New restaurant sets opening date as growth spreads in downtown Phoenix

PHOENIX — Blanco Cocina Cantina has set an opening date of Nov. 13 to become the first restaurant to open at Block 23 on the corner of Washington and Second streets in downtown Phoenix.

After announcing its plan to open by the end of the calendar year in January, the modern Mexican restaurant has endured the coronavirus pandemic is on track fulfill its promise.

Located at 125 E. Washington Street, between CityScape and Collier Center, Blanco Cocina Cantina will be the fifth Blanco location in the Valley, according to a release by RED Development.

RED Development, a commercial real estate company, announced several more restaurants and cocktail lounges coming to the area near Block 23.

Ingo’s Tasty Food is opening a second Valley location in a 1,488-square-foot spot near the corner of First and Washington streets.

The Phoenix Bourbon Room by State 48 is expected to open in the spring of 2021 at nearby CityScape on Washington Street and Central Avenue.

Pigtails, a cocktail lounge and seafood bar, already opened its doors earlier this year along Central Avenue just outside of the Block 23 area.

Two other restaurants have also invested in the area.

Everbowl, a health-focused restaurant originating from San Diego, is expected to open at the end of 2020 and Dog Haus Biergarten, a German-themed sausage and beer concept, opened earlier this year on Central Avenue.

While commercial development continues to evolve, a residential development in the area called The Ryan announced it leased 30% of its availability since welcoming their first tenants earlier this year.

The growth of downtown Phoenix coincides with ongoing improvements to Talking Stick Resort Arena, just a couple of blocks south and east of CityScape.

In September, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego told KTAR News 92.3 FM that out of the top 10 construction markets, Phoenix is the only market where construction expenditures increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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