He Said, She Said: 16 Phoenix-area places you should try in 2016

Jan 8, 2016, 11:20 AM

Farm & Craft in Gilbert. (Facebook Photo)

(Facebook Photo)

KTAR.com

A good meal can change the way you feel. A mediocre or bad day or night can turn into a brighter one all because of a terrific breakfast, lunch, dinner or happy hour.

We’ve been to a lot of places as restaurant bloggers.

All across the Valley, new places are opening you should try while others have only been around a short time.

Phoenix should be especially busy with several restaurants joining the landscape. Among the options are martinis, pizza, kielbasa and tapas.

In the East Valley, there’s Asian-inspired food and more tapas.

We’ve done some scouting for you. All you have to do is show up and enjoy.

1. CoR:
Recently opened and still working out a few kinks, this tapas and wine bar in Phoenix is on its way to being a great local addition. Share multiple plates with the table or just order a few for yourself. Paired with one of their signature Sangria will make 2016 that much sweeter. (Facebook Photo)

2. Lou Malnati’s:
A Chicago tradition, this pizza chain is opening its first location in the Valley. The Uptown Plaza will be home to this deep dish classic in 2016.
(Facebook Photo)

3. Dirty Martini Bistro & Bar:
This speakeasy style martini bar opened last December in downtown Phoenix. Conveniently located right off the light rail and serving up elegant martinis and upscale bar food, Dirty Martini is a great add to your light rail bar crawl. (Facebook Photo)

4. Shake Shack:
A New York staple has made its way across the country and landed in the Uptown Plaza in Phoenix. Classic burgers and fries along with milkshakes are their specialty. We’re looking forward to understanding the cult-like following when it opens in 2016. (Facebook Photo)

5. Barrio Café (In the old Bragg Diner):
Local celebrity chef Silvana Salcido Esparza is opening a new location of Barrio Café in the now-closed Bragg Factory Diner. Don’t expect the same menu though as she experiments with new items sure to become a new favorite. (Facebook Photo)

6. Milk Bar
As the population increases in downtown Phoenix, the range of ethnic foods is expanding. Recently opened Milk Bar is serving up Polish favorites, including pierogis and kielbasa. Wash it all down with one of many imported beers.
(Facebook Photo)

7. Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails:
From the owners of Crudo in Phoenix's Arcadia neighborhood comes Okra. Southern fare with an Italian twist and more of the amazing cocktails Crudo is known for, will make this a great gathering spot in 2016. (Yelp Photo)

8. Counter Intuitive:
Opened just last year from the owners of Cowboy Ciao and Kazimierz World Wine Bar in the old FnB location. It's only open 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The theme, menu and decor will change several times a year. Sounds fun to us!
(Facebook Photo)

9. SmokeHaus:
Scheduled to open in mid-January next to Brat Haus in Old Town Scottsdale, SmokeHaus will draw inspiration from California’s Santa Maria-style barbecue with an Arizona twist. Menu highlights will include chicken, ribs, pulled pork, street corn and pork belly mac and cheese. Keep your eye open for the signature item -- the Santa Maria Tri-Tip Sandwich. (Facebook Photo)

10. SoSoBa:
This Flagstaff hotspot has expanded to downtown Phoenix (lucky us). Labeled a nontraditional ramen shop, the restaurant offers noodle dishes that incorporate authentic ingredients as well as seasonal local ingredients. Dishes cleverly named The Mic Drop, Hostile Takeover and The Gumbowl will have your mouth watering.

11. Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar:
Open for about a year, if you haven’t eaten here yet its time to put it on your list. Celebrity chef Richard Sandoval's unique flavors take inspiration from all of Latin-America with Japanese and Chinese-Peruvian influences. Menu includes sushi and ceviche dishes at the raw “su-viche” bar, to wok dishes, small plates for sharing and inventive grilled entrées including Mexican campfire whole snapper, tomahawk rib eye and corn empanadas. Toro’s also offers the Valley’s largest rum selection with over 111 varieties! (Facebook Photo)

12. Clever Koi in Gilbert:
The central Phoenix favorite is opening up spot in downtown Gilbert. East Valley residents can get their fill of delicious Asian- inspired cuisine that has a unique modern American approach. The seasonally and locally refined goodies include steamed buns, house made dumplings, and progressive noodle dishes, reflecting Thailand, Korea, China, Vietnam, Japan, and Indo-China. Don’t forget to order one of the highly acclaimed craft cocktails. Hopefully this location will include the Clever Koi signature plastic mermaid garnish. (Facebook Photo)

13. Crab & Mermaid:
Opening date is unknown but mouths are watering with just talks of this place. A casual seafood dining experience is exactly what Old Town Scottsdale is missing. Even us desert rats crave fresh seafood and with Crab & Mermaid offering lobster rolls, crab cakes, po boys, shrimp boils and other seafood favorites, we are anxiously awaiting opening day.
(Facebook Photo)

14. The Brickyard Downtown:
Social-media postings show a lot of work is being put into the Brickyard Downtown restaurant in Chandler. We are anticipating big things when this space is finished. This American tapas bar/restaurant will open later this year.

15. Farm & Craft in Gilbert:
Holding itself to high standards, Farm & Craft’s menu is filled with REAL food. Using ingredients such as whole grain flour, raw vegetables, fruits and legumes, everything is prepared the way it was hundreds of years ago: raw, grilled, or cooked in a stone hearth oven. Keeping the ingredient lists short and avoiding preservatives and artificial sweeteners will have you feeling great every time you visit. (Facebook Photo)

16. The Orchard:
Luci's Healthy Marketplace has partnered with Jerry Mansoor and will open the Orchard later this year in Phoenix. The place will be a combination restaurant, market, and event venue, set in a refurbished 1920s adobe home. The site once overlooked a citrus orchard, hence the name. The cuisine will be American; expect a few dishes and cocktails that focus on citrus fruit. (Facebook)

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He Said, She Said: 16 Phoenix-area places you should try in 2016

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