Kristy Durkin, Author at PHOENIX magazine

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Desert Digest Food & DrinkFirst Dish: Society by EVO

Kristy DurkinOctober 13, 2022

From EVO owner Nick Neuman and his partners Lee Baron, Randy Feldman and Dominic Scappaticci comes a chic, floral fantasy in the heart of Tempe. I have been wondering for years if EVO in Old Town Scottsdale would ever expand and open another location, and when I received an invitation to try Society by EVO, I happily accepted. Located in the Cornerstone Plaza strip mall near Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, to say the space...

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Desert Digest Food & DrinkFirst Dish: The Garfield Phoenix

Kristy DurkinFebruary 21, 2022

The Garfield Phoenix exterior | Photo courtesy instagram.com/the_garfield_phx After some hard work and elbow grease, the historical Garfield Phoenix diner has reopened under new ownership. If you’ve passed by the small storefront on Roosevelt and 10th streets, you’ve probably read the offerings painted on the diner’s façade: “Coffee, Ice Cream and Tacos.” However, this little spot is crafting a lot more than meets the eye, with even bigger things to come. The soft glow of...

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Desert Digest Food & DrinkFirst Dish: Kura Sushi

Kristy DurkinJanuary 17, 2022

Photo by Kristy Durkin Kura Sushi is on the cutting edge of the revolving sushi concept internationally and now nationally. We are lucky enough to have a new location right here in the heart of Phoenix. Located at 20th St and Camelback Rd at the shopping center anchored by Fry’s, you will spot the unassuming location by the line of patrons outside. Lines seem to start forming just before they open at 11 a.m....

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Desert Digest Food & DrinkFirst Dish: Via Della Slice Shop

Kristy DurkinOctober 8, 2021

A new family-run pizzeria has opened in Downtown Phoenix. While it’s still finding its footing, it’s jumping off to a tasty start. Located on the corner of Van Buren Street and Fifth Avenue next to We’ve Got Flowers! is the new Via Della Slice Shop. Its housed in a historical warehouse, which I discovered after scrolling back through Via Della’s Instagram. I learned that the building was originally built in the 1920s as a car...

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Desert Digest Food & DrinkFirst Dish: Don Woods’ Say When

Kristy DurkinJune 21, 2021

Photo courtesy Studio Alcott For fans of creative cocktails with sweeping Valley views, the highly anticipated Don Woods’ Say When rooftop lounge is finally open in Uptown Phoenix. Cocktailian Ross Simon (of Bitter & Twisted and Little Rituals fame) heads up the beverage program at this vibrant retro rooftop bar. If you live in the Uptown area, you have probably driven by the enticing dark neon sign for more than a year, anticipating its...

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Desert DigestLylo Swim Club is a Refreshing Urban Oasis

Kristy DurkinSeptember 16, 2020

The new ARRIVE Hotel has arrived in Uptown Phoenix. I was invited to a hosted lunch at Lylo Swim Club, ARRIVE’s outdoor poolside lounge, and was delighted by this fresh mid-century urban oasis. Located on Camelback Road nestled between Central and 7th Avenue, ARRIVE Hotel sits just west of the restaurant Southern Rail. Lylo occupies the long strip of space right on Camelback cleverly hidden behind mural-covered walls. As you walk through the gate, you...

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Cocktails Desert DigestA Peek at UnderTow’s Antarctic-Inspired Makeover

Kristy DurkinMarch 16, 2020

Lightening flashed and thunder crashed outside as we descended into the subterranean chamber that is UnderTow. The rare Arizona stormy weather set the perfect tone as we embarked on UnderTow’s newest chapter, Drake’s Pass, for a recent media tasting. The frosty adventure unfolded throughout the evening as we sipped on UnderTow’s newest imaginative cocktails and submerged into the fantastical icy atmosphere proving, once again, that UnderTow is a lot more than just your average tiki...

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Desert DigestNew Restaurant Review: Josephine

Kristy DurkinJanuary 30, 2020

A chic new restaurant has materialized in the heart of Downtown Phoenix. The newly opened Josephine sits inside a refurbished historic house off of Portland and 3rd streets, offering globally inspired cuisine, craft cocktails and an extensive wine selection. I was invited for an introduction experience and I was dazzled. The 1919 historic bungalow is a choice location for Josephine. The matte-black exterior boldly stands out among the surrounding city buildings and looks oh-so dapper....

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Desert Digest Openings/ClosingsNew Restaurant Review: Zinqué

Kristy DurkinJanuary 27, 2020

Scottsdale Fashion Square is becoming the ideal spot for foodies with new restaurants popping up everywhere you turn. The latest addition, Zinqué (pronounced zinc-kay) had its grand opening this past week and I was lucky enough to snag an invite to their media event. The relaxed but stylish Euro-inspired restaurant mimics cafes found in the South of France, Italy and Spain where guests can start with a latte and end with a glass of wine....

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Desert DigestRestaurant Review: Sel

Kristy DurkinDecember 23, 2019

Hidden in plain sight, Sel is exactly the kind of place you want in Old Town nestled among art galleries, with its sophisticated flavors, chic modern vibe and dishes that look like works of art. When I walked in, its contemporary décor with accents of tufted purple velour and crystal chandeliers reminded me of a place one would find in Palm Springs or Miami. The clientele was a mix of young professionals, intimate dates and...