Food ReviewsDining Review: Source
Nikki BuchananJuly 6, 2023
Star chef Claudio Urciuoli is in startup mode again – this time conjuring terrific pizzas, flatbreads and bruschetta out of a fancy Swedish oven in Gilbert.
Desert DigestFood & DrinkFirst Dish: Source
Nikki BuchananFebruary 21, 2023
PHOTO BY NIKKI BUCHANAN For a week or two there, it seemed as if every food-friend I spoke to had recently been to Source — Claudio Urciuoli’s new restaurant in Epicenter at Agritopia — and to a person, they raved about it. Many of the superlatives zeroed in on the bread, some declaring that Urciuoli’s bread-baking chops have reached an all-time high, others gushing more specifically, as in, “Oh my God! You’ve gotta try the...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkChef Claudio Urciuoli Parts Ways with Pa’La to Focus on New East Valley Venture
Nikki BuchananOctober 14, 2022
In a move that surprises no one who knows him, chef Claudio Urciuoli has left Pa’La and Pa’La Downtown, the Italian-influenced, seafood-centric restaurants in which he partnered with Omar Alvarez of Tortas Paquime. As you may recall, the two opened the first Pa’La on 24th Street in late 2017, followed by a larger, full-service Pa’La Downtown — where the kitchen was (and is) helmed by Jason Alford – in 2021. He has amicably parted ways...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkUnderTow Drifting to Gilbert with Second Location
Sara CrockerJune 30, 2022
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...
2021Best of the ValleyBOV Lifestyle & EntertainmentEditors’ Picks for Best of the Valley 2021 Lifestyle & Entertainment
Editorial StaffJuly 6, 2021
Welcome back, life. As the pandemic winds down, the Valley's cultural diversions -- festivals, the arts, gyms and tours -- are blossoming anew.
The PHiXEpicenter of Attention
Leah LeMoineNovember 26, 2019
In October, Gilbert real estate/restaurant maestro Joe Johnston announced his latest project, Epicenter at Agritopia, was pre-leasing retail space. The mixed-use endeavor is in the heart of Johnston’s idyllic Agritopia community and boasts a number of cool tenants in its 49,000 square feet of retail space. Look for: Phoenix favorites Matt’s Big Breakfast and Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup have locations in Epicenter. Wylde Salon, Hooligan’s Barbershop and Bunky Boutique have all set up shop in...