The past two weeks have seen four new restaurants open up in Downtown Phoenix with two more coming in the next few days. Here’s the dish:
Breakfast Club opened last week at CityScape (across from Gold’s Gym Elite at 2 E. Jefferson) and is busy cranking out famous waffles and Huevos Rancheros, plus lunch plates like burgers and wraps served with crisp sweet potato fries. Keep an eye out for Breakfast Club’s barista bar, coming soon to the kiosk next door to the restaurant. Breakfast Club is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week.
Chipotle made its Grand Opening at CityScape  today and, as expected, the reception was jubilant with the line often extending out the door. Chipotle is located on the corner of Washington and First Avenue, across from Jimmy John’s and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. It’s like the Pantheon of Popular Fast Food! Chipotle is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Downtown’s Asian dining options are holding strong, losing Thai Elephant and Viet Kitchen but quickly filling those spaces with 5 R Cha Thai and Asiana Sushi, respectively.
Fans of Thai Elephant should be pleased with 5 R Cha Thai’s (Central/Adams) express counter service (plates range from about $5.95-$8.95). If the food tastes familiar, it’s probably because the two owners are sisters. 5 R Cha Thai is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.
It was sad to learn of Viet Kitchen’s sudden closing (they served excellent Pho and perfect spring rolls) but Asiana Sushi (First Avenue/Monroe) is eager to console heartbroken diners with Bento Box lunches and classic sashimi and sushi rolls. Asiana also offers a variety of chef specials–curry, fried rice, udon, and yakisoba–available with chicken or tofu ($7.95), beef or pork ($8.95), and shrimp ($9.95). Asianana is open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 12-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Possibly by week’s end, CityScape will see the arrival of another new restaurant, The Strand Urban Italian, located  between Arrogant Butcher and Yogurtini. This fast casual concept will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, specializing in quick dishes under $10 (pasta, sandwiches, salads, Italian fry breads) and Bellinis. Fan them on Facebook here.
And speaking of Italian, next week Downtown welcomes back an old friend, BKLYN’S NYC Pizza, which will reopen next to Hard Rock Cafe at Collier Center (2nd Street/Washington). BKLYN’S will be back just in time for the start of the Suns season, ready to serve up some of Downtown’s favorite slices and wings with great lunch specials.