Primo
A few months ago, Primo opened in the J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort. Although the restaurant's under the hotel roof, it is independently owned by Melissa Kelly and Price Kushner. Kelly, a James Beard Foundation award winner, was named Best Chef Northeast when she owned Old Chatham Sheepherding Co. Inn in Chatham, N.Y. The Kelly and Kushner partnership owns three Primo restaurants in coastal Maine, Orlando, Fla., and now Tucson. Primo is open for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. nightly, serving Southern Italian specialties and fare inspired by France and Spain. Call 791-6071 for reservations.
Si! Grille
Recently opened Si! Grille is a Mexican-influenced casual restaurant with table service serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Menu items include fish tacos, seafood, pasta and mango chicken served with garlic mashed potatoes and a mango pico de gallo sauce. Stop by 8195 N. Oracle Road; 219-8758.
Culinary Arts
Some of the hottest careers today are in the culinary arts field. Check out these classes at Pima Community College: Cul 198T2, sauces in culinary art, three credits, Thursday evenings, 6 to 8:40 p.m. from Aug. 24 to Dec. 15; Cul 160, baking, three credits, starting Aug. 24 and going through Dec. 7 on Wednesday evenings, 6 to 8:40 p.m.; and Cul 198T1, the art of chocolate, starting Oct. 4 and running through Nov. 1 on Tuesdays from 6 to 8:50 p.m., one credit. For prices and to sign up, go to www.pima.edu, visit any campus or call 206-5164.
Central
Coming in November, the American bistro Central, owned by Chef Mark Economou will open in the new downtown Toole Avenue depot. Economou has worked around town at Bistro Zin, the Gold Room at Westward Look Resort, Keaton's and Terra Cotta. Stay tuned.
