New and Newish In Downtown Phoenix

The downtown Phoenix area has been bustling with new things to do, places to eat and general happenings. Below are a few things we’ve caught sight. Hope you enjoy all the new happenings in downtown Phoenix AZ.

new places in phoenix urban vinesUrban Vines is a new place to catch lunch, dinner or happy hour in the Coronado Historic area. Located in the former Coronado Café, Urban Vines has an interesting, flavorful menu and full bar including a well choses beer and wine selection. We recently posted a review of  Urban Vines if you want to read more. Urban Vines is located at 2201 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006.

Grand Avenue Pizza is a welcome addition to the Grand Ave scene. They sell full pizza’s as well as some by the slice. The are open from 8:00 pm – 4:00 am for late night cravings. Grand Ave Pizza is located at the SW corner of Fillmore and Grand Ave. We have a review of Grand Avenue Pizza with a copy of the menu.

Bitter & Twisted is a full-on bar with food in the downtown Phoenix core. Reviews have been strong on this place saying things like… “Hands down best bar in Phoenix,” “Amazing bartenders and drink list,” “Fabulous food” and lots more. It is a classy place with great decor, well trained staff and a drink menu that’s actually a book. This is sure to be a top super bowl site. Located at 1st Ave and Central in the Luhr’s Building.

surfing-on-centralSurfing on Central is a fun summer event at CityScape in downtown Phoenix. For just 10 bucks you can ride the wave tank for 30 minutes. You can book a session by clicking here.

Farther North..

oven and vine phoenix azOven & Vine is Dylan & Michelle’s new place. They were the owners of Portland’s for 13 years and have scaled down to a sweet space next door to Shine Coffee on Vernon. Oven & Vine has nice assortment of salads, sandwiches and pizza-like flat bread creations. Look for the new patio coming this fall. The are open for both lunch and dinner Monday through Saturdays.  Oven & Vine is located at 14 W Vernon.

Joy Ride Taco House is the newest offering from the people who own Postinos, Federal Pizza and Windsor. Like the others, it is located just north of Camelback on Central. It’s a fairly ruckus place with darn good Mexican food. The fare is flavorful and light… not that oily stuff you see at some place. The service has been great on both of our visits. Worth the ride up north and easy with light rail. Joy Ride is located at 5202 N. Central Ave.

new restaurants in phoeix 2014The Newton is Jon Kitchell & Lorenzo Perez’s adaptive reuse project in the former Beefeater’s building. Since it is across the street from the Camelback & Central light rail stop we thought we’d include it. It is a multi-use project housing Changing Hands Bookstore, First Draft ( a coffee,beer & wine bar) and Southern Rail Restaurant. We have not eaten at Southern Rail yet so we hope some of our readers who have will tell us what they think. A garden store is soon to open at Newton as well. Newton, named after the owner of Beefeaters, is located at 3rd Ave and Camelback.

That all the new and newish we have for August 2014. Let us know if you have found a place we should add… it’s easy to edit a post and we’d love to add something special you know about.


Gene Urban & Ron Urban
The Urban Team at Realty Executives
602-234-5777

connecting people to the perfect place for over 20 years

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