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Hailing from Mexico City, Hector Cruz began working for Jocque Concepts in 2008 and now serves as the company’s executive chef, overseeing Chop Shop, Diego Pops, The Montauk, The Hot Chick and Eat Up Drive In. While he doesn’t get to do much cooking these days, he creates new menu items and makes sure that all concepts are up and running.  How does he keep track of all those formats?  “I have a person in...

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Opening B & B Cocktail Lounge The folks at Bourbon & Bones Chophouse have opened a cocktail lounge adjacent to the mother ship with a tidy menu of sushi, salads, shared plates and desserts. 4222 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, bourbonandbones.com Café Balkan Authentic European Kitchen This new restaurant features “home-cooked meals,” including goulash, stuffed cabbage rolls and lamb shanks. 21043 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, cafebalkanaz.com California Fish Grill A second location of the California-based...

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Fans of the immersive cocktail experience at UnderTow will find a new port in Gilbert’s Epicenter at Agritopia this fall. This is the first expansion of the tiki-inspired cocktail bar that puts its patrons onboard a turn-of-the-century clipper ship, immersing them in their voyage through custom decor, lighting and special effects like thunderstorms. “Growth has been a key goal of ours, and thanks to UnderTow’s incredible fanbase, the demand is there,” Jason Asher, a founding...

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Photo by Sydnee Wilson Light Heart Coffee is a unique and beautifully designed coffee shop that recently opened in Scottsdale. It offers a variety of coffee and non-coffee drinks including lattes, cappuccinos, espresso tonics, jasmine lemonade and much more. In addition to great coffee, it has a welcoming and positive atmosphere. When I first walked into Light Heart Coffee, I was greeted by bright colors, wavy patterns and disco balls. Usually when I walk into...

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Salmon Carpaccio from Zinqué | Photo courtesy The Knight Agency  Father’s Day is fast approaching! Sunday, June 19 is a day dedicated to dear old Dad. No plans? We found a few spots around the Valley offering special deals, including discounts, drinks and all different kinds of cuisine. Dapper & Stout This casual coffeehouse is celebrating Father’s Day across the Valley with a buy one, get one free special. Order a coffee, and Dad gets...