The recession has been hard on Valley restaurants, but out of adversity comes opportunity. Amidst all the closures, a number of new eateries have risen from the ashes like Phoenix’s mythical namesake. Here are five that recently have opened:
Il Vinaio: Formerly called Valley Eatery, this massive restaurant has been remodeled, including the addition of a wine and microbrew bar. Breakfast and lunch remain basic, but chef Patrick Boll, last seen at Scottsdale fun spots Geisha a Go Go and Drift, has created a Mediterranean-influenced dinner menu. 270 W. Main St., Mesa, (480) 649-6476.
Nunthaporn’s Thai Cuisine: Former Benjarong Thai owner Treekamol Nunthaporn has taken over the Main Street space that housed Christel’s Bavarian Deli for nearly two decades. The lunch/dinner menu includes a wide variety of traditional Thai chicken, beef, pork, duck and seafood dishes, most $9 to $10. 17 W. Main St., Mesa, (480) 649-6140.
Rendezvous Point Restaurant: Longtime French restaurant Citrus Café, which closed after its most recent owner was charged with stealing diners’ credit card numbers, has re-opened under new ownership. The lunch menu features basic salads, sandwiches and burgers; the dinner menu focuses on steaks and pasta dishes. 2330 N. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 855-5566.
Fired Up Grill: Former Chandler Buca di Beppo manager Joe Busone takes over the nearby space (pictured above) that housed popular nightlife spot 56 East. Pasta dishes and individual pizzas lend an Italian flair to the menu; entrees range from Southwestern meatloaf ($13.99) to Caribbean grilled ahi tuna ($16.99). 7131 W. Ray Road, Chandler, (480) 940-4040.
Trophy’s Steakhouse: Nearly three dozen big-game mounts are a clue this restaurant focuses on meat, including many kinds of wild game. The eight-ounce filet mignon ($21) is one of the best values in the Valley. Other must-tries are the pork “wings” ($9), buffalo burger ($10) and buffalo and elk meatloaf ($13). 7215 S. Power Road, Queen Creek, (480) 840-3981.
Twitter
Facebook
Il Vinaio is wonderful!! If you are there for breakfast, you must try one of their homemade scones. Best ever!! Service is so much better under the new owners. While it was still the Valley Eatery, the service was horribly slow despite the restaurant looking like a ghost town.
It’s really too bad that these folks are trying to open restaurants at this time. I see these going the way of their predecessors in a very short time span. We went to one of our favorite restaurants just the other night and it looked as if everyone had left town. Our waitress said that things had been going downhill since the economy nose-dived. I just don’t understand why people always figure that they have a better idea than the last guy who just went out of business in the same location.
Help! Is there any place to get a good Greek gyro in the East Valley? I’m desperate!
For a great Gyro go to Gyro Express on Chandler Blvd in Chander.
It’s a small place in a shopping center, but the food is amazing.