In a little over a year, CityScape has become a magnet for local culinary A-listers and beloved national restaurant chains.
The strength of the mixed-use development’s pull has never been more evident than with the imminent openings of three more eateries.
Popular Old Town Scottsdale breakfast and lunch spot The Breakfast Club will open across from Gold’s Gym Elite, between Tilted Kilt and the under construction Kimpton Palomar Hotel, on Nov. 14. In addition to the gargantuan waffles, pancakes, and omelets, The Breakfast Club will also serve up specialty coffee drinks from an adjoining barrista bar.
“Fast casual” Italian restaurant The Strand (picture, left) will sling sandwiches, pasta, salads, and Italian fry bread from the corner of Jefferson and 1st Street starting in mid-November. The concept comes from Jimmy Carlin and Maven Hospitality Group, the same folks responsible for Blue Wasabi and The Cajun House. The Strand will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and will also feature beer, wine, plus Bellinis, a popular Venice-born frozen drink that combines sparkling wine and peach puree.
And on Dec. 6, Chipotle will open one of five new Valley locations directly across from Jimmy John’s and Five Guys on the corner of Washington and 1st Avenue.
Napa Valley-born Oakville Grocery, will keep hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
District American Kitchen & Wine Bar
“Everything Phoenix”, a recurring program broadcast on PHX 11, recently featured the Downtown dining scene. Over lunch at 
So what can someone who has never visited a Tilted Kilt expect?
* Half-Shell Oyster with Sea Urchin plus Half-Shell Oyster with Ponzu Sauce paired with Iwate Kura oyster stout 
East Valley Living reports 
This Wednesday, November 17, 
The dining scene outside the business core is thriving and expanding as well. The long-awaited Downtown Pita Jungle is expected to open on Nov. 25 next to Lola Coffee on Roosevelt. 
5 Things to Be Thankful for Downtown
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010The Orpheum Theatre. Burgers. Free Wi-Fi. These are a few of my favorite things, as Maria Von Trapp and Oprah might say.*
And since it’s the time of year to give thanks, here’s a short list of things I’m thankful for Downtown, including suggestions for things to see and do:
Five Guys Burgers has already made a big splash at CityScape. I’ve sampled their not-so-small “little cheeseburger” and it’s messy, juicy and fabulous. If that’s not enough burger for you – and what is? – Blu Burger Grille is joining the restaurant roster at CityScape in 2011. Their burgers are seriously hefty half-pound bites of Angus beef, Kobe beef, salmon, Portobello mushroom or bison.
A Showcase for Local Artists
In an effort spearheaded by Phoenician Joey Robert Parks, 26 local writers were paired with 26 local photographers to create the 26 Blocks Exhibit. The idea was to capture the past, present or future of 26 city blocks in downtown Phoenix. You can see the results of all this artistic effort through next Monday, Nov 29, in the lobby of CityScape’s Main Tower.
On Nov. 23 and Dec. 14, the Orpheum is offering a free, guided tour of this gorgeous, historical site. The one-hour tour, offered at noon and 1 p.m., will provide all kinds of history and a look backstage. Theater buffs should check this out.
The Ever-Changing Science Center
Even if you’ve been to the Arizona Science Center several times, you’ll always find something new to do or see. Thrill-seekers will love the Evans Family SkyCycle, which gives you the chance to be strapped into a harness and ride across a cable nearly 14 feet in the air.
Free Wi-Fi
I’m almost sorry I discovered the fun of working on my laptop and drinking some kind of mocha latte. It hurts my diet. Ouch. On the bright side, we can all take advantage of free wi-fi Downtown at Duck and Decanter, Fair Trade Café and the Arizona Science Center café, to name a few.
* Apologies if you were hoping some of these things would include raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, a free car, or Dr. Phil.
Tags: 26 Blocks Exhibit, Arizona Science Center, Blu Burger Grille, CityScape, downtown phoenix, downtown phoenix dining, Duck and Decanter, Fair Trade Cafe, Five Guys Burgers, Orpheum Theatre, things to do
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