Now Open in DTPHX: Condesa Mediterranean Restaurant
by Lauren Potter
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Condesa Mediterranean restaurant opens with a limited takeaway menu Monday, Dec. 2. The full menu begins Dec. 9. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
A new restaurant, Condesa, is now open in Downtown Phoenix bringing new life and an infusion of Mediterranean cuisine to the former Tom’s Tavern space at 2 N. Central Avenue.
Beginning Dec. 2, the restaurant will serve a limited takeaway menu of freshly prepared foods during its soft opening. The full dinner and cocktail menu launches Monday, Dec. 9.
Named after the Mexico City neighborhood La Condesa, which experienced an influx of immigration in the 30s and 40s, the restaurant’s menu reflects many international influences with a distinctly Mediterranean feel.
From a falafel waffle sandwich to a pastrami short rib, shared veggie plates, large salad bowls, charcuterie and more, the flavors showcased throughout the menu find their roots in Mediterranean cuisine, with influences from Spain, Israel and Morocco.
The restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Renaissance Square tower, is slated to serve breakfast and lunch from the 12,000-square-foot space with seating for up to 350 people, and movable furniture for flexible seating arrangements.
A large espresso bar sits at the entrance of the restaurant and will offer a full array of espresso drinks, as well as grab-and-go sandwiches, salads and bowls for the time-strapped lunchtime crowd. In the later hours, this area will transform into a bar for charcuterie and cheese.
Cocktails will be a cornerstone of Condesa’s menu. A grand cocktail bar at the back of the restaurant invites diners in to experience a craft cocktail while enjoying the Mediterranean-inspired fare.
Vibrant murals by street artist and Phoenix transplant Mata Ruda cover the vertical concrete pillars — the art inspired by the vibrant La Condesa neighborhood.
(Photo: Lauren Potter)
In the main dining area, long tables and booths invite guests to commune together in family-style seating, while overlooking the bustling Washington Street through expansive windows.
Those who want the ultimate dine-in experience can enjoy a truly immersive chef dinner from directly inside the restaurant kitchen, which has 360-degree views of the restaurant.
The corner retail spot that used to be A Touch of Yogurt is also incorporated into the space and has flexible seating, a big screen TV monitor, and can be booked out for private events.
The restaurant also features a small area with floral arrangements and unique items available for purchase, giving diners the opportunity to pick up a last minute gift on their way home.
If you go
Condesa
2 N. Central Avenue at Renaissance Square
Hours: Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday from 7 a.m.-12 a.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Saturday hours are from 4 p.m.-12 a.m. for dinner; Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for brunch.