Zachary's Pizza Slated to Close
Julie Thompson, manager at longtime Tucson pizza-joint Zachary's Pizza, 1028 E. Sixth St., says rough financial times are forcing the restaurant to close at the end of the month. This is so sad that there simply are no words for it, but I'll try: Zachary's deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza made it a legend over the years. Those giant slabs of goodness and an ever-changing selection of beer kept Tucsonans fed for many years, and with its closing, we'll lose a wonderful restaurant. It will be sorely missed.
Urban Belly
There are rumblings about a new restaurant called Urban Belly that is expected to pop up around the downtown area before long. The guy in charge is chef David Valencia Jr. He describes the fare as "nostalgic, elevated comfort food." This, Valencia says, will be accomplished by remaking classics like macaroni and cheese, and peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches, using modern techniques.
New: Tohono Chul Garden Bistro
What was formerly the Tohono Chul Tea Room is now the Tohono Chul Garden Bistro, and new managers have been brought in to run the show. Patrick and Rose Fahey, and Jason and Kendell Hartenbach—who operate the Flight Grill at the Pima Air and Space Museum and food-truck Mobile Bistro Gourmet—are now in charge. They've made some changes, but nothing drastic. "We don't want to lose the essence of the Tea Room; we want to build on it and offer even more to our guests," says the description at www.tohonochulpark.org; 7366 N. Paseo del Norte.
The Chow Card
Picked up a Tucson Chow Card yet? The card, sponsored by the Tucson Weekly, offers two-for-one deals at ethnic restaurants around town, and proceeds benefit the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance and the Tucson Meet Yourself Folklife Festival. It's $20 and available at www.tucsonchowcard.com.
Coming Soon: Tapas Fusion
A new restaurant called Tapas Fusion is opening near Campbell Avenue and Glenn Street, in the space where Elle Wine Bistro used to be. It's owned by Violeta Rodriguez and Mary Bellin and is expected to serve worldly cuisine infused with South American flavor. The owners tell us the highlight of the menu will be pollo al spiedo, a chicken dish hailing from Peru; tapasfusiontucson.com.
