For the first time in my 22 years living in the East Valley, I see people drinking wine in downtown Mesa. Not out of paper bags, I mean.

It’s opening night at De la Cruz Bistro, downtown’s first wine bar. A few people are sitting at the copper-colored concrete bar. About two-thirds of the dining room tables are occupied.

Almost everyone has a glass of wine or bottle of imported beer while munching on everything from chicken wings to filet mignon.

This is exactly what Omar de la Cruz hoped for. Since the $100 million Mesa Arts Center opened in 2005, he’s seen well-dressed people standing in line to order at the counter of his tiny Mangos Mexican Café before shows.

If only there was someplace in downtown Mesa where people could enjoy a nice, sit-down meal, they’d say. Someplace where people could enjoy a glass of wine, either before or after a show.

• Check out De la Cruz Bistro’s menu (pdf)
• View a slideshow of De la Cruz Bistro
• Previous: De la Cruz Bistro opening soon in downtown Mesa (Aug. 12, 2008)
• Previous: Paperwork snafu postpones bistro opening (Aug. 12, 2008)
• Previous: De la Cruz Bistro set to open Friday (Aug. 28, 2008)

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De la Cruz Bistro, the American restaurant and wine bar scheduled to open earlier this month in downtown Mesa, finally plans to open its doors at 10 a.m. Friday.

The 80-seat eatery, located in the former Posh Nosh space on the northwest corner of Main and Center streets, is owned by Omar de la Cruz, who also owns Mangos Mexican Cafe just a few doors down.

De la Cruz had hoped to open his new restaurant Aug. 13, but a last-minute paperwork mixup forced a two-week delay until final inspections could be completed.

Info: (480) 258-6942.

• Previous: De la Cruz Bistro opening soon in downtown Mesa
• Previous: Paperwork snafu delays planned Aug. 13 opening
• Check out de la Cruz Bistro’s menu (pdf)

Many Americans, struggling with the double whammy of high prices and job worries, are skipping their usual Labor Day trips, according to the American Automobile Association.

But just because you’re not leaving town doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a few hours of “vacation.” Here are seven East Valley restaurants that will take you on a culinary trip — and have you back home by bed time:

Bavarian Point: Zwiebelrostbraten (a beef filet with deep-fried onions) and huhnerbrust punijab (boneless chicken in a curry sauce) are among the authentic German offerings at this strip-mall restaurant, whose  pub serves up Bavarian beers like Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse and Spaten lager. 4815 E. Main St., Mesa, (480) 830-0999.

D’Arcy McGee’s: Irish and English specialities — such as Irish breakfast, Yorkshire pudding, leek and salmon pie and steak and mushroom boxty — abound at this Tempe Marketplace eatery (pictured at left). Beers on tap include Harp, Strongbow, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny, Erdinger and Hoegaarden. 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, (480) 557-9087, primepubs.com.

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Ra Sushi’s happy hour not only is getting longer, it’s spilling over into the weekend.

Starting this week, the Scottsdale-based chain will offer a lower-priced happy hour menu from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Previously, its happy hour was 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.

Sushi and appetizers will be half-off the regular menu prices. Drinks specials will range from $1 to $5.

“Our new happy hour is just one way to give back to our customers during a tough economy,” Ra Sushi co-founder Scott Kilpatrick says. “We’re bucking the trend of raising prices at a time when costs seem to be spiking everywhere else.”

Ra had 21 locations nationwide, including restaurants in Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and Ahwatukee.

• Check out Ra Sushi’s new happy hour menu (pdf)

I thought I would check out one of the new Dunkin’ Donuts stores that opened across the East Valley today. The stores launched at 5 a.m., so I figured I’d avoid the crowds by stopping by after the morning rush and before the lunch rush. Turns out, it didn’t matter.

When I pulled up to the new Dunkin’ Donuts on the northeast corner of Stapley and Baseline roads in Mesa, the line stretched out the door and into the parking lot. At 10:45 a.m. In the sticky, 95-degree heat.

After spending a few minutes at the end of the line — and not seeing any movement in that line — I calculated it was going to be a very long wait so I bailed. Maybe I’ll try again this weekend.

Who knew that being closed for a couple months for renovations would generate this level of excitement for a chain that’s been around for 58 years?

• Find the E.V. Dunkin’ Donut location nearest you

A chic-looking restaurant serving Mediterranean-style cuisine with Spanish and Italian touches in downtown Mesa? Sounds almost too good to be true.

That’s what I thought when Café Azul opened eight months ago at the Marriott Mesa Hotel just north of Main Street.

Café Azul’s appearance certainly turned out to be as advertised. The polygon-shaped building on the northeast side of the hotel has a couple walls of tall windows that look out on a fountain, waterfalls and a multi-level courtyard.

Inside, a large fountain dominates the center of the restaurant. Blue mosaic tiles create a “stream” in the concrete floor. Orange mosaic tiles glisten on round columns.

Dramatic light fixtures — huge, inverted pyramids — hang from the ceiling. Back-lit glass panels with grass silhouettes provide a backdrop for the polished granite bar.

It seems like a perfect setting for dinner before a show at the nearby Mesa Arts Center, or a nice place to enjoy a glass of wine afterward.

But while the décor has remained unchanged over the course of my four visits this year, the same can’t be said of the menu.

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Sometimes it’s the little things: De la Crus Bistro, which planned to open Wednesday in downtown Mesa, discovered today it hadn’t filed proper paperwork with Maricopa County, chef Keawe Aikau says

It’ll take about a week to get the paperwork approved, so look for the opening next week, Aikau says. The restaurant is taking over the former Posh Nosh space on the northwest corner of Center and Main streets.

Renovations include the addition of a large concrete bar, an antique wood bar and new tables and chairs. The menu promises contemporary American cuisine.

• Learn the story behind de la Cruz Bistro

Three years ago, the Mesa Arts Center opened amid expectations the $100 million cultural complex finally would draw the crowds necessary to support a downtown dining and nightlife scene in the state’s third-largest city.

That dream will soon take another step toward reality with the opening of de la Cruz Bistro, an 80-seat contemporary American restaurant and wine bar across from the arts center.

The 2,400-square-
foot eatery on the northwest corner of Main and Center streets is the latest venture by Omar de la Cruz (pictured above), who opened nearby Mangos Mexican Café in 1996. De la Cruz’s family also owns four other restaurants in the East Valley.

“To be honest, I’m very excited, but very scared at the same time,” de la Cruz says. “There are restaurants right now that are changing menus, lowering prices so people come out. But I’m confident we’ll have customers here.”

De la Cruz Bistro is an all-day operation. Coffee and pastries are offered starting at 7 a.m. A fast-casual lunch menu — orders are taken at the counter — includes burgers and sandwiches ranging from $6.50 to $12.

• Paperwork snafu delays planned Aug. 13 opening
• Check out de la Cruz Bistro’s menu (pdf)

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Texas-based CiCi’s Pizza celebrates its recent arrival in the Valley by trying to set a record for the world’s largest pizza buffet 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at University of Phoenix Stadium.

The buffet, which is free and open to the public, will feature 300 feet of pizza. Free beverages and carnival games also will be offered.

CiCi’s has three East Valley locations, all in Mesa. Info: (972) 745-9396 or cicispizza.com.

August. The month of two-a-days. The time of year when football players of all ages — from Pop Warner to the NFL — strap on their helmets and pads to prepare for the fall season.

The time when veteran players begin glancing over their shoulders to see who among the latest crop of newcomers might challenge for a starting position.

The same might be said for sports bars, those television-laden watering holes that vie for East Valley football fans on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, a competition no less fierce than that on the field.

The newest rookie on the East Valley’s roster: The Double Overtime Sports Grille, a promising player that made its debut two weeks ago on Power Road, just south of Baseline Road, in east Mesa.

Like any heralded rookie, Double Overtime, the younger sibling of a Fountain Hills sports bar by the same name, boasts some impressive stats, most notably 35 high-definition TVs.

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With the first six months of 2008 in the books, it’s time for a mid-year look at the best restaurants that have opened in the East Valley. Despite our economic doldrums, it’s been a banner year. Here, no particular order, are the 10 new restaurants that have most impressed me, taking into consideration their respective categories and niches:

Humble Pie: This cozy pizzeria and wine bar (pictured above) at Hilton Village makes delicious 11-inch, wood-fired pizzas topped with locally produced meats and farm-fresh vegetables, complemented by wines and beers selected by co-owner Tom Kaufman (Rancho Pinot Grill). 6149 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, (480) 556-9900, humblepieusa.com.

Digestif: Restaurateur Peter Kasperski (Cowboy Ciao, Sea Saw, Kazimierz World Wine Bar) adds another jewel to his empire with this SouthBridge eatery, which sets chef Payton Curry’s rustic “Cal-Ital” menu to an indie music vibe. 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, (480) 425-9463, digestifscottsdale.com.

Bar Tepo: This stylish yet casual New American eatery from Valley restaurateur Steve Short (Basis, Atlasta Catering) offers unusual treats, such as roasted artichoke and Boursin cheese puffs with a bacon fondue or brown suger Hoisin chicken tacos with mango salsa. 1652 S. Val Vista Drive, Mesa, (480) 633-0155, bartepo.com.

Fine’s Cellar: Michael Fine, founder of Sportsman’s Fine Wines & Spirits, started with a great wine list — also available in the barrel-vaulted restaurant’s retail shop — then tasked chef Cullen Campbell to create an all-day menu of gourmet sandwiches and entrees to match it. 7051 E. Fifth Ave., Scottsdale, (480) 994-3463, finescellar.com.

Cork: Robert and Danielle Morris’ ambitious small-plates restaurant and wine bar in Ocotillo offers delicious nibbles of everything from lobster to pheasant to antelope to ostrich. Traditional-sized dishes are served for lunch and Sunday brunch. 4991 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 883-3773, corkrestaurant.net.

Roka Akor: Trendy London restaurant Roka chose Scottsdale for its first North American spinoff, where marinated meats, seafood and vegetables are cooked over oak charcoal on a large robata grill. Sushi and Japanese kitchen dishes also are available. 7299 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, (480) 306-8800, rokarestaurant.com.

Latitude Eight: Novice restaurateur David Fliger’s simple yet modern Thai grill is the latest gem in restaurant-rich downtown Chandler. The family-run eatery — Fliger’s mother oversees the kitchen — boasts a wonderful five-course tasting menu for a mere $13. 11 W. Boston St., Chandler, (480) 722-0560, latitude-eight.com.

Eddie’s House: Chef Eddie Matney’s first public foray into the East Valley presents his eclectic versions of American comfort foods in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. Look for Matney bantering with guests and handing out samples nightly at the chef’s counter. 7042 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale, (480) 946-1622, eddieshouseaz.com.

Bourbon Steak: Taking over the former space of the Fairmont Scottsdale resort’s well-regarded Marquesa, celebrity chef Michael Mina brings the American steakhouse into the 21st century with three tiers of beef, topped by a $175 Japanese “A5” Kobe New York strip. 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale, (480) 513-6002, michaelmina.net.

Culver’s: Yes, it’s a fast-food restaurnt. But this Wisconsin-based chain’s famous ButterBurgers — the buns are buttered, then toasted — are the epitome of fast-food burgers. Delightful frozen custard desserts cap off this guilty pleasure. 1909 S. Country Club Drive, Mesa, (480) 733-5330, culvers.com.

Related links:
• View this story as a slideshow with photos of all 10 restaurants
• Review my top East Valley restaurants of 2007

Last week, I wrote about five East Valley pizzerias where diners can get a good slice of pizza at a reasonable price. One of those places was Oregano’s. A lunchtime visit to their Mesa restaurant today, though, left me very disappointed.

• Read my original story on East Valley pizzerias for a good slice

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Bar Tepo, the New American restaurant that opened earlier this year at Dana Park in Mesa, has launched some daily lunch specials, including poblano and chicken mac ‘n’ cheese ($7), tempura fish and sweet potato chips ($8) and a cilantro and chile seared chicken quesadilla ($7).

• Read my April 2008 review of Bar Tepo 

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With the price of just about everything spiraling out of control, wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy a delicious lunch for less than $5? When I’m trying to stretch my restaurant budget, I turn to East Valley pizzerias, many of which offer a slice or two for just a few bucks. Some even throw in a drink. Here are five of my go-to spots:

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After a couple months of delays, KiZake Sushi & Martinis finally has opened in downtown Chandler. Chef Hiro Taniguchi’s cozy eatery, decorated in blue and white, features a natural wood sushi bar with 11 seats, a half-dozen four-person tables and a booth.

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As we celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend, it’s the perfect time to recognize America’s culinary heritage. From New England clam chowder to Cajun gumbo to Texas beef brisket, the United States enjoys a gastronomic diversity few countries, if any, can rival. Here are five East Valley restaurants that embody the spirit, and appetite, of America:

Ted’s Hot Dogs
Nothing’s more American, according to tradition, than hot dogs and apple pie. If you’re looking for the former, Ted’s Hot Dogs offers delicious charcoal-broiled jumbo dogs, footlongs and cheese dogs that trace their pedigree back to Buffalo, N.Y., in 1927. Today, the chain has seven locations in western New York and one in Tempe — maybe because Ted’s president Spiro Liaros lives here and oversees it. 1755 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, (480) 968-6678 or tedsonline.com.

Iowa Café
For apple pie, you won’t find any better in the East Valley than those at this east Mesa café, which has been owned by a string of Iowans, including current operator Pam Ohsman, during its 23 years. Pies ($14.99, or $2.59 a slice) also come in 17 other flavors, not including seasonal varieties. Make a meal by starting with one of the café’s breaded pork tenderloins or Maid-Rite loose-meat sandwiches. 5606 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, (480) 985-2022, iowacafe.com.

Pinnacle Peak Patio
The self-proclaimed “original Western steakhouse” has been serving its streamlined menu of mesquite-broiled steaks, ribs and chicken since 1957. Eight separate dining areas can accommodate nearly 2,000 people, and there always seems to be a few who show up in neckties, which end up cut off and displayed on the wall. 10426 E. Jomax Road, Scottsdale, (480) 615-1113 during day, (480) 585-1599 at night, pppatio.com.

Red White & Brew
Dishes ranging from chicken and cheese empanadas to Cajun chicken to coppa stracciatella pay homage to America’s ethnic diversity. The Chandler location celebrates its one-year anniversary Friday by extending its patio an extra 40,000 square feet for live music, family-friendly games and prize giveaways starting at 11 a.m. 6740 E. McDowell Road, Mesa, (480) 807-9393; 4850 S. Gilbert Road, Chandler, (480) 305-6993; rwbaz.com.

Heart Attack Grill
This burger joint has garnered national and international attention for its zealous embrace of America’s unhealthiest eating habits. “Quadruple Bypass” cheeseburgers (made with four half-pound beef patties and 12 strips of bacon), french fries “deep-fried in pure lard” and caffeine-laden Jolt Cola hare hawked by young female servers dressed as sexy nurses. U-S-A! U-S-A! 6185 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, (480) 205-7777, heartattackgrill.com.

Red White and Brew will celebrate the one-year anniversary of its Chandler location with a huge outdoor party from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday. The restaurant, located on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Chandler Heights roads, will expand into 40,000 square feet of its parking lot to offer outdoor grills and family carnival games.

Raffle prizes include Diamondbacks tickets, $100 Neiman Marcus gift cards and $100 and $50 gas cards. The grand prize is a $3,000 Rockford Eastgate stereo system. The Weezul Brothers Band perform at 5 p.m.

The free event is a fundraiser for The Choir Boys, a non-profit motorcycle club that helps the families of fallen law-enforcement officers. Info: (480) 305-6993 or rwbaz.com.

• Humble Pie, the six-month-old gourmet pizzeria from Tom Kaufman and partners, has expanded its menu. It now offers lasagna made with Schreiner’s Sicilian sausage ($9.95) and three sandwiches: mortadella ($8.95), chicken ($8.95) and turkey and salami ($9.95). New desserts ($6.95) include cannolis, brownies, root beer floats, chocolate and olive oil gelato and the ubiquitous pizza cookie. Info: (480) 556-9900 or humblepieusa.com.

• SWB, the Southwest bistro at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, has introduced a six-item “A La Mode” summer dessert menu, including a chocolate ice cream tiramisu (espresso-laced ladyfingers, Belgian chocolate ice cream, mascarpone and chocolate espresso beans) and a Mediterranean Coupe (pistachio ice cream, olive oil cake, apricot compote and yogurt). Info: (480) 444-1234 or scottsdale.hyatt.com.

• I Am The Center, Robert Black and Austin Vickers’ three-story “holistic lifestyle complex” in downtown Tempe that includes chef Damon Brasch’s wonderful organic bistro, has closed for the summer, according to its website. Info: iamthecenter.com.

• Chompies is celebrating the Fourth of July with an all-you-can-eat ribs feast for $10.99. The New York-style deli also is selling red, white and blue versions of its traditonal black and white cookies. Info: chompies.com.

• If you love Jamba Juice as much as I do, you’ll be happy to know ready-to-drink bottles of smoothies and juicies now are available in six flavors at Safeway and Albertson’s. Look for them at Fry’s and Bashas’ by the end of summer. Info: jambajuice.com.

• Mark your calendars: July 11 is Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A. Free meals are given to anyone fully dressed as a cow and, yes, there are East Valley residents who take advantage of the offer. Info: chick-fil-a.com.

• Sake2me, which claims to be the “first single-serve, naturally flavored, ready-to-drink infused sake beverage,” has made its Arizona debut. You can find it at BevMo and AJ’s, among other places. Info: sake2me.com.