Look Dine-In Cinemas in Chandler has closed due to a landlord lockout.
Lou Malnati’s announced that it will close its Uptown Plaza and Dana Park outlets. No dates were given for the closures.
On the Border has shuttered all three Valley locations.
