20 Jan 2nd-Jan 8th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | bonus: the narrative-driven experience can continue on with a nightcap at Filthy Animal’s planned sibling bar and listening lounge, Drop Dead Gorgeous. Din Tai Fung Opens in early 2025 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale With the redevelopment of Scottsdale Fashion Square’s south wing, the mall has opted to import several luxe national and international restaurant brands. Among the most notable so far is Din Tai Fung, an award-winning Chinese restaurant that began in Taiwan. Today, the soup dumpling and noodle restaurant has more than 165 locations spanning 13 countries. Among them, Din Tai Fung’s Hong Kong location has received a highly coveted Michelin star five times. The Scottsdale location will mark the restaurant’s entry into Arizona. Its plans were initially revealed in August during an earnings call from Macerich, the company that owns the mall. On that call, it was reported that Din Tai Fung would open in early 2025. The restaurant’s website simply notes the new location will be “steaming soon.” Catch Opens in early 2025 7014 E. Camelback Road, #612, Scottsdale The upscale seafood restaurant Catch is another glitzy out-of-towner that is coming to Scottsdale Fashion Square. The New York-born restaurant will open a nearly 12,000-square-foot dining destination at the mall, alongside fellow luxe eateries Din Tai Fung and Élephante. Catch’s menu includes a raw bar, sushi, seafood and steak. An announcement in August teased dishes including lobster macaroni, crispy shrimp and Truffle Sashimi with tuna, hamachi, chile ponzu and black truffle purée. “Locally influenced menu offerings” will be served alongside these “Catch Classics,” the announcement said. The drink selection features sake, signature cocktails and reserve cocktails that use high-end spirits, such as Catch’s reserve Old Fashioned made with Wolves Whiskey. Catch Hospitality Group said to also expect a sleek, modern aesthetic, matched with a lively atmosphere. Tropic Thunder Opens in summer 2025 1014 N. Second St. Restaurateur Julian Wright has already given Roosevelt Row revelers spots to sip craft beer, sake and cocktails downtown. With the arrival of his next bar, he’ll offer a place to knock back tiki-inspired drinks, too. Tropic Thunder will be a “dive bar with tiki vibes,” according to Wright, who owns downtown haunts Pedal Haus Brewery, Sake Haus and Luckys Indoor Outdoor. The bar will open on Second Street just north of Roosevelt Street, featuring several classic tiki cocktails along with neighborhood bar staples, such as beer-and-shot combos. Wright has part- nered with architect Wesley James to design the space. The two worked together on the Tempe dual bar concept Devil’s Hideaway and Idle Hands, and James also designed the immersive Valley bars Century Grand and UnderTow. Wright describes the aesthetic as a “twist” on traditional tiki with a “bit of a punk rock vibe.” We can’t wait to pull up an animal print stool at the bar and bask in the black light glow while sipping a Jungle Bird. Sweetgreen Opens in late 2025 3221 E. Camelback Road 15323 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Sweetgreen, the Washington, D.C.-born salad chain, will open two Valley locations in 2025, marking its first entrance into the state. The health-driven fast-casual restaurant will open a Phoenix location on Camelback Road and 32nd Street, taking over a portion of the former Tomaso’s on Camelback. The second store will be an outpost in Scottsdale Quarter near Greenway Hayden Loop and Scottsdale Road. Sweetgreen has devotees for its kale caesar and buffalo chicken salads as well as seasonally rotating options such as its fall Harvest Bowl, which features chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, apples, goat cheese, roasted almonds, wild rice, shredded kale and balsamic vinaigrette. Buc-ee’s Opens in late 2025 1351 N. Bullard Ave., Goodyear If you’re scratching your head wondering why a Texas-based gas station chain is among a list of restaurants and bars, you’ve not been inducted into the road-tripping, beaver mascot-adoring cult that is Buc-ee’s. In addition to being a spot to fuel up and use its (often surprisingly clean) restrooms, Buc-ee’s travel centers have also built a following for their numerous housemade eats. Those include barbecue brisket sandwiches, kolaches and car- friendly grab-and-go snacks including Buc’ee’s Private Label Chips, its array of beef and turkey jerky and 20 flavors of homemade fudge. In March, the city of Goodyear confirmed that Buc-ee’s closed on its land purchase at the southwest corner of Interstate 10 and Bullard Avenue, cementing the status of Arizona’s first travel center from the chain, which will be an estimated 74,000 square feet. In October, representatives from the city and Buc-ee’s shared a construction update on X, noting that the Goodyear location could be open by Christmas 2025. Coming In Hot from p 19 Din Tai Fung is known for its handmade dumplings. (Photo by Tirion Boan)
