November restaurant openings, closings
November was a good month for fans of Asian flavors with the opening of Clever Koi, Zen Culinary and Hot Noodles, Cold Sake. In all, at least 23 kitchens opened.
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in three minutes. The first Arizona location of California-based Blaze Pizza opened in Tempe. The Avondale branch is the second, with additional stores planned for Phoenix and Glendale.
10155 W. McDowell Road, Avondale. 623-936-2957. And, 105 W. University Drive, Tempe. 480-829-3775, blazepizza.com.
Clever Koi
This neo-Asian eatery and cocktail parlor is the newest member of downtown Gilbert’s Heritage Marketplace. The rotating menu features small plates, rice and noodle dishes, dumplings and buns. Happy hour, from 2 to 6 p.m. daily, features specials on food, cocktails, beer and wine. The original Clever Koi is in central Phoenix.
384 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. 480-284-7529. And, 4236 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-222-3474, thecleverkoi.com.
Hot Noodles, Cold Sake
Chef Josh Hebert parlayed his ramen nights at Posh restaurant in Scottsdale into this standalone concept, Hot Noodles, Cold Sake. Ramen comes in goma, shoyu, miso, shrimp and vegan varieties and comes standard with nori, bonito, leeks, bean sprouts and scallions. The dinner special, $18, is a dinner-sized bowl of ramen with three gyoza and a Kirin or Kirin Light beer. 15689 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale.
480-432-9898, hotnoodlescoldsake.com.
Fresko
Chef Kody Harris, former executive chef at Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill, opened Fresko, a fast-casual Greek eatery, near Elliot Road and 51st Street in Ahwatukee. Harris tapped her Greek roots for the menu, which features chicken souvlaki, gyro pita sandwiches, moussaka, spanakopita and baklava. Diners can bring their own beer, wine or spirits. There is no corkage fee. 5033 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix. 480-940-3669, freskokitchen.com.
This national build-your-own-pizza chain lets diners select from dozens of toppings or choose from one of the signatures, such as the rustic veggie, Alfredo’s Alfredo or classic margherita.Now open in Mesa at Greenfield Gateway, on Greelfield Road south of the US 60.
1766 S. Greenfield Road, Mesa. 480-813-4292, pieology.com.
Zen Culinary
Rachel McAuley’s 379-capacity restaurant features Asian-accented dishes such as smoked tea sea bass with ginger-soy; jidori half chicken and Shu Mai dumplings. The restaurant took over the old Los Olivos Norte location in north Scottsdale.
15544 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. 480-296-0030, zenculinary.com.
Sip on a soju cocktail and watch as your food cooks on the grill that’s built into your table at this Korean barbecue restaurant at Desert Ridge Marketplace. It’s the latest restaurant from HL Concepts, which was founded by Hyunwook Lee and also operates Nori Sushi and Puro Gelato.
Desert Ridge Marketplace, Loop 101 and Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix. 480-265-9406, sizzlekoreanbbq.com.
Marco’s Pizza
Pizza, subs, wings, salads and cheesy bread are among the offerings from this Ohio-based pizza company that opened near Bell Road and 55th Avenue in Glendale. Locally owned by Steve Cherrier.